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We got on the royal Princess very quickly but the loverly staff at the overseas passenger terminal realised my son was autistic and I was trace alone, so they supported me right through the whole process. 🥰

There seems to be a certain clientele whom like to travel with their pets. Maybe cruise lines can look at some of their older or even newer ships and see if this can legitimately accommodated. doesn’t Cunard have dog and cat kennels onboard? Some rooms could be dog/cat accomodating and the cruise line could charge a surcharge for the pet to be onboard. Rules would need to be followed also note that this would not be suitable on the Australian/NZ pacific island cruises or to other locations with strong bio security laws.

We are there on the 5th January with royal princess and princess has tours listed.

We booked with Rite Price car hire. They are located at the airport and run a shuttle bus between the port and their location. Alternative is to find a car hire company at the airport and taxi between the two

They have this included in the car hire

Decided to just check the date and time we needed for Hobbiton again and it was actually available! So I quickly booked it. Planning on going to Rotorua or the morning and then allowing plenty of time to get to Hobbiton after lunch. we regularly go to New Zealand and just love it. Every part is just so different and beautiful.

Hobbiton has filled the earlier times, so we are just going to go to Rotorua and ensure we are back at the ship by 6pm.

Exactly

Next port is Auckland but desperately don’t want to be filmed running for the cruise ship in Tauranga with the people on board laughing and waving. I’d much rather be the one laughing

Rite Price Rentals does car rental from the port of Tauranga

We will be in Tauranga on 5/1/24 on the Royal Princess, I just hired a car from the port for the day. The ship docks at 9am and departure is 8:30pm do you believe we will have time to do the Hobbiton movie set tour at 3:40pm for 2 hours? yes I’m one of those annoying people whom likes to be off the boat early and back 2 hours prior to sailing

Can you catch the shuttle bus and get to the cable car? We are on the royal over Christmas and all previous cruises to nz have been cancelled.

Prices for beverage packages as per the personaliser: premier beverage package $195.63 aud plus beverage package $149.59 aud zero alcohol drink package $69.75 aud classic soda package $35.65 aud cost of wifi per day $27 AUD cost to update to Princess plus per day per person $65 aud

So internet is $27 aud per day. the prices for drinks are they in AUD and do they include gratitudes? also is there still a basic soda package? The unlimited non alcohol package is about $35 per day. how much is a classic coke at a bar? trying to do the math about the drink packages but on a trip to nz they certainly add up and the only one in front is the house

I really hate that long flight with an ASD/ADHD child but I’ve spoken to a doctor and yep I’m drugging him. If that doesn’t work I’ll drug myself 😭

We are on the Queen Victoria in a 3 person balcony cabin

There are some amazing cruises out there but the cost of airfares are really going to stop some Australians travelling.

Well I’ve finally given into my fathers wishes. We have booked a Cunard cruise from Rome to Spain in September 2024. The prices were reasonable but the itinerary was amazing with sea days allocated every 4 or so days Rome Sea Cephalonia, Greece Corfu, Greece Kotor, Montenegro Dubrovnik, Croatia Sea Trieste, Italy Zadar, Croatia Split, Croatia sea Valletta, Malta sea Palma de Mallorca, Majorca, Barcelona, Spain my father is adding an insight land tour of 9 nights from Barcelona to Madrid this is only 14 nights of a longer cruise but love the itinerary and September is a good month to travel as it’s warm but not hot. flights to Europe are now priced over $2000 pp return economy if your lucky.

That is so tempting. School holidays in Victoria start as well. Just the cost of airfares

As mentioned my son has autism and his in a special needs school. Taking him out of school never hurts as he is forced to learn life skills whilst travelling. Life skills are important for these kids. might think more about the dates. looking at the majestic and the grande princess ships.

Nope he has autism so he’s the worst of the lot but he loves cruising and the motion of the ocean settles him.

Thank you for the information. They are both excited to be travelling and will be there for close to 6 weeks.

Still watching for Christmas cruises. They are coming down in price. it’s a shame about all those kids. Oh bugger I have 1 😂

My father and brother are coming to Vancouver in July this year for a cruise to Alaska after spending time in Canada. We live in Melbourne Australia where it doesn’t get that cold in winter. what type of things do you recommend they pack? I’m thinking they will need jeans, duck down jackets and layers, plus minimal summer clothes like light pants, a couple of pairs of shorts and T-shirts. thanks in advance

We are also trying to decide if we do the majestic or the grand for New Zealand over Christmas 2023. I did love the majestic and dads trying out the grand on the 14 night Alaska cruise 29 July.