kiwipete

Heres 3 of them Pete..

 

http://www.angienpaul.com/

 

http://lifestylefifty.com/princess-cruises-trip-of-a-lifetime/

 

http://brizzy.dscloud.biz/blog/

Thanks David. Hope all is well with you.

OK so I know I'm lazy as I could have scrolled back through this thread and found the answer BUT can anyone recommend 1 or 2 "good" blogs for this world cruise. Can't do a World Cruise myself but love to dream!!!

Thanks.

Should have been going to Tonga but the Captain has obviously made a safety call and gone back to Fiji where we went last week!!

Update .

Initial polls are indicating an overwhelming vote for retention of the present flag . ..:D

That's a shame!!

100% satisfaction with the service we received from the free BNZ Platinum Visa insurance (Cigna Insurance) on two recent claims. We are overage and had paid the excess premium for overage persons.

We were less than halfway through a cruise and were medically disembarked. Resulting from this problem we had to cancel our next cruise which was to have happened 7 weeks later.

Having made sure we had all the required paperwork, receipts doctors reports etc, in place we made two claims claims. One for the uncompleted cruise and the other for the cancelled cruise.

Full payout, less excess, on both, in a very short period of time, paid directly in to our bank account.

As I said, 100% satisfaction.

Thank you Cigna.

Hi David,

Last minute booking on Pacific Pearl to Fiji on 28th March.

Back in the cruising mode!!.

Pete and Norma

South Africa had no issues changing their flag, so the same can be said for NZ. Personally, I think the current flag will be retained.

You may be right Mic but most of us want the change so that the rest of the world can differentiate between NZ and Australia.

Outside of Australasia most people cannot tell the difference as to which flag represents which country, and contrary to many Aussies belief, NZ is NOT a State of Australia.

So, despite the NZ flag having been in place first!, we have to make the change to show our independence and individuality. NZ has lots to be proud of - long may it continue. Including having the courage and tenacity to change its flag.

A real cheapy from an Auckland online ta.

Pacific Pearl 10 nights akl - akl Vanuatu and Noumea.

Inside cabin from $599.

24hr Sale finishes tonight!

So often we hear about how people have been let down or ripped off by insurance companies with their travel insurance claims.

Well our recent experience warrants a big thank you.

Having been medically discharged off the Golden Princess mid cruise and subsequently having to cancel a later cruise on P&O UK we submitted 2 claims.

Claim forms were sent to us which we completed and returned with supporting paperwork and Doctors reports.

The result was a swift and acceptable settlement with the claims being deposited in our bank account.

Who were the insurers? It was the free travel insurance that came with our BNZ Platinum Visa card (on which we paid the overage premium) which was underwritten by CIGNA Insurance.

Our sincere thanks to all concerned.

Very satisfied customers.

Pete and Norma

I posted the question on their Facebook page and got this reply;

Princess Cruises Hi Pete, we've sent this to our IT team. Unfortunately, Bridge Cam availability is dependent upon satellite connectivity and weather conditions.

It's working again!

No not the usual "good" day in Napier today. You're right David, overcast occasional showers and temperature of only 14c at the moment.

Good to see Sea Princess alongside, just wish we were on her for the cruise.

Enjoy.

and most certainly to you David.

I found this on the Princess board.

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/carnival-corporation-build-four-cruise-164500182.html

 

While Princess are getting another new ship in the Royal class the most interesting part of the article was that PO Australia is getting a new ship too. Now not a hand me down, not someone 25 year old leftovers. A brand spanking new shinny ship. Sounds too good to be true.

 

The new P&O Cruises Australia ship will join the leading cruise line's fleet that was recently expanded with the addition of Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden in November 2015 and will reach six total with the introduction of Pacific Explorer in 2017 to meet growing demand for cruises in Australia. Australia is one of the top performing cruise markets in the world, with an average annual passenger growth rate of 20 percent over the past decade. The new 4,200-passenger ship will have the largest passenger capacity from the line, with the next largest ship, Pacific Explorer, carrying 2,250 passengers, and will continue the brand's tradition of innovative ships that reflect modern Australia.

It seems that may be P&O are upping the passenger numbers on Dawn Princess from 1950 to 2250, when they take her over, which will be a real shame. She's great as she is!!

Sounds ruff, but then I could be barking up the wrong tree????

Hi Pete, thanks for the great information. I noticed you've been on the Princess Dawn 5 times. Do you recall whether we need an Australian power adaptor for our cabin?

Hi

Dawn is equipped with Aus/NZ power outlets so you don't need any adapters.

Enjoy your cruise.

We love Dawn Princess and sorry she is being transferred to P&O.

You grab these bargains quickly and then have to add all this other stuff like the $26 plus per person to the NZ government to arrive now:(

Some sacrifices have to be made to visit paradise!!! LOL

Just wishing all those cruising friends we have met on the High Seas, a very Merry Christmas, and everything you wish yourselves for 2016.

I was prompted to send this because I have just received the usual Christmas wish from "Thi" the director of Smile Tours who have organised tours to Ho Chi Min City, (Saigon) from Phu My. We first did one of her tours in 2009 and we have received a Christmas Card every year since.

We did the same tour again in 2012 and would thoroughly recommend it to any one who wants to visit Saigon from a cruise ship that stops at Phu My.

The Hop On - Hop Off bus stop right outside the wharf. This is a regular service that visits all the main tourist spots in Auckland and very worthwhile if you are a newbie to Auckland.

Of cours the "Sky Tower" is within easy walking distance from the ship. Also worth a visit as is the Museum in The Domain.

Heaps to do in Auckland, yours is the choice. Enjoy.

The shuttle in to Napier is free and drops you at the i site. (information centre) As Napier is a working port you are not allowed to walk off the port on foot.

Napier was devastated in the early 30's by earthquake and fire and some forward thinking people suggested that the redevelopment should be in the Art Deco style. This was achieved and even today any new development in the city centre keeps that style. Napier now claims to be "The Art Deco Capital of the World).

A very pleasant day can be spent just walking around the CBD or if wine is your "thing" then Napier is in Hawke's Bay, one of the best wine producing areas of New Zealand. Why not take a wine tour and visit some of the spectacular vineyards in the area.

One of the worlds top ten golf courses is nearby. Cape Kidnappers. There is a Gannet Colony that can also be visited.

It is also worth noting that Napier Port is quite small in size and the process of getting a large cruise ship moored safely is worth watching from the open decks.

Whatever you do, enjoy.

Take the shuttle in to Paihia then go to the wharf and catch the ferry to Russell.

Russell was the very first capital of New Zealand and is very historic.

When you get to Russell take a "Russell Mini Tour". This way you will get to places that you wouldn't have time to get to on foot. Also the commentary will enlighten you as to the history of "the hell hole of the South Pacific" as it was known in the whaling days, by the name Korereko.

Depending on time you may like to get some lunch in the "Duke of Marlborough" hotel, on the water front. This hotel was the first officially licensed hotel in New Zealand and still holds Liquor Licence No 1.

If you find yourself back at Waitangi, where the tenders drop you off, before you need to go back to the ship, then think about visiting the "Waitangi Treaty House".

This is where the "Treaty" was signed between Queen Victoria's representatives and the Maori leaders of the day, in 1840, and so is the birthplace of the modern New Zealand.

Other places worthy of visiting are Kerikeri, the fruit bowl of the north and part of those early historic days where the missionaries first preached the word of God and where the first trading post was opened and still exists in the oldest stone building in New Zealand.

Hey there is so much to see, the choice is yours!!! Enjoy.

We just love all 3 Sun class ships, Dawn, Sea and Sun. For sure they are smaller with less facilities in the form of smaller theatre, no undercover pool etc and no anytime dining. But they do feel more "personal". I guess lower number of passengers etc.

We would nor hesitate to cruise on any of them again.

But then we are also happy to cruise on Golden or Diamond as well.

I guess any cruise ship is better than being at home!!

Not true from my experience.

Was definitely correct when we were affected on Dawn Princes. Can't praise the crew highly enough.

Hi David,

Thanks from us too for your continued updating of these lists. Have a great Christmas and all the best for 2016.

Having had to disembark the Golden Princess last Friday, mid cruise, in Dunedin, on medical grounds, we now have had to cancel our Aurora cruise from San Francisco in January. Please will you remove our name from the list.

Many thanks

Kiwipete.

Please can someone tell me what currency is used on board.

We are boarding 29th Nov in Auckland.

Thanks.

To do both the thermal area of Rotorua and Hobbiton would be too much.

On our last visit to Tauranga we hired a car and did Hobbiton. A great day out and easily done. Would recommend it.