dreams_of_travel

Thanks for the detailed info. Question: Do you add your booking info in the app when you are able to select "Redeem"?

This should surprise no one. They probably got so many questions, of the type they really don't want to answer, that they closed the submissions early. LOL! I kind of hope the questions were all about removing gratuities from All Included, footstools, and charging singles more that double. 😈 I do hope for a points opportunity for the submitted questions Webinar. While I haven't got any Celebrity cruises booked, I have no problem inching my way towards Elite + on the chance Celebrity figures out how to not tick their loyalty members off. 😉

I have done this type of cruise several times. One cruise was never able to get past Christchurch (Lyttleton) sailing from Sydney, around the north island headed to Milford Sound. So keep in mind weather may play a factor on what you get to see. Wellington has two (at least for me) attractions that are a big draw: WETA aka Wellywood, and Te Papa museum. Both Australia and New Zealand have so much to see/do so you do need to read up on what you want to see/do/accomplish on this trip. (So much to see/do, I think this is similar to the notion that some Europeans may have about coming to the US, and seeing "it all" in three weeks. It simply cannot be done. Don't get me started about how some may think they will simply just drive in a few short hours from NYC to LA. LOL! ) Good luck with your research, and trying to decide which things are the most important to you. 🙂 I once upon a time did a land tour thinking I would never get back to NZ again. Then I did an around NZ from Sydney as a "one more then done" trip. And since then I have done another around NZ cruise. LOL! Now, I've got another set of cruises going to both Tasmania, another around NZ, with yet another one that ends up in SYD from southern Asia. So yeah, so much to see/do, and I still haven't repeated much of anything. YMMV

The whole tipping culture in the US is out of hand. I hate it, and the business model it was built upon. I cannot imagine how American tipping would be received in those countries where you don't tip, AND is considered highly offensive to tip. I find the no tipping culture in the countries I have had the pleasure of visiting over the last two years to be an absolute delight. I already have two more trips planned for both Australia and NZ for 2024 and 2025. I very much appreciate the advice, and good info from the Aussies and Kiwis in this thread.

I took the Green Island "Great Barrier Reef" excursion in Cairns. It was a relaxing day, but I know it wasn't all the way out to the Great Barrier Reef. We didn't snorkel b/c it was during the Box jellyfish season, but we did enjoy walking the island, and snoozing on the beach after our glass bottom boat cruise. Mainly we chose the Princess excursion instead of booking independently b/c of the distance etc. YMMV

They have to close the laundry as a precaution. Same with serving yourself anywhere on the ship. Def pack some soap powder just in case. 😉

Off topic comment warning: I liked the Grand fine. We had an aft Aloha inside cabin, and loved the access to the aft pool and bar area. You just head a few cabins down the hallway, and go out the door, up the steps, and you are right outside. We didn't miss having a balcony (I usually book a balcony) at all. The food, staff, and ship were fine. We didn't experience any issues aside from the ship having a Norovirus outbreak which caused the self-serve laundry to be closed. We did sink laundry for days. LOL! Our favorite routine on the ship was to order breakfast delivered in the morning, watch the bridge-cam during coffee as we prepared for the day, walk out to our "balcony" at the aft pool area, and then hit the International Cafe for more coffee or snacks. We had set dining every night in Boticelli dining, and had great wait staff. Loved the Cruise Director, and would make a point to go to the evening shows just to hear her "story" after the entertainment. I hope you have a great cruise. 😄

While I didn't really want to pre-pay for my next 5 cruises' wifi, I went ahead and did just that. I ran the numbers, and will end up saving over $300. The $5 increase($7.5 to $12.50) for the Elite pricing going forward adds up for sure. It would've cost me almost double for the many 14+ day future cruises I have booked. 😳 I do realize that people either want or don't want wifi on a cruise. I am one of those people whose family needs to be able to contact me no matter where I am. It is better to save money when/where you can so you can keep cruising/traveling. YMMV

Thanks for that explanation. So any specialty dining reservations have to also be paid with a card vs using OBC? That's quite annoying IMO. I have credits that are use or lose, and I have to wait until onboard to use them 😛 which of course works in Princess' favor if I wait to book the higher cost wifi onboard. 🙄

Why can't you use your OBC to book the wifi? Why do I have to charge it to a credit card? 🤦🏻‍♀️

I knew I had that wrong. LOL! I will definitely look for those next time. They look yummy!

@YukonHusky you may find some info, or some comments about this tour if you post over in the Australia/NZ ports of call forum. They are a wealth of info over there with many locals giving great information. Often if there is someone who can at least direct you where to better look for the info you need.

Ooooh I have not heard of the Kumara chips (aren't these called crisps like in the UK?). I will seek these out in November. Same with the milk coffee. I love having new things to look for, and try. 😄

100% accurate! When I was in Dunedin last January I bought two triangular short shawl/poncho pullover, and a couple pair of socks, all made from the wool/possum blend. Best purchases EVER! says the person sitting in their iced covered snowed in house wearing one of the shawl/ponchos. I can't wait to be back this November to buy ALL. THE. THINGS. LOL! @cookiersmom I would suggest some NZ greenstone jewelry with traditional designs. They are unique and a pretty reminder. I have yet to get myself some Australian opals, so that is on my list for my trip this year. And the possum/wool things.

Your post made me laugh. Thanks for the info about the Gondola and city centre. I have only done a drive through the city on a recent cruise excursion, so I hope to see a bit more this time around.

That is the opposite of my experience with the Taronga Zoo on 30th of October. I wonder what changed between my visit and yours. We saw all the animals, got a close up experience with the kangaroos, and quokkas in the kid area as well as got talk to one of the docents who was wonderful at explaining things. The only thing not operating was the sky gondola. It is disappointing to not have a good visit. I was able to visit both San Diego zoo, and Taronga zoo last year, and I think I liked the Taronga one more. YMMV

I looked at mine earlier today. I've got 6 cruises booked, and half are the same, and half are still refundable. I am not calling anyone to ask but will see what ends up happening. LOL! Remind me, will my folio, when I get onboard, show refundable, and nonrefundable?

Ah that makes sense. Thanks for clarifying that info. I was in Melbourne end of Oct for a few days before a cruise, and then disembarked after the cruise the 11th of Nov. I was not aware the bus had started this service. For us the tram worked better b/c of the Collins street stop, which was close to the train station to get the bus to the airport. But good to know about the bus for future cruise stops to Melbourne.

Interesting. I had no idea there was a bus, too. I've always just used the tram, which drops off at Collins street. I don't know that the bus would be a better location drop off. IMO But of course everyone has different reasons for using whatever they choose.

It is super simple to use their tram from the dock to the city center. I have used it a few times as a cruiser arriving into Melbourne. They will sell you the Myki card at the port building as you exit the ship. The best part is the tram is free inside an area at the city centre, so the cost is only to/from the port.

I'll have to check mine again. I had checked in December, and all were refundable then. I was hoping it would stick as refundable. Oh, well. I'm sure I can find something to use it for.

You WIN the "there's a gadget for that" prize! All those things were designed for when the engineer/architect didn't think through the actual customer needing to charge ALL THE THINGS. LOL! (I resemble that description b/c I carry too many things that need to be charged. 😉 )

That is clearly a YMMV scenario. LOL! *fingers crossed* for successful usage.

The orientation of the plugs, especially at the desk, need to be updated. I was recently on Grand Princess, it is was not well designed. With the two light switches right next to the two plugs, it renders one plug useless especially when trying to charge my iPad or iPhone due to the way their charging brick is designed.

I have that one, too. I don't leave it out when away from the cabin, and I do not carry it in my carry on bags that go through the xray scanner. It is always in my luggage given to the porter.