yarramar

I started looking at around 6 months out and booked a place that is fully cancelable. I am thinking to change it and the prices elsewhere haven't really changed (it is now 3.5 months before our trip). The prices probably reflect the time of year and if there are events happening

The process in the US is different from here. When a US citizen rents a car, there own car insurance covers the hire car. Your travel insurance excess covers only any excess on top of the rental company’s insurance. You may have to explain this to them and pay whatever the insurance cost is.

This one ends in Auckland but starts in Sydney https://www.princess.com/cruise-search/details/?voyageCode=3604&resType=T&tourCode=T6U03C

That would be Princess. They have a number of varying cuise/land tours that will do that.

It is both. There are forests as well as all the villages, etc. Here is a list of the walks and hikes. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/australia/victoria/dandenong-ranges-national-park" The "Kokoda track" is easily accessible from the Upper Ferntree Gully station, which is a few stops before Belgrave. https://maps.app.goo.gl/8nVd6gxphQKJUNTFA

A Dandenong Ranges shore excursion with a tour company would be an ideal use of your time while in Melbourne. E.g. https://greatprivatetours.com.au/product/dandenong-ranges-tour/ However if you wish to DIY, for your $17 Myki card, you could catch the 109 tram to Swanston St then walk to Flinders St station (about 25 minutes total) Then catch the train to Belgrave which is about an hour. At Belgrave you can go on Puffing Billy through the rainforest to Gembrook & back but you need to book this (extra cost) as it is very popular. From Belgrave to the Dandenong Ranges is only a short Uber ride (although there are PTV busses) but what will you do once you get there? It is a lovely area for a drive around the little villages looking at the craft shops and having afternoon tea as well as walking through the lovely gardens and for some breathtaking views. Going by Uber or bus wouldn't be as enjoyable.

Besides the convenience of the $17 Myki Card allowing you to catch the tram or bus into the CBD and return to port, there is a daily cap of $10.60. This means that from the city, you can catch any PTV tram, train or bus to anywhere in the state including Geelong or Ballarat for the daily fare of $10.60.

I think our Home Affairs minister is trying to show that she is in control of the borders, so stepping up immigration checks on a soft target - cruise ships

According to the literature the vaccine only helps to lessen any symptoms you may have, not prevent catching it. If you test positive, it is just common decency that you isolate until a negative test is conducted.

Thanks for the tip on the Fosko key. I saw a woman using one at Aldi and asked where she got it. She said she didn't know and I made a point to look them up on Amazon (which I didn't) There is a pub I pass weekly in Port Melbourne. They have a sign in the window saying "$6 schooners all day every day". That would give you $4 to save. Another tip is to open an internet only bank debit card savings account. DW has one where $200 a month is automatically taken from her usual account and she earns a higher rate of interest which is actually better than long term investment accounts. She doesn't use it and forgets that it is there. There was over $12,000 in it from the last check, and we have an overseas trip and cruise coming up in May 😁

Another vote for Rottnest Island. If you need any help to convince you google "quokkas" Tell DH to go out on deck while at sea and look up if he wants to see a magnificent night sky.

There have been a number of complaints regarding the inclusion of taxis by hotel booking sites. For $60 there may be no savings at all over the regular fare, depending on time of day, traffic etc. Uber without any surge pricing should be even cheaper. I would just get a cab/uber when I arrive as any potential savings (premium) is not worth the risk of another thing going awry. Particularly as it is so easy and straightforward getting a taxi (or Uber) from arrivals.

There was the first mistake. Book a hotel around Circular Quay, drop off your luggage on disembarking the ship and spend a leisurely day (or exciting one) in Sydney. Get a cab after breakfast next morning to the airport.

I see that you have been active on your roll call. Have you asked fellow shipmates if they are interested in joining you for any number of tours that are available on the days you are in port? This organization gets good reviews and it is better value than the ship's tours. https://www.toursbylocals.com/Melbourne-Shore-Excursions

OK, If you are still keen, since there are no other NCL excursions available, you could still go by train. The 9.16am train from Southern Cross (15 minute Uber or cab from the port) gets you to Ballarat at 10.41. A bus to Sovereign Hill meets the train, route 21 at 10.45, which gets you there before 11.00am. The tours only give you 3 hours so if that is enough there is still time for the botanical gardens, the lake and the wildlife reserve, Although depending on where else you are visiting in Australia, there are wildlife reserves all over the place. I would use taxis/Uber to get around Ballarat. The fare from Melbourne to Sovereign Hill and back is capped at $10.60 for the day but you need to purchase a Myki card. You can do that at Station Pier (port). The trains from Ballarat to Melbourne run every 40 minutes so you can decide when you wish to return. You could also catch a tram back to the ship as you still have use of public transport for the day with your $10.60 paid. Some resources https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/8b367055-20b3-4d52-bb9e-2f8fd14474a7/Ballarat-timetable https://www.travelvictoria.com.au/images/ballarat/greater-ballarat-map.pdf https://www.travelvictoria.com.au/images/ballarat/ballarat-cbd-map.pdf https://www.sovereignhill.com.au/

At a whopping $482 AUD PP, you could catch a taxi there and back and have plenty more for a wonderful lunch. With 2 of you, you can save double!! If you have your heart set on Sovereign Hill (or any other excursion) Send an email to the tour guide I linked. You will have a much better experience being driven in luxury without worrying about 50 other passengers jostling for attention. All for far less than being scammed by NCL

They offer bespoke private tours, you would need to email them with your requirements Sovereign Hill is not the type of place that has ready made tours which can be booked online. You can also easily get there yourself by tram, train and bus. It will take 2-2.5 hours to get there.

Unless in a hijacked sports car.🤣

I guess she DID qualify with the description "angel".... but with the increase in crime rate these days???

I am also having problems with this one 🤔

You could try these people They say the tour is 8 hours, but they also have many other tours to offer from Melbourne and Station Pier

There should be a similar number of merchants and savings in each city if you choose a single city. If you travel a lot, just eating out at another city could pay for the book if you choose all cities & NZ. One example of what you could save is the 4% on Woolies vouchers. If you spend $100 a week on groceries, that alone will save you over $200 for the year. At $40 for everywhere for 3 months, a visitor to Oz & NZ could save $1000's

Maybe this was one of the excursions?

This is the best of such things here & NZ. Read through for your needs. https://www.entertainment.com.au/

Yes, you pass all the duty free on the way out from arrivals. You can also preorder and pay online and it will be ready to collect when you arrive