yarramar

As above, It depends on the actual cruise itinerary as to which time is best

Yes, but on a ship with 2500 + pax, there will always be a percentage that want to "get their money's worth"

I'd be more surprised to read that there are NO outbreaks of one thing or another. Any ship with a contained population of 2500 or more passengers is bound to have something going on.

Did you try Google? There are quite a few to choose from. https://exploringauckland.com/hot-springs-hot-pools-in-auckland/

If you can do that, then go for it. I wouldn't skip Darwin, though. It is fascinating and the national parks near by are amazing and worthwhile visiting. From Darwin to Bali is a flight of less than 3 hours.

You may find that this is better and cheaper than renting an umbrella. https://www.kmart.com.au/product/pop-up-beach-shelter-42781493/ If you go down this path, etiquette is to not put it in front of someone else's view of the water

Have Have you been given the OK by the cruise ship? It may be a breach of your contract of passage.

That is what put me off NCL. That and the upselling and pushiness of their business model. It is also what I have read most about the culture on board MSC and the bad food.

There is a long running thread on The Cruising forum at TripAdvisor. I have linked for you to start reading from August as newer posts would be more relevant but you could start from the beginning. https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g1-i10703-k10695166-o240-Msc_cruises-Cruises.html

I have also been on the Jade, so am quite surprised that you would sail NCL again. However, when considering an MSC cruise that took in some of the most fabulous ports I have always wished to visit and had an amazing itinerary, I looked at some of the reviews. I decided that it sounded 10 times worse than anything that I experienced on the Jade (which also had a great itinerary which I enjoyed immensely). Therefore, my advice would be that if you found the NCL Jade fine, then you will probably have a great time on the Jewel but maybe an MSC ship may be too much for an Aussie to take.

You're not being controversial, of course some people will take advantage of you if they can, especially if they hear an American accent, it is human nature. It is, however unnecessary to tip, anywhere, anytime. In law, tips are a gift, soliciting a tip is illegal and the same as begging. A tip jar belongs to the business owner and he may distribute what is in it any way he likes. They do usually share it between everyone but it is not required. The receipts are often because the software for the machine is US based. You may also have found that the cashier will just touch the final price for you on the machines display (some are embarrassed that it shows up on the machine).

This is an overview of the region for a tourist perspective. https://www.newzealand.com/int/bay-of-islands/

As Possum said, there will be a taxi rank with plenty of taxis. The taxi marshal will help if necessary. The fare should be no more than $65 even with tolls, airport fees etc. If the traffic is at a standstill, it could maybe be $10 - $15 more. Make sure that the meter is running and that you get a receipt with his name and taxi number. There is absolutely no need to tip. The driver or anyone else anywhere. So please don't. It is perfectly safe for both yourself and your friend at any time of the day or night so even though I made it sound like there could be a problem, it is only that some complaints of overcharging tourists have been made.

Anyone interested in the Resilient Lady can follow the shenanigans of her first repositioning cruise to Australia. There are hundreds of Aussies on board as the deal to sail was to good to pass up. They left Athens on October 22. https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/topic/2841105-resilient-lady-athens-to-sydney-october-22-2023/page/155/

Besides what the others said, NFC is always on not that it would work with an app anyway as you would have your card in your eWallet. You don't need data or an internet connection to make payments, that is handled by the terminal. A CC doesn't have WiFi and it works.

If you use credit cards, you must have one for each adult, i.e. 8 cards.

The cruise to Twofold Bay sounds nice for Eden For Burnie since there are 8 of you, do a private tour to Cradle Mountain. Tassie Tours are good. Melbourne Healesville, again do a private tour. There are a ton out there better and cheaper than an NCL busload of 50 people. For Sydney, don't do a zoo. Do a ferry trip to Manly and/or a coastal walk. https://www.sydneycoastwalks.com.au/ Bondi to Coogee is very popular. If you MUST do a Sydney zoo, definitely Tooronga. Then go to Manly.

I cant speak for the tour guide but if I had one client that gave me $10 per day as a tip and another that gave me a $30 gift card (even if it WAS Coles rather than Dan Murphy) I would say thanks to both but inwardly sneer at the $10 per day and be really grateful for the gift which would make my day. In other words, to an Aussie, a tip means nothing but a gift, no matter how small, is appreciated.

Possibly but making a payment to insure against a possible unfavorable outcome is just as valid. You could also say “to assure promptness “

For a more extensive description of each port, Whats in Port is an invaluable resource. https://www.whatsinport.com/Australia.html https://www.whatsinport.com/New-Zealand.html

There is absolutely no need to tip. The tour guide is most likely on a minimum of $60,000 PA plus expenses. This is above our minimum. A sincere thank you, and if he went above & beyond, a box of chocolates or slab of beer would be gratefully received. Also a 5* review would more than suffice. Tips are received because we are too polite to refuse, but believe me, they are not needed.

In April, the Australian itinerary would be my choice. A good place to start researching is. https://www.australia.com/en and https://www.newzealand.com/int/ Also http://www.bom.gov.au/ and https://www.metservice.com/

The actual accepted origin is "To Insure Promptness" This was painted and fired on porcelain cups & bowls at inns, coffee houses, etc. for coins to be dropped into.

These are the tours @queenslander was mentioning.https://www.bumsonseats.com.au/adelaide-cruise-ship-tours/

Haven't actually been but if you like a spectacle over just simply words and music and the weather is kind, then this will be for you.