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gaechann

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    Review of Norwegian Jewel - 5 nights to Tasmania

    in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

    Posted

    Thanks Gae, one day I will tell you all what happened with duty free on Star Princess, Sydney - Darwin in March 2004. I think I told it before. We marched off with heaps, before we got stopped at customs, but the ship sold it to us. But there was a Customs spy on board, but we beat him. :evilsmile:

     

     

     

    So now I have internet again I’ll continue with the tale:

    We were informed by one staff member to restrict our purchases to a value of $35USD because by the time the VAT was added the conversion to AUD would be very close to $50.

    I picked out a nice pair of earrings priced $38USD then asked the cashier if that was “close enough” in price.

    He advised that they could only sell us essential items - company branded items or essential items such as snacks!

    An international passenger beside me was told the same whereas on Cunard those passengers who had arrived from and/or were continuing to foreign ports were able to purchase anything.

    Virtually all purchases were off limit to all passengers until the ship makes it’s way over to NZ.

    With $140USD of OBC still to use I had to resort to playing Bingo on the last day to use some of it up (non-refundable OBC).

    With a FREE drinks package, FREE gratuities, FREE specialty dining there was little else I could do - the Casino advised that I couldn’t use it there with them nor could I cash it out there.

    Review of Norwegian Jewel - 5 nights to Tasmania

    in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

    Posted

    Gae, are you able to confirm something for me please? Have heard that in the shops onboard there are signs up saying that there is a $50 pp spend limit due to Australian Customs Rules for Domestic Cruises. (Have never come across this at all on RCI or Carnival on the domestic cruises we've done)

     

     

     

    Yes will check for you later when they re-open but believe it could be true for those just sailing domestically - Cunard wouldn't allow us to make any purchase in their duty-free shops so I suspect this limit will just be for the Duty Free shops here on board!

     

     

    Sent from my iPad using Forums

    Review of Norwegian Jewel - 5 nights to Tasmania

    in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

    Posted

    Hi Gae.

    Glad you are enjoying the ship so far.

     

    Agree with you about the shows. Simply the best... Just spent 7 weeks on that ship, and got to see them all several times. Hopefully you will still get to experience "Le Cirque Bijou"..

     

    On the individual entertainer side, make sure you get to be entertained by Taylor Kundolf. Best pianist/singer we have ever seen on a ship. Usually has a stint in atrium but mainly Magnums of a night.

     

    Favourite drinks waiter was Ji Sun, a beautiful Chinese girl on her first contract with NCL.. She works the mainly Spinnaker, and she will remember our group..

     

    Food wise, our preference was Cagneys or Le Bistro, but Moderno OK if you specify medium rare.. (bit overdone skewars sometimes).

    Have fun..

    Sue and Phil

     

     

     

    Yes Sue & Phil - we have Le Cirque Bijou to enjoy tonight!

    Have experienced both Cagney's & Le Bistro with Moderno booked for tomorrow night!

     

    Haven't heard Taylor yet - I wonder if perhaps she (he?) may have disembarked in Sydney?

     

    Enjoyed the Reggae Group in the Fyzz Lounge last night before ending up at the Spinnaker Lounge enjoying Fire & Ice!

     

    Oh just noticed "Piano entertainment with Taylor" in Magnum's tonight at 9.30! Will be sure to find my way there after the Theatre Show!

     

    Regards - Gae from Coffs Harbour!

     

     

    Sent from my iPad using Forums

    Review of Norwegian Jewel - 5 nights to Tasmania

    in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

    Posted

    MONA - Museum of New Art is a very interesting place in that it’s mostly underground - if you’re not OK with steps you would probably have a real problem there!

    I think they state 95 steps from the Ferry Jetty up to the front door then a spiral staircase that takes you down into the bowels of the earth where you pick up your interactive devices to explain a little about each art display - all very interesting if you manage to forget that daylight & the way out are both way above you!

    After about 1.5 hours both my bladder & empty stomach (no breakfast this morning were complaining so I found my way back upstairs.

    Unisex toilets then a reasonable cafe for lunch out in the sun which quite quickly changed into the threat of a spring storm so took an early ferry back to Hobart dock but yes still got caught in the rain.

    So instead of the HOHO bus into town I’ve headed back to the ship for coffee & a little bite to eat.

    Some more photos from today - whilst you aren’t able to take photos of the exhibits I took photos of the displays on the interactive device you’re supplied with! [emoji14]

    3815cc42614d524555c09c23ece6f7a4.jpgaae7c7efd040e5698aae826e37116ee9.jpg1b1d899bb447073575a8b120216ab9fe.jpg3445bda571c1c2c110a4be493c63f56c.jpgfcd20e9baf8e07f9897f034e5f9c0560.jpg73ac094818349191be9383a5d744c3ee.jpg

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Review of Norwegian Jewel - 5 nights to Tasmania

    in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

    Posted

    Yesterday Burnie put on a great day for us! Hundreds of volunteers to help us out with things to see & do!

    I had not pre-booked anything but was directed to a small coach tour of 3.5 hours which took in some surrounding countryside & small villages.

    Since the timber processing plant moved out of Burnie they need to rely more & more on the tourist $$’s

    Here are some photos taken in the area:

    0e1ddcd182ca21c8c8cec6c0b6802fbe.jpg75ac7b8acd6791bc71b1dbc8a410c1b8.jpg792e28fbf61fc98c4e9e7088957c9eb6.jpge29ac1313f877254e6eba0bf58d69709.jpgbe13cdb548a3fc5abbb4e74a9444d747.jpg7e87ee2502ff40123d0b7d76b6d44edb.jpg

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Review of Norwegian Jewel - 5 nights to Tasmania

    in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

    Posted

    Is it just me, or does the Jewel have a touch of the Carnival Spirit's ? especially the interior ?

     

     

     

    Oh no! It must just be my photos as the Norwegian Jewel does not have all the dark panelling that Carnival Spirit has - does have a very happy crew just like the Spirit though - had a Meet & Greet before lunch to which about 8-10 Officers attended including the Captain!

    The Cruise Director is an Aussie - not sure how long he's been on board!

     

     

    Sent from my iPad using Forums

    Review of Norwegian Jewel - 5 nights to Tasmania

    in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

    Posted

    I was looking out for you Gae. I was at my usual station, Priority 1 A & 1B . However as you were a first time NCL pax I guess you would have been in the general check in line. ( I could have got you through Priority though [emoji16][emoji16]). I guess because today was only my third turnaround for the season and there are so many newbies working they may not be aware of my legendary status....as yet [emoji23][emoji23][emoji33]. I will look out for you at debark.. enjoy your cruise

     

     

     

    Thanks Graham! Yes I was sent to the end of the check-in counters - was very quick - on board in no time!

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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