buchhalm
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Everything posted by buchhalm
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Tipping tour guides in NZ and AUS
buchhalm replied to Torquer's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
The short answer is NO tip needed. Ever. End of story. A tip is always entirely voluntary. It doesn't matter for whom. (And you could stop reading now 🙂) Especially on tours that are sold by cruise ships that are already a lot more expensive than locally bought tours. (And it is not my concern who gets all that extra money). HOWEVER (cue the haters "WE don't tip in this country "): If I really enjoy a tour (or hospitality service) I often DO leave a tip. There is no magical % rule to this. Say the cafe bill is $17, I round up to 20. If the bill is $182, I make it 200 Tour guide? $10 or 20, depending on duration and level of fun and enjoyment. That's for me AND the wife. Not per person! And ALWAYS cash. Oh, and I ignore those "input discretionary tip " on these hand-held card readers. That 💩 is creeping in now. I refuse to be gently forced into tipping. In such situations I MAY still tip in cash. If I WANT TO. -
Let me guess. American? Military family? Welcome to Cruise Critic, by the way. My point is this. American armed forces are in that job voluntarily. And they know what they sign up for. And they are getting paid for their work. Correct? So if THEY should get special pricing because they are doing their chosen work, so should fire fighters, police officers, nurses, the mail delivery person, bus drivers, anyone. Or are you basing this on the level of the chance to get hurt at work?
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Booking with an overseas TA Princess cruises
buchhalm replied to subaru94's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
I find it double standards if a cruise line wouldn't let you book a cruise via an US based TA if you don't reside there. Their own service centers are based there and you have to deal with them for nearly everything. Even if you dial an Australian phone number, you are mostly redirected to the US *or Manila*. Currency on board is mostly USD. And even if you use a random American address, the moment you try to use a Non-US credit card, if could take you back to square one -
Yes! I thought so as well. When I lived in the US, that constant "Thank you for your service " was sickening. Uniformed military * but not any ACTUAL services that help people* get to board aircraft first etc. But what REALLY annoyed me were constant announcements in that regard on a cruise in EUROPEAN waters. OK, an American ship but there were more Europeans, and even Aussies on board. And Americans on cruise forums ask if they should bring their military uniforms (hopefully not the combat or every day ones) for Formal Night. But hey.... Halloween is creeping into Australia as well...
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Oh, I couldn't do the red hair. That's not going so well for that Windsor bloke either
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Sign me up!
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Is that code for something?
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Some airlines, such as Qantas have the annoying habit of sending you 'your flight to xyz has changed' messages. The new flight times are exactly like the booked ones. So where is the change? It's usually a minor change of aircraft. The only impact that may have is that the seat you chose is now somewhere else....
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Now for something completely different
buchhalm replied to Blackduck59's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Thank you. No-bake lemon and coconut with ginger cookies crust.... -
Now for something completely different
buchhalm replied to Blackduck59's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
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That's right. The USA are on list of visa waiver countries.
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Read this. It explains it all. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/tools-and-information/your-journey-to-new-zealand/before-you-travel-to-new-zealand
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Transportation From Sydney Airport to Hotel
buchhalm replied to Mylisa's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
The best is a taxi. The most economical is walking.😉 (Or the train, if your party isn't bigger than 2)