southerngoose

Hi! I would like to go to a sheep farm and have them talk about the sheep and then shear a sheep. Bonus if there's any demo/discussion of washing/carding the wool after it was removed from the sheep and a sheep/wool related gift shop. I found Sheepworld in Auckland that seemed to be a good idea, but I'm not sure the tour will work with the schedule. I am cruising from Sydney, to New Zealand, ending in Auckland. I'm doing a B2B on the same ship. The second cruise leaves Auckland and returns to Auckland. At this time, they only do the shows on Fri, Sat, Sun. The tour may be too long for the day that I arrive in Auckland after the first cruise and I return on a Wed. If I have no other option, I could fly out on Saturday after the second cruise, but I'd rather not do that. Are there other sheep farms/shows in the Auckland area? I looked at the sheep excursion but it didn't include shearing the sheep. I'd consider another New Zealand city, if there was a recommended farm. Any guidance is appreciated. The sheep have been on my bucket list for awhile. I'm a knitter/spinner.

I have no issue with lots of non-English speaking folks aboard, but frankly, I think it'd be very difficult for me to go on a German speaking cruise where the lectures (which you said you wanted) would be in German. My German isn't good, but maybe yours is? I was looking at Ponant and had no fear because my French is good enough to get through the lectures. Have you tried to find YouTube videos from people who went on the cruises you want? I saw where one Ponant cruise made you wash your own boots with a brush and I was not impressed (or maybe I was extremely impressed, in a negative way). So I would have to confirm that it's a newer ship with the boot washing machine. Apparently, I'm the only one concerned about that and the smells. But I learned from YouTube that my ideal time is November...pristine snow. 🙂 March is whale season, but you wanted Penguins and apparently, they are out in Nov, however, it's pre-chick season. I learned that the high season is Dec/Jan. I noticed that the bargains (like no single supplement) are Nov and March. I heard that March is too late for penguins and more about whales. I want penguins and I want to minimize the poop mud. I also don't want to pay the airfare at holiday seasons (Christmas/New Years). From my observation, you might consider Hurtigruten since they offer no single supplement for the less popular voyages. The one I want is on a ship with no balcony...which is not ideal so I am going to keep shopping. Also consider 2 days in the Falklands and 2 days in South Georgia. If you watch the videos, you can decide for yourself if you care about those areas or just want to do the peninsula and some other areas in South America.

@PerfectlyPerth Dumb question - what happened to your camera if you were submerged? Do you carry it in a waterproof bag?

@Bella0714 Which cruise line did you do an expedition for $3900 booking a month in advance? Also, in March, are there penguins? I heard that they are gone by then. 😞

I read this thread and decided that I needed a repair kit. I was at the dentist and asked him and he said "Oh, we can give you something for free". WHOA! The reason I asked is because I was a wee bit concerned about what these drug store kits contained and whether the dentist might have trouble getting it off to fix it or it may not be good for your teeth etc. This may also be the reason why he just gives you something, just in case. 🙂 I like free. I feel no guilt...he gets plenty of my money for my mouth of dental work.

Does anyone know if there is a limit on bottled water, San Pelligrino and such on the Zero Proof package? It does seem expensive (I'm used to fountain soda package for like $11/day). But if they're offering bottled water that I could take on tour and just to drink in the room, it may be worth it to me. Note: I'm not trying to take advantage, but at the same time, I don't want there to be a secret limit of one bottle of water and one smoothie or something like that. I'm normally a heavy water/carbonated water drinker.

How do you find out the cost of the specialty dining? I looked and it doesn't seem to indicate a cost, unless it's next to the food you're ordering.

Hi...Does anyone know whether the Celebrity Edge has a buffet? Also, there are "specialty restaurants", but the sample menu doesn't have prices (it has a price for drinks but not always for the food). Does this mean that the food is included? I noticed some restaurants have prices next to the food but some don't. I tend to eat at the buffet, instead of the main dining room so I'm getting concerned if there is an extra charge at specialty restaurants and no buffet.

@Tahitianbigkahuna Thanks...I'll call and ask. Their math is a bit odd...maybe it's a web issue.

@Tahitianbigkahuna Any thoughts on Paul Gauguin as a solo cruiser? I REALLY want a balcony and I would prefer a longer cruise (12-14 days). I looked for the "zero single supplement" cruises and could be ok with the category D cabin for approx $10k, but when I try to book it, it is $15k. Is there a reason why it's $10k per person, double occupancy but $15k as a single with "zero single supplement"? Is there any other trick that I'm missing? I'm ok with the $10k fare + air and excursions, but $15k is a bit much for me, after adding all the add ons. Ideas are greatly appreciated. Windstar has no balcony and I have been convinced that Paul Gauguin is the "right" ship...

Hi...can anyone tell me whether the penguins smell or am I only worried about penguin poop? I like the idea of the painter booties.

You can "pretend" to book a cruise online. You know if it's full based on the number of cabins that you can choose from.