possum52

54 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

I thought that would be fun to do when we were planning the last 2 trips that got cancelled. of course it was not around race time and there would be no track, just the public roads. Of course this time the track will be set up and the drivers, crews and personalities will all be in Melbourne, We will be flying out the same day as FP1 and we will be boarding the ship in Auckland on race day. Who know maybe we'll stumble across someone by accident. Probably no current drivers but maybe Brundle or Hill or Button. I know Melbourne is a big city but it could happen.

Yes unfortunately Lyle it will be. We don’t normally come that way but we were detoured as there was an event along Beaconsfield Parade, the route we tend to use through Port Melbourne and around to St Kilda. 

On 1/26/2024 at 3:55 PM, Blackduck59 said:

 

Since I was a child. The races in Vancouver were a big deal for me. The noise, the smell the feel. Unfortunately Indy Car went through a big split and the quality of the show wasn't the same. I rarely watch an Indy Car race anymore, sadly. I watch Formula One all the time, although it has been very predictable lately and I'm not a fan of the wunderkind.

Lyle, we drove around part of the Melbourne GP circuit this afternoon while driving home from a few days in Warrnambool. 

6 hours ago, Jean C said:

Me to, I used to love them but suspect they got sweeter over the years. I don't know Iced VoVos?

 

I think so too Jean, but maybe we are more discerning as we age. I actually think the chocolate is nasty. I'm with Lyndon, I'd prefer an iced VoVo or even a jam fancy. 

5 hours ago, elaine5 said:

I was also looking at trip advisor. I must have mentally merged a bridge issue from 5 years ago, which supposedly resulted in the train now not going as far as it used and some lackluster reviews about the scenery and thought that meant it didn't go to the gorge anymore. Thanks for clarifying. However, upon reading reviews again, we might cancel this and pick another option. 

During Covid, the Dunedin Trains shut down and all its rolling stock was sent elsewhere, After everything reopened, they have come back in a smaller way. we went up the gorge in 2018 and really enjoyed the trip. At that time, you could do the train privately as we did. I think the comments about the scenery on Trip Advisor were a little unfair. I'm not sure what they thought they were going to see. We loved the train trip.

Google always helps, there are plenty of choices there.

3 hours ago, matamanoa said:

I'm sure we will.  The only problem is that we have so little time to discover your wonderful city.  My husband and I will be coming through Melbourne on a cruise and so that affords us one day in the area.  We don't plan on going into the city that particular day as we will be back again after the cruise ends.  At that time, we will have two days to see whatever we can of Melbourne and then we're off again on another cruise.  So the first time in port, we are going to stay in the port area and discover the shops, restaurants and galleries in the beach area and Bay St.  On our second time in Melbourne a week later, we will have more time to see what the CBD has to offer and I'm sure we'll enjoy our brief stay.

 

Barb

What are your interests? We can perhaps offer some suggestions.

1 hour ago, springfire said:

We are arriving in Sydney at 730am on a Tuesday and will need to go to Rydges Sydney Harbour. We were thinking of using Uber but if might be easier with a Taxi. Will traffic be crazy at that time?  Wait times can add up in a taxi.

It will be busy, Sydney traffic is always crazy. But unless you catch the train, taxi is your best bet.

2 minutes ago, mum and son said:

Hi team,

 

I'm taking my elderly parents to Sydney to join the Royal Princess in March and am looking for the best transport option from the airport. My parents are pretty spritely but, at 90 and 88, I try to limit them walking distances (and I have to handle all luggage). We'll likely arrive at Terminal 2.

 

I won't even contemplate the train with them and, from memory, the uber pickup location is a bit of a hike in Sydney?? I was considering a private transfer or a taxi. Where would the private transfer vehicles be parked? Or is the taxi rank closer? I'm more concerned with convenience than cost.

 

Any tips?

 

Thanks.

As you exit the terminal, after collecting your luggage, the taxi rank is there just to your right if I remember correctly.

As p

5 minutes ago, christodan said:

Yes but maybe it's a new requirement. I didn't question RCI as I had one, but things do change. Can't always assume things stay the same.

As per post 12 - from the Carnival website -

14 minutes ago, matamanoa said:

Thanks again Leigh for answering.

 

Barb

I hope you enjoy your time in Melbourne Barb.

1 hour ago, Kiwi Dreamer said:

I would consider this tour if you are interested in the outdoors, nature etc

Peninsula Encounters + Albatross Tour : Elm Wildlife Tours - Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand

 

Unfortunately there is a problem with this tour for a cruise ship passenger - the time the tour returns.

There are other options for cruise ship passengers.

Dunedin Excursions 1

Dunedin Excursions 2

Dunedin Excursions 3

7 hours ago, matamanoa said:

Another question if you don't mind.  We will be using the tram service on Easter Sunday to get to the cruise port.  Due to the holiday, will tram service run on a lighter schedule with fewer trains available?

 

Barb

Public holidays (including Easter) use a weekend timetable which means there is a tram every 9-11 minutes. Please ensure you have your Myki card before travelling. 

If you use an Android phone and have Google wallet, you can add the Myki app to it and use that. Android Myki App

3 hours ago, jennmaybe said:

Are we able to complete an online application on an IPad?  

As long as you download the Australian ETA app to your iPad. 

ETA

Important information about the ETA

All ETA-eligible passport holders must apply for an ETA using the Australian ETA app. For more information, see our Step by step guide.
If you are unable to use the app, you can apply online through ImmiAccount for another visa that suits your needs.
European passport holders may be eligible for an eVisitor (subclass 651)

3 hours ago, elaine5 said:

Others reported that the train doesn't go to the gorge anymore after bridge issues. Is that not the case?

I am only going by what the Dunedin Train website is saying. What others are saying there are bridge issues? If that was what you were asking, it would have been a good idea to mention bridges. I can find nothing online to indicate there are bridge issues or that the train is not running through the Taieri Gorge. In fact all the information I found indicates it is running as advertised. Tripadvisor has reviews from this month. 

On 1/29/2024 at 10:20 PM, Cbtours said:

I am told I don’t have too much of an accent still (I’ve been here 52 years) but then maybe Julie can weigh into the topic as we’ve spoken a few times lol

It is interesting how some retain their accent for years and years and others don't. Our neighbours when we moved into our home had been in Australia for eleven years, They were from Yorkshire and East London. Both Rob and I found them difficult to understand at times and still did forty years later! 

32 minutes ago, elaine5 said:

Best of Dunedin - The Taieri Gorge Train Tour: I read that the train doesn't go to the Gorge anymore. Should we consider something else, and, if so, what? We are active, early 60s, enjoy hiking, scenery, nature, wine, don't really care much about museums. This excursion was rather expensive, and booked to see NZ scenery. Thanks, Elaine

The train that goes through the Taieri Gorg, the Inlander, does not run every day,  There is a cruise ship only excursion which is the same route as the Inlander, Cruise Ship Excursion Taieri Gorge Train

Perhaps look at a privately booked tour for Dunedin and surrounds. 

Dunedin Shore Excursions

Enjoy your visit to Dunedin.

4 hours ago, matamanoa said:

What is the best way to get from our hotel (Ibis Budget Melbourne, at Collins and Elizabeth Strs) to the cruise port?  My husband and I will  have a medium suitcase and a carry on each.

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

Barb

If you feel you can easily manage your luggage, you hotel is just around the corner from a stop for the 109 tram which will take to Beacon Cove Port Melbourne - about a 20 minute ride. It is then around a 300-350 metre walk to the cruise terminal. Other than the tram, a taxi or Uber would be best. 

Fanning Island is part of The Republic of Kiribati and the currency is Australian dollars (note US notes may be accepted). Fanning Island (Tabuaeran) is quite remote and it is not easy for the locals to exchange foreign currency. It is very much off the grid except for some solar power.

4 hours ago, daydreamer16 said:

Thanks for the info! We are arriving in Melbourne from a few days visiting Uluru. So I guess we'll be arriving at a domestic terminal. We are staying at the Melbourne Sheraton, on Little Collins St.

As your hotel is at the opposite end of the city to Southern Cross Station, it's probably a better idea to take a taxi although you are not far from Parliament Station which will link up to Southern Cross. That is if you can be bothered hauling luggage into lifts or up escalators, then a couple of hundred metres walk to the Sheraton. 

Yes you will be arriving at a domestic terminal - 

With T2 being the hub for international flights, domestic travellers will pass through T1, T3 or T4; Qantas arrives and departs from T1, T3 is reserved for Virgin Australia passengers, and all remaining airlines fly from T4. 

You will be able to find a taxi rank close to all the terminals.

9 hours ago, daydreamer16 said:

What about travel to & from the airport in Melbourne? We are going to be there for 4 days at the end of March. Thanks, Denise

My choice for an international arrival would be a taxi - walk out of the terminal and the taxi rank is right there. Of course, if you are an Uber customer, you can use their service. There is a rideshare pick up zone outside Terminal 1. What hotel are you staying at? 

There is Skybus which runs between the airport and Southern Cross Train Station in the Central Business District.- cost is $23.90 per person one way. Tickets may be purchased online or at the point of departure. At Melbourne Airport, there are Skybus stops outside each terminal according to their website. Skybus 

On 1/25/2024 at 4:28 AM, POA1 said:

Random question. If you are on one of our bucket list cruises to Fiji and the islands of the South Pacific, do you need local currency? If so, can you get it to on the ship or do you need to go to AAA or a US bank?

Which islands are you looking at?

8 hours ago, Porky55 said:

We have a cruise booked on Edge in December. Have been looking at excursions on a Qld itinerary and WOW 😳

 

Compared same excursion with Princess prices and Edge are triple the price for exactly the same excursion … criminal actually. the only difference I can find is the train seating is "Premier" and includes a glass of wine 🙄
 

So, we will be doing our own thing, as the ship is the destination for this 10 day cruise and we have done the sector a few times. 
 

Rose

Interesting that Celebrity are calling their excursion Premier Class - the most expensive class on the railway is Gold which for one way is $99 and includes the following -

Gold Class inclusions:

• Dedicated attendant service
• Individual seating in comfortable lounge-style chairs
• A spacious heritage style carriage for travel that offers the ambience of the romance of rail
• Kuranda Scenic Railway gift pack including a Kuranda Scenic Railway pen and postcard
• Souvenir trip fan
• Stop and disembark at Din Din (Barron Falls) railway station, with stunning views of the Falls
• Refreshments featuring a selection of Queensland and local produce such as Gallo Dairyland Cheeses, Skybury Coffee, Wondaree Macadamias, Licks Mango Sorbet, a selection of Australian wines and Great Northern Brewing Company Super Crisp Lager
• Welcome tropical mocktails are served in the pavillion area of Freshwater railway station from 9.35am
• For afternoon travellers, welcome drinks are served onboard the train at Kuranda railway station from 3.10pm

The Skyrail is $62 one way. I guess you have to add in the cost of transfer from Knobby's Head return but that surely would not add up to too much more than $200 give or take. That is really ripping off passengers.

14 minutes ago, Cbtours said:

Maybe it was more peculiar to where I lived in Manchester 😁

Do you still have your Mancunian accent? I have a friend who is from Manchester, she has been here for about fifteen years and is still hard to understand at times, particularly if she is excited.

1 hour ago, daydreamer16 said:

Is that a flat rate or a metered fare?

 

It would be metered. You would be unlikely to get a flat rate in a taxi to/from the airport unless you have a deal such as described above.

1 hour ago, DbPA said:

Mariott Gold Coast

Perhaps this link will help - Brisbane Airport to Gold Coast

We have taken the train from the airport to the Gold Coast which is easy to do as long as you can manage your luggage. You travel from the airport to Helensvale Station, you will then catch a GLink Tram to Surfers Paradise North stop which is about a 350 metre walk to the Marriott - Airtrain to Gold Coast

10 minutes ago, retird said:

I did the taxi in 2015.   But i liked the company that had the small 12 passenger vans in 2016.  They stopped at each hotel in circular quay that had passengers on that van.   Sounds like they may not have survived covid?

I suggest you do some googling, there appear to be quite a few shuttle services. Perhaps one of them will suit your needs.