BayAreaBC
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Posts posted by BayAreaBC
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FYI
There is a Vodafone store in the Auckland International Airport where pre-paid SIM cards can be purchased for $49NZ (about $40 USD)
http://www.vodafone.co.nz/travel-sim/
The Vodafone store is on the ground floor past security
http://www.aucklandairport.co.nz/Interactive_Maps/pdfs/ITB-GF.pdf
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Avoiding the most expensive taxi fares in the world
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11248648
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If one tells the staff that your luggage was lost by the airlines you can wear anything in the dining room.
I saw someone wearing shorts and a t-shirt who supposedly had his luggage lost.
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Carvacrol (oregano oil) kills norovirus and can be purchased at health food stores or on amazon.com
Just eating food with oregano in it doesn't prevent norovirus but the concentrated oil apparently does.
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Two other Pied Piper gay cruisers may join us at SkyLounge at 5pm on January 3, 2015. Carlos from Buenos Aires and Dave from San Francisco.
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Note there are 8 bars in SkyCity. I assume that the bar that people are planning to meet is at 5 pm on Saturday 1/3/15 is the SkyLounge
https://www.skycityauckland.co.nz/bars/sky-lounge/
Location
Level 50, Sky Tower, Cnr of Federal and Victoria Streets, Auckland
Cnr of Federal and Victoria Streets, Auckland
Opening Hours
Sunday–Thursday
9.30am–10pm (last coffee served at 9.30pm)
Friday and Saturday
9.30am–11pm (last coffee served at 10.30pm)
For those of us who don't know each other I'm not sure how we will recognize our fellow cruisers. I will likely be the tallest person in the room (6'5")
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I've been on several cruises where virtually the entire ship was taken over by people over 40 years old!
I'm also over 40 but who wants to see people like that!
I couldn't even use the pool or spa without getting queasy.
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The worst large group I've ever read a report about was a cruise which had a collectable doll convention on board. Apparently there were hundreds of children and they brought their dolls to all the meals and used up all the seating in the buffet.
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You can take the train from the airport to the Sydney CBD.
http://www.airportlink.com.au/
There is a bus from the Auckland airport to the Auckland CBD.
Taxis in New Zealand are very expensive. It would cost about $100NZ to take a taxi from the Auckland airport to downtown.
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The Silhouette is a huge S-Class ship with nearly 3000 passengers. Surely, there were other venues available besides the ones that the OP was deprived of.
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The last cruise I went on had MANY people over the age of 40 and it basically ruined my vacation.
Who wants to see old people in the pool or spa? Gross!
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just wondering if anyone knows if there is something in fine print that says large groups have priority access to areas on the ship, barring admittance to anyone else?
since we are paying for the use of all facilities minus crew, employee, etc , has anyone ever tested the issue of gaining access to an area being used by a large group? that could be very humerous....
I know that anyone can come to the religious events posted in the itinerary or others such as friends of dorothy, or AA....
I have seen some groups taking up some seminar rooms for business meetings but that certainly has no impact on anyone else....
Can anyone tell me what common areas have been taken over by any groups and have prevented others from enjoying them?
I have seen Elite members given preferential access to private functions. This is obviously discrimination. Just because a group pays more money they shouldn't get preferential treatment!
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I hate when I hate other types of cruisers.
Why do they make me hate them? What is wrong with them?
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I'm not sure why no one seems to post here but apparently a lot of people read this from looking at the board statistics.
Anyway, more advice from a local Kiwi from an Auckland community board. We plan on doing both of the following.
Take a 10 minute ferry ride from downtown over to explore Devonport. Great views looking back toward Auckland City from there.
If you have time to a day trip, grab a ferry to Waiheke Island and do a tour. Even better - rent scooters or something and go for a blast. Wear togs and go swimming at each beach you come to.
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I am a high class alcoholic so I upgrade. If you are going to drink yourself to death you should enjoy the ride as much as possible.
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On a local Auckland community board that I read often an Aucklander claims that Orphan's Kitchen is the best restaurant in Auckland.
It's located in Ponsonsby not far from K-Road. The tripadvisor reviews are stellar. Prices seem reasonable for dinner. They also serve brunch which gets raves too.
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For any fellow tech geeks you can download and install free New Zealand maps onto your GPS by following the directions at the link below
It worked for our Garmin Nuvi. We like to have the freedom of exploring on our own and a GPS is a tremendous tool for this.
The POI are mostly restaurants but these are still useful information.
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You can buy it legally in Seattle.
I'm in SF and routinely see it smoked openly. It's only a matter of time until it's legal everywhere.
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Since marijuana is legal in Seattle and Alaska, if I smoke marijuana in the smoking areas of Celebrity will anyone object? I'm considering booking an Alaska cruise.
I suspect not since the smell is much more pleasant than cigarettes or cigars but I don't know if Celebrity has a policy about it or not.
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Another gay dinner cabaret. I contacted them to see if they are open.
http://www.encore-entertainment.co.nz/Home
Gay Auckland map
Gay Auckland magazine
Rainbow Guide to Auckland
http://www.rainbowtourism.co.nz/auckland-venues/
Most of the gay bars are along K Road. There is a lesbian coffee and pizza shop called Garnet Station. It's very far on the west side of Auckland though.
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Okay there is another drag cabaret in Auckland called the Encore Room (formerly the Bluestone Room)
http://www.thebluestoneroom.co.nz/home.aspx
https://www.facebook.com/EncoreCabaret
Believe it or not I'm not a drag queen but I do like to support gay businesses.
Anyway, I will check to see if they are open on January 3, 2015. Apparently a lot of businesses close for their summer break then.
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Caluzzi is closed for a couple weeks at that time.
Oh well. I tried. I will keep looking.
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According to the Caluzzi website the doors open at 7pm and everyone must be seated by 7:45pm.
Thus the time is not flexible. I'll make a reservation for Randy and I and mention that we are with the Celebrity Solstice cruise group.
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I heard back from Derek and they have no pre-cruise party and he suggested people connect through facebook. I personally never use facebook. I can't say I'm impressed by his response. I know they are a discount gay cruise agency but something like this would cost them nothing.
Anyway, we are happy to join the group at Sky City for drinks and dinner at Caluzzi. I think we will need reservations and from their website it looks like you have to guarantee your booking with a credit card.
We can do this for Randy and myself but will need to know what time. Since it's a Saturday night we probably should book soon.
Note the apartment we are renting is in between Sky City and K Road thus if people want to meet for drinks at our apartment instead of Sky City (and save money) we are willing to host.
Celebrity Solstice NZ/Aus 1/4/15 to 1/18/15
in LGBTQIA+ Roll Calls
Posted
Just to forewarn people it looks like the admission charge to the Sky Lounge in the Sky Tower is $28NZ
https://www.skycityauckland.co.nz/attractions/sky-tower/admissions/
If we aren't there due to the admission charge we will likely be at The Eagle at 259 K-Road since it opens at 4pm.
We will likely have dinner at Orphan's Kitchen at 118 Ponsonby Road.
No reservations are taken but it's very popular so there will likely be a wait.