BayAreaBC
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Posts posted by BayAreaBC
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I wish someone would post something actually interesting about smuggling like bringing pot on board or diamonds or gold back through customs.
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Cruising over any holiday will have more children.
We cruised over Thanksgiving and there were a lot of kids but we still enjoyed our vacation.
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This thread is basically a rerun which has been shown a thousand times.
Smuggle if you want but don't complain if you are caught.
The end.
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For those of use coming from the US... we only need our passports and online visa(ETA) for Australia right? No special documentation other than our passports for NZ? ...woohoo it's getting close now. :D
Yes, that's my understanding. The online visa for Australia is good for a year after you purchase it.
Does anyone have an idea of how many people from Pied Piper are going? Since this Roll Call is not that active I'm assuming it's not a lot.
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Nobody ever asks about this so I'm glad you posted.
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I have a bad habit of answering my own questions and posting too much information.
However, in case anyone actually reads my posts Urbanspoon rates Depot as the best seafood restaurant in Auckland. As an added bonus it's cheap, in the CBD and you don't need a reservation.
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It turns out the French Cafe is closed for summer break for a month at that time. Anyone have any other restaurant recommendations?
Apparently Clooney is supposed to be good from what I've read. I've never been to Auckland and advice is welcome.
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The French Cafe in Auckland is considered to be one of top five best restaurants in the world.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11339834
Anyway, with the favorable exchange rate for USD we plan on checking it out.
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To make a criminal case over a can of coke is ridiculous.
Particularly IF the OP stiffed the cabin steward out of their tip and potentially got the cabin steward fired.
Some people shouldn't travel.
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Just my opinion and personality but I would never stiff anyone out of 100 dollars or so for a 2 dollar can of coke.
I would have deducted 2 bucks from his tip. To make a major issue out of such a trivial amount of money would cause me more stress than it's worth particularly when you are on vacation and trying to relax.
I also wouldn't want to be responsible for getting anyone fired over basically nothing. It takes all kinds though and some kinds are best to avoid.
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The Tasmanian link above doesn't seem to work. I hope this fixes it.
It's still not working. Cruise Critic doesn't like imgur links apparently go to
imgur dot com
/a/QkPso
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Excellent description of Tasmania by a local. Many pics and suggestions.
This sounds interesting to me
Another destination that is also accessible by boat - in the opposite direction, north of Hobart - is MONA (the Museum of Old and New Art). It is a private museum which opened in 2011 to international acclaim and has been Tasmania's #1 tourist destination ever since.
Getting there: MONA is at 655 Main Road, Berridale, Hobart, Tasmania 7011, with free car parking on site. Alternatively, the MONA ferry departs six times a day from the Brooke Street ferry terminal in Hobart. Return tickets are $15 per person. Bicycles are also for hire at the terminal for $15 a day.
Entry to MONA is free for Tasmanians (proof of identify not required), $10 for non-Tasmanian concession cardholders and $20 for out-of-staters over 18. Open Wednesday to Monday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
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We sailed on QM2 with Pied Piper and I did not notice any avoidance of other gay passengers. We were always in the Commodore and G32 and others would join in or be welcomed in. A number of PP folk also joined the Friends of Dorothy (or whatever Cunard calls it) gatherings.
As for the dress code: we were well aware of what the dress code ling before we got onboard. Cunard is more formal, it should not be a surprise to anyone.
IMHO, Boytjie is the most prolific and well respected GLBT member of cruisecritic and his advice is solid and can be trusted.
Also, he is very charming.
(gawd what a flirt I am)
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Anyone who is surprised that there is a class system on a British cruiseline needs to travel more.
That said Cunard is still a mass market cruiseline and the truly upper "class" wouldn't be caught dead on it.
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We booked the train trip in Dunedin since it got rave reviews as an excursion. It's very expensive but people seemed to think it's worth it.
On previous cruises we found it was often better to do excursions on your own. We booked the Wellington Hop On/Off tour on our own. It's the same bus and tour the cruiselines use but if you book on your own you actually can hop on and off. If you book through the cruiseline you can't actually hop on and off.
There is a gay nude beach in Tauranga which is a few miles from the cruise terminal. I'm not sure if it's worth going to it since apparently the water is rough there. We may just hike up Mount Maunganai which is adjacent to the cruise terminal.
We arrive 5 days before the cruise in Auckland and are doing the Hobbiton and Rotorua hot springs on our own. There is a gay bed and breakfast in Rotorua we stay at for one night.
If anyone else is arriving early and wants to meet in Auckland for lunch or dinner it would be great to get to know fellow travelers. We have a small apartment booked in Auckland and can host for drinks before lunch or dinner.
Bob and Randy
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I just want to say that the customer service we have received from Pied Piper has been stellar.
Every inquiry I have emailed has been answered immediately.
We haven't sailed with them yet and my opinion may change after the cruise but so far they seem to be a first class professional company.
As an added perk their prices are lower than the all gay charter company.
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I don't think you can get luxury at a low price.
I knew a straight couple who raved about Windstar. The Wind Surf has only 312 passengers and it seems like it gets good reviews.
The dress code is casual and no formal nights.
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The healthcare worker is negative for ebola.
I'm impressed that tracking contacts is working as well as it is.
I won't be changing my travel plans.
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This is almost certainly an over reaction due to caution.
At least cruise prices will likely drop now.
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And what West African was that?
An American healthcare worker from Dallas. Viruses don't care what nationality you are believe it or not.
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Cozumel denied docking to the Carnival Magic and it's headed back to the USA.
One person ruined the entire cruise for thousands.
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The only arrest in the Caribbean I'm aware of occurred because the guys involved were having sex on their balcony. Probably would have gotten them arrested almost anywhere in the world.
Still no cure for stupid...
It was Dominica and they were stupid.
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If they can book Maya Angelou, no wonder they're charging a hefty premium!
Yes, particularly since she's dead. If they can raise the dead it's totally worth it.
Celebrity Solstice NZ/Aus 1/4/15 to 1/18/15
in LGBTQIA+ Roll Calls
Posted · Edited by BayAreaBC
Randy and I (Bob) haven't made plans for drinks and dinner on January 3rd and would love to meet other gay men and lesbian women for drinks/dinner.
Apparently there is a large group of people having dinner and drinks at Sky City in Auckland that night. From reviews I've read the food there is overpriced and not that great but the views are good.
It would be great if Pied Piper would arrange a gathering the night prior to departure. Do you think if we asked Derek they would do this?
update
I just emailed Derek and asked. We've sailed with RSVP previously and there were always several pre-cruise parties held at gay bars or host hotels. I know RSVP is much larger than PP but gay bars/restaurants love to host these parties since they bring in business.
Caluzzi is a drag bar and restaurant in Auckland. I'm not sure how good it is but it looks fun
http://www.caluzzi.co.nz/
Just an idea. Does anyone have other suggestions?