Worldtraveler 4727

Thank you. I will re-think my packing.

Oo thanks for the heads up on the weather! I was thinking since it will be the last week of October, heading into your spring, it might not be hot/humid/dry. And thank you for the suggestion on Yulara. That sounds like something we would love! I will research that. Much appreciated.

Wookie01, we are headed to Darwin, Cairns, and Uluru. So not really "remote," I don't think 🤔

Well! There you have it! I consider this to be the definitive answer to both of my questions. Thank you so much! Our cultures are so different in this respect, and I appreciate you and others on this site being straightforward, helpful AND patient with us by answering the same question multiple times! (NOT always the case on Cruise Critic) Thank you for taking the time to answer my particular concerns.

Thank you! 🤣😂

Thank you, yarramar. I was really mainly wondering if a credit card would suffice for even the smallest purchases like a coffee or ice cream cone etc. And wondering if that would also be applicable in NZ as well. Thanks!

Thank you to all who helped clarify this--once again! We in the US are very slow to change and accept this. But the tipping is out of control here, and we are finally hearing the rumblings of "that's enough!" You all have had the right idea for a long time. Bravo! Thanks for taking the time to help us understand how things work in your part of the world. You've been very patient with our asking the same question over and over. 😵‍💫

I am so hoping I can just use a credit card. What do the rest of you think??

I would like to thank all the Australians and New Zelanders who have helped to clarify (over and over!) that there is NO TIPPING in either country. I appreciate your patience. It is such a different culture here in the US, and honestly, we all just want to do the right things when we visit your wonderful countries. If I might ask for clarification on one more example, please? This is the statement printed in the itinerary for the 7 day land tour of interior Australia before a 13 day cruise around New Zealand this next Oct/Nov on Princess. GRATUITY INFORMATION Farewell to your Tour Director Today you will say goodbye to your tour director and conclude your Princess escorted tour. As traditions and customs vary widely across the globe, we often have guests ask what gratuity guidelines are appropriate for the region they are touring. It is our belief that gratuities are a direct reflection of the level and quality of service received. It is customary to extend gratuities as a sign of appreciation on the last day of your land tour. The following is the recommended industry standard for tour directors in Australia: Tour Director: 5.00-7.00 USD per person per day Extending gratuities is a personal matter and should be distributed on an individual basis without solicitation and not on behalf of any group. What is the appropriate action here, please? Also, I would LOVE to not have to get any Australian or New Zealand cash. Is is possible to use a credit card exclusively? Thanks so much for helping us --once again!--understand and act correctly according to your customs!

Ahhh. Thank you for the clarification. I’m looking for a definitive answer on whether I can book first time Regent cruisers, along with my earlier booking status.

Was the first single traveling companion you were able to book at the time of your booking a gold member as well?

I will give it a try when the reservations open for me. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 Thank you.

“Yes…get the information and you do the bookings for both.” “No. You'll have to wait until both are eligible to book both.” 🤔🥴

Will I be able to do this if I have an earlier booking date for the restaurants than the couple we are traveling with?

Thank you.

We are headed to Australia and New Zealand this fall. I would love any and all information on VISAs needed for both countries from people who have done this recently regarding details on the application process, the cost, and how far in advance this needs to be done. Thank you!

👍🏻 I will be prepared when reservationS open in November! 👍🏻

"Guests may pre-book one dinner reservation in each specialty restaurant prior to sailing..." I was not aware that guests may book one dinner reservation in EACH specialty restaurant. If I remember correctly, there is only one slot that can be filled in for a specialty restaurant reservation. Am I misremembering?🤔

Thank you for the added information and the beautiful photo!

Another couple and my husband and I are going on the Princess AU land tour the first week of Nov and then the cruise around NZ. ANY and ALL info you would care to share would be so appreciated! For example, Can you tell us if there were meals other than breakfasts included? What was the Uluru Sunrise Tour like? When you had "evening at leisure" what did you do? Anything you'd care to share would be wonderful. Thank you!

Thank you, Jakdgr.

Thank you so much for your explanation. Your comments are in line with what I have heard, and so different from the tipping culture in the US. We want to be appropriate and follow local customs, so we appreciate your clarification.

Purple Traveller, you have the "magic touch!" I thought I did look all over on the official website, but apparently I did not. Your link took me right to what I needed. Thank you. Thank you, too, for your willingness to answer questions for us. We have another, if you don't mind. As an Australian, we are hoping you can give us your take on tipping in your country and NZ. For example, we are taking a full day tour from Sydney out to the Blue Mountains (before the Princess land portion begins). Is a tip expected for the person leading this tour? For the bus driver, if that is a separate person? We've been told by Princess to tip our Land Tour Director before we head to the 13 day cruise portion: GRATUITY INFORMATION Farewell to your Tour Director Today you will say goodbye to your tour director and conclude your Princess escorted tour. As traditions and customs vary widely across the globe, we often have guests ask what gratuity guidelines are appropriate for the region they are touring. It is our belief that gratuities are a direct reflection of the level and quality of service received. It is customary to extend gratuities as a sign of appreciation on the last day of your land tour. The following is the recommended industry standard for tour directors in Australia: Tour Director: 5.00-7.00 USD per person per day Extending gratuities is a personal matter and should be distributed on an individual basis without solicitation and not on behalf of any group. We would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you!

That sounds lovely. We are really looking forward to Cairns, Darwin, Uluru (Ayers Rock, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park)

Purple Traveller, Thank you for the link! I very much enjoyed your trip report! So sorry you didn't get into the fjords again....we will be there the first week in November. Fingers crossed! Thank you for the offer of help....I cannot seem to find any definitive information on how far in advance one can buy tickets to a performance in the Opera House, and what the offerings might be --specifically October 26 or 27, 2023. I did read that for "popular performances" it's best to book 6+ months out, but I can't find any links that list what the various offerings will be.