Over from NZ

In NZ (and would assume Australia), banking the cash would be more costly than the minimal eftpos charge.. and if c/card surcharges are an issue.. businesses pass that on which is becoming more prevalent). Cash is on the way out.

hahaha. We'll meet in the middle then They said 40.. I said 20.. you've said 30. We'll compromise and meet you on that.

As for tipping; apart from the people receiving the tips (who won't be expecting it.. but nobody says no to free money lol); most Aussies and Kiwis wish you wouldn't tip when here!

I can't remember the last time I carried cash. You won't need any.. but grab $100 of Aus and $100 of NZ in case. Won't cost you much in $US to get.. and if you've still got them at the last port in each respective countries.. spend it there.

Exactly!! 🙂

I'm serious. Just like the others on here.. struggling to get our heads around your sense of entitlement.

I think you're the one joking! Common sense needs to prevail.. and you're just taking the mickey! If you've gone to eat.. you've finished having your lie-down. It's the next persons turn!!!

Exactly. Grats are not included in the plus package for Aussies and Kiwi's booking cruises over there.. and they need to be paid extra. However, when you convert the dollar.. the fee of the plus package is considerably cheaper for Aussies & Kiwi's than it is for say American's. At the moment, it's about NZ$55 a night for us to book the drinks package. That's about US$32-33 - so about right if you consider the Grats need paying in addition to that.

A step up in most areas yes.. a step down in entertainment though. They're rather sedate in that area.

More than 20-mins to go to your cabin to use the bathroom?? Seriously?!

Exactly!!

If you're doing all that - you're not using the chair!! C'mon.. be a bit fair!! If you're off to dinner.. you've finished - it's somebody elses turn!!

Heck no. Who needs that long for a toilet stop?! Any longer than a toilet stop and you've given up the right to that deck-chair. C'mon!

40 minutes is far too long! Should be 20-mins max!

I can't say enough good things about these guys! - https://www.rocktoursgibraltar.com/packages/ultimate-tour Was an excellent excursion.. one of the best we've done in the Mediterranean. Included time for lunch in the middle.

Easily doable. As possum52 has described would be an easy way of doing it. Then walk back to the ship.. or take a short taxi if you're tired by then lol.

Yep, they've ditched it. Many are unhappy about it.. but they're not listening. People suggesting you can request the same table and waiters.. but that doesn't really solve it if you're picking dine with others.. unless those people you haven't even met (and won't till you're onboard) happen to want exactly the same as you.

Hi there. We've got a 21-day cruise with lots of ports where we've booked full 8-9 hour excursions. We were thinking in Mykonos of just winging it for a change of pace.. and doing pretty much what you've explained.. walking through the old town, seeing the windmills, lunch in little Venice, walking to the old port etc. We still want to maximise the full day though. Do you think that will see us right for the day.. or should I be looking to add stuff to the list? t.i.a.

Excellent to hear! Last time we were there, we caught the cable-car down.. but looking at the walk down.. it didn't look that bad like some are suggesting.

July/Aug are the worst months for the heat and for being busy. If your friend hates heat.. don't take her in August! 🙂 Here's a link. I like this site because it shows the actual temperatures for each month for the last couple of years for the main ports - https://www.accuweather.com/en/it/rome/213490/august-weather/213490

Thank you! Will do some homework. We've got 4 nights in La Spezia. The initial plan was - First night, will get there by train from Venice early to mid in the arvo, so planning on looking around La Spezia. Day 2, go see 3 of the Cinque Terre Towns. Day 3 see the other 2. Day 4 we were going to head to Pisa and then Porto Venere.. although now looking to see if adding in Lucca is an option. The next morning catch an early train to Rome.

If the dream is to get to Malta - take the other cruise and fly to Malta before or after and spend a few days there. Our cruise ends in Rome.. we're then flying to Malta for 4-nights before heading home. It's cheap and easy to get over there. It's only an hour and a quarter flight from Rome.

You haven't said which sounds? In NZ "the Sounds" usually means the Marlborough Sounds.

They'll drop further and there's a reasonable risk they get rid of the shareholder OBC. Hmm.. no thanks.

Thank you (as well as carlmm). Good suggestions. We've done SM & Portofino previously (amazing). Will look into Lucca.