Over from NZ

Pack everything! lol. As Jean said - the South Island, NZ, is a different beast. We had 35 degrees the other day.. and then a week later an overnight low of just 8. In March - last year (daytime) Christchurch fluctuated from 30 to just 12.

That's exactly what I would do (although sure, a rushed hour is better than no hour).

We had 4 nights in Valetta at the end of our cruise. Did a trip to Mdina for half a day. Would probably get through it in a couple of hours.. but an hour is really pushing it. https://theknightsofmalta.com/ - that was a short, compact, but very good display in Mdina. Fort St Elmo in Valetta was excellent. But probably a couple of hours to do that on top of the time spent in Valetta. Barrakka Gardens they do the gun salute daily.. but I don't think they do it on Sundays? Was interesting to watch. You're not going to get to Birgu in your time-frame. Personally I would cut it back to 2 of the 3 given the very short time-frame you've got there. It's a real pity when the cruise-ships do that!!

Yeah nah. Technically you could do it.. realistically you've made it too tight.

Nothing will happen. Goodness - your meal will still taste the same.

We've stayed at the Furama City 3 times now. It is looking a wee bit dated.. but it's fine. We love the fact that it's located right next to the MRT and you can get anywhere from there on the MRT.. it's a short walk to Clark Quay etc.. it's very reasonably priced for buffet breakfast included.. and it comes with the complimentary all-day refreshments and evening alcohol drinks in a designated lounge.

Haha. I hope you enjoy your trip. If you get off in the city.. I recommend doing the Punting down the Avon and the Tram (it's not a long loop.. but has been recently extended) as both are great fun, close-by and fair value. Actually, there's a discount package involving the Punting, the Tram and the Gondola. If you do the Gondola - make sure you do the discovery ride at the top - it's included in the cost I think and is excellent.

The more you cruise.. the more the upsell becomes tacky and tiresome. That's all any of it is.

How many of you? It's about $70 in an Uber (although dynamic pricing can push that up over peak periods). Been a while since I took a a taxi for that route.. but would think $100-120.

It's not unbelievable at all. It is however pretty arrogant to expect them to accept anything other than the legal tender local currency. Your USD all looks the same to the rest of the world.. and there's no way the average retail assistant is versed in spotting counterfeit money from foreign currencies they very rarely see if at all.

There won't be any.

Other way round I believe - the NZ bank notes are printed in Canada.. 🙂

Oh harden up! Ubers are cheap - particularly when you're coming over with $USD! lol! If you're not going to spend the money on excursions.. why come? 🤣 You can get the free shuttle into Lyttleton and then a short uber over the hill to the Gondola (it's basically right above the port - I've walked from Lyttleton to the top of the Gondola before). If you want to see the city centre and do the Gondola. Get the cruise ship provided bus to the city centre. Then get a one-way uber to the Gondola - it's cheap. If you're then enjoying your day and wanting to penny-pinch.. walk down from the top of the Gondola into Lyttleton Port and get the free shuttle back to the ship.

How much time have you got? If it were me.. I would do a cruise along the coast of Australia out of Sydney and then fly to the South Island of NZ and do that by land. As pointed out.. Australia is huge.. but a lot of that is desert. NZ is much smaller.. but arguably has more to see. Australia will be hot. NZ probably will too.. but it will be all over the place! Mid of the South Island - we had 34 degrees (93 fahrenheit) the other day followed by a 32 yesterday and expecting another 30+ tomorrow.. but it can just as easily throw you a cold day following that and the evenings are cooler. Expect all seasons in NZ. If time is an issue.. cruise Australia.. allow a few (as many as you can) days in Australia at the start and end of your cruise.. and come back to NZ another day.

Why would you want to do it? Do they get to sample the goodies at the buffet etc?

Where do you want to stay? Not Auckland for a week?! lol!

Of the 2 - Princess is thought to be even more sedate than RC. They've already travelled more than once on Princess.. and a number of other brands.. and many times on R.C. They know the answer already. Taking a longer cruise is just going to be more of what they've already had many times before.

Yes they're great. We've used them about 6x now.

These people are not new cruisers. They're experienced cruisers.. who already have told us they get a bit bored on shorter cruises. Heck.. she doesn't even need to be asking the question. No point in trying to sell it to them.. 🙂

What does?

We've used these guys about half a dozen times now - https://italytoursharing.com/ In Messina we did the Mt Etna tour with hem in 2018 and this year did the Godfather tour. Both tours also went to Taormina. In Naples we used them for the 50 shades of Lemon tour (best meal ever) and for the Amalfi/Pompeii tour. Pompeii is amazing! We also did a day-trip from Naples to Capri on our own. It was Ok.. but I would do either of the other excursions again if I was going back. Ephesus is amazing! It's a must-do! We used these guys - https://www.curiotravel.com/categories/kusadasi-ephesus-port?id=6 Mykonos we explored the old town/old port on foot. It's very compact and easily walkable. Just wander and get lost among the bougainvillea covered alleyways, stores etc. Little Venice and the Instagram Windmills are in the same location. Santorini. Last time we winged it.. however first time there we did a 6-hour tour of the island with these guys - https://www.santotoursmarinakis.com/ We used Cruise Critic roll-calls and Facebook to arrange the tours (i.e. Just wife and I.. and we look to find 2-6 other passengers to make it a cost-effective private excursion). Cruise Critic doesn't work as well as in the past.. so had to post it on some of the facebook groups to get other passengers to join the tour. Italytoursharing allows you to start an excursion and then people can jump on their web-site to join.

Lol. No, just no. Thanks for the laugh.. but that certainly ain't it! 🙂

Timaru is just somewhere you would stop for a pee and some takeaways if desperate on a long drive back home from down south. Lol. Driving to Tekapo would be a good idea. However if that's out.. Are you into old cars? The Facebook page I was on for our NZ cruise before they gave us Timaru and we cancelled.. had some people putting on a brave face and coming up with ideas. I don't think I can post a FB link due to CC rules.. but what they did say was - if your looking for something to do in Timaru get in contact with the boutique village excursions group. Omg they are amazing with what they can offer. I’ve just arranged a full day out, getting driven around in old classic cars, being picked up from the info centre (where the ship docks) and driven around for the whole day to all the sites my husband and I want to see for a small price person. There communicate has been amazing and all the funds go to local museum in Geraldine. What more can you ask for…. Somebody else on that group suggested - My partners and I are interested in doing the following trip from Timaru. Is there anyone else who would llke to join us. If I can get another couple to join us the cost will be $100 pp. DISCOVER MOERAKI BOULDERS & OAMARU Explore the famous Moeraki Boulders and Oamaru’s Victorian Precinct with guide, Linda. EXPERIENCE INCLUDES: Return transport from Timaru to Moeraki and Oamaru Time to explore the famous Moeraki Boulders Time to explore Oamaru's Victorian Precinct Lunch NOT included, however, you will have time to grab lunch in Oamaru Departs: 9am from the Timaru Information Centre (this will be different if your arrives later than this). Duration: 5 hours, 30 mins

You're answering your own questions basically. Sounds like you're going to get bored. Why would you do it? 🙂

Have you got a link? Sounds like a bit of a tall story really.