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Need help with just about everything for upcoming New Zealand cruise


Jzx1103
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While on our current cruise today we've received a Casino offer for our play during this cruise and on that list of eligible cruises was a Dec 1, 2018 Ten day cruise from Auckland NZ to Sydney Australia aboard the RCL Radiance of the Seas. This was actually quite shocking to us since these offers typically are 3 to 5 night Western Carribean sailings. This itinerary was on our bucket list, so I used my wifi calling and booked it asap with Casino Royale. However, now I'm a bit overwhelmed to have to plan such a trip in just under 3 months. I looked into flights and looks like the cheapest option is to fly roundtrip from Houston TX to Sydney Australia, and add a 1 way flight from Sydney to Auckland. Im looking to fly from Houston to Sydney on Nov 28th arriving on the 30th, and the fly to Auckland on the 31st. Also my wife's an US citizen while I hold a Chinese passport. Not sure how long the visa process is (I heard no visas required for US citizens). Any precruise hotel recommendations would be great in both Sydney and Auckland (and hows air b&b situation in both countries, or Uber for getting around). Also is it easy to get to airport in Sydney after debarkation? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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U.S. citizens must have a visa called an ETA in order to enter Australia. Your wife should apply through the official Australian government website: https://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETAS3/etas

 

As the holder of a Chinese passport, you probably need a subclass 600 Visa, but you can check for sure using he Australian government’s “Visa Finder” at:

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa-1

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I wouldn't fly to Sydney to get to Auckland. That's an extra 4 hours in the air. American Airlines seems to have very good prices around your dates for a multi-city itinerary into AKL and out of SYD.

Edited by boulders
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I wouldn't fly to Sydney to get to Auckland. That's an extra 4 hours in the air. American Airlines seems to have very good prices around your dates for a multi-city itinerary into AKL and out of SYD.

I would agree with boulders ,united and air New Zealand fly to Texas from Auckland.

Sydney has a great public transport that goes to the airport.

What’s your budget on hotels.

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I wouldn't fly to Sydney to get to Auckland. That's an extra 4 hours in the air. American Airlines seems to have very good prices around your dates for a multi-city itinerary into AKL and out of SYD.

 

Will look into this, thanks!

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I would agree with boulders ,united and air New Zealand fly to Texas from Auckland.

Sydney has a great public transport that goes to the airport.

What’s your budget on hotels.

 

We typically book hotels in the $150 to $200 a night range.

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I looked into flights and looks like the cheapest option is to fly roundtrip from Houston TX to Sydney Australia, and add a 1 way flight from Sydney to Auckland. Im looking to fly from Houston to Sydney on Nov 28th arriving on the 30th, and the fly to Auckland on the 31st.
I wouldn't fly to Sydney to get to Auckland. That's an extra 4 hours in the air. American Airlines seems to have very good prices around your dates for a multi-city itinerary into AKL and out of SYD.
Here are two possible options for you. In both cases the prices include cheaper fares that must be ticketed by 13 September, so don't dawdle. (Incidentally, your original plan to fly from Sydney to Auckland on 31 November wouldn't work very well, assuming that you're thinking of making sure you have one night in Auckland before you board, which is sensible.)

 

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Also is it easy to get to airport in Sydney after debarkation?
It isn't a problem, so don't stress about this. Ditto for a pre-cruise night in Auckland. These things are easy to sort out later.

 

I would concentrate on first making sure you get your visas in order. That should probably be your top priority at the moment.

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Hi Group:

 

Any help on thoughts of our quick 7 day tour itinary to the S Island would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

We are diverting from our longer visit to Sydney and 10 day cruise to the Reef, to take in some sights on the S Island. I have been before - some years ago - but this will be a first for my BF.

 

 

Trying to make the most of our time without being rushed.

 

 

Many thx!

Cruiznuts

 

Fri Oct 19 Day 1 fly Syd to Queenstown. 2.35pm-Arrive 7.35 pm Sat Oct 20 Day 2 Milford Sound , overnite Queenstown Sun oct 21 Day 3 Queenstown - chair lift and town . Dinner across lake on paddle steamer Monday Oct 22 Day 4 Coach Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier, 8 hrs 8am -4.13 pm Tuesday Oct 23 Day 5 Franz Josef Glacier Wed Oct 24 Day 6 coach or drive to Greymouth 2.1 hrs, Tranz Alpine train 5 hrs - 2 to 6.30pm, overnite Christchurch Thursday Oct 25 Christchurch - tour town Friday Oct 26 Day 7 fly Christchurch to Sydney

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Trying to make the most of our time without being rushed.

 

...

 

Fri Oct 19 Day 1 fly Syd to Queenstown. 2.35pm-Arrive 7.35 pm

Sat Oct 20 Day 2 Milford Sound , overnite Queenstown

Sun oct 21 Day 3 Queenstown - chair lift and town . Dinner across lake on paddle steamer

Monday Oct 22 Day 4 Coach Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier, 8 hrs 8am -4.13 pm

Tuesday Oct 23 Day 5 Franz Josef Glacier

Wed Oct 24 Day 6 coach or drive to Greymouth 2.1 hrs, Tranz Alpine train 5 hrs - 2 to 6.30pm, overnite Christchurch

Thursday Oct 25 Christchurch - tour town

Friday Oct 26 Day 7 fly Christchurch to Sydney

IMHO: It's rushed. You're seeing too much of the inside of transport, and too little of New Zealand. Maximising the number of places that you set foot in is not the same as making the most of your time.
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In addition to Australian visa requirements (in #2) as a Chinese passport holder you will need a visa for NZ https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/visitor-visa Your wife as a US citizen qualifies for a visa on demand.

 

I wouldn't book flights (unless they're 100% refundable) before you both have your visas.

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I wouldn't book flights (unless they're 100% refundable) before you both have your visas.
Some of the fares that I've seen are refundable but with a relatively small penalty. For example, re-pricing the AA itinerary above (which now comes out at a slightly lower price), both fare components are refundable for a USD 200 cancellation fee. The UA fare appears to be partly non-refundable, but exchangeable for credit. Given that some of these fares are sale fares and there's no guarantee what the fares will be if bought after 13 September, the OP might want to take a gamble on this.
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In addition to Australian visa requirements (in #2) as a Chinese passport holder you will need a visa for NZ https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/visitor-visa Your wife as a US citizen qualifies for a visa on demand.

 

I wouldn't book flights (unless they're 100% refundable) before you both have your visas.

 

Do you think Flight prices will go up dramatically in a month or not really. I don't foresee an issue with my Visa, I hold a chinese passport but also a US green card. I also heard NZ and Aus been trying to attract tourists from China.

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Do you think Flight prices will go up dramatically in a month or not really. I don't foresee an issue with my Visa, I hold a chinese passport but also a US green card. I also heard NZ and Aus been trying to attract tourists from China.

 

I don't work for a travel agent or an airline, but my experience is that the closer to departure date I leave it, the more expensive the fare. I also don't work for the Australian or NZ immigration departments. I'm a Pom and even l get my Aussie Visa before I book my flights Down Under. If you haven't submitted your visa applications, I'd do it now.

 

However, it's your money. Your call.

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Do you think Flight prices will go up dramatically in a month or not really.
None of us have a crystal ball. But one thing is sure: the prices that I've already posted about are based on fares which must be ticketed by 13 September. So you have an explicitly-stated risk here that on 14 September, prices will be significantly higher than they are at the moment.

 

Not that there is any guarantee that the price you see today will be available even tomorrow. The required booking class may sell out, or the fare may be withdrawn early. You need to be aware of these possibilities and risks when making decisions about what to do, as well as the cancellation provisions for each fare.

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OP - I probably wouldn't ask a group of well-intentioned strangers on boards such as this. I'd be looking at the requirements as posted on the websites for the Australian and New Zealand government immigration services:

 

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Visi/Visi

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/visitor-visa

 

Whatever they say you need to do, I'd follow that advice...

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