marion123reading Posted November 17, 2013 #1 Share Posted November 17, 2013 The Blue Mountain Tour listed on our cruise ship is full, and that is something I really wanted to do. I have located two other companies, and their pick up time at hotels is around 7:30. Our ship docks at 6:30 - do the companies typically come to the cruise ship - or is the cruise ship too far away. Thanks for any help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mr walker Posted November 17, 2013 #2 Share Posted November 17, 2013 The Blue Mountain Tour listed on our cruise ship is full, and that is something I really wanted to do. I have located two other companies, and their pick up time at hotels is around 7:30. Our ship docks at 6:30 - do the companies typically come to the cruise ship - or is the cruise ship too far away. Is your stop in Sydney a port day on a continuing cruise, or disembarkation at cruise end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t60 Posted November 17, 2013 #3 Share Posted November 17, 2013 Hi, we did an all day Blue Mtn tour with info@oztrails.com.au and had a super day although a bit hectic We were staying at a hotel very near OPT and were collected from the gotel at 8am I would suggest you contact your proposed tour company to see what their normal arrangements are, but also to check what time they would get you back. Sandy in Spain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marion123reading Posted November 17, 2013 Author #4 Share Posted November 17, 2013 Is your stop in Sydney a port day on a continuing cruise, or disembarkation at cruise end? It is a port day, but the ship doesn't leave until 10 at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marion123reading Posted November 17, 2013 Author #5 Share Posted November 17, 2013 Hi, we did an all day Blue Mtn tour with info@oztrails.com.au and had a super day although a bit hectic We were staying at a hotel very near OPT and were collected from the gotel at 8amI would suggest you contact your proposed tour company to see what their normal arrangements are, but also to check what time they would get you back. Sandy in Spain I am having trouble finding a tour for the day with available places.. Thank you so much for the name of this company - I will try them. So you really liked them? Thanks, Martha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsWaldo Posted November 17, 2013 #6 Share Posted November 17, 2013 My pick would be oztrails but also if they aren't available.... http://www.dalmylestours.com/vmchk/Blue-Mountains-Tours/View-all-products.html?parent=1 DO NOT go with FJ tours.... (my experience is based on seeing the various tours quite a few times rather than being on them, the tour guides for FJ are quite arrogant and break road rules etc) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausguy73 Posted November 17, 2013 #7 Share Posted November 17, 2013 http://www.sydneygreatescapes.com Try these guys. Rated pretty highly on trip advisor. Also depends on what ship your on. If your ship docks at the overseas passenger terminal in circular quay you can always walk like 5 minutes to a nearby hotel such as the four seasons and get picked up from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marion123reading Posted November 18, 2013 Author #8 Share Posted November 18, 2013 My pick would be oztrails but also if they aren't available.... http://www.dalmylestours.com/vmchk/Blue-Mountains-Tours/View-all-products.html?parent=1 DO NOT go with FJ tours.... (my experience is based on seeing the various tours quite a few times rather than being on them, the tour guides for FJ are quite arrogant and break road rules etc) Thank you for your quick response!! I had also read that about FJ tours and am glad you had read the same. I contacted DalMyles tours and I guess they have merged with Australian Echo tours? I will contact Oztrails, too. If you think of any others, please don't hesitate to email - Marthatwist@yahoo.com Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsWaldo Posted November 18, 2013 #9 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Hi Martha, I didn't read it I saw it in the flesh :) and more than once. I've only ever seen Dal myles operating under that name, but if they contacted back it is possible they've had a change of name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassamanda Posted November 18, 2013 #10 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Try also Blue Diamond Tours as they have had good reports here on cc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyIL Posted November 18, 2013 #11 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Have you visited Sydney before? If not, then I would spend the day in Sydney rather than tour the Blue Mountains. Our January cruise originates in Sydney, and we'll be there 4 days before we sail. I booked a Blue Mountains tour with Sydney Great Escapes for our last full day in Sydney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shela Posted November 18, 2013 #12 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Just returned from Australia cruise. Blue Diamond Tour of the Blue Mountains was top notch. I would recommend them to everyone. Also did Red Diamond Tour of the Tobruk Sheep Station outside of Sydney. It was also a great tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenbunny Posted November 21, 2013 #13 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Just returned from Australia cruise. Blue Diamond Tour of the Blue Mountains was top notch. I would recommend them to everyone. Also did Red Diamond Tour of the Tobruk Sheep Station outside of Sydney. It was also a great tour. My travel agent is suggesting a Blue Mtn tour but not sure of provider name. Cost is $160 USD with cablecar. approx 9.5 hrs. I am trying to decide if this is a tour I want to do. We are arriving 3 days before cruise leaves Jan 28. I would like to get out of the city for a different experience. Would appreciate your sharing any details and your overall impressions. Thanks so much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsWaldo Posted November 21, 2013 #14 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Don't go on January 26th. Make sure you spend that day in the city. It's Australia Day :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotgal1 Posted November 21, 2013 #15 Share Posted November 21, 2013 My travel agent is suggesting a Blue Mtn tour but not sure of provider name. Cost is $160 USD with cablecar. approx 9.5 hrs. I am trying to decide if this is a tour I want to do. We are arriving 3 days before cruise leaves Jan 28. I would like to get out of the city for a different experience. Would appreciate your sharing any details and your overall impressions. Thanks so much Hi. Have you thought of doing it by yourself. You can catch the train from Central Station up to the mountains. Then you can get the trolley bus hoho as you please around the different sites for a fraction of the cost that the tour companies charge. Even stay the night at one of the many hotels. If you want any details just ask:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassamanda Posted November 21, 2013 #16 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Agree with MrsWaldo. To experience what Sydney and Australians is/are all about you MUST be in Sydney on the 26th. Harbour ferry races, fireworks etc etc. The date represents the beginning of European settlement in Australia and occurred right there at Circular Quay. Huge day for us Aussies. We sail to Tassie on the 27th:D By all means visit the Blue Mountains area but your TA price seems rediculously high. Give the cc recommended ones on this thread a try or do it yourself as suggestion by rail at a quarter the price. Hugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyIL Posted November 21, 2013 #17 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Agree with MrsWaldo. To experience what Sydney and Australians is/are all about you MUST be in Sydney on the 26th. Harbour ferry races, fireworks etc etc. The date represents the beginning of European settlement in Australia and occurred right there at Circular Quay. Huge day for us Aussies.We sail to Tassie on the 27th:D By all means visit the Blue Mountains area but your TA price seems rediculously high. Give the cc recommended ones on this thread a try or do it yourself as suggestion by rail at a quarter the price. Hugh I don't think $160 pp is "ridiculously high" for an all-day private tour. Of the CC recommended tours mentioned here - Blue Diamond charges $175 AUD pp (http://www.bluediamondtours.net/tour.php), and Sydney Great Escapes charges $155 AUD pp (http://www.sydneygreatescapes.com/tours.html). I have looked at the companies that charge ~$99 pp, but they are usually big coach tours that include fewer things. I am all for DIY touring sometimes - but this isn't one of them for me! We will arrive in NZ (Milford Sound, etc.) on Australia Day. However, I'm sure there will be celebrations onboard our ship, just as we celebrated the 4th of July on my Princess British Isles cruise a few years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing Shoes Posted November 21, 2013 #18 Share Posted November 21, 2013 I researched Blue Mt tours extensively. Oztrails' reviews stated: poor/old bus and rude, rude driver. You pay less, but who wants to travel 9+ hours in less than desirable vehicle. I would suggest Sydney Great Escapes. The price listed is fair. Check out reviews under Trip Advisor/Sydney/Attractions. Unfortunately, we ran out of time and didn't go with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPS Posted November 28, 2013 #19 Share Posted November 28, 2013 Hi. Have you thought of doing it by yourself. You can catch the train from Central Station up to the mountains. Then you can get the trolley bus hoho as you please around the different sites for a fraction of the cost that the tour companies charge. Even stay the night at one of the many hotels. If you want any details just ask:p I am definitely interested in this option as we don't like tours. We will be in Sydney for 4 nights, 2 in a hotel and 2 on board the ship. Can you provide more details on how to plan this? Will we be able to see the highlights doing it on our own? Would renting a car be more useful than the train? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsWaldo Posted November 28, 2013 #20 Share Posted November 28, 2013 Renting a car is definitely the best way to DIY as you can quickly get between the various and sights and have more flexibility. it is however considerably more expensive. IF you decide to do the train you need to get to Central Station to the "country" platform. (usually BMs trains go from platform 4). Make sure you leave fairly early and check timetables for your return options http://www.131500.com.au In Katoomba you have several options for getting around. The trolley tours seem to be the most popular. There is also a HOHO and a shuttle service that operates between Scenic World, Echo Point (Three Sisters) and Katoomba Railway Station. If you buy a ticket for one you need a separate ticket for the others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t60 Posted November 28, 2013 #21 Share Posted November 28, 2013 One of the advantages of a tour is the expertise of the guide. You learn a lot more about the area, people, history etc Also it gives you a chance to look round as you're being driven along. We find this preferable to driving out on our own where the driver is concentrating on the roads and traffic Sandy in Spain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruznRagtop Posted December 28, 2013 #22 Share Posted December 28, 2013 Has anyone used Gray Line in Sydney? Happy New Year to all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Cruizers Posted December 29, 2013 #23 Share Posted December 29, 2013 For our stay in Sydney next April we are booked with Sydney Wilderness for the Blue Mountain Tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruznRagtop Posted January 4, 2014 #24 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Just returned from Australia cruise. Blue Diamond Tour of the Blue Mountains was top notch. I would recommend them to everyone. Also did Red Diamond Tour of the Tobruk Sheep Station outside of Sydney. It was also a great tour. BBM Sent an email inquiry on December 24 and haven't heard anything; do you have a point of contact that you would feel comfortable posting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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