Opinions sought on Xmas New Yr Melb>NZ>Melb Cruise

[PerfectlyPerth]

Hi folks

 

I am just wandering through some cruise sites looking at possible last minute bookings.

 

There are some inside cabins left on this one

https://www.princess.com/find/displayItineraryPopup.do?voyageCode=5601&tourCode=

 

Does anyone have an opinion or feedback on Auckland on Xmas day and Tauranga on Boxing Day - ie will anything actually be open, tours operating? Would it be a waste of a destination in that case ?

 

Part of me would actually dread a cruise at that time of year as I have a severe (mental) allergy to tinsel and xmas decorations and everything xmas related! But I love being at sea on NYE. My office is closed that whole time so it means I am on leave anyway so its a waste not to use that time.

[Hailzmick]

Dear Grinch, (juuuust kidding)!

 

I believe the ship will be FILLED with tinsel & Christmas decorations! So if you do cruise at that time, you may need to be blind folded!

New Zealanders don't need a reason to party- but Christmas can be quite big especially in Auckland where there's a big Maori influence.

I'd say all tours would be closed for at least those two days.

HOWEVER both places are AMAZING & if you can get a good deal on cruising, you could look around those particular cities for what they are- (maybe some more blindfolds in the really Christmasie areas!)

Lol.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Day 5 Auckland, New Zealand Friday, December 25 10:00 AM 8:00 PM

Day 6 Tauranga, New Zealand Saturday, December 26 5:00 AM 4:00PM

 

Shame you're not in Auckland on Boxing Day...you could have had fun fighting your way through the Boxing Day Sales.:D

 

I see you arrive 10 am on Christmas Day. Most folk will stay on board for a Christmas lunch so that really only gives you an afternoon in Auckland. You will be docked by the Viaduct Precinct and the new Wynyard Quarter and they will be busy in the afternoon.Should be plenty to do along the waterfront.

Likewise Boxing Day at the Mount, where you dock for Tauranga , will be very busy as its a massive holiday destination and will be full to overflowing.

 

 

 

[PerfectlyPerth]

LOL I am indeed the grinch. Its just not a thing I have ever celebrated/followed - whatever the terminology is - in life. NYE is my personal celebration.

 

I have done Auckland over the years so its not as vital if its all closed with no tours. Happy just to wander and see whats changed since 80s and 90s (since then I seem to have only seen a lot of its airport).

It sounds like boxing day doesnt affect Tauranga - so thats good.

 

Have to weigh up the allergy to tinsel now - and possibility of a ship chock full of families ! ;)

 

cheers for the info :)

[MicCanberra]

I don't dislike Xmas.

However, when the season now starts in the shops in October, I start to suffer from a severe case of tinselitis by the time Xmas rolls around.:(

[tompaddyelle]

We have started the tradition of cruising every christmas.

The reason we do it is to escape all the annoying Christmassy things (i loathe all of the hoooha!) :cool:

Anyway we have found christmas on board to be laid back and not in your face. New year's eve is so much fun at sea plus there is no better way to recover from a hangover than by lying by the pool watching other people suffering more than you :D

[MicCanberra]

We have started the tradition of cruising every christmas.

The reason we do it is to escape all the annoying Christmassy things (i loathe all of the hoooha!) :cool:

Anyway we have found christmas on board to be laid back and not in your face. New year's eve is so much fun at sea plus there is no better way to recover from a hangover than by lying by the pool watching other people suffering more than you :D

 

Sounds like you have had practice:eek:

[tompaddyelle]

Sounds like you have had practice:eek:

 

expert :p

[MicCanberra]

expert :p

 

I will get some practice over the next two years.:D

[goodycruising]

Got a catalogue the other day with Easter merchandise. I was horrified.

 

The commercialisation is going crazy. No wonder we are over it before we even get a chance to enjoy it.

[MicCanberra]

Got a catalogue the other day with Easter merchandise. I was horrified.

 

The commercialisation is going crazy. No wonder we are over it before we even get a chance to enjoy it.

 

Yes, perhaps the Fathers Day cards will be out next week.:p

[MargoK]

We have started the tradition of cruising every christmas.

The reason we do it is to escape all the annoying Christmassy things (i loathe all of the hoooha!) :cool:

Anyway we have found christmas on board to be laid back and not in your face. New year's eve is so much fun at sea plus there is no better way to recover from a hangover than by lying by the pool watching other people suffering more than you :D

 

We are with you on the Christmas Cruising. We have been on three so far and going again this year and next year!

 

New Years is fun too, so we try to ensure we include that too.

[Esilef]

Someone explain to me as to why we need to celebrate Halloween?

 

Next Australians will be encouraged to celebrate thanks giving.

[MicCanberra]

Someone explain to me as to why we need to celebrate Halloween?

 

Next Australians will be encouraged to celebrate thanks giving.

 

Because it is sponsored by the sugar industry, the lolly manufacturers and the dental associations of Australia.:p

[MargoK]

Someone explain to me as to why we need to celebrate Halloween?

 

Next Australians will be encouraged to celebrate thanks giving.

 

 

Because it is sponsored by the sugar industry, the lolly manufacturers and the dental associations of Australia.:p

 

As a Kiwi, I am with you on this one.

 

We plan to be at my SIL's apartment on Sat Night (Hallowen) which restricts access, so we can avoid the constant children knocking on our door. In the past I have put up a sign, No Hallowen, we are not American! :eek:

 

Real grinch, but I agree, we do not need to import such traditions.

 

I could run to Thanksgiving as it does special significance but..... slippery slope.

[Dizziedi]

Hi folks

 

I am just wandering through some cruise sites looking at possible last minute bookings.

 

There are some inside cabins left on this one

https://www.princess.com/find/displayItineraryPopup.do?voyageCode=5601&tourCode=

 

Does anyone have an opinion or feedback on Auckland on Xmas day and Tauranga on Boxing Day - ie will anything actually be open, tours operating? Would it be a waste of a destination in that case ?

 

Part of me would actually dread a cruise at that time of year as I have a severe (mental) allergy to tinsel and xmas decorations and everything xmas related! But I love being at sea on NYE. My office is closed that whole time so it means I am on leave anyway so its a waste not to use that time.

 

Do you particularly want to do a NZ cruise? (Not knocking NZ - I am a Kiwi and it's a great cruise:)

 

We do a NYE cruise every year when generally all the Christmas Decorations have been taken down. There has been the odd year when the decorations remain for the first couple of days but then they're taken down and all the balloons go up in readiness for NYE. This year we are doing the South Pacific on the Radiance which leaves on the 26th. There are cabins left.

 

Cheers

Di

[MicCanberra]

Also on the Solstice for the 28th to the islands, a nice way to celebrate NYE.:D

[PerfectlyPerth]

Do you particularly want to do a NZ cruise? (Not knocking NZ - I am a Kiwi and it's a great cruise:)

 

We do a NYE cruise every year when generally all the Christmas Decorations have been taken down. There has been the odd year when the decorations remain for the first couple of days but then they're taken down and all the balloons go up in readiness for NYE. This year we are doing the South Pacific on the Radiance which leaves on the 26th. There are cabins left.

 

Cheers

Di

 

Yes specifically NZ - rest of the south pacific region is of no interest to me - did it all plenty of times in the 80s and its just islands and shopping - dull to me. Have done the radiance for the Bravo cruise last year and I would only bother doing that ship again for another Bravo itinerary.

I was only looking at trips Melb to Melb so I didnt have to fluff around with flights etc - wanted the simplicity of just popping on the tram outside my apt and being dropped straight at the ship.

 

The Princess one was the only one that fitted into the office closure but I would have needed 3 extra days off. Bummer tho as this week the bosses said no to everyone adding extra days off. So I guess that plan is out the window :( Plenty of ships out there that month but just not an NZ one that fits smack bang in the window I need it to.

 

I may have to occupiy myself with a train trip somewhere for a few days instead ! toot toot !