Golden Princess NZ 8/11/18

[possum52]

First chance to post on this cruise. We had a good crossing to the Fiordland. Yesterday was perfect conditions for viewing the sounds. A little rain, some sun and overall a brilliant day. 

 

The condition of of the Golden has been mentioned a few times. We haven’t found it much different to our cruise earlier in the year. Food being subjective - we have have been happy with our meals and have found something to our taste in both the MDR and Horizon Court.

 

Leigh 

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Thanks for the update, Fiordland would have looked pristine after all the rain of the last few days . Enjoy your day in Dunedin today, Have a great cruise .

[Russell21]

Perfect conditions for Fiordland is when there has been a hell of a rainstorm the night before, the rain stops around 4.00 AM, the seas calm down to let the ship enter, and there is literally thousands of waterfalls cascading down the rock faces, and the big waterfall near the township is spurting right out over the water.

This happened to us 3 years ago in late November, exactly the same cruise we are doing on the 20th of Nov, yes next week.

 

We'll be very lucky to see it again, on the last trip there was a couple who had been there 8 previous times and hadn't managed to enter Milford sound due to the weather. We breakfasted with the ex Guide who gives a lecture about the place, and he said we were very lucky to see it as, even though the area gets between 6 and 9 METRES of rain a year, it usually runs off in a day as there is no soil on the rocks to hold it back.

[VK3DQ]

This was Christmas / New Year cruise 2017-2018  Shot taken from Balcony of The Grand Suite right aft 

 

 

[Russell21]

Great shot, it's a magic place.

[NSWP]

19 minutes ago, Russell21 said:

Great shot, it's a magic place.

Sure is, been through twice, magical.  Thanks for posting Leigh.

Edited November 12, 2018 by NSWP

[possum52]

We are on board the Taieri Gorge train returning to Dunedin. We are stopped outside Dunedin as there has been a holdup getting onto the main trunk line - the signals are not working. The cruise ship train is just in front of us and is also stopped. We’ve been assured that we won’t be late back to the ship. 

 

The Taieri Gorge trip was fantastic, a great experience.

 

Leigh

Edited November 12, 2018 by possum52

[Tranquility Base]

23 minutes ago, possum52 said:

We are on board the Taieri Gorge train returning to Dunedin.

For future planning; what transport arrangements are you using to & from the port to the station ?

[GUT2407]

We loved the fjords.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

49 minutes ago, possum52 said:

We are on board the Taieri Gorge train returning to Dunedin. We are stopped outside Dunedin as there has been a holdup getting onto the main trunk line - the signals are not working. The cruise ship train is just in front of us and is also stopped. We’ve been assured that we won’t be late back to the ship. 

 

The Taieri Gorge trip was fantastic, a great experience.

 

Leigh

 

 

Good luck.

[possum52]

Back safely to the ship with as it turned out plenty of time. Three coaches of passengers on ship excursions arrived back after sail time and we are still sitting at the wharf. 

 

As the trains couldn’t continue through to Dunedin coaches were sent to collect us all from Wingatui station. On to Akaroa next. 

 

Leigh

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Great to hear it all worked out. Got you on the Albatross cam as you sailed out through the heads at 8.30 pm

 

 

[By The Bay]

5 hours ago, Tranquility Base said:

For future planning; what transport arrangements are you using to & from the port to the station ?

There is a shuttle provided from Port Charmers to Dunedin.

[MicCanberra]

Thanks Leigh, enjoying the pics and updates. Have fun in Akaroa.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Have a great day in Akaroa..

 

 

[MicCanberra]

Very nice.

[erewhon]

Thanks for the photo.

Looks to be a lovely day in Akaroa.

 

[By The Bay]

Looking forward to visiting Akaroa next month. I hope the weather is like you are having today when we arrive.

 

Last trip we had to miss the port due to adverse weather.😡

[possum52]

Lovely few hours wandering around Akaroa. It has been a perfect day - blue skies, warm away from the wharf area but a nice breeze. Had a drink at the pub with friends and fush and chups for lunch - yum! 

 

Akaroa is beautiful. We loved it. 

 

Leigh

[MicCanberra]

Lovely photos.

[possum52]

Yesterday we were in Wellington. I must say NZ is turning on the weather for us. Another warm,  sunny day. As it turned out we were unable to go ashore as my husband came down with a tummy bug through the night. A visit to the medical centre with medication dispensed meant he was quantined in our cabin until he was cleared this morning. I was quite impressed how the cabin was sanitised twice and all done without any fuss. Medical bill was less than visiting your GP, a pleasant surprise and not worth claiming on travel insurance. 

 

Refund for excursion missed yesterday was made promptly. 

 

We are in Gisborne today and another beautiful sunny day. DH is going ashore but I have decided to stay onboard and read, wander around the ship and read. We had nothing planned for today. 

 

We have been eating dinner in Donatello DR and have really enjoyed our meals. The waiters have been very good and the food close to excellent. DH had room service last night, chicken broth and a sandwich which he enjoyed and which arrived within 20 mins of ordering. 

 

There was a thread recently about tipping for room service on this board and someone said that when the order was delivered, you had to sign for it and there was a space to put an amount for a gratuity. I remember posting that didn’t happen on the Golden earlier in the year. Guess what, it happens now. 

 

Leigh

 

Edited November 14, 2018 by possum52

[Tranquility Base]

6 minutes ago, possum52 said:

 

Thanks for all the updates. Nice weather.

 

Regarding your Taieri Gorge train.

I know you had a bus for the last bit due to signal failure, but was wondering about transport to & from Port Chalmers to the station.

 

Did you use the normal shuttle to the Octagon, or did you have specific transport to / from the station ?

 

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Thanks again for the update and pics.  Looks like "Gissy" has turned on a beaut day for you. Heres a grab from the local cam showing where the tenders arrive .

 

[possum52]

2 minutes ago, Kiwi Kruzer said:

Thanks again for the update and pics.  Looks like "Gissy" has turned on a beaut day for you. Heres a grab from the local cam showing where the tenders arrive .

 

Thanks for the photo. We have been so fortunate with the weather. 

 

Leigh

[possum52]

11 minutes ago, Tranquility Base said:

Thanks for all the updates. Nice weather.

 

Regarding your Taieri Gorge train.

I know you had a bus for the last bit due to signal failure, but was wondering about transport to & from Port Chalmers to the station.

 

Did you use the normal shuttle to the Octagon, or did you have specific transport to / from the station ?

 

We booked a tour through Viator and the company they used was Goodcompany. We were picked up at the port terminal by the Goodcompany coach after meeting a tour representative inside and we were picked up by the same coach from the train and returned to Port Chalmers to the ship.

 

I would recommend booking through Viator or perhaps directly to Goodcompany.

 

Leigh