Help! Looking for Princess Land/Sea Tour blog for Australia/New Zealand

[Worldtraveler 4727]

We are two couples going on a Princess land tour of Australia (7 days) then a  cruise around NZ (13 days) this next October/November.

Can anyone advise me or provide a link to any information previously posted on CC regarding this type of land/sea tour--preferably a blog? 

I found a daily blog on this same type of trip on Alaska, and it was very helpful. Then after taking the land and sea tour ourselves to Alaska on Princess, I posted a day-by-day blog that was helpful and appreciated by many as well. Hoping there is one or more out there for this one to Australia/New Zealand.

 

I posted this on the AU/NZ site, but so far nothing.

However, someone there said Terry from Ohio commented on one Jan 20 - Feb 3?? Couldn't find that posting....

Thank you!

[Worldtraveler 4727]

Someone on the AU/NZ boards answered. If anyone here is interested, here is the link:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/

[PescadoAmarillo]

Not land and sea (exactly) but we’ve done many cruises in Australia and New Zealand and I blogged about them here. You can click on the tabs at tHe top to take you directly to those cruising seasons, or use the labels on the right to check out the posts for specific ports. 
 

2017-18:  http://pescadoamarillo.blogspot.com/2017/10/season-8-exploring-wonders-down-under.html

 

2019-20:  http://pescadoamarillo.blogspot.com/2019/09/season-10-big-easy-down-under-style.html  This one started with a transpacific cruise so you might want to skip past the first 30 days or so. 

[LouCoop]

Our last cruise pre covid in February 2020 was similar to what you have booked. The land tour took us to Uluru, Cairns and back to Sydney. We very much enjoyed it. Our cruise was 12 days to New-Zealand, we also enjoyed that. I would recommend this tour it was well planned out. We have very good memories of this voyage.

[Worldtraveler 4727]

19 hours ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

Not land and sea (exactly) but we’ve done many cruises in Australia and New Zealand and I blogged about them here. You can click on the tabs at tHe top to take you directly to those cruising seasons, or use the labels on the right to check out the posts for specific ports. 
 

2017-18:  http://pescadoamarillo.blogspot.com/2017/10/season-8-exploring-wonders-down-under.html

 

2019-20:  http://pescadoamarillo.blogspot.com/2019/09/season-10-big-easy-down-under-style.html  This one started with a transpacific cruise so you might want to skip past the first 30 days or so. 

Thank you!

[Worldtraveler 4727]

19 hours ago, LouCoop said:

Our last cruise pre covid in February 2020 was similar to what you have booked. The land tour took us to Uluru, Cairns and back to Sydney. We very much enjoyed it. Our cruise was 12 days to New-Zealand, we also enjoyed that. I would recommend this tour it was well planned out. We have very good memories of this voyage.

This is one comment I read from someone on CC about a tour at Ayers Rock:"One thing to do is to get one of those screen thingees that go over your head. The flies will carry you off during the day time. At night, they must go to sleep because they were not a problem at the sunset dinner." Were flies a significant problem when you were in Uluru enough to purchase and to take along an overhead fly screen?

Also, can you tell me how your accommodations were? How was the food?

On your arrival day in Sydney, what was planned for the group? We are flying in 2 days early, and I am trying to figure out what time we will have available to plan things. For example, on the next day after arrival, there is Sightseeing Tour for the group, and the itinerary states afternoon and evening at leisure. 

We would be interested in any details you could share. Thank you!

[oldfashioncruiser]

Following!!!

 

 

[t&atravel]

4 hours ago, Worldtraveler 4727 said:

This is one comment I read from someone on CC about a tour at Ayers Rock:"One thing to do is to get one of those screen thingees that go over your head. The flies will carry you off during the day time. At night, they must go to sleep because they were not a problem at the sunset dinner." Were flies a significant problem when you were in Uluru enough to purchase and to take along an overhead fly screen?

Also, can you tell me how your accommodations were? How was the food?

On your arrival day in Sydney, what was planned for the group? We are flying in 2 days early, and I am trying to figure out what time we will have available to plan things. For example, on the next day after arrival, there is Sightseeing Tour for the group, and the itinerary states afternoon and evening at leisure. 

We would be interested in any details you could share. Thank you!

I also did this tour and cruise in Feb 2020 and it was excellent!  The flies were everywhere as you have noted.  We pre-purchased a fly cover that goes over your hat but it turns out that was unnecessary (to pre-purchase, not to have!😉) as the tour operator provided them.  They are also for sale at the hotel at Uluru.  You will be glad to have them!!  I don’t fully remember details of the Sydney tour but I do know we had plenty of time to ourselves.  Enjoy!

[zukecruiser]

Also going to Australia/NZ in Oct 2023.  Will be checking the blogs.  Thanks for the information.

[LouCoop]

4 hours ago, Worldtraveler 4727 said:

This is one comment I read from someone on CC about a tour at Ayers Rock:"One thing to do is to get one of those screen thingees that go over your head. The flies will carry you off during the day time. At night, they must go to sleep because they were not a problem at the sunset dinner." Were flies a significant problem when you were in Uluru enough to purchase and to take along an overhead fly screen?

Also, can you tell me how your accommodations were? How was the food?

On your arrival day in Sydney, what was planned for the group? We are flying in 2 days early, and I am trying to figure out what time we will have available to plan things. For example, on the next day after arrival, there is Sightseeing Tour for the group, and the itinerary states afternoon and evening at leisure. 

We would be interested in any details you could share. Thank you!

We did need the fly screen. We were going to buy it in Uluru but our guide had them for everyone.

Accomodations were all good, nice hotels and in Uluru they were like little motel cabins.

If I remember right only breakfast was included in tour. Other meals depended on the restaurants you chose. We didn't have any negative experiences.

We also flew 2 days early. We only met the group the day before we left for Uluru for a meeting at the Sidney hotel. Next morning we left for Uluru. Contrary to you our tour of Sidney was on our return from Cairns. We came back 2 days before our cruise so had first evening off, next day tour lasted all day and next morning after that we were embarking on the ship for our cruise.

We really enjoyed the whole tour. We also had a great guide. 

[Worldtraveler 4727]

On 3/1/2023 at 11:08 AM, t&atravel said:

I also did this tour and cruise in Feb 2020 and it was excellent!  The flies were everywhere as you have noted.  We pre-purchased a fly cover that goes over your hat but it turns out that was unnecessary (to pre-purchase, not to have!😉) as the tour operator provided them.  They are also for sale at the hotel at Uluru.  You will be glad to have them!!  I don’t fully remember details of the Sydney tour but I do know we had plenty of time to ourselves.  Enjoy!

Thank you for the information.

Any other details you'd like to share about the land portion or the excursions you took in NZ would be greatly appreciated!
Also, may I ask: did you need AU and NZ dollars?? If so, how much would you recommend? A friend is there right now and says "everything" is credit card friendly. 

[Worldtraveler 4727]

On 3/1/2023 at 11:55 AM, LouCoop said:

We did need the fly screen. We were going to buy it in Uluru but our guide had them for everyone.

Accomodations were all good, nice hotels and in Uluru they were like little motel cabins.

If I remember right only breakfast was included in tour. Other meals depended on the restaurants you chose. We didn't have any negative experiences.

We also flew 2 days early. We only met the group the day before we left for Uluru for a meeting at the Sidney hotel. Next morning we left for Uluru. Contrary to you our tour of Sidney was on our return from Cairns. We came back 2 days before our cruise so had first evening off, next day tour lasted all day and next morning after that we were embarking on the ship for our cruise.

We really enjoyed the whole tour. We also had a great guide. 

 

On 3/1/2023 at 11:55 AM, LouCoop said:

We did need the fly screen. We were going to buy it in Uluru but our guide had them for everyone.

Accomodations were all good, nice hotels and in Uluru they were like little motel cabins.

If I remember right only breakfast was included in tour. Other meals depended on the restaurants you chose. We didn't have any negative experiences.

We also flew 2 days early. We only met the group the day before we left for Uluru for a meeting at the Sidney hotel. Next morning we left for Uluru. Contrary to you our tour of Sidney was on our return from Cairns. We came back 2 days before our cruise so had first evening off, next day tour lasted all day and next morning after that we were embarking on the ship for our cruise.

We really enjoyed the whole tour. We also had a great guide. 

Thank you for the information.

Any other details you'd like to share about the land portion or the excursions you took in NZ would be greatly appreciated!
Also, may I ask, especially since you indicate many meals are on our own,  did you need AU and NZ dollars?? If so, how much would you recommend? A friend is there right now and says "everything" is credit card friendly. 

[LouCoop]

Just now, Worldtraveler 4727 said:

 

Thank you for the information.

Any other details you'd like to share about the land portion or the excursions you took in NZ would be greatly appreciated!
Also, may I ask, especially since you indicate many meals are on our own,  did you need AU and NZ dollars?? If so, how much would you recommend? A friend is there right now and says "everything" is credit card friendly. 

He is right. We used our cc almost everywhere. But, if you are going to Uluru they charge a percentage fee (I think it was 3% but not sure about that) if you use cc so you might want some AU for those meals.

Same in NZ, we only had a few dollars for ice cream or a soda or water bottle.

[Worldtraveler 4727]

Thank you! Most helpful!

[PescadoAmarillo]

When we were last there, Australia charged a 1.1% surcharge on all credit card purchases (including ship on board account settlement). This is not the same as an international usage fee, which some credit cards charge (ours don’t). 

[Worldtraveler 4727]

32 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

When we were last there, Australia charged a 1.1% surcharge on all credit card purchases (including ship on board account settlement). This is not the same as an international usage fee, which some credit cards charge (ours don’t). 

Thanks for the heads up on that!

 

[PurpleTraveller]

I don't know if this will be of any help to you but I did a review of my Majestic Princess cruise in November 2018 to New Zealand.

 

 

Also as an Australian I might be able to help if you have any questions regarding Australia or New Zealand.

 

Edited March 3, 2023 by PurpleTraveller

[Worldtraveler 4727]

Purple Traveller, Thank you for the link! I very much enjoyed your trip report! So sorry you didn't get into the fjords again....we will be there the first week in November. Fingers crossed!

Thank you for the offer of help....I cannot seem to find any definitive information on how far in advance one can buy tickets to a performance in the Opera House, and what the offerings might be --specifically October 26 or 27, 2023. I did read that for "popular performances" it's best to book 6+ months out, but I can't find any links that list what the various offerings will be. 

[Jakdgr]

Last year we did a 8  day bus tour to Alice Springs (as part of The Ghan train Darwin - Adelaide). While not sure what tour you are doing might have some info/photos of interest.

We were there late April and didn’t have any issues with flies (albeit maybe I’m just used to them😁)

Uluṟu is such a spiritual place I feel, Kings Canyon is a work out but exquisite scenery of the bush and well worth it, Simpson Gap is great. Million star dinner is unforgettable … but subject to cloud cover on occasion.

Alice Springs has a few nice hotels.

[Worldtraveler 4727]

3 hours ago, Jakdgr said:

Last year we did a 8  day bus tour to Alice Springs (as part of The Ghan train Darwin - Adelaide). While not sure what tour you are doing might have some info/photos of interest.

We were there late April and didn’t have any issues with flies (albeit maybe I’m just used to them😁)

Uluṟu is such a spiritual place I feel, Kings Canyon is a work out but exquisite scenery of the bush and well worth it, Simpson Gap is great. Million star dinner is unforgettable … but subject to cloud cover on occasion.

Alice Springs has a few nice hotels.

That sounds lovely. We are really looking forward to Cairns, Darwin, Uluru (Ayers Rock, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park)

[PurpleTraveller]

15 hours ago, Worldtraveler 4727 said:

Purple Traveller, Thank you for the link! I very much enjoyed your trip report! So sorry you didn't get into the fjords again....we will be there the first week in November. Fingers crossed!

Thank you for the offer of help....I cannot seem to find any definitive information on how far in advance one can buy tickets to a performance in the Opera House, and what the offerings might be --specifically October 26 or 27, 2023. I did read that for "popular performances" it's best to book 6+ months out, but I can't find any links that list what the various offerings will be. 

 

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the review. We live in hope that we will get in to the Sounds one day. 😀 I really hope you get to see them on your cruise.

 

Have you checked the official Sydney Opera House website?

 

https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/events/whats-on.html

 

The performances are listed through to the end of 2023. On the dates you have mentioned are a few performances.

On October 26 is Li-Wei Qin performing Haydn's Cello Concerto No 1 at 7.00pm.

On October 27 is Mozart and Haydn with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at 11.00am and a theatre performance of Twelfth Night at 7.00pm.

 

They are listed as being able to book now and when I clicked on the "Book Now" link for the Mozart and Haydn concert it was available to book. If you would like to see one of the performances I would book sooner rather than later to get good seats. 

 

You can also sign up for their newsletter for upcoming events.

 

Hope this helps you and please ask if there is anything else I might be able to help you with.

 

[Worldtraveler 4727]

Purple Traveller, you have the "magic touch!" I thought I did look all over on the official website, but apparently I did not. Your link took me right to what I needed. Thank you.

 

Thank you, too, for your willingness to answer questions for us. We have another, if you don't mind. 

As an Australian, we are hoping you can give us your take on tipping in your country and NZ. For example, we are taking a full day tour from Sydney out to the Blue Mountains (before the Princess land portion begins). Is a tip expected for the person leading this tour? For the bus driver, if that is a separate person? 

We've been told by Princess to tip our Land Tour Director before we head to the 13 day cruise portion:

GRATUITY INFORMATION  

Farewell to your Tour Director Today you will say goodbye to your tour director and conclude your Princess escorted tour. As traditions and customs vary widely across the globe, we often have guests ask what gratuity guidelines are appropriate for the region they are touring. It is our belief that gratuities are a direct reflection of the level and quality of service received. It is customary to extend gratuities as a sign of appreciation on the last day of your land tour. The following is the recommended industry standard for tour directors in Australia:   Tour Director: 5.00-7.00 USD per person per day   Extending gratuities is a personal matter and should be distributed on an individual basis without solicitation and not on behalf of any group.

 

We would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you!

[PurpleTraveller]

11 hours ago, Worldtraveler 4727 said:

Purple Traveller, you have the "magic touch!" I thought I did look all over on the official website, but apparently I did not. Your link took me right to what I needed. Thank you.

 

Thank you, too, for your willingness to answer questions for us. We have another, if you don't mind. 

As an Australian, we are hoping you can give us your take on tipping in your country and NZ. For example, we are taking a full day tour from Sydney out to the Blue Mountains (before the Princess land portion begins). Is a tip expected for the person leading this tour? For the bus driver, if that is a separate person? 

We've been told by Princess to tip our Land Tour Director before we head to the 13 day cruise portion:

GRATUITY INFORMATION  

Farewell to your Tour Director Today you will say goodbye to your tour director and conclude your Princess escorted tour. As traditions and customs vary widely across the globe, we often have guests ask what gratuity guidelines are appropriate for the region they are touring. It is our belief that gratuities are a direct reflection of the level and quality of service received. It is customary to extend gratuities as a sign of appreciation on the last day of your land tour. The following is the recommended industry standard for tour directors in Australia:   Tour Director: 5.00-7.00 USD per person per day   Extending gratuities is a personal matter and should be distributed on an individual basis without solicitation and not on behalf of any group.

 

We would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you!

 

So glad that the link helped.

 

Regarding tips please remember that tips are not required in Australia or NZ as we are paid decent wages here, though tips are appreciated when given. When we go to dinner at a restaurant we would never tip more than 10% and would usually only round up eg. $55 to $60 for good service. For average service we sometimes do not tip at all and also depending on where we are, such as at a club or pub. If I do not get good service I would not tip at all.

 

If we have a great tour we would only tip $10 per person to the guide and $5 per person to the driver but if the tour is exceptional we may tip more.

 

Once again tips are not required but will be appreciated. Unfortunately when visitors from the USA visit Australia and NZ they are sometimes expected to tip because of the tipping culture in the USA. It is completely up to you if or how much you tip according to what service you receive.

 

Hope this helps a bit. 😊

 

Edited March 5, 2023 by PurpleTraveller

[Worldtraveler 4727]

Thank you so much for your explanation. Your comments are in line with what I have heard, and so different from the tipping culture in the US. We want to be appropriate and follow local customs, so we appreciate your clarification. 

[Jakdgr]

Totally agree with what PurpleTraveller has said re tipping here.