Daytime in Auckland/Polaris Lounge Access

[TheShag]

We are booked for a Sydney - Auckland cruise this December/January on the Explorer. Our ardous return flight [AKL-LAX-EWR-RSW] does not leave until ~21:00 and I imagine the ship would arrive in Auckland ~ 08:00 with likely an 'off-ship' time of 09:00. Just wondering what others might have done with the day who have had a similar experience. Take the 'approved' shuttle to AKL, drop off luggage, and themn return for some sightseeing? Look for a place to store luggage for the day and then just Uber/taxi back to AKL for the flight? Just hang out in the ANZ lounge [if we're allowed that far in advance]?

 

Secondly, although the 1st leg is on ANZ, the rest of the flights are UAL. I have a copy of a text conversation stating that we could spend the [10 hr!!] layover in LAX in the Polaris Lounge. I then texted back [to a different agent] to also ask if I could access the Polaris Lounge in EWR. She advised that we could not as our flights were 'domestic' and further, the access to the LAX lounge was also not possible. What are the odds of obtaining lounge access [clutching my text printout!] to these 2 airports? Any tips? Given the 10 hr LAX layover, we might plan on getting out for a bit.

 

Thanks for your input!!

[jeb_bud]

As long as it’s on one itinerary and international business class you should at least have access to the United Clubs at LAX and EWR. It’s been a few years since we were in a Polaris lounge but back then I think they were only available to United customers. Of course, as always, YMMV. 

[irishwitchy]

I would think you may get into the United lounge in LAX,  but no way are you getting into a lounge at EWR since you flew there and are flying out domestic.  Also,  day passes are very seldom accepted at EWR.   Good luck.  

[PaulMCO]

4 hours ago, irishwitchy said:

I would think you may get into the United lounge in LAX,  but no way are you getting into a lounge at EWR since you flew there and are flying out domestic.  Also,  day passes are very seldom accepted at EWR.   Good luck.  

Polaris is only allowed on the start or termination of the international leg (so none at EWR).

[PoppyVelvet]

It’s probably too late but Air New Zealand fly direct non stop AKL to JFK.

[TheShag]

3 hours ago, PoppyVelvet said:

It’s probably too late but Air New Zealand fly direct non stop AKL to JFK.

Could not find that flight for departure of Jan 3rd…but thanks anyhow! I appreciate you checking that out.

[where-to-next]

We were in Auckland in December last year and on disembarking, left our luggage at a luggage storage office on the pier.

[loriva]

23 hours ago, TheShag said:

Secondly, although the 1st leg is on ANZ, the rest of the flights are UAL. I have a copy of a text conversation stating that we could spend the [10 hr!!] layover in LAX in the Polaris Lounge. I then texted back [to a different agent] to also ask if I could access the Polaris Lounge in EWR. She advised that we could not as our flights were 'domestic' and further, the access to the LAX lounge was also not possible. What are the odds of obtaining lounge access [clutching my text printout!] to these 2 airports? Any tips? Given the 10 hr LAX layover, we might plan on getting out for a bit.

 

We flew a partner airline (ANA) from Tokyo to ORD as one of our legs returning from our Sydney to Singapore sailings on Explorer in January.  We were refused entry to the Polaris lounge in ORD eventhough our ANA was codeshared with UAL.  The agent said we would have had access had we been on UAL into Chicago--but not when on a partner airline.  It might depend on whether UAL has its own flight on the itinerary or not.  (We had passes to the normal United Club from one of our credit cards and had to use that instead.)

[RachelG]

3 hours ago, where-to-next said:

We were in Auckland in December last year and on disembarking, left our luggage at a luggage storage office on the pier.

We have done this as well, granted, it was pre covid, but apparently still possible. 

 

As far as the Polaris lounge access, only available if it is a united flight, not a partner, but you should be able to access the united club. 

[cruiseaholic78]

On 8/11/2024 at 6:48 PM, TheShag said:

Take the 'approved' shuttle to AKL, drop off luggage, and themn return for some sightseeing? Look for a place to store luggage for the day and then just Uber/taxi back to AKL for the flight? Just hang out in the ANZ lounge [if we're allowed that far in advance]?

Sometimes cruise companies will offer a city tour dropping off at the airport.

I would suggest you book a day room at Auckland airport, this gives you the chance to relax before your flights home. We have done this in Sydney and chose a hotel with a pool, it was private we were the only ones there, then a relaxing meal before changing back into cold weather gear before returning home.

Here is one example but there are many google day room etc.

https://www.dayrooms.com/en/day-rooms-auckland/novotel-auckland-airport/

[PoppyVelvet]

On 8/13/2024 at 12:22 AM, TheShag said:

Could not find that flight for departure of Jan 3rd…but thanks anyhow! I appreciate you checking that out.

lol that’s my birthday 🙂

[Snh lname]

I have no clue as to how Polaris will work. However, my wife and I are on that cruise also. RSSC could not find a return flight for us on Jan. 3 so we are spending overnight in Aukland (at a hotel - at their expense) and leaving on Jan. 4.

 

Maybe we’ll see you onboard - we’re in 704. It’s our second Explorer cruise (first post COOP). Can’t wait to see staff we befriended back then. We’ll also be turning Gold when we step onboard.

[jeb_bud]

@Snh lname, what does COOP stand for?  Is it an acronym or what your autocorrect does to COVID?

[Snh lname]

What I call it. 

[TheShag]

We are on the same floor - 723! Hope to see you as well. Are you on the Roll Call for the cruise?

[Snh lname]

I couldn’t find the roll call. 

[TheShag]

Its the second one on the list under RSSC Explorer - Holiday Down Under.

[Snh lname]

Found it a few days ago. Even thanked you for setting it up.