Sun Princess

[Fabian52]

Going on the Sun Princess R/T in November from Los Angeles to Sydney and have two questions:
1) We are flying American Airlines for the first leg from WPB to Los Angeles, then we have a 7 hr layover. Plan to collect our bags and then go to International Terminal and about 4 hrs. before flight (which leaves at 10:30 PM) to Sydney to check in for our Quantas Flight to Sydney. American Airlines gives you an allowance of I think like 30 lbs. limit for (1) carry on bag and a personal item. Size of bag no problem and the 30 lb. is very generous.
But when you check in for your Quantas flight they limit you to (1) 15 lb. bag for your carry on bag and one personal item. How strict is Quantas, would they actually weigh the bag at check in or upon boarding the plane?
I have no problem with the 45 in linear measurement but want to pack at least a few days of clothes in case our luggage doesn't arrive in time so that we can survive. 15 lbs. is not alot since the actual luggage seems to weigh in around 6 pounds. Anyone flown from the U.S. from Los Angeles to Australia lately and had any problems getting carry on luggage aboard Quantas. Did they weigh anyones luggage. I would not push the issue and put 30 lbs. but would like to push it to around 20 lbs. Any help would be appreciated.
2) Going in early to Sydney for two days. Plan on converting US dollars to Australian dollars and to use before our cruise. How much should I convert. Plan on doing it in Sydney at the airport. Would just need it for taxi's (4), meals for 2 days, and attractions. Any thoughts on that.
I was planning on $400 US dollars converted to Australian and $100 US dollars to New Zealand dollars.

[rugbypopsie]

Originally Posted by Fabian52

Going on the Sun Princess R/T in November from Los Angeles to Sydney and have two questions:
1) We are flying American Airlines for the first leg from WPB to Los Angeles, then we have a 7 hr layover. Plan to collect our bags and then go to International Terminal and about 4 hrs. before flight (which leaves at 10:30 PM) to Sydney to check in for our Quantas Flight to Sydney. American Airlines gives you an allowance of I think like 30 lbs. limit for (1) carry on bag and a personal item. Size of bag no problem and the 30 lb. is very generous.
But when you check in for your Quantas flight they limit you to (1) 15 lb. bag for your carry on bag and one personal item. How strict is Quantas, would they actually weigh the bag at check in or upon boarding the plane?
I have no problem with the 45 in linear measurement but want to pack at least a few days of clothes in case our luggage doesn't arrive in time so that we can survive. 15 lbs. is not alot since the actual luggage seems to weigh in around 6 pounds. Anyone flown from the U.S. from Los Angeles to Australia lately and had any problems getting carry on luggage aboard Quantas. Did they weigh anyones luggage. I would not push the issue and put 30 lbs. but would like to push it to around 20 lbs. Any help would be appreciated.
2) Going in early to Sydney for two days. Plan on converting US dollars to Australian dollars and to use before our cruise. How much should I convert. Plan on doing it in Sydney at the airport. Would just need it for taxi's (4), meals for 2 days, and attractions. Any thoughts on that.
I was planning on $400 US dollars converted to Australian and $100 US dollars to New Zealand dollars.

Hi,

Glad you are dropping in. Qantas will weigh cases and sometimes weighs carry on...tee shirts etc. easily and cheaply bought in Sydney and NZ so pack light and buy some. No problem with money ATM's everywhere in Sydney and all over NZ just draw out the amount you want on your card. No conversion costs that way.

We don't tip as a rule so you don't need a pocket full of $1

Cheaper ways to get to your hotel than taxi where are you staying? There are shuttles and also an airport train into the centre of Sydney.

Search the threads for great things to do in Sydney without spending a lot.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Originally Posted by Fabian52

Going on the Sun Princess R/T in November from Los Angeles to Sydney and have two questions:
1) We are flying American Airlines for the first leg from WPB to Los Angeles, then we have a 7 hr layover. Plan to collect our bags and then go to International Terminal and about 4 hrs. before flight (which leaves at 10:30 PM) to Sydney to check in for our Quantas Flight to Sydney. American Airlines gives you an allowance of I think like 30 lbs. limit for (1) carry on bag and a personal item. Size of bag no problem and the 30 lb. is very generous.
But when you check in for your Quantas flight they limit you to (1) 15 lb. bag for your carry on bag and one personal item. How strict is Quantas, would they actually weigh the bag at check in or upon boarding the plane?
I have no problem with the 45 in linear measurement but want to pack at least a few days of clothes in case our luggage doesn't arrive in time so that we can survive. 15 lbs. is not alot since the actual luggage seems to weigh in around 6 pounds. Anyone flown from the U.S. from Los Angeles to Australia lately and had any problems getting carry on luggage aboard Quantas. Did they weigh anyones luggage. I would not push the issue and put 30 lbs. but would like to push it to around 20 lbs. Any help would be appreciated.
2) Going in early to Sydney for two days. Plan on converting US dollars to Australian dollars and to use before our cruise. How much should I convert. Plan on doing it in Sydney at the airport. Would just need it for taxi's (4), meals for 2 days, and attractions. Any thoughts on that.
I was planning on $400 US dollars converted to Australian and $100 US dollars to New Zealand dollars.

Qantas will weigh your main luggage, however, its the luck of the draw if you get your onboard luggage weighed. I have never had our onboard luggage weighed yet and we always travel Qantas both domestically and internationally.

$400US converts to $476.85AU at today's rates. Depending on what day trips you are planning on doing that should be plenty if you only want it for food. The ferries and trains and buses are relatively cheap. Get the shuttle from the airport to your hotel, much cheaper. Last time was $10 each, much more if you take a taxi.

http://www.kst.com.au/airport.php

[jjones]

I flew Qantas LAX to SYD in March. They weighed everyone's carry-on and made people check overweight bags. I don't understand why, since the weight is still going on the same airplane, but that was the rule.

[West Coast]

Originally Posted by jjones

They weighed everyone's carry-on and made people check overweight bags. I don't understand why, since the weight is still going on the same airplane, but that was the rule.

In the event of turbulance, etc where the overhead bins might come open, they don't want people's overweight luggage acting as torpeados throughout the cabin.

[jjones]

Thanks, West Coast. I hadn't considered that as I've luckily never been in turbulence that severe, although I've had a number of bumpy flights.