turtlemichael

Personally, I would drop my luggage off at White Bay before returning the car. From the city travel over the Anzac Bridge, stay far left lane and follow the blue signs to the cruise terminal. The road will take you back under the bridge. this is the same way that taxi should go. NOT off Victoria road as some of them have been doing and then having to turn back. Sufficient parking there for you to drop bags, right outside the building.

 

Coming back I would hop off the train at Museum and start walking down Market St - directly opposite the station's Elizabeth St exit. Hail the cab in Market St as it has a direct approach toward the Anzac Bridge, much faster and cheaper ride.

Great advice cassamanda, particularly for the easiest way from Museum to the cruise terminal. However, I'd think that I would probably just hang the expense and get a taxi from the airport with my luggage after dropping off the car. The cost differential of train x 2 plus taxi compared with just taxi all the way is going to be marginal.

If you have nothing planned for Australia Day January 26th after your arrival there will be a number of free events on the Esplanade which go through to 9.00pm finishing with a movie. Usually there is a fireworks display too (not quite Sydney Harbour standards but good nevertheless) though I don't know if that is planned this year.

You'll be in town. She is listed at the Cruise Terminal for January 26-27. http://www.portsnorth.com.au/our-ports/cruise-arr-dep.php

Can't find the website- will try again later. But yes- pencis and paper, picture books or simple English readers, I brought sets of ink stamps- simple picture ones witht the ink enclosed, colored chalk. Many of the schools have next to nothing so they need almost everything. Maps of their own countries (I found laminated ones which will last although as I said- difficult to carry but worth while). Small things that teachers can give out as rewards- marbles, jacks and balls. Shiny things- although careful with garrets for hair- many places in Africa everyone shaves their heads. Those funny bracelets the kids wear- the elastic ones.

How did you get the items to the schools, 5waldos? Did Silversea assist as per rojann19's post above ?

Thanks rojaan19. I'll ask through my agent if there is something similar planned on Wind.

Thanks 5waldos. Great if you can locate the site.

Next March we'll be joining Silver Wind in Accra for the 23 days up the West Coast of Africa to the Canaries and then on the next leg to Barcelona. I know many are joining for the previous leg in Cape Town but at that time I'll be dashing around South Africa watching international cricket. Yes, I am strange. :)

I have read elsewhere (I think from Drron who travelled as far as Accra last year) of passengers arranging donations of basic equipment (pens, pencils, notebooks etc) for African schools on the way. As we'll be visiting some of the poorest countries in the world (Ivory Coast, Gambia, Senegal) I'm wondering if anyone knows how this was done. I guess we could just show up with a bag of equipment but is there something else worth doing? I know I could make a donation to World Vision etc but like most, I am sure, we already do that.

Great report and pics DrRon. You are doing your bit for international understanding.:)

A number of u r posting different information about the Ghana visa situation.

 

I'm beginning to think that if u are in transit from Cape Town all the way to Las Palmas or Barcelona, then SS will organise the visas.

 

If u r embarking or disembarking in Ghana, then u need a visa.

 

In the meantime, I'm trying to get info from SS to clarify. :confused:

 

Thankx

Jennifer

I stated I was embarking in Accra so my Visa info only related to others in that position.

TM, You cant ignore ANY of the questions or the application gets returned to you as incomplete and you have to start all over again. Silverseas give you the details to put on that, from what I remember, you put down the Silver Explorer and their agent.

 

Ann

Thanks Ann. I've asked Silversea via my TA for the contacts. Hotel address (we are there a couple of days beforehand) and agent's address should suffice. The visa for Australians appears to be AUD$100 single entry and $160 multiple entries. For US citizens it now appears to be $60 and $100.

Now I'm looking forward to reading about your and Ron's 12 hours in Accra. :D

rojaan19, we'll be there a couple of days before our cruise starts next March so I guess that spreads the pain of the visa cost a little more than for you. :) I'll do the same as you - get them from Canberra. Did you just ignore the question seeking two local referees?

We'll be on the Wind from Feb 27 to March 24, 2014.

See you then - we look forward to sailing with you again.

Paul

And we join Wind on March 13 in Accra for the run up to Barcelona 23 days later so we look forward to meeting you too.

Thanks Ron for your continuing report. The photos are just great.

Looking forward to vicariously enjoying your exploits drron. Have fun!

Another suggestion which no doubt won't appeal to everyone but might to a few and is worth putting in a thread on Hobart.

That is to visit MONA which is the art gallery up the Derwent River. http://www.mona.net.au/ The Gallery itself is sensational, reminiscent of the Getty in LA in terms of its impact on the visitor. The contents are an amazing mix of new and old.

It also has a pricey but very good restaurant called The Source where you can taste the best of Tasmanian cuisine and wines and have a laid back lunch.

It is also an easy ferry trip from the Harbour, very close to the cruise terminal and will make a memorable day for those into modern and ancient art. The ferry should be pre-booked as should the restaurant. We recently had 10 days in Tasmania and this was the highlight, amongst many.

I have a coupon available which would suit someone sailing in the next few months, maybe resident in Australia. Email is michaelcwilliams(at)netspace(dot)net(dot)au Many thanks.

Two questions regarding referrals if I may. As a recent Seabourn sailor I've just received our referral certificates to pass on to other newbies.

First question. Am I correct that here is no disadvantage to me in passing on the referral certificate to a first time future sailor even though I don't have my next Seabourn cruise booked ? In fact, it will be a year or two away. As I read it once the person I give the referral to pays in full, I receive my obc certificate which I can use on any future cruise no matter how far away.

Second, can I as the donor apply more than one obc to the same future cruise? Seabourn has given the two of us 4 certificates.

Many thanks. These questions have probably been answered in the past but for the moment I can't find the answer.

But aren't many of your ( almost 5000) posts on other cruise line Boards - Silversea, Oceania, Regent, Azamara etc. Or have I missed something?

You can drink beer and red wine, but still prefer champagne.

The port is in the waterfront area of downtown Auckland, just on the edge of the city. I'd expect a taxi from the airport to cost around $NZ65 to $NZ75. If your bus price is in US Dollars then for two people the cost will be about half for a taxi. Cheaper options would be shuttle buses but the hassle factor increases proportionately. Assuming your flight is on time you should be in a taxi a little after 10.00am and at the port before 11.00am. Assuming your arrival is on a weekday and not the weekend, you'll miss the morning peak so it should be a smooth run in normal traffic to the port. A taxi will be able to carry two passengers and the amount of luggage you indicate. Taxis accept major credit cards if you want to avoid changing money.