onlyslightlymad

Apparently an entire summer's worth of rain fell in one day. The wettest day on record.

The weather hit really fast. If you planned to get there early I can see how people were caught out.

Here's a link to some photos https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/483230/in-photos-heavy-rain-causing-flooding-evacuations-in-auckland

I wouldn't want to be arriving in Auckland tomorrow. Severe rain and flooding. What a mess. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/483223/live-updates-wild-weather-lashes-auckland-northland

Just remember that the fact they are willing to turn around if there is a problem or delay if there is bad weather is a sign of high safety standards. It's actually a good thing.

I hear you and you make good points. I don't know much about Qantas but Air NZ is in a similar position. In their defence, our govt didn't give them money, they "loaned" it at above market rates of interest. Air NZ is supposed to be an independent business until they aren't - until the govt leans on them to service small centres, which is necessary because our rail system is so woeful. We simply cannot manage without a national airline. Also, while competition is welcome and important to keep them efficient and to keep service standards higher, it isn't a level playing field when they are competing against other govt backed airlines. Don't get me wrong, they are by no means perfect. They have lost a whole lot of their experienced cabin crew and replaced them with young uns and the service has definitely slipped as a result.

I try to avoid the Gulf carriers if I can. My reason is that they are fully state owned and backed by their government. They capacity dump on the Tasman. There is no way the likes of Qantas and Air NZ can compete with them as it is simply not a level playing field. Also, those same governments are dictatorships with terrible labour laws, and punitive laws against women and those with same sex partners. I don't feel good about supporting them and will avoid them if possible, no matter how good the service is.

Thank you for the feedback. Much appreciated.

I know many of you are loyal RCL customers. I have only cruised on NCL and Celebrity but have been looking at some RCL cruises. On Celebrity, we tend to book the cheapest suite because we like dining in Luminae and having access to the suite lounge (Retreat). Looking at RCL, I can't see much benefit in booking a junior suite, other than having a bigger room. I know, on some ships, there is access to the Coastal Kitchen but is this really worth the extra money?

Just a small note - you were in Tauranga. Mount Maunganui is a suburb, not a separate town. It was a separate town many years ago, as is the case for many suburbs of larger centres.

Jetstar fly in NZ too but only the most profitable routes - between Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington, Queenstown. Air NZ are half government owned, but the government also leans on them to serve the smaller centres. We couldn't manage without a national airline - we are too isolated.

If anything, more strict. https://www.customs.govt.nz/personal/travel-to-and-from-nz/travelling-to-nz/medicines/ https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/bringing-and-posting-items-to-nz/check-if-you-can-bring-or-send-an-item-to-nz/

Not so. Under the Open Skies agreement signed in 2000 between NZ and Aus, the domestic markets were supposed to be opened to both countries. NZ allowed Qantas, Jetstar etc to operate domestically but Aus refused to reciprocate. Then, Air NZ tried to get into the market by buying Ansett which was a lemon and nearly drove them bust (big mistake!)

Here's another article re naughty ships https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/mpi-and-nz-cruise-association-in-biofouling-talks-as-foreign-biomatter-found-on-five-ships/SLW7UW4FPFHSHKREAXP7VHUR2U/

Most people don't realise that their luggage is lost by the luggage handling companies that are employed to transfer bags from one airline to another. So when passengers arrive in Auckland and go to the Air NZ counter, they think that Air NZ has lost their bags. It is much more likely that it was lost somewhere en route and Air NZ has never taken possession of your luggage in the first place. Doesn't help the passenger though.

After a stormy week here in NZ, we now have a cyclone warning. I feel for the cruise ship passengers parked up here over the last couple of days. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/weather-heavy-rain-watch-in-wellington-cancels-cook-strait-ferry-services-gisborne-wastewater-system-floods/BQKOMWLQLBAV3A3W2JYBBSVY7I/

Not sure if anyone's posted this, but a piece on those companies employed to do the cleaning https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/481893/cleaning-ships-what-s-involved-in-meeting-new-zealand-s-strict-biofoul-thresholds

Thank you for posting this. It's very helpful as we've been considering trying Holland America too

Ah, there's your issue. You should have asked for a NZ pavlova.

Thanks for all your help with this. My first VV cruise - the mermaiden out of Melbourne. Really looking forward to it.

We have booked a Cheeky Corner Suite on Resilient lady in December. There is an adjoining Sea Terrace room available that I am considering booking for my adult daughter. My question is - if this room is part of the same group booking, then will my daughter be included in any suite privileges? For example, will she be allowed to accompany us to Richard's Rooftop if we go there? We have tried contacting Virgin via the online portal and have received no response other than the generic bounceback. Their customer service is woeful.

Lyttelton local unhappy with the cruise ship buses. https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/130878058/influx-of-cruise-ship-buses-driving-one-man-around-the-bend

I would hate it if they did that. I wouldn't want to hand over a 'tip' and would be really angry to be backed into a corner like that.

I generally find that a sincere thank you is all that is expected

Mount Maunganui is in Tauranga but i know what you mean