Suzbluz

Another vote for nouveau. It is well worth the additional cost.

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The quick reference to lolly cake might have been missed. You buy it from bakeries and its a NZ specialty. He should try that too.

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He should wash that chocolate down with a can of L&P.

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Our three nighter on explorer had bianco and Gatsby and I thought participation was high

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Probably are a good buy. We booked last October for this coming December on Ovation and got a fantastic price, $200pp deposit and free cancellation until July, balance due in October. I was very pleased and the same cabin now would cost about 500 dollars extra each. I'd book, you can always cancel but you might not always get that deal.

I have been on both and enjoyed them about the same. Explorer is a slightly 'nicer' ship. Has a classier feel but i would go on price on itinerary if it was between those two ships.

I hope you dont mind if I piggy back on your thread. we are going in December and would also like advice on Napier and Picton. thanks

I am following this blog and she really makes me want to do a world cruise. The writer seems like a really lovely, considerate traveller who gives a great review of each day of their trip.

I have booked guarantee balconies twice with Carnival. Both times I have received great rooms but have not been upgraded. One cruise we were given an aft balcony which I loved and the other one we were about a third of the way back from the front with no obstruction. Both times I got a bargain by risking guarantee and would do it again in a heartbeat.

I certainly drink more on a cruise than I do normally and so for me it is still a close call as to whether I get my money's worth but I like having the cost up front and no risk of bill shock as happened on our first cruise! I can just relax and not overthink whether I would like one more cocktail, but I'm a tight wad so overthink most purchases. I also know that the other half is getting definite value so swings and roundabouts :)

With 3 cruises already booked I would spend those 8 days exploring by land to give you some variety. There are plenty of great areas to explore near sydney especially if you're happy to hire a car. I'd spend 2 days each in sydney, blue mountains, hunter valley, port Stephens and possibly also canberra. Or if you have the funds spend some time in Sydney and then fly to Lord howe island for 4 nights.

Good suggestions. Covering that kind of distance for us in a week is nothing but might seem a bit much for someone from Belgium. I agree with the idea though and I would say do this but maybe just Sydney/blue mountains/Canberra. If you didn't want to drive you might manage this by train although car would be much easier and the roads you need to travel are good.

I also second the Jinek Bay recommendation, the snorkelling there is amazing. I have also snorkelled on the ship side of Lifou (I mean next to where the tenders drop you) and got very close to turtles which was really lovely.

On our last cruise to the islands my partner never left the ship. He loves sea days and doesn't swim, whereas I prefer port days and love snorkelling. My son and I got off at each port and went swimming and Paul stayed on the ship and everyone had the experience they wanted, so everyone was a winner! The boy and I even did a tour on Isle of Pines which we had never done before, despite having been there several times now.

How can I find these deals!? Any clues?:confused:

Are you on Facebook? I see a lot of these one day bargains because I liked an online TA on facebook. The specials come out every couple of days and there are some amazing bargains. You just have to find the right site to cruise first.

Yes it does rain Sometimes in Sydney. I have been through those Sydney heads in heavy rain (April 2015) Superstorm.. We went out through it, while other ships couldn't come-in. I think it was we had to get to Hawaii by a certain day. was delayed till after 10:00 so the winds would die down.. But on 16 other cruises no rain.. Love sitting in a pod or bench cruiseing out with the sun setting in the west... Oh i'm missing it now..

I was on a ship in April 2015 which couldn't come in. We had to endure an extra day at sea. Oh the torture...;)

I prefer option 1, see the islands as a once in a lifetime thing. Sounds like you might come back and could see northern Australia then. I think you see more variety with Australia/NZ and Islands option. there is some really lovely snorkelling to be done on the islands. there is on the GB reef too but I don't think a day long stop is the best way to see that part of australia.

Rough seas on that route are possible if there is a cyclone about. The ships will change their route if it is too bad but occasionally you will still hit a rough sea. I have done the Pacific Islands cruises 4 times and have only had one cruise affected, where they rearranged the ports to avoid the cyclone (and we had one port removed) and there was one day where the sea was unbelievably rough, to the point where we had an extra day at sea as the weather around Sydney was so bad the pilot couldn't board so we had to go back out and come in the next day. Otherwise it has been very plain sailing if you will pardon the pun! The rough sea cruise was in April. I think you would have to be unlucky to get that kind of rough but it didn't worry us as we don't get seasick.

I have booked guarantee balconies on carnival twice, and both times received great cabins. My teenage son always gets the sofa bed and he says they are fine. He is over 6 foot tall.

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I booked about a week or so out for a December cruise. Our son was going to be away so I stalked a few cruises and booked a 10 nighter for about 650pp when the prices suddenly dropped. I wouldn't be game to do that if we needed a triple or if it was important to us to go but we had just decided we would go if we could get a bargain.

I really liked this hotel http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/hawaii/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-alana-waikiki-beach-HNLKADT/index.html

it is not in the middle of Waikiki but an easy walk in and very close to ala moana shopping mall.

We have sailed on the Spirit in Balcony cabins and each time the third bed has been a fold out single sofa bed.

Marigold is a classic but I don't think you can go wrong in china town.

Just discovered that Royal Caribbean has reduced the price of their drink packages.

 

Deluxe package $65.28 AUD

Deluxe package & voom 1 device $79.36 AUD

Refreshment package $26.88 AUD

Classic soda & voom 1 device $26.28 AUD

I got this price too for our cruise in December 2018 so assume it is all cruises. It is going to feel like it was free by the time the cruise comes around!

I have a bit of experience in dealing with backyard rental car operators in NZ. Until the name "Buzzy rentals" popped up on Trip Advisor a few days ago I had never heard of them and they had not popped up with other Trip advisor users of car rentals. There are many backyard operators who operate out of private homes or as third party operators in New Zealand who base their business on price with limited after hours customer services and operate a drop off service at airports and cruise terminals and after the customers have left the country they get a bill on their credit card for damage although the customers swears that there was no damage to the vehicle. Unfortunately when one is on the other side of the world it is almost impossible to argue ones case. This company maybe reputable but it also may be an expensive cost to find out. If one uses the recognised international companies like Hertz, Avis or similar or second tier companies like Omega and Apex in Wellington for example one can be assured they are dealing with long standing reputable companies. Sure they may be a bit more expensive than a back yard operator but in the overall scale of things peace of mind is more important. If hiring for one day ensure that you have an all inclusive no excess insurance policy. This is obtained from the reputable companies for a small per diem increase around $NZ15. This will ensure that in event of a damage claim you wont get hit by a $NZ5000 excess claim after you arrive home. My credibility can be found on Trip Advisor NZ forum. Customer service is more important for car rentals that saving a few bucks. All the reputable companies have fully inclusive websites which detail in minute detail their terms and conditions. Ensure you have peace of mind when making your choice. Safe and happy motoring and have a great stay in the Collest little capital in the World

Motor vehicle excess costs are often covered by travel insurance so it is worth checking your policy before you pay the extra charge.

You might be better off in the boxing day sales as the duty free range is not huge. There is a Pandora shop and the prices there are slightly lower than on land.

One more for me: 12 December 2018, Ovation of the Seas, New Zealand, 10 nights

Thanks