begginer_cruiser

Does anyone have anything to add to what is here. I am trying to put together a list for the 3 first time cruisers going with me on saturday and i am stuck for things to add.

We took with us those fold up bed things for floating across the coral at Lifou with. People on the ship were pulling faces at us with them but once we got to Lifou they were excellent. We laid on ours and just floated across the coral. Some of the coral comes up quite high so it was much easier floating across it on the bed. After we just let the air out and folded them back up - not too heavy to carry either. Make sure you take your reef shoes!

I cant wait either but terrified its just me all by myself!

I dont think it will take you long before you have found a group of people. From what i have heard everyone talks to everyone.

Beginner cruiser and Cruiziechick, there will be 4 of us - 2 couples - on R638.

We are retirees, so will be just lolling around, taking a well-earned rest, while you young things do all the active stuff...hope we all have a wonderful cruise!

Cant wait! There are 8 of us. My family and family friends! It will be a great week!

Thankyou everyone for your answers on the currency in Noumea and Vila.

 

Beginner_cruiser you said your leaving On Saturday - looks like we may be on the same cruise. It also appears we share the same concerns!! I do hope all goes well with the things we buy and try to bring back

CruzieChick - we must be on the same cruise - both leaving on the 18th Nov. If you see someone crying because her stuff has been confiscated then that will be me - lol. It should be a great cruise. I am really excited but a little stressed as i want to know all the little details so i am prepared and dont get caught out with anything. I am sure it will all go smooth.

We had a woven mat taken as there were very little spiders in it. When the Customs lady tapped the mat on the table they all fell out. Wow, we were really shocked! We had necklaces and a windchime taken as they were made with a very nasty seed and another larger seed on them (these weren't in the display cabinet at the tour desk) and we nearly lost a woven bag but she told us to get going before she had to take it!!

 

In Noumea you can buy sand pictures behind frames. Don't. These are also banned from entering Aust. Don't buy the leafy photo albums either. everyone we knew who bought one had it taken off them. They cost $10 so not very happy!

We bought a bow and arrow and a wooden Lifou ornament and these got thru Customs fine. You just need to be careful when buying them that they don't have little holes in them (hubbys a builder so knew what to look for).

 

The only shell you can't bring in is the 'snail shell'. We bought back some of the most beautiful shells that hubby was given. We didn't think they'd be allowed in but these were fine.

 

Be carefull when buying the necklaces because most of them are made with seeds and some are even dyed another colour so you can be conned:o

 

Kerri

Thanks for the advice. It all sounds so tricky. I dont want to buy presents etc to them have them taken and not have any presents for anybody. How embarrasing would that be!

Thanks for your help Lorraine.

Do we receive another cruise packet when we board Saturday? We did not receive any information regarding quarantine with our cruise tickets.

Jodie

Does anybody know the restrictions on what you can and cannot bring back from shopping in Vila, Noumea and Lifou.

We went to Portside Saturday 11 Nov and the Star was arriving home. People were saying they had wood items and jewellery taken while others who had the same wood items apparently got to keep theirs.

We would like to have some idea as we dont want to buy heaps and have it all confiscated on return.

Thanks