Aussieflyer

Not the whole hog then? 😂 Actually I wouldn't bother at all as we don't do any dress up for themes etc. I don't waste packing space.

Go for the wheels - so much easier when you are my age! 😂 Ours are indestructible Pacsafe (2 solid inset wheels) - a bit heavy so I thought I would get a newer one which was lighter but they don't make them anymore. I don't like the flimsy spinner wheels as if we ever do check in luggage, that is the part which is most likely to be broken.

though does your carry on have wheels - the ones we use do plus usually a smaller bag to carry.

We travel carry on as much as we can, both domestic and international. Even if we do check the luggage in, it is a carryon on size piece of luggage each.The limit for carryon international for QF depends on the class of travel (and I expect this to be the same for other international airlines as well). https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/baggage/carry-on-baggage.html. There is a max of 2 bags plus a handbag, jacket etc (and depending on the airport, this can be sometimes enforced) Jetstar is the low cost airline and it is 7kg for carryon - and they do weigh it, including your jacket, handbag and anything else you are carrying on board. One issue with carry on is the LAGs - which have to go in a plastic bag through security - and that nothing sharp allowed. When we travel we use laundry facilities - for a 2 week cruise either on board if there is a laundry or send it out. Underwear we do in the bathroom usually (would hate to scare the staff with my "smalls".) For NZ, I usually take 2 pr trousers/pants, a couple of jumpers/sweaters/cardigans, 2 thermals (long sleeve), 3 t shirts/casual tops, 3 dressy tops, evening trousers (for formal nights), 2 or 3 shawls, 1 pr heels, sandals, joggers, bathers, night attire, underwear - 7 knickers etc, small first aid kit - no scissors, chargers for electronics. I rarely wear dresses or skirts so don't pack them. Makeup etc goes in my handbag. As I don't take any medication, I don't need to worry about packing a supply. Can easily fit it under 10kg. I wear another pair of trousers, shirt, cardigan, jacket (for NZ this would be gortex) and the joggers as shoes seem to take up a lot of room. When we last cruised NZ in late December pre COVID, it was lovely and hot in Auckland but got steadily colder as we went south - we did need the thermals and wind proof jackets. It did not warm up until we were at Burnie a day or two before disembarking. If you look at a map, the South Island is quite a distance south and a lot cooler than most of Australia. Auckland though is about the same latitude as Sydney.

Forgot other states are different - so might be OK then.🙂

That cruise is in the middle of the school holidays so you might want a back up cruise just in case. I am on a Carnival cruise during the previous week and expecting it to be full. Also cruises last year, especially when just restarting, never were at full capacity and did have a few late cancellations. Not sure that is the case now.

Looks a bit like one of the locks for love - though hopefully that craze won't take off here. He certainly is a happy looking fellow.

Cradle Mountain is lovely though a long day trip though worth it if it is the only opportunity to visit assuming the weather is good. We have only even driven in the area and been staying there so can't comment on it as as an excursion.

... and a favourite of dentists due to the tendency to dislodge old fillings 😂

A one way itinerary to cruise NZ is the way to go if you have limited time in my opinion. I haven't cruised on HAL but if you like the line, there should be no issues as you know what the ships are like (though be aware, cruise lines tend to send their older ships down here much of the time). The 2 HAL cruises for March 2024 both have things going for them and I would be happy with either. The Sydney to Auckland on 9 March has the advantage of Kaikoura which is well known for whale watching, though I don't know much about Timaru. Burnie in Tasmania would need an excursion as there is not a lot in the town itself to fill a full day, having visited twice on ships and several times when in the area for land trips. The reverse leaving Auckland on 23 March does visit Hobart which is better but then misses the whale watching at Kaikoura and doesn't seem to go into Milford Sound. They both do the other main ports and Fiordland though last time we were there in a late December, we couldn't go into the sounds at all because it was too rough. HAL are certainly giving more ports than the Celebrity ones and would be preferable I think. The best of the Princess one would be the 2 March one from Auckland to Sydney but that might be a bit early for you - this is a one way cruise which cuts out 2 wasted sea days crossing the Tasman Sea.

OK - thanks for coming back with some more detail crewsgirl. It does depend on what you are after. Here are a few websites of cruise lines for March 2024 - maybe have a look and come back with questions about any particular cruises that look interesting to you. Princess - https://www.princess.com/cruise-search/results/?resType=C Celebrity - https://www.celebritycruises.com/au/itinerary-search?destinations=AUSTL&sailStartDate=2024-03-01&sailEndDate=2024-03-31&dateToggle=M HAL - https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/find-a-cruise.html#soldOut=false&group.sort=&sort=departDate asc,price_AUD_anonymous asc&{!tag=destinationTag}destinationIds=P&{!tag=departTag}departDate=2024-03-01T00:00:00Z&{!tag=durationTag}duration=&{!tag=embarkTag}embarkPortCode=&{!tag=portsTag}portsOfCall=&{!tag=shipsTag}shipId=&{!tag=regionTag}regions=&{!tag=cruisetypeTag}cruiseType=&start=0

Hi crewsgirl - well, how long is a piece of string, as they say. There are many different places in Australia and NZ - all worth visiting in their own right. A couple of things might help us - for example: How long are you intending to visit for? Are you open to travelling (flying) to other parts of Australia/NZ before or after a cruise? Do you intend to take ship shore excursions or do things on your own mostly? What sort of 'nature' do you love - bushwalking, seeing animals etc? Australia and New Zealand being 2 separate countries have different things to see/experience. Quite a few of the signature sights are not along the coast and in Au in particular would need a land trip to really appreciate. If you are looking to cruise to NZ from Australia, most itineraries are around the 12 - 14 day mark to include both North and South Island (which are quite different). March 2024 is not that far away and so you would need to get the planning underway pretty quickly. For what it's worth - we like Silversea for NZ cruises - the small ships can get into ports the big ones can't - but then prices are much less on Celebrity or Princess (who do a lot of cruising down this way). I am sure people will add so much information and so many suggestions you will be inundated.

Sad to hear - not good when a business is forced to close

Hope your husband is OK and that if you needed to change any flights etc things went smoothly - a worry you can do without.

It could also be worth checking the alcohol restrictions of the TI people are considering, as many of us do have a drink or two on board (and sometimes on shore as well). Story on the ABC website about a repatriation being rejected due to alcohol consumption (not on a cruise but also didn't sound like they were drunk). https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-20/kylee-enwright-back-home-thailand-head-injury/102500342

Thank you for the update - I hope you do get to visit and it is a lovely place to see.

Not sure if you will want to come home. Today had a max of 9 degrees and at present (7pm) it is 3.1 with a real feel of 0.6 (Balmy as the wind has dropped so not feeling as cold as earlier when it was into the minuses).

1Cover has a line on the comprehensive plan certificate that says it meets the requirements of countries that have mandated travel insurance with medical cover for COVID 19.

Have a wonderful day - look forward to hearing (reading) about it.

Silversea is one that includes gratuities, drinks and excursions - but it does cost more per person - not just because of these but also because of the number of pax and pax/staff ratio.

Maybe check this site - https://www.cruisetimetables.com to look at Cruises from. I find it very useful to look at departure ports and those visited.

I am wondering perhaps with the return to cruising that the roll call and arranging of shared excursions is perhaps impacted by people not wanting to get too close (for want of a better phrase) with others not in their own travel party. Maybe the threat of COVID is still in people's minds. For us, we seem to have lost interest in private shore excursions with people we don't know which is often one of the main reasons for the roll call. We do a lot of research before and know what we want to do or see in each port and if needed will book something privately. As well, for Australian and NZ ports, we have been to the areas before and don't need to visit the tourist spots.

I know of a couple of cruise lines that have passenger choirs - a friend of mine always joins them. The last one was on QM from Fremantle to Cape Town.

Sorry - I am on one a bit earlier. Only doing a couple of ship excursions as the person I am travelling with wanted those.

Not sure about all but the ones I have points with allow part payment with points on basically all bookings as well as full reward night bookings. Easier to use that airline points.