Jamietravelstheworld

I was recently on the Regatta and the cruise director kept announcing to do it but they didn't make the web address easily available. You basically had to go to the computer room to find the web address and it was only active through the end of the cruise, and the internet was terrible most of the time. Clearly they don't want people filling it out but I did!

If you want to see wildlife in NZ, in Dunedin, I highly recommend https://www.natureswonders.co.nz/.

This place is AMAZING! https://www.natureswonders.co.nz/

I was just in Christchurch, and while there the NCL Spirit was in Lyttleton. I took an Uber from Christchurch to the Gondola, I think it was US $16, and no tipping in NZ. I took the #8 bus from the gondola back to Christchurch, $4 NZ (so about $3 US), and it wasn't crowded at all and took about 20 minutes, if that. BTW, someone else mentioned the punting. It was okay, but I don't know if I'd spend the money and take the time. The tram was nicer. But if you do the punting, you absolutely have to pre-reserve a time, it was fully booked the day I did it.

Medical center costs are ridiculous. Yes, they will crutches but the cost will likely be astronomical! Bring whatever you think you will need. Wear the boot and use a wheelchair in the airport.

I am a very experienced cruiser but have my first Celebrity cruise booked for January 2025 on the Edge. Reading the posts here, everything is so negative. Should I cancel? Or are the people with positive things to say just not posting? No cruise line is perfect, and every cruise has made cuts due to budget, but is it so extreme on Celebrity. My favorite cruise line is Azamara and I often cruise solo. I also like Oceania but find there's not a lot to do on the ships. I like Princess too, but they don't do enough to engage the solo travelers or help them meet each other.

Personally I didn't really enjoy Maputo when I was there in Feb 2023. It was really hot and humid and the ship's tour was not that interesting. The market had great crafts but the vendors were very pushy. The train station was interesting. The tours you mention I don't know anything about. I have another cruise planned that stops there in Feb 2025 and as of now am planning to stay on the ship unless I find a private tour that really jumps out at me.

The 2 things that come to mind are opals from Australia and merino wool products from New Zealand (although you'll find them throughout Australia as well, but they come from NZ). But that's only if you like those items. I personally really like Australian aboriginal art so I often buy a painting on canvas that I have stretched when I get home. But I don't travel to shop, so I don't feel the need to shop in those countries, only if I fall in love with something. And both countries can be expensive.

I agree with Jim. A good travel agent who specializes in cruises is important. There are several cruise lines that now have cabins specifically for solo travelers - but these cabins are small and generally not in the best locations, and the prices are not necessarily half the price of a double cabin. I know that NCL, Oceania, and Celebrity have solo cabins, but there are only a few on the ships that have them. Rather than searching for them, ask a travel agent. Some cruise lines, such as Azamara, will have solo specials for cruises that aren't fully booked, if you're flexible and can book on short notice and are less concerned about destination.

Has anyone recently done a transfer from a Santiago hotel to San Antonio port? If you did by taxi, what was the cost? If you did by private transfer, who would you recommend, particularly if you did it as a solo and were charged a reasonable rate for only one person? Thanks.

Based on what I have read on my cruise line's information and the CDC and US state department websites, none of those countries require yellow fever vaccination. Check out those websites if you have questions or visit a local travel clinic for more info.

I don't know about Facetime but I used Facebook Messenger, Zoom, and Whats App video all with no problems. I usually used them in port with my T-Mobile or with the ship's internet but occasionally while at sea too. If you're at sea, it'll be hard to preschedule times because the internet does go in and out.

One other factor of note. On my recent Asia/Australia cruise, I believe Intercruises (https://www.intercruises.com/what-we-do/shore-excursions/) was the subcontractor who provided the shore excursions. So it may not matter what cruise company you're on, if your ship is docking at a port where Intercruises is the contractee, they may be who provides the ship's shore excursions. Looking at their website, it seems they provide shore excursions for a good portion of the world.

The descriptions didn’t match what we did. Guides were difficult to understand. Descriptions when we boarded were different from when we booked. Book independent tours in ports where you don’t tender and you’ll be fine.

Oceania wouldn't want you to be able to see reviews because no one would then book their shore excursions. I just got off a 53 day cruise and I'd say I was disappointed in at least half of the ship's excursions, especially those in Asia (cruise was Asia and Australia). Most of the other passengers I spoke with agreed. And again, mainly for the Asia excursions, the descriptions rarely matched what the excursions did.

Can someone explain Argentinian currency to me like I'm a first grader? I just don't get it. There's a blue currency rate, another color rate, and a credit card rate - I'm so confused. I just need a simple, clear, what currency do I use explanation. Thanks.

I have shipped three times with Luggage Forward with air tags inside, with no problem.

I've used Luggage Forward several times and been very satisfied with them. However, there are restrictions on what you can pack so you need to read the packing list carefully. Bag has always arrived on time or usually early. You can track it on their website but it's not the best tracking info. I put an Air Tag in mine and can track it via my iPhone.

I just booked Luggage Forward for Seattle to Santiago (San Antonio port) on their website. Not cheap, but I was able to do it. Pick-up of Feb. 1st for Feb. 14th departure.

I believe Luggage Forward will. My plan is to use them, I have for other cruises and I think I looked at the price already.

Yes, I've read about this. Anything you buy on board is subject to a 25% VAT tax while you're in Brazilian waters so don't buy anything in the ship's boutiques then. Apparently there's a lot less drinking while in Brazilian waters too.

Ghana and it’s people are fascinating. It’s not about the attractions but the people, the culture, and the history. I did a ship tour that took us to a village, to a castle/former slave castle, and to a lunch that had dancing and drumming. During the village visit children performed for us and we learned about how the villagers live.

Hi all. I have a cruise that ends in Miami in April. My flight home is out of Fort Lauderdale airport and not until 6pm. I will likely have 2 large pieces of luggage and a carryon. Does Oceania offer any tours with airport transfers? I know the big cruise lines do but nothing is listed on the Oceania site under shore excursions. I’m traveling solo and don’t want to pay for a private car and driver for the day. I also don’t want to sit in the airport all day. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

Their website was hacked recently and is terrible. I was able to get my evisa through their site on my phone but not on my computer. It was a pain in the you know what and took several tries but eventually worked.

Can anyone tell me if I will need a jacket for the South Island of New Zealand in early January? I've looked at historical temperatures and they're all over the place. I'll be all over the South Island, both cruising and on land, and trying to pack light, so needing to figure out if a jacket is necessary, or if just having layers will be sufficient.