Bonspieler

Auckland is another big city. It does have some interesting sites and is lovely. But Napier is an experience. We were only there for a few hours and really wished we could have stayed longer. The history and explanation of the earthquakes that caused the rebuilding in the art deco style is unique to Napier. The locals put on a great welcome for the Tour ships. We did a Viator tour.

Just a heads up. We booked a private tour in Akaroa, to spend the day with the local mail delivery and tour the Eastern Bays. This tour has great reviews and we were really looking forward to it. However, because of rough seas the harbour was closed and we sailed on by. NO REFUND because we didn't give them 24 hours notice. The tour operator said we should claim through our trip insurance but we now know that you need a special rider for "event cancellation" in order to claim such a loss.

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

Relic, are you U.S. military or were you able to buy tickets as a civilian on the day of the luau?

Is it possible to buy tickets for the Hale Koa luau without military connections?Would you contact them in advance or just on the day? Would Canadian military service qualify?

When you get off the ship are there tour companies and taxis there to offer you the same trip?

I agree with the idea to leave off all the "signatures" of cruises done or reserved. Who reads them anyways?

On a couple of roll calls we have had some computer savy people offer to do spreadsheets for private tours and it has worked really well.

Ruby Princess will be at sea between Lisbon and Bilbao on May 7th. Going on to do a UK sailing but not Ring of Kerry.