Coral Princess Brisbane to NZ review.

[Ozwoody]

1 hour ago, Astro Flyer said:

@Mycruiseobsession In March 2025 we fly from the US to cruise on Princess roundtrip Brisbane circumnavigating Australia which will be our first time there. At the end we’ll fly to Auckland for 2 days before cruising Princess back to the US. If you have any experiences to share about Brisbane where we’re planning to arrive 4 days before our cruise it would be greatly appreciated.
 

Looking at BNE/AKL flights they are limited…either at about 1800 or 1100. How was your disembarkation experience? Was it early enough to make an 1115 flight? Most flights are early morning (0500-0900) but we’re hoping that the 1115 flight might be doable instead of waiting until 1800. Catching the earlier flight would be dependent upon when we could disembark & how long it’d take to get to BNE.

 

Any insights would be greatly appreciated. 🙂
 

The Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT) is about a 15 minute taxi trip from the cruise terminal to the international airport terminal.

Usually they want you there 3 hours before an international flight, don't know how strict they are with that time, you may be able to be allowed down to two hours prior?

But you would have to clear customs at the latest around 8am I would think to allow for getting a taxi and getting to the terminal.

 

Regards

John

Edited May 12 by Ozwoody

[Astro Flyer]

18 minutes ago, Ozwoody said:

The Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT) is about a 15 minute taxi trip from the cruise terminal.

Usually they want you there 3 hours before an international flight, don't know how strict they are with that time, you may be able to be allowed down to two hours prior?

But you would have to clear customs at the latest around 8am I would think to allow for getting a taxi and getting to the terminal.

 

Regards

John

Thanks John for sharing your insights.

 

I know that in many ports disembarkation usually begins around 0700-0730 so making an 1115 flight might be risky. And to walk off requires handling our luggage which being away from home for nearly 2 months might be more bags than usual…although with free laundry hopefully not. Hopefully there will be other flights around midday before our BNE/AKL flight in 11 months. 🤞

 

Edited May 12 by Astro Flyer

[Ozwoody]

13 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

Thanks John for sharing your insights.

 

I know that in many ports disembarkation usually begins around 0700-0730 so making an 1115 flight might be risky. And to walk off requires handling our luggage which being away from home for nearly 2 months might be more bags than usual…although with free laundry hopefully not. Hopefully there will be other flights around midday before our BNE/AKL flight in 11 months. 🤞

 

I think anything from about 12:30pm would be a safer bet.

For interest below is a jpg of location of BICT to Brisbane airport.

[Jean C]

1 hour ago, Astro Flyer said:

@Mycruiseobsession In March 2025 we fly from the US to cruise on Princess roundtrip Brisbane circumnavigating Australia which will be our first time there. At the end we’ll fly to Auckland for 2 days before cruising Princess back to the US. If you have any experiences to share about Brisbane where we’re planning to arrive 4 days before our cruise it would be greatly appreciated.
 

Looking at BNE/AKL flights they are limited…either at about 1800 or 1100. How was your disembarkation experience? Was it early enough to make an 1115 flight? Most flights are early morning (0500-0900) but we’re hoping that the 1115 flight might be doable instead of waiting until 1800. Catching the earlier flight would be dependent upon when we could disembark & how long it’d take to get to BNE.

 

Any insights would be greatly appreciated. 🙂
 

Hi, I've flown twice from Brisbane to Auckland after a cruise.

 

The 1115 Air NZ flight would normally be a 1215 flight, but Queensland don't observe daylight saving so during the summer months it's departure from Brisbane effectively becomes 1115 hrs, grrr.

 

Each time I've done this journey I've erred on the side of caution and taken the 1800 hrs flight. Each time (once with a friend and once with family) I booked the Princess debarkation tour of Brisbane, it takes your luggage on the coach with you and conveniently delivers you to the airport in time for the later flight. You see the highlights and get some history, spend some time by the picturesque Southbank and visit a wildlife sanctuary.

 

The tour was excellent and well worth doing, I'd highly recommend it.  The downside is that you arrive in Auckland very, very late. If you take this flight you could stay near the airport overnight. For a small but very clean, modern and very reasonably priced hotel I can recommend the Airport Ibis Budget. Sure, you can't swing a cat in the room but it is comfortable, spotless and friendly, with shops, a supermarket and restaurants on the doorstep. 

 

Could you instead have 3 days in Brisbane before your first cruise and an extra day in Auckland? There really is a lot to see and do in Auckland, even two full days wouldn't do it justice.

 

PS, research your ship's journey prior to arriving in Auckland. I suspect it will have come from Sydney or Brisbane and Auckland will be both a port day for those already on board as well as an embarkation day for those boarding. If this is the case, you could board, have lunch and then go ashore again, you're conveniently right in the heart of town.

 

PS, there is an Air China flight that departs just after noon. I know nothing about the airline so I can't comment there.  Air NZ is reliable and would be my preference.

[Mycruiseobsession]

1 hour ago, Jean C said:

Each time I've done this journey I've erred on the side of caution and taken the 1800 hrs flight. Each time (once with a friend and once with family) I booked the Princess debarkation tour of Brisbane, it takes your luggage on the coach with you and conveniently delivers you to the airport in time for the later flight. You see the highlights and get some history, spend some time by the picturesque Southbank and visit a wildlife sanctuary.

I was going to suggest the same thing.

 

Better to allow for extra time rather that the unknown  of arrival delays, customs delays and what not.

[Astro Flyer]

Ozwoody & Jean C…thanks for your very helpful information. 🙂 There are many variables for us to consider before formulating our best plan.

The port before we disembark Crown Princess in Brisbane on 4/14/25 is Cairns. And we board Royal Princess on 4/16/25 so unfortunately our time in Auckland will be limited. On a previous Sydney to LA cruise we took a ship’s tour from Auckland to a sheep farm & a BBQ.

 

There is a 0930/1430 ship’s tour from Brisbane however there are no post cruise tours currently listed. That would give us enough time to take a cab to BNE for a 1830 flight however unless they allow us to take our bags on the bus tour we have no way to store them.

 

Since it’s a roundtrip Brisbane cruise exclusively within Australia, would anyone know if US citizens will be required to go through customs & immigration during disembarkation?

 

Jean C…thanks for the time change explanation. When using 3/31/25 the ANZ flight shows 1115; when using the latest date currently available (4/7/25) it’s 1215. I see that on 4/6/25 Australia changes to Winter Time & clocks go back an hour so that should benefit us. In 2009 from LAX/BNE/SYD we enjoyed ANZ economy & hope premium economy through Princess’ Flexible EZair on ANZ will be within our budget. Viewing video reviews for PE transpacific flights ANZ appears to provide the best experience. 😊

 

Pre-cruise we’ve booked Brisbane’s Royal on the Park and Auckland’s M Social post-cruise. Will also research Jean C’s suggestion about the Airport Ibis Budget hotel option.

 

Edited May 13 by Astro Flyer

[Astro Flyer]

10 minutes ago, Mycruiseobsession said:

I was going to suggest the same thing.

 

Better to allow for extra time rather that the unknown  of arrival delays, customs delays and what not.

Do you recall when disembarkation began for walk-off passengers?

 

[MMDown Under]

19 hours ago, ceeceeDee said:

I've only ever been in an interior cabin once and that was way back in (I think) 1971 in a 4 berth cabin on the old P&O Iberia. That was sailing by the seat of your pants - sharing a cabin with strangers and trekking down the hallway to the communal bathroom!😯 And we plebs were separated from the first class passengers. Not that we cared, it was only a 3 day cruise to nowhere and it was a girls' weekend away for my friend and me.

These days there is no way I'd go interior. I'm not claustrophobic, but I do like natural light. An obstructed oceanview wouldn't bother me (though if I'm completely honest, I prefer a mini suite 😂). All comes down to dollars in the end.

 

My first cruise was in a four berth with bathroom interior to London via Panama.  That was a fabulous cruise, as was the return cruise in a four birth interior via South Africa.  My third cruise was in a six birth interior from Sydney to Perth.  Turned me off cruising for thirty years!

[cruiser3775]

You need at least a 2.5 hour transfer time from one international flight to another. You need to allow for late arrivals, which happens often. You have to collect your luggage and pass through customs and immigration.   It can be a long distance between airport gates.   If you arrive on a very early flight. say 0500 or 0600, I'd say you would be safe enough. But can you not buy the flights on one ticket?  If it's all on one ticket, the airline has to be responsible for getting you onto the second flight, so transfer times can be shorter.

Your other option at the end would be to fly Brisbane to Sydney, and then to Auckland. This will give you a much greater choice of flights.

[Jean C]

27 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

 Pre-cruise we’ve booked Brisbane’s Royal on the Park and Auckland’s M Social post-cruise. Will also research Jean C’s suggestion about the Airport Ibis Budget hotel option.

 

M Social is a in an extremely convenient location, you are in the heart of the city and can step across the road to the cruise terminal. Shops and a supermarket are handy too.

 

Once you artive in Auckland, travel from the airport will be quick at that time of night so it would be better to go straight to M Social and be all set to go when you wake up the next morning.

 

It all sounds an awesome trip, and March is traditionally NZ's best weather, the humidity will have passed and you should have calm, clear days.

 

Consider some sort of trip on the harbour, Waiheke Island has world class wineries, or a ferry will take you just across the harbour to the historic, picturesque town of Devonport. If you are reasonably active and fit you can walk up Diamond Head for stunning views back across the harbour to the city.

 

Planning is so much fun - enjoy it all 😊

[Porky55]

23 hours ago, Mycruiseobsession said:

Yes the best coffee I found was at the casino cafe. But again if that was the only negetive I think I did pretty well!

Thankyou for that … you made my day 😆 That is exactly what it is, but for diehard Princess cruises the cafe you are referring to is a very poor imitation of the Princess International Cafe ( just in case you go on a different Princess ship one day and can't find the Casino Cafe👍).

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise 😁

[Astro Flyer]

Thanks again Jean C…a cruise friend recommended visiting Waiheke Island wineries. 🍷😊

[Jean C]

8 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

Thanks again Jean C…a cruise friend recommended visiting Waiheke Island wineries. 🍷😊

Take a well padded wallet and a handkerchief if you plan to buy a souvenir bottle or two, prices are eye-watering! Enjoy the samples and buy your allowable wine bottle per person  for boarding at the Woolworths supermarket, along the road from your hotel, your wallet will thank you 🥂

[Astro Flyer]

14 minutes ago, cruiser3775 said:

But can you not buy the flights on one ticket?  If it's all on one ticket, the airline has to be responsible for getting you onto the second flight, so transfer times can be shorter.

Your other option at the end would be to fly Brisbane to Sydney, and then to Auckland. This will give you a much greater choice of flights.

Thanks…I neglected to consider making it a multi-city ticket. 
 

Flights will be available soon & will check LAX/BNE (3/13/25) and BNE/AKL (4/14/25) to learn if it’s possible to have 2 flights on the same ticket a month apart.

 

As Jean C wrote, planning is fun for our cruises that we booked 2 years in advance. 🙂

 

[Astro Flyer]

3 minutes ago, Jean C said:

buy your allowable wine bottle per person  for boarding at the Woolworths supermarket, along the road from your hotel, your wallet will thank you 🥂

We’ll make that 850 m walk to Woolworths to lighten our bodies & not our wallets. 🍷

 

In 2009 we stocked up at a large Wellington market which as I recall was near Te Papa.

 

[arxcards]

1 hour ago, Astro Flyer said:

Do you recall when disembarkation began for walk-off passengers?

 

On a good day, you can be off the ship by 7am. Most days are good days, but not all. Princess will say PM flights, so I will go with them - just in case it is one of those bad days (weather, customs, broken gangway etc).

 

PS: I will take a look at our more recent Brisbane disemarkation schedules when I get back from the salt mines.

 

PSS: Pacific Encounter was docked in Brisbane this morning before 5:30am (no idea what time disembark started though).

Edited May 13 by arxcards
PS

[Astro Flyer]

37 minutes ago, arxcards said:

On a good day, you can be off the ship by 7am. Most days are good days, but not all. Princess will say PM flights, so I will go with them - just in case it is one of those bad days (weather, customs, broken gangway etc).

 

PS: I will take a look at our more recent Brisbane disemarkation schedules when I get back from the salt mines.

 

PSS: Pacific Encounter was docked in Brisbane this morning before 5:30am (no idea what time disembark started though).

Thanks…appreciate sharing your experiences.

 

[Mycruiseobsession]

3 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

Do you recall when disembarkation began for walk-off passengers?

 

We commenced walk off at 7am, there was the usual customs queue.

 

Obviously domestic disembarkations are so much quicker.

 

I would dare say though at the airport getting through Australian Customs and security to board your New Zealand flight could take time too if it's  a peak period.

 

(Side note: Some people  forget Australia  and New Zealand are 2 entirely different countries.)

 

So I guess just keep in mind that weather events and other unplanned things do happen and travel insurance can take time to recoup costs. So just be sure to have a plan B if it should happen. (Including funds if you have to pay for new flights until you can file a Travel Insurance claim.)

 

Cheers!

 

 

[Mycruiseobsession]

3 hours ago, Porky55 said:

Glad you enjoyed your cruise 😁

Oh Absolutely we did! I was just trying to be balanced haha and the coffee was really the only thing I found difficult 😅  I made the most of cafes in ports to get through.

Edited May 13 by Mycruiseobsession
Always go back to edit typos 🤣

[arxcards]

2 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

Thanks…appreciate sharing your experiences.

 

The earliest disembark slot we have had is 7am, and express walk-off was at 6:45 for that cruise, however like Pacific Encounter this morning, that was a full turnaround.

 

Partial turnarounds run a bit later, of which we had one late last year on Majestic Princess. We were one of 400ish disembarking, and first disembark slot at 7:45am with express walk-off starting at 7:30am. Your Brisbane to Brisbane is likely a similar arrangement, with the majority of passengers doing the Sydney to Sydney lap. Given only up to 500 passengers disembarking, is also why you may not see the disembarkation tour to the airport. It might be a bit frustrating, as you can watch the planes banking and landing on your starboard side as you are approaching the port, yet they are so many hours away.

Edited May 13 by arxcards

[Astro Flyer]

5 minutes ago, Mycruiseobsession said:

We commenced walk off at 7am, there was the usual customs queue.

 

Obviously domestic disembarkations are so much quicker.

 

I would dare say though at the airport getting through Australian Customs and security to board your New Zealand flight could take time too if it's  a peak period.

 

(Side note: Some people  forget Australia  and New Zealand are 2 entirely different countries.)

 

So I guess just keep in mind that weather events and other unplanned things do happen and travel insurance can take time to recoup costs. So just be sure to have a plan B if it should happen. (Including funds if you have to pay for new flights until you can file a Travel Insurance claim.)

 

Cheers!

 

 

Thanks for sharing your experiences & insights.

 

Maybe with my cruise being exclusively within Australia roundtrip Brisbane it won’t be necessary to go through customs & immigration.

 

My apologies for asking so many questions on the discussion you created to share your experiences.

 

[Astro Flyer]

4 minutes ago, arxcards said:

The earliest disembark slot we have had is 7am, and express walk-off was at 6:45 for that cruise, however like Pacific Encounter this morning, that was a full turnaround.

 

Partial turnarounds run a bit later, of which we had one late last year on Majestic Princess. We were one of 400ish disembarking, and first disembark slot at 7:45am with express walk-off starting at 7:30am. Your Brisbane to Brisbane is likely a similar arrangement, with the majority of passengers doing the Sydney to Sydney lap. Given only up to 500 passengers disembarking, is also why you may not see the disembarkation tour to the airport. It might be a bit frustrating, as you can watch the planes banking and landing on your starboard side as you are approaching the port, yet they are so many hours away.

Thanks…very helpful information.

 

From Brisbane the cruise fare was nearly 1/3 less than from Sydney although there were fewer cabins available from Brisbane. I hadn’t considered the effects of having multiple embarkation/disembarkation ports which is a new experience for me.

 

[arxcards]

6 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

Thanks…very helpful information.

 

From Brisbane the cruise fare was nearly 1/3 less than from Sydney although there were fewer cabins available from Brisbane. I hadn’t considered the effects of having multiple embarkation/disembarkation ports which is a new experience for me.

 

Many of the around Australia cruises visit a port in Indonesia, but it looks like this one is totally domestic. Great news - no departure or arrival cards to complete, and if customs are present it should only be a walkthrough.

 

For the majority of passengers, Brisbane is just a port day. Many will be eating breakfast as you disembark, so much less hectic in the terminal. A bit of Monday morning meh and it is in the middle of school holidays, but nothing to predict a peak travel day at the airport. It all points in your favour, as long as it remains one of the good days.

[Mycruiseobsession]

41 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

Maybe with my cruise being exclusively within Australia roundtrip Brisbane it won’t be necessary to go through customs & immigration.

 

My apologies for asking so many questions on the discussion you created to share your experiences.

Yes that's what I am thinking  having a domestic only cruise to disembark from is much quicker.

 

It will really be down to hoping the ship arrives on time and the immigration side of things at Brisbane International airport is running smoothly that day!

 

Don't apologise! And as you can see there are plenty of experienced cruises happy to help.

 

Cheers!

[cruiser3775]

Don't be deceived by the map in post #28. It looks like the cruise ship terminal is right next to the airport. You can actually see parked planes close by. Unfortunately, to get to the terminal building from the BICT, you would have to drive across the runways. The road route goes around three sides of a square, and is about 12 kms. When I took the shuttle bus organised by the cruise line, it dropped us off a five minute walk from the terminal building.  I'd allow 30 minutes from the port to airport check in.

www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Brisbane+International+Cruise+Terminal+-+BICT,+1+Cruise+Terminal+Dr,+Pinkenba+QLD+4008/Brisbane+Airport+(BNE),+Airport+Dr,+Brisbane+Airport+QLD

 

If you have lots of luggage, make sure you buy some extra luggage allowance in advance. Buying it at check in is very expensive.  Also check the size/weight restrictions, which are stricter in Australia.