Australia & New Zealand Bookings

[Xcruzr]

We justed booked this trip on February 3rd, 2008! We are on the route from Auckland to Syndey and my question is, should we go in early to see Auckland? We have never been to this part of the world and really do not know much about it. Any information would be helpful.

 

20 months and counting!

[SheilaNC]

Would definitely go to Auckland early...for several reasons...it's a very long flight and major time change..will give you opportunity to adjust. Also, although Auckland isn't my favorite city in NZ (prefer Christchurch and Queenstown), it's interesting, has a beautiful harbor and there are some very good one or two day side trips to other parts of the North Island. This will be a wonderful trip to one of the best places we have ever visited.

[Texed]

We've never been to Australia--I can't wait!! I wish we could do a back to back like some of you. We booked December 23... :D

 

We booked December 23, 2007 also. I hope DW's schedule will allow us to keep it. Have you started a roll call?:)

[Ma Bell]

Way to go Ed, but I wish you were on our cruise!:)

[hmg]

We booked December 23, 2007 also. I hope DW's schedule will allow us to keep it. Have you started a roll call?:)

I haven't started one and, frankly, I think I may be the kiss of death for roll calls... :rolleyes: :o Mine never seem to take off! But I'll give it a try--come on over! :D

[quepaquete]

Are you saying that from the time that you made the reservation yesterday that by today the price of the cabin that you booked has gone up. By how much?

 

Keith

 

About $100.

[Kruizefan]

I just booked the December 23 as well! I made the reservation yesterday and the price has gone up as of today and most suites are sold out./QUOTE]

 

Hi, I´m the fouth party now to tell you that we booked December 23rd. It will be my 60th birthday in December 2007.

 

It´s time for a roll call!

 

Edda & Peter

[Loracpin2]

Booking Jan. 6 Auckland to Sydney. I always book port. Is this the right choice for this itinerary?

 

Carol

[Texed]

Way to go Ed, but I wish you were on our cruise!:)

 

Yep, I wish we were going on your cruise also. Maybe after a few years when I retire.:)

[Ma Bell]

Ed,

I meant the Feb 17th part which is the same as the one you booked.:)

[bloom]

from auckland to Oz it seems that starboard will be the best for views of the coast, if you check the ports of call, it would seem that starboard is always on the coast side around NZ, but not in OZ where it seems the opposite. We have booked 3rd Feb NZ to Oz starboard in a suite, sky deck.

[Texed]

Ed,

I meant the Feb 17th part which is the same as the one you booked.:)

 

Joanie,

Jacque works for the school district, so we can only sail during holidays or the summer. Otherwise, we would be on it and probably the March cruise on Constellation also.:)

[Susan-M]

eileen and jay:

 

Princess certainly has the better itinerary.

I've been calling Princess every week but have not received any information as yet, except that the ship will probably be the Sapphire and the sailing date from Sydney will be April 17, 2008. Pricing is up in the air because of the the rising fuel and airline costs.

Ellis

 

Ellis - just wondered where the itinerary info is?

 

- I found the one for April /07 - so guess this is the intinerary you are referring to?

[Brucemcdou]

We justed booked this trip on February 3rd, 2008!

20 months and counting!

 

Hi, Dean - we've just booked the February 3rd also - we always wanted to do this itinerary on Celebrity instead of Princess or HAL and we're glad we can finally do it. The prices are also surprisingly moderate - we wanted to lock it in because we know they'll start to go up as the ship fills up. You asked about coming in early to Aukland; we actually picked this itinerary (AUK-SYD) on purpose so we could spend a few extra days in Sydney at the end without suffering from jet lag. I like that the ship overnights in Sydney so we get an extra day there.

 

Cruisintwinsmom asked whether the ship would be drydocked or freshened up before then. There had been a block of 6 weeks on Mercury's schedule prior to she heads to Honolulu and then to Australia that we were hoping was for a complete renovation a la Century (new balconies, Aqua Spa, Specialty Restaurant, etc.) but they've now filled in that six-week block of time with some short cruises. So at best it appears that there would just be normal freshenings where they might replace carpet and bedspreads, etc. but no major overhaul. Darn! Still, we're sure it will be fine - our favorite cruise was on Mercury two years ago and it was due to the wonderful warm service we got from the staff and crew.

 

Let the countdown begin!

[TenerifeSharon]

Hi all,

 

We're on the Feb. 3rd Auckland/Sydney also. This roll call is sure starting early since the cruise is still almost 21 months away. We had a wonderful group from here on our Infinity San Diego to Hawaii cruise last Oct-Nov.

It'll be our first trip "down under" and we hope to do a week before in NZ and about 3 weeks after in Australia. We'll be celebrating our 25th on Valentine's Day onboard!

Had reserved a 2A balcony yesterday, then starting reading about cabin configuations on Mercury (on this board) and was able to switch it today to 8004. It doesn't have a balcony, but it's the largest OV (250 sq. ft.) -- now all we have to worry about is being up front when the waves hit! The prices are really very reasonable for this cruise.

It's an even longer flight for us than most since we'll be coming from Tenerife, Canary Islands (or Germany).

 

Sharon

[SheilaNC]

Sharon,

How smart of you to plan such a great anniversary trip. We've been to both countries and there's so much to see and do. Sydney is one of our very favorite cities and NZ is our all time favorite vacations spot (with Italy a close 2nd). We're thinking of booking the NZ to Honolulu return in January 08 since we've not been to the So. Pacific islands. That way we get to return to NZ and do a pre-cruise land trip then sail blissfully for 14 days....so wonderful. We're trying Mercury in July to Alaska and will check out cabins then. Looks like there will be long standing Roll Calls for this one. If I can help anyone with shore excursions ideas in NZ or Sydney, let me know

[emeyers]

Susan M:

 

Expect the itinerary for 2008 to be the same as the Sapphire Princess April 2007 sailing, but with higher prices.

The pricing and itinerary was to be announced shortly, but now it is not expected until September.

You can review the 2007-- 29 day cruise by surfing the Princess web page under booking online.

 

Ellis

[Kruizefan]

from auckland to Oz it seems that starboard will be the best for views of the coast, if you check the ports of call, it would seem that starboard is always on the coast side around NZ, but not in OZ where it seems the opposite. We have booked 3rd Feb NZ to Oz starboard in a suite, sky deck.

 

Hi,

just for these reasons I booked for the Dec 23 leg from Sydney to Auckland portside # 9139 and the sun shines from the north. Is that right, aussies?

Did everyone see our roll call?

Peter

[TenerifeSharon]

Sharon,

How smart of you to plan such a great anniversary trip. We've been to both countries and there's so much to see and do. Sydney is one of our very favorite cities and NZ is our all time favorite vacations spot (with Italy a close 2nd). We're thinking of booking the NZ to Honolulu return in January 08 since we've not been to the So. Pacific islands. That way we get to return to NZ and do a pre-cruise land trip then sail blissfully for 14 days....so wonderful. We're trying Mercury in July to Alaska and will check out cabins then. Looks like there will be long standing Roll Calls for this one. If I can help anyone with shore excursions ideas in NZ or Sydney, let me know

Hi Sheila,

I'll definitely stay in touch for shore excursion ideas when it gets a little closer to sailing. Hope MERCURY gets a little "freshened" up by then. I'll be curious to hear your report after July. Have a great trip.

Sharon

[stebul]

from auckland to Oz it seems that starboard will be the best for views of the coast, if you check the ports of call, it would seem that starboard is always on the coast side around NZ, but not in OZ where it seems the opposite. We have booked 3rd Feb NZ to Oz starboard in a suite, sky deck.

 

We were on the Statendam Australiz/NZ cruise this year, and went through the same decision process to book a cabin that faced the land. In reality, it gets dark shortly after leaving port and the Captain heads straight for international waters so they can open the Casino most nights! The Fjordlands are beautiful from either side (and best seen from the bow of the ship). The ports are moslty working ports, so there are interesting things to see on both sides while docked (piles of wood chips, logs, sea container operations, freighter loading, etc.) It really is a beautiful place to take a cruise.

[stebul]

Really does not matter for this cruise as you are in port late or far out at sea most days (I was on HAL Statendam in Feb for a similar cruise).

 

Booking Jan. 6 Auckland to Sydney. I always book port. Is this the right choice for this itinerary?

 

Carol

[stebul]

Given the choice between spending extra time in Auckland or Sydney, I would go with Sydney hands down. Sydney has: Blue Moutains day excursion, Bridge Climb, Opera House, Museums, Ferry Rides to Beaches, Koala/Kangaroo encounters, museums, and great restaurants. Auckland has many of the same, but I felt Sydney was a little cleaner and polished. Sydney truly is one of the great cosmopolitan cities of the world. One could easily spend 4 or 5 extra days just in Sydney. We also felt Christchurch was a special city, but thought that Napier with its art deco heritage was the crown jewel port in New Zealand.

 

Would definitely go to Auckland early...for several reasons...it's a very long flight and major time change..will give you opportunity to adjust. Also, although Auckland isn't my favorite city in NZ (prefer Christchurch and Queenstown), it's interesting, has a beautiful harbor and there are some very good one or two day side trips to other parts of the North Island. This will be a wonderful trip to one of the best places we have ever visited.

[stebul]

Just wanted to make sure everyone knows that there is a CC board for Australia and New Zealand ports. You will find several reviews there from passengers who have been on similar cruises with HAL and Princess, as well as helpful Aussies and Kiwis who can help you with weather and shore excursions.

 

Here is a link to the Australia / New Zealand board:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=77

 

Here is a link to the review I did of our Statendam cruise in Feb. It is mostly about the ports, not the ship, so it is relevant to the Celebrity crowd as well as the HAL people.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=310823

 

Steve

[Susan-M]

Susan M:

 

Expect the itinerary for 2008 to be the same as the Sapphire Princess April 2007 sailing, but with higher prices.

Ellis

 

Thanks Ellis! :)

[emeyers]

Susan-M:

 

I've just heard from a travel agent posting on the C.C. Princess board that Princess will open bookings for this and other exotic cruises on June 10th. The cruise we are interested in will be for 31 days and the Sapphire will be leaving Sydney on April 14, 2008.

If this report is true, Princess probably moved up the booking date because of Celebrity's announcement of the Australia/New Zealand cruises on the Mercury.

 

Ellis