Auckland-Sydney Sapphire Princess cruise

[whynotnow]

We just booked the Feb. 14, 2008 Auckland-Sydney Sapphire Princess cruise and are really looking forward to it.

 

We will be flying into Auckland several days early, staying in Sydney for a few days after the cruise, and then going to Adelaide for several days.

 

Would love to hear from anyone who has done this sailing - the ship experience, hotel and restaurant recommendations, "not to miss" siteseeing, and any wineries you may have visited.

 

Also, if you have any suggestions on how to get through that long flight, it would be appreciated.

 

Thank you!

[CruisinChris]

We took the ship's excursion in Melbourne to the wineries and Healsville Sanctuary. Great excursion. We visited De Bortoli (wines now available here in the Chicago area!) and Chandon (sparkling wine tasting and Chardonnay). It was LOVELY! My pictures from the trip are in the link below.

[cdnguy]

We're getting off as your getting on. Check out the roll calls of that cruise in both directions for ideas. Also check out the ports of call section.

 

We're planning an overnight in Los Angeles.

[edste]

We also planned an overnight in LA to break up the flying time. In Sydney we went to the Opera House. I would check the port of calls for more suggestions.

[MercedMike]

 

Would love to hear from anyone who has done this sailing - the ship experience, hotel and restaurant recommendations, "not to miss" siteseeing, and any wineries you may have visited.

 

 

We did that cruise a few years ago, not on Sappire though. It was wonderful.

 

We did several great excursions and can recommend some operators. DW went to a nice winery near the Healdsville Sanctuary.

 

Check out

Australia and New Zealand Cruise

for our review and pictures.

 

Have a GREAT cruise!

[whynotnow]

Cruisin' Chris,

Would enjoy seeing your pictures from this cruise but there was no link to them.

Merced Mike,

I tried several times to pull up yur Australia and New Zealand link for your review and pictures, didn't have any luck. Would sure like to see.

[NH Cruiser]

We broke up the flight by an overnight in LA. Tell your doctor you are taking a long international flight and would like a prescription for Ambien. We started it a week before the flight to make sure we didn't have any side effects. We took a pill right after dinner (they served a full dinner on Qantas even though we left at 10:30 at night). Next thing we knew they were waking us up two hours outside of Sydney for breakfast. Did the same flying back from New Zealand.

 

Sydney - Definitely make a reservation to tour the Opera House. It's the only way you can get inside to see the performance halls. We ate at Wolfie's Grill Circular Quay (http://www.wolfiesgrill.com.au/) and at Phillip's Foote (http://www.phillipsfoote.com.au/). If you're able, climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I also took an excellent walking tour of The Rocks (http://www.rockswalkingtours.com.au/index.html). We also toured the Blue Mountains with a stop at Featherdale Park (http://www.mountnbeach.com.au/).

 

In Dunedin, we hired a private driver from http://www.classicjaguar.co.nz/. We visited Larnach Castle, the Royal Albatross Colony, Penguin Place - Yellow Eyed Penguin Reserve, Pilots Beach, Maori Marae at Otakou, and a sheep station (undyed colored sheep).

 

In Tauranga, we joined another group from the CC board with Kiwi Ian. We visited Te Puia (Maori Arts and Crafts Institute), the Blue Baths, and a sheep shearing demonstration.

 

You can see my pictures by clicking the Webshots link in my signature.