Bubbleman7

Hi All, I am just off My Ovation of the Seas New Zeland Cruise and have Booke my Girlfriend Nicole and I on the Granduer of the Seas for the Jan 24th 9 night Southern Caribbean cruise. Hoping to meet others before the curise here. Bill

Jamesszy94, Prices on the 11 night have just dropped. I was able to switch from my ocean view spacious up front cabin to a balcony at no charge. They were 1500 more when I booked back in January. Since I am going solo I was willing to do the cheaper cabin as I have to pay for double occupancy. The kids start back to school so that may be why so many open cabins.

Hi Marylou, Me too first time to the other side of the world and may not get back. It is getting close for me 59 days beofre the cruise and 56 till I leave. I have locked down the tours. The only doing one from the Ship in Christchurch, It is an 8 hour off road tour in the mountains and a Jet boat down the Waimakariri Gorge. Since I'm not a wine drinker in Picton I found a Viator cruise of the Marlborough Sounds. Though a comany called Shore Excursions I am doing a Hawks Bay Sinic tour, Lord of the Rings 8 hour tour in Wellington & in Dunedin a Larnach Castle, Peninsula and City tour. Just doing the walkabout in Sydney as I am staying in The Rocks.(right by the harbout Bridge and the Opera House), before and after the cruise. I do have another Viator tour booked in Sydney. It is a Blue Mountans Tour to see the Three Sisters and a Wildlife Sancutary that is an all day tour. I will be back by mid Feb and will report if any of these were good, bad or amazing.

Hey Chris, That is awesome to have family in NZ. During all my research for this trip, I am absolutely falling in love with New Zealand. I would love to retire their, however my daughters may have kids in the next few years so I need to stay to be a fun Grandad. BTW This came across on YouTube this morning from The Cruise and Travel Guy.

Hi Chris89, I keep up watching a few different YouTube vlogers. The couple on the NZ Pocket Guide(YouTube Channel) have details and great tips on getting through immigration in NZ, if you are flying through Auckland like I am on Air New Zealand. The Cruise and Travel Guy (YouTube Chanel) is based in Australia and has Cruise news and Updates from down under. I do know that both countries are still requiring proper Covid vaccinations. I will make sure to get the next booster that will be available some time in October. They have not yet lifted those requirements at this time. I also keep up with my Travel Agent, knowing that she will be helping me apply for the proper Visa's in October or November for both countries. She said:

Hey All, Going on a trip of a lifetime, on Ovation of the Seas. Traveling from the Chicagoland area to Sydney. My daughters talked me into going by myself. I have cruised many times before in the Caribbean, Central & South America, with family and friends. First solo trip. Looking to say hi before the trip if anyone else is heading out on this amazing trip?

Thanks Looksee

ChessE4, Thanks for the tip on Sydney

Zacharius, Your suggestion for Sydney sounds perfect. Not much into wine country. The Mail boat tour in Picton sounds like a fun one to see the sounds. I will have to see how much time I will have there. too far out for Port times yet. Thanks

Thanks for the tips they are appreciated

ChessE4, Thanks for the tip. If I want to see the Weta Works should I book a separate tour not from the ship? Just curious on what you experienced.

Hi All, I'm Soloing an 11 night cruise next January on Ovation of the seas 348 days to go and looking for recommendations on favorite shore excursions: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA PICTON, NEW ZEALAND NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND The only thing I know for sure is that I'm doing the Weta Workshop tour in Wellington. I would love to hear from those that have traveled there before for suggestions? Thanks Bill

Hi All, My girlfriend Nicole and I (Bill) are going on Serenade of the Seas January 18th to the 28th 2023. Anyone else going on this sailing?