New Zealand Question's???
 

If you have any queries about this/my country please feel free to ask and I will hopefully be able to answer your question's?

With any luck some other Kiwi's may be able to do also, if they actually exist on this site???

Thanks Lombard. I'd LOVE to come visit. NZ and Aus have been on my to do list for a long time. I just dread the long flights.

I love NZ,

Spent a year there back in 2005 between working & travelling. Got to see pretty much the entire country & loved every bit of it. I highly recommend a visit & am hoping to move there myself in a couple of years time (hopefully after having worked on the cruise ships if all things go to plan - first contract starts 9th march 08 on the tahitian princess in french polynesia so fingers crossed!).

If anyone gets the chance to visit NZ - do it !!
Cheers,
J

Kuki you are so in luck.

A month or so ago AirNewZealand started DIRECT, NON STOP flights between Vancouver and Auckland.
Flights are long, 13 hours approx but there are no layovers.

J, I'm glad you enjoyed your time here.

We still need lots of skilled workers over here as the unemployment rates are so low.
What do you do normally for a crust?

Tahitian princess is a nice small ship. Let us know what you think of it when you get onboard.

Lombard,

Im an I.T guy , while in NZ I worked for a company Called EDS just outside of Wellington. We brought a van while we were out there & toured both islands. I've been so tempted to go back but the cruise ship job came up & I couldn't say no!!

Will keep everyone posted about the ship once I get onboard. Not sure if I am just there for training or (hopefully) if I will spend my entire 6 months on her.

:D

J,

I'm not surprised the job has a higher priority.

Was that EDS in Hupper Hutt?
I live in Wellington and am suprised you didn't stop by for a cup of tea? LOL :wink:

Yeah EDS Upper Hutt that was it, bout 40 mins on the train out of wellington. I used to love the train ride to work every day nice sea views!

Haha nnever made it for a cuppa tea but I could usually be found in a bar called hope bros most nights, we became locals there & managed to blag free pool !

Defo heading back there in the next few years I can't recommend the place enough ! My mate ended up meeting a kiwi & moving down south to Invercargill - too bloody cold for me down there I think !

NZ WEATHER !!!
 

"hope bros" just down the road from Subway? LOL

This a link to NZ weather with great graphics

http://tvnz.co.nz/cda/tvnz/weather_index_skin

Invercargill is set for 22 degrees C.

We are getting new train units shortly.

You can't beat Wellington on a good day, because you need to go through so many bad days that the good one is so much better? 8)

We have read that NZ is very strict about how you bring in your drugs/medications, i.e., that they should all be in their original containers. Usually we place our medications, vitamins, and supplements in a compact compartmental container that doesn't take up much room in our carry-ons. We have not had any problems anywhere else we have traveled. Our prescribed medications don't take up much space, but we buy our supplements and vitamins in larger containers. How big an issue is this? Does anyone have any experience with this issue?

Sorry Jimmy I have been meaning to reply to your message for days.

Unfortunately you are correct the original packaging is required along with a note from your Doctor.

"A change is as good as a break", so they say?

Here is a link to the NZ "Customs" FAQ page.

http://www.customs.govt.nz/traveller...on+holiday.htm

Lombard,
Thanks! Now... what about over-the-counter meds, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, etc, and vitamin supplements, which require no prescription. Do they have to be in their original containers? I could find nothing about this on the NZ customs website.

Prescription drugs into NZ?
 

Hello:
I am diabetic, and take an injectible drug (not insulin) and a oral drug. The injectible requires a supply of needles and alcohol swabs. Will the needles be a problem? The injectible needs to be stored in a fridge. This was not a problem on the last 2 cruises, just used the mini-bar fridge. On the NCL Norway, I had to go to the lowest deck every morning before breakfast and before dinner, since I had to store the drug in the medical office.

What does the note from the doctor has to say?

Also, since we start our cruise in Sydney, AU, what are the requirements there?

Sorry that I cannot help with specifics but maybe customs themselves can.

There is an office at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington DC and their contact details are on this page.

http://www.customs.govt.nz/contactUs.htm

Good luck.

Re: New Zealand Question's???
 

I see Quantas has a special from Los Angeles to Sydney for about $1,100rt.

Mulling over going all y'all's way from Texas for a long weekend in between all my scout campouts, dive trips, and etc. What's to see in Sydney over a half day's visit?

Dave

Re: New Zealand Question's???
 

Having only spent a total of 6 hours in Sydney in my whole life I would suggest the Sydney Harbor bridge climb??? Great views of the city I believe?

Oddly Qantas has no "U" in it. LOL

Re: New Zealand Question's???
 

Thanks. So used to seeing u's after q's that I added the extra critter. Might do the harbour bridge. Have walked the Golden Gate in San Francisco when out visiting my old headquarters office and sailed under it as well. Believe NZ is the more scenic location down your way, but just playing tag for now with the continents - Texas, South America, Europe Asia, Africa, Antartica, and Australia. LOL

Re: New Zealand Question's???
 

The Sydney bridge climb takes you to the top of the arch and should have great views of the opera house and the cruise ports.

Every country is unique but I think NZ has the best variety of scenic vista's so close to each other?

Lombard, can you provide some feedback on this itinerary:

Does this provide enough time in port? Would you recommend a post-cruise in Auckland? Some other spot in NZ? How long a post should we plan on (at a minimum)?

thanks,

Hey Marc,
Have you checked out the other threads in this forum?

I see by this part of the itinerary you are not planning on cruising using the mass market cruise lines?

Your post cruise would be depend on what your "into".
If you are coming all the way down here for a two week cruise you should spend another week at either end???