ROLL CALL: Star, 1/31/04, Auckland to Sydney

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Mike & Charlotte

Guest
We're booked on the Star, departing Auckland for Sydney January 31, 2004. Several are signed onto the Cruise Tracker; anybody interested in joining together for independent shore excursions? Usually it's possible to do our own to the same places as Princess goes, but in a smaller vehicle and at a lower cost.

We're also hoping to have a sailaway party, and look forward to seeing all of you there.
 
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Becky Phillips

Guest
As you know Mike and Charlotte my husband and I are all ready on board. We would love to get together and all have a sail away party!!

We have some independent shore excursions booked, I can see how many more they can hold if you want me too.
 
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Mike & Charlotte

Guest
Where are the shore excursions? Everything was put on hold for a month while I had two pacemaker surgeries quite unexpectedly after our Tahitian Princess cruise in May.

I'm much later than usual in starting to look at things in New Zealand and Austrailia. One thing I want to do is see penguins again; we loved them in South America! Also want to see some kangaroos, but I guess that really could have gone without saying.

Are you planning a pre- or post- cruise stay? We won't be able to arrive till depature day, but have an additional 7 days scheduled for the end. We aren't sure where we'll go or what we'll do during that time, though. WE're really looking forward to this cruise.

Charlotte
 
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Princess Pat

Guest
Just thought I'd mention that the rare penquins on the tour in Dunedin, NZ, are only viewable through binoculars, although blue penquins were nesting behind doors along the boardwalk (but you couldn't take a picture). Those rare penquins were far off and only in several nests, not running in large groups along the shore.

And, about the kangaroos, in Hobart at the Bongarong (something like that) Park--where all the tours go--you just walk with/through/among the kangaroos. We followed a mother kangaroo with "Joey" in her pocket trying to get just the right picture but she didn't stop and pose until she met up with father kangaroo, real sweet.

Enjoy your cruise; that's a great trip.

Pat
 
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Mike & Charlotte

Guest
Just thought I'd bump this up to see if anybody else has booked. Between this Board, Cruise Critics and CruiseMates, we've found 34 people aboard, and we're all looking forward to a great cruise.

Charlotte
 
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Becky Phillips

Guest
Mike and Charlotte, as you all ready know my husband and I are also on this cruise. We have some independent tours booked also. I don't think any go to see the penguins though, I am not sure how many each of our drivers will take but I can check if you would like me too.

We would love to come to a sail away party! We will be getting in Auckland on departure day also, but will be staying on in Sydney for 9 more days.




Star Princess
 
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Mike & Charlotte

Guest
Becky,

In which ports do you have private tours booked, and where will they go? I just haven't gotten into reading up much on the ports, and really don't have the foggiest idea of what there is to do. My husband was the one who wanted to go down under; I don't object, but haven't read much. Better get busy, huh?

Still looking forward to a great cruise,
Charlotte
 
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Becky Phillips

Guest
Charlette,

We have a private tour in Dunedin (Arthurs tours) mainly just sightseeing. I am pretty sure he would have room for 2 more if you would like me to ask. We have a private tour in Hobart and in Melbourne we have a Jaguar tour booked. Then when we get into Sydney we have a all day sightseeing tour booked.

We have decided to take tours offered by Princess in Wellington. In Christchurch we are planning to find a tour on the pier or just go into town, and in Adelaide we haven't decided as of yet.

Hope this helps,
Becky Phillips

Star Princess
 
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Jemari

Guest
Charlotte,
So glad that you have recovered. What a fright such low pulse!!!! Good you are back to cruising. This is a trip that my husband was so anxious to take also. I'msure that I will enjoy it ..I just enjoy cruising about anywhere....
I understand that the cities in NZ are fairly easy to get around. We are thinking about just renting a car and doing the sights on our own. I have'nt done anything yet either but guess I had better get on the ball. It seems that most are way ahead of us in tour plans.
Really looking forward to meeting everyone...should be a great trip
Carole.
 
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Mike & Charlotte

Guest
Hi Becky and Jemari,

Becky, I'm envious that you've already done so much planning. Jemari, I'm thrilled to think that I'm not the only one who hasn't yet begun.

Yesterday we did sign on with two other couples we met on CruiseCritics for a very long tour in Dunedin to an albatross sancturay, a penguin sanctuary, the Cadbury factory and another place. They didn't have lunch planned, but I told them that the Cadbury plant would be fine. It's a private tour that the two other couples planned, and they were looking for a third to fill up the van. I figured that they had done all the research, it sounded like places we wanted to go, so we contacted them.

However, generally speaking, we don't usually do 8-hour tours, and that will most likely be our only one of the cruise. Long tours make for achey backs and tired legs; we prefer to get out and walk.

Becky, do you have an internet site, a URL, or a link for Arthur's Tours? I have to start this research someplace. Jemari would most likely appreciate it, too.

Thanks, and looking forward to a wonderful cruise with all our new friends,
Charlotte
 
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