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The “Down Under” is one grand adventure! The information below will help you further plan your trip. This will also be updated as information flows in…. please stay tuned.
Any questions? Please feel free to contact us anytime by phone or email.
Need a booking form??
HOTELS/TOURS: Good news! We have a very good & nicely located hotel for a great price! However, supply is limited. It is near The maritime museum, aquarium, Sydney Wildlife World, lots of trendy restaurants, bars and shopping. However, as there are nuances and different locations for hotel choices you’ll have to contact by phone us to discuss. That said we have a pretty good idea of what is available. We only need a credit card number to reserve your pre or post cruise hotel stay. I must also say some hotels in Sydney can be silly expensive… so, please don’t let that scare you, and please let us help you with this part of your trip. However, if you would like something really inexpensive, there are backpacker/hostel type accommodations that are readily available. Another good option would be the Yhotel - go to www.yhotel.com.au. For those I would suggest you do your research online. One important issue for you to remember… as most flights arrive into Sydney in the morning and as most hotel rooms are not available until check in time (typically 3pm) – you may need to wait for your room to be available or book your room for an additional night to have it available upon arrival… the choice is yours. No worries your luggage can be left with the bell service staff. For tours in Australia… some folks are booking the Holland America pre and or post tours while others are simply doing hotel stays or their own thing. Post Cruise - For New Zealand we have some hotel choices for your post cruise stay if you need. Please contact us for your needs.
AIRFARE: Best advice we can give you reagarding airfare.... is to investigate thoroughly or research, research, research, shop, shop and shop. You can find decent fares if you are patient and shop well. If you need any direction or questions answered concerning your flights, please feel free to contact the Cruise Trek office. It is all fairly simple as long as you understand the nuances. For US citizens the Visa required for Australia can be easily obtained by simply asking your air ticketing agent or airline. Here are a couple tips: Check on flights going through San Francisco as well as LAX. For use of frequent flyer miles – RESERVE ASAP – and perhaps if you don’t have enough miles for the whole trip, try using miles for your domestic segment to save a few bucks. As always, a terrific air agent is worth his or her weight in gold... To protect yourself for any flight delays you should really try to arrive in Sydney at least one night prior to the cruise. And please try to ticket your flight home from Auckland at about the noon hour or later.
BON VOYAGE BANQUET DINNER: Sydney is simply spectacular and we have an absolutely picturesque location in mind for this truly memorable evening. The cost is $79.00us per person and payable by check to the Cruise Trek office. Non-cruise attendee: $159pp. The only item here to mention is that it may take place at a different location than that of the main hotel we are using… however… this is really no biggie as it is very easy to navigate and adventure around Sydney.
EVENTS ON BOARD: As usual we will have many of our fun & entertaining Cruise Trek family events. However, with this adventure being 2 weeks in length we will have a much more relaxed pace. Some events will include LOTR trivia, 2nd annual CT Poker Tourney and other cards games. And once again bring your PJ’s!
Land Convention & Guests: Saturday November 3, 2007 - Information pending – However, we have been speaking with a really terrific duo (and behind the scenes folks) for the cruise & land con. They gave us thumbs up! However, we still need to make sure that scheduling will work before we announce names…. I know it is a tease – sorry – we’ll let you know as soon as we can - stay tuned for details….
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE: What an amazing structure and it is especially beautiful when lit at night! Check out www.sydneyoperahouse.com for tour and show information…. I am actually going to see an opera in English called the “Gondoliers” on Thursday November 1st 2007! Not sure how good it will be – but, as they say – “when in Sydney”…. If you are arriving early enough - Come join us! Please see the Opera House web site to book your tickets.
PASSPORT/VISA: The following section came from a travel industry group we belong to… “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of State announced on November 22, 2006 the official requirement for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere (including the Caribbean and Central and South America) beginning January 23, 2007.
U.S. Citizens departing and returning to the United States by air after January 23, 2007, will be required to have a valid U.S. Passport. The Passport office is already busy and this will likely contribute to a backlog that could result in lengthy issuance delays as these rules take effect.
The Bottom Line: Don’t delay – get a Passport today!”
If you have a passport now – please make sure it is valid for at least 6 months after the completion of your trip.
To reiterate Visas for US citizens can be easily obtained by simply asking your air ticketing agent or airline.
SHORE EXCURSIONS: The Holland America (HAL) web site will have or has shore excursions listed for our adventure. However, you’ll need a booking number to only book same. We are sorry for the following limitation (and we could not produce these events if this were not the case) - but, since this booking number is currently subject to change we ask that you wait until you receive your tickets to obtain same. Even with that said and as of this time booking of shore excursions are not possible.
Information on Australia and New Zealand: check out the "Independent Travellers' Guide" at www.tntmagazine.com.au – this will have just about everything you need to know and more! Check out page 21 for Talkin’ Aussie for the local and colorful expressions. One thing I enjoyed was simply purchasing the “city tripper pass” that gets you on most trains, ferries and buses. You can purchase this at the airport and take the 15 minute train ride into the city. You can also see a ton by taking the local ferries instead of an organized tour… i.e. a ferry to the Zoo, Bondi beach or Manly Beach (especially beautiful in the evening) really showcases the harbor and its spectacular surroundings. Also, near the hotel we mention above is the Maritime museum, the Aquarium and the Sydney Wildlife World - the name alone says it all.
Additional Tidbit for Australia / New Zealand cruises: this destination contains numerous options for scenic cruising. Along with Mayor, Alderman & Mercury Islands… one in particular is the White Islands near Tauranga. White Island is the perfect example of an active volcano. It breathes, it roars, it hisses, it's spectacular!
The island is unique in a number of ways. The vent is below sea level but shielded from the sea by high crater walls. Although surrounded by sea water, the vent is chemically sealed from it. This sealed zone traps an acid hot water system, which is derived from rainwater. As the island is also very accessible, it is internationally important for scientists and vulcanologists. The volcanic structure of the island is thought to be two million years old, with the volcano itself between 100,000 and 200,000 years old. White Island is one of the most amazing natural experiences in New Zealand.
Lord Of The Rings Shore Excursions: Listed below and separate from HAL.
1) November 12th, Lyttleton,Christchurch: Edoras Tour – Cost is $159 US per person. This excursion includes coach transport, guide services and entry fee. Lunch is additional. This is an all day tour to a remote film site in the middle of an alluvial river valley that is surrounded by majestic mountains. To reach our destination after purchasing a picnic lunch - (cost not included), we will journey across the fertile Canterbury Plains before reaching the tussock covered foothills of the Southern Alps. On arrival you will don shorts and sandals to ford three shallow streams on our way to the summit of Mt. Sunday (Edoras). Not to worry - we cross in groups with arms linked and in 5 years the only person to have fallen in the water (twice mind you) was the tour guide! As Vic James says – “Well, someone had to find the best place to cross!” The main stream is cold and flows fast but is only knee deep. But, those who make the journey will feel a sense of achievement at having done so. You will also be stunned by the grandeur of the location and the stories that accompany it.
For this day – Red Carpet tours recommends you wear or bring shorts or have pants you can roll up and shoes (tennis, aqua, sandals etc) that you can get wet. Perhaps a small pack towel would be good as well. Plus, bring a backpack for your picnic lunch/drink, camera etc.
This shore excursion will run from 08:00 to 17:00
2) November 14, Wellington: Cost is $159 US per person. This excursion includes coach transport, guide and entrance fees. Lunch is additional. The first stop on our tour of Wellington will be at The Duxton Hotel. Here we will meet Daniel Reeve, the calligrapher and map maker for The Lord of the Rings, Narnia and King Kong. Daniel had tremendous input into LOTR and even schooled both Ian Holm and Elijah Wood in the use of a quill pen. He has an excellent presentation and will do small calligraphy samples for every body. You can also purchase items from him such as a personalized invitation to Bilbo's birthday party.
You then travel to Miramar, the location for Peter Jackson's Stone Street Studios and the newly completed Park Road Post Production Studios. It is also where you will find the Weta Workshop, world famous in its own right and holder of 5 Oscars. Later you will visit the Chocolate Fish Cafe, a regular haunt for all of the stars while filming in Wellington. Depending on final number of tour attendees, the group will either have lunch at the Chocolate Fish Cafe at Scorching Bay or at Te Papa Museum (cost not included).
After lunch you will travel to the nearby Hutt Valley. Our first stop will be at the impressive Stansborough Fibres makers of the Elven cloaks for LOTR and fabrics for movies such as Narnia and others. This is a traditional New Zealand family business where they farm their own unique breed of sheep and alpacas and weave their fabric on 19th Century looms - which they operate for our group visits. They have some fascinating stories to tell and unique quality items for sale. As you journey back to your vessel, our coach will take you through the central city and past parliament buildings. Time permitting we will stop for photographs. This shore excursion will run from 08:00 to 16:00
3) November 17th, Tauranga - Hobbiton Tour: Cost is $159 US per person. This excursion includes direct access onto the site, quality coach transport, personalized fully guided service, entrance fee, sheep shearing demonstration and barbeque lunch. Our one hour journey over the scenic Kaimai Ranges will take you to the wealthy dairy farming district of Matamata. Set in the emerald green grass covered foothills; it is the Lord of the Rings site of Hobbiton. The site is on a working sheep farm out of sight of the road. Upon arrival we will meet our local guide and move onto the set. The frames of 17 Hobbit homes remain (in excellent condition after renovation) and are a picture to behold. It is a photographer's dream -- photos taken beneath the Party tree and on the steps of Bilbo's Bag End. Perhaps you should dance upon the Party Field before retracing your steps to the Shire's Rest, where you will enjoy a delicious Barbeque lunch before our journey back to Port of Tauranga. Also, on the way back you'll have a chance to view the relevant sections of 'The Fellowship of the Ring' movie aboard a luxurious Oceania Coach. This shore excursion will run from 08.00 to 15.00
Shore excursion attendee details of importance: The Wellington, Hobbiton (Tauranga) and Bay of Islands tours present no fitness problems of any kind, although Hobbiton does have a minor slope to ag End to deal with... it is not much of a issue - although the grass may be slippery if wet. If you would like to sign up for any of these shore excursions – please send us your request for quantity and payment in full for same. Please be aware that there is a minimum of 20 and maximum of 45 people for these shore excursions. Tour times are approximate and depend upon ship docking time and the ability to get off the ship in a timely manner…. Please don’t be late to join the group! We don’t want to leave you behind… no refunds for no shows. Cruise Trek is not responsible or liable in any way for any travel, tours or excursions provided by third parties. Cruise Trek’s “Notice of Responsibility” on the provided invoices applies. Redcarpet-tours.com is the supplier of tours and shore excursions. While we’ll try to keep all the above from changing… sometimes things do happen… so, all is subject to change. Subject to first come first serve and space availability. Excursions are payable by check and payable to Cruise Trek.
Please book the following shore excursions:
Name: _____________________ Excursion #: ____ Name: ____________________ Excursion# ____
I, ___________________ understand the terms and conditions Signed: ___________________Date___
1) November 12th, Lyttleton, Christchurch: Edoras Tour. h.
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