Explorer of the Seas Review

4.5 / 5.0
2,038 reviews

New Zealand Top Island from Sydney 12th April

Review for Australia & New Zealand Cruise on Explorer of the Seas
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Astro Boy
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Apr 2016
Cabin: Interior Stateroom

This was our 4th trip to New Zealand so had done most of the tourist standard things in port, but still managed to find a few extra things to do at low costs.

Been on ship previously and on Voyager twice so knew our way around, only one small change noted - that being a covering for band around pool.

Ship is well kept and most things worked well, didn't run out of tea bags this trip, and the weather was good all trip as usual ( just lucky I guess ). Only rough seas were last night before Sydney with storms and lots of banging and crashing at 3am in the morning.

Cabin Review

Interior Stateroom

Cabin K

Standard features - clean, air conditioning worked well, virtual balcony was great no problems ( maybe some noises from water running in pipes from pool above, but not really a problem).

Port Reviews

Sydney (Australia)

Only boarded and disembarked, live in Sydney

Picton

Last time did the walk along Queen Charlotte Pass, this time walked the Tirohanga Track just in from town. It was a lovely walk up and back via Garden Tce. Took about 2 hours recommend it, not too strenuous and lovely views to the water and hills.

Then just wondered around town for a few hours, lovely day.

Wellington

Last time took some local buses up to the hills etc..this time took the local trains, did a trip up the hills to Johnsonville and back ( about 30 min each way), then train to Waikanae ( about 1 hour each way ) - lovely views to water and hills etc. On the way back the train ran over a sheep and had to stop and driver pulled out from under train ( just a normal trip in NZ I suppose ). Best thing was it was only $40 for four people ( on weekend ). Great trip great views.

Then went walking around Wellington to churches, shops, parliament etc. Long cheap outing.

Napier

Last time walked 22 km, this time not so far.

Napier always puts on a lovely reception with the vintage cars and Art Deco shops.

Bus takes you to town ( short distance ) for free as per Picton.

Just walked around up and down the waterfront and back up the town over the hill to park above port for lovely views and pics. Back to town via old prison ( it was $20 to go through - unsure if that was for group or one as it was too late to visit.

Had walked through town etc earlier - we walked to Mc Donalds to use internet but now in NZ you need to register via a NZ telephone ( mobile ) so couldn't get on, but there was other free internet in the town area - but lots of people were on it so was hard to get ip address and onto system.

Tauranga

Last time took local bus to Tauranga, this time decided to walk Mt Manganui. It's about 1 km to hill from port, then the long climb up to the top ( lots of people do it), it is definitely not for the unfit it's 232m above sea level but has some steep sections. Great views from the top, take your camera.

Then down hill and walked around and then back to ship for lunch. Out again later and walked up to main road and along all the shops, lots of variety and then up Mt Drury ( low hill ) then out to Moturiki island ( wallk to a low tide ), then around town and back to ship. Lots to see in one day , just around Mount Manganui.

Auckland

Last time went by ferry to Devonport - that was lovely. This time took a train out to Sylvia Park ( $5;50 each way from ticket machine ), just to see some more local areas, there is a huge shopping centre next to the station. Spent some time at the shops and looking around, was going to go further out but there was a problem with the trains that way ( probably hit a sheep ) so just went back to Auckland. In Auckland went walking through the parks and even to the free Art Gallery for something different. Lots of back streets to visit and along waterfront is interesting.

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