I've got a pretty substantial shipboard credit, it's just me traveling, nearly everything is included, I don't want to spend a bunch of time in the spa, I don't gamble and you can't use the credit for a deposit on a future cruise. That leaves the boutique. So I'm going to take my chances that the "non-free" excursions won't sell out and try to spend my credits on that. It will still leave plenty for me to go boutique shopping with.

So what excursions is everyone looking at? I've booked Melbourne and Gardens, the Evening Aquarium visit, Melbourne Past and Present (I really want to do the train, wildlife, winery trip but that's one I'm holding out on), Hobart History, Heritage and Wildlife, Overland Milford to Dunedin, Christchurch Antarctic Center (I'm hoping to book the High Country Explorer onboard), Wellington City Sights, Hawkes Bay Countryside out of Napier, and Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland in Tauranga.

I have one night in Sydney pre-cruise (staying at the Park Hyatt) and one night in Auckland post cruise (staying in Devonport at a B&B). I don't have any firm plans for either city but am considering the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, shopping for opals (my birthstone and I love them) and maybe climbing the bridge pylon (not the whole bridge I don't think). I'll probably do the hop on/hop off bus in Auckland.

If anyone has any comments or suggestions (both "do this" and "Don't bother"), I'd love to hear them!