I was trying to figure out when everyone flies out of LAX and I was just getting confused,lol. Maybe we could all post our times here?

We leave LAX on the 29th at 8:30 pm on Qantas and arrive at 6:00am.

Karen we are on the same Qantas flight - COACH - anyone else?

We are out of here 11/29 into LAX via Atlanta at 3 PM - Qantas 8:30 PM and return 12/21 late flight out of LAX but we have a hotel room to crash before late flight - Delta

So all of you have decided to book your own flights instead of using Regent air package.
Are you using FFmiles? Did you have to book your domestic round trip seperate from your one way to AKL?
And why are you using Quantas over Air New Zealand?
Any thoughts, comments and ideas would be appriciated.

Jim, we are probably using Regent Air with a possible deviation. Still working on a precruise trip to the South Island so nothing definite yet.

Qantas and Air New Zealand two peas in a pod.

I booked Qantas first because it is on AA miles and then some doing Regent custom air just chose the same flight.

Hard to beat Regent when it is one way air!!

We are using Regent air - ANZ/Qantas didn't matter to me as pts would be American, USAIR or United- we have very few pts on all of those airlines as we are Delta/Continental FF - so Qantas worked as we are sitting behind Mark and Karen and they can entertain Tony

Only suggestion I have is to hang on to your receipt and boarding pass. In 2005, I flew Quantas from Sydney to LAX on my WC segment, and USAir did not credit me with partner points until I sent in copies of both by snail mail. It was 7K miles to LA, a nice bonus in the mileage pot.

I know Karen is USAir, so this will matter. I've become a ff member of any line I fly on, and deposit those miles! For awhile there, it looked like Delta and US might merge, not so now, but I am saving those miles anywhere I can get them!

Editing to say that unfortunately, as I wanted to check out my facts, Quantas and USAir have suspended their partnership

Qantas
One mile for every mile flown
Minimum of 500 miles credited per flight segment
Class of service bonus for First Class: 50%
Class of service bonus for Business Class: 25%
To receive Dividend miles, reservations must be booked in one of the following classes of service:

Update: US Airways & Qantas have mutually agreed to end their codeshare, frequent flyer program and lounge agreements on February 28, 2007. The last day to earn miles on a Qantas flight is February 28, 2007; missing mileage must be requested by August 28, 2007. The last day to ticket award travel (including changes to current award tickets) on Qantas is February 28, 2007. The last day to travel on an award ticket is January 31, 2008. Take a look at our Award travel chart for other Star Partners who serve these markets.

Qantas Classes of Service
First Class A F P
Business Class C D I J
Economy Y B H K G1 L1 V1 S1 R1 M1

Saturday 03/31/07
Booked our flight online last night on Air New Zealand.
Flight NZ0001 Departs LAX at 8:00 pm arrives Auckland 6:00 am
Exciting thing for us is we upgraded to Premium ecomomy. I then called and requested our seat assignment and got what we wanted. (J & K)which are two seats together instead of usual three.
The person I spoke to commented that we only had a one way ticket and she explained to me that we would need to show our cruise voucher when checking in.
04/11/07
Our domestic flight we plan on the following.
Leave Billings Delta Airlines 11/29/07 at 6:30 am arrive LAX 12:13 pm
Plan on staying in LAX until Christmas Day so won't be part of the group flying out directly form the ship. In case anyone is interested we do leave Orange County (SNA) at 5:33 pm arrive Billings Montana 10:45 pm Christmas Day night.
We were able to use Delta Frequent Flyer Miles round trip on the domestic part so this really helped on the Air New Zealand price for Premium economy we booked.

Yes that flight on Air New Zealand would work just fine. I am sure your cruise ticket would work as proof of your return to the US.

Booked our flights
Check above for info

Are we going to have to exchange enough currency
when we get off the plane in Auckland to pay for the cab fare?

Jim, I always either rent a car or get picked up. I "think" cabs take credit cards. However, there are branches of the Bank of New Zealand as well as foreign exchange counters and ATMS at the aiport so getting a few dollars at the airport will not be a problem.. IT is about 45 minutes into the city and approximate cab fare would be $40 - $50 NZ.

Other than cabs, what will we need NZ dollars for that we won't be able to use our CCs? I am assuming we will be able to exchange at the hotel?

Thanks Karen. That was really the question I was asking. If we use credit cards and the cabs take them I don't think we need any NZ cash.

Additional info.
Auckalnd Co-op taxis installed credit card machines in all of their over 700 taxis.
I assume the rest have too.

Jim - I bet they have a hotel shuttle bus into the city. I've used them all over the US and Canada. And they are much cheaper than a cab. Some cities even let you buy your ticket on line before you go. Did this in Toronto a year ago. Haven't checked out Auckland for you - just a thought.

Hmmmm Not a bad idea.
I am still wondering if there will be enough of us that we could get some sort of shuttle bus to pick us up and take us all together. Seems like our flights arrive at 5:30 am or 6:00 am

Ken and I will be renting a van but it wont be big enough to take everyone. I promised Karen that we would take her since she is doing her own air, but that will be pushing it with four and baggage.

Those on the Regent Air will have a free transfer. So they have nothing to worry about.

Not sure how many are doing their own air. There is a shuttle bus that goes from the airport to town.

Problem with a pre-planned transport from DIFFERENT planes although all flights are scheduled to arrive at about the same time it is HIGHLY possible one will be delayed and then those on the same shuttle have to sit around and wait for the late plane. No fun after a long flight. Or those on the late plane get there and have no shuttle.

Just found that after a few nightmare situations it is best if you pre-arrange anything that everyone is on the same exact flight.

As to N.Z. dollars you should get some for small items. They do not readily take American dollars. You must buy some TIP TOP ice cream while you are there. The creamiest ice cream, diets can go down the drain.

I just booked ANZ Prem Economy from LAX to Auckland (mixed reviews on Flyertalk for Prem Economy) - $2300 for two one way - then I booked Delta to and from Jax to LAX another $814 for two fare just went up!!!! lucky me - $3114 vs Regent $2800 total coach - leave the 29th LAX at 7:45 PM arrive Auckland 12/1 5:30 AM - sorry Karen no food fights on Qantas :woh: :woh:

Joanna, For $300 I too would go the premium economy, every inch of leg room matters on that flight. Ambien matters too! Ngaire suggested it to me for Sydney last year. Worked like a charm.

Agree Cindy plus we leave at 7:45 PM ANZ so I will be ready for sleep with some help from ambien - it will be a very long day as our flight out of Jax leaves at 10:30 am the 29th -

We just ticketed the exact same flight from LAX to Auckland on Nov. 29th that you're on Joanna! :app:

YIPPEE! You, Tom and Tony can coordinate meetings onboard as I am snoozing from Ambien - :hug: :hug:

Anyone can just fly to AKL, so we decided to take a "long cut" and fly to SYD first, then back to AKL.

There is a method in our madness, however (I think).

United, our carrier of choice, no longer flies to AKL. So we upgraded on United from ROC to SYD, via SFO, and then have a codeshare to AKL from SYD on Air New Zealand.

The bottom line is we don't get to AKL until 2:30 p.m. 1 Dec. and you guys will've snagged all the best hotel rooms and we'll probably be lucky to get a broom closet!

You never know Ted maybe someone stayed in the BEST room until the last minute and you will get that room.

We have flown the Sydney first and Sydney going home route more times than I care to mention on FF miles. It is an easier award to get that straight into Auckland.

I love your little penguins!!!!

Good point, Ngaire,

Actually, we'll be so tired I'm sure we'll be able to sleep in any room - even a "broom closet."

And considering what we paid for the hotel we certainly can't complain.

Finally posting our flight details.
We're coming in early for a tour of the South Island arriving on Nov. 23 and then back to Auckland around 2 pm on Dec. 1. If there are any plans to "shuttle" to the ship, we're interested.

We found a good deal on Air NZ too. Flying from Tucson to Nelson, via LAX and Auckland (economy plus) including a one-way from Queenstown to Auckland for a total of $1549.18 each. Not bad! And, they have promised I can lug all my luggage around with me at no extra charge :D .

All this air talk is making me excited, someone needs one of those cruise tickers in their sig so I know how long we have to go til we leave!

Greetings, all....
I just decided to use Regent air and pay the extra for business class....this is my first Regent cruise and having a comfortable flight will make it a special trip. I fly from San Diego to L.A. Then, I fly out of L.A., on Air New Zealand....I believe on 12-3, around 8pm.....I have to double check. What is Premium economy and economy plus? Jini

Jini: I think PE and EP are the same - just an upgrade from economy but not quite biz class - I have read another site (Flyertalk) and PE on Air NZ gets mixed reviews - we are paying $2300 for two LA to NZ Prem Econ- great cruise line and people so when I arrive in NZ I will be happy!!!

HI,
We have been following this site for quite a while, since we are also booked on the same segment. We have also chosen Regent's air program, but have not gotten our airline or seat assignments yet. We are curious as to how you have found this information? We have our Regent booking number, but cannot access that info online.
Looking forward to meeting you all, since we have been following this site for years!

Bill & Mary Ann

Mariner 2003 Circle South America
Navigator 2004 Canada/New England
Navigator 2005 South Pacific
Voyager 2006 World Cruise

Hi Bill & Mary Ann: I made my own air arrangements from Fl to LA and onto NZ - so I am no help - Joanna

Bill and Mary Ann, ask your TA. Mine always provides it to me.

Bill and Mary Ann
Let me know your cabin number and I will put you on the roll call list.
Better yet go to roll call and tell me.

Hi Bill and Mary Ann, I am glad you decided to post after being on the site for all these years! I am looking forward to meeting you on the cruise.

Jim, just put 'em on the list. Fjords changed so much over time, I think it is better not to list them until the very end.

Thanks Joanna, Donna and Alan, Jim, and Karen! Our TA is working on this airline info right now, we hope. We thought it would be easy for us to find.
And we joined the rollcall, Jim.
Looking forward to meeting you all!

Bill & Mary Ann

Bill and Mary Ann, unless you have done a custom air program Regent will not have even done your air yet. The air is normally arranged about 90 -60 days before departure. I dont think the air itineraries are available through the internet to passengers. Regent is always changing things so maybe this will be coming down the road.

Ngaire,

Thank you for clearing this up for us. Our air is not custom through Regent, so we will just have to be patient!

Looking forward to meeting you!

Bill & Mary Ann

We also are on ANZ at 8 pm on the 29th.

However, I have a question. We are now booking our roundtrip to LAX and I am wondering if we can make a 2 pm flight out of LAX to IAD on Dec. 21. I believe we are supposed to dock about 8 am but know that is flexible and can be longer due to customs/immigration, etc. How far is the dock from LAX?
Can anyone give me an idea if we should push the flight time out of LAX to Washington DC back to 4 or later. Hate to take the red-eye after such a great cruise, but it is Christmas weekend and know flights are going to fill fast.
Thanks much.
Kathy

I think we're on the same AirNZ flight (maybe the time got changed from 7:45 to 8:00 ??). I don't think you'll have any trouble at all making a 2:00 flight. From the port to LAX is about 30-35 minutes depending on traffic. You'll arrive at LAX easily in time.

Yes Marcie.
Our flight time changed slightly from 7:45 to 8:00 p.m.
Kathy
We had a 1:05 pm flight out of LAX one time and had no problems.
When we were on "MINT" LCTt'ers had made a plan and reserved two or three shuttle vans to take them to the airport. Something you might think about doing.
Since Jan B and I will not be flying out of LAX on the 21st we won't need it but I can help if someone wants to take charge.

Kathy, the only thing I would worry about is the shipping making port on time.

Ok thank you so much for the information Marcie, JimB and Karen. I think we will go with the 2:00 and hope the ship makes port on time. (Or maybe stays out to sea for another week if we're lucky!).

Kathy, we had that happen on our last cruise, we were a day late to port. We loved it but it caused a lot of headaches for other people!

Our United flight leaves at 2 p.m. also and if Mariner arrives in port close to schedule we figure we'll make it - here's hoping!

Can't remember if it was Super Shuttle or Prime Time was who we used after "MINT" cruise.

I prefer the Prime Time vans over the Super Shuttle at LAX. In traffic in the morning, going north from Long Beach/San Pedro, you will want to allow one hour for traffic. All the trucks are leaving the port on the 710 freeway - same one you use to go to the 405 to LAX. Prime time also has a new car service - not Town Cars, but, Ford Crown Vics and drivers that are more reasonable if you don't mind being in a regular car.

Carol & I are flying out 2 weeks early and doing some land touring in New Zealand before boarding the ship 12/3. Anyone else doing extended tours in NZ prior to the cruise? BTW, lowest business class air out of LAX is on Air Pacific via Fiji (flight to Fiji is operated by Air NZ). We fly up to LAX via a short hop from Carlsbad. Using FF miles for one-way didn't make sense (they charge you RT miles!).
Gary

Gary, we are touring the South Island starting November 23 and ending in Auckland on 12/1. Perhaps we will cross paths! Wish we had more time for land portion but I'll be a new grandma in early November and have to make a quick trip back East before leaving for NZ.

We're flying Air NZ (premium econonmy) from LA to Auckland (and on to Nelson). Keeping our fingers crossed that we made the right choice.

Looking forward to meeting you on the cruise.

Donna -
We arrive Auckland 11/21 and do some No. Island touring on our own, winding up in Christchurch 11/25. Then we have a group tour of the So. Island with Newman's Tours. We fly back to Auckland the morning of 12/3 & board the Mariner mid-day. Are you doing the So. Island on your own, or with a group?
Gary
P.S. I see you're from Tucson, so we're not that far apart - San Diego area.

I think I asked this somewhere before but I can't find it, lol. The limit for luggage weight on Qantas is 70 pounds, we are connecting to LA on AA, can we still pack 70lbs?

Seems to me that I ask this question for every trip and can't remember if the answer varies by airline.

Air New Zealand.

A couple of months ago we received notice that our 11/29/07 ANZ flight from LAX had changed from 7:45 pm to 8:00 pm.
Over the weekend we received another e-mail notice but can't open it. When I went to ANZ site it does show the 2nd flight (NZ2) has been changed to something like 9:30 pm, but not the 1st flight (NZ1) It still shows 8:00 pm
Did anybody else receive this notice?

Hi Jim,
We are flying Air NZ on 11/21. When the Tucson to LA portion of our flight changed, Air NZ called us immediately. So far, we're very pleased with their customer service. Hope all works out for you.

No Jim I need not receive it - looks like the 8 PM is still a go for 8 PM - Joanna

Hi trip mates,
I am booked on Air New Zealand, flight NZ5 leaving LAX at 9:30PM on 12/1 at 7:15AM Auckland time.

Is anyone else taking this flight? I would like to share a taxi or shuttle van to the hotel if possible.

Sorry Arlene, I am on Qantas :(

Sorry Arlene, We're on Air NZ (with Joanna & Tony, Jim & Jan too) but we all fly in for 2 night pre-cruise stay in Auckland.

Sorry Arlene.
Joanna, Tony, Marcie, Tom, Jan & I are all on the 11/29/07 8:00 pm flight.

I will be working on a van that can take 10 of us, and our luggage, but they won't let me make reservations until October.

Arlene - I'm on the 11/27, 8 PM ANZ to Auckland and using air shuttle to the hotel. Shuttle is very reasonable and stops at the major hotels.

Hi Betty,

We're flying into AKL the afternoon of Dec. 1 via Sydney. Do you have a contact name or email addy for shuttle you're using? Did you book in advance or is it something you can book at the airport?

Thank you for any information.

Yes - notice it really is co not com.
http://www.airbus.co.nz/home/
I was hoping to buy ticket online - have done this in other cities, but this site makes it sound like you buy from the bus driver. Remember the prices are quoted in NZ$. I'm at the Hyatt the 1st 2 nights. Then will move over to Sky City.
From Hyatt Concierge emails:
Super Shuttle - Cost: NZ$23.00 for the first person and NZ$6.00 each
for the remaining five people Tel: +64 9 306 3960
The Airbus does drop-off at the hotel; Taxi service to the hotel is
approximately 50/NZD one way.

Happy birthday Betty - and thank you from a fellow Virgo.

I was talking to Coop Taxi back in February.
They politely asked me to contact them in October to make reservations.
Anyway we will be booking a van which hold 10 people. Luggage goes into a separate trailer attached. The price is $80.00 + tip. Does not matter if there is one or ten of us.
If interested you can contact them, (in October), at www.cooptaxi.co.nz

PS
Have six of us scheduled so if there is anyone else that would like to be part of our shuttle please let me know.
Our Air New Zealand flight arrives in Auckland about 6:00 am on 12/01/07.
If believe Quantes lands just about the same time or real close or am I confussed?

We would be happy to share transportation from Sky City to the ship if anyone is interested.

Thanks for the info that you posted, Betty. We arrive in AKL in the afternoon on Dec. 1 from Queenstown. Not sure which airport, though, but we need to arrange transportation.

Hi Donna,
There is just one major airport at Auckland ,but there are two terminals.One for International and the other for Domestic flights.
Taxis, as well as shuttles and bus's, are plentiful from both,but as Jim says above , I suggest you look out for the Co-op (Auckland Co-operative Cabs) or Corporate Cabs.They are up to standard and many Hotels will only allow these taxi's on their forecourt.

Donna since we are on a Regent HOtel program we will be transferred to the ship by Regent. No need to worry about that transfer.

Thanks, Ngaire. I forgot about the Regent transfer.

Now all I have to do is figure out transportation to the hotel after our pre-land trip. David, your info should help. Thanks!

Still have room for 4 more that would like to
join us on the shuttle from Auckland airport to
Sky City Hotel on 12/01/07 with our ANZ flight arrival about 6:00 am
I will be making the reservations real soon.

For fun I just checked to see about booking a flight on Air New Zealand as if I was just starting. It said "NO SEATS AVAILIBLE" on any of the three class of seats. :ohmy: :ohmy:

LOL Jim, I just checked our Qantas flight yesterday and it still looks wide open!

I did that the other day Jim to see how much Prem Economy (is that an oxymoron?) had increased - biz/first gone but they quoted me Prem Ec so must have just happened but I didn't look at economy - editing all sold out

I tried to book an ANZ or Qantas flight between AKL and Queenstown for Friday afternoon or evening of the 30th about 2 weeks - was going just for 1 day day. No seats available. NZ must be one popular place!

Had a notice from ANZ telling me about a change in the flight schedule. It also told me how to check on line. Well it would not work so yesterday I just called them. Already knew the answer, but was able to check my "not guaranteed" seating assignment! Row 22 J-k
which is upper deck on the 747 starboard side.
44/47 44 days until we fly 47 days until we cruise. <img border="0" alt="[bounce]" title="" src="graemlins/ubbbounce2.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

I haven't received any notification of flight change??? We're in seats 12A & E downstairs. You and the Mondaes are both upstairs so we'll have to come up and visit!

Oh it happened a few months ago.
The flight went from leaving LAX at 7:45 pm to 8:00 pm arrival Auckland 5:45 am instead of 5:30 am That is what it was all about.
Ok come on up and visit. Should be less crowded don't you think?