Hi Dingbats,

Thought you might enjoy this video of the Otago Peninsula, an area near Dunedin and included in a few of the excursions.

Beth,

Thanks for the video. It brought back fond memories of the Nature's Wonders excursion we took on our Regent cruise in November 2008. We were very lucky to have Perry (from the video, the owner of Nature's Wonders) as our driver and guide. I highly recommend this excursion to those of you on DINGO.

Dave, Glad you enjoyed the video. I can't wait to see the spectacular scenery of NZ.

I've decided to sign up for the Milford to Dunedin excursion. Anyone else?

Did you all get the email that Geelong has been dropped. :( I was so looking forward to seeing the remaining 12 Apostles. Oh well.....

Yep, I looked at trying to do it from Melbourne but unless you're willing to spring for a helicopter it looks like it'll have to be another time.

I am also looking at getting to the Great Ocean Road/12 Apostles from Melbourne. I have done it before and we were able to do it in one day, although many recommend against it. I'm still waiting to see if Regent will offer it as an excursion.

Shouldn't DINGO excursions be open for booking soon?

I guess you could do the Great Ocean Road if you left on the first day and didn't mind getting back into Melbourne late. I don't think I'd chance it on the second day.

I think it's too much time in a car or bus for me (plus I'm looking at plenty of bus time in NZ).

Edited to add: here's a tour website which offers trips to the 12 apostles http://www.melbournetours.com.au/

Thanks for the website Lauri. Doing the Great Ocean Road was like a trip up the California coastline. But it was many years ago and things may have built up since then. But I wouldn't want to do it on a bus, we were in a minivan and could stop as often as we wanted. Didn't have a problem doing it in one day. You are right though, the first day would be the only option. There are many things to see in Melbourne - it is a gorgeous city with beautiful wine country in the Yarra Valley.

DINGO shore excursions are open for booking now!

I just did mine. There are some Regent's Choice ones that I am considering but I think I'll take my chances and see if I can book them once onboard so I can use my onboard credit. I really wish Regent would change their policy to allow you to prebook the excursions using your credit.

Thanks for the heads up on the excursions opening, Lauri. I'm with you on the pre-booking policy. I'd rather use shipboard credits, also.

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!

This dingbat reserved all of our free escursions and we will wait to we board to check to see if the $excursions are available. We still have to book hotels in Sydney and Auckland. Except for the hotels I think we are all set. Can't wait this trip has been on our "want to do list" for a long time. We are so looking forward to seeing Australia and New Zealand.

Hi Dingbats, I just reserved my excursions this AM. Since the ship is full, that lead me to book one for $ excursion in Melbourne. Not knowing if it will fill up or not, I wanted to be assured to get that tour. We have our hotels booked and flights to Cairns and back arranged!! Now just to get our visas and pack!!

Carolyn, I'm with you on the excitement level for this trip!!

Carolyn - Are you going to Sydney early? I leave the 5th out of SFO to give me an extra week to see more of the country and city.

Does anyone know where we dock in Melbourne? Is it close or within walking distance of the city? Thanks!

I believe it is at the same dock that the ferry to Hobart leaves from. It looks like a fairly long walk to the city center but one of the trams goes from right outside the pier directly to the city center. A day pass on the trams is pretty inexpensive (<$10).

Thanks Lauri!

In Melbourne , you dock at Station Pier.
As Lauri says , at the end of the pier is the tram.."light rail" into the city...
Staff will be on hand in the terminal as you disembark to guide you. Melbourne is a very easy City to get around in.
Once in the city there is a free City loop, on the tram, and it can be a really fun day , doing your own thing.
Just remember to note the No. of the tram to catch back , and get back with some time to spare.
The visitors centre is in Federation Square

Thank you David. I'm trying to meet an old friend who now lives in Melbourne and this information is very helpful!

Just changed our airline reservations from LA to Sydney to the cruise ship in the sky - Airbus 380

Has anyone noticed that the description and itinerary for the Milford to Dunedin overland trip has vanished from the RSSC website? The price is still listed but no details. What's up?

Hey Lauri, That is interesting. I wonder if it has sold out.

One thing I did notice when I opened up the Regent webpage was that I was still signed in from the last time. Nice that we don't have to sign in each time. Glad that RSSC has finally worked out that sign-in issue.

Funny that they would leave the price there but not the description if it's sold out. The website still acts weird for me at times. Oh well, maybe they're altering the itinerary a bit. If so, I hope they put the jet boat back in!

Wouldn't it be great if the jet boat exc. was added in!!