A month since the last post and a month to go – well. 4 weeks anyway.
The hand operation seemed to go well, but wearing a splint full time is a bit restrictive, but the indications are that the operation was a success. Maybe I won’t sell the banjo after all. (Collective groan from the family/neighbours/local pets.)
We did indeed have another successful Kiwi Kruisers meeting May 9th at our usual meeting place and we were joined by our great cruising friends, Mal & Megan, who are now on the World Cruise. I think they were somewhat surprised at the sheer numbers! We don’t have another catch up planned, but I wouldn’t rule it out just yet.
So, to the Chinese Visa update. This may be of value to some future cruisers, but, Auckland has a rather large and growing Chinese population, so the queues at the Visa Processing office can be huge. We knew it was likely to be busy, but our efficient TA (Travel Agent) Rachel had given us the Chinese Visa Application forms. Not as onerous as the Indian forms, but they did want details of the date of our previous Chinese Visa, such as date and place of issue. We also had to assemble details of Health Insurance and a recent bank statement proving that we could stump up $100 a day whilst in China.
We set off across town after the morning traffic rush, knowing that it might still be a bit busy, but hopeful that the infamous early morning rush for visas would be over. We arrived at 11am – no parking, as usual, so Paula stayed in the car. I went in clutching the paperwork, including old and current passports, but wasn’t even allowed to take the numbered ticket, as they were too busy and those ahead of us would take them up to 12 noon, when they closed.
The security guard (who was not Chinese – probably Samoan) told me that although the office opened at 9am, for at least the last four weeks, people had been queuing every day from about 7am! No matter how far you had travelled, there was no booking system.
“Could we leave the forms then?”
“No.”
“Can we post them in?” No.
So, somewhat depressed and frustrated we did what we normally do. We went back across the harbour again for our usual coffee.
Back at the computer, later in the day, I typed in “Chinese Visa NZ” and found to my surprise that we could apply on line! It was less demanding than the printed version and was quite straightforward. Within minutes of submitting it, I had an acknowledgement of receipt and the email said I’d get another email with details of the paperwork required – which sure enough, arrived an hour or three later.
I paid by internet banking (India required a bank cheque…) and the cost was $90 plus $40 admin fee each, for the double entry visa. (Fees may vary according to passport nationality and we are both on UK passports.) The tracking number in the email linked to the progress of the application showed that the fee had been paid and they were awaiting the documentation.
I collated our passports, passport sized photographs, itinerary, proof of flights (ours were only to Sydney) and I sent a copy of the boarding passes for the cruise. No requirement for the insurance or bank statement. A courier envelope (track and sign) at the Post Office and off they went to Wellington.
Email back from them a couple of days later, to say that the visas were being processed. So at that stage, all seemed to be OK. Reading the cruise paperwork, we need Visas whether staying on the ship or not and Princess stated that we only needed a single entry, as we were doing two Chinese ports, without going elsewhere.
However, it is not unknown for the Chinese authorities to state that the ship cannot do that and insist the ship goes elsewhere first, meaning a dual entry visa would be required. We had heard of that happening so elected to get the dual entry visa.
We informed the Travel Agency that the on line system was operative, which was news to them, so hopefully, Kiwis reading this will know that they don’t need to face the Auckland traffic or the queues. Christchurch is easier, as they don’t have the same sort of numbers of Chinese residents.
From the Cruise Critic Roll Call (message board), it seems that some Australian offices have an appointment system.
As it happened, our visas and passports were returned in little more than a week and on the same day (today!) we got an email from Princess stating that we now need a dual entry visa as the ship is going to Jeju Island (Korea) after Shanghai…
Anyway, that was the last major item ticked off our ‘to do’ list. Everything else on the list is relatively straightforward and the low key packing has already started.
Low key means ‘items that it is easy to forget, but essential and not likely to be required before departure date’! Top of the list as always is fresh coffee bags. In the past, it was ‘Robert Timms’, but now I have added ‘Jeds’ which come in different strengths - up to 5 – but are a little bulkier.
Next to assemble are the current essentials of various chargers and cables for phones, Paula’s tablet, cameras, lap top, back up drive etc. – and my latest acquisition, a great torch that is charged via a USB cable and a recently purchased, cheap ($18!) end of run alarm clock/radio, small enough to pack. With the frequent time changes when we travel, having a clock in the cabin is useful.
Visiting cool/cold Alaska after the steamy East means warm and cool clothing for this trip. At least we have done this trip before, so even I may find my previous blog of value as a refresher.
The general itinerary is very similar, though in 2012, we left the cruise in San Francisco. There are plenty of sea days on this trip so this blog, as always will cover the ship and on board activities.
THE SUN PRINCESS
We haven’t travelled on this ship before but it is a sister ship to the Dawn and the Sea Princess, both of which we have travelled on before. It has had a recent refit and one or two changes to the Princess policies will be under intense scrutiny. Gone is the free soft serve ice cream, now NZ natural (pay) and the popular pizzeria. We now have a seafood/sushi bar (pay) and a Curtis Stone ‘Share’ Restaurant (pay – a lot). Not sure how many of our regular cruisers, on a 75 day trip are going to be paying out regularly for these extras.
We are looking forward to a new Princess Show - ‘Bravo’ - which features Paula’s favourite violinist, Chris Watkins.
Regardless, we’ll enjoy the trip and if we don’t have another Kiwi meet, we are meeting the night before the cruise as usual, at the Pyrmont Hotel on the edge of Darling Harbour. So far, there are about 46 of us and once again, another opportunity to meet fellow cruisers before we head away. The more people we meet before we set off, the better, but remembering people’s names is a challenge we all face – even without old age and memory loss creeping in.
Sorry, no picture on this post. I'm sure a picture of my splinted hand is of no interest whatever.
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