For reservations call 1-800-788-7885
or contact your local travel agent
Cruising Down Under – Westbound
Cruise for 12 nights aboard Sapphire Princess, while port-hopping, fiord viewing, and enjoying on-board activities, on this 21-day adventure to New Zealand and Australia. The New Zealand and Australia cruise is complemented by Tauck’s inclusive shore excursions, plus overnight stays in Auckland, Sydney, and Port Douglas. Highlights include geysers, wineries, a sheep farm, a 19th-century Tasmanian convict settlement, an Aboriginal performance, and a Sydney Harbour cruise. There’s a private flight to glacier-capped Aoraki/Mount Cook, and a sail to the Great Barrier Reef.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
2008 Westbound Itinerary
Westbound: Departs Auckland, New Zealand
Click here for Eastbound itinerary.
• Indicates day of cruising
Day 1: Auckland agenda
Your New Zealand and Australia cruise is preceded by a visit to Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Tour begins: Langham Hotel, Auckland. A transfer is included from Auckland Airport to Langham Hotel, Auckland. Explore Auckland, highlighted by Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World; ride the moving walkway in a clear tunnel through the reef fish and shark tanks. Enjoy a welcome reception and dinner this evening.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Lodging: Langham Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand
Day 2: Vineyards and wineries
Take a ferry to Waiheke Island, hosting vineyards, olive groves, pristine beaches, and art studios. Tour boutique wineries, taste award-winning wines, and view artistic renderings of the picturesque landscape.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Langham Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand
• Day 3: Maori moments and setting sail
Head to the Auckland War Memorial Museum to see ancient Maori artifacts, and take in the Maori music and dance performance. Peruse additional collections of Pacific island artifacts, extinct wildlife, and interpretive history exhibits. Board the Sapphire Princess for a memorable voyage.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Aboard Sapphire Princess
• Day 4: Geysers and sheep
Dock in Tauranga, and take the Tauck private shore excursion to Rotorua. See shooting geysers, mineral springs, and bubbling mud pools on a walking tour through Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. Visit Longlands Farm, a working dairy farm, and the Agrodome, a working sheep and cattle farm.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard Sapphire Princess
• Day 5: Activities at sea
During this day at sea, participate in the ScholarShip@Sea™ enrichment series, get pampered in the luxurious Lotus Spa®, or simply enjoy the four swimming pools and the views.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard Sapphire Princess
• Day 6: Christchurch plus Mount Cook private charter flight
Tour the quintessentially English city of Christchurch, where sights include the Gothic Revival Christ Church Cathedral; the Botanic Gardens; and the Bridge of Remembrance. Take Tauck’s private charter flight to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in the Southern Alps.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard Sapphire Princess
• Day 7: Dunedin & Queenstown
Arrive in Dunedin, known for its rich Scottish heritage. Take a charter flight to Queenstown, set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu at the base of the Remarkables mountain range; explore the town, then return to the ship.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard Sapphire Princess
• Day 8: Fiordland National Park
Spend the day cruising Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ice-age glaciers carved fiords flanked by steep mountains, making the area impenetrable except by water. There are snow-capped mountains, rivers gushing from ice floes, and plunging waterfalls. View Milford Sound, a highlight on any Australia cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard Sapphire Princess
• Days 9 & 10: Across the Tasman Sea
Enjoy on-board activities while cruising to Tasmania; shop in the boutiques and art gallery, work out in the fitness center, or relax in the library. There’s a variety of cuisine, from Asian-fusion to Italian and American Southwest. For evening entertainment, take in a Broadway musical, try your luck in the casino, see a first-run film, relax in the piano bar, or go dancing in a nightclub with an ocean view.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner on both days
Lodging: Aboard Sapphire Princess
• Day 11: Tasmania’s charm and infamy
Dock in Hobart, and travel the Tasman Peninsula to the Port Arthur Historic Site, an infamous 19th-century penal colony. Gain insight into the harsh convict life, and dine in the Junior Officer’s home, with servers in period dress. Set sail for the mainland tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard Sapphire Princess
• Day 12: Sailing the seas
Select among a host of on-board activities while cruising. Learn new skills at a computer class, send messages home in the Internet Café, attend an art auction or go to a wine tasting. Or you may want to test your knowledge in a quiz show, take a yoga class or head to the sports deck.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard Sapphire Princess
• Day 13: Magnificent Melbourne
Dock in Melbourne for a city tour, highlighted by the High Victorian architecture of Parliament House; the Gothic Revival architecture of St. Patrick’s Cathedral; and the varied collections of the Melbourne Museum.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard Sapphire Princess
• Day 14: Coastal Australia cruise
On your final day at sea, take the opportunity to indulge yourself with a spa treatment, a spin of the roulette wheel, a bidding number at the art auction, an interesting class, or a decadent dessert you’ve been denying yourself.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard Sapphire Princess
Day 15: Disembark and journey to the Coral Sea
Disembark the Sapphire Princess in Sydney. Fly to Cairns, and travel to Port Douglas at the edge of the Coral Sea. Enjoy your beachfront, five-star hotel with pools and saltwater lagoons for swimming.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort, Port Douglas, Australia
Day 16: Great Barrier Reef cruise
Take a catamaran cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, the longest coral reef system in the world. Learn about the fragile coral ecosystem from a marine biologist, and observe it first-hand from a glass-bottom boat. Swim or snorkel over the underwater coral gardens.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort, Port Douglas, Australia
Day 17: Tjapukai performance
Learn about the cultural significance of song and dance to the Tjapukai, the region’s Aboriginal people, during a performance by the award-winning Tjapukai Aboriginal Dance Troupe.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort, Port Douglas, Australia
Day 18: Sophisticated Sydney at leisure
Fly to vibrant, cosmopolitan Sydney, and explore the waterfront, historical districts, boutiques, and sights at your own pace. Enjoy dinner in sparkling Sydney tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, Australia
Day 19: Tour Sydney Opera House
A city sightseeing highlight is the famous Sydney Opera House; tour this architectural masterpiece with a billowing sail roof design. Also see the Sydney Harbour Bridge, historic districts, and expansive beaches.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, Australia
Day 20: Visit Taronga Zoo and take a Sydney Harbour cruise
Get acquainted with some of the more than 2,000 endangered or rare animals that reside at the award-winning Taronga Zoo. Then enjoy the farewell reception on a cruise in Sydney Harbour, followed by a waterfront dinner facing the impressive night skyline.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, Australia
Day 21: G’day, Mate
Tour ends: Sydney, Australia. A transfer is included from Four Seasons Hotel Sydney to Sydney Airport. Allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
Book this action-packed New Zealand,
Tasmania and Australia cruise today.
Prices
| 2008 Price Per Person |
Land / Cruise Price |
+ | On-Tour Air (2 flights) |
= | Total per Person |
| Category JJ – Caribe Deck: Interior, two lower beds | |||||
| Double |
$7995 | + | $495 | = |
$8490 |
| Single |
$10,395 | + | $495 | = | $10,890 |
| Triple | $7215 | + | $495 | = | $7710 |
| Category EE – Plaza Deck: Oceanview, two lower beds | |||||
| Double |
$8320 | + | $495 | = | $8815 |
| Single |
$11,130 | + | $495 | = | $11,625 |
| Triple | $7430 | + | $495 | = | $7925 |
| Category BC – Baja Deck Oceanview with Balcony | |||||
| Double |
$8545 | + | $495 | = | $9040 |
| Single |
$12,450 | + | $495 | = | $12,945 |
| Triple | $7580 | + | $495 | = | $8075 |
| Category AB – Dolphin Deck Mini-suite with balcony |
|||||
| Double |
$9055 | + | $495 | = | $9550 |
| Single |
$13,720 | + | $495 | = | $14,215 |
| Triple | $7920 | + | $495 | = | $8415 |
| Category VS – Dolphin, Emerald Decks Vista-suite with balcony |
|||||
| Double |
$10,885 | + | $495 | = | $11,380 |
| Single |
$19,095 | + | $495 | = | $19,590 |
| Triple | $9,140 | + | $495 | = | $9635 |
| Penthouse Suite – Caribe Deck Penthouse suite with balcony |
|||||
| Double |
$11,585 | + | $495 | = | $12,080 |
| Single |
$20,985 | + | $495 | = | $21,480 |
| Triple | $9610 | + | $495 | = | $10,105 |
52 meals included.
Land / cruise price includes private Tauck shore excursions, cruise fare, port charges, gratuities to ship staff, and a $240 credit for wine with dinner aboard Sapphire Princess.
International Airfare is additional. Call Tauck for special rates on international air, in coach or business, for travel originating in the U.S. (subject to availability).
Note: Due to the popularity of this journey, you may be traveling with a group of up to 80 Tauck guests. Larger group departures will be hosted by two Tauck Directors.
Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before your cruise begins and about our comprehensive Cruise Protection Plan.
Need to Know
Inclusive Prices
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All accommodations, entertainment, special dinners, motor coach, shore excursions, land sightseeing, luggage handling, admissions, the hot air balloon ride and the services of Tauck Directors, ship crew and drivers are included. A representative of Tauck will meet you at Auckland International Airport. You will be provided with transportation to the The Langham Hotel in Auckland, provided we have your updated flight information at least two weeks prior to the tour departure date. Transportation will also be provided from the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney to Sydney International Airport on the last day you choose to depart.
Hotel and Ship Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel and ship accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available hotels without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ from place to place, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – Cruising Down Under: Australia & New Zealand by Land & Sea is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully-trained employee of Tauck. Due to the popularity if this journey, the group size could reach up to 80 guests. Each group departure of this size will be accompanied by two Tauck Directors.
Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for hotel, restaurant and cruise ship staff, and local guides are included.
No Options Sold - Tauck Directors will assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.
On-Tour Flights
Airfare While on Tour – Two on-tour flights must be purchased through Tauck as part of your tour package.
Not Included
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States (subject to availability).
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, many guests prefer to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following their tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.
Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle guests’ luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection for more information.
Personal Expenses – Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations and other optional incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Tauck Director Gratuities – The customary gratuity to the Tauck Director is not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures – You must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.
Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocket knife, cigarette lighter, tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items, and recommended airport check-in times. Additionally, you may wish to visit the TSA website at www.tsa.gov.
Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
Cruise Regulations – Travelers must provide their passport number and date of birth to Tauck at time of booking. Tauck must provide this information to the cruise line before departure or you may be denied boarding.
Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to the schedule. The tour begins upon your arrival at The Langham Hotel in Auckland on the first day of the tour. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time and attend the welcome reception at the hotel scheduled for 5:30 PM. The tour ends when you check out of The Four Seasons Sydney on the last day of the tour. We suggest you allow 2½ hours for check-in.
Holiday and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.
Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Preparing to Go
Air Conditioning - The motor coaches used on this tour are air conditioned for your comfort. All of the hotel rooms and ship cabins have air conditioning.
Clothing and Packing - As you prepare for travel, select a wardrobe that is adaptable. Many days are spent outside or in transit. Therefore, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Occasionally cool weather will require warmer “layered” clothing.
This itinerary includes accommodations in award-winning hotels and meals in many fine restaurants. For the welcome and farewell dinners, many guests like to dress up, but by all means be comfortable; on the remaining nights “smart casual” is suggested. Shorts, cutoff T-shirts and bare feet are not permitted in the ship’s dining room.
Laundry and valet service are available at the InterContinental Sydney and the Langham Hotel Auckland. Additionally hair dryers, irons and ironing boards are either located in your guest room or are available immediately upon request.
We recommend that you pack your prescription medicines (an adequate supply to last through your journey) along with your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
Following is a list of recommended items to pack for travel to Australia and New Zealand:
- Shorts and pants for casual daytime wear
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
- Bathing suit
- A light sweater or jacket for the cooler months or a breezy night
- Binoculars
- Insect repellent
- Camera, lenses, batteries and plenty of film
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Travel alarm
- Raincoat and umbrella
Health - To fully enjoy this tour’s itinerary, participants must be in fairly good health and be able to walk reasonable distances, as some of the sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. However, for the most part, the amount of walking you do at the various sites and in cities and towns is at your discretion. If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
Tauck is not able to accommodate wheelchairs on this tour. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them.
Guests bringing a quantity of medication with them are advised to carry a doctor’s certificate to avoid possible problems with customs officials. Doctor’s prescriptions are needed to obtain certain drugs in both Australia and New Zealand.
To protect people from the health effects of second-hand smoke, smoking in all hospitality venues, including bars, restaurants, cafes, and casinos, is prohibited in New Zealand. If you smoke, please remember to smoke outside. The Sapphire Princess has established a smoke-free dining policy. However, there are smoking areas and lounges throughout the ship.
The medical center on The Sapphire Princess is staffed by full-time, British-registered doctors and nurses. In addition to twice-daily office hours, they are available 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency. If you require medical services, they will be added to your shipboard account, and you will be provided with an itemized account to submit to your insurance company. The Sapphire Princess is registered in Bermuda. Please check with your insurer to learn if coverage applies outside the United States, or purchase appropriate travel insurance.
For vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov
Luggage Restrictions:
Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour:
Due to space limitations aboard the motor coaches and the on-tour aircraft used in Australia and New Zealand, each guest is permitted only one average-sized piece of checked luggage weighing a maximum of 44 pounds, or 19.95 kilograms.
In addition, guests are limited to one soft-sided, carry-on bag per person not to exceed 15 lbs. or 6.8 kg, and no larger than an average knapsack.
Checked Luggage – General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person.
In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
As of June 2006, many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs, or 22.7 kilograms, per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.
Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.
Carry-on Luggage - General:
Although oversized bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many intra-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, which may not allow for access during daytime travel.
Travel Document Requirements – A valid passport or similar acceptable travel document is required of all people wishing to travel to and enter Australia. As of July, 2006, everyone, except holders of Australian and New Zealand passports, requires a visa to enter Australia. New Zealand passport holders apply for a visa upon arrival in Australia. All other passport holders must hold a visa before traveling to Australia.
Tauck strongly recommends that guests’ passports be valid for six months beyond the completion of their tour. It is a good idea to carry a photocopy of the first page of your passport, as well as to leave photocopies of your travel documents and identification papers with someone at home.
As a courtesy to our all our guests traveling to Australia, Tauck will facilitate the visa process. All guests who book this journey will receive an application for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Visa. The visa is required for travelers visiting Australia for up to three months within one twelve month period. Tauck will send out the application with the “Summary of Purchase” package either to the guest directly if booked through Tauck or to the guest’s travel agent. There is no charge at this time for the visas that Tauck obtains for its guests or for the service itself.
For entry to Australia, minors not accompanied by a parent or traveling with only one parent need notarized written parental consent from the absent parent(s) (see “Travel with Children” below).
For entry into New Zealand, U.S. citizens need a passport valid for 6 months beyond completion of the tour.
Citizens of other countries should contact an embassy or consulate of New Zealand to determine what travel documentation is required
Travel with Children – Many countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling with or without both parents. Usually a notarized letter, signed by the parent or parents not traveling with the child and stating the name of the child, the adult guardian, the itinerary and dates of travel, and the flight number, is required. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all travelers to comply with the regulations for the country you are visiting. This information is available from each country’s consulate. Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standards for these letters, Tauck does offer download guidance for writing this letter
Destination Information
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that guests refrain from cell phone usage during motor coach travel, group functions, sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not impact others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine limitations and services that exist for the destinations to which you are traveling.
Currency and Exchange Rates - For the best exchange rates, we suggest using ATMs, which are easily available throughout Australia and New Zealand, and major credit cards. Although it is not necessary for you to exchange money prior to your arrival in Australia or in New Zealand, it may be useful to have a small amount of local currency with you when you arrive. If upon arrival you require local currency, you can visit one of the many currency exchange facilities at the airport, use an ATM, or exchange currency at your hotel.
As of June 14, 2006, the exchange rate was $1 (1USD) to 1.35AUD and 1.60NZD. To obtain the up-to-date currency exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website www.oanda.com
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – Australia has initiated a GST (Goods & Services Tax) as of July 1, 2000. The tax is 10% and paid at the time of purchase, use, or consumption. The government recently initiated a method for visitors to claim back some of the tax. Please consult the Australian government’s Internet website, www.ato.gov.au to learn how to claim a refund. There is also a 12.5% GST in New Zealand but there is no refund method at this time.
For U.S residents returning to the United States, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol and tobacco that can be a part of this exemption - one-liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits at www.cbp.gov
Citizens of other countries should refer to their own countries’ rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance.
Electrical Current – Onboard the Sapphire Princess, all staterooms are equipped with 110v, 60Hz, AC, which accommodates standard U.S. plugs. Travelers who bring electric devices that are not compatible should bring the appropriate adapters and converters.
The electrical current in Australia is 220-240v, 50Hz, AC. The Australian three-pin power outlet is different from some other countries so you may need an adaptor. If your appliances are 110v, you may need a voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240v or 110v shavers are usually found in leading hotels
Time Zones – Sydney, Australia, is 10 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); Auckland, New Zealand, is 12 hours ahead. In June, Sydney is 14 hours ahead of New York City. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.timeanddate.com
Weather - Remember, “Down Under”, the seasons are opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. During the months of October through May, temperatures typically average 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, or 21 to 32 degrees Celsius, in Australia and 60 to 75 F, or 16 to 24 C, in New Zealand. During the months of June through September, temperatures average 40 to 60 F, or 4 to 16 C, in Australia and 50 F, or 10 C, in New Zealand. In Northern Australia, you will find tropical weather all year round.
Climate Chart
| Average Temperature | ||||
| Cairns, Australia |
Melbourne, Australia | |||
| Month | Hi/Lo ºF | Hi/Lo ºC | Hi/Lo ºF | Hi/Lo ºC |
| January | 89 / 74 | 32 / 23 | 78 / 57 | 26 / 14 |
| February | 88 / 75 |
31 / 24 | 78 / 58 | 26 / 14 |
| March | 87 / 72 | 31 / 22 | 75 / 55 | 24 / 13 |
| April | 84 / 71 |
29 / 22 | 68 / 51 | 20 / 11 |
| May | 81 / 68 | 27 / 20 | 62 / 47 | 17 / 8 |
| June | 78 / 65 |
26 / 18 | 57 / 44 | 14 / 7 |
| July | 77 / 62 | 25 / 17 | 56 / 42 | 13 / 6 |
| August | 80 / 64 |
27 / 18 | 59 / 44 | 15 / 7 |
| September | 82 / 66 | 28 / 19 | 63 / 46 | 17 / 8 |
| October | 85 / 69 |
29 / 21 | 67 / 49 | 19 / 9 |
| November | 87 / 72 | 31 / 22 | 71 / 51 | 22 / 11 |
| December | 88 / 74 |
31 / 23 | 75 / 55 | 24 / 13 |
| Auckland, New Zealand |
Queenstown, New Zealand |
|||
| Month | Hi/Lo ºF | Hi/Lo ºC | Hi/Lo ºF | Hi/Lo ºC |
| January | 74 / 61 | 23 / 16 | 72 / 50 | 22 / 10 |
| February | 75 / 63 |
24 / 17 | 68 / 48 | 20 / 9 |
| March | 73 / 58 | 23 / 14 | 62 / 45 | 17 / 7 |
| April | 68 / 56 |
20 / 13 | 60 / 43 | 16 / 6 |
| May | 63 / 53 | 17 / 12 | 58 / 40 | 14 / 4 |
| June | 59 / 51 |
15 / 11 | 54 / 36 | 12 / 2 |
| July | 58 / 49 | 14 / 9 |
52 / 32 | 11 / 0 |
| August | 59 / 47 |
15 / 8 |
50 / 33 | 10 / 1 |
| September | 62 / 50 | 17 / 10 | 55 / 37 | 13 / 3 |
| October | 64 / 52 |
18 / 11 | 61 / 42 | 16 / 6 |
| November | 68 / 55 | 20 / 13 | 63 / 45 | 17 / 7 |
| December | 71 / 60 |
22 / 16 | 69 / 49 | 21 / 9 |
To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.weather.com
If You Have to Cancel
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, Tauck will charge guests who cancel confirmed bookings a cancellation fee according to the when the cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit guests’ liability, Tauck offers its guests Tauck Travel Protection.
Guests choosing to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will have cancellation penalties reduced. See Tauck Travel Protection for more details.
Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
60 days or more before departure
100% of the deposit per person ($1700)
59-30 days before departure
50% of the cost of the cruise per person, not including air if applicable
7-1 days before departure
100% of the cost of the tour per person, not including air if applicable