A Trip to Australia and New Zealand
Conclusion
The trip was delightful in all respects (except for the flight to and from Australia). In our view, cruising around New Zealand is an ideal way to get a taste of what that country is all about. We continue to recommend Holland-America without reservation for those folks cruising sans children. The service is superb, the food is delicious, and the accommodations are comfortable. For a stay in Sydney, we strongly recommend that you find a hotel in The Rocks. It is the historic heart of Sydney and is a major transportation hub - in fact, the best such in the entire city. Hotel rates understandably reflect the prime location, but there are a couple of bed and breakfast type establishments that are more reasonable if less posh than the brand name palaces. The very small Russell Hotel is ideally located to facilitate access to the wharf usually used by cruise ships. It is also centrally located for travel by ferry, train, and bus, and is surrounded by all of the usual tourist amenities (including three pubs that fight for the honor of being the oldest public house in Australia). Food in both countries is excellent and there is a wide range of different types of cuisine available in the larger communities. Local wines are very palatable as are the beers. Shopping is alive and well with interesting local handicrafts and art in all of the communities that we visited. In Sydney at least, you do not need a car - in fact, it would just get in the way - public transportation is superb and parking is limited. In New Zealand, a car would be useful if you wanted to get out into the countryside, but not necessary in any of the communities that we touched on the cruise. If you visit either country in their summer - be prepared for hot weather - almost certainly the hottest weather you have ever experienced. if you decide to go at any time of the year - be prepared to spend money - both New Zealand and Australia are expensive.
Fortunately our ship had a superb lecturer on board (Chris Fisher) who entertained and educated us on a wide variety of subjects related to the various ports that we visited, but it would still be very helpful to read some history before you arrive in either Australia or New Zealand. One of the more interesting aspects of this trip was the interaction between three very different cultures - Aboriginal Australian, Maori, and European. The early Maori and Europeans were impressive open ocean explorers and the Aboriginal people of Australia just may have the oldest family tree known to modern man. This trip is also an excellent opportunity to reacquaint oneself with some natural history. After all, Darwin cut his teeth on some of the exotic critters that live here and started an argument that is still going strong.
This was our fourth cruise, the third with Holland-America.
We have also cruised to Russia, Alaska, and Hawaii.
