If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#21
|
|||
|
|||
Advice? More Advice
"Kenn Smith" wrote in message ... Does anyone have solid advice on gratuities in Australia and New Zealand? We are elderly middle class Americans and most certainly don't want to appear to be the Ugly Americans in stiffing where a gratuity is appropriate or offering one where it might be considered an insult or inappropriate. I have traveled extensively in Europe and the Med but am a virgin in this area. (How many 77 year old virgins have you met? And to what end?) I have six months to research this on line but I thought that someone might have some sage advice. Damn, it's going to be a long six months, I'm ready to go now! Hi Kenn, I'll see if I can find some info for you, but we generally tipped about half US expectations. Employees have a much higher minimum wage and fringe benefits like paid vacations, sick leave, medical coverage, pensions, more like factory workers than waiters. I imagine some of the area residents can pin it down for you. I doubt that over-tipping would be an insult, but they will know you're an American. I'm checking out some Tasmanian sight seeing ideas for you and will send them later. If only the cruise seemed as long as the wait for the cruise. Regards, Harry Cooper |
#22
|
|||
|
|||
Advice?
|
#23
|
|||
|
|||
Advice?
On Sun, 3 May 2009 11:20:15 -0500, (Kenn Smith)
wrote: Thanks, Harry, a lamb cutlet doesn't sound like a bad breakfast choice to me. I've checked out The Observatory web site and it does look really nice. With some Virtuoso.com perks we're getting 2 nights for the two of us for their rack rate for one night for a single. I'll take that deal anytime. Hi Kenn, Although I have visited Sydney's various luxury hotels, I have not stayed at the Observatory yet. I will be staying at this hotel next week in Sydney with a Virtuoso Group. Please let me know if you have any specific questions regarding the hotel that I can answer for you. www.observatoryhotel.com.au Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com -- |
#25
|
|||
|
|||
Advice?
Thanks to Harry and Ray and, Ray, I accept your generous offer; very
much appreciated. As long as I'm posting I'll ask another question of you seasoned cruisers. We are flying Austin-DFW-LAX on American and have about 4.5 hours before our Qantas flight launches. We arrive LAX in Terminal 4 and I have read that Qantas has a courtesy shuttle from Termian 4, Gate 44 to their location in the International Terminal - you don't go outside of the security area so you don't have to go through security again. Using their shuttle would, of course, mean checking our luggage all the way through to Sydney from Austin. Is this a good idea? A bad idea? We'll have four days in Sydney before the Mariner casts off so I would think that would give ample time for the baggage to catch up to us even if we get separated from it. All opinions gratefully accepted. |
#26
|
|||
|
|||
Advice?
On Mon, 18 May 2009 15:57:32 -0500, (Kenn
Smith) wrote: Using their shuttle would, of course, mean checking our luggage all the way through to Sydney from Austin. Is this a good idea? A bad idea? Hi Kenn, FWIW, I fly through LAX many times a year. I always check my luggage through to my final destination. This is so much easier and more convenient than claiming your luggage and then checking it again at LAX. Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com -- |
#27
|
|||
|
|||
Advice?
On Mon, 18 May 2009 17:57:09 -0500, "Seehorse Video"
wrote: As I remember, Qantas has a rather nice first class lounge in LA and may well include business class. I've only used Qantas once so I may be miss-remembering. Hi Harry, You are not "miss-remembering". :+) The Qantas Club lounges are located on the 5th floor after the North concourse security check point which is next to the Qantas check-in counters. I enjoyed their hospitality last year and hope to enjoy again next week. Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com -- |
#28
|
|||
|
|||
Advice?
Harry, I suspect that there will be far more things we will want to see
than can be done in a 10 hour port call :-) But, we would surely welcome your suggestions. Our general plan of attack it to take a three or four hour excursion in each port then have a few hours just to wander around on our own. When I was teaching on Navy ships in the Med I did a lot of wandering around on my own in various ports and never failed to find something interesting and fun. |
#29
|
|||
|
|||
Advice?
"Kenn Smith" wrote in message ... Thanks to Harry and Ray and, Ray, I accept your generous offer; very much appreciated. As long as I'm posting I'll ask another question of you seasoned cruisers. We are flying Austin-DFW-LAX on American and have about 4.5 hours before our Qantas flight launches. We arrive LAX in Terminal 4 and I have read that Qantas has a courtesy shuttle from Termian 4, Gate 44 to their location in the International Terminal - you don't go outside of the security area so you don't have to go through security again. Using their shuttle would, of course, mean checking our luggage all the way through to Sydney from Austin. Is this a good idea? A bad idea? We'll have four days in Sydney before the Mariner casts off so I would think that would give ample time for the baggage to catch up to us even if we get separated from it. All opinions gratefully accepted. Hi Kenn, I agree about checking through to Sydney. I've never gone from Austin, but I have gone through LA and San Fran on several different airlines and my bags always got there and home. As I remember, Qantas has a rather nice first class lounge in LA and may well include business class. I've only used Qantas once so I may be miss-remembering. Let me know if you want some ideas for your day in Tasmania. I don't know what excursions are available but there are lots of things you might want to see. Happy planning, Harry Cooper |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Thank you and more advice | [email protected] | Europe | 36 | May 30th, 2006 05:35 AM |
I need advice and help, please. | Go Niners | Air travel | 0 | October 24th, 2005 07:38 AM |
need some advice! | Graham Coleman | Latin America | 4 | February 1st, 2005 03:42 AM |
Advice please | Dory Samuels | Cruises | 5 | December 8th, 2004 01:41 PM |
I need your advice | Dmitrij | Australia & New Zealand | 1 | November 24th, 2003 06:52 PM |