We also are on ANZ at 8 pm on the 29th.

However, I have a question. We are now booking our roundtrip to LAX and I am wondering if we can make a 2 pm flight out of LAX to IAD on Dec. 21. I believe we are supposed to dock about 8 am but know that is flexible and can be longer due to customs/immigration, etc. How far is the dock from LAX?
Can anyone give me an idea if we should push the flight time out of LAX to Washington DC back to 4 or later. Hate to take the red-eye after such a great cruise, but it is Christmas weekend and know flights are going to fill fast.
Thanks much.
Kathy

I think we're on the same AirNZ flight (maybe the time got changed from 7:45 to 8:00 ??). I don't think you'll have any trouble at all making a 2:00 flight. From the port to LAX is about 30-35 minutes depending on traffic. You'll arrive at LAX easily in time.

Yes Marcie.
Our flight time changed slightly from 7:45 to 8:00 p.m.
Kathy
We had a 1:05 pm flight out of LAX one time and had no problems.
When we were on "MINT" LCTt'ers had made a plan and reserved two or three shuttle vans to take them to the airport. Something you might think about doing.
Since Jan B and I will not be flying out of LAX on the 21st we won't need it but I can help if someone wants to take charge.

Kathy, the only thing I would worry about is the shipping making port on time.

Ok thank you so much for the information Marcie, JimB and Karen. I think we will go with the 2:00 and hope the ship makes port on time. (Or maybe stays out to sea for another week if we're lucky!).

Kathy, we had that happen on our last cruise, we were a day late to port. We loved it but it caused a lot of headaches for other people!

Our United flight leaves at 2 p.m. also and if Mariner arrives in port close to schedule we figure we'll make it - here's hoping!

Can't remember if it was Super Shuttle or Prime Time was who we used after "MINT" cruise.

I prefer the Prime Time vans over the Super Shuttle at LAX. In traffic in the morning, going north from Long Beach/San Pedro, you will want to allow one hour for traffic. All the trucks are leaving the port on the 710 freeway - same one you use to go to the 405 to LAX. Prime time also has a new car service - not Town Cars, but, Ford Crown Vics and drivers that are more reasonable if you don't mind being in a regular car.

Carol & I are flying out 2 weeks early and doing some land touring in New Zealand before boarding the ship 12/3. Anyone else doing extended tours in NZ prior to the cruise? BTW, lowest business class air out of LAX is on Air Pacific via Fiji (flight to Fiji is operated by Air NZ). We fly up to LAX via a short hop from Carlsbad. Using FF miles for one-way didn't make sense (they charge you RT miles!).
Gary

Gary, we are touring the South Island starting November 23 and ending in Auckland on 12/1. Perhaps we will cross paths! Wish we had more time for land portion but I'll be a new grandma in early November and have to make a quick trip back East before leaving for NZ.

We're flying Air NZ (premium econonmy) from LA to Auckland (and on to Nelson). Keeping our fingers crossed that we made the right choice.

Looking forward to meeting you on the cruise.

Donna -
We arrive Auckland 11/21 and do some No. Island touring on our own, winding up in Christchurch 11/25. Then we have a group tour of the So. Island with Newman's Tours. We fly back to Auckland the morning of 12/3 & board the Mariner mid-day. Are you doing the So. Island on your own, or with a group?
Gary
P.S. I see you're from Tucson, so we're not that far apart - San Diego area.

I think I asked this somewhere before but I can't find it, lol. The limit for luggage weight on Qantas is 70 pounds, we are connecting to LA on AA, can we still pack 70lbs?

Seems to me that I ask this question for every trip and can't remember if the answer varies by airline.

Air New Zealand.

A couple of months ago we received notice that our 11/29/07 ANZ flight from LAX had changed from 7:45 pm to 8:00 pm.
Over the weekend we received another e-mail notice but can't open it. When I went to ANZ site it does show the 2nd flight (NZ2) has been changed to something like 9:30 pm, but not the 1st flight (NZ1) It still shows 8:00 pm
Did anybody else receive this notice?

Hi Jim,
We are flying Air NZ on 11/21. When the Tucson to LA portion of our flight changed, Air NZ called us immediately. So far, we're very pleased with their customer service. Hope all works out for you.

No Jim I need not receive it - looks like the 8 PM is still a go for 8 PM - Joanna

Hi trip mates,
I am booked on Air New Zealand, flight NZ5 leaving LAX at 9:30PM on 12/1 at 7:15AM Auckland time.

Is anyone else taking this flight? I would like to share a taxi or shuttle van to the hotel if possible.

Sorry Arlene, I am on Qantas :(

Sorry Arlene, We're on Air NZ (with Joanna & Tony, Jim & Jan too) but we all fly in for 2 night pre-cruise stay in Auckland.

Sorry Arlene.
Joanna, Tony, Marcie, Tom, Jan & I are all on the 11/29/07 8:00 pm flight.

I will be working on a van that can take 10 of us, and our luggage, but they won't let me make reservations until October.

Arlene - I'm on the 11/27, 8 PM ANZ to Auckland and using air shuttle to the hotel. Shuttle is very reasonable and stops at the major hotels.

Hi Betty,

We're flying into AKL the afternoon of Dec. 1 via Sydney. Do you have a contact name or email addy for shuttle you're using? Did you book in advance or is it something you can book at the airport?

Thank you for any information.

Yes - notice it really is co not com.
http://www.airbus.co.nz/home/
I was hoping to buy ticket online - have done this in other cities, but this site makes it sound like you buy from the bus driver. Remember the prices are quoted in NZ$. I'm at the Hyatt the 1st 2 nights. Then will move over to Sky City.
From Hyatt Concierge emails:
Super Shuttle - Cost: NZ$23.00 for the first person and NZ$6.00 each
for the remaining five people Tel: +64 9 306 3960
The Airbus does drop-off at the hotel; Taxi service to the hotel is
approximately 50/NZD one way.

Happy birthday Betty - and thank you from a fellow Virgo.

I was talking to Coop Taxi back in February.
They politely asked me to contact them in October to make reservations.
Anyway we will be booking a van which hold 10 people. Luggage goes into a separate trailer attached. The price is $80.00 + tip. Does not matter if there is one or ten of us.
If interested you can contact them, (in October), at www.cooptaxi.co.nz

PS
Have six of us scheduled so if there is anyone else that would like to be part of our shuttle please let me know.
Our Air New Zealand flight arrives in Auckland about 6:00 am on 12/01/07.
If believe Quantes lands just about the same time or real close or am I confussed?

We would be happy to share transportation from Sky City to the ship if anyone is interested.

Thanks for the info that you posted, Betty. We arrive in AKL in the afternoon on Dec. 1 from Queenstown. Not sure which airport, though, but we need to arrange transportation.

Hi Donna,
There is just one major airport at Auckland ,but there are two terminals.One for International and the other for Domestic flights.
Taxis, as well as shuttles and bus's, are plentiful from both,but as Jim says above , I suggest you look out for the Co-op (Auckland Co-operative Cabs) or Corporate Cabs.They are up to standard and many Hotels will only allow these taxi's on their forecourt.

Donna since we are on a Regent HOtel program we will be transferred to the ship by Regent. No need to worry about that transfer.

Thanks, Ngaire. I forgot about the Regent transfer.

Now all I have to do is figure out transportation to the hotel after our pre-land trip. David, your info should help. Thanks!

Still have room for 4 more that would like to
join us on the shuttle from Auckland airport to
Sky City Hotel on 12/01/07 with our ANZ flight arrival about 6:00 am
I will be making the reservations real soon.

For fun I just checked to see about booking a flight on Air New Zealand as if I was just starting. It said "NO SEATS AVAILIBLE" on any of the three class of seats. :ohmy: :ohmy:

LOL Jim, I just checked our Qantas flight yesterday and it still looks wide open!

I did that the other day Jim to see how much Prem Economy (is that an oxymoron?) had increased - biz/first gone but they quoted me Prem Ec so must have just happened but I didn't look at economy - editing all sold out

I tried to book an ANZ or Qantas flight between AKL and Queenstown for Friday afternoon or evening of the 30th about 2 weeks - was going just for 1 day day. No seats available. NZ must be one popular place!

Had a notice from ANZ telling me about a change in the flight schedule. It also told me how to check on line. Well it would not work so yesterday I just called them. Already knew the answer, but was able to check my "not guaranteed" seating assignment! Row 22 J-k
which is upper deck on the 747 starboard side.
44/47 44 days until we fly 47 days until we cruise. <img border="0" alt="[bounce]" title="" src="graemlins/ubbbounce2.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

I haven't received any notification of flight change??? We're in seats 12A & E downstairs. You and the Mondaes are both upstairs so we'll have to come up and visit!

Oh it happened a few months ago.
The flight went from leaving LAX at 7:45 pm to 8:00 pm arrival Auckland 5:45 am instead of 5:30 am That is what it was all about.
Ok come on up and visit. Should be less crowded don't you think?