The rain turned in to a Typhoon, runways were flooded and the 1st level of the airport was flooded with 3 feet of water. Airport was closed for 2 days and when I tried to rebook a flight - found out that from the Station Manager for Air New Zealand - all the people who were ticketed with a 2 for 1 Ticket from NCL - were expected to get their own ticket out somehow. On hold for 2 hours with Air New Zealand - when I said my record locator - P62ZQH - she hung up and said NCL would have to rebook themselves. Called , left message for agent. Called emergency number at , was connected to NCL whose agent informed me that " She couldn't stay on the phone with me. Her manager wouldn't like it while she tried to get in touch with Air New Zealand and get me rebooked. The call was recorded - listen to me begging for help and her hanging up on me. Hours standing in lines. I called the insurance and was told we were covered but there were no tickets available. Slept on the floor of the airport for 2 nights because all the hotels were full (cancelled Elton John concert), then I found a hotel but Air New Zealand had our luggage. No clean clothes. Stood in line the next day for 4 hours on day 4 and finally got booked on Air Tahiti Lui for the next day at 3:00pm but booking disappeared overnight - no record locator. Again in line to rebook and finally got out and home on February 1st - stop over in Tahiti. Poor customer service from , NCL and Air New Zealand. I will turn in the costs to insurance but EVERYONE who had a 2 for 1 ticket found ourselves locked out of any help from Air New Zealand. I heard NCL sent planes but didn't specify "for NCL Customers" so they were filled by Air New Zealand with other passengers. I want , NCL and Air New Zealand to make this right somehow. And "I'm sorry" is not enough.
Embarkation
2 out of 5
The lines at check in were 2 hours long. I think you could do better.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
We ate at Cagney's, Teppanyaki, Window's dining room, The Local, Buffet. We had a free beverage package but if I asked for an Australian WIne, the sommelier was reluctant to serve better than $15 wines even though I had no problem paying an up-charge for them. Teppanyaki dinner was entertaining but the food needed more seasoning.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
I did the painting class, a lot of puzzles and trivia.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
It was a small ship so the entertainment was mostly single performers that repeated a couple times in different venues.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
I filled out 4 of the cards for crew members that were excellent.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Well appointed rooms. Newly refurbished - looked nice.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
It was fine. The refrigerator didn't work and the TV had no closed captioning or program guide - It had a program guide but data wasn't uploaded.
Ship tip
The wi-fi and internet is not reliable so get an international phone service if you need to keep in touch.
We asked to come a day early and it was not accommodated. We spent a lot of time getting though customs and did not see much: Circular Quay. the Opera House and Sydney Harbor for a couple hours. Check in at the ship took forever. Standing for at least 2 hours.
National Holiday. A lot of restaurants and shops closed but I bought a local tour and had a good time sight seeing. Went the the National Museum. Te Papa - it was wonderful. Must see.
Took and NCL tour to the glow worm caves - disappointed. Big group, couldn't hear the guides very well, a long time in the dark. The Forest was excellent.
I took the excursion through the pouring rain to the Auckland Museum - The museum was wonderful. Then the bus drove around in the rain dropping us at the airport. WE checked in, they took our luggage, went to the gate and waited until all the signs turned to cancelled. And then it got terrible.
Waited for buses to arrive for over 90 minutes. Got soaked in the rain while the luggage was loaded. The driver was very old and the rain was heavy. Little did we know. We took the excursion through the pouring rain to teh Auckland Museaum and an outside shopping area...we got soaked again waiting for the bus to come back.- Then the bus drove around in the rain dropping us at the airport.Then the bus drove around in the rain eventually dropping us at the airport.
Appreciate your detailed feedback. Glad much of the cruise part went well. Fascinating itinerary. Sorry for the air situation, hope you are compensated appropriately.
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