JohnL
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Well the piggy bank has been raided, the balance paid, Rough Guide downloaded to the Kindle & ESTA renewed. 

Countdown started.

Anyone else on here on this trip?

CarolineT
(Member)
'JohnL' wrote:

Well the piggy bank has been raided, the balance paid, Rough Guide downloaded to the Kindle & ESTA renewed. 

Countdown started.

Anyone else on here on this trip?

Hi John.

Its the final countdown!!  Just over 3 weeks to go and yes I am on this trip too - you are not alone!!

I am doing the full trip with the Cook Islands add on?  Are you?  I was informed there are 20 of us on the main trip and 8 of us going to the Cook Islands.

Yes it was all busy at the end of last year with paying the balance and then I went off to New York, so had my ESTA done for that trip which was handy.  Then with Christmas etc it is only today I am re-reading the itinerary and choosing which trips to pre-book before I go and which I may book once I am there!  Now I've read up on it all today I've reignited the excitement.

Next job is to have a google of the hotels we are staying in and work out how much spending money to take as not only general spending, I need to work out additional meals and additional trips.  I'm planning on taking a combination of currency and pre-paid cash card with NZ dollars on it as felt that was the easiest and safest option.

Anyway, keep in touch and look forward to meeting you in the "lounge" on the 14th Feb!   🙂

CarolineT
(Member)
Hi John.

I am on this trip too - cant believe it is now only just over 3 weeks until we depart!

I'm going on the Cook Islands add on after the main tour - are you?

When we paid the balance in November it still seemed a long time to wait - but now its come around very quickly.  I read up on the trips yesterday and am ready to book a few in advance, the rest I will leave until we are there.

I had to get an ESTA for New York last year, so that was all ready for this trip.

Just need to work out the spending money for additional trips, food and souvenirs.

Looking forward to meeting you and the others on the 14th Feb.  I believe there are 20 of us on the main tour with 8 going onto the Cook Islands.

Keep in touch.

Caroline.

Linda Winter
(Member)
Hi,

I am going on this trip to New Zealand in February, although not the Cook Islands add on. Very excited. It’s my first trip with Justyou.

Am I being stupid but do I need an ESTA? I didn’t think so.

Linda

Linda Winter
(Member)
Hi,

I am going on this trip to New Zealand in February, but not to the Cook Islands add on. Very excited. It’s my first trip with Justyou.

Am I being stupid but do I need an ESTA? I didn’t think so.

Look forward to meeting everyone.

Linda

JohnL
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Hi Caroline & Linda, thanks for responding. Yes, not long to go now. It's my second long haul with JY, I did Australia last year which was great & prompted me to book this trip.

I will be doing doing the Cook Islands add on & that's the reason Caroline & I need the ESTA. Our return flight is via Los Angeles & we will need to clear US immigration when we change flights on the transfer. Linda, you will not need the ESTA as I believe you route back via Singapore.

I've booked 4 of the optional excursions (Dart River, Stargazing, Hangi Feast and Queenstown Cruise & Dinner) & will decide on the others when we are there.

Look forward to seeing you soon, I'll be staying at the Premier Inn T4 the night before.

John

Linda Winter
(Member)
I thought that must be the case, thanks, John. Just needed peace of mind!

Good to know you enjoyed a long haul trip with Just you enough to book another.

Linda Winter
(Member)
Thanks, John, I was pretty sure that was the case but just wanted reassurance.

Excited to receive the details this morning.

CarolineT
(Member)
Hi all.

I went to South Africa with JY in 2008 and then Russia in 2010 and both trips were excellent. Therefore had no hesitation in picking JY for my trip to New Zealand.

Had a quick read through the final information which came through on Thursday and have a couple of questions to ask them, so once I have some answers I will share on this thread.

C.

CarolineT
(Member)
Hi. Spoke to Just You today to get confirmation of a few bits. Thought I would share them in case they were in your mind too!!

I couldn't remember what happens re check in - if we or JY do the online check in. Answer is they do it all, we just need to turn up at T2 and the JY rep will be there to assist us checking our baggage in and then we go through security and to the lounge.

This process is the same throughout the trip, so we don't need to worry about any tickets or check-ins etc - just turn up!!

I was also going to ask about the Lounge at Heathrow as no mention of this in the final information, however in todays post was a pack from JY with luggage tags and our lounge voucher!

I have also pre-booked 4 trips today to avoid having to carry even more cash about than I already have to - these are Aitutaki Day Tour (Cook Is), Hangi Feast, Stargazing and Walter Peak Cruise.

There are other trips I fancy but need to wait and take the cash and book these with the local guide. Adding up the cash for extra trips, lunch/dinner/drinks and souvenirs - it adds up to quite a sum! I am going to split it between cash and prepaid currency card with credit/debit card as back up!!!!

Well that's me all ready apart from some last minute shopping and the packing!!

Look forward to meeting you both and the others in the T2 Lounge.

Caroline.

TimH
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi

I did this trip a couple of years back, heres a link to my review.

https://forum.justyou.co.uk/thread-84485.html?highlight=new+zealand 

Hope you have a great time.

Tim

CarolineT
(Member)
Thanks Tim. A very interesting read and I have noted a few of your comments. Thanks for sharing with us.

Best wishes,

Caroline.

JohnL
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
'CarolineT' wrote:

Thanks Tim.  A very interesting read and I have noted a few of your comments.  Thanks for sharing with us.

Best wishes,

Caroline.

+1, thanks Tim

Linda Winter
(Member)
Thanks Caroline and Tim, very helpful info and comments.

Linda

Linda Winter
(Member)
Has a tour guide been allocated for this trip yet?
Vickie
(Member)
Hi Linda,

Which date in February please? We have a couple of trips in February.

Thanks,

Vickie

CarolineT
(Member)
'Vickie' wrote:

Hi Linda,

Which date in February please? We have a couple of trips in February.

Thanks,

Vickie

14th Feb departure.

Linda Winter
(Member)
We leave on 14th
Vickie
(Member)
Hi Caroline,

Yep, your Tour Manager will be Stephen Rodaway 🙂

Thanks,

Vickie

Linda Winter
(Member)
Thanks. How many are on the tour?