Before your cruise

Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific

Sydney, the fjords of New Zealand and the islands of Fiji. Every ship has its own ports, so pick the countries on your ticket.

Say: G'day! (guh-DAY), Hello (short for 'good day')
Try: Meat pie, Pie floater, Sausage sizzle
See: Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Uluru
Money: Australian dollar (AUD), divided into 100 cents, in use since 1966
Good to know: Respect the sun. The Australian sun is very strong, even on cloudy days. Follow the Cancer Council's advice: slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses.

Say: Kia ora! (kee-ah OR-ah), Hello! Also: thank you, or good healthNgā mihi. (ngaa MEE-hee), Thanks, kind regards
Try: Hāngī, Boil-up, Rēwena bread
See: Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, Tongariro National Park, Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Money: New Zealand dollar (NZD), divided into 100 cents, in use since 1967
Good to know: Drive on the left and allow extra time. Traffic drives on the left. Many roads are narrow, hilly and winding, so trips often take longer than the map suggests. Plan shorter driving days, take regular breaks and use the official NZ Transport Agency advice for visiting drivers.

Say: Ni sa bula! (nee sah MBOO-lah), Hello! (polite)Vinaka vakalevu (vee-NAH-kah vah-kah-LEH-voo), Thank you very much
Try: Kokoda, Lovo, Yaqona (kava)
See: Levuka Historical Port Town, Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, The Garden of the Sleeping Giant
Money: Fijian dollar (FJD)
Good to know: Bring kava to a village. If you visit a Fijian village, or are invited into a Fijian home, bring a bundle of dried kava roots as your sevusevu, the traditional gift. You can buy them at any town market. The village chief or head of the family will accept it in a short ceremony, and after that you are a welcome guest.