Better late than never, right? Sometimes I just don't get around to writing certain trip reports, primarily because they're really time consuming to write. That was the case with this trip report, which will cover my journey to the Maldives, Australia, and New Zealand this past December & January. This trip report got sidetracked because…
Continue reading: Introduction: New Years In The Maldives, Summer In New Zealand
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Ben, I think the PH Maldives has a compulsory F&B add on over Christmas/New Years. If you guys did this it might be interesting to hear what was involved and your thoughts on what the hotel provides. I'll probably never do it but might be of interest to some people.
Ben, this is a very off topic question, but I didnt know where else to ask you opinion. Do you think U$1650 for a round-trip flight from Frankfurt to Hong Kong on British Airways 777 or A380 it's a reasonable price? It would be amazingtl have the $400 AARP discount, but I guess it's not possible on flights like these, right? Thank you!
Yes! I've been looking forward to hearing your thoughts on NZ (my country!) and have been eying up the Hilton Q'town for ages.
I always love reliving Etihad first and Maldives. I'd like to know about the Australia portions too though. Hotels included. It's a chore to book on miles sometimes so its good to know all the details so one can decide if its worth it.
I´m not going to complain as you have written a dozen new reviews this semester, but I really like to read your reviews not only for the information but also for the history about the travel. You have lots of reviews of Lufthansa and Cathay F, but before I was going to flying them I read all your reviews because things aren´t always the same.
As I´ve written TRs on Flyertalk, I guess that what is more time consuming is adjusting and inserting the pictures. Maybe you could make a simpler report by just adding a couple of pictures (skipping pictures already taken of the seat control or the room lavatory) as it seems to me that writing is a natural gift of yours.
Anyway, you know better what your audience is after but as someone who discovered your blog 3 years ago and went to page 551 (at the time) and checked all published pages, I really enjoy reading your full reports and still have good memories of when I read Chasing the Sun or The last Aeroplan Hurrah.
Next time you're down here in NZ, do a Great Walk. While you might not find a hotel room in the mountain unless you do Routeburn or Milford tracks, you won't get closer to the beauty of NZ from anywhere else!
I'm booking a trip to Australia for year end travel, was able to secure the outbound but not return as everyone travels first week of January. Would premium cabin have some availability at last minute? any other recommendation?
We're off to Queenstown at the beginning of November, looking forward to it. I'm anticipating a really beautiful country/region.
@Imperator - I agree I would like to see Mauritius. I've seen lots of other Maldives reports, both on this site and others, but can't say I've seen a review (except for the mini review Lucky posted shortly after the trip) of Mauritius.
I'd like to see a report on the economy flight. And the Qantas short haul flight. And the Etihad apt for good measure.
Ben - the St Regis Maldives is scheduled to open in September 2016 and would love to read a review. I have been to the Maldives a few times and will go again in September. The best hotel I've stayed in so far is the Jumeirah Vittaveli. I looked at the PH but it seems to be quite far from Male, not something I'd want to experience with the children on a relaxing trip! The St Regis would be a nice addition to the Sheraton and W hotels but it is not bookable yet and I usually stay away from new hotels within the first few months of their opening! Please consider the St Regis. It would be a great and useful report
Ben - can't wait to see a trip report including my home country (NZ). Did you use Air New Zealand domestically to get from Auckland to Queenstown? If so, would love to see you include this segment and the domestic Koru lounge at AKL in the TR and see your thoughts!
How relaxed are Maldivian resorts about gay couples? The country looks amazing, but the laws are very off-putting.
Ben, as I am going to fly Etihad First Apartment from LHR to MEL in August (using AAdvantage pre-devaluation chart ==>> thx btw for your help by providing all the information on your blog) with a good friend for our “once in a life trip“ I am specifically interested in your experience of flying with a companion in both Etihad First flights regarding the soft product. E.g. dining together. We booked the seats you recommend for travelling together (seats 3 & 4 if I remember correct).
Cheers
Thenewone