Friends coming from overseas want to book flights from Mel - Sydney & Gold Coast. Can they book from Europe now to get cheaper flights (probably Jetstar), I hear it costs a hell of lot more than what we pay locally.
Prices should be pretty much identical.
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Flights booked to Turkiye (Velocity rewards flying Singapore Air).
4 weeks on the ground from late Sept.
Now to work out how to fill the daysā¦
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Reluctantly booked an Air Asia flight from one side of Borneo to the other (SDK ā BKI). Had no choice, theyāre pretty well the only option.
4-and-a-half months out and itās already been shifted on us.
I absolutely despise flying with these ābudgetā carriers (who arenāt actually all that cheap once you factor in all the extras).
We flew one way and then drove the other. In hindsight Iād drive both ways as was a pretty cool drive and saw some decent scenery. Obviously if tight for time it might not be an option
Yeah, timeās the issue for us. Otherwise, I wouldāve been happy to drive it.
Iām currently on board the Havila Polaris sailing southbound from Kirkenes to Bergen. Itās a 6-day cruise and this is day 2.
I really like it. Iām travelling solo and I have an exterior port side cabin, which means I have a window that looks towards the land. There are also suites available that have floor to ceiling windows, which would be great, but they cost substantially more. The cabin is very comfortable, with easy to use temperature control, a small but efficient bathroom, plenty of storage and good wifi.
Iāve found the food very good. The portions are small, but I like that because the portions we get at home are far too large and I canāt do much exercise on board. Havila is the rival of Hurtigruten, and I chose Havila because the reviews said it was more comfortable and the prices are virtually identical. I was talking to a fellow traveller today who has done both and he said that Havila is far superior.
You can do the full 12-day cruise that starts in Bergen, goes north to Kirkenes, then back south again to Bergen. Iām doing only the southbound half. I flew to Kirkenes from Toulouse (long story), and Air France managed to leave my large suitcase in Paris. It will catch up with me when I get to Bergen, but in the meantime Iām making do with two new sets of underwear, two shirts and two pairs of socks. I also bought a puffer jacket because I have never been so cold as I was in Kirkenes. The temperature was -20. Kirkenes is in a fjord, inland; out on the Barents Sea, where I am now, the Gulf stream has brought the temperature all the way up to -7. Itās still bloody cold, but itās bearable.
The scenery is spectacular. There are about 6 hours of daylight at the moment, and night begins at about 2.30pm. The air is completely dry because all the moisture has been frozen. From the air, flying up from Oslo to Kirkenes, the entire country is white. Thereās no colour on the ground, but the sky and the clouds have the most beautiful and subtle shades of white, grey, blue, pink, mauve and creamy yellow ā itās a joy to sit and watch.
Very highly recommended.
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We were on the Polaris in March 2024. We did it in the opposite direction though as the tour options on the Northbound seemed slightly better. We flew into Oslo and spent a few days there before taking the train up to Bergen. I also wanted to spend a couple of days in Kirkenes afterwards as I was keen to check out the war memorials and the town has a pretty interesting history.
We really enjoyed the trip even though my wife was sick for a couple of days as the sea was really rough and we were tossed around like ragdolls. Very comfortable ship though and I really enjoyed the meals. We purchased the Havila Gold package which I donāt believe is available anymore and that combined with the $500 onboard credits allowed us to eat and drink pretty much anything we wanted all day and night. We did a heap of the extra excursions which is where they make their money but they were great and no complaints apart from one being cancelled beyond their control. We got off the ship at every possible chance and went for a walk around the various towns and loved it. With Havila also operating a passenger service between towns and stopping continuously through the day and night it gave plenty of opportunities for photos and a look around. I love the cold though and wore shorts pretty much the whole trip even when outdoors and minus 20.
Absolutely loved the trip but not sure Iād do it again as we are pretty independent and Iām not a huge fan of sticking to timelines and deadlines so I do prefer to drive. The cruise did get us access to a lot of areas that we may not have seen by car though so canāt complain
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Your posts were what gave me the idea. Iāve only signed up for one excursion because itās dark for so much of the day that thereās not a lot of point in them. But Iām loving it anyway. We have had a bit of pitching and rolling but nothing really rough and I havenāt had even the slightest touch of seasickness. I have noticed stashes of paper bags placed at strategic locations around the ship though.
Find an Aussie bar on Sept 26 to watch us win the flag 
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When there, watch out for BBās most famous Bergen resident, bomberdomination18.
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So am I supposed to try and find him, or avoid him?
No need. I doubt she is there now
Has anyone flown Fiji Air to the US? Theyāve got $500 fares at the minute.
Any reviews?
Your American friends might have an answer.
Thatās who itās for.
Iāve flown a bunch of Pacific carriers since COVID - Air Calin, Air Tahiti Nui and Fiji (SFO to Nadi in 2024). I enjoyed them all. New planes, friendly service. All good.
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Your American friends are flying to the US?
They are arriving Thursday. From Thailand.
Looking at flights home.
Family actually.
Fiji will be as good as your get in Economy especially on the A350ās. Try to pick the days they fly as reports are the MAXās can be a bit cramped.
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