914 replies to this topic

[shawnabbott]

Electricity onboard is 240V and electrical sockets are the Aussie 3 prong variety. We have a few adaptors onboard but if most of your group plan to plug in laptops/re-charge batteries etc it would be best if they brought their own adaptors and powerstrips if needing to charge many items.

I'm wondering now where Shawn got her information that the outlets onboard were the round European style?

Also, if you have a Capital One card, they don't charge you the international fee. I used mine in Thailand and wasn't charged.

I never said they were round european style. I quoted email from Explore Ventures.

[WreckWench]

Shawn please do not reply inside of a quote...it is very hard to see what you wrote. The feedback from the boat is they ONLY HAVE FULL FOOT FINS. So you can NOT rent booties...and if you do not want to use the full fin barefoot you can buy a sock designed for it from them or you can bring your own.

They just want you to know.

And no you do not need to resend anything. But if you were trying to rent booties they are saying they have none.

[shawnabbott]

I got some info. from explorer ventures to share :

"You will need an adapter & transformer from 220 to 110 to use US chargers and hair dryers. The plugs in the rooms have the two round small prongs, side by side "

So, an ext. cord sounds like a good idea. There are no dryers in the rooms apparently, and water temps. in the low 80's.

REI carries adapters/transformers...

As you can see, this is a quote from Explorer Ventures, not my own. Doesn't say "european" but does say two round prongs... i have adapters for both types that say Australia.

[shawnabbott]

Shawn please do not reply inside of a quote...it is very hard to see what you wrote. The feedback from the boat is they ONLY HAVE FULL FOOT FINS. So you can NOT rent booties...and if you do not want to use the full fin barefoot you can buy a sock designed for it from them or you can bring your own.

They just want you to know.

And no you do not need to resend anything. But if you were trying to rent booties they are saying they have none.

I did not write in about fins? rental or otherwise...it's lights they should have without resending request.

[WreckWench]

Shawn please do not reply inside of a quote...it is very hard to see what you wrote. The feedback from the boat is they ONLY HAVE FULL FOOT FINS. So you can NOT rent booties...and if you do not want to use the full fin barefoot you can buy a sock designed for it from them or you can bring your own.

They just want you to know.

And no you do not need to resend anything. But if you were trying to rent booties they are saying they have none.

I did not write in about fins? rental or otherwise...it's lights they should have without resending request.

That's fine. Your reply about needing to resend forms was under the section on fins and not the lights. That is why I was confused.

As for the update on dive lights...EV is telling us they have enough for everyone and you do not need to send in the request form for lights...you do need to send it in for anything else.

Dive Lights/Torches and Rental Gear:

We do have enough dive torches/lights for all passengers. If you needed rental gear you MUST REQUEST IT ON YOUR EV APPLICATION except for the dive lights.

[WreckWench]

Group Transfer Details:

Your arrival is very close to the group therefore you are part of the main group transfers. Here are the instructions:

Upon arrival after clearing Customs & Immigration you will be met and transferred to your accommodation for the next 2 nights. See the pick up times below for time and place of pickup.

Private Airport/Hotel Transfer - International Arrivals area pickup
SunPalm Transport
Tel: (07) 4084 2626
Confirmation #: 263053
Ref #: AA3320
Voucher#: AA3620/01
NOTE: The driver will have a SunPalm sign. If you cannot locate your driver, please visit the SunPalm Desk located within the airport terminal.

1st PickUp: QF782 @ 12:05pm - Baggage Claim Area
2nd PickUp: QF69 @ 11:40am - International Arrivals Area

IF you are not on one of these flights and you think you are part of the group transfers or booked your air via our consolidator or need a transfer still...let me know. I will see what we can do. The worst case scenario is that you take a taxi to the Mantra Trilogy.

[Fordan]

I have a question....
Driving:

Australians drive on the left side of the road. A valid overseas drivers license is required. Speeds and distances are in kilometers. The max speed in most cities is 60km/hr or 37 mph and on country roads and highways the speed is 110km or 68mph unless otherwise stated. There are STRICT drunk driving laws and seatbelts are to be worn at all times by driver and passengers.

What is involved with getting an "overseas" license? Will they not take my Alaska DL?

From Australia's perspective, your Alaskan DL is "overseas." For limited stays, your Alaskan DL is all you need.

Oh, and watch out for the speed cameras, and enjoy the roundabouts.

Wikitravel - Driving in Austalia

[secretsea18]

I have a question....
Driving:

Australians drive on the left side of the road. A valid overseas drivers license is required. Speeds and distances are in kilometers. The max speed in most cities is 60km/hr or 37 mph and on country roads and highways the speed is 110km or 68mph unless otherwise stated. There are STRICT drunk driving laws and seatbelts are to be worn at all times by driver and passengers.

What is involved with getting an "overseas" license? Will they not take my Alaska DL?

If you decide to drive in Australia... please be very careful. It is very easy to accidentally drive on the wrong side of the road there, when there are no other cars on the road, as the point of reference is missing, ie, other cars to remind you on which side to drive on.

[Basslet]

As you can see, this is a quote from Explorer Ventures, not my own. Doesn't say "european" but does say two round prongs... i have adapters for both types that say Australia.

The two round prongs are what they use in Europe.
Adapters

[ScubaPunk]

Payment Update:

1. Dave aka BigO - Received payment of $ 103.00!

[shadragon]

I have a question....
Driving:

Australians drive on the left side of the road. A valid overseas drivers license is required. Speeds and distances are in kilometers. The max speed in most cities is 60km/hr or 37 mph and on country roads and highways the speed is 110km or 68mph unless otherwise stated. There are STRICT drunk driving laws and seatbelts are to be worn at all times by driver and passengers.

What is involved with getting an "overseas" license? Will they not take my Alaska DL?

Info About Driving in Oz

Getting an International Drivers License will certainly not hurt... Talk to your local chapter of the AAA if you are a member.

[shawnabbott]

As you can see, this is a quote from Explorer Ventures, not my own. Doesn't say "european" but does say two round prongs... i have adapters for both types that say Australia.

The two round prongs are what they use in Europe.
Adapters

Once again I quoted what was sent to me by Randy:

You will need an adapter & transformer from 220 to 110 to use US chargers and hair dryers. The plugs in the rooms have the two round small prongs, side by side

There are no dryers in the rooms

Low 80s

Randy Harris
Live-Aboard Diving Caribbean/Australia
Explorer Ventures
(800)322-3577 ex 1
randy@explorerventures.com

If this is an error it was not mine.

[Basslet]

As you can see, this is a quote from Explorer Ventures, not my own. Doesn't say "european" but does say two round prongs... i have adapters for both types that say Australia.

The two round prongs are what they use in Europe.
Adapters

Once again I quoted what was sent to me by Randy:

You will need an adapter & transformer from 220 to 110 to use US chargers and hair dryers. The plugs in the rooms have the two round small prongs, side by side

There are no dryers in the rooms

Low 80s

Randy Harris
Live-Aboard Diving Caribbean/Australia
Explorer Ventures
(800)322-3577 ex 1
randy@explorerventures.com

If this is an error it was not mine.

No one is saying it's an error. It's just curious that the plugs would be different in the cabins than elsewhere on the boat, where Kamala said they were the 3 prong Aussie style. I am bringing both kinds of adapters with me.

[Fordan]

Getting an International Drivers License will certainly not hurt... Talk to your local chapter of the AAA if you are a member.

An International Driving Permit is probably overkill for English-speaking countries like Australia, as the main purpose of it is to provide the details of your license in the major world languages.

The states I just looked at (Queensland, New South Wales (Sydney)) only require a IDP or any other translation into English for licenses issued in other languages. I've traveled and rented cars in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, Northern Territory, & the Australian Capitol Territory (geez, only need South Australian and Western Australia to complete the whole set). Never been asked about an IDP when renting, only needed to present my US license.

edit: it is a poor use of English to misspell it Engligh.

Edited by Fordan, 28 November 2007 - 10:53 AM.

[Basslet]

Getting an International Drivers License will certainly not hurt... Talk to your local chapter of the AAA if you are a member.

An International Driving Permit is probably overkill for English-speaking countries like Australia, as the main purpose of it is to provide the details of your license in the major world languages.

The states I just looked at (Queensland, New South Wales (Sydney)) only require a IDP or any other translation into English for licenses issued in other languages. I've traveled and rented cars in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, Northern Territory, & the Australian Capitol Territory (geez, only need South Australian and Western Australia to complete the whole set). Never been asked about an IDP when renting, only needed to present my US license.

edit: it is a poor use of English to misspell it Engligh.

Are you really Bill Bryson in disguise? I just finished A Sunburned Country. He went all over the place too, though he did hit the South and the West.