Letters to the Travel Editor
Uniformity of opinion Dear Sir, Ditto Paul Daynes’ letter re: Air New Zealand uniforms (Letter to the Travel Editor, Travel, June 28). I hated them when they first appeared and loathe them even more now. What was Air New Zealand thinking?
Ask some of the more honest hostesses if they really like them. We are not alone in our views. Cheers, Ann Dear Sir, I too cringe when I see the Air New Zealand hostess uniform and feel sorry for them having to wear these unflattering outfits, especially in summer, wearing black stockings when it is so hot. The colour and whole outfit to me is very unfashionable. Bring back the nice, teal, authentic-looking one. Apart from all that, I must admit that Air New Zealand is one of the best airlines I have travelled with and there have been quite a few I have flown with in the past. Cheers, Jan Curran, Waihi The Travel Editor replies: I’m not a big fan of the waistcoats the blokes wear. Mind you, as a university student flipping burgers for a job, I wore a polo shirt with “Uncles — Love at first bite” written on it. So each to their own. Send your letters to travel@ nzherald.co.nz Insurance tip Dear Sir, I think that you should draw your readers’ attention to an exclusion in the annual travel insurance provided by Tower Insurance with Kiwibank’s Mastercard Gold and Airpoints Platinum Mastercard. I understand that this exclusion also applies to Tower Insurance’s other travel insurance policies and also to many other travel insurance policies with other insurers.
Anybody taking a cruise from a New Zealand port that does not call at a port outside New Zealand, even though it may spend days in international waters, is not covered by this travel insurance. This is the case even if the full cost of the cruise has been paid using the Kiwibank Mastercard. The cruise may spend many days at sea and if you are taken ill, you will be forced to use the expensive on-board medical facilities. Of course, loss of property, delays, cancellations, etc, are also not covered.
I have not seen this publicised anywhere and most people that I have spoken to, have not been aware of this exclusion. Best regards, Martin Wale The Travel Editor replies: A hot tip. Thanks very much for the heads-up. Bus tip Dear Sir, In the Travel magazine (June 28), Jim Eagles was having trouble with the Airbus not going to the bottom of Queen St. The bus operator certainly needs to provide a better service, but a quick solution for travellers is the red Link bus. Catch it outside the Town Hall and it will go straight down to Custom St for $1. John and Mel Sweetman, Auckland The Travel Editor replies: Another hot tip! Regional perspective Dear Sir, I recently flew Jetstar from Nelson to New Plymouth via Auckland return. The fare was $300, under half what Air NZ wanted. The seating was comfortable, the in-flight and airport personnel were friendly and helpful and all in all it was a smooth and easy experience. Unlike Chris Grantham, I would do it again. Chris, in his Auckland / Jafa-centric piece, paid a miniscule $60 return for his review flight on JQ371 yet found little positive to write. Had he flown Air NZ from Auckland to Nelson, I suspect that he would have got no further than the Bombay Hills for that price. Chris does the travelling public a disservice by seeking to dissuade patronage of a new arrival on regional services that have been lacking for far too long. There's nothing like a bit of competition to keep the public happy. Yours sincerely, John Maffey, Blenheim The Travel Editor replies: Competition’s been great for domestic travellers. But, mate, hug a Jafa! Country pub tip Dear Sir, In reply to Graeme Leary's letter ( Travel, August 9), I feel there is a glaring omission in his list of recommendations.
May I suggest to Graeme that he check out The Station Hotel in Hunterville sometime.
The accommodation is nothing short of superb with all the available rooms having been done up to a beautiful standard and some of them having en suite facilities.
Added to this is the old country-style hospitality topped off with country pub meals. Regards, Grant Edgecombe, Cambridge