Review R629

[leah67]

Hi All, I'm back from my 7 nighter on the Star. It was my first cruise.
I loved it. Great trip, Had a ball and made lots of new friends.:)
The Terminal-
Embarking still needs a little work. We arrived at 10.30 booked in our luggage. It was quite hot waiting in the sun & no shade areas (by the time we returned this week, they had erected a shaded area for shelter) I guess it will take a little more time to get more organized. The embarking process started around 11.15. The queues were a slow process and we were onboard by 2pm. I think we left just after 3pm.
We had smooth seas most of the way to Noumea, felt a little wonky sometimes (not used to sea legs.)
We only had 1 rough day at sea (Thursday). Unfortunatley I didn't take that too well, kept a low profile that day. They also had to cancel the evening show that night for safety reasons. It was a bit of a bumpy night in the cabin.
The theme nights on board were-
* Country & Western
* Rock & Roll
* Island Night
* 2 Formal nights They all were lots of fun.
Noumea-
We arrived in Noumea on time.
We did the Helicopter tour "AMAZING!!" It was my first heli ride, got great photos from the air. The water was so many shades of blue. I would recommend this tour. The city itself was so so. We bought some food, quite expensive a can of coke 330ml around $4.50 aus. Also quite expensive to shop. A sarong in Noumea was $20 Aus in Vila $7 (save your money for Vila). The shops shut at 5pm so if you want to do any shopping get in early. Someone told us the Casino closed at 7pm.
Unfortunatley I didn't think too much of Noumea but we didn't venture out of the city centre.
Lifou-
We went snorkeling at Jinek Bay. Lots to see down there, water was still a little chilly but worth it."Don't forget your underwater camera".
They had a small local market set up at the jetty with local handicrafts etc.
We arrived in Vila on time. This was the highlight of my trip.
We did the "Sail and Snorkel" tour in the morning and had a great time.
We sailed to a protected part of Mele Bay. Anchored in 6m of crystal clear water and jumped in straight off the side of the boat right beside the reef
"Just Magic"!! They had a plastic bag suspended on a stick out of the water with pieces of bread to hand feed the fish while you snorkeled.
That was special- being swarmed by masses of fish feeding them by hand.
It felt a bit strange being pecked at by heaps of fish, but fun.
Then went for a walk on the beach & into the rainforest. All up 4hr tour $65 worth it!!.
The weather was overcast but the rain held off till we got back.
A taxi into town costs $5-$10 depending on who you get.
Ask them to take you to the market place. It's the most central part of town. Shopping... I was in Speed Shopping Heaven!! The prices were amazing. Nike runners $22 Nike watches $15 Oakley sunnies $5 (take offs I'm sure) but who will know. I found the purfume prices were cheaper on board the ship but they only have a limited range. Alcohol prices were cheaper in Vila than on the ship. As advised by other forum members Fung Kwei at the end of the main street was the place to go. Got some nice 18 & 21 yo scotch. Brand name Tshirts $8-$10 ea. (Nike,Billabong,Quicksilver)etc. I think the best thing to do is do 1 lap of the main street first, then buy on the 2nd lap to get the best prices.
The duty free alcohol gets delivered back to the ship so you don't have to carry it. I was sad to leave Vila, I could have stayed longer & it meant we were heading home.:(
The shows on board were
* Love the nightlife
* Shake Rattle & Roll
* Dance
* G'Day G'Day there was also an Instrumentalist
and a Comedian "Marty Hill" All were great shows & great talent.
The trip back to Bris was good. A bit showery and overcast at times
and the rough weather on Thurs. We arrived back just after 5am.
Had to be out of our cabin by 6am. Didn't get off the ship until 8.30 am.
TIP: If you want to get off the ship earlier. On your departure form, choose an option that indicates that you have early travel arrangements.
Disembarking-
It was a breeze. no problems very well organized. It only took us 20mins to pass through customs & we had to declare items. P&O staff were waiting with trolleys & found our luggage for us. We just waited by the trolley & it was all brought to us. Very impressive service.
Hope I haven't rambled on too much. Still feeling a bit wonky, I've heard it can take a couple of days for things to stop swaying about.
Look forward to hearing all about your trip Sherrie. I hope you have a
"Brilliant Time"
Lea.:)

[Brushtail]

Great review. I find it extremely interesting to hear opinions on the shore tours. It helps make up our minds for upcoming cruises.

Thanks for posting it.

Jenny
>^..^<

[Tropicalshowers]

Thanks Lea! Great to have yet another update on the terminal.
I'm so pleased we have chosen an early (& short ) tour in Vila...more shopping time! Friends of ours who lived in Vila for many years have given us a short list of their favourite resturants/cafes too... so much to sqeeze in (literally!). As a matter of interest, did you eat lunch on shore in Vila?
Cheers

[kezza]

Love your review. I too am interested in the opinion of others with regard to shore tours. This also helps us make a few more decisions about whether to do one or not.

[leah67]

Thanks Lea! Great to have yet another update on the terminal.
I'm so pleased we have chosen an early (& short ) tour in Vila...more shopping time! Friends of ours who lived in Vila for many years have given us a short list of their favourite resturants/cafes too... so much to sqeeze in (literally!). As a matter of interest, did you eat lunch on shore in Vila?
Cheers


No I didn't eat anything while in Vila, I didn't want to waste time on eating when there was so much shopping to do. Sorry (I am a shoppaholic). My husband thinks I need therapy. I have heard in other posts that Ma Bakers is a good choice. There were lots of people in there when we walked past.
Lea.:)

[Rallo]

Thanks Lea, so glad you were able to find the time to write a review before we head off. I too am a shopaholic so Vila sounds great to me - my husband though is not so will have to find something else to amuse himself with. Sounds like the weather is still a bit cool so will pack accordingly, I was so hoping to live in shorts and singlet tops though.

Thanks again.
Sherrie

[leah67]

Hi Sherrie, you shouldn't have too much drama with packing things warm.
I thought the same and only once did I put on a jacket, and that was on the top deck in the wind. In Vila it was quite humid, maybe because it was rainy. Everywhere on the ship it's pretty much protected, you can get out of the breeze if you need to. I packed far too much as I didn't wear any of the cooler clothes I thought I might have needed. ;)
Lea.

[Rallo]

Thanks again Lea - will take onboard your advice.

[karmac]

Hi lea. Was there much linedancing on this cruise? I know there was a group of 158 linedancers on board as my teacher was one of them.

Karen

[Rallo]

Lea, just wondering if you can confirm please that there is no self-service laundry on the Star and did they offer a laundry/ironing service?

Sherrie

[leah67]

Hi Sherrie, yes they did have a $25 deal on tuesday, fill a bag full of laundry and have it washed and pressed. We took so many clothes we didn't need to wash any. Also answering Karens question. There was lots of linedancing on the country and western night. They also had lessons during the day, and yes we saw the big group of linedancers. They were spread accross the dining room and one group would cheer then the others would follow, sounds like they had a lot of fun.
Lea.:p

[leah67]

sorry Sherrie forgot to mention, no I didn't see any public washing & Ironing areas on the Star.
Lea.

[aussiedisneyfan]

There are no public washing machines, dryers or irons. They have the normal daily service of so much per item and then as Leah67 said usually a $25 deal.

[kezza]

Lea where were the Nikes etc for $15 do you remember? Great prices!!

Kerri

[leah67]

Hi Kerri,
I went into so many shops. I can't remember the name of the shop where they had the $15 nike watches but it was on a corner near Ma Bakers restaurant on the same side. It also had lots of Brand name Tshirts hanging on the walls and the sunglasses we got for $5 were there as well.
I think it may have been called Midway or something like that ( I could be wrong though) right next door down the side street there was a shop called "Gift Shop" thats where I got the nike runners.
Hope this helps.
Lea.

[kezza]

Thanks Leah, if it was on the opposite side of the road to the better duty free shop then I think I know the one you mean. If not, then it will be fun looking for it (might have to check out Ma bakers as well!! lol)

Kerri