suey
October 7th, 2006, 12:57 AM
Well just to keep froggy happy I had better post a quick review.
Embarkation was smooth and hassle free, my daughter and I arrived about 9.30 am and booked our luggage straight in with no waiting. Then we waited for Mum and Frog and they also managed to book in their luggage with no problems. We all had a cup of coffee, then our number was called and my daughter and I joined the queue, we had an earlier number than the others but as mum has a problem with mobility my sister and her were allowed to shortcut the queue and they were in the cabin waiting for us when we boarded (*itches;) ). We were on board and settled in by 11-11.30am.
Even though we had asked for first dining, our tickets arrived with 2nd sitting TA immediately rang P&O and they said it had been fixed up but of course it hadn't and we were on 2nd sitting. Frog saw Maitre'd and he said he would try to fix it for us next day as Mum is diabetic. But for the first time ever for any of us we had dinner late the first night. I don't know how people can do that, eating after 9pm was bloody awful, we hated it. Luckily the next morning we were changed to 1st sitting in a very out of the way table that two of us had to practically climb into but we didn't care as long as we were on 1st sitting. Great table companions and waiters. There was also a kids buffet dining time too, so not many in dining room. The others had one meal in the steakhouse and thoroughly enjoyed it (I'm a vego so no good for me) it has gone up to $20 now. We usually breakfasted in Restaurant, lunched at buffet and had extra cups of tea from Lido buffet at different times of the day.
For entertainment we had four Pacific Star entertainer shows, Elizabeth Lord (singer) and Lucky Grills (comedian). Both very good we had quite a few good chats with Leo (Lucky Grills) as he joined us a few times when we were sitting around the deck and in shows. He has now done 80 cruises and is booked on twice more this year. Ageing but still funny (thats him and his jokes). Michael Whitmore was the cruise director and I didn't find him as bad as I thought he would be. Troy the canadian asst cruise director was great I think he is feeling more comfortable in the position now. He apparently had a hard time a couple of cruises ago when he called bingo for the first time ever and didn't know the calls he was even attacked with a bingo pen by one woman. He is learning fast and was a really friendly guy and we enjoyed our chats with him.
We won three trivia competitions and received vouchers to take to the shop for prizes, a luggage strap, reversible tote bag and a clock. They announced at the start of the cruise that they were now offering scrapbooking as an activity (a love of mine) but apparently they were not sent the right materials so it didn't eventuate but Troy was hoping that the stuff would be waiting for the next cruise. Bing jackpot was $4500 with two sessions on the last day, am and pm.
Mum was announced as the most cruised passenger at The Captain's Club party (Again!!) and received a bottle of Moet and a free photo with the captain.
Well i think that is long enough (sorry for the length) and I really wish this floor would stop moving. Now I have to look forward to next April and I think we will be booking another one for New Year 2008.
Suey:)
Just remembered a couple of people got off in Vila as they hated it, they had to stay in Vila and fly home yesterday at a cost of $400 and accommodation costs, apparently they spent whole cruise in cabin not sick just hating cruise (takes all kinds) :rolleyes:
Also Shona was expected on next cruise as shore tour person.
Embarkation was smooth and hassle free, my daughter and I arrived about 9.30 am and booked our luggage straight in with no waiting. Then we waited for Mum and Frog and they also managed to book in their luggage with no problems. We all had a cup of coffee, then our number was called and my daughter and I joined the queue, we had an earlier number than the others but as mum has a problem with mobility my sister and her were allowed to shortcut the queue and they were in the cabin waiting for us when we boarded (*itches;) ). We were on board and settled in by 11-11.30am.
Even though we had asked for first dining, our tickets arrived with 2nd sitting TA immediately rang P&O and they said it had been fixed up but of course it hadn't and we were on 2nd sitting. Frog saw Maitre'd and he said he would try to fix it for us next day as Mum is diabetic. But for the first time ever for any of us we had dinner late the first night. I don't know how people can do that, eating after 9pm was bloody awful, we hated it. Luckily the next morning we were changed to 1st sitting in a very out of the way table that two of us had to practically climb into but we didn't care as long as we were on 1st sitting. Great table companions and waiters. There was also a kids buffet dining time too, so not many in dining room. The others had one meal in the steakhouse and thoroughly enjoyed it (I'm a vego so no good for me) it has gone up to $20 now. We usually breakfasted in Restaurant, lunched at buffet and had extra cups of tea from Lido buffet at different times of the day.
For entertainment we had four Pacific Star entertainer shows, Elizabeth Lord (singer) and Lucky Grills (comedian). Both very good we had quite a few good chats with Leo (Lucky Grills) as he joined us a few times when we were sitting around the deck and in shows. He has now done 80 cruises and is booked on twice more this year. Ageing but still funny (thats him and his jokes). Michael Whitmore was the cruise director and I didn't find him as bad as I thought he would be. Troy the canadian asst cruise director was great I think he is feeling more comfortable in the position now. He apparently had a hard time a couple of cruises ago when he called bingo for the first time ever and didn't know the calls he was even attacked with a bingo pen by one woman. He is learning fast and was a really friendly guy and we enjoyed our chats with him.
We won three trivia competitions and received vouchers to take to the shop for prizes, a luggage strap, reversible tote bag and a clock. They announced at the start of the cruise that they were now offering scrapbooking as an activity (a love of mine) but apparently they were not sent the right materials so it didn't eventuate but Troy was hoping that the stuff would be waiting for the next cruise. Bing jackpot was $4500 with two sessions on the last day, am and pm.
Mum was announced as the most cruised passenger at The Captain's Club party (Again!!) and received a bottle of Moet and a free photo with the captain.
Well i think that is long enough (sorry for the length) and I really wish this floor would stop moving. Now I have to look forward to next April and I think we will be booking another one for New Year 2008.
Suey:)
Just remembered a couple of people got off in Vila as they hated it, they had to stay in Vila and fly home yesterday at a cost of $400 and accommodation costs, apparently they spent whole cruise in cabin not sick just hating cruise (takes all kinds) :rolleyes:
Also Shona was expected on next cruise as shore tour person.