I'm back...review of Pacific Sun

[relate2]

Hi everyone,

First off I want to thank everyone on the board here who helped me with tips and suggestions, they worked out beautifully, especially the one about the lilo. I did cause a bit a a stir but I tell you it was just beautiful lying on my $6.00 blow up lilo from Woolworths on the beautiful blue water of Ovea and Mystery Island. One thing I will mention though I took a length of very thin rope to tie myself to the shore or the bottom to stop me floating away.

Well I arrived back yesterday morning with a dose of the flu coming on, luckily for me it only started the night before we disembarked so I can recuperate at home.

I hope you all have a nice cup of coffee and a biscuit as I think this is going to be a long review although I might do it by days so it doesn't get too long per message.

Well it all got off to a terrible start. I caught a train to Wynard railway station and I had contacted Sydney buses to see if there was a bus that went to or near wharf 8. They told me Yes catch the 431 or 433 from Wyndard and it goes to within a 100 metres of wharf 8.

So there I was at Wynard Station with all my luggage I flagged down a 431 bus and as I climbed on I asked the driver if they go near Wharf 8 and she said Yes we do but only during the week. Bummer it was Saturday. Anyway she dropped me as close as she could down near Circular Quay which I now know is a loooong way from Wharf 8.

Well I walked through the Rocks and down the other side to where the wharfs were and I saw a taxi reversing out of a driveway and I asked him where Wharf 8 was. He said it is just down to that corner and down the road a bit. He then drove off about 50 feet stopped and got out of his taxi and said "Hop in I'll take you down there." He didn't charge me so there are still some nice people around. I am so glad he did as I still had about 1.5 kilometres to walk. What you try and do when you are short of cash, anyway it worked out fine.

I am now at the wharf and the cues start. It did move very smoothly but be prepared to wait a while as everyone is processed.

I hope you have your cup of coffee as I have only just stepped onto the boat. :D

The ship was 1.5 hours late sailing as there was only one pilot for all of the harbour so we missed out on taking and decent photos of the bridge or opera house as it was after sunset.

I had heard some of the horror stories about dinner companions and was a bit apprehensive but I tell you I could not have had a better table. I was on a table of 10 with some of the nicest people you could meet. I am a single man and the eye candy was very nice as well. There were 4 single women and no......nothing happened, it was just nice to have some female company for a change.

Something I will mention was that I was caught out by needing to dress up more for dinner. I though I really only had to dress up for the formal nights and as such I did not bring enough long trousers. It worked out OK but it would have been nicer if I had some more clothes. So for any new cruisers there are no shorts allowed in the dining room, you must have long trousers and a collared shirt.

My first suprise on board was I had a queen size bed in my room which suprised me with it's size. It was a 4 berth cabin with the two single beds pushed together, very nice.

My main memory of the next day which I will write about in the next post was I felt as though I had been on holidays for 3 weeks and it was only the end of the first sea day. :eek:

Well that is about all for now I am feeling a bit off so I think my next installment will be tomorrow some time, I am going back to bed. Lucky for me I don't have to pick up Dad till Thursday.

Robert

[karmac]

Welcome home Robert. Glad you had a lovely time. Looking forward to the next installment.

Karen

[qld cruiser]

Hi Robert, welcome home. we were all hoping you had a wonderful cruise, and judging by your first instalment....you did.!!!!!
I look forward to your next posting.
kind regards, Lorraine:) :)

[cheznandy]

Welcome home Robert. Glad you had a lovely time. Looking forward to the next installment.

Karen

Welcome home from me too Robert, can't wait to hear some more:D

Chez
xx
ps, hope your feeling better soon

[SouthAussie100]

Welcome home Robert and get well sooooon !! Codral for Flu are fabulous. They knock you out for a few hours but I always wake up feeling much better. They sort of dry up all the goo (without going into too much detail :eek: ) really quickly. Sounds like you had a fabulous start to your holiday. And yes, nice to know there are still a few nice people around, the taxi driver deserves a big hug :) for getting you there.

Can't wait for your next instalment.

cheers
Vanessa

*who often posts just to be able to see that countdown clock again*:D

[MsMinx]

Hi Robert & welcome back!! :D

Sorry to hear you have caught the dreaded flu :(

Review sounds great so far - so nice of the cabbie to give you a free lift to the wharf!

I recently stayed in The Rocks and was thinking OMG I can't believe you had to walk from there to Wharf 8 with a full suitcase! We did the walk empty handed and that was enough!!

Looking forward to the rest of your review :)

[aussiedisneyfan]

Woohoo, a review so quick, wonderful! Glad you had a great time and look forward to reading more. Sorry you are getting sick.

You poor bugger, with the trains/bus. Wynyard was the closest place. Isn't lovely there are still some nice taxi drivers around.

[bob4uall]

Please do tell all you have time to write. We are very interested in Pacific Sun as a way to explore the Queensland tropical coast.

[bob4uall]

G'day aussiedisneyfan,

I see you have sailed aboard Pacific Sun twice. I hope you or others will also chime in on the highlights of a Pacific Sun cruise. Do you think May or October would be better to take the cruise to Queensland coast?

[i_love_cruising]

Hi Robert,

Welcome home and glad to hear you had a great time after the false start at the beginning. Sorry to hear you aren't well at the moment, but loved reading your first instalment.

Get well soon :)

Sarah

[MsMinx]

Do you think May or October would be better to take the cruise to Queensland coast?

May is the end of the warm season & starting to get towards winter, but up that end of QLD you'd never notice it was winter! October will be guaranteed to be lovely and warm / hot.

Hubby and I are heading up to Airlie Beach (gateway to the Whitsunday Islands) for a few days in October so i'm really looking forward to some great suntan weather :D

[physiemum]

Welcome back Robert,hope you enjoyed yourself and were able to relax and "De-stress" before taking up the reins again. Bugger about the flu ,but theres so much of it going around.At least you'll be able to lie in bed feeling miserable with your holiday memories for company! Get well soon ,we're really looking forward to the rest of your review:D

[Brushtail]

Hurry up with the next excellent installment, Robert. My coffee is getting cold........:D

[MsMinx]

Do you think May or October would be better to take the cruise to Queensland coast?

May is the end of the warm season & starting to get towards winter, but up that end of QLD you'd never notice it was winter! October will be guaranteed to be lovely and warm / hot.

Hubby and I are heading up to Airlie Beach (gateway to the Whitsunday Islands) for a few days in October so i'm really looking forward to some great suntan weather :D

[sailawaysally]

Welcome back Robert, sorry you have a flu bug, just be sure to look after yourself as there have been some sad stories of people with Influenza A, a trip to the doctor wouldn't go amiss. Sorry to be depressing, now so far I am really enjoying your read as it seems you are a very good storyteller. If you are up to it I'm sure you can tell there are heaps of us looking forward to the next chapter. I hope you get well before you pick up your dad. Glad you had a 'good' table of friends.

[Clozzie]

Welcome back Robert, I knew we could count on you to give us a great indepth review. The first chapter has definitely got me wanting more. I am relieved to hear you had a good group for dinner, as that is one thing I am a bit apprehensive about. Hope you feel better soon, and can't wait for the next installment.

[strawberrypatch81]

Welcome home from me too. I am also so glad that you enjoyed your trip. Can't wait for the next part! :)

[kaseyoz]

welcome home robert.glad you managed to enjoy your well deserved holiday.
you were in my thoughts and i hope you feel refreshed and recharged for when your dad also come home.

i look forward to hearing more about it when you feel better, dont worry about us impatient ones, eager for any words on any cruise, we all live through other people cruises.

take special care of yourself and get well

[sayaguru]

Welcom bck to reality (well on Thursday anyway).
Sounds like you are off to a great start (once you were actually on the sip).
It's good to hear a good story about taxi drivers. They do get a lot of bad press.
I must admit table mates were my bggest worry about my last cruise.
Was Josh the cruise director (from Canada)?
Don't worry about sleeping. You can do that later. We are more important. LOL

[didiaust]

Welcome back Robert and spark up young man and get better.Can't wait for the next chapter- you have a keen audience.

Di

[relate2]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for your welcoming replies, you really are a great bunch of fellow cruisers.

Well Day 2 or first day at sea, what a sleep, with the gentle vibration of the ship, it felt as though I had a massage bed, very nice.

Breakfast was beautiful, I ate virtually all of my meals in the Dining room as I found the pampering of being waited on much better than the hustle and bustle of the buffet.

As has been said there is so much food on the cruise that you really do have to graze slowly or the pounds will pile on in no time.

Josh was the cruise director and he is very good especially with his Molly and Wally stories.

I sat in Bingo for the first time today. There was a poor bloke who made a mistake and called bingo when he did not actually have bingo. As previous cruisers on the Pacific Sun may know if you make a mistake then the person calling the numbers gets him down the front or goes up to them and goes through something you do not want to go through. Unfortunately for this bloke he did the same thing just after sitting down in the same game.

I really felt sorry for him but when you are dealing with, as it was with our last game of the cruise $8,000, you have to make sure that people understand the rules.

I liked the movies they had on the cruise, they show 4 or five movies on the big screens in the ship and play about 30 DVD's though the TV in your cabin. They also had a cartoons, Australian news and CNN when satellite network allows

I watched Wild Hogs with John Travolta on the big screen which I found very funny and was most appropriate for middle aged men wanting to take that one last adventure.

I really loved the feeling of being at sea, not a care in the world, food supplied in abundance, bed made each morning and some beautiful sunsets to be seen.

Had another beautiful evening meal with my table mates then watched a show in the Atlantis room which was of a very high quality and I enjoyed very much.

Well that is it for the 1st day at sea, I made notes up until the 4th day and then I just got too involved in doing more things on board so I will have to rely on my memory from then on.

Feeling a bit better today, my doctor doesn't work Tuesdays so I got some tablets from the Chemist and we will see how I feel in the morning.

Enjoy

Robert

[howsthis]

Thanks thanks thanks Robert, for giving us your second day feelings, it really is great to re-live memories that are revived by something you have said. Hope you get better soon.

[suexxx]

Hi Robert. Welcome home. Sorry to see you are a little sicky. Look after yourself. A great review so far, hanging for more. DH and I were on the Sun in Feb. It was our 1st cruise. We had a ball. Have booked another for Feb 2009. Will you have photos to show us? I put a few on Webshots but dont know how to put them on here. If you or someone else can help me I would be very happy. It needs to be in plain english as I am not good on the computer. Suexxx

[arxcards]

Thanks Robert, Am enjoying your insights. Hope you can dump the flu soon.

Sorry I didn't get any webcam footage of your sailaway, as the Pacific Sun's webcam was frozen for much of the afternoon.

Looking forward to your next installment,
Geoff

[chaz cruiser]

Thanks Robert... Great review. Looking forward to more of it.

Cheers,
Charmain:)

[karmac]

... I put a few on Webshots but dont know how to put them on here. If you or someone else can help me I would be very happy. It needs to be in plain english as I am not good on the computer. Suexxx


Hi Sue

I think all you need to do is bring up your home page on webshots, *highlight the web address bar by left clicking on your mouse
*click on edit (at the top) and then on copy (in the drop down menu)
*come onto cc to post a reply
*click on edit again & then on paste (in the drop down menu)

Give it a go, you just might surrise yourself:)

Karen

[relate2]

Sorry people no update today, just came back from the Doctors and I am off to bed. Maybe Friday or Saturday for the next installment.

[Publicans]

Thanks for your review so far Robert. I'm really enjoying it and am so happy that you had a great relaxing time. We too enjoyed a couple of the movies on board when we were on the P.Sun in March.

Get well soon.:)

[sarah_in_townsville]

Hey Sayaguru,

I actually live in Townsville (About 4hrs up for the Whitsundays) October and May are great times to come up this way, as its warm, but not tooo hot... i would be more inclined to come in october tho.

Hope this helps!

[pommiepom]

Great review sofar, cant wait to read the rest, after you get some rest.......

[Cooee_Kid]

Sorry people no update today, just came back from the Doctors and I am off to bed. Maybe Friday or Saturday for the next installment.
Thanks for the story so far Robert, I am on tenterhooks as to what will happen to the hero (you). As with all these adventure stories, the suspense is a killer but we all hope for, and expect, a happy ending. Keep up the great work and get well soon.

[LouLou28]

Welcome back Robert - so glad you had a great time!

Look after yourself, get plenty of rest - we'll all be here waiting for you when you get back to your review:D

[suexxx]

Hi Karmac. Thanks for your reply. Have tomorrow off so will give it a try. Suexxx

[SouthAussie100]

Sorry people no update today, just came back from the Doctors and I am off to bed. Maybe Friday or Saturday for the next installment.

Hi Robert, hope you're feeling a bit better now after hopefully a couple of days rest. Feel like giving us some more of your trip yet ? ;)

cheers
Vanessa

[relate2]

Hi Everyone,

I have just surfaced enough to let you know I am still alive but only just. I have really been knocked over by this flu.

Seriously people, it has been over 10 years since I have had the TRUE flu and believe, me next year I will be lining up with Dad to get my flu needle, I never wish to go through what I have been through this last week. When all of your joints and muscles are screaming out at you, your head is throbbing and a throat that feels as though someone is doing a fire walk down there it, is not a pretty place to be.

I will continue my update later but will let you know if you get any symptoms of the flu go straight to your Doctor. They have some new medication which will actually attack the influenza virus and stop it spreading throughout your body. It is expensive at $50 for 10 tablets and has to be taken within 48 hours of the first symptoms appearing to be really effective. I think I missed out by about 18 hours but I believe it has helped stop the infection from getting to my chest which is the real danger.

To save you all checking back all the time I would say it will be Monday or Tuesday at the earliest before I am back on track enough to post the rest of my review.

Thanks again for all of your kind words and will finish off next week.

[angelwingsflys]

Hi Everyone,

I have just surfaced enough to let you know I am still alive but only just. I have really been knocked over by this flu.

Seriously people, it has been over 10 years since I have had the TRUE flu and believe, me next year I will be lining up with Dad to get my flu needle, I never wish to go through what I have been through this last week. When all of your joints and muscles are screaming out at you, your head is throbbing and a throat that feels as though someone is doing a fire walk down there it, is not a pretty place to be.

I will continue my update later but will let you know if you get any symptoms of the flu go straight to your Doctor. They have some new medication which will actually attack the influenza virus and stop it spreading throughout your body. It is expensive at $50 for 10 tablets and has to be taken within 48 hours of the first symptoms appearing to be really effective. I think I missed out by about 18 hours but I believe it has helped stop the infection from getting to my chest which is the real danger.

To save you all checking back all the time I would say it will be Monday or Tuesday at the earliest before I am back on track enough to post the rest of my review.

Thanks again for all of your kind words and will finish off next week.
Hi Robert,
That's terrible, I also had the flu after I came back from my cruise,worst dose i had ever had.Hope you start to feel better soon.It takes a while to feel back on top of it:)
Deb

[epal]

More Please sir :D cheers elaine

[epal]

Sorry Robert I do sound so callous I realise your sick but have enjoyed reading it so much please except my apologies for just blurting out more please. Get well first then we'll have so more:) regards Elaine

[aussiedisneyfan]

Nothing else matters except our fix, hey?

Hope you are feeling better Robert.

[howsthis]

Glad to hear you got some relief from seeing the doc. Hope you recover well and hope there is someone else who can care for you dad while you are ill. All the best and will check Mon Tues to see how you are going.

[Carlz]

get better soon ...hope someone's around to make you some chicken soup!

[relate2]

Hi Everyone,

Well that is something that I do not wish to ever go through again. Now there is the flu and then there is the FLU. You know something is wrong when you are in bed fully clothed, ugg boots and all underneath your doona and still feel as though you are at the North Pole shivering like mad. Obviously I had a fever, very un-nerving.

Anyway all better now, well at least 95% better and on with the review.

Well Day three was greeted very lazily, after breakfast I watched a movie in my cabin. I must say again they had a good range of movies on the cruise. I tried Cha Cha lessons in the Atlantis lounge but kept on tripping up on my two left feet.

After lunch I signed up to play 500 in the library with a bit of apprehension as it had been 30 years since I had played. I was partnered with a very good card player and I asked her to be gentle with me and she was just great. Thankfully she was not precious at all about being partnered with a novice.

I had forgotten how much fun playing cards can be and had a most enjoyable afternoon. We ended up wining one game and the other couple winning one also. I will have to look into if there are any 500 clubs in Sydney now that I am back.

I also played Bingo today and really enjoyed the banter from Kevin the assistant cruise director, he is very good.

I had my first Afternoon tea in the Dining room today.......be careful people, the cakes and pastries are just beautiful and they keep coming and coming.....very dangerous for the waist line. :D

Had a very nice Dinner and spoilt myself with a port in the Piano bar before heading off to bed.

I didn't mention the port Numea as I did not go on any tours and just did a short walk around the immediate area where the ship was docked. I heard the typical stories about the locals not interested in you unless you speak French, I don't know why the French people do this.

I didn't hear anyone raving about their tours although a couple at my table went on a trip to an outlying island for some snorkeling, which they said was very nice although a bit expensive.

[SouthAussie100]

thanks for the next chapter Robert,
sounds very relaxing so far ! :)

cheers
Vanessa

[ladyoftherib]

I am really enjoying reading your 'diary'... I am a newbie to cruising, setting off on my maiden voyage on 26 October on the Sun and madly trying to get as many tips on cruising as I can.

[kaseyoz]

glad to hear your health has picked up, you were probably just so run down before you left, your poor body didnt know what to with itself when it got all that rest and pampering.
how is dad going, is he back with you yet. did he cope alright, sorry i am not sure about his condition or mental state.(plus i dont need to know)

[angelwingsflys]

Hi Robert
glad you on the mend , I have enjoyed your review, well done.
Now all you have to do is start to feel 100% better,and please keep going with your review, I am sure i'm not the only one who wants more.
Do you now think cruising is the best holiday or has the flu turned you off cruising?
Deb

[cheznandy]

Glad your feeling better, sounds like a nasty flu!!

Sounds like a relaxing time so far, what did you do all those nights shifts on the job if you were not playing 500's?? ha ha you must have been stationed in the city.........no down time there!!

Chez
xx

[relate2]

Well I had a full day yesterday from shopping to installing a new toilet cistern, maybe I wasn't as over the flu as I thought. Anyway feel better again this morning and am going to take it much easier today.

ladyoftherib there are some very good tips in the sticky at the top of the forum. One thing I would do is take a jumper or light coat to wear when going to some of the shows as the air conditioning is set very low sometimes. Also I did not take enough long trousers as shorts are not allowed in the dining room at any time, even for breakfast or afternoon tea.

cheznanday I spent most of my career at a 3 man station, where surprisingly at times, much busier than any city station I was at. When you work by yourself, there is not much time for playing cards. :D

Thanks everyone else for your good wishes.


So on with the review......

Today was the first Island Ovea. Nothing there but a long sandy beach and green moss floating in the water. Everyone at our dining table said at the end of the cruise that they would have preferred to bypass Ovea and spend two days at either Mystery Island or especially Isle of Pines.

A few people had bad experiences with the taxi (car) drivers. It is about a 2 kilometre walk from the wharf to the swimming area. Two girls at my table got very very sunburned as the taxi diver dropped them at a bridge about 5 kilometres down the other end of the beach, then tried to charge them $7 each instead of $3 for the privilege. They got burned walking back along the beach as they were intimidated by the men along the road.

Someone else who got dropped at the bridge also was asked to pay $40 to get back to the ship, which they declined. So all in all not a happy experience by all concerned.

I took my lilo out for the first time....note to self next time take a foot pump. :D I will say though it was soooo relaxing for me to lie on my lilo on the gently undulating waters. I tied myself to a dinghy floating at the beach so I would not float away. Luckily I heard the rattling of the anchor chain :eek: and woke up enough to stopped from being towed out to sea as the girl came back to the boat to head off.

By now I have settled into shipboard life and even though I brought 4 books with me to read I seem to spend my time each day going from meal to meal and just wandering and talking to people around the ship. It is surprising even though you are at sea and there is no scenery as such the mood of the ocean does change with the weather and is breathtaking at times.
http://www.pbase.com/reelate2/image/84564588/medium.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/reelate2/image/84564630/large.jpg

[SouthAussie100]

Glad you heard the chain Robert LOL :eek: you could have been another P&O story on TT !! Stunning pics too WOW.

loving your story ;) :D

cheers
Vanessa

[cheznandy]

Robert, those pics are absolutely beautiful! I just love the sunsets on board, different every night, never got to see a sunrise:rolleyes: every cruise I say "Gonna be up early,see the sunrise then got to the gym" maybe next cruise;)

So sorry Ouvea wasnt nice the day you were there. When we went the water was stunning and clear, although the waves were quite big it was lovely, yes know what you mean about the walk and there is not much shelter on the beach, very few trees,

Chez
xx

[qld cruiser]

Hi Robert, thanks for taking the time to give your review.
hope you feel better real soon.
I am sorry you had an ordinary time in Ouvea,:( each time we have been there, it was beautiful.
looking forward to reading your next instalment.
kind regards, Lorraine:) :)

[MsMinx]

Hi Robert, glad to hear you're on the mend from your flu.
Loving your review too :)
I'm just picturing you tied to the dinghy and getting carried away LOL! Good thing you heard that chain ;)
Looking forward to the next installment :D
By the way that sunset photo is AMAZING!!! So beautiful!
Please share some more :)

[sailawaysally]

Wow Robert, what stunning photos, good enough to enter in a comp!! You have a good eye, that's for sure. Hope you continue to improve and looking forward to hearing more from you.

[relate2]

Yes it was a shame about Ovea, the water was very cold and the green moss in the water was very unnerving and it stuck to your legs and arms.

Until the next review tomorrow here are some of my favourite photos to share with you.
http://www.pbase.com/reelate2/image/84564528large.jpg
Pano of back of ship

http://www.pbase.com/reelate2/image/84564521/medium.jpg
Rear pool at sunset

http://www.pbase.com/reelate2/image/84564538/large.jpg
Guard rail and approaching storm.


http://www.pbase.com/reelate2/image/84564581/medium.jpg
A relaxed Robert. :)

http://www.pbase.com/reelate2/image/84564607/medium.jpg
A romantic sunset Numea

[SouthAussie100]

Fabulous photos Robert and yes...you certainly look relaxed !...did somebody say approaching storm......bbllleerrrkk !

can't wait for the next bit :D

[Clozzie]

Fantastic photos, and great review! Can't wait for my cruise, reading all about your experiences as a first time cruiser is giving me a taste of what I hope my cruise will be like. Love the photo of the pool at the back of the Sun, what a great place to laze the day away.

Hanging out for your next installment :)

[chardonnaykmw]

Enjoying your review Robert...and the photos are simply stunning!!!

cheers!!

Karen;)

[Carlz]

loving the panoramas! what camera did you use?

PS-I know what you mean about the flu...I had it about 2 years ago and now when someone has a "cough and a sniffle" and they are moaning that they have "the flu" I laugh to myself.....you can't move when you have the flu and don't even have enough energy to moan! ugh it was awful....glad you're getting over it.

[DennisN]

shorts are not allowed in the dining room at any time, even for breakfast or afternoon tea.



A good and interesting report Robert [like the photos], though I find the above statement a bit curious.

There is nothing to suggest that in either the conditions of contract or in the dress standards described in the P&O online cruise guide.

After 5.30 p.m. - Yes, but not breakfast and lunch.

[arxcards]

Still enjoying your review Robert, and am glad you are shaking that EI bug!

Love your pics, I am absolutely in awe of a couple of them.

Cheers
Geoff

[relate2]

Thanks you for your kind comments regarding my photos, it is a hobby of mine which I really enjoy.

Carlz the camera doesn't make much difference for the pano but for your information I was using a Sony H9. The trick is to either use a tripod or make sure that you overlap your photos by at least 30%. I use a free program called Autostich from www.autostitch.net (http://www.autostitch.net) which is very basic but does a pretty good job.

You are so right when people complain about a cough and a sniffle, they have no idea.

DennisN I may be mistaken with Breakfast but I was refused entry at one afternoon tea at 3pm because I was in shorts. I will say though by the time I went back to my room and changed they had started letting people into the dining room with shorts on.



Well today I woke early to get on the tender for Mystery Island. It suprised me the amount of shopping available for an island that no one lives on. There were stalls set up by the locals. There would have been about 50 metres or more of trinkets and clothes available.

I liked Mystery island, the water was warm and there was coral and fish to be seen when snorkeling. Although people do not be fooled into believing that it even comes close to the Great Barrier Reef as it doesn't. It is OK but not great.

I bought an underwater camera to take some photos of the fish, unfortunately I used the flash and with the wrong film speed loaded by the manufacturers, the camera had 800 ASA instead of the intended 400 ASA all of my underwater shots ended up blown out. Never mind I did get some good photos above the water.

Again I had a good float on my lilo and I must say I did cause a bit of a stir. I am sure everyone was pointing at me because they were jealous and wished they had thought of it and brought their own.:) That's my story anyway and isn't it good when you get to the age where you do don't worry about what people think and just enjoy was pleases you regardless of fuddy duddies who sit on the beach tut tutting and being utter bores. :)

I was really blessed on this cruise as only having one day of rain and 9 days of sunny weather. I really feel sorry for the people who sailed out of Sydney the day I got back as they were sailing into 3 days of 10-15 metre swells. personally though I would not have minded a day or so of rough weather just to experience the fun of it. I know, I know, I don't get sea sick, but for people who get sick it would not be good at all.

I will relay this story about Mystery island, it was the scuttle butt around the ship when we got to Isle of Pines and why ruin a good story with the truth. :D

The story went around that 6 people had missed the last tender off Mystery island and as such had to catch a plane from Mystery Island, there was an airstrip put in during WW2 by the Americans. It cost them each $1,000 for the flight and then had to pay for a nights accommodation at a resort on Isle of Pines at $400.00 per night. An expensive episode, so make sure you don't miss the last tender at any of the islands.

Next day was the Isle of pines and will combine that and the trip back home in my last review.

[icemaiden2310]

I just love those stories makes the cruise so much more exciting dooesnt it . I might think up a great story for my next cruise and see how quick it gets around!

[SouthAussie100]

great story Robert ! I hope I can complain that we didn't experience any rough seas when we get back next week :cool: I hope I've wasted all my money on all these sea sickness remedies / preventatives etc for each orrifice ! :eek:

cheers
Vanessa

[DennisN]

DennisN I may be mistaken with Breakfast but I was refused entry at one afternoon tea at 3pm because I was in shorts. I will say though by the time I went back to my room and changed they had started letting people into the dining room with shorts on.


Aha !!! theres your problem.

It was probably another passenger dressed as a steward who wanted to get to the scones, jam and cream before you. ;) :D

Great trip report - keep on going with it:) .

[discovery]

Hi Robert,

Nice to hear that you are feeling better now. Great review and super stunning photos. I hope you don't mind me grabbing on (sunset) and use it as my desktop wallpaper. It's just so beautiful.

Btw, who was your waiter?

Angel

[relate2]

icemaiden2310 yes the stories do add spice to the trip. Another story floating around the boat after Numea was about a couple sent home after being caught having carnal knowledge of each other, in the sauna. Did you like the way I politely expressed that they were having a bonk? :)

Vanessa, Wow 3 days till you sail, fantastic. I remember my countdown getting down to 3 sleeps, it is a very exciting time, enjoy your trip and if you even slightly suffer sea sickness take the tablets for the first couple of days just to make sure.

Smooth sailing, happy times and don't forget to give us a review when you get back. :)

[aussiedisneyfan]

Absolutely beautiful photos!

[cheznandy]

Another story floating around the boat after Numea was about a couple sent home after being caught having carnal knowledge of each other, in the sauna. Did you like the way I politely expressed that they were having a bonk? :)


I loved the way you phrased that Robert!! Have to be careful next time I'm in the sauna:eek: where is the bloody sauna anyway??? Some one must have sprung em and dobbed em in, party poopers:D
Note to self: Keep Geri away from the sauna!!
Chez
xx

[relate2]

Thanks ADF for your kind remarks re my photos. Here are a couple more

http://www.pbase.com/reelate2/image/84564596/large.jpg
Pano of Mystery Island

http://www.pbase.com/reelate2/image/84564608.jpg
Sea sunset

http://www.pbase.com/reelate2/image/84680992.jpg
Two beautiful women from my dining table, Jodi and Margaret, great fun to be with. I just loved the atmosphere of this photo, with the sun shinning on the ocean in the background.

Chez, the sauna apparently is at the back of the ship near where the women went for their pampering treatments of pedicures etc.

[sailawaysally]

Gorgeous shot of Mystery Island, I have been raving on about Mystery Island to my DH for ages and can't wait to go back. He is enjoying your photos and now has some idea of what I have been trying to convey. Looking forward to seeing what you think of Isle of Pines.

[Skyrules]

Wonderful photo's Robert!

Thanks for the tip on the autostitcher too, I've been looking for something like that.

Kym

[relate2]

Hi everyone,

I know why P&O save Isle of Pines for last as it is the best of all of the islands. Even though it was windy and sprinkling rain on our visit the snorkeling and general look of the island was very good.

They suggest that you snorkel around "The Rock" which I did even in the wind and rain. Unfortunately I found out that night that friends at my table had walked a bit further around the road and found a really sheltered bay where they snorkeled for 3 hours completely protected from the wind. So if it is a bit windy when you get there explore the island a bit more to find a sheltered spot.

Even through the rain and wind the fish and coral was the best of all the islands and well worth a swim around especially if it is sunny.

Well my last two days at sea on the way home were very nice. I mentioned in a different thread about signing up for "The perfect match game" I was talking to a tablemate and suggesting to her that she step outside her comfort zone and try something different. Well I decided to take my own advice and signed up for the perfect match game myself.

I tell you it was an interesting experience, but hey you are on holidays and it is the perfect place to try new things. I will say though I was suprised at what some women will say in front of an audience. Contestant no. 2 when asked what would she like to do on her perfect date. Well after saying the usual like a nice dinner, a walk along the beach she finished with saying and a good bonk!!!!! Not something I would say (out loud at least) in front of 2 or 300 of my new best friends.

The prize was front row seats for the final show of the cruise and a bottle of champagne and desert which was nice. The lady who was my date was good company and we enjoyed the show and went our separate ways after the show.

We had a little bit of rough weather on our last night, not too rough just enough to roll the ship a bit. I ended up catching the flu on board, luckily only on the last night. As I stated earlier though it certainly came on with a vengeance 3 days after I got home. It is still hanging around and I have to take things easy as I still don't feel 100%

I hope you have all enjoyed my review of the cruise and if there is anyone out there thinking of taking a cruising holiday I wholeheartedly recommend it as a holiday that can be as relaxing as you want to make it or as busy as you want to make it.

The luxury of being fed, watered, looked after and pampered is just the best.

Have fun people and I might catch you on my next cruise, I will be the one with a smile on my face from ear to ear soaking up the relaxing atmosphere, taking photos of the sunsets. :D

[LouLou28]

Great Review! Sounds like you had a wonderful time, thanks for sharing so many of your experiences with us.

When are you booking your next one!!!:D

[discovery]

Great review Robert! I'm glad you had fun...and the pictures are splendid! Do you have pictures inside the ship?

How was the formal night? Who was your waiter?

[i_love_cruising]

Robert,

That was a great review, complimented by some amazing photos. It makes me look forward to my cruise in Feb even more now.

Sarah

[MsMinx]

Hi Robert! Enjoyed every word of your review :) Those photos are truly amazing!!! You could sell them to P&O for their next catalogue launch!!! Happy to hear you had a wonderful holiday. Hope you're feeling back to your old self soon health-wise!

[suexxx]

Hi Robert. Hope you are feeling a bit better. I enjoyed your review very much. I am so glad all went well for you. Are you going to give us more pictures? Pleaseeee. Suexxx

[relate2]

http://www.pbase.com/reelate2/image/84564636/large.jpg
The hallways and here is a tip if you have to go from one end of the ship to the other from your cabin, do it along the hallways. If you go up top first you get all confused as some of the levels do not go straight through and require you to go down or up a level to get past things like the kitchen, dining rooms etc.

http://www.pbase.com/reelate2/image/84564583.jpg
Ahh my bed turned down every night, what luxury.:)

http://www.pbase.com/reelate2/image/84564605.jpg
This is Ray our head waiter who was heading home at the end of our cruise to his wife and new born baby. He has been doing cruises for 8 years and was heading home for a long break and did not know if he would sign on again. They sign on for 10-12 month contracts and they don't go home during that time. They earn a good wage by their standards but by ours it is daylight robbery. I had heard that a newly appointed steward only gets $100/month.

Thank you everyone for your kind words. The formal dining nights were good, mainly for the women to get all dressed up though. Booking my next cruise, maybe next year when I get another bonus payment from the government.

Well that is about all from me, it has been a great ride, writing the review and reliving my cruise. I hope to see other people's photos and stories as the year progresses.

If anyone wants to know how to post their own photos all you have to do is post them up on the web then copy the url (the address in the address bar) then paste it into their message and .jpg to the end of the address and put this at the beginning of the address and this at the end

e.g. url address.jpg

Have fun everyone and enjoy your cruises.

Cheers

Robert

[SouthAussie100]

Loved your report Robert. Fantastic photos. Great to hear you have such a relaxing time too.
cheers
Vanessa

......sshhh I hear HIS ute coming.....must go and look busy !!:cool:

[Cooee_Kid]

isn't it good when you get to the age where you do don't worry about what people think and just enjoy was pleases you regardless of fuddy duddies who sit on the beach tut tutting and being utter bores. :)

Hi Robert, I read somewhere that at 20 I worried about what people thought of me, at 40 I didn't care what people thought of me, at 60 I realised that people were not thinking of me at all :D . Thanks for the review.

[ladyoftherib]

thank you so much Robert for your reviews. I have been among the many to enjoy them. I was envious, however, to see your double bed... Mr Smith and I are in bunks.. how romantic!!!!!!!

[relate2]

Cooee_Kid, I love that saying and it is so true, if we only realised how little time people spend thinking about us we would not worry so much. :)

ladyoftherib, that is a shame about the bunk beds, never hurts to ask, maybe they can change cabins for you.

[aussie down under]

Hi Robert,
Great review and pleased you are feeling better again, hope you didn't have to care for your father while you were so sick.
We were 2 of the fortunate cruisers that sailed away the day you sailed in. Yes we had crappy weather, and lots of people were sea sick. By the end of the cruise, lots of people had chesty coughs (very noticable when at bingo!) Despite the weather we had a wonderful cruise. Day 2, I woke with a migraine, chucked twice and slept for 24 hours, when not chewing panadol! Woke day 3 feeling fine. Disaappointed I missed the first formal night though.:(
Regards,
Michele:)

[relate2]

Hi Michele,

I am glad you had a good cruise even despite the weather and the migraine. It really shows that to have a really good cruise all you need is the proper attitude and just enjoy the holiday.

Now we had the best weather except for one day and I heard people on the ship complaining about their cruise. Although I suspect that is just the way they do their normal life, not just their cruise life.

Cheers

Robert

[Cooee_Kid]

I heard people on the ship complaining about their cruise. Although I suspect that is just the way they do their normal life, not just their cruise life.
Hi Robert, I heard a story once about an old man who was sitting beside the road between two villages. A couple came from the east travelling to the west, and stopped and asked the old man what the next village was like. The old man asked them what the village they came from was like, and they told him that it was a lovely village with lovely people and that they were so sad to leave. The old man said, I think that you will find the next village the same. Another couple came along, also travelling west and they also asked the old man what the next village was like. He asked, what was the last village like? They told him that it was terrible and they couldn't wait to leave. The old man said, I think that you will find the next village the same. Attitude is everything!

[relate2]

That is a very good story Cooee_Kid, actually a great way to live your life as well.

[Charlie Girl]

Couldn't agree more