aussielozzie18

Noumea to Amedee Island booked via Carnival. It’s a full day tour. Meeting point in MDR. Short coach ride from ship to dock where high speed boat transferred us to the island. Comfortable 40 min boat ride. On the way across, staff gave us coloured bracelets for glass bottom boat ride session and showed us an info sheet of the day’s activities. Weather looked threatening but we stayed dry and the temp was pleasant.

Hi. This cruise was last week 15-24 May. Currency: In general in Noumea city you need Pacific Francs or an international credit card for the shops, cafes etc. Some of the local tours that leave from the tourist centre that I mentioned previously will take AUD (not sure about USD) Hoho to the Aquarium is a great choice. It’s a small aquarium but beautifully done & very interesting to visit. Note the Aquarium only takes Francs or credit card. Phone plan - I didn’t organise one. I just bought 24hrs of Carnival internet @$35 (there is also a $25 package) twice during the cruise to message family & friends back home. Will explain currency at other ports when I get to them.

You’ll have to give us an update in January. I hope she is chosen. Will be a honour and great experience for her, whether UK or AUS.

Good morning. Thought I’d let you you know that I am doing a review of my cruise. Please skip the boring waffle of my first 2 pages related to Carnival and basic info. but from post #30 onwards I will be detailing the four ports I visited with photos, so thought you might be interested in reading these specific posts. @Ocean Boy might specifically enjoy my first port as I go to Phare Amedee (Lighthouse Island) 😀 *can’t do links but in the Carnival forum “Review - Sydney to South Pacific on Splendor”

No. Due to the distance from Noumea (25km) swimming is permitted. It is only city beaches that are impacted.

Ships dock in Noumea at an industrial port. So although, you are docked, you must take one of the free coach transfers (less than 5mins) to the nearby tourist terminal. There you can book local hoho buses, Chou Chou trains and locals tours or simply walk into the city centre. There is a supermarket nearby and a very very popular French cake shop and McDonalds for those who have a craving after 2 sea days 😀

Courtesy of online cruise groups & Smart Traveller, I knew this in advance and one of my favourite port excursions was still open to swimming/snorkeling. Amedee Island (Phare Amedee) is one of the most popular excursions - whether you are doing a land vacay or on a cruise ship to Noumea. It’s located 25km from Noumea and is reached via a approx 40min boat ride. Photos courtesy of Mary D, the company that operates the day tours to the island (booked via Carnival).

First port is Noumea. A letter from the Captain was delivered to our cabins the night before, informing us that no swimming is currently permitted at Noumea city beaches due to recent shark attacks and that the beaches are expected to be closed for many months (whilst authorities install shark nets). A local lady was flown to a hospital in Sydney after being savaged by a shark and tragically an Australian man died very recently after being attacked by a shark.

Thank you. Always interesting to see the differences between what is offered in the US and what we get down under.

Yes, you must be vaccinated. Yes, you must have insurance covering Covid if you are stopping at a South Pacific port - this was relevant to the ports I visited - Noumea, Lifou, Mystery Island (& Vila which we didn’t) and the countries needed to be specified on your insurance. I do not know if it applies to any other ports in the region. I would be having a conversation with your TA or calling your cruise line.

Tonight’s dinner in the MDR, I had two friendly & chatty couples on the adjacent 2 x 2 tops so another enjoyable dinner. Service was consistently good. We also had the Captain’s toast in the atrium next to Guest Services. Lizzy our cruise director individually introduced the leader of each dept on the ship. Last to be introduced was the Captain. All staff had a glass of champagne each and raised their glass to toast. I remember on another cruise line all the guests present would get a glass of champers to join in the toast….

On sea days, I liked watching the audience participation shows in the theatre. This one was “Identity Crisis - The Game” Have to say I hate the environmentally friendly straws. They breakup before you’ve had 1/4 of your cocktail. Next cruise, I’m bringing my own re-usable straws. They annoyed me so much I switched from cocktails to wine…

In the afternoon, the first of two High Teas on our cruise was held. At lunchtime on boarding day, a waiter was wandering around the MDR advertising the High Tea - cost $20pp and taking bookings. I made a booking. The day before the High Tea, I received an small card invitation with the details of the High Tea location and the timing which was 3-4pm. Sandwiches and cakes for one. Double these quantities for two. Plenty of ladies booked the High Tea. The food was nice. Note: The day before I boarded the cruise was Mother’s Day and my daughter had taken me to The Tea Room at the QVB for High Tea. That was superb. The food Carnival served was nice but the overall experience just didn’t compare. Glad I did it but probably wouldn’t do it again.

Sea Day 2 - it was great to see the sun out. Headed to a comfy long cane sofa on the Serenity Deck. Shortly joined by one lady and then her friend. Two solo cruisers travelling together and we had a pleasant couple of hours chatting and relaxing until lunchtime. Had a toasted sandwich courtesy of the Deli a couple of steps away. Serenity Deck was always busy. The two spas were very popular. Above the Serenity Deck was more seating on Deck 10 AFT overlooking the Serenity Pool. One side of this outdoor area on Deck 10 was the area permitted for smoking.

Dinner was in the MDR. I had chosen “Your Time Dining” (can’t remember the actual term) Very easy to book a table via the Carnival Hub App. Requested a table at around 5.30pm and it was ready within 10mins. Walked up to entrance with my table number confirmation on my phone and seated straight away. Tables of 2 are very close together. Had a lovely couple sitting on the adjacent 2 top. As I sat down, I apologised for being in their personal space but they smiled and we had a lovely meal together and chatted throughout. The meal in MDR was superb. I unofficially heard there were 75 solos on this cruise. Below: another solo chatting with her adjacent dining companions upstairs in the MDR. Larger tables downstairs.

After lunch, saw a long queue snaking past Guest Services. It was for purchasing Bingo tickets. Never played Bingo on a cruise before, so figured got to be in it to win it.., Bought the 5 game pack for $35aud. Didn’t win but fun to play. Prizes for games 1 to 5 ranged from $100 - $750.00.

For lunch I would have salads from the Lido Buffet. Plenty of other options including the deli & masala tiger next to the Adults only pool deck 9 AFT, Guy Fieri Burgers & Pizza were popular next to main pool deck 9 midship. Can’t remember if one of the MDR’s were open for lunch.

Had breakfast in the MDR dining room. Not sure why but I preferred the Lido Buffet Breakfast on Deck 9 from Day 2 onwards. Plenty of choices and always found a table. Plenty of hot choices, they tasted better than they looked in my photo… The paid cafe for coffee was very popular in the mornings.

Drinks package $119.00 AUD pp, per day. Maximum 15 drinks per day to max value of $20. Menu prices for cocktails: Cocktails from Alchemy Bar more expensive. Wines: Red Frog Bar Menus

Weather forecast on hub app on 1st full day at sea. Didn’t worry me, a wet day at sea is better than a dry day at work! and weather changes…. Our first full sea day was wet. Didn’t bother me as I was new to Splendour and wanted to explore, check out the shops and happy to attend any activities in the main theatre. Shops on board - the usual - duty free liquor because we were going to the South Pacific. The best place to buy duty free in the South Pacific is in Vila. We weren’t going to Vila on this cruise but there is a duty free shop in Noumea. Just an example of on board ship duty free - $76 aud. You purchase, it is stored for you and you receive it at the end of the cruise. Effy jewellery. Pandora jewellery was tax free and 25% off for first 24hrs. Watches, perfume, small adventure store selling snorkeling/beach gear. Carnival store sold merchandise, duty free alcohol, cigarettes, chocolates, stuff you forgot to pack and handbags and a small selection of Billabong clothing and beach wear. I forgot to pack a hat 🤦‍♀️ so thankful a proper beach hat rather than just caps were available for purchase.

I love the Carnival Hub App. You don’t need internet to access it on board. It’s very user friendly. You see the daily activities, the menu for that evenings MDR, all your individual charges on your board account and all the Carnival Shore Excursions + the weather. If you prefer a paper copy, Fun Times, it’s available at guest services, the onboard paid cafe - Java Blue and I am sure your room steward can source a daily copy also, if reqd. Note: photo taken on last sea day at end of cruise when seas a tiny bit bumpy -hence sick bags.

As it was a quiet night there were no diners seated near me, so thankfully I bought a book that I was enjoying and that keep me happy between courses. For entree: stuffed mushrooms For main: Surf and Turf For dessert: Chocolate Sphere Service was excellent. A very pleasant relaxed meal with meals not rushed between courses. I loved the surf & turf - steak & lobster. I am going to say I may have made the wrong choice re the entree and dessert as they didn’t appeal. Nevertheless, if I have an opportunity to cruise again on the Luminosa, I am going to try their Fahrenheit 555.

First night dinner, decided I wanted to try out the Speciality Restaurant - Fahrenheit 555 @ $65.00pp. You can pre book via email before the cruise but I decided to wanted to go that afternoon and had no problem getting a booking for 7pm. Seated at 7pm in a very quiet restaurant (ie lack of cruisers). Informed that a free bottle of white wine or red wine was available - pleasant surprise (I think this is a boarding night promo)

We had a beautiful sunset cruise out of Sydney Harbour This is the reason I love living in Sydney.

The adults only Serenity Deck Popular slides The iconic view This little guy wanted to come along for the ride.