Suzbluz

Our first cruise was exactly the same itinerary as you did. For our second cruise we did Noumea, Isle of Pines (my absolute favourite), Port Denarau and Suva and were supposed to do Mare but a cyclone moved that to Mystery Island and then another cyclone moved that to an extra sea day but we didn't mind as the Fiji stops had given us the difference we were after.

We also shook it up by changing lines. First we did P&O and second we did Carnival. Slight preference for P&O but that could be attributed to the excitement of first cruise, no complaints about Carnival and our teenager slightly preferred the Carnival kids set up. Currently planning a third back with P&O.

I think I would be happy if I could do one different stop in the same area but if that wasn't available all the stops would be ok by me again. We have taken to doing cruises for our annual 'cheap' holiday and then doing a longer trip further afield every second year. It is just so relaxing, it cant be beaten if a rest is what you are looking for. Also found it the perfect holiday for travelling with an only child.

Snorkelling gear as it's cheaper to take with you, reef shoes or equivalent. occy strap for balcony door or night light for interior room. lanyard. Highligher for highlighting daily program so you don't forget you wanted to do something. plastic bags for packing anything you got wet on the last day and cant get dry. less clothes than you think you will need. conditioner. some ships have shampoo but not conditioner. take some tolerance and a sense of humour

I totally agree, Uluru and GBR would be fantastic but way too far for a day trip. If you really wanted to do them I would look at doing them on your way home. Perhaps you could fly from Sydney/Brisbane to Uluru and then from there to Darwin and home from Darwin? Or out of Cairns, I am not sure if they do international flights from there if you decide to do the reef.

Melbourne and Brisbane are both possible day trips but I think you would be sorry you didn't stay longer. They are both beautiful at night too and I think you would be glad if you at least stayed overnight.

That said there is a lot to do in Sydney so you could fill a week there pretty easily. You could train it out to the blue mountains, do the red bus tour city to Bondi beach, catch the ferry to Taronga Park Zoo, climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, do a harbour dinner or lunch cruise, go to the museums at Darling Harbour, centre point tower... All of these things can be done from the city.

I live in Canberra which is a three hour drive from Sydney. I think it's worth seeing but most Australians will tell you it's boring, for some reason people feel the need to run our capital city down but there is plenty to see there if you are interested in arts and history. Melbourne and Brisbane are both vibrant, fun places. If I had to pick one it would be Melbourne but that is just personal preference. I forget which time of year you are talking about. Brisbane has a good climate all year round, but very hot in our summer. Melbourne is cooler. Still gets hot in summer but is much cooler in Winter (not German cold, but cold for us) but has different seasons whereas Brisbane is just warm all the time.

hope this helps

Suzanne

Hi Janine

You are right, flights from Europe are incredibly long. If it was me I would do it with one stopover but we Australians are used to long travel times to get anywhere!

I would choose one of the Sydney cruises. Perth/Fremantle are very isolated over there and a long, long way from anything else. If you fly into Sydney you are short flights away from Brisbane or Melbourne and a three hour drive from Canberra but in Perth you are a four hour flight away from any of the eastern cities. I haven't been to any of the stops on that cruise except Bali so from that perspective I cant really help sorry.

Both the other cruises look lovely. Of the two I would choose the Jewel because I haven't been to Champagne Bay or Santo and Santo is apparently beautiful. They filmed Blue Lagoon there, you would be too young to remember that movie but if you ever see it, that is where it was.

Noumea - Nice, lots of excursions available, went there on two cruises. We did tchou tchou train, good introduction to Noumea. Next time would do Amadee Island. Shops not open 7 days, I think they close Sundays but even then there are things to do. French speaking, expensive but you don't have to shop.

Mystery Island - good for swimming/lying on beach. Uninhabited but locals sail over and offer tours and trinkets. Tours are same as offered on ship but less expensive.

Port Vila - Not all shops open 7 days but plenty of tours to do. If you go here, seek some advice about the taxi drivers at the port. Cheap duty free alcohol.

Lifou and Isle of Pines - amazing snorkeling but not much else. Really pretty though! Isle of Pines is my favourite of the small islands.

And of course there is Sydney where there is heaps to do. Jewel is a bigger ship but not as big as Carnival Spirit and as I said, I liked it.

Cruising the islands is a really inexpensive way to see several different places. It is a different experience for everyone. I love the port days and my partner and son love the sea days better but there is something for everyone and you will be as busy or not as you choose to be. Now I want to book another cruise!

I would be happy with either. I haven't been on the Dawn but have done the Jewel and I really liked P&O. I have done Carnival Spirit too and it was also great. We are in our 40s and travel with a 14 year old boy. I don't think there is that much difference really, although the Spirit will be bigger. Of the two I would do the Fiji one because I like the itinerary. I loved Fiji because I like to do and see new things, I am not really one to lie on the beach but if you like snorkeling and relaxing on a beach those small islands like Lifou and Isle of Pines are magnificent. Of all those stops, Isle of the Pines is the most beautiful in my opinion although I haven't been to Pentacost. If you want to do a more cultural/tour based itinerary then the Fiji one would be better. The cruises will be full of Australians and some of us can be quite loud even to those Australians like my family who are much quieter, so be prepared for that but with an open mind and relaxed attitude you will have heaps of fun. Good luck choosing!

We did suva snapshot and it was great. Don't be put off Suva, we loved both Fiji stops on the Spirit. There are plenty of people selling tours on the dock but we booked on the ship because I am lazy.