Suzbluz

I agree about going to the beach in Mare. I have done the snorkelling on Lifou and highly recommend it if you like snorkelling, it is one of my favourite spots for it. I always book on the ship just because I'm scared of getting left behind but I have seen other people recommend tour operators on Isle of Pines. It might take some searching but you will find those threads on here somewhere. There is certainly more to Isle of Pines than meets the eye. I didn't do a tour until my fourth visit there and I really enjoyed it. It also has great snorkelling so you don't need to do a tour if you are getting overwhelmed. That is a nice itinerary, I hope you enjoy it!

I second the village and Garden of the Sleeping Giant suggestion. We did a ship's tour that took us to both of these and really enjoyed it. You may well be able to book with local operator once you get ashore but can't confirm as I wasn't looking for locals.

When we went on Jewel the laundry operated by cruise card but if that is not right you will be able to get change from reception. They are notorious for running out of washing powder though so if you know you will need to do washing I suggest you take a ziplock bag or something with some washing powder.

 

While you don't have to dress up, they do 'up' the dress standards in the MDR on formal nights. So even if you don't go full Gatsby, the dress standards will be a bit higher on those nights, so some dress pants/shoes and a nice dress wont go astray.

 

With HQ you are not guaranteed entry. Although they limit the number of children they don't guarantee space in the kids clubs. Sign him up day one when you board. If you go to reception there will be a booklet there, I can't remember what it is called on P&O but the leaftlet that tells you what is on every day. Pacific Daily? Anyway in there somewhere they will tell you when and where to go to sign him up. Don't be too put off by long line at reception, there is usually a concierge there helping to answer questions so you don't have to stay in the queue. I have never missed out on club so maybe everyone does get in but I wouldn't bank on it.

 

I think the Fiji ports, at least Suva and Port Denarau are ones where I would book a tour. The other islands you can make your own way around but from my experience a tour is the way to go. You can do ship tours or book with locals on the dock. I did ship tours and really enjoyed them. I hope you have a great experience this time. My first cruise was on the Jewel and I really liked it.

I have done South Pacific in March, April, June and December. Had great weather on all of them with only June being on the cooler side but still warm enough to snorkel. Only our April cruise was disrupted by cyclone but it just meant that our ports were rearranged and we lost one port. Cruise lines are used to dealing with cyclones and how to rearrange if necessary.

 

My favourite ports are Isle of Pines and Lifou for snorkelling. I enjoyed Suva and Port Denarau for the tours, I think we chose well. Agree that Port Vila has best duty free. Noumea is on every cruise and is the largest port. There are some good tours available there. I have done Tchou tchou train and the Segway tour of the zoo and both were really good. Mare is really pretty but there is only a beach to visit so while I enjoy it, if you are only going to do one SP cruise, this is one port I would not be upset to miss. I have never done Champagne Bay but everyone says it is really beautiful but it is not on as many itineraries as the other ports. Mystery Island is lovely too. There are always markets and it is a nice walk around the island and great swimming water. I think all the ports have their own charm and you can't really lose. Have a great time!

I think you are right, people who are unhappy are more likely to go and post a review. I was on the Eden in December 2015 and at the time there was a lot of negativity around it but I thought that was a bit rich. It isn't my favourite ship because it is smaller than the others I have been on and so there seemed to be fewer activities, but that said if I saw a good deal I would go on it again any time. My partner, who would say I drag him from pillar to post doing activities, really liked it.

Hi. Welcome aboard. Beers are $8-9 and most cocktails are $12. I was on Explorer in July. It is a really nice ship, I hope you enjoy it!

http://www.harryscafedewheels.com.au/location/harrys-famous-pies-broadway

 

I recently asked an American, with whom I went to school in Canberra, what she missed from Australia. The first thing on her list was meat pies. I was number 2 and I understood where she was coming from LOL.

You probably won't know until you board. It definitely wont be the first night and if you go to Nouveau on the first night you will be given a complimentary bottle of wine. I love Nouveau but my advice is go in hungry, it is a big meal! I'd take a guess and then move your booking once on board. I have been several times and it has never been full so hopefully you would have no trouble changing your booking. Last time we went on, they didn't have the booking I made on line so I suggest you confirm your booking when you get on.

I think it goes back to the number of staff ratio to the number of children in each age bracket. All parents would want that their children are looked after by trained and appropriate staff.

 

Agreed. I assume it would stop the disappointment of thinking your kids were going to the clubs but not being able to be catered for.

https://www.wildlifesydney.com.au/ Sydney might be easier. you will see kangaroos here and can hold a koala also. Melbourne is a really nice city and you might spend your time better seeing the city itself and then see roos in Sydney.

https://www.zoo.org.au/melbourne/wild-encounters/close-up-encounters or you could also google werribee zoo but Melbourne zoo would be easier to get to.

My 2 cents... I love Vegas and my teenage boy really enjoys it too. He liked the rollercoaster and the strip atmosphere. There is an M&Ms shop and coca cola world which appeals to kids. We all enjoyed Mob Museum. I had Fremont Street recommended to me but I didn't like it, too seedy but it has a zip line which might appeal. It is close enough that if you are going to the Grand Canyon (and why wouldn't you, it's amazing) then you may as well check Vegas out but a couple of days is probably plenty with kids. San Fran is beautiful but expensive. Our highlights were Segway tour and Alcatraz. If you want to do Alcatraz book it before you leave, it is very popular and sells out. We bought our tickets as a combo with the big red bus tour for a discount and that bus tour is really good for seeing points of interest.

Bottles of wine start at $30 for pay as you go. You can take them from place to place with you. Most cocktails are covered by the $12 price limit. When I had package (not sure if this is still the case) it included bottled water and coffee so that helped recoup the cost. I liked the lack of bill shock aspect but I think it was $69 then.

Another fan of the Deck 6 cabins. I was at the front on port side away from the smokers area (I may have felt differently if there had been people outside my window day and night) but I found it very quiet and private and I could just nip outside quickly whenever I wanted for a very large and usually private balcony.

Dunedin is my favourite city in New Zealand, it is so picturesque.

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g255119-Activities-Dunedin_Otago_Region_South_Island.html

 

Speights Ale House and Larnach Castle are worth a visit. Depending on time of year if there is a rugby game on at Forsyth Barr Stadium you could do that for a real NZ cultural experience. I thought the Cadbury factory was closing down so that might be off the agenda. They are very proud of the railway building if you like architecture, there are also a lot of beautiful churches in the city. The octagon and surrounding streets provide quite good shopping. I don't know, I just really like the feel of Dunedin and kiwis are such friendly people, I'm sure you will find enough to fill your time.

I don't mind P&O. I like trivia etc so usually go to all of those. I think there is plenty of partying on the pool deck but I tend not to go there, preferring listing to the music in one of the bars at night. During the day there is usually something on and if I don't want to do that will find somewhere to relax until the next activity starts. You can be as busy or as idle as you want really. I don't go in for the night time shows so cant really speak about those but they seem to usually draw a crowd.

I was in Mare again last week (second time) and took the bus to the beach and enjoyed it just as much again. The water is SO clear, it's just lovely. It was a bit cold getting in but once we were in I didn't want to get out. They have lifeguards there now, they weren't there last time.

I enjoyed Yejela Beach. I don't think it's as beautiful as Isle of Pines (my favourite) but on the day I was there I could get in the water at the right hand end of the beach and the current pulled me all along to the left end so it was the most effortless snorkelling ever. I didn't notice any lobsters but might be more attentive to that when I go next week! I think it is worth the small charge for a day out.

I have done an April cruise. The days were definitely hot enough to be outside. We were affected by a cyclone in that they rearranged our ports to avoid it and in the end we lost mystery island. Then at the end of the cruise the pilot couldn't board to bring the Spirit in so we went back out to sea and ended up with an extra day at sea. This wasn't a problem for us and I wouldn't hesitate to book in April again. Friends of ours arrived back today and lost two tender ports because of weather so I guess that can happen any time.

I pity the poor Brits if there are expecting something like Arcadia! lol. Tablecloths yes, class no. Although I did enjoy my cruises and going on Spirit again in 2 weeks.

 

 

aussiedisneyfan, we are on the same cruise! 10 more sleeps

I have found best deals by going with an online booking service. As a return customer with them I also get OBC.

Outside of local cruising, I load spending money onto a travel card and withdraw at the other end from ATM in the local currency. Then you can watch exchange rate here and load money on when rate is favourable. Also a fee/OS transaction free credit card for back up.

My son enjoyed Carnival Spirit and Pacific Jewel. My partner and I did a cruise on Pacific Eden without him and I was kind of glad that was the one he missed. It was a smaller ship and didn't seem to have as much to amuse the younger passengers. That said, he is a big mixer and goes off to kid's club quite happily. In fact if I didn't insist he eat with us we would not see him at all.

My son is 16 so asking for a friend... Does anyone know how strict P&O are about toilet trained kids in turtle cove (I think that's what the call the kids club for 2-6yo). thanks.

The road rules are very similar here to the US. The one glaring difference was the ability in US to turn right on red if the road is clear. You can't do the corresponding left turn in Australia unless there is a sign telling you 'left turn permitted after stopping'. On all other occasions if the light is red you have to stop until it turns green.