Voyager Review - NYE cruise Fiji & NZ

[aussielozzie18]

Voyager has booked out both cruise boats for the trip to Savala Island

 

Its a pleasant 30mins cruise to the island. Snorkelling gear is available for free and there is plenty of equipment. We have brought our own gear but did not bring flippers so we grab some each. Soft drinks and water are included in the cruise and offered on way across to the island.

 

On arrival at the island, we are transferred onto the island in a small dinghy (its not a dinghy but I don't know the exact name for it). Its lunchtime so we are provided with an delicious buffet lunch in the covered but open air eating area in the middle of the island.

 

After lunch, its time for the guided snorkel tour. We are transferred back onto the larger boat and taken into the middle of the water and then jump into the crystal clear water from the boat. Noodles are available for the non-confident swimmers. We snorkel for an hour. Not a lot of coral or fish to see but we love our first deep water snorkel experience. The Fijian staff toss bread rolls into the water at the end of the snorkel and we are suddenly surrounded by lots and lots of fish. great photo op.

 

Head back to the island and we are free to enjoy the free paddleboards and canoes and just enjoy the crystal clear water and white sandy beach. I just love it. We have plenty of time all afternoon to enjoy the island.

 

The lovely Fijian staff will help you if you are a novice/hopeless paddleboarder like me. Lifejackets available to use if you plan to use the paddleboards and canoes.

 

We get back to the Voyager at around 6pm. Highly recommend this ship tour.

 

All aboard is actually not until 7.30pm.

Edited January 15, 2015 by aussielozzie18

[aussielozzie18]

Its a lovely balmy evening and having worked up an appetite from all the swimming and snorkeling, we head to Johnny Rockets for dinner. Clearly everyone else has the same idea. We grab the last booth outside this time. Lovely view of the sailaway from Lautoka. Johnny Rockets is extremely busy tonight so no dancing waiters but the service is excellent anyway and we have a nice time. We have the chocolate sundaes for dessert this time and they are delish.

 

Tonight's headline act in the La Scala theatre is Colleen Austen - 8.45am & 10.30pm. "A tribute to Legends, Divas and women of song". She is a true entertainer and gives it her all. An excellent performance.

 

There an outdoor movie "Million Dollar Arm" on the big screen by the pool deck. Perfect evening for watching an outdoor movie. Its a sports movie starring the lead actor from Mad Men.

 

Tomorrow is Suva, Fiji.

[Discodaisy]

I have really enjoyed reading your review, thank you and I hope you have a wonderful holiday

[aussielozzie18]

Wake up to overcast skies which don't clear all day.

 

Not heard good reports about Suva so we decide to stick to a ship tour again.

 

This time we choose the "Jewel of Fiji" tour which again gets great reviews on Trip Advisor. It is recommended you do this independently but we are fine with paying extra for the security of the ships tour.

 

The Jewel of Fiji Tour is a longboat ride up the Navua river to a natural waterfall followed by a village visit.

 

This a very popular tour and there are 3 bus loads of us Voyager cruisers!

Board our bus and meet our Fijian guide.

He has no microphone so he had to speak loudly so everyone can hear.

 

Suva is very very rustic (bit of an eye opener for the younger family members)

Commentary starts with:

this is the mens prison, this the womens prison, this is the cemetery and this the juvenile prison and lots of tin shacks.

Makes us appreciate our lifetstyle in Australia.

 

Our guides gives an extensive commentary on Kava and stops the bus to show us a Kava plant on the side of the road.

 

After a bit of a bumpy 45 min bus trip, we arrive at Navua river.

 

We are given lifejackets and plastic bin liners to put our bags into. And then we are put into longboats. It is well organized and doesn't take long.

 

Hint: if doing this tour wear reef shoes - your feet will get wet and you will need them at the waterfall.

 

fun fact: This river is where the movie Anaconda 2 was filmed. I think myself and only one other person on the bus had seen the movie! lol!

 

So, 45 min trip upriver on longboat. Scenery is a bit boring to start with to be honest but then its get greener and lovelier and there are waterfalls and mini rapids and its just really really nice.

 

On arrival at the waterfall, its a short paved walk (bit up and down though) might be an issue for someone with mobility issues. And we arrive at the waterfall.

 

Hint: reef shoes are handy here too as there are submerged logs just as you enter the water and my family member who chose not to wear reef shoes cut his foot.

 

I loved the water but my family found it a bit cool. As I said, plenty of time to swim and take photos.

 

Then its back to the longboats for a short trip downriver to the village for a delicious buffet lunch and kava ceremony. There a small number of souvenirs available for purchase.

 

The buses meet you at the village and you are driven back to the ship.

Edited January 15, 2015 by aussielozzie18

[aussielozzie18]

After our wonderful day trip, we arrive back at Suva with plenty of free time left. We are given the option of getting off the bus and exploring the city near he dock. We decline. But we do check out the markets at the wharf. There are no souvenirs as such but there are ladies who are doing a roaring trade in hair braiding and also henna tattoes ($15 AUD for henna - not sure of the FJD price).

 

We head back to our cabin and our younger family members are delighted to discover they can get free wifi on our balcony. So, we order free room service and they are in heaven eating mini pizzas, enjoying free wifi (after 4 days without wifi) and watching the hustle and bustle of downtown Suva from our balcony.

 

Btw, I forgot to mention that when we docked this morning in Suva, we were greeted by the Royal Suva Marching Band (I don't know their official name but this is my guess). Great performance that we were able to view from our port side balcony.

 

All aboard is 5.30pm and having had overcast weather all day in Suva, the skies open and its pours as we sailaway from the dock.

[aussielozzie18]

Ok,so tonight's show in the La Scala is Mark Anthony. An Australian hypnotist.

 

There are no volunteers from our family but there are plenty of cruisers who are happy to go up on stage and be hypnotized. About 30 of them. We haven't seen a show like this before and we thought it both amazing and hilarious.

 

He does two performances. 6.45pm and 8.45pm.

 

Our family members enjoyed the first show so much they went back to the 8.45pm show and it was packed.

Edited January 15, 2015 by aussielozzie18

[cruzdreamz]

Hi aussielozzie18, thank you for the great review so far, look forward to the rest.

Could you please tell me what shops are in the Promenade, if the tavern serves food as it is being called a Gastropub, and do you need to wait in line for the Flowrider or can you be allocated a time to return. Thanks again :)

[cruisine21]

Ok,so tonight's show in the La Scala is Mark Anthony. An Australian hypnotist.

 

 

 

Mark Anthony was on the Carnival Spirit in November so he must go from one cruise line to another.

 

 

 

 

 

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[erewhon]

Enjoying your review.

Thank you.

[cruisine21]

Hi aussielozzie18.

 

Does the Promenade cafe have iced coffee? Do they have cookies or anything else?

 

 

 

 

 

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[the_bings]

Love following this, thank you so much for your review.

We are on Voyager to NZ on Feb 22 and I am hoping to do a similar thing when we return :-)

Very helpful!

[aussielozzie18]

Hi folks,

thanks everyone for letting me know you are reading my review.

I got a lot of info from Cruise Critic before my first cruise in 2013 and doing this detailed review is my way of paying it forward.

 

In answer to your question, shops in the Promenade (Deck 5) are:

Small RCI souvenir shop selling mainly sunglasses, RCI logo gear ie shirts, hoodies, magnets, drink containers, bags and ship models. Plus a Dreamworks section for the kids selling DreamWorks soft toys and Hello Kitty soft toys.

 

Attached to this shop - you walk thru from one to the other - is the Coach handbag shop. Empty most of the cruise except for one morning when they had a sale and women went mental over handbags that hadn't been available during the cruise (ie they are end of season stock)

 

Pig & Whistle pub. Very popular. Seating indoor and out. Great spot for people watching and watching the parades in the Promenade. Often had musician performing inside or a band performing outside nearby. Sadly, I did not venture in so cannot confirm if this was a Gastropub or not. Hopefully, someone else reading this review who has been on the Voyager can confirm.

 

Next were a large beauty shop selling cosmetics and the duty free alcohol shop.

 

At the far end of the Promenade was the R bar (pretty sure it was called the R bar - someone can correct me if I'm wrong) and this again was very popular.

 

Opposite the R bar was guest services and shore tour bookings desk. I found the staff here very helpful and had no difficulty in understanding anyone (I have read complaints before of GS staff being hard to understand).

 

Shops on the same side as Guest services are: a high end jewellery shop whose name escapes me. A small Swarvoski jewellery shop (apologies if I have misspelt) this lead into an unnamed shop selling Roxy and surf gear (hardly any stock). Next door to that was Regalia watches (almost always empty).

 

Finally, we had the Promenade Café. Open 24/7. Very popular. Fronted by Ben & Jerry icecreams and thickshakes and starbucks coffee (both pay per purchase and always very popular).

 

Promenade café offers the same free food as is available free in Room Service ie Pizzas, biscuits, cakes, muffins, panninis, filled bread rolls etc. My family said the pizza tasted disgusting as they were too doughy but I think their opinion is in the miniority as the pizza slices were very popular. Promenade café also offers iced water and the same tea/coffee machines that are in the Windjammer. Sorry, not sure if iced coffee is offered at Promenade café or Ben and Jerrys.

Edited January 16, 2015 by aussielozzie18

[aussielozzie18]

It would appear that many of my fellow cruisers were bargain hunters and the Voyager caters to their needs by offering sales which are promoted in the Cruise compass.

 

If you have ever watched the news and seen the footage of the opening day rush on a Boxing Day sale, you know what to expect. If not, just think of seagulls converging on a box of hot chips. Cruisers go mental over these sales!

 

There is the $10 odds and ends sale. The 2 for one t-shirt sale. And the 30%-75% designer watch sale. And a perfume and handbag sale. All these are promoted in the cruise compass and usually held in the centre of the promenade or outside the Windjammer entrance.

 

The one held outside the Windjammer is on the worlds smallest trestle table in a tiny space and staffed my one poor RCI staff member.

 

Ladies and gents, be warned, these sales are not for the faint hearted. You need to line up early and be prepared to be bumped. If you see something you like, don't hesitate to pick it up immediately. There is no time for indecision.

 

There was also a sale in the high end jewellery shop towards the end of the cruise and the one off sale in the Coach handbag store which had very limited out of season stock.

 

Some of the Swarovski stock was reduced by 40% in store as a an ongoing discount during the cruise.

 

The Swarovski shop had the huge Christmas tree out the front. Looked gorgeous. Apart from this not much Christmas decorations on board (no gingerbreads like we had on the Rhapsody)

Edited January 16, 2015 by aussielozzie18

[Gnomey]

Yes great review aussielozzie18, most enjoyable and informative. You've encouraged me to put Voyager back on my list!

Steve.

[aussielozzie18]

Flowrider is located at the stern (ie rear) of the Voyager on deck 12. The 9-hole putt putt golf course is next to it. The full size basketball court and rockclimbing wall are all nearby.

 

The flowrider looks fab. There is a covered viewing area adjacent on both sides of the flowrider. So, if you are not surfing but a family member is you can stay and watch and video. Or alternatively, you can just sit there and watch all the thrills and spills.

 

Opening times are listed in the daily cruise compass. ie

Advanced stand up surfing 9-10am

stand up surfing 10-11am/2-3.3opm

Boogie boarding 11am-12noon/2.00pm-5.00pm

 

Minimum height requirement Boogie 52"

Stand up surfing 58"

Parents must sign waiver for anyone under 18 and stay and supervise kids under 13 years

 

There were usually two instructors. One in the water with you, if required.

 

For reasons unknown, none of my family used the Flowrider. Go figure.

But we did go down a few times in the early days of the cruise and watch.

Lines appear to move quickly. Instructors were nice guys and helpful.

 

Sorry, cannot answer the question about whether a spot on the flowrider can be held for you.

 

Tip: if you go down to the Flowrider at sunset, you get awesome sunset photos (this was on the way to Fiji from Sydney) and you see all the instructors try to outdo each other doing special tricks and flips.

Edited January 16, 2015 by aussielozzie18

[aussielozzie18]

Another lazy day at sea.

 

Tropical theme tonight. Having just been to Fiji, plenty of cruisers were dressed up. Men in Fiji shirts and ladies in tropical dresses and flowers in their hair.

 

Dinner: Couldn't get into My Time Dining. Grrr. Had to go to the Windjammer. Will explain all tomorrow.

(Need a weekend to go into detail about MTD)

 

Headliner act: Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers in Music in Pictures.

Standard stuff but I think we enjoyed. Times were 6.45pm & 8.45pm

 

That's it for now folks.

 

Be back tomorrow with detailed explanation of MTD and more.

Edited January 16, 2015 by aussielozzie18

[keenmolly]

Thank you so much for this fantastic review. We were on the Voyager of the Seas Nov.2013 doing the same itinerary. You write it all so well I feel as though I am there with you.

 

 

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[boeckli]

thanks for your continuing posts...they are very helpful.

we've booked on the voyager OTS to NZ in February.

have been concerned re the many negative reviews about this ship so will be reading your posts with more interest now.

did they have theme nights on your cruise and what were they?

 

whimsy7 - I see you are booked on the 22 Feb cruise. Why not join our roll call thread for the cruise and maybe register for the meet & mingle

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1899453

[boeckli]

Love following this, thank you so much for your review.

We are on Voyager to NZ on Feb 22 and I am hoping to do a similar thing when we return :-)

Very helpful!

 

the_bings - I see you are booked on the 22 Feb cruise. Why not join our roll call thread for the cruise and maybe register for the meet & mingle

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1899453

[aussielozzie18]

Thank you so much for this fantastic review. We were on the Voyager of the Seas Nov.2013 doing the same itinerary. You write it all so well I feel as though I am there with you.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Thank you for your kind comments. You have inspired me to keep typing tonight:)

[aussielozzie18]

Today, we have a special presentation in the La Scala Theatre. Captain Charles is giving a talk about the recent Voyager refurb.

 

I have to say Captain Charles is a bit of character. He comes across as a man who tells it like it is and doesn't put up with any crap. He also seems very frustrated by the image that many cruisers apparently have of a Captain ie that he swans around the ship in his whites, wining and dining the VIPs and chatting up the ladies. He was at pains to tell us this is definitely not the case and that being a Captain is a big responsibility.

 

He started his presentation by telling us that despite RCI spending $80 million on the refurb (I am pulling this figure out the air btw) he still gets cruisers coming up to him complaining about the lack of chocolates on their pillows! He says that 10% of cruisers are professional whingers. This gets lots of laughs!

 

The presentation starts off with a photo slideshow of the refurb in Singapore from start to finish. Very interesting. Then it is clear that Captain Charles was in Singapore and oversaw the whole reburb because he follows up with a video of the whole reburb of which he is featured in throughout including images on him standing on the anchor and next to the propellers. Following the photos and video, there is a Q & A session.

 

He admits that the new deck 12 cabins are in the "bounciest" part of the ship. And the installation of the these cabins prevented the Solarium being covered due to weight/ balance issues. The flowrider and top deck pools are for the Aussies. The high end retail shops in the Promenade and Casino are for the Asian cruisers who love to gamble and shop until they drop.

 

This is a very interesting session which I think went for almost 2 hours. Later in the cruise we have a general Q & A session with Captain Charles where he has a few choice words to say about the Captain of the Costa Concordia. As I say, he is a character!

Edited January 16, 2015 by aussielozzie18

[Aussieflyer]

aussielozzie18, thanks for this review so far. I am really enjoying it and it is giving me a good feel for the ship as I am a bit 'iffy' about its size and how crowded it could become.

[boeckli]

Very interesting review aussielozzie18 - thanks for taking the time to do it.

Our first cruise on Voyager OTS is booked for Feb 22, so any up-to-date info is much appreciated :)

[aussielozzie18]

Yes great review aussielozzie18, most enjoyable and informative. You've encouraged me to put Voyager back on my list!

Steve.

 

Thank you. We would happily book on her again but not over NYE. Would look for cheaper cruises on Voyager next time. NYE is pretty pricey.

[aussielozzie18]

aussielozzie18, thanks for this review so far. I am really enjoying it and it is giving me a good feel for the ship as I am a bit 'iffy' about its size and how crowded it could become.

 

Thank you. I loved the Rhapsody. But, what I loved about the Voyager is how stable she is. I noticed the ship movement on the Rhapsody, even though we had calm seas for the duration of the 9 nights we were on board. On the Voyager, we stopped taking our seasickness tablets (just in case) on Day 2. You just don't feel any movement. Its awesome. Crowds? Well, we had over 3000 passengers on board the Voyager and It didn't feel crowded. Ok, common sense tells you are not going to get a lift at peak times ie immediately after a show or at 9am when everyone goes to the Windjammer for breakfast.

 

My advice, give the Voyager a go. We were on board for the absolute peak time - NYE and School holidays - double whammy! and I think the Voyager copes really well with it all.