What to expect from your first cruise

Photo source: Pixabay

There is nothing quite like waking up to one beautiful location after another on your first cruise. First time cruisers will be amazed at the size of the ship and the facilities on board.

The check in procedure is much faster and hassle free compared to standing in line for hours to take a plane journey. Once you are on board, you will be greeted by friendly staff who will show you to your cabin. You will have plenty of time to explore the delights of the ship or perhaps share a beverage or meal with some of your fellow passengers before setting out to sea.

Ships vary, but most include a banquet room, casino, library, gym, bars, lounges, swimming and spa pools. In fact, there is so much to do that you may not want to leave the ship. Moist cruises on the big liners host dinner and a show each night, including a couple of formal dinners where you can dress up and meet the Captain and crew. If this is not for you; many other more casual style dining options are available, including room service. You can then party the night away in the many pubs and clubs or head to your room for a movie and some quiet time.

A wide range of activities are planned for adults and children during the days at sea. When you reach your exotic destination you can choose to stay on board or explore the main land. In some cases you can straight onto your destination from the ship and if not, boats are provided at regular intervals to and from the cruise ship. Many tours are available for you to take part in and can be arranged prior to reaching your destinations.

One of the great things about a cruise is the availability of refreshments. You could eat all day and most of the night if you wanted to. Buffet style is more prominent during the day, but other options are on offer most of the waking hours.

Often, travellers are put off cruising by the idea of sea sickness. Remedies are available for this on board and of course, a doctor is available 24 hours a day for emergencies. If you are looking for excitement, variety, friendly staff and value for money; give cruising a try. You'll love it.

FINAL STOP - TONGA

We had a couple of stops in Tonga. Vava'u was Ok but the weather was terrible when we reached Nuku'Alofa and we decided to stay onboard the ship.

We walked into town in Vava'u, the heat was too much for me so we stopped in to a local travel agency to ask where the nearest place was to go for a swim. He must have seen us coming. We paid $45 Australian to be taken to a 'resort'.The taxi driver picked us up 90 mins later dropped us back in town and then wanted to be paid AGAIN after hubby specifically asked him if the $45 was for a return trip. We were so grumpy and tired because of the heat (well I was) we just paid him and went back to the ship. I wouldn't visit Tonga again, I wasn't impressed. I suppose the impression you get from any country depends on the places you visit and the people you meet and I'm sure only having a few hours to explore didn't help either.








I had a lot of fun on the trip home, two days at sea with nothing to do but eat, sleep, drink, read and do crosswords. Woohoo!

The weather into Auckland was terrible, 30 knot winds apparently. Luckily, I drank so much wine the night before...I slept through the bad weather and woke just in time for breakfast. Only time I was up for breakfast during the whole trip.

I would definitely go on another cruise but not this one. The ship was much better than the previous one we travelled on but the destinations weren't as good.

I've always wanted to do an Alaskan cruise...better start saving up!



Cheers!
KB
xxxx

LAND AT LAST - FIRST STOP, SUVA, FIJI

I'm so blonde, I published these holiday posts out of order. Must have had a lot of wine at the time (for a change)

Bula! Welcome to Fiji.

The Republic of Fiji, consists of 322 formed Islands. It's one of the most populous island groups in the Pacific, with approximately 900,000 inhabitants.

For hundreds of years, Fiji was a land torn by intertribal skirmishes. As in many p arts of the Pacific, cannibalism was practised there.

The first European to sigh Fiji was Abel Tasman in 1643. Captain James Cook sighted more of the islands in 1774.

Suva is the nation's capital city and has a population of around 360,000.

Hubby and I didn't spend much time ashore. The place was too smelly, hot and crowded for KB. The locals would pop out of nowhere and try to persuade us to go with them to find 'bargains'. I swear if one more local had grabbed me by the arm and tried to sell me something, I would have hit him with my handbag. Time to go back to the safety of the ship and drink more wine, hehe!




USELESS FACT OF THE DAY - The plate washing brigade on board wash approximately 12,500 plates, 10,000 glasses (mainly mine) and 15000 items of cutlery every day.

NEXT STOP - DRAVUNI, FIJI ISLANDS

My favourite day trip during this cruise. Dravuni is one of the smallest populated islands in Fiji, with less than 200 residents. No vehicles to speak of. No department stores. No cinemas. Just white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and warm sea...heaven!

USELESS FACT OF THE DAY: During each cruise the galley prepares a wide variety of dishes. Many ingredients are used, including 5000lts of milk.

HOLIDAY TIME - THREE DAYS AT SEA

Hubby and I left Auckland for warmer shores on the Pacific Sun.










Our first night was fantastic. We found our bearings on the ship (in other words-the bar).




Dinner seating was assigned for the whole trip. We spent the first evening meal with two couples from Sydney. By the second night, another couple (also from Sydney) decided to move from their assigned table to join us. By this stage, I realised that by adding but to the end of every sentence, I'd be fluent in Australian in no time. I must say, I couldn't have asked for a more fun group of people to dine with.






The second night wasn't as much fun. Me thinks the 'SEVERE WEATHER' warning had something to do with this. However, I am thankful for this as I learned the following:

THINGS NOT TO ATTEMPT IN A FIVE METRE SWELL!






Shave legs in cramped shower cubicle - ouch

Apply mascara - mascara deposits in freshly washed hair - very unattractive

Dance - tis hard to dance with partner when you sway to opposite ends of the dance floor

Drink copious amounts of red wine after taking sea sickness tablet - falling asleep at inappropriate times expected




By the third day, I decided to accept the fact the sea was too rough for me. I made the best of it, tucked myself up in bed with a pizza, half a bottle of red and a couple of movies.




KB'S EMPTIES?




More to come tomorrow

Night all
xxxxxx

Oh no, I've been "ma'amed"

On leaving Vanuatu, we had two full days at sea. I was sad to be heading home but there were plenty of activities on board to keep me amused.


I don't know about you but on each of my trips away there is usually one person who sticks out in my mind. You know the kind of person who is a real character and you will never forget. On this trip it was Johno (I know hubby is going to be chuckling when he reads this). How could we ever forget young Johno!!!!!!


I'd say he's in his early twenties, very good looking and charming. The kind of boy your mum would like you to bring home. He sat himself down next to me one night and started telling me how he won the karaoke competition the previous evening. He was looking through the song book and asking me to help him pick out a song to perform. I thought, aww the wee lad has a bit of a crush on me.


Anyway, he gets up on stage and I've honestly never seen anything like it. Fantastic performer, confident, full of energy, great mover but tone deaf. Too funny.

Then he sits down next to me and says, "How was that ma'am?" Omg, the humiliation. I don't think I've ever felt so old in my life.

How Johno ever mangaged to get a place in the final, I will never know but he did. Unfortunatly, I missed the show due to sea sickness but hubby raved about it. Johno strutted his stuff to the song - I'm too sexy - his performance included much girating of the hips and I hear he actually ripped his shirt off. He didn't win the competition but apparently left the judges speechless and earned a ten out of ten for performance. I'm gutted I missed the show but I'm sure I'll never forget young Johno.

Home sweet home

Love KB
x

New Caledonia. First stop - Noumea

Noumea was founded in 1854, the name Noumea is derived from a combination of Melanesian words meaning 'island' and 'a small tropical fish'. Initially established as a trading post and then a French fortress. Often described as 'The Soul of France in the South Pacific. Here endeth the history lesson.

This was my second visit to Noumea, I enjoyed my first visit much more, probably because we stayed further out of the city. The inner city was dirty and the people not especially friendly.

I did however, enjoy the tour we took part in later on in the afternoon. I'm sure it will be no surprise to you that we decided to take the 'Wine and Cheese Tour'. Our guide was a funny chap, telling us many stories as we made our way around the city via bus.

We concluded the tour at a small restaurant, guzzled a few wines, dined on french bread and cheese and merrily made our way back to the bus.

Holiday Time - Two days at sea

We enjoyed two full days at sea before we arrived in New Caledonia. There was so much to do on board... planned activities to take part in, four restaurants, casino, swimming pools, gym (yikes - no thanks), karaoke bar, night club, bars, hairdresser, beauty spa, duty free shops.

Hubby and I enjoying the wine tasting on board. Hiccup!!!!

My second night on board, the sea was a little rough. I was considering taking a sea sickness tablet but hubby said, "Come with me, I know what will sort you out." We spend the next six hours, dancing, singing and drinking wine. After a while I couldn't decide if I was swaying because of the ship or because I was drunk. So funny.

I'm out of town for a few days guys. I'll upload more pics when I return home.

Love KB

xxxx

Holiday Time -Vince And Ary

These two lads had the dubious honour of being our waitors for ten days...poor boys. I was greeted every evening by the words, "Good evening Miss Karen, bottle of Shiraz?". OMG, I am so predictable.

Arrrgg, I'm having problems downloading pics this evening. I think I will give up and try again tomorrow.

Love KB

Holiday Time - All Aboard

Hubby and I boarded the Pacific Star after
breakfast. She wasn't due to set sail until sunset so we spent the day exploring







I was pleasantly surprised by the size of our cabin.




I made the mistake of saying to hubby, " Everything's running very smoothly, considering all the things that could have gone wrong." Hmmm, I should learn to keep my mouth shut.





I was informed my luggage had been 'delayed', which is another way of saying lost. I was relieved when my suitcase arrived four hours later. It had been sitting outside another passengers room the whole time.

Tis I in the wind before leaving Brisbane.

Love KB