going on a cruise

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

I booked a family cruise to the New Caledonia and surrounds.
Wife and 2 teenage sons. 1st holiday in 4 years since my accident.
I hope I did the right thing as all my other holidays travelling were go go go, but cruising is supposed to be all about relaxation, I've relaxed for 4 years now.
They say there's lots to do on cruises.
Any one had 1st hand experiences

[sniegy]

I have recently returned from the States, where we spent 2 1/2 months travelling around seeing friends/relatives in & did a Disney Cruise into the Bahama's for 4 nights (only a short one as I wasn't to sure what it would be like & my youngest one gets motion sickness quite easily) with my Wife & 2 daughters aged 7 & 10.

I must admit all I think about now is going on another one:D:D

I have never been so relaxed in my life[thumbsupbig]
I LOVED it, did I mention it was fantastic ;)
You get treated like royalty, everything is done for you & there is heaps to do, just take the time to read what is on & go enjoy yourself.
The kids are old to look after themselves so take the time to get to know your wife again, relax & enjoy.

Did I mention I loved it:p

Take care.
Cheers

[x-box]

I did a week-long cruise from Brisbane to New Caledonia, Lifou and Vila.
You'd think you'll get bored during that time on a ship - hah!!!!! There is so much to do, there are rosters every day and see how much or little you can fit in - it's up to you.
The entertainment was superb, food fantastic and the fresh air great. The kids will have a ball and the 3 stops we made were interesting and fun.
Even though everything on the boat is for free, watch out for your drinks tab and also the mementos and other stuff adds up quickly - but even so it is great to cruise and I'd be very surprised if you don't love it and want to go again soon afterwards.

[tailslide]

We went on a 16 day cruise with P&O from Fremantle up to Indonesia and back nearly two years ago. The family is looking to go cruising again somewhere next year.

It takes a few days to settle in and get to know the ship. We were never bored or wanting in things to do.

Have a great holiday.

Cheers
Ron

[Ean Austral]

Done it and loved it..:D:D:D

Spent my life at sea, but loved cruising as did the wife and our 2 teenage daughters...when we seen them that is...They had a great time

Do as much or as little as you like..The entertainment is top notch the food and service is spot on.

The boss has told me that a cruise is on the 50th birthday present list, but might not wait that long.

Enjoy the trip.

Cheers Ean

[MEANZ06]

we did a 10 day cruise through the Virgin islands, great time. just be carefull of the cruiseship credit card. our bill was $1200 and it was mostly booze :D

[33chinacars]

Blue nomads have taken over from where the Grey nomads finished. Its a new world on the high seas

Gary

[blackbuttdisco]

If you can, avoid inside cabins, you will be tired all day and every day. Everyone we met on our 49 day cruise from UK who had an inside cabin was tired, so it was not just me. :(

[PSI250]

We went on our first one earlier this year and have booked the new caledonia cruise for 2012!

I really enjoyed it, always something to do etc. The more people you can get to go with you / the more people you get to know on board the more fun you have!
Good mix of ages too, i'm in my mid 20s and found all age groups were pretty evenly represented. This was on a bris > cairns cruise though, may be differant on the new caledonia cruise.

Basic cabins are pretty average, but you hardly spend any time in them anyway! Suites are a good option if you can extend the budget that far!

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

We going end of march, we couldn't get on the Feb cruise as it was booked out. I found out yesterday the neighbors 2 doors up had snaffled our places on that cruise.
I decided to fly up to Sydney instead of driving, I reckon I'd get lost driving in Sydney, narrow roads and lots of rushing traffic.
Cheap airfares, booked with Jetstar as I wouldn't trust tiger, they might not turn up.
I like Jet Stars online options on the ticketing.
Do you want a seat with leg room add $24, do you want to choose your own seat $4, do you want to jump the queue and get on the aeroplane first before others the pay extra $, now you have finally been screwed for all the extras, now submit the purchase ticket button and we have screwed you an extra $60 for booking and admin fees.:o
I would hate to know the charges if I had rung and spoken to someone

I tried web jet and it gave comparison of other carriers, all the cheap flights for Jet star had X in the so not avail and sghowed the next pric e. Yet direct on Jet star booking site they were available. So it pays to check around

Travel insurance get "One cover insurance" cheapest by miles, have used them twice now on o/s trips. It's the insurance that has that silly man in the green lycra suit with a head band on his bald head

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

If you can, avoid inside cabins, you will be tired all day and every day. Everyone we met on our 49 day cruise from UK who had an inside cabin was tired, so it was not just me. :(
You are not wrong there, we took the Tassie ferry inside and felt claustrophobic, at least with a window cabin it's gives you the visual of not being imprisoned. We only booked an outside 4 berth. It's only to spend a couple of hours to try and sleep in

[ramblingboy42]

we did similar cruise early this year. Pt Vila imho is the best place to purchase everything.....I mean everything. On the last return leg the ship has sales of all its goods.....probably perfume being a good thing to buy then.

[ATH]

We did a 16 day cruise out of Freo a couple of years ago and wouldn't bother again.
Too many teenagers, too many smokers down the portside which meant you had to hold your breath for 2 minutes getting past them.
Stink of smoke in corridors was shocking as the aircon draws air out of cabins and recycles it.
The main buffet let food get cold before they put it in the warmers and I got a stomach bug virtually straight away .
Best restaurant was very good for 20 bucks extra per meal. Main restaurant was very ordinary and couldn't even cook a steak rare. The service personnell were excellent throughout the ship.
Trips ashore were too rushed.
Good thing was I lost 5 kg because I could hardly eat, the Cook complained and we got sent a hamper of chocolates in a courier van and they'd melted into a soggy mess!!:D
So not for us and we'll fly to Singapore or another city in Asia and go from there in future.
Happy sailing.
AlanH.

[ramblingboy42]

We did a 16 day cruise out of Freo a couple of years ago and wouldn't bother again.
Too many teenagers, too many smokers down the portside which meant you had to hold your breath for 2 minutes getting past them.
Stink of smoke in corridors was shocking as the aircon draws air out of cabins and recycles it.
The main buffet let food get cold before they put it in the warmers and I got a stomach bug virtually straight away .
Best restaurant was very good for 20 bucks extra per meal. Main restaurant was very ordinary and couldn't even cook a steak rare. The service personnell were excellent throughout the ship.
Trips ashore were too rushed.
Good thing was I lost 5 kg because I could hardly eat, the Cook complained and we got sent a hamper of chocolates in a courier van and they'd melted into a soggy mess!!:D
So not for us and we'll fly to Singapore or another city in Asia and go from there in future.
Happy sailing.
AlanH.

hows your glass? half empty? bet if I was on that very same cruise I would have had a ball.....

[Pauly85]

i done a 14 nighter in 2007 to vanuatu and new caledonia, loved it so much that im going on a 10 nighter to the same places later in January this year, cant wait!!