unfortunately strong winds meant that Milford sound was dropped off our cruise. We were boarding in Akaroa when the word went around that the boat was turning back. it was true. we went to Picton instead. and then very slowly bobbed across the Tasman Sea to Brisbane. We did get a credit of $13.50 - refund of port fees from Dunedin. And because the boat was so far ahead of time the trip was slow and there were lots of sea sick people .

If you don't really care where you are then this would be ok. Staff are wonderful and cheery all the time. not too many cases of Listovirus on the trip (we did receive email days before sailing to say - be clean and beware.) there were 300 kids on the ship and except for the gang of 30 little shi# , who ran, screamed, jumped and generally were over the top, kids were not an issue. this is Australian school holiday time.

food was great and we ate in the formal dining room every night, the menu was interesting varied and very nice. in the buffet staff were everywhere to serve out the food - passengers were not expected to put their hands into the food. Yes - even thought the letter went out - there was still too many starving people who could not wait a minute for the staff member to serve out the cake, fruit, etc. Read more