Diamond Princess Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Embarkation in Sydney was chaotic. There was very little seating for elderly guests who had to wait for long periods of time to get through the process. We did not receive priority boarding.
Ship information
The lay out of the ship felt crowded, we found it difficult to find somewhere convenient and roomy to sit. Skywalker's was the exception, a long walk from anywhere else in the ship.
Cabin Review
Oceanview (obstructed view)
Cabin E221 obstructed view gave us lots of light and a fair amount of view between the lifeboats. Very quiet location, close to the forward elevators giving easy access to The Wheelhouse Bar, the Theatre, the Spa and gym. The restaurants are all at the other end of the ship and the atrium a short walk to the next elevators.
Port Reviews
Sydney (Australia)
Home Port of course it is excellent.
Darwin
I love Darwin there is so much to do there. The local bus service for $2 concession for a whole day you can get to anywhere you want to go. The information booth is very helpful about routes and times of buses. The buses are air conditioned.
Bali
Don't cope with the aggressive sellers when you leave the port so I don' go ashore.
Geraldton
Great volunteer welcomers. The HOHO bus for a very reasonable fare, informs you about the must see attractions and takes you there and brings you back.
Perth (Fremantle)
Great volunteer greeters. Local free CAT buses both in Fremantle and Perth. Very easy to DIY.
Adelaide
Great volunteer greeters. Port Adelaide, one of the stops on the train into Adelaide CBD, is well worth a visit. The information site has self guided walking tour guides for the asking. Some very interesting buildings and quaint pubs for meals and drinks.
Melbourne
I took the bus into the CBD then took a Laneways walking guide from the wonderful volunteer greeters and spent the best of the morning wandering through Melbourne's iconic laneways.
Dunedin
I stayed in Port Chalmers and did a self guided walking tour around the port. Had a great lunch at Careys Bay Hotel (excellent wifi) and slowly climbed up to the cemetery and back to the ship.
Picton
Did a private tour with Highlight Wine Tours. It was an excellent tour with the owner of the company as our driver and guide. We were very well looked after and enjoyed our time in the Marlborough Wine area.
Wellington
A great city. Again we were met with volunteer greeters who were very helpful with information about their city. A day pass on the buses is good value and I took the bus out to Weta Cave to view the work of Peter Jackson in productions like The Hobbit and Avitar. An hours ride through the outer suburbs of Wellington on a wet and windy day was a good way to spend the day. Back in the CBD I went off to the Museum Tia Papa, a must see.