Embarkation was smooth as we booked a suite and had priority.This was the only time that the priority was an advantage. The suite was well appointed and clean. Reggie, our room steward was great and the towel animals were a delight.

The food in the main dining room was good but the buffet area food was average. The buffet was very crowded at most times. The service in the dining room from Malcolm, our head waiter and Gabriel was very friendly and efficient and the entertainment at dinner was excellent. The theater entertainment was also excellent the nights we attended. All the crew we encountered were very friendly, seemed happy and polite.

The tendering at the Isle of Pines was a debacle and we had a 3 hour wait from receiving our ticket to actually boarding the tender (no priority here!!!). At the next port, Lifou, the tender process was better, but still quite slow. Disembarking at Noumea was easier. We booked an excursion on the Chou Chou Train and this was very good and worth the money we paid. Our guide was very proudly French and very informative. We did not go to Mare due to cyclone Winston. Read more