Let me start by saying that the crew and the food were excellent but it was sold on a spend New Year eve on Sydney harbour. Yes we were on the harbour but behind the Sydney harbour bridge moored up at white bay with another cruise ship in front. You only got to see the fireworks with a obstructed view a lot of people were very disappointed and the captain new it because when there was a Q&A with ...
We last took this cruise, same company, (nearly) same itinerary, five years ago - and it was, as promised, amazing. Last month we took the same cruise - and what a disappointment. I know the company is under new ownership but one supposes the new owners thought there was value in what they'd bought - so why did they dumb it down? Presumably to extract a bit more profit. Azamara, regrettably, no ...
This was our first cruise with Oceania and a small ship. It was great we could stop at places that larger ships do not visit.
Staff and food were really excellent, but the entertainment was not as good or varied as a bigger ship can provide.
Our cabin was on Level 7 (A1Concierge Veranda) and it was disappointing to discover our hand basin was cracked, the soap dish was badly chipped and then ...
This is our third Cunard cruise, but like the furnishings in our cabin, the experience is wearing a bit thin and tired. While the day lectures offered were good, the nighttime theatre entertainment was merely glossy and without depth. Could something other than modern pop style music be presented? Meals and service were generally ok, as delivered by the hard working crew. But the LIdo buffet ...
Check-In
When arriving at the terminal in Sydney it was just under 30deg.C and we couldn't believe the length of the queue. Once inside the terminal (and in the shade), we were faced with further massive queues. Eventually collected our medallions and were ready to join another massive queue.
Cabin (Stateroom)
Very clean and looked after by the excellent Fernando.
Ship
Very well ...
Background Information
This was a multigenerational cruise involving my elderly parents, 40ish sibling with partner and a teenager. I've done 5 previous cruises with Royal.
Travel To Port of Embarkation
We travelled to Sydney and each stayed at different hotels. I suggest booking one within walking distance to the terminal. There are plenty of choices in Circular Quay or The ...
We took the 14 day New Zealand cruise from Brisbane on 4th December 2023. Worrying about reviews written about the age and state of the ship we were pleasantly surprised. As it is older the corridors are wider, and we weren’t packed in like sardines. The carpet is just like that in the RSL clubs. We took Aloha mini suite. Whilst it not as wide as others the rounded balcony has the best views by ...
I have sailed with Carnival many times, the last one pre Covid in February, 2020 and always found everything to be great.
We recently joined Splendor for a 10 night South Pacific cruise on December 4th, 2023.
Sadly the cost cutting on this cruise was very obvious with less security, cabin stewards, waiters, cleaners etc.
Almost everything is now controlled by a Carnival hub app now that ...
Having completed a 25 day cruise on Cunard Queen Victoria in 2017, the differences between now and then are stark, and that's not in a good way.
The Food:
1. Duck is now chicken.
2. Buffet has country of origin theme nights, which means the chicken cooked in a slightly different way, or with a different spice.
3. Desert is a variation on moose, with flavours cycled through the ...
My wife and I and another couple who joined us, had New Zealand on our bucket list and found the cruise itinerary to be very interesting. I have to say the embarkation and debarkation process was outstanding, including going on port calls. Princess has that down pat. We only wish the amount of staff was available throughout the ship.
We loved our room and our cabin steward. We have never been ...