I recently boarded the rhapsody of the seas boat to my balcony cabin and was so excited to be on board. The only complaint i had was the clear huge amount of complaining oldies that ruined what was a great experience on board. Not only do these oldies complain about how a cup of tea is made they insist on holding everyone up with their walkers or zimmer frames, to the point where i saw one day in the daily activities that staff were not obliged to carry passengers onto tenders or shore. Apart from the oldies filling up the lifts at all times and constant sheer entitlement complaining, the cruise was brilliant. I went with my family, which included a 11 year old, 6 year old, 3 year old and 18 mnth old. The staff on these ships are incredible and i loved the British flare of the entertainment staff who made trivia, bingo, poolside activities a fantastic adventure of laughter and fun. The cruise director graham who put on the adult's only show was so funny, i have never laughed so hard. The karaoke man after 10pm derek was the best entertainer i have seen in years, his american accent may have you thinking omg just another yank but he really made adult entertainment the best on the cruise night after night. I am 34 and my husband 37 and we have never had so much fun and laughed so much.

What to avoid - Fiji locals are pretty dodgy, best to book tours through the cruise for first timers or do your research before you leave on shore activities in Suva and Lautoka.

Noumea - catch the bus to the nice parts and don't stray on your own, the locals were not friendly at all near the wharf. Read more