I was very reluctant to go on any cruise, but went out of family obligation. It was surprisingly good. The international crew do a magnificent job, calling you by name whenever they can. There are great shows with music and dancing and lights, comedies, films. The ship is well designed so there is always a huge variety of spaces to experience. The food was excellent - choice of restaurants, lots of buffet stations on lido deck so no wait more than a few minutes or if you are willing to walk around - no queue at all. Big variety of food. Many stations with free coffee and tea, cordial, iced water. Empire restaurant huge and everyone had their own table they went to every night so after the first day there was no waiting, you just walk to your regular table. Service was excellent, three course menu with 10 options for entrees, then 10 for mains, 5 always the same 5 always different.

Chef's table was magnificent. Nouveau restaurant 5 star and fabulous. Art auctions were a rip off - mostly prints with exquisite frames (frames not included!). Lots of marketing to entice you to buy anything and everything from diamonds to cocktails, but with restraint, you need not buy anything at all. Shore excursions were a rip off. We did lonely planet do it yourself adventure in Noumea and it was fabulous. On Mare my kids and I did an awesome snorkelling adventure one and a half hours for only $40 AUD for all three of us, just booked it off the beach with locals - all well organised - info in English.

My 10 year old refused to go to boring kids club. My 12 year old tried it once and found it boring and spent the rest of the time with us or with grandparents. Kids were disappointed with tiny pools, but loved the movies in the cabin and on upper deck, and the shows. Sauna was great, gym was good. Serenity good if you get up at 7am to get a spot. Our cabin 1132 was noisy under the Red Frog Pub, loud music until 1am most nights. Ear plugs and pillows on both ears still not enough. We complained daily and were only allocated new cabins on day 6, and an $800 credit. We drank heaps of coffee to stay awake, and were cranky at times, but our bill at the end of the cruise for all four of us was only $37!