The Shore Excursions manager was hopeless, especially at Guam, where no shuttles had been organised, so people spent up to $70 for taxis to downtown (we did our own thing, near the ship, finding a beautiful hidden beach), but the pathetic Yankee GI Joe security guards armed to the teeth were just as bad if not worse. One said, "We're stopping you from getting off, there's 200 of you out there already and God knows what might happen." Did he think one of the elderly one's zimmer frame was loaded? The GI Joes (not the ship officials) even confiscated a German gentleman's beer. I peered at him and said, "Ah, you killjoy." Must have had an effect on the peanut, because the gent told me later he thinks I shamed them into giving it back.

Were served a compensatory glass of champagne (well, bubbles) by dining room staff, "from the Captain", it should have been from the Shore Excursions manager. It's like giving lollies to children, quite pathetic really. I felt like finding the Captain and telling him what to do with it. We missed out on Chuuk Lagoon which was due more to mismanagement than misfortune. Again another glass of bubbles plus port fees and $50 each. Big deal. May never get there again, a missed opportunity. The room towels were absolutely filthy - after being so called washed. The pool towels stunk. As usual, the staff were more friendly and happier than a lot of the passengers.

As usual on cruising, dropped off at the equivalent of industrial areas. Actually won't do another cruise. I wonder if somebody was to build a structure like a ship, on land, give you a 3.5 x 4.5 metre box to sleep in, put a moat around it with the same number of people in it as one of these ships, with 2 tea & coffee stations, a mile from your cabin and have this structure plonked in the middle of an industrial area of a second rate town eg. Blacktown, Sydney, Australia and say, "You're stuck in this place for 30 days, we'll let you out every 3rd day." Wonder how many customer they'd get. Read more