Sea Princess Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We, as a party of 5, travelled ex BNE 12/1/16-22/1/16 to Vanuatu and New Caledonia. My wife and I have cruised several times before, the daughters only once, and then as children.
Departure was somewhat painless. We elected to drive and leave the car at Portside and for $119 for the 12 days, good value. It is a short walk to the terminal, about 200 metres. A good idea at the time but in hindsight would not do it again. Footpaths and crossings run out after a short while and then it is 4wd with the bag(s). Take the complimentary shuttle. Bagdrop is painless, if you follow directions. It is simply bags for rooms x-y to the left and a-b to the right. The number who just mixed and matched to suit themselves is remarkable. Deaf I suppose. Painless check-in and through and onto the ship in about 30 minutes. Princess now operate a designated check-in time based on your deck. Still numerous turned up to chance their arm and turned away to wait their turn. Good one Princess. The only real holdup is at Customs for the GST reclaim. One person maybe not enough, and an apparent inexperienced one on the system to boot.
It was difficult to fault the staff in anyway. For us we found them all approachable save perhaps one in the Riveria Bar. One of my daughters smelt gas in proximity to a bbq area and reported it to a bartender who was serving her. Given the bbq and the fact that it was in a smoker’s area she thought it was significant. The bartender did not and dismissed her saying he was too busy. She in turn found someone in Horizon Court and he promptly dealt with the problem(s) the gas report and the errant waiter. I note in a previous review off the same cruise a comment about not seeing the Captain about the ship. To the contrary I did, several times, and usually chatting with passengers. Maybe not as obvious as the Captain on other ships, but he was around. Compliments should be given to the Security Officer, the ship’s policeman. Not an easy job, but he struck an even balance. It is afterall a medium size country town.
Cabin Review
Port Reviews
Noumea
Visited Janek Bay. National Park about 10-15 mins easy walk from where the tender drops. Up the hill, turn left and next right. Miss the turn and you end up at the Church on the hill. Good views. Great snorkelling at Janek but rocky no beach to speak of. Enter off the steps. Supervised by locals and entrance is $15.00. Not sold by Princess. Go early if you can. Worth every bit of the $15
Lifou
Snorkelled at Janek Bay. Local National Park oversight by locals. $15 entry and in off the steps. No beach. Enter without paying and you will be found out. Further out some of the best you will see. Crystal clear but if wind picks up can be a bit choppy. Well worth the money.
Port Vila
Trip to Blue Hole and Eton Beach. 10000 vatu for the mini bus. 500 vatu p/h for Blue Hole ditto for Eton Beach. Blue hole very crowded. Eton beach virtually empty save for locals and a few expats.
Champagne Bay (Vanuatu)
Blue Lagoon a few miles out of Hog Harbour. Booked off the beach but clearly associated with one of the local village. A decent climb down (and up) but worth it. Locals helpful. One guy attempts to walk down on crutches (And did) supported by one of the village elders. $15 each for the truck and $7 admission. Worth it.
Brisbane
On and off only.