This was our first cruise on Royal Caribbean. We have previously cruised on Celebrity, Princess, Norwegian and Holland America. We chose Royal Caribbean to see how it compared to the others and if it was a viable alternative for us (newly retired couple) !! We were also concerned that prices seemed to be rising on our favourite cruise line. We had a good time - but like anything there were pluses and minuses which I will attempt to outline in this review. We chose early November as we felt it would be less crowded and fewer children as there was still six weeks or so before the school holidays (we were wrong here !!) and the weather would be pleasant.

Here we go - pluses first !!

1. We were able to purchase drink packages, internet package and shore excursions in the weeks before we left in Australian dollars and were able to spread them over two credit card billing periods. We bought ultimate drink package ($65 au,- it was $65 us on board), internet for one device for entire cruise -$130aus and two shore excursions Amadee Island (Noumea) and Jewel of Fiji which were both full day trips and cost a bit over $200au each. Read more