Initially we saw the Tailor Made promotion, and it seemed a good price for the package. Unfortunately there were snags.
We were offered the option of returning by indirect flights from singapore to Hong Kong, and from there back to UK, as the original flight was a lot earlier, meaning a rush to disembark and get to the aitport.We had upgraded our outward flight, which would have given an increased baggage allowance on BA. When we asked about doing the same for the last leg home, we were refused, because our flight was not direct from Singapore. BA said we could upgrade, but had to do it through the travel agent, (cruises.co.uk).It appeared the flights were controlled by Travel 2, so we left it We then found out that if we took another case, we had to pay the shuttle service carrier, as only one bag per person was allowed. That also applied to the shuttle from hotel to ship and from ship to airport at Singapore, and the 3 vouchers we were sent would have cost over £200.00. We decided to take the one case each.
Althoiugh we had booked 13 months in advance, we didn't get our cabin upgraded,as often happens. Instead of twin beds we had a double, and the stateroom was meant for a family as there were compartments in the ceiling for 2 bunks. There was just room to walk between bed and walls.
Cramped, little storage space, tiny shower space. Barely room to walk at side of bed. Porthole didn't allow much "oceanview",either in size or visibility
We stayed 3 nights in the Darling Harbour area in the Ibis Hotel.
We used the hop on hop off bus to take a tour around sydney. The botannical gardens were lovely, and we were quite near the Opera house. There was a Chinese garden, which was beautiful. It is in the centre of the city, yet was so quiet and peaceful, except for the ibises that swooped from tree to tree, or walked close by.
We stopped by the Anzac square and watched some soldiers practising for the Anzac Day parade, which was to take place on april 25th.
The shuttle took us into the town through shops,and to the market, where there were lots of stalls. a couple of boats had been blown up the beach in a storm a day earlier.