We choose this 13 night cruise to New Zealand as it was a great price for a club class mini-suite and as we normally sail Celebrity, we decided to give it a go. Had read lots of reviews, many negative but arrived with our glass half full!
Embarkation was fantastic - we were on the ship within ten minutes after arriving at the port in Melbourne. We were pleasantly surprised as there were quite a few people waiting to board. Disembarkation was equally as good back in Melbourne. But in Tauranga, they closed the off gangplank to allow people to get back onto the ship, despite having another gangplank open....but we were in port for another 6 hours and had to ask how we could get off! We had to squeeze past all the people who were coming back on and put up with their glares. A bit silly.
First impressions of the ship were really good, looked in good condition and lots of venues. Our cabin, mini suite was very spacious and plenty of storage space which is terrific when you are on a 13 night cruise. Only downside, shower over bath which makes it difficult to shower plus could not control the temperature of the water, either too hot or too cold.
Lovely balcony cabin (but with limited cover), heaps of space for storage and hanging space. A desk and plenty of drawers and open spaces to stow luggage etc. Two large TVs. Only downside was shower over bath.
Stayed at Pan Pacific Hotel which was ideally situated to Crown Casino and Southgate. Would stay there again!
Did a ship tour here - microbrewery. It was very good. Thought there was more than one brewery but the lunch at Peppers (fish and chips) was huge and excellent! Smash Palace (stop 2) was incredible, would have loved to stay here all day! So glad we went here. Microbrewery was ok. 5 samples of beer.
Took shuttle into Tauranga as on our last cruise we did not go here but stayed around Mount Maunganui. Would not bother again. The area around the cruise ship terminal,Mount Maunganui, is much more pleasant. So we came back to the ship and walked into the "mall type" area and had a fantastic lunch at Latitude 37. Excellent food and great service.
As we have visited Auckland on many occasions we just walked around the Viaduct area and the ferry terminal area. Great to stretch the legs! Many good restaurants here including the Crab Shack where we had lunch. Huge appetisers so did not have to order a main.