peter.kath@hotmail.com

With P & O the tendering process is very hit and miss. We are going to PNG on Thursday so I will let you know how it is after that.

We were off the ship by about 9 am. We and another couple caught a taxi to Cairns for $50 each way about 30mins and arranged for the driver to pick us up to return to the ship at 2 pm.

We had a nice walk around, prawns fresh off the trawler, a massage then a drink at one of the nice pubs it really was a good day out.

When we returned, the line was horrendous so we ended up going into the Yorkeys Knob Boat Club for a beer.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We were on the 2nd P & O Cruise that went there in November 2013, I think and are going again this week, so I can let you know the the difference.

I have been doing some research on our ports and I have seen that there is a new Hotel, there on the Waterfront, near where the ships dock.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I read that too this morning, it said it was because of the water pollution on Yeyele Beach, It was ton the Royal Caribbean site.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

When are you going, we have only missed once and that was in May 2014 when we also missed Isle of Pines and Pentecost. The other 7 or 8 times, have been fine, don't worry if you miss out it gives a excuse to go again.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We walked last time about 45 mins, taxi $10, water taxi $5 each.

If you buy before about 2pm that will deliver to ship.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We cruised on her in March on the Bounty Adventure last year and are going again in 3 weeks to PNG. I enjoyed it very much especially the food.

This will be our 14th P & O cruise after having been on the Sun, the Dawn and the Jewel. As well as the Carnival Spirit. We normally only pay about $1000 each which is really good for considering you are getting 14 nights accomodation and 3 meals a day, try doing that in anywhere in Australia.

I read the reviews regularly and sometimes wonder if I was on the same ship as them, yes things go wrong, but can normally be resolved if handled in a courteous manner. The way I here some people complain no wonder their problems aren't fixed.

My 16 year old daughter is in a wheelchair and all the staff treat her so well. The room stewards are always excellent.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

No charge for Oyster Island, we have found all the resorts are happy for visitors with an unspoken rule that you have lunch or at least a drink.

The only place I noticed a sign was at the Beachfront Resort that asked that to use their very nice pool that you spend a "reasonable amount".

Tusty has 3 taxis so he could take you, but any taxi would do. Just ask the price 2000vt each way is fair. Get them to drop you off and return to pick you up at an agreed time and don't pay until the end. It is about a 20 min trip.

You can hire kayaks at Oyster to go to the Matevula Blue Hole but if that is what you want to do check first because it was very muddy at the beginning of January.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

The Aore Island ferry was free when we went.

Another idea if your happy to travel away from the port is Turtle Bay or Oyster Island Resorts you could go for lunch and a snorkel there too.

We used Tusty email btusty27@yahoo.com Phone 7755280 he could drop you off and pick you up when you wanted. We paid 2000vt each way . You could probably do Million Dollar Point on the same day.

My favorite place is Port Orly but that is easier to visit if you stop at Champagne Bay. But if not Sam who owns Lonnoc Village will take you for 8000vt for the whole day phone 5614970.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Yes, walk though the port area turn left towards town, a couple of hundred metres. There is a sign on the road down to the water advertising Quadman and the Vanuatu Handicraft Markets.

It is only about a 10-15 min trip but really well worth it.

The only thing if your cruise is in February You might want to check if it open I did see that it was closing for renovations.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Lugunville a couple of suggestions.

Aore Island, free ferry leaves BP Wharf at 8.30 11.30 returns at 11.00 2.30 and 4.00

A really lovely resort with excellent snorkelling at its jetty area.

Natangora Cafe Free WiFi, Great Burgers Cold Beer on the waterfront.

The Espiritu Hotel Free WiFi, Beautiful Pool Area, Good Priced Lunches.

A 200vt Taxi ride up the hill to the Deco Stop Lodge great views overlooking the ship and the Second Channel with a nice pool.

Enjoy your day.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We are going on the 10th Feb to PNG and in cruise control all it has in 2 hrs Alotau, not time or description. We have made plans and my daughter is in a wheelchair so it probably didn't suit us anyway.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We are just back from a week in Lugunville and on the day the Pacific Eden was in the markets and the taxi drivers had all their prices in Aussie Dollars.

It is better to have $5 and $10 notes and your change with probably be given back in Vatu.

The are a couple of Western Union offices in the Main Street.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Yes I will, I also got skipping ropes at KMart for $1 as well. I always take about 20 packs of UNO cards from the $2 shop and have fun with the kids showing them how to play.

We are lucky our cruise is for 14 nights visiting Madang, Wewak and the Conflict Islands where we haven't been as well as Alotau, Rabaul, Kitava and Kiriwini. PNG is so beautiful and full of history. My Father In Law served in the Milne Bay Area.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Last time we were there was November 2013 and I think most of the island came down to welcome us.

I have also found op shops and garages sales great for sourcing stuff.

I will let you know how it is after this visit.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

What ports are you visiting Kitava and Kiriwini would probable be the most needy? We are going in February and are doing the same.

We were in a Santo this week and shared it around some of the people who took us around. Another thing which appreciated is baby clothes and medical supplies bandaids antiseptics etc.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Yes I agree. On each of our P & O cruises (12) we have always looked forward to a meal at Salt, however the last 2 times we have been disappointed with some of the food and the service and we probably won't go back again.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I see your going to Suva and Lautoka where we have always used Fiji Dollars not like Port Denarau where they tend to accept AUD, NZD, and US. We normally change our money at the Western Union in the Main Street. Currently about $150FJD to $100 AUD.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Hi Melanie,

Just letting you know that at Port Vila the Cascades Waterfall is no longer operating.

After visiting Espiritu Santo (Lugunville and Champagne Bay) several times we decided that there was so much there that we wanted to see and do that we went in July for a week we enjoyed it so much that we are going again at Christmas.

From Lugunville there are several resorts you can visit and enjoy their facilities by buying a drink or having lunch.

In town The Espiritu, by taxi 200 vt to Village de Santo, Deco Stop Lodge and the Beachfront Resort.

A bit further probably 1000vt each way Oyster Island Resort.

Another thing we highly recommend is Island Fishing with Fabrice, he will arrange a taxi to collect you. We did his 1 hour Dugong spotting 1 hour snorkelling 2 hours Fishing and it was a great day.

We use Steve Rovu for our driver he would collect you from both ports.

He operates Santo Natural Tours.

From Champagne Bay you just take a local tour to a Blue Hole or visit Port Orly or Turtle Bay resort.

I hope you enjoy your cruise we too are cruising in February our 2nd time to PNG and have our fingers crossed that there are not to many cyclones around

Sent from my iPad using Forums

When we travelled on the Aria earlier in the year we were told that there was a maximum of 150 children on board. That was in a March so it may have changed.

We have done a Christmas cruise on the Jewel and it was very nice.

You do get lots of family groups travelling together.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Wanderingoz,

At Nuku'alofa when you get off the ship there is a money changer as well as some markets stalls. There are some really well mannered locals there selling half and full day tours. We took the half day worked out to be $A50 each but we got to see all the sights and with a very interesting commentary as well.

At Vava'u we got a taxi to take us to the Tonga Beach Resort it was $10A each way and he come back and picked us. We had a really nice lobster lunch then a bit of a bar crawl.

At Port Denarau there are locals offering tours for about $70 each but if you know what you want to do it is cheaper to organise yourself with a taxi. We paid 100 Fiji Dollars total (about $66A) for half a day.

He took us to the First Landing Resort for a swim, gave us a tour of Nadi and his village. We then had a nice seafood lunch at the Port Denarau Marina, a bit of shopping and a massage.

Suva again locals selling tours we didn't look how much as we have been there several times.

We enjoy the shopping and usually walk up to the Grand Pacific Hotel or the Holiday Inn for a swim and a beer, then lunch usually at the Peking Chinese Restaurant

Enjoy your trip we have been on about a dozen P&O cruises and the Bounty cruise is a great itinerary. We will definately do that one again.

Our next cruise is again on the Aria our second time to PNG.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We did the Bounty on the Aria in March this year. Tender ports are Vava'u and Port Denarau.

It wasn't too bad getting off, but long waits to get back to the ship.

At Port Denarau they ended up bring in a large catamaran.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We prefer to arrange our own activities whilst ashore.

However there has been times particularly whilst tendering where it has been better to do a ships tour.

An early tour means you get off the ship first so that you can maximise your time in Port.

If your going to want to do something a long distance from the port and don't want yo risk not getting back to the ship in time.

We did this in Port Denarau where the tender ride is about 30 mins, the first time I we went it took nearly 3 hours to get off.

Also in Rabaul when we did not know what would be available and some safety concerns.

Some ships tendering is good but sometimes it is appalling, not always the ships fault. It amazes me how many people try to collect tender tickets when their family members are still asleep, hungover or haven't had breakfast.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We did Carnival Singapore to Sydney last year.

The ceremony was a lot of fun around the pool and we all received a certificate.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I hadn't heard of the 1880 but just checked its webpage and reviews and will probably stay there one time.

I really like the Pymont/ Darling Harbour area, there are heaps of bars and restaurants as well as being close to Chinatown, the Fish Markets and the Casino if that is your thing. I always feel safe there at night as it is quite busy. If you want to visit the Rocks area you can always catch a ferry.

There is so much to see and do in Sydney. Public transport is great for getting around. Enjoy your stay.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Depending on what ship if it is at the terminal in town.

Just follow the water past the markets and where the yachts moor, halfway through the Campari head up to the road there is a driveway, on the way back stop at Le Bout de Mode for a beer.

Sent from my iPad using Forums