peter.kath@hotmail.com

Thanks re advice about Driftwood. We travel with my 16 year old daughter who is unable to walk and uses a wheelchair. She loves snorkelling and as this is one of only 3 ports that she can off the ship we were hoping to do it there. Any advise would be appreciated.

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We will be on our 2nd PNG cruise in February. We picked this one because it goes to Wewak Madang and the Conflict Islands as well as the ports we previously visited. This time in Alotau we are going to the Driftwater Resort they will pick you up from the cruise ship.

We were on the Aria and they had a guest speaker who spoke on the war history of the area. My Father in Law had been based in Milne Bay so for us and a lot of the others it was a bit of a sentimental journey.

Enjoy your cruise.

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We have been in Vila on a Sunday, Duty Free and Chinese owned shops are definately opened.

You are also welcome at most of the resorts for a swim if you buy a drink or a meal.

As we have been there a fair bit more our first stop is the duty free, then next door to the Anchor Inn for a Tusker, a bit off in town shopping.

Lunch at one of the bars, The Waterfront, Chill or the Lava Lounge.

My husband then takes my daughter for a swim at the Grand, whilst I go across the road for a Thai Massage.

We then normally walk back to the ship stopping at the Supermarket for snacks and then the War Horse for another drink and a then a look at the markets at the wharf.

It is a nice way to spend the day if it's not to hot and humid.

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Mystery Island the stall holders will accept Aussie Dollars we normally take Vatu to help them out particularly the children with coins.

Depending on what ship you are on CPF are normally sold onboard. However the local tour operators and the Hotel on the beach will take your Aussies Dollars as well for there very overpriced drinks, last time we were there it was $11 for a beer.

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We have been to Mystery Island a few times. My husband normally takes a fishing trip with the locals for about $40 and has also gone on a couple of snorkelling trips with them I always have a massage which are from memory about $15 for 30 minutes.

When we in Santo recently one of the people we met said that there were glass bottomed canoes there for hire as well which would be great for those who don't snorkel.

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We like to holiday a lot so always the cheapest outside for us. We did have a Balcony once Carnival Spirit Singapore to Sydney, it wasn't very big but nice as you entered and left ports. I think I would have liked it more if you could leave the door open but then the air conditioning goes off. $700 is a lot of cocktails or specialty dining or a plane trip!

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Many cafes, restaurants and resorts offer free wi fi if you buy a drink or a meal. We went to the Holiday Inn in Suva and had a swim as well.

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I just had a look and we are 163 days out from our 2nd PNG cruise on the Aria.

One thing that I have found that you need to have something booked for when you came back so at least you have something to look forward too.

We recently took our daughter our Espiritu Santo for her Surprise 16th Birthday in July and loved it so much we booked to go back at Christmas and yes I am again keeping it a surprise.

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You should be able to get a water taxi to Hideaway from where the ship docks. Just from my opinion the Ship tours with 3 little ones will be costly and maybe a bit to much. We have been on a lot of cruises and I have found it is better just to enjoy the ports.

If you want to see something cultural you might be better doing that at Suva and there will be tour operators at the dock.

Lifou the locals also do tours.

Noumea the Amadee trip is only available through the ship.

The kids would enjoy the Tchou Tchou train and it is cheaper at the ship terminal.

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Another option would be taking the water taxi which docks next to the port exit it is $5 as well and drops of near the Grand Hotel with a five minute walk down to the Anchor Inn.

The wharf is being reconstructed so there could be changes. Normally the buses are parked a 5 minute walk from the terminal they charge $5 per person and don't leave until the bus is full. Most of the times we have been there we have been of the ship by early and into town before the shops even open.

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Depends what you want to buy.

There are some stores selling genuine watches and electronics in the Main Street. Check the prices at home and on board ship first they will negotiate.

The Troppo shopping centre has perfumes but they were no cheaper then the ship.

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Sorry I don't know how just go to TripAdvisor Lugunville Forum it is the post Surprise 16th Birthday with a wheelchair!

So could I MicCanberra.

We came home and it was that cold I booked to go back at Christmas.

Oyster Island has kayaks for hire we went there on a Sunday for their BBQ Lunch. One of the girls with us said it took about 45 mins to paddle to the Matevula Blue Hole.

I have done a Trip Report on TripAdvisor if you are interested in having a read.

We have just had a week at Santo where Champagne Bay is. It was so lovely just sharing the beach with only a couple of others and not a whole cruise ship full.

I do suggest you get one of the local taxi drivers to take you to either Port Orly, Turtle Bay or Oyster Island which all have restaurants and good snorkelling away from the crowds. The Blue Holes too are worth a visit.

There will be market stalls set up at Champagne Bay and they also sell fresh lobsters, fish and chips and Tusker the local beer, wine and even champagne.

Just make sure that your ship in docking in Cairns before making any arrangements. Our cruise even though it stated Cairns on the itinerary it was actually at Yorkeys Knob which is a tender port that is not always accessible.

Those booked on P & O shore tours are always the first allowed to get off so you can't guarantee what time you will get ashore.

As it was all the P & O tours we late getting back and they had to arrange catamarans to get every one ashore as the the weather had worsened it was a very rough trip back to the boat.

I am not trying to be negative just making you aware what might happen I hate to see someone having their cruise ruined when they don't get into ports.

We always use Portside Parking. My daughter is unable to walk and has a wheelchair, my husband takes the bus with the luggage and we can just walk there. We are normally first off the ship a quick stop at Sammys Seafood and out of Brisbane before it gets to busy.

We recently flew into Brisbane on a Monday night and they were there within 15 mins. We do book the undercover parking in case of hailstorms.

We have been to Suva several times and really enjoy it.

My 16 year old daughter really enjoys the shopping and so does Mum.

A nice day out is to take a 20 min walk to the Museum it is very interesting. A walk back to the Grand Pacific Hotel or Holiday Inn for a swim. Lunch at one of the excellent Chinese Restaurants we like the Peking. Then the afternoon browsing though the shops. There is even a Fiji Just Jeans. Troppo City has a wonderful floor just for high end Indian fashion. And there are several Jacks stores which stock some other nice things. Are you going to Port Denarau or Lautoka ?

We recently had a week at Santo and had several while we were there.

It is a funny feeling especially when it wakes you up.

Thank You for your thank you. We enjoyed Santo so much we have just booked today to go again this Christmas.

We were there on a cruise last May after a previous visit 2 years before and decided that we needed to visit for a bit longer.

We took my daughter for her surprise 16th birthday last month for 6 nights. I have done a trip report on TripAdvisor, you might like to read.

We used Steve from Santo Natural Tours as our driver he had a really nice van and was a nice man.

Best meals were at the Village de Santo, The Espiritu Hotel and the SinChen Chinese next door.

Fabrice from Island Fishing Santo gave us a great day out apart from the Snorkelling, Fishing and Dugong watching he gave a great overview of the islands history.

When a cruise ship visits Unity Park will come alive with markets and some cultural experiences.

If you tell me your interests I might be able to make some more suggestions.

We did Carnival Spirit Singapore to Sydney after its dry dock.

It was good to fly there have a few super busy days exploring and then a bit of a rest on the cruise back.

Yes our bags were a lot fuller getting on the ship then what we left home with and after a stop in Bali and Lombok where we bought more bags that we also filled.

Just be aware anyone doing a cruise after dry dock everything may not be finished and there will be teething problems.

Due to so many complaints Carnival were more then fair offering us a refund of 25% of our fares which made our cruise very cheap 16 nights in a Balcony cabin just over $900.

On a longer cruise you probably won't be overrun with children there was only 150 on ours.

Yes just tip who and how you want. On our last cruise on the Aria we tipped our 2 room stewards $50 each and a box of chocolates.

On previous cruises we have tipped waiters in the Waterfront and Bar staff but this time although quite happy with the service didn't really form any real connection with any.

For anyone arriving in the afternoon, we went for a walk through the market area and found a nice bar Le Bout de Monde where we paid 20XPF for 2 pints of Number 1 and a plate of fried nimblies. Was quite nice watching the sun set over the ship.

We have travelled on the Dawn about 7 times and always had a great time.

I think a good cruise director sets the tone of the ship and Willie Lee is fabulous. Last year his shows in the Dome were standing room only and a lot of fun.

The best thing to pack on a cruise is a great attitude. Somethings might not be just to your liking but that happens everyday at home.

I love cruising because I don't have to cook, clean or make my bed and even better unless I am at Salt when I leave the restaurant I don't have to pay.

Our next cruise is to PNG our second cruise on the Aria and I can't wait.

We have just had 6 nights at Santo it is a amazing place to visit the weather is beautiful this time of the year.

So Noumea , Vila and Santo you dock at the port and Mystery Island, Champagne Bay and Isle of Pines are the tender ports.

If you book an early P & O tour you do get off first.

Cruise Control is really just a guide.