peter.kath@hotmail.com

Tendering is a very unpredictable area, after 12 P & O cruises we have learnt some lessons firstly what ship and what ports?

We went to our travel agent the other day and said tell us a nice holiday to do. His suggestion to us was 4 nights each Singapore, Siem Reap and

Hoi an. Since then I have being doing some research and it sounds like a great idea.

For Back to school I got some great things at the op shop.

For Gatsby At Millers this week I saw some cheap jewelled dresses that would look great with a headpiece and lots of jewellery.

Yes we were lucky enough to get a cheap cruise from Singapore to Sydney last year. Prior to this I really hadn't had any interest in going to Singapore. But once I started researching and looking at attractions that soon changed.

We only had 3 full days there but had a fantastic time. We travel with my 15 year old daughter who has a wheelchair and everything was so accessible the locals so well mannered and helpful.

We left our motel Fort Canning Lodge at 7 each morning returned for a swim in the afternoon then out again till about 10 each night.

We needed that cruise afterwards for a rest.

We are going back next year in December prior to a few days each in Cambodia and Vietnam, we can hardly wait.

Are you travelling with children? That does make it harder as these rooms book out.

I have been looking at Christmas this year and there are still a lot cabins available maybe if you cancel you might pick up a last minute one.

My 15 year old daughter has CP and has been on 12 cruises mostly with P&O.

We have been on the Carnival Spirit and although we enjoyed it, it was a bit to busy for her and us.

I would ring Customer Service and just ask if you can have boarding assistance as our daughter has a wheelchair we are able to do it in cruise control but I can't see anywhere for you to insert it.

If you are going to eat in The Waterfront speak to the Maitre de who will organise a special table for you in a quieter area.

You could also enquire at the reception desk about priority tenders but it might be best to wait a bit and get off once it quietens down a bit.

Thanks I just had a look at their Facebook page I wish I was there now instead of chilly Tamworth.

I am a fussy eater and I mostly really enjoyed the food on the Aria.

The Pantry is like a set up like a food court but we never had to line up.

The was a selection of Mexican, Asian, Fish and Chips, Curries, Sandwiches, Indian, Baked Meat and Veges and also a Salad Bar.

If we did not get enough or didn't like it we went and got something else.

We really enjoyed Angelos and the Dragon Lady and alternated between them most nights. We just booked each morning from 8.00 am at the Monkey Bar.

We probably didn't enjoy the Waterfront as much as on previous cruises for breakfast if you ordered something that was on the set menu you had to wait. Lunches were quite nice, and Dinner we felt was a bit hit or miss.

We missed sitting at a set table with designated staff, it felt a bit impersonal.

We probably spent less at ports on this cruise then what we have on any other.

We changed $300 which gave us 650 Kina.

From memory we spent 10k for beers at resorts.

2k at supermarkets for water and soft drinks.

At Alotau the Chinese type shops have some interesting stuff.

My husband bought some Newcastle Knights Shirts for 20k (they haven't won a game since) and some cool caps for family for 5k. My daughter also found a nice skirt and t shirts for 10k. Twisties and chips were 6 for 5k.

The islands had grilled fish 5k and lobsters various prices.

Some local tours to schools and villages 10k.

I thought the wooden bowls, carvings such as walking sticks and animals were over priced at 200k and more.

At Doini Island they did take Aussie dollars and it was $40 for a 2 hour fishing trip with the locals and also a tour to the skull caves for $20.

Beers and sausage sandwiches were $5.

We do still have some kinas left for our next visit.

Tara Jane,

I think you will really enjoy this cruise and yes I agree the ports and islands are less touristy then the South Pacific Islands but definately as stunning as Champagne Bay with less sarongs.

Alotau is a township a twenty minute walk along a flat path from the ship.

You do pass by the War Memorial on the way and there was a Cultural Canoe Festival in town. We changed our money in town and had to go through a fair bit of security to get into the bank. We also found this in the half a dozen local shops we went in and there were armed guards at the end of each aisle. We didn't feel unsafe but not a place to be to flashy (leave your gold jewellery on the ship).

It was very hot so we went to the Alotau International Hotel for a beer and a swim. Next time we hope to go to another resort for a look.

Kitava was a nice little island you could catch a canoe ride to the neighbouring island and just some nice snorkelling and swimming.

Kiriwini was a bit different. There was a massive cricket match set up and was a great deal of fun. My husband had a massive lobster for about $10.

Both these islands had hand carved wooden bowls etc for sale but I felt the prices were very expensive.

I am sure the locals would appreciate any donations I remember on our trip a lady had collected over 100 pairs of glasses.

We are going there on our second PNG cruise in February next year.

Our first one went to Doini, Kitava and Kiriwini Islands which were all absolutely stunning, the locals made us so welcome. We were there in November and the water temperature was nice with excellent snorkelling the coral was in pristine condition.

We also went to Rabaul and Alotau which were such a contrast but each with a fascinating history. I don't normally do ships tours but do recommend it in Rabaul. The volcano is so fascinating and erupted for us as we were leaving the harbour.

This time in Alotau we are going to go to the Driftwood resort, they will pick you up from the cruise ship but the town itself is well worth a visit.

Our next one has these ports as well as Madang and Wewak as well as the Conflict Islands, my husband mentioned that the Pacific Jewel was there yesterday.

If you get a chance do a little research before you go. My father in law had served at Milne Bay and we had an historian on board who gave us a wonderful overview about the war and the history of the area.

There is a charitable organisation in both Port Vila and Santo called Promedical. Yesterday on their page they were asking for blood donations for Port Vila hospital.

We are off to Santo in a couple of weeks and it is very reassuring to know that they will be there if you need them. They have paramedics from Australia that volunteer their services and train the locals in first aid.

But I guess they always need more help, Maybe some of us that love visiting Vanuatu so much might be able to assist them with a donation.

We were in Port Vila in March and they have just had so much bad luck with Cyclone Pam and the runway issues they rely so much on the tourism dollar and this is another knock they did not need.

I don't know about suite perks but when we went in March we alternated between the 2 most nights and tried most things on the menus. We did book each morning from 8.00 am at the Monkey Bar but there was no line ups.

I guess when something unfortunate like this happens we all start to ask these questions.

We like lots of people choose to organise our own transport in ports mainly due to costs. I have never thought to ask a driver if they have a license or insurance.

It is reassuring to see that P & O seem to being doing the right thing in arranging transport for those injured I hope their travel insurance covers the costs.

If you go to the Ports of Call, Pacific Islands there are many posts from people doing some amazing trips around places I had never heard of. I was helping someone the other day with their Fiji and Tonga ports, they were doing a cruise called Tales of the South Pacific with HAL.

I am already doing some research on what might be available out of Hawaii.

When we were on our Tonga trip there was an historian aboard who gave us a wonderful overview of the history of the area including Tahiti it sounds like such a beautiful place.

We have been on a cruise on the Pacific Jewel at Christmas and it was a really great the ship was festive and nicely decorated, on Christmas Eve the officers sung Carols in the Atrium and it snowed, Santa arrived by tender from Mystery Island and Christmas Day in Lifou the locals had their own Santa.

I too am going to recommend the PNG cruise we have been once and are going again in Feb 2017.

Each port is really unique the islands are absolutely stunning.

The history behind Alotau/Milne Bay and the devastation of Rabaul is so fascinating.

I haven't been on Princess so don't know about that ship. We have been on Carnival and although nice enough there would be no way I would go on it in school holidays. My 15 year old daughter has CP and uses a wheelchair and it was a bit to busy for us.

On P & O ships CFP are available for purchase from the pursers desk.

There are 3 of us and we normally change $100-150 which is more then enough for food drinks and transport for the day.

Is it a P & O cruise ? When we booked in January they were giving a free Mystery Shore Tour as a part of a sales promotion.

You are probably looking at 4 hours each way based on what our taxi driver said when we there in March.

We normally go for lunch $39 on Sea Days compared to $49 for Dinner.

It feels more relaxed and is the same menu. Plus you don't go to bed with such a full tummy.

My favorites are the Miso Omelette for entree, Seared Scallops for main and the Liquorice Parfait for dessert, it is a pity I have to wait till February next year to have it again!

There is only one word you need to know in Fiji and it is BULA.

We have been to Suva several times and really enjoy it. The port area itself can be a bit confronting the first time. The local tour operators and taxi drivers are all very enthusiastic for your business we just smile and say no thanks.

There is some really good shopping and some great Chinese Restaurants.

For a first visit I would recommend a short walk to the museum and maybe a stop at the Grand Pacific Hotel for a drink and a swim.

It sounds like your cruise will

have several beach days.

Dravuni Island is gorgeous I definately recommend a walk up the hill the view is spectacular. We also took a boat tour around the island with a local who then took my husband fishing, The snorkelling was really good.

Lifou it is also worthwhile taking a local tour to the other side of the island and to see the local attractions. Last time I was there it was Christmas Day there was some cultural activities at the wharf and even Santa popped in. Every time we have snorkelled there we have swum with turtles and it is very special.

Utahtea, what are your other ports.

My favorite snorkelling is at the Natural Aquarium on the Isle of pines not so much for the coral but for the fish.

I forgot to mention some of the tasty food you can try our favorite NEMS which are Spring rolls made out crepe batter with chicken or beef and vegies about $2 from the takeaway type shops

There are some also some awesome chocolate shops and partisseries with lots of sweet and savoury delights.

We have been there when the markets are on in Coconut Square and they also worth a look.

We have been to Noumea more then 10 times and always enjoy it.

As others have said there are local tours available at the terminal.

I would suggest the Tchou Tchou train which I think goes for 2 hours and shows you all around. It is a good way to get your bearings if you decide to do to HOHO bus. I can really recommend the aquarium and a swim at Lemon Bay, where you can even catch a boat ride to Duck Island.

Our last cruise we arrived at 3pm on a Sunday and nothing was open,so we walked through the marina and stopped at a bar and had a few pints of Number 1 the local beer and watched the sunset which was also very pleasant.

We were a bit disappointed that we did not get to do any shopping. If that is your thing Chinatown has some nice clothes, bags and shoes.

The supermarket is quite interesting and good if you want to take some snacks back on board. Last time we got 5 different types of twisties where in Australia we only get 2.