vrogers

Thanks Vozzie for such a comprehensive review. Never been on a MSC ship, but kept bumping into the Orchestra last month at a few ports, I wonder if you were on board in July. Have to say don't think it is my cup of tea, as I did notice a few people smoking on the balcony when we were docked opposite and that really turned me off, couldn't imagine anything worse than getting a cabin that previously had a smoker, did you notice this?

Tanlee, Oceania and Azamara are my first thoughts, both great cruise lines, Oceania offers two size ships, 1250 and just under 700, Azamara just under 700 pax. But if your budget allows check out Crystal, Seaborne. Not sure what price bracket you are looking at. These may give you an idea and somewhere to start looking....cheers V

Cam & Ray - as others have advised - it is dependent on where you are sailing to?

South Pacific

USA

Europe

As I use different methods for each of these destinations.

South Pacific - just take AUD

USA - small amount of cash and use CC

Europe - mainly take Euros and use CC

Kiwi Cruiser (Stu) ... will look out for you, and I promise to keep the QV in tip top shape until you board....Cheers V:)

Noumea, this last cruise we did a tour with Noumea Gateway Tours. It involved a tour of Noumea, ferry tide to Escape Island, a lovely buffet lunch, after which we snorkelled off the beach and saw heaps of Turtles and swan with them. Then a ferry ride back to the ship shuttle stop. All in all a great day.

The first visit we took the HOHO bus to Lemon Beach and then took the boat over to a Duck Island where we spent a couple of hours before heading back.

Hope that helps you some ideas.

I sailed mid November a few years ago and had the most amazing sunny days for the majority of the cruise. My girlfriend cruised in January and had gale force conditions, so you never can tell, you are just in the hands of the weather gods, whenever you cruise...

I would suggest you get a list of the destinations you want to go to and then check out which cruise lines cruise to those ports and the go from there. Am pretty sure Silversea is not the number one - there are cruise lines out there - that would rate themselves higher than Silvesea. My experience is that demographics of a particular cruise line and destination - followed by price are all something you should look at. I have cruised with various lines and have enjoyed them all in varying different ways - so keep this in mind - and everyone you speak to will have a different opinion - best you decide your budget and destination and then go from there...Happy cruising - but if you are like the rest of us - one cruise and you will be hooked.....cheers V.

My very first cruise was in around 1985 on PO Oriana. There was 4 of us all workmates who paid the total sum of $693 for our cruise - along with airfares to Sydney and we even got a OBC of around $100 each - so the cruise did cost very little. We all shared a 4 berth bunk on the bottom level - and we had to share the bathroom - it was a communal bathroom - I remember we could hear the ships engines and the smell oh god how I remember that awful dank smell. I remember I was extremely sea sick and had to visit the doctor for injections each sea day - but once we arrived at a port - I could eat and felt great - at that time - we did not need a passport to travel to the Islands and I remember thinking if I had a passport I would have flown home from Fiji. Initially our cruise was going to go to the Solomon Island and Noumea but due to political issues at the time - we only made it to Port Vila and Fiji. The cruise had plenty of night time entertainment to keep the majority of the ship partying until all hours - I was the only married person in our group - so would often leave the rest partying and head downstairs to the hell hole that was our cabin. I remember a tropical night on the deck - that was great - still have the photos of that night and my formal night photos I think.

I remember the food on board - as I was so sea sick I rarely ate a thing - but the waiters were great.

To be honest after that experience it took me some 20 years before I was game enough to cruise again - and thankfully I did because I am now a cruiseaholic and can't get enough cruising - but the experience of cruising at the bottom of the ship and on a ship which I think went off to become razor blades in Japan not long after we sailed - is something that I will remember for many many years, but have now overcome that trauma....

Kiwi Kruzer - could you add me:-

22 June 2017 - Southampton - Athens - Queen Victoria (23 nights).

When you look at the list - we Aussies certainly love to cruise and to some exotic locations I might add.

Cheers V.

Cupcake Susie if your decision is Solstice you won't go wrong - I definitely have them as the number one for ships sailing on a regular basis from Australia - and they come in my top 5 overall. It is a lovely ship with plenty to do, in fact I think there was more for adults on Solstice to do than RCI, as RCI really concentrates on activities for the young ones, but we did sail on Australia Day on Solstice so maybe they had more activities lined up because of the day.

Cupcake Susie may I suggest you keep an eye on Cunard deals. They have plenty of activities during the day, such as dance classes, line dancing etc, fencing classes, plenty of variety in trivia during the day. It is maybe a cruise line you haven't thought of but meets your criteria on most aspects, including food....cheers V

Lady Hudson, great tip about asking female staff who they use, must remember that, as from time to time you see staff with great colour and cuts...

Quick query where are you embarking? Southampton? Or just disembarking in Southampton as this will make a difference in the time it takes to disembark, as if you are doing round trip to Southampton you should pretty much walk off the ship without any formalities. But probably customs check if you board elsewhere...cheers V

Thanks Uncle Les but you know what I mean - the actual ships and not the corporate conglomerate that is Carnival. But I am pleased about the newer ships being sent down under, as it does give us a bit of variety - I have never sailed Princess so this may be the push I need - the only hesitation is 3500 pax - but saying that sailed UK PO Brittania last year and really never felt she was busy - except the pools (the Brits and the sun) - I have never seen so many deck chairs laid out in row after row after row - scary stuff.......

Gosh have to say I am excited we are actually getting ships that are new or relatively new with Princess, Cunard and RCI sending down good ships - unlike Carnival sending down well used ships, so I know where I will be spending my cruise dollars over the next couple of years - only wish there was a few more itineraries to choose from..

John, we have sailed twice on VOS and last year saw what you experienced on EOS with respect to dress codes in the MDR, but this year a great improvement, we saw the Maitrd send guest back to change into more appropriate wear for dinner.

I haves sailed on HAL, Cunard and Oceania, you will fine either of these lines, have very few and I mean usually less than a dozen. They predominantly cater for majority of adults, and I have enjoyed cruising on all three.

It has just been reported that QV has sent out an SOS - man overboard in the Milford Sound - all pax - asked to remain in staterooms until further notice....hopefully they find the person asap..

We are just off VOS and did a tour with Noumea Gateway (Alfred) to Escapade Island. Tour included amazing buffet lunch and snorkel just off the Island with Turtles. It was the highlight of our cruise, the Turtles were amazing..

Thanks everyone will get taxi rank Marshall to order maxi cab for us, that seems the best bet. Got a quote for a van to meet us at the airport and the quote came in at $235... they gotta be dreaming and that was one way....

Loved reading your great review, can't wait until your next cruise and hopefully another review. It's always great to read other people's thoughts on ships and cruising. It would be a strange old world if every one of us had the same views about things, and it maybe that cruising is not your cup of tea, but saying that would love it if you did review your carnival cruise...cheers V

Hi All - just wondering what would be our best bet - we are 6 adults and 2 toddlers and need transport from Sydney airport to OPT. Can we rely on their being maxi cabs at the taxi rank at the airport ? Or will we need 2 cabs - train not an option this time - as with luggage and 2 littles just too awkward. Are private transfers cost effective or would a maxi cab work out the best option for us, any ideas, has anyone else had this challenge with a larger family group.....cheers V

This guy looks like a complete nutter, if you read his statement of claim, probably a vexatious litigant trying it on...with any luck a Judge will make a costs order against him in favour of the travel agent and RCI... I really got a giggle out of claim though:D

Does this only apply to Diamond Club, as I had a quick look and can't see any deals, when I looked Internet still $15.95... am I looking in the wrong place ???

Cheers V

As someone else pointed out - additional cabins in the refurb of 2014 - but definitely no where near 800 extra pax - that is would be a total of 1/3rd of the passengers the VOS currently holds.

We were on a cruise last year in Feb and yes plenty of kids about - we thought as school had gone back there would be less kiddos around - but saying that we are off again in a week - so will see if last years large number of kiddos was a once off or we will have plenty of small frys around this year...and that VOS always has a large number of kiddos about...saying that we are taking 2 GC's ourselves this time around.....oops....:D

You can get away with polo shirt and dress shorts, unfortunately on my last cruise we saw guests wearing singlets and footy shorts, yes true story, could not believe my eyes. I don't blame the pax but the Maitre D they should never have been allowed in....😬