sunset Sojourn from Fremantle 2011 Sept

[oysterfiend]

Looking at an 8 night cruise from Fremantle in September

Goes to Geralton,Exmout and Broome- Pacific Sun

Prices are good.

Anybody been to these destinations - will it be warm and are they interesting places?

[thied]

We have been to Broome but not by ship, to us yes warm, average

daily max is about 31c and min is about 18 c, The wet season start about October/November , and Between January and March you will see monsoonal activity, possible cyclones,one thing to be aware of when in Broome is stingers on the beaches thats manly at cable beach there are beaches north of broome that safe all yaer round. THere are lots of web sites for broome that are very good.

[oysterfiend]

Thanks Thied,

I am also looking at a nine night cruise from Fremantle to Sydney,

We have a timeshare at Pacific Palms Forster,

We have only been there once and we bought it in 1996 I think.

We have always exchanged it but if we did the cruise that ends on a Monday at Sydney we could get a week from the following Saturday at the timeshare. I'd love to stay at Newcastle a night or two as we did we we went to Pacific Palms (on the way) years aga and I liked the place.

 

The nine nighter stops at Bunbany,Albany, Adelaide and Melbourne.

[thied]

Thanks Thied,

I am also looking at a nine night cruise from Fremantle to Sydney,

We have a timeshare at Pacific Palms Forster,

We have only been there once and we bought it in 1996 I think.

We have always exchanged it but if we did the cruise that ends on a Monday at Sydney we could get a week from the following Saturday at the timeshare. I'd love to stay at Newcastle a night or two as we did we we went to Pacific Palms (on the way) years aga and I liked the place.

 

The nine nighter stops at Bunbany,Albany, Adelaide and Melbourne.

 

Adelaide We have been to very nice place and Colonel William Light (now known as Light's Vision) HE arranged Adelaide in a grid, with five squares in the Adelaide city centre and a ring of parks, known as the Adelaide Parklands and it works well and they aslo have building hight limit as well, He had great fore thought in to the planing. Victor haubor is great but dont now if you have enough time on a cruise.

[sweet_successes]

We have booked the sunset soujourn in Sept 2011 on the pacific sun purely because it does the west coast and its something new rather than just out to the islands. It is also our 20th wedding anniversary so fits in really nicely. Apparently off exmouth is ningaloo reef which I have been told by a number of people is just spectacular. I am also interested in the pearl farming off broome and the spectacular sunsets.

[oysterfiend]

We have booked the sunset soujourn in Sept 2011 on the pacific sun purely because it does the west coast and its something new rather than just out to the islands. It is also our 20th wedding anniversary so fits in really nicely. Apparently off exmouth is ningaloo reef which I have been told by a number of people is just spectacular. I am also interested in the pearl farming off broome and the spectacular sunsets.

 

I would have to book the later one/ if we did it as I just realised we are away for our daughter's birthday this year and I don't want us to do the same next year.

Did you think it was a good price?

[sweet_successes]

I would have to book the later one/ if we did it as I just realised we are away for our daughter's birthday this year and I don't want us to do the same next year.

Did you think it was a good price?

 

 

I thought it was a fantastic price to what we have paid in the past - we are empress midship outside and got it for just under $2500 for 2 of us!!! Last time we cruised onboard the pacific sun we did week tropique and were in a suite at nearly $7 000 and our other cruises we have paid upwards of $3500+

[cruisyguy]

There are no beaches north of Broome that are safe all year round ,the further north you go the more chance of coming across a croc ,with regards to the stingers thay are usually gone by mid may and dont return till mid nov ,we go there every 2nd year in july and there has never been a sting while we are up there ,there is a noticeboard at Cable beach which has the date of the last sting and that always seems to be May.Cable beach at that time of the year is like going to Bondi in summer .Packed but plenty of room.DONT SWIM FURTHER NORTH UNLESS WITH A LOCAL WHO KNOWS WHAT THAY ARE DOING.

[oysterfiend]

There is also a 12 day Asian cruise- Pretty good price as well

We can't go on the much later cruises in the year as our accommodation business picks up and it gets to difficult for our minders with Xmas Bookings etc.

 

Only thing is we are going to Coolangatta In May for three weeks timeshare ( so basically a great but reasonably cheap holiday) and another holiday at the end of August is a bit soon.

That cruise begins August 30th and it is really tempting.

 

However, thing with Bali is all the shore tours are ridiculously cheaper than those on the other cruises, and it is a an exotic location.

 

If we go away early,

After Labour weekend, 2011 I won't get away again until May 2012.

We have a 7 day a week , 365 day a year accommodation business and 7 months without a break leads to Cabin Fever

[oysterfiend]

The nine nighter Fremantle-Sydney fits better time wise but the 12 nighter at end of August looks pretty good.

Oh to win lotto!

But hey I'll never win because I never buy any tickets!:D

[fishtaco]

The nine nighter Fremantle-Sydney fits better time wise but the 12 nighter at end of August looks pretty good.

Oh to win lotto!

But hey I'll never win because I never buy any tickets!:D

 

Do the 12 nighter!

 

We did it in late Jan this year and it was well worth it.

 

The Komodo tour is a once in a lifetime and after visiting Lombok we are back there in 2 weeks to spend some time on the Gili islands just off Lombok.

 

Bali was great to visit in a day but we are so used to Bali that we breezed through the day without missing anything.

 

The views of Lombok,komodo and Bali from the sea are spectacular.

 

Broome you really need an over nighter,our friends went on the Freo to Broome cruise just before our cruise and had an over nighter.

 

I think it was too rushed in broome as you need to get the provided bus from the port into town (about 15kms away) then bus or hire a scooter to get around and to cable beach.

 

To me Broome was just another country town but the crocodile farm was great.

 

i wasnt overly impressed with cable beach as it was no different to any other beach along the west coast but i think the sunset would make all the difference.

 

when we were there it was hotter than Bali and i had to carry a small towel because of the humidity.

 

I must admit though the trip up north along the west coast and then to Indonesia was far better than my trips to the south pacific from sydney.

 

Beware the "Dinosaur foot print" tour in Broome as they are reproductions! the originals were stolen years ago but no tour will tell you this.

 

 

Den

[musicorn]

Do the 12 nighter!

 

We did it in late Jan this year and it was well worth it.

 

The Komodo tour is a once in a lifetime and after visiting Lombok we are back there in 2 weeks to spend some time on the Gili islands just off Lombok.

 

Bali was great to visit in a day but we are so used to Bali that we breezed through the day without missing anything.

 

The views of Lombok,komodo and Bali from the sea are spectacular.

 

Broome you really need an over nighter,our friends went on the Freo to Broome cruise just before our cruise and had an over nighter.

 

I think it was too rushed in broome as you need to get the provided bus from the port into town (about 15kms away) then bus or hire a scooter to get around and to cable beach.

 

To me Broome was just another country town but the crocodile farm was great.

 

i wasnt overly impressed with cable beach as it was no different to any other beach along the west coast but i think the sunset would make all the difference.

 

when we were there it was hotter than Bali and i had to carry a small towel because of the humidity.

 

I must admit though the trip up north along the west coast and then to Indonesia was far better than my trips to the south pacific from sydney.

 

Beware the "Dinosaur foot print" tour in Broome as they are reproductions! the originals were stolen years ago but no tour will tell you this.

 

 

Den

 

 

Hey Den long time no hear fmoyu. Going back to Lombok - how nice it was lovely. I was looking at my photos only yesterday.

 

I would agree with Den this was a great cruise and the Ports that were the best for me were Bali and Lombok. I did not go to Komodo as my daughter has disabilities but my Hubby and son did and raved about it.

 

What ever you choose have fun.

[oysterfiend]

Hey thanks guys,

The 16 nighter looked good but bit too much as next year we are trying to do more but spend less in a bid to manage our debts better,and probably getting a bit late in year,

But the 12 nighter looks just about right.

We have been to Bali but found the beaches around Kuta and Tuban to be filled with sewerage so I am hoping the photo I saw on the P and O website is true- of Gilies Lombok as snorkelling is one of the things us old f.rts like to do.:D

[fishtaco]

Hey thanks guys,

The 16 nighter looked good but bit too much as next year we are trying to do more but spend less in a bid to manage our debts better,and probably getting a bit late in year,

But the 12 nighter looks just about right.

We have been to Bali but found the beaches around Kuta and Tuban to be filled with sewerage so I am hoping the photo I saw on the P and O website is true- of Gilies Lombok as snorkelling is one of the things us old f.rts like to do.:D

 

 

I have been to Bali more times than i can remember since about 1987 and although I have heard many reports about the dirty beaches I have never experienced it? I think its because I have never been just after the rainy season where everything washes into the sea and gets brought onto the beaches? I do know it happens though.

 

Lombok is mainly black/grey volcanic sand so doesnt look as pretty as white sand beaches but I think "Kuta Lombok" beach is white sand.

 

P&O do a shore tour to the Gilis but to be honest it would be way too rushed and would leave little time to snorkel.

 

Lombok is third world and it show the moment you step off the tender,many cruiser i spoke to were not quite expecting what semi third world is like "in reality" and were shocked:confused: so were a bit scared to explore.

 

Others like Musicorn and her family had a great time ashore because they accepted it as it was.

 

Lombok left me with an impression of how bali was over 20 years ago and we booked a trip back this July the moment we arrived home from the cruise (two weeks and counting:D)

 

because you have been to Bali in the past you would know what to expect whilst ashore but in my opinion from the "sea" it was the most exotic scenery and landscapes i have ever experienced!

 

The moment the ship sighted land you knew you were in some "exotic" place and the rows of fishermen up to their shoulders in water wearing rice paddy hats and waving to the tenders with the volcano in the background was a priceless sight that i have never experienced with all my flights into Bali.

 

You will not experience a "Mystery island/Wala/isle of pines type cruise with a tender to the beach for a casual snorkel but a constant hassle bustle of locals trying to make a buck out of you with some breath taking scenery and a very noticeable temperature raise to around a constant 28-30 from around Broome until almost your last night home. You know you are in the tropics for real!

 

I think those who did the Freo-Broome only cruise although nice and cheap actually missed the best parts which were the Indonesian parts on the longer cruise.

 

I think the Indonesian cruise is a great chance for past cruisers to experience a totally different world to the usual pacific run without breaking the bank (and as long as they are happy with the pacific Sun lol).

 

personally I would jump at doing this cruise again,pacific sun or not! The 12 nighter was perfect but feel the 16 nighter would be stretching it a bit for some.

 

After doing the Indonesian leg i would not consider the Broome only option unless the ship had at least a 2 night layover.

 

 

Den

[fishtaco]

Hey Den long time no hear fmoyu. Going back to Lombok - how nice it was lovely. I was looking at my photos only yesterday.

 

I would agree with Den this was a great cruise and the Ports that were the best for me were Bali and Lombok. I did not go to Komodo as my daughter has disabilities but my Hubby and son did and raved about it.

 

What ever you choose have fun.

 

HI YA! We booked a 13 night trip Bali Gili Trawangan Gili Meno Bali for the grand total of $1500 for two of us including flights hotels taxes travel insurance and all transfers:D

 

July is the really high season in Lombok but have flights paid for the end of Jan 2011 and will spend another 2 weeks in Lombok and the Gilis:D

 

just waiting for enough money to cover a Sun princess cruise to Thailand and beyond as we feel we prefer an Asian cruise to a south pacific.

 

Stay well.

 

 

Den

[oysterfiend]

HI YA! We booked a 13 night trip Bali Gili Trawangan Gili Meno Bali for the grand total of $1500 for two of us including flights hotels taxes travel insurance and all transfers:D

 

July is the really high season in Lombok but have flights paid for the end of Jan 2011 and will spend another 2 weeks in Lombok and the Gilis:D

 

just waiting for enough money to cover a Sun princess cruise to Thailand and beyond as we feel we prefer an Asian cruise to a south pacific.

 

Stay well.

 

 

Den

 

Yeah But,

We live in New Zealand so it will be an expensive enough flight to Perth.

We can also get timeshare in Bali itself but where we stayed last time the beaches were Crappy.

 

I hope Gilis is nicer.

 

You guys get way better deals than us to Bali.

If we do this cruise I hope to get a weeks timeshare in Western Australia afterwards

[oysterfiend]

I have been to Bali more times than i can remember since about 1987 and although I have heard many reports about the dirty beaches I have never experienced it? I think its because I have never been just after the rainy season where everything washes into the sea and gets brought onto the beaches? I do know it happens though.

 

Lombok is mainly black/grey volcanic sand so doesnt look as pretty as white sand beaches but I think "Kuta Lombok" beach is white sand.

 

P&O do a shore tour to the Gilis but to be honest it would be way too rushed and would leave little time to snorkel.

 

Lombok is third world and it show the moment you step off the tender,many cruiser i spoke to were not quite expecting what semi third world is like "in reality" and were shocked:confused: so were a bit scared to explore.

 

Others like Musicorn and her family had a great time ashore because they accepted it as it was.

 

Lombok left me with an impression of how bali was over 20 years ago and we booked a trip back this July the moment we arrived home from the cruise (two weeks and counting:D)

 

because you have been to Bali in the past you would know what to expect whilst ashore but in my opinion from the "sea" it was the most exotic scenery and landscapes i have ever experienced!

 

The moment the ship sighted land you knew you were in some "exotic" place and the rows of fishermen up to their shoulders in water wearing rice paddy hats and waving to the tenders with the volcano in the background was a priceless sight that i have never experienced with all my flights into Bali.

 

You will not experience a "Mystery island/Wala/isle of pines type cruise with a tender to the beach for a casual snorkel but a constant hassle bustle of locals trying to make a buck out of you with some breath taking scenery and a very noticeable temperature raise to around a constant 28-30 from around Broome until almost your last night home. You know you are in the tropics for real!

 

I think those who did the Freo-Broome only cruise although nice and cheap actually missed the best parts which were the Indonesian parts on the longer cruise.

 

I think the Indonesian cruise is a great chance for past cruisers to experience a totally different world to the usual pacific run without breaking the bank (and as long as they are happy with the pacific Sun lol).

 

personally I would jump at doing this cruise again,pacific sun or not! The 12 nighter was perfect but feel the 16 nighter would be stretching it a bit for some.

 

After doing the Indonesian leg i would not consider the Broome only option unless the ship had at least a 2 night layover.

 

 

Den

Thanks for your comments,

We have been to Mexico several times and have experienced being hassled- Just take limited money on shore ,

We stayed at Risata Bali in Tuban last time we were in Bali,

the beach had floating feaces and we were hassled constantly,

We also stayed at Sanur- again beach not much but hassled less,

Also Ubud and did an overnight cruise trip to some Island and resort called Coconuts?

 

I want to see clean water and going on your comments I still think we will enjoy the cruise.

Is it NOT WORTH taking our own snorkle gear?

[fishtaco]

Yeah But,

We live in New Zealand so it will be an expensive enough flight to Perth.

We can also get timeshare in Bali itself but where we stayed last time the beaches were Crappy.

 

I hope Gilis is nicer.

 

You guys get way better deals than us to Bali.

If we do this cruise I hope to get a weeks timeshare in Western Australia afterwards

 

Well you never know until you actually get there lol.

 

the Gilis looks great but even though one of the worlds best dive/snorkling areas it may not live up to expectations as a beach holiday after some of the Thai islands i have done over the years.

 

The expense of flying is what us West Australians have had to contend with just to get on an average P&O pacific cruise so i know how you feel!

 

we have some fantastic unspoilt beaches over here so i suppose i never really think about the beach too much while overseas,even Cable beach didnt impress me as it was just another beach in my opinion and unless you were a 4x4 enthusiast we can get the same(without tropical weather) within a few hours drive from home.

 

But to be honest if you were going to spend on flights to Perth from NZ then it would be better to include the Indonesian leg in the Freo cruise if funds permitted.

 

Some on our cruise paid less than the Broome cruise and got free flights to Perth thrown in because P&O couldnt sell the cabins.

 

A lot of West Australians would rather do the Athena Bali cruises as it gives you a night in Bali with no time lost on tendering, plus are not used to P&O being a ready source of annual holiday so the same deals may come up?

 

I know quite a lot of people who booked the Asian cruises from Freo and pulled out so I would expect the same to happen with the new itinerary.

 

Some West Australians aboard were so disappointed in the pacific Sun as they were expecting a Super Liner of sorts that i am sure the word has spread.

 

Many older experienced cruisers were unhappy because they were not used to P&Os casual style of family cruising and would expect quite a few to not even consider P&O in the future.

 

Great cruise but poor choice of vessel for west Australians given the price compared to Asian fly cruises on offer from here(or even Sun Princess cruises)

 

Also you have to consider the West Australian dark age laws with areas like duty free casino Bingo ect "possibly' being closed for the entire Broome cruise:eek:

 

 

Den

[fishtaco]

Thanks for your comments,

We have been to Mexico several times and have experienced being hassled- Just take limited money on shore ,

We stayed at Risata Bali in Tuban last time we were in Bali,

the beach had floating feaces and we were hassled constantly,

We also stayed at Sanur- again beach not much but hassled less,

Also Ubud and did an overnight cruise trip to some Island and resort called Coconuts?

 

I want to see clean water and going on your comments I still think we will enjoy the cruise.

Is it NOT WORTH taking our own snorkle gear?

 

Being hassled in Mexico is a walk in the park compared to Lomboks Wharf and senggigi beach areas lol

 

 

The beaches i saw in and around Senggigi were a bit like some on Hawaii with the quite black sand and its also a bit tidal so if not there at the right time snorkling may be a no go.

 

I usualy take my snorkeling gear but to be honest if I took it on this cruise it would have been dead weight.

 

The water at komodo was clean and clear but you would not be allowed to swim since the Americans have claimed it as a national park and world heritage listed it!(way too many rules) you are not even allowed off the ship if you have not organized the P&O shore tour,which also upset a lot of people who were un awhere of this and had to watch others enjoy the island from the deck!

 

I got into trouble for fishing off the beach in komodo lol.

 

I spoke to a couple who took the Gili tour and did a bit of snorkling on I think the closest Gili island Gili Air and they loved it! they were going to return to dive the other two islands Trawangan and Meno.

 

I think Kuta Lombok has the more favorable snorkling for a day trip on lombok but we just headed to Senggigi beach to check it out for future holidays as its just next to the Gilis and a short speedboat crossing.

 

Like most cruises though there isnt much time ashore unless you are taken to a small island or beach purely for the snorkeling and beach time such as mystery island or isle of pines.

 

 

Den

[fishtaco]

 

Cable beach Broome

[fishtaco]

 

Kuta beach Bali

[fishtaco]

 

Fishing off komodo island beach,not a first but maybe a last,just before the cop came totting a big gun to move me back to the safety of the other cruisers much to the glee of the American park ranger!

[fishtaco]

 

 

Very long and slow tender into Benoa harbor Bali

[thied]

The big ? is did you catch any thing?

[Kiwi_cruiser]

fishtaco when did you go to komodo?