9th July - WEEK FANTASTIQUE W124

[deano75]

Wouldn't disagree about sailaway being better on P&O as well as Island night and the stage shows also. RCL's DVD's are pathetic

 

Had my fair share of Kava in my lifetime and I've done more touristy cultural villages than I can bear I wouldn't mind going to the waterfalls either, but I'm also partial to a swim and snorkel. Decisions decisions.

 

As for packing......the temperature in Noumea at 7.30 pm was 16C

 

When are you flying up to Brisbane?

 

Where's Sunset? Sarahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh come out come out wherever you are :D

 

Robyn and I were very disappointed with the stage shows on Rhapsody and acually walked out on one of them:eek: But loved everything on Rhapsody, inlcuding our lovely big wrap around balcony (corner aft)....... the kids are with us on this one so its back to 2 inside cabins for us:mad:

We are flying up the the friday and staying in a hotel across from the peir.

16C dont sound good....... not very tropical:confused:

Yes Sarah come back.... our conga line needs you:D

[Debsta]

Robyn and I were very disappointed with the stage shows on Rhapsody and acually walked out on one of them But loved everything on Rhapsody, inlcuding our lovely big wrap around balcony (corner aft)....... the kids are with us on this one so its back to 2 inside cabins for us

We are flying up the the friday and staying in a hotel across from the peir.

16C dont sound good....... not very tropical

Yes Sarah come back.... our conga line needs you

 

Gotta love those corner aft wraparounds on Rhapsody :D On my own this time so I'm not fussed about a balcony. I've found that when I do travel solo I'm never in my cabin, so it's a bit of a waste. I did get a visit by the upgrade fairy though and now midship ocean view, can't complain about that.....well except I'm opposite the laundry :eek: I might leave a video running to get "blow by blow" footage :p

 

Yeah thought 16C was a bit cool. It will warm up as we get to Vila though.

 

I'm flying up Saturday morning....bit risky but I have a work dinner on Friday night. Hoping there ain't no fog, strikes or breakdowns or extreme weather! but Pac Dawn is always late leaving LOL

 

Windy day today....they're forecasting 90 km winds later on :eek: Bring on the tropics (or semi-tropics LOL)

 

Sarah????? Conga...........................:D

[deano75]

Gotta love those corner aft wraparounds on Rhapsody :D On my own this time so I'm not fussed about a balcony. I've found that when I do travel solo I'm never in my cabin, so it's a bit of a waste. I did get a visit by the upgrade fairy though and now midship ocean view, can't complain about that.....well except I'm opposite the laundry :eek: I might leave a video running to get "blow by blow" footage :p

 

Yeah thought 16C was a bit cool. It will warm up as we get to Vila though.

 

I'm flying up Saturday morning....bit risky but I have a work dinner on Friday night. Hoping there ain't no fog, strikes or breakdowns or extreme weather! but Pac Dawn is always late leaving LOL

 

Windy day today....they're forecasting 90 km winds later on Bring on the tropics (or semi-tropics LOL)

 

Sarah????? Conga...........................:D

 

Hey Deb - last time in Noumea I think we had to use local currency. Is this correct? Looked up the zodiac boat road... looks greatso thanks for the tip:)

Our Conga will be the best so...... Sarah - HELLO where are you:confused:

[Debsta]

Hey Deb - last time in Noumea I think we had to use local currency. Is this correct? Looked up the zodiac boat road... looks greatso thanks for the tip

Our Conga will be the best so...... Sarah - HELLO where are you:confused:

 

I've never used local currency and never had any problems with AUD in Noumea or any other island for that matter. I usually take some $5 and $10 so I don't have to worry about getting their crap money back. I've always noticed that icecreams are A$5 flat rate everywhere :p I guess the only problem might be in a restaurant if you decide to stay onshore for dinner but you could always use a credit card for that if they didn't take AUD? :confused:

 

If you googled the zodiac boat ride which usually goes to Duck Island that's not the one ;) He's in the terminal on the right hand size as you get off the ship. I can't remember his name but I know which is his shop/stand. For some reason I didn't take a photo of his stand front (I usually take photos of anything and everything haha) Really nice guy too. Not your average frog :p

 

I'm ready for the Casino......and Conga......bring it on :D

[deano75]

I've never used local currency and never had any problems with AUD in Noumea or any other island for that matter. I usually take some $5 and $10 so I don't have to worry about getting their crap money back. I've always noticed that icecreams are A$5 flat rate everywhere I guess the only problem might be in a restaurant if you decide to stay onshore for dinner but you could always use a credit card for that if they didn't take AUD?

 

If you googled the zodiac boat ride which usually goes to Duck Island that's not the one ;) He's in the terminal on the right hand size as you get off the ship. I can't remember his name but I know which is his shop/stand. For some reason I didn't take a photo of his stand front (I usually take photos of anything and everything haha) Really nice guy too. Not your average frog

 

I'm ready for the Casino......and Conga......bring it on

 

 

Yeah I did google the one that goes to Duck island but I think we will do the one you recommend and that way we will have more money to spend back onboard for foofies:D

Well we did lots of shopping today and the bags are almost finished being packed ready for the flight on Friday.... just need to put my rum runner in now:eek: BTW - have you ever taken soft drinks on before? I have from island ports but never from Brisbane. Robyn hates the coke onboard - dont know why but it taste yuck:confused:

Where and what time shall we meet up? Sailaway around the pool?

Start the conga:)

[Debsta]

Hey Deano

 

From what I've read, seen and heard there is no problem taking on soft drink. Alcohol is the big no no. Rum runners acceptable :p shhhhh

The post mix stuff on all cruise ships is ick!

 

I have yet to get a bag out, let alone pack! This week has just flown by!

 

Straight after muster, poolside? Sounds like a plan! Smoking or non-smoking side? How am I going to identify you guys :confused: 2,000+ people/families might be difficult to locate a Dean, Robyn and 3 kids 13, 16 and 18. I put my email addy in a post above. Email me and we can swap mobile numbers if we can't find each other.

 

Sarah! This will not do :(. Report in for Conga line duty pronto! :D

[deano75]

Hey Deano

 

From what I've read, seen and heard there is no problem taking on soft drink. Alcohol is the big no no. Rum runners acceptable :p shhhhh

The post mix stuff on all cruise ships is ick!

 

I have yet to get a bag out, let alone pack! This week has just flown by!

 

Straight after muster, poolside? Sounds like a plan! Smoking or non-smoking side? How am I going to identify you guys :confused: 2,000+ people/families might be difficult to locate a Dean, Robyn and 3 kids 13, 16 and 18. I put my email addy in a post above. Email me and we can swap mobile numbers if we can't find each other.

 

Sarah! This will not do :(. Report in for Conga line duty pronto! :D

Hi Deb I have just emailed you my mobile. Am off for a lovely dinner with Robyn now without any children:D

BTW - I can not be missed in a crowd:eek:

[Tammyj.0145]

We are now packed and ready for our flight to Briscane in the morning. We are arriving a few days early to visit family. Will we be the first in the conga line? :p Hope to hear from Sarah soon so wd can arrange to meet up.

Sue

[golfer76]

Yep...no problems taking soft drink on board Deano. I did on our last cruise. You can take personal quantities...ie enough for you to use (according to P&O...they think you might sell it otherwise lol).

 

The Coke certainly did taste funny on the Dawn...probably because it was from Vietnam. ;):)

[deano75]

Yep...no problems taking soft drink on board Deano. I did on our last cruise. You can take personal quantities...ie enough for you to use (according to P&O...they think you might sell it otherwise lol).

 

The Coke certainly did taste funny on the Dawn...probably because it was from Vietnam. ;):)

 

 

Thanks for that Golfer... what do u call "personal quantitites"? Last time we took a few bottle from Vila and Fiji:)

[Sunset Waves]

BTW - I can not be missed in a crowd:eek:

Peek-a-boo. Me, either. Just "think pink" and you'll find me dancing around somewhere. Maybe not at sailaway though (I have to fly in)...hmmm... maybe the asymmetric butterfly instead......

See you around peoples :)

Sunset.

[deano75]

Peek-a-boo. Me, either. Just "think pink" and you'll find me dancing around somewhere. Maybe not at sailaway though (I have to fly in)...hmmm... maybe the asymmetric butterfly instead......

See you around peoples :)

Sunset.

 

Welcome back Sarah......we have missed you:) Thought you fell off the gangway:confused: We will see you in our conga line:D

[Debsta]

Hi Deb I have just emailed you my mobile. Am off for a lovely dinner with Robyn now without any children

BTW - I can not be missed in a crowd

 

We are now packed and ready for our flight to Briscane in the morning. We are arriving a few days early to visit family. Will we be the first in the conga line? Hope to hear from Sarah soon so wd can arrange to meet up.

Sue

 

Peek-a-boo. Me, either. Just "think pink" and you'll find me dancing around somewhere. Maybe not at sailaway though (I have to fly in)...hmmm... maybe the asymmetric butterfly instead......

See you around peoples

Sunset.

 

Hi Sue, have a safe flight.

Yayyyyyyyyyyy Sarah.......glad your back

And da big man........not long to go!

 

Alrighty, I'll be on pool deck post muster for sailaway. I'll be floating around. I'll have on a Pacific Pearl purple lanyard (not buying another one LOL). No idea what I'm wearing as the weather is nutzzzzzzzzzz

 

So how about we meet pool deck when the entertainment starts before Sailaway on the non-smoking side of the ship (any smokers can always pop across to da other side :D). For some reason CC's always seem to find each other :D Probably when Dean starts the conga line :D

 

I'll be on the lookout for a pom, a "butterfly" and da big man. I'm a midget, you can't miss me either :p

[Sunset Waves]

Virgin has just announced special $130 one way fares for people disrupted by the Tiger kerfuffle for confirmed tickets up to 17th July.

Qantas/Jetstar are still mucking around and only offering special fares for those booked up until 9th July (which sux as we are flying up Qantas and back was meant to be Tiger).

[Sunset Waves]

We are now packed and ready for our flight to Briscane in the morning. We are arriving a few days early to visit family. Will we be the first in the conga line? :p Hope to hear from Sarah soon so wd can arrange to meet up.

Sue

Hi Sue. We don't arrive until 10.15AM and we'll be heading straight for the ship so think the meet up will have to be at the meeting place described by the Debsta above

.

Looking forward to meeting you and the family.:)

PS Still wondering about the origins and meaning of the name Ste. Or perhaps we can make this into another game ? :D

Ste...ste...ste....I got it...Debsta said it was going to be a rocky one so "Sit Tight Everyone"...STE !!!

[Sunset Waves]

Hi Sue, have a safe flight.

Yayyyyyyyyyyy Sarah.......glad your back

And da big man........not long to go!

 

Alrighty, I'll be on pool deck post muster for sailaway. I'll be floating around. I'll have on a Pacific Pearl purple lanyard (not buying another one LOL). No idea what I'm wearing as the weather is nutzzzzzzzzzz

 

So how about we meet pool deck when the entertainment starts before Sailaway on the non-smoking side of the ship (any smokers can always pop across to da other side :D). For some reason CC's always seem to find each other :D Probably when Dean starts the conga line :D

 

I'll be on the lookout for a pom, a "butterfly" and da big man. I'm a midget, you can't miss me either :p

Da big man. I like that. I'm quite partial to being called Sunset after this CC experience. I'll be wearing a lanyard with smiley sun faces on a blue sky background which is an omen for the lovely weather we will be having :cool: Blue skies smiling at me, nothing but blue skies do I see....

[golfer76]

Thanks for that Golfer... what do u call "personal quantitites"? Last time we took a few bottle from Vila and Fiji:)

 

Well...I'm not quite sure Deano lol, but I took 7 cans of Pepsi on our 7 nighter with no questions asked.:D

 

I did see a youngish chick behind us in the line about to board, carrying a full case (I think a dozen bottles from memory) of 1 L water bottles. Would've been a bloody effort to carry those around for a good hour or so in the line up lol!! :D

[Sunset Waves]

Welcome back Sarah......we have missed you:) Thought you fell off the gangway:confused: We will see you in our conga line:D

*drying herself off* Sorry a few too many foofies, but all cleaned up now and feeling much better. I hope there are lots of buoys on the ship (....I mean both types :rolleyes:) in case I fall off again.

Be seeing you and your family soon. Please start and head the conga line should we have trouble finding anyone. If that doesn't work start singing really loudly at the same time. I thought Come Sail Away may have been good....but then again you said you can't sing....:D...might have to leave that one to Darren <3

 

Come Sail Away

I'm sailing away, set an open course for the virgin sea

I've got to be free, free to face the life that's ahead of me

On board, I'm the captain, so climb aboard

We'll search for tomorrow on every shore

And I'll try, oh Lord, I'll try to carry on

I look to the sea, reflections in the waves spark my memory

Some happy, some sad

I think of childhood friends and the dreams we had

We live happily forever, so the story goes

But somehow we missed out on that pot of gold

But we'll try best that we can to carry on

A gathering of angels appeared above my head

They sang to me this song of hope, and this is what they said

They said come sail away, come sail away

Come sail away with me

Come sail away, come sail away

Come sail away with me

I thought that they were angels, but to my surprise

They climbed aboard their starship and headed for the skies

Singing come sail away, come sail away

Come sail away with me

Come sail away, come sail away

Come sail away with me

 

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[deano75]

Hi Sue, have a safe flight.

Yayyyyyyyyyyy Sarah.......glad your back

And da big man........not long to go!

 

Alrighty, I'll be on pool deck post muster for sailaway. I'll be floating around. I'll have on a Pacific Pearl purple lanyard (not buying another one LOL). No idea what I'm wearing as the weather is nutzzzzzzzzzz

 

So how about we meet pool deck when the entertainment starts before Sailaway on the non-smoking side of the ship (any smokers can always pop across to da other side :D). For some reason CC's always seem to find each other :D Probably when Dean starts the conga line :D

 

I'll be on the lookout for a pom, a "butterfly" and da big man. I'm a midget, you can't miss me either :p

 

 

Its a plan - will be there...... da big man:).... oh how funny on the footy show... see you soon

 

Virgin has just announced special $130 one way fares for people disrupted by the Tiger kerfuffle for confirmed tickets up to 17th July.

Qantas/Jetstar are still mucking around and only offering special fares for those booked up until 9th July (which sux as we are flying up Qantas and back was meant to be Tiger).

 

Da big man. I like that. I'm quite partial to being called Sunset after this CC experience. I'll be wearing a lanyard with smiley sun faces on a blue sky background which is an omen for the lovely weather we will be having :cool: Blue skies smiling at me, nothing but blue skies do I see....

 

Phone up Sarah....... oh sorry Sunset! We had Tiger flights to Bris in the morning (Friday)and got them for $100 with virgin, including checked baggage.

[deano75]

*drying herself off* Sorry a few too many foofies, but all cleaned up now and feeling much better. Jumping around so much makes me a little accident prone :o so I hope there are lots of buoys (....I mean both types :rolleyes:) to save me should I trip.

Be seeing you and your family soon. Please start and head the conga line should we have trouble finding anyone. If that doesn't work start singing really loudly at the same time. I thought Come Sail Away may have been good....but then again you said you can't sing....:D...might have to leave that one to Darren <3

 

Come Sail Away

 

 

I'm sailing away, set an open course for the virgin sea

 

I've got to be free, free to face the life that's ahead of me

On board, I'm the captain, so climb aboard

We'll search for tomorrow on every shore

And I'll try, oh Lord, I'll try to carry on

I look to the sea, reflections in the waves spark my memory

Some happy, some sad

I think of childhood friends and the dreams we had

We live happily forever, so the story goes

But somehow we missed out on that pot of gold

But we'll try best that we can to carry on

A gathering of angels appeared above my head

They sang to me this song of hope, and this is what they said

They said come sail away, come sail away

Come sail away with me

Come sail away, come sail away

Come sail away with me

I thought that they were angels, but to my surprise

They climbed aboard their starship and headed for the skies

Singing come sail away, come sail away

Come sail away with me

Come sail away, come sail away

Come sail away with me

 

(which reminds me of something Golfer said).

 

 

Blaaaaahahahaha.... if the Ocean is as good as Deb has said then we will have to settle for "rock and roll":D

[deano75]

Well...I'm not quite sure Deano lol, but I took 7 cans of Pepsi on our 7 nighter with no questions asked.:D

 

I did see a youngish chick behind us in the line about to board, carrying a full case (I think a dozen bottles from memory) of 1 L water bottles. Would've been a bloody effort to carry those around for a good hour or so in the line up lol!! :D

 

Thanks heaps for this....... will have 3 kids with me so they can all share the load!:D

[anderss22]

Hey Deano as well as everyone else.

 

Hope you all have a fantastic time and I want pics when you return.:D

[golfer76]

Have a great trip girls and guys!! :)

[Graham_In_Brisneyland]

Yeah - have a great cruise, guys - and leave the ship ship-shape: remember, we're on board next week :-)

[Sunset Waves]

:DYou guys sound like you guys are going to have alot of fun.

 

Im not on this cruise but ill be doing the same one in aug, and so far its just me and my mum on it:D

 

Ill be interested in finding out everything about your cruise once you get back so please leave a long review:D

 

Here's a review from my 8YO daughter, Cassie. Enjoy ! (Not sure yet whether I'll write one myself yet).

Week Fantastique.

July 9th to July 16, 2011.

*Brisbane * Noumea * Lifou * Port Vila * Brisbane.

By Cassie (8 years old) with a little help from Mum.

Day One (Sat 9thJuly) : Our Adventure Begins….

I can’t wait to go on the cruise. It’s my first time and I’m so excited. Grandma and Grandpa came to pick us up at 6.00am and drove us to the airport. Nike, my dog, came to the airport too. He was barking and crying when we left him behind with Grandma and Grandpa.

I helped pack my Nintendo, camera and black poodle bag. We flew all the way from Melbourne to Brisbane. It took about 2 hours. When we landed in Brisbane it was 15 degrees. We took a taxi to the port and checked in.

When we were able to board the Pacific Dawn I was so amazed. The ship had a swimming pool and whirlpools. We went to Palm Court for lunch. We shared our table with an old couple. There was an announcement for everyone to go to the Show Lounge for a safety drill. The cruise director had a microphone in his hand and talked about safety should something go wrong. We booked into the Shark Shack kids club. I love playing air ice hockey.

We went to a magic show. One trick was swallowing razor blades. Another was escaping a strait jacket. There was a trick using Chinese rings. I know there is a hole in one of rings but I don’t know how he did the razorblade trick.

We went to a laser light show in the Atrium. I thought of my friend Lucia. She would have loved it. The music was a bit too loud but it was so beautiful. Bright pink, orange, green and more different colours. At the start of the show the music went “DerDerDerDoooo DoDoDoooooo”. And kept getting lower and lower. It gave me a fright.

That night I dreamed about what tomorrow might be like, the magic show and the laser show.

Day Two (Sun 10th July): First day at sea…

I got up and got changed as usual. We had breakfast in bed. It was delicious. In the afternoon we went to the buffet. I had curry with rice, fruit, vegetables and bread rolls.

I wore my bathers underneath my clothes. After eating I jumped in the pool. It was freezing. I jumped straight out and said “BrrBrr” a few times. I waited on the outdoor stage for the staff to open the spa. I waited for ten minutes. We jumped in. It was so hot. I made a friend called MacKenzie. We played together and danced. After that we went downstairs and watched the circus. They did amazing things like dropping down from really high. It was quite dangerous.

Later when I went back to the Shark Shack I saw my new friend MacKenzie there. I saw the “Do you wanna Dance ?” show in the Show Lounge. The singers and dancers were very good. My favourite dance was the bullfight-like dance.

When we went back to the room, our cabin steward, Jonel, had made a dog out of towels for me. The eyes were made from the lids of the milk packages.

Day 3 (Mon 11th July): Noumea, New Caledonia

Our ship arrived at New Caledonia. We caught a bus. It took us to Anse Vata beach. We walked along the beach and I picked coconuts from the trees. I ate an icecream and Mum had a crepe. Mum said $8 is a lot to pay for an icecream. We waited for the bus there. When we hopped off I saw a stage and ran to it and did cartwheels. My hands got dirty. We went back to the boat and had dinner. It was so delicious. There were some rich chocolates on our bed. Mmmmmm. Then we went to the market. Mum, bought a necklace for grandma. It was expensive. But mum bought cheaper ones for Ju Feng, Susan and Sara. I wanted a necklace but got a ball that flashes when it bounces instead.