R731 Star Review...what a hoot !

[SouthAussie100]

OK Vanessa,

Here is your video of coming back into port this morning (well, you have to share it with the departing Skyrules & Riffraff). I hope you like!

 

 

Jo (Minxy), I hope you don't mind me pinching one of the stills you shot at Vanessa's sailaway.

 

I tracked the tune down because of the B&W cameras, and it fits better than I ever hoped.

 

To quote Teegie's thread from months ago, this song would be great at sailaway.

 

Cheers

 

Thanks Neil and Minxy, your videos are fabulous ! Again, Brenton can't believe that you guys are so dedicated !! Excellent :D

[SouthAussie100]

Vanessa - loving your review :) I didn't realise you were up on snob hill in the ship? Half your luck woman!!

 

By the way - was that your DH (yes, dear husband) who lifted his shirt just before sailaway? hahahaha I didn't get any shots of it ;)

 

Can wait to hear the rest of your review and see some pics :D

 

Um, I think that was another fellow I was standing next to when Brenton was in the Lido. The first time we came up, he was wearing a green John Deere hat.

[Guest012]

Welcome back Vanessa love your review ........keep it coming girl cheers shiona

[staceymrow]

Hi Vanessa, I was another cc that saw you off last week. What a beautiful day you had departing and arriving! Great review so far, but one question. If you have 24 hrs to put money on your cruisecard, how do you buy drinks in the mean time? And are the sailaway coctails free?Cant wait for more of your review

[MsMinx]

Hi Vanessa, I was another cc that saw you off last week. What a beautiful day you had departing and arriving! Great review so far, but one question. If you have 24 hrs to put money on your cruisecard, how do you buy drinks in the mean time? And are the sailaway coctails free?Cant wait for more of your review

 

There's usually $200 on your card when you receive it, and they require you to turn up at the purser's desk within 24 or 48 hours to pay it back ;)

 

Free sailaway cocktails would be wonderful though :D:D

[westoz]

There's usually $200 on your card when you receive it, and they require you to turn up at the purser's desk within 24 or 48 hours to pay it back ;)

 

Does that include the teens cards as well? My two will be 13 and 16 and I dont think I like the idea of them having $200 on their cards.

[SouthAussie100]

Ok day 2

Having woken up feeling like a really tired person, showered and dressed and headed for the Bordeaux restuarant (because we didn't know any different at that stage). We didn't realise that you just sit with anyone (not in your allocated spots). This group of passengers were definitely NOT 'family' and we were so glad we weren't stuck with them the whole cruise. In fact, they scared us off a bit from eating brekky there again. Just rude to the wait staff and complaining (already) about the food - which we thought was absolutely great so far ! Also had no idea of general manners...I'M NOT A SNOB, but I just think picking your nose, particularly at the table, is a yucky thing to do. Call me fussy !

 

Needless to say, scoffed our bacon and eggs and made a hasty retreat !

 

There's been a bit of discussion about whether the suites are worth the added expense and I can understand that some people say "as long as you're on the boat" and I agree, BUT, we loved the extra space. The full size bathroom with a spa. The pre-dinner nibbles, champagne on sail away, walk in wardrobe etc etc we thought were definitely worth the extra cost. As I said, this was our first holiday without our 3 children in 20 years and thought we would spoil ourselves. Especially, when the sea was rougher and we got sick of trying to battle to stand up in the public areas it was nice to have a nice place to go back to sulk about the crappy upping and downing and shuddering :cool:

 

We were in 1007 which was a good position because there wasn't much visual access from the public decks. Any cabins further forward would have been in full sight of anyone walking around on the viewing decks from the front (the pointy end). I remember some discussion about this on the Sun too.

 

We ventured up to the Lido deck and found a good looking brekky buffet spread and decided from then on to go there instead. Bloody hell....still swaying here ! We started to strike up conversations with various couples and groups and met some really nice people. Everyone seemed to be there for a good time. There was a spread of ages but mostly I imagine most were late 30s up to quite elderly. I must make one comment, and with no intention of offending anyone ! Being of the 'chunky' body type myself, I considered myself among the slimmer statistic of the passenger population ! There was a group of young fellows who always travelled in their pack wearing Aussie flags as capes. We thought they would probably end up in trouble but having chatted to a few of them on a couple of occassions found them funny guys and I don't think they tweaked security's interest too many times. On that, there was plenty of security staff around but we never saw any overbearing rough stuff and we spent our fair share of late nights on the Lido which seemed to be where most of the action took place.

 

Despite a burning desire to investigate the Gym and walk a few Kms on the treadmill, I resisted and decided on booking in for the wine tasting session instead:D I was just revisiting the 'Pacific daily' to remind me of activities we took part in that day and apparently, we missed the mini tour of the ship. Now that would definitely have helped ! Never mind..oops

 

Hmmm....wine tasting session. Now some of you may or may not know that we tend to enjoy a splash of wine from time to time. (be quiet Geoff....love the restock the Chardy comment on your vid LOL..) but to be honest the session left a bit to be desired. The ship had quite a good variety of wine on the list for sale but instead showcased the low end pretty ordinary wines available. We tried 2 whites (both common Aust ones), 2 reds (one common Aust and a wishy washy Italian) and then to finish off :eek: a $8.00 / bottle local bubbly. This was accompanied by a healthy serve of coon cheese chunks.

 

Bought a phone card and rang home to find out, the U14's had lost by 7 points in their elimination final. Bugger. Our boy Raz kicked 3 of the 4 goals and played a blinder. He was pretty devastated and the "always next year" speech didn't really help :(

 

In the afternoon we went to the first of the art auctions. Not really our cup of tea and the Canadian host / auctioneer sounded more like something from one of those late night TV telemarketers. We didn't stay for the whole auction but people seemed to be buying and I'm sure would have expected a set of steak knives with their purchase !

 

The afternoon was pretty much taken up with a nanna nap to make up for the lost sleep the night before. The sea was a little calmer today. First formal night in the dining room. We scrubbed up alright I think most people made an effort. A few jeans but most either had a dress shirt on or at least a collared polo shirt. I'm sure those on Cunard would have been horrified but I think we all did pretty well. After dinner we ventured up to the Dukes piano bar just in time to join in the 'guess that song' competition. Good fun and the pianist was very good. Friendly guy - we got to chatting to him over the next few nights.

 

Lost my first $20 in the casino - which is smoke free YAY. I must confess to being on a bit of a mission that night. I was determined to go to bed significantly under the influence of alcohol to help in blanking out any 'rocking and rolling' of the sea that night. Whether it was sheer tiredness or in fact my mission to get completely blotto was accomplished, I slept much better the 2nd night.

 

In fact, I would strongly consider getting something from my GP for future cruises to help with sleep simply because when we couldn't sleep the night before woke up a bit grumpy and over the whole experience. I can honestly say that by Friday lunchtime I wanted to get off. I was over the rough seas and decided that I really wasn't cut out for cruising....but more of that later !

 

more to come !

[arxcards]

Thanks Neil and Minxy, your videos are fabulous ! Again, Brenton can't believe that you guys are so dedicated !! Excellent :D

 

Speaking for myself, this is good fun, and a nice touch for the wonderful people that add to our community here. :)

 

All these years I thought my dear wife was using the term DH for me as a shortened term of endearment. While now I am not so sure, I know there are times that both versions fit.

 

Cheers

Geoff

[sweet_successes]

What fantastic reviews - its great reading them - might start referring to hubby as DH form now on and let him work out which one I'm referring to:p

 

Keep the review coming!!

 

Rach

[SouthAussie100]

Hi Vanessa, I was another cc that saw you off last week. What a beautiful day you had departing and arriving! Great review so far, but one question. If you have 24 hrs to put money on your cruisecard, how do you buy drinks in the mean time? And are the sailaway coctails free?Cant wait for more of your review

 

I guess because they reckon you can't go anywhere you're a safe bet that you can't run out on your bill ! The sailaway cocktails are not free but they range from $5.50 to $12.50. Unfortunately, the $12.50 Island Iced Tea was one of my favourites ;) As soon as you board, even if you haven't lodged a credit card (which we didn't until the last day) the cruise card is valid for all on board purchases.

cheers

ness

[MsMinx]

Does that include the teens cards as well? My two will be 13 and 16 and I dont think I like the idea of them having $200 on their cards.

 

Sorry, I'm not sure about this. I've never cruised with kids before :confused:

There's bound to be someone here who can tell you though :)

[Carlz]

wow thankyou- I'm loving your review! Your writing style is great...I really can't stop laughing and as I'm leaving very soon it's making me very very excited!

 

I can just picture your face when they brought out the big finale to the wine tasting... VOILA! an 8 buck bottle of bubbly! hehehe... thank heavens for the coon!

[staceymrow]

Hey! thats me . I love cheap bubbly (passion pop queen from way back) and cheese and bikkies

[cheznandy]

Hey! thats me . I love cheap bubbly (passion pop queen from way back) and cheese and bikkies

 

 

Haha, Summer Wine mmmm, takes me back.......

 

Chez

xx

[staceymrow]

Cmon Vanessa, We want MORE!!! where are yoou!!!!!

[SouthAussie100]

Thanks Neil and Minxy, your videos are fabulous ! Again, Brenton can't believe that you guys are so dedicated !! Excellent :D

 

bugger...of course I meant Geoff...

[arxcards]

Hmmm....wine tasting session. Now some of you may or may not know that we tend to enjoy a splash of wine from time to time. (be quiet Geoff....love the restock the Chardy comment on your vid LOL..) but to be honest the session left a bit to be desired. The ship had quite a good variety of wine on the list for sale but instead showcased the low end pretty ordinary wines available. We tried 2 whites (both common Aust ones), 2 reds (one common Aust and a wishy washy Italian) and then to finish off :eek: a $8.00 / bottle local bubbly. This was accompanied by a healthy serve of coon cheese chunks.

In the afternoon we went to the first of the art auctions.....

Let me guess .... the offer of free wine. :p I wondered what Tim Shaw was doing these days ...... but wait, there's more. (Confused with Neil - wow, a compliment) :)

wow thankyou- I'm loving your review! Your writing style is great...I really can't stop laughing and as I'm leaving very soon it's making me very very excited!

 

I can just picture your face when they brought out the big finale to the wine tasting... VOILA! an 8 buck bottle of bubbly! hehehe... thank heavens for the coon!

 

Hey! thats me . I love cheap bubbly (passion pop queen from way back) and cheese and bikkies

 

Haha, Summer Wine mmmm, takes me back.......

Chez

xx

Yummm,

Crusty cheese chunks, a box of Jatz & a bottle of Gala Stock Spumante.

Sounds like heaven on a stick! :D

Cheers

Geoff

[cheznandy]

 

Yummm,

Crusty cheese chunks, a box of Jatz & a bottle of Gala Stock Spumante.

Sounds like heaven on a stick! :D

Cheers

Geoff

 

Don't forget the Black Tower and Blue Nun Moselle, or maybe just a good ol cask of Fruity Lexia (do they still make that stuff??):eek:

and some cabanossi or cabana depending which state you are from:D all good to repeat on you at the end of the night:p

 

Chez

xx

[cheznandy]

 

Yummm,

Crusty cheese chunks, a box of Jatz & a bottle of Gala Stock Spumante.

Sounds like heaven on a stick! :D

Cheers

Geoff

 

Don't forget the Black Tower and Blue Nun Moselle, or maybe just a good ol cask of Fruity Lexia (do they still make that stuff??):eek:

and some cabanossi or cabana depending which state you are from:D all good to repeat on you at the end of the night:p

 

Chez

xx

[sweet_successes]

Don't forget the Black Tower and Blue Nun Moselle, or maybe just a good ol cask of Fruity Lexia (do they still make that stuff??):eek:

and some cabanossi or cabana depending which state you are from:D all good to repeat on you at the end of the night:p

 

Chez

xx

 

 

Not only do they still make fruity lexia - they now have a light fruity lexia for those who are watching their weight - I've tried and I just drink more and eat moreso the watching weight bit doesn't work when you eat the cheese, cabanossi, jatz (oh and don't forget the olives and cocktail onions:D )

 

Rach

[SouthAussie100]

Ok, until he comes and finds me here.....sshhh...

Day 3 (Monday) woke up much happier after our alcohol induced comotose sleep. Thank goodness. Brekky on the Lido. A fabulous spread of eggs, bacon, tomotoes, B.beans, pastries, juices etc. Each morning I would think, hmmm time for some fruit and cereal, but strangely always ended up with bacon and eggs etc !

Seas a bit bumpy again and at this point I really wanted to get off. We heard that there were a lot of people lining up for the injection for sea sickness. We took the Bonine religiously every morning. Brenton thought he would probably be ok without it but took it anyway just incase.

 

Played Bingo. Got down to one number for a full house. The jackpot of $2000 went off on Thursday morning. It was one of the twins celebrating their 50th birthday with a heap of their family (the Just cruising t-shirts) so I thought good on her. Great birthday prezzy.

 

By this stage also, we were so sick of the wind. I think his lordship (Capt) said that we were doing 18knots into 25knot winds. I suppose adding the 2 together it's bloody windy. they closed a lot of the upper decks due to strong winds blah blah blah. As we were coming into Noumea late some shore tours were cancelled. Ours went ahead - Wine and cheese (surprise surprise !)...walked off with little problems (don't forget your cruise card as they have to 'bong' you off). The tour was actually quite good but being a bit late a few of the usual photo op places were a waste of time as it was already too dark. (I will post some photos soon. A lot of the best ones are on my old SLR not digital so I'll get them developed soon and post).

 

We got back too late for our first dinner sitting but were happy to have pizza on the Lido (which was to become our second home on the ship !).

Tonight was Rock and Roll night. What a hoot. And yes, apparently the more you drink, the better dancer you are. I think it was about 3am when we weaved our way back to deck 10. We thought 'snuck' along the corridor to good old 1007...our neighbours apparently likened our 'sneaking' to a heard of wilderbeast making their way along the passage. Woops ! We blamed the rough sea :o .

 

At this point, I am guilty to say, we hadn't missed the children at all ! Isn't that awful !! But, we were enjoying spending time with each other so much !! Ok Ok...for those of you wondering....a fair bit of second honeymoon activity was undertaken ;)

 

Must go and get dinner ready now !! more tomorrow hopefully

 

cheers

ness

[AuzzieCruiser]

Triple Post. Looks like I got a bit click happy!!:p

[AuzzieCruiser]

Triple post. Looks like I got a bit impatient!!COLOR]

[AuzzieCruiser]

I hope you all read the middle post!! Gosh I'm really stupid!!;) :o

[SouthAussie100]

Hey Jarrod, nothing like enthusiasm !

the wine and cheese tour was actually quite good. Although, as I said, we missed some of the best photo places because it was just too dark. We've never been to Noumea before and many people that had before said "just stay on the boat" ! We enjoyed the tour. got to taste some French wines accompanied with some really nice French cheeses. I know I've painted myself to be a bit of a wine 'trollop' but we really do enjoy a nice wine and we did enjoy the tour.

 

More to come tomorrow......still a bit tired and having completed about 8 loads of washing today I'm ready for bed. No need for the alcohol induced coma tonight. The beds only rocking from natural causes ;) :eek: Not really, we're still too bloody tired :D

 

cheers

ness