Anna
Established Member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2005
- Posts
- 3,345
Just back from a 7 night cruise where we visited one port :shock:. The original itinerary was Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Port Douglas (all tender ports) and cruising past Willis Island weather station 500 km east of Cairns then back to Brisbane. Due to 45 knot winds and 3 metre waves we weren't able to disembark at Cairns or Port Douglas, very disappointing. Compensation offered was 30% of this cruise fare as a discount off a future cruise booked by end of 2016.
Port of Brisbane embarkation was quite disorganised and the disabled boarding process for an elderly mobility-impaired relative was ridiculously convoluted and involved having to change wheelchairs halfway :shock:. Port of Brisbane officials should visit Fremantle for a few cruise embarkation tips. Disembarkation was slightly better but still involved a change of wheelchair halfway through, just stupid.
The ship itself was fine, showing a bit of age in some areas eg stateroom drawers not sliding cleanly and no proper specialty restaurant, just a screen put up in the buffet. Delicious steak though, in what they called the Sterling Steakhouse aka screened off area of buffet.
With 5 sea days in a 7 night cruise, 2 of them unplanned, the activities got old. There was not much variety and nothing special was put on as consolation. The most 'exciting' event was 'bet on which elevator door will open first' :shock:. I know the weather is nobody's fault but I did think that the cruise director could have dealt with it better. Goodness knows what activities he puts on for a long cruise.
Willis Island was interesting to see. I had never heard of it. 4 people live on a tiny atoll for 6 months at a time - it must be a bit like a space voyage in terms of isolation. Lots of bird life. There are fish but they can't eat them due to ciguatera risk. I think I would go insane living out there!
Overall the unseasonal weather made the experience less than expected - not a total waste of time but not as much fun as I had thought it would be.
Port of Brisbane embarkation was quite disorganised and the disabled boarding process for an elderly mobility-impaired relative was ridiculously convoluted and involved having to change wheelchairs halfway :shock:. Port of Brisbane officials should visit Fremantle for a few cruise embarkation tips. Disembarkation was slightly better but still involved a change of wheelchair halfway through, just stupid.
The ship itself was fine, showing a bit of age in some areas eg stateroom drawers not sliding cleanly and no proper specialty restaurant, just a screen put up in the buffet. Delicious steak though, in what they called the Sterling Steakhouse aka screened off area of buffet.
With 5 sea days in a 7 night cruise, 2 of them unplanned, the activities got old. There was not much variety and nothing special was put on as consolation. The most 'exciting' event was 'bet on which elevator door will open first' :shock:. I know the weather is nobody's fault but I did think that the cruise director could have dealt with it better. Goodness knows what activities he puts on for a long cruise.
Willis Island was interesting to see. I had never heard of it. 4 people live on a tiny atoll for 6 months at a time - it must be a bit like a space voyage in terms of isolation. Lots of bird life. There are fish but they can't eat them due to ciguatera risk. I think I would go insane living out there!
Overall the unseasonal weather made the experience less than expected - not a total waste of time but not as much fun as I had thought it would be.
