What Will We Do Next? - Entertainment and Activities

People go on cruises for many different reasons. One reason is the included activities and entertainment. There is always something going on in different areas of the ship.

Some like to spend each day in and around the pools on deck 14. There is a kids splash area and outside pool, as well as an under cover pool, and a great indoor adults only solarium with small plunge pools, three levels of relaxing sit in pools, and hot tubs. Usually on cruises with an adults only area there are children, either sitting with their parents or running through. The Solarium is not a thorough fare, and therefore we saw no children at any time we were there. There were some noisy adults, but most of the time it was a relaxing quiet place to be, especially on port days.

The Royal Casino on deck 3 is also a popular venue at all hours of the day and night. We were heading back to the cabin about midnight one night when we passed a lady who was on her way to the casino. Peter enjoyed a flutter a few times during the cruise.

Included in the cost of the cruise, but need to be booked, are: The North Star, I-Fly, and Pixels. We used the app to pre-book all three about 8 weeks before the cruise. The North Star went high above the ship and swung out to the sides over the water. The views of the ship were amazing. We arrived 10 minutes before our booked time and were second in the booked line queue. There was also a queue for those who hadn't booked, just in case there was room. It went a long way around one side of the pool (the smoking side - yuk) and some did get on our booking time. We had planned to go on it again, but there was always something else to do.

Pixels we had booked for the first evening. It does not run every night, but on the nights it does there are usually two shows. The first show was already booked so we were booked into the 10.45pm show. Late I know, but being first night I knew we would be up for it. After dinner we went straight to Two70 on deck 5, for the show. It would have been about 9.30pm and all the front seats were already taken. However, we did get a good table right in the centre. The show was good with real people as well as the robot screens in the production. We would go and see it again another time.

I wasn't going to do the ifly on deck 16, but Peter and Jonnie wanted to do it. They both liked it and Jonnie said he would do it again.

Also on deck 16, right at the back of the ship is the Flowrider - we didn't do it, but it was good to watch.

The Seaplex on deck 16 is where the bumper cars operate. The queues were really long for that. We the bumper cars aren't operating, it is a roller skating rink or basket ball courts or trapeze training. Always something going on in the Seaplex.

There is a rock climbing wall, and shuffle board, a library with cards and board games - always hard to get a seat in the library. Each evening there was a show at 6.30pm, usually repeated at 8.30pm. We went to all the shows but one, and enjoyed each one. There were two Production shows on the cruise and we were surprised there wasn't three on a 12 night cruise. The Beautiful Dream was very good and I think if I see it again I would see more detail of the story.

The other production show, Live.Love.Legs. was like a Vegas showgirl show. It was ok, although I believe it was a a shortened version due to the rocking of the ship. It had been cancelled from the night before due to the rocking. Many of the shows were comedians and they were funny.

The Aussie Boys were excellent and sang all Aussie songs.

Other evening activities were bands and musicians in the bars and lounges. Our 'go to' places were Two70, and the Music Hall. Two70 during the day had music, trivia, enrichment programmes and movies - it also had the wonderful view out the back of the ship. At night it became a disco and also had themed shows. The back windows that gave us a wonderful view during the day became a wide screen at night.

Seats were sometimes hard to find in Two70, especially if Bingo was going to be held 1-2 hours later.

We sailed at the end of October, so had a Halloween party in Two70. We went straight after dinner and could only get a seat at the back behind the tables. It was very crowded.

Our other go to place, especially at night was the Music Hall. I loved this venue. One could always get a seat, although not always with a view of the stage.

 The bands here were very good at night.

The Music Hall is on two decks 3 and 4. Deck 3 has a dance floor, stage and bar. Deck 4 has pool tables and a bar. Trivia and enrichment talks were also held here. I went to a few trivia's and all the enrichment talks which were about the bushranger Ben Hall. 

Boleros bar we sometimes went to before dinner. Peter liked their daiquiris. Schooner bar was always packed and the only time to get a seat in the evening was late at night. Kelly, the pianist, was very popular.   

 The Amber & Oak pub had live music at night and was also packed. We never got seats there at night. Did I say it is a big ship?!?!?

 I have probably left a lot of activities out. There is an Escape Room and on the last sea day the Two70 hosted a 60 minute mystery which was hard and very interesting working in groups. Just so much to do - if you want to do it.