Carnival Luminosa Cruise to Papua New Guinea

 

This was our first cruise to Papua New Guinea and our second cruise on the beautiful Luminosa. We have been to Port Moresby Airport before, in transit to Manilla, and we really were not impressed - another story!

Our cruise itinerary:

Day 1 Sunday - boarding in Brisbane.

Day 2 Monday - fun day at sea.

Day 3 Tuesday - fun day at sea.

Day 4 Wednesday - Alotau, PNG.

Day 5 Thursday - Conflict Islands, PNG.

Day 6 Friday - fun day at sea.

Day 7 Saturday - Rabaul, PNG.

Day 8 Sunday - Kiriwina Island, PNG.

Day 9 Monday - Conflict Islands, PNG.

Day 10 Tuesday - fun day at sea.

Day 11 Wednesday - fun day at sea.

Day 12 Thursday - disembarkation, Brisbane.

We had balcony room #4359, which we booked back in July and we chose our own cabin. We liked the cabin behind the lifts as it is usually very quiet. People get out of the lift and go left or right, except for the three cabins behind the lift, and we were in the middle cabin in a connecting room. We have had connecting rooms before and they too are usually very quiet. Not this one. It could have been the ship, but we think the neighbours were yelling too much - can't pick your neighbours.

A few days before departure there was an itinerary change with Rabaul being replaced with Cairns, and the order of ports was changed. Days 1-4 remained the same Day 5 was Kiriwina Island, Days 6 & 7 Conflict Islands, Day 8 at sea, Day 9 Cairns, Days 10 & 11 at sea, Day 12 Brisbane.

Papua New Guinea is located very close to the equator, so is hot and humid all year round. I did question my choice of going in November. We packed light, with only light comfortable clothes and drank lots of water, especially during the day. Also lots of mosquitos, so we packed not only sunscreen for the day trips, but also tropical strength bug repellent. We didn't need to use the bug repellent.

We also exchanged $100 for 200kina at Crown Currency Exchange at Aspley. Crown Currency Exchange is also available at the cruise terminal, on the right as you enter the building, before departure and on arrival day. We didn't spend much, a little at Alotau, nothing at Kiriwina, and Conflict is credit card only.

Alotau was lovely. The ship was docked and it was an easy walk off and on.

We didn't like Kiriwina. From getting off the tender one was bombarded with locals in small boats trying to sell goods - from live birds to wooden trinkets. The markets extended both way for what seemed like forever, along the beach selling the same (what looked like mass produced) wooden objects and baskets. To be honest we saw cheaper objects at the smaller Alotau markets we stopped at. We tried to sit on the beach, but locals came up and wanted to sell us things or take us on a tour. It really didn't feel comfortable so we went back on board. We won't get off at Kiriwina next time we cruise here.

Conflict Islands was absolutely beautiful and we look forward to going there another time.

Now the ship. We do like Luminosa. The staff are great, the food good and the entertainment also good.

I like the amount of trivia and games during the day.

 

We ate in a mixture of the main dining room and the Lido Marketplace (buffet) and can't fault the food. We like the late night dining options and the 24/7 tea, coffee, cordial and hot chocolate.

A great cruise.