Monday 24 December 2018

Cruising Season in Australia

The big cruise ships come to Australia each September / October, and most leave from Sydney. The rest of the year Australia has P&O and Carnival leaving from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, with the odd Ocean Liner visiting on their world trips.  My sister had booked the Country Music Cruise months before we did, but I'm not sure who booked the Explorer of the Seas cruise first, but it is always good to cruise with my sister. Anyway, 11 days after disembarking Radiance, we were getting on another ship. This will be our second time on Explorer and this cruise is 11 nights. Explorer was the first Royal Caribbean ship we went on, and we were not overly impressed - especially after only being on Celebrity Solstice. This time it didn't seem so bad - not sure why.
We always have the same routine once we aboard a ship. Check-in on RC ships is always easy, especially with their rewards programme - as frequent cruisers we can go on the shorter queues so get on the ship quicker. On RC we first go up to the Waterfront (buffet) Restaurant for lunch and our first drink - I always get a mojito, not sure why! After lunch we head to the cabin and meet our cabin attendant, then explore the ship - including the many bars. The R Bar on deck 5 was our favourite after dinner, being just outside the Sapphire Dining Room.
I also like to take a photo of the daily newsletter - Cruise Compass - so I have a reference for photos taken after., and a note on the weather and place. We had booked an interior cabin, which is ok for two, but on this occasion there were three of us, so it was a little cramped.
Many passengers spend sea days around the pool, so it is difficult to get a seat, even in the adults only pool area. However, that leaves many seats available in the Star Lounge on Deck 5. This is the venue for many of the trivia's and game shows, so it was lovely to sit there in the cool sipping chocolate martinis. Jon's highlight was meeting the Captain - again - and getting his loyalty platinum pin.
He also liked the napkin folding, and our table server, Poetrie, showed Jon how to make a beautiful swan, which Jonnie then made for our cabin attendant.
The nightly shows were great and varied, from comedians to singers and tribute artists to string performances to movies. Production Shows were "Invitation to Dance" and "Wild, Cool & Swingin' " and "Fast Forward".
The Palace Theatre was a great and the seats were comfortable. We also saw some good movies there, which I don't recall seeing any movies last time we cruised on Explorer. Movies were also shown in the pool area.
Day 4 was our first port on this cruise - Isle of Pines.
Perfect for snorkeling. I enjoyed the calm of an empty ship 😇
As well as the usual theme nights - 2 formals (day 2 & 10); 70's (day 3); island/tropical (day 4 & 9); this  cruise also had Halloween (day 5); and Melbourne Cup (day 11). All were fun, and we were prepared for all except the 70's party.
With having a drinks package, I got Peter to try some cocktails, which I am pleased to say he enjoyed. Daiquiris were his favourite. Here he is in the Star Lounge with a strawberry daiquiri.
We enjoy the ship rather than the ports she visits. Peter and Jonnie got off at each port, I only got off at Mare. Perhaps if the weather had been better I may have got off the ship, as I do like Mystery Island.
The entertainment staff were good, especially Marvin who kept us laughing. The Explorer has the best Cruise Director in Graeme Seymore. He was so funny. He not only did a funny morning show on the TV each morning - which we watched, but also did his own production of a British Rock Concert.
We all did get off in Mare, and paid $18 each for a return bus to the beach on the other side of the island. The beach was beautiful, but very crowded at one end. Next time we will do the island tour.
Jonnie must have remembered the British Rock show from last cruise of Explorer as he bought his English flag with him.
We had a great time, and can't wait to do it again - but maybe not in an interior room.

Saturday 22 December 2018

Beautiful Isle of Pines

October 2018: We have been to Isle of Pines many times - we love the snorkeling there - read about the history on one of our other blog entries. Named by Captain Cook in 1774, and became a French penal colony in 1872 for French political prisoners. Walking down the jetty - Isle of Pines is a tender port - one can hear the singing of some locals.  That is always welcoming on these Pacific Islands. The tender jetty is located in Kuto Bay. We have walked around this area of the island and visited the markets and looked at ruins of some of the prison - the barred widows and stone walls, this time we decided to do a bus tour.
The ship had tours of the island, however, we knew that the locals provided tours also, and at a cheaper price, so we decided to do that. Local currency is French Pacific Francs, and Australian Dollars and US Dollars are also accepted. There were three or four our operators ranging in price from $30 to $20.

As we walked along the lovely beach to the left of the jetty we came across a tour that was $20 Australian, AND the bus was a big air-conditioned coach - BONUS. The island is 14km wide and 18kms long.
It was to be  90 min tour with 8 stops, including a cave and two lookouts. The driver explained "in his English" that everything was open and that there would be 8 stops and that the cave would have an entrance fee (250CFP = about $3.40) and a number of steep steps down to the swimming hole. All tour companies had this entrance fee. He then asked if anyone wanted to go to the cave - well no one was particularly interested in swimming in the water hole and no-one said anything. The driver checked that no one wanted to go and said we will spend extra time at the stops. Well, the tour ended up being over 2 hours and was well worth it, especially with the air-conditioned bus - most of the other tour buses we saw were open windows, and it was very humid (even in October).
First stop was the prison ruins. The French prisoners were sent to one of five different areas on the island. One is situated right at the jetty, a second is about 5 minutes along one of the main roads.
One can walk around the ruins and into cells. The vegetation is slowly taking over the prison. We stopped about 10 minutes. A passenger told us a story of a friend who was mauled by a bull here at the ruins, and we did see a couple of bulls roaming around, one inside and one outside. We were very wary.

Second stop was the beautiful Corbeille Bay. Only a tiny beach lined with palm trees, it was fairly secluded, except for a couple of dogs. This was a five minute stop.
Third stop was a lookout up the top of the island near the airport. It was an ok lookout, but not worth getting off the bus for. Forth stop was to be the cave, that we all decided we didn't need to see. So onto stop five and Saint Joseph Bay. This bay is famous for the large number of outriggers along the bay. It certainly was beautiful. Locals had set up a stall selling fruit, drinks, and cakes. 
A few of us chose to stay on the bus as it had to continue down the road to turn around. The views were beautiful, glad I stayed on the bus.
 We continued on to the Roman Catholic Church near Vao. Built in 1860 by Roman Catholic Marist missionaries and catholic convicts, many from the near by island of Mare. The Marist misionaries came to the island in 1848. The church, Notre Dame de l'Assomption, is located on top of a slight rise next to a school. This was stop six.
It almost appears to be a small village by itself. The church is large and is the only Roman Catholic church on the island. Regular services are still held here. The large wooden benches and beautiful decorations made this a perfect '5 minute' stop. Look at the roof! I was mesmerised by the roof, but forgot to take a photo.
We continued a drive through the main town of Vao to St Maurice Bay, stop seven.. The bay is famous for the totems that represent each family on the island. The totems are around the statue of Saint Maurice and a memorial to the local who have died in World Wars. The statue commemorates the first Roman Catholic service to take place on the island on 15 August 1848, just three days after the missionaries arrived. It is almost like the totems are protecting the statue and the totems along the water are providing a barrier from the water.
Some of the totems are so intricate and I'm sure they tell a story. We spent about 15 minutes here on out '5 minute' stop.
Our last stop - eight - or so we thought was a view. This one was pretty overlooking other islands though the trees. Bonus stop nine was another beach - it is an island and has so many pretty beaches.
The tour was well worth the $20 each and the air-conditioned coach was a bonus.

We still had a few hours before the last tender, and snorkeling at Kanumera Bay.

An interesting fact we found out was that Isle of Pines is only a 20 minute flight from Noumea, and only a 2 and 1/2hour boat ride. Cruise ships take overnight. Guess there are a number of 'wheelies' in the ocean!

Thursday 20 December 2018

Yee Haw - 2018 Country Music Tour - Just like Tamworth, but on a cruise ship!


We enjoy going to Tamworth, although we do not go every year, and in 2017 we picked up a brochure about a country music cruise. It was expensive, but it stayed in our minds as we love cruising, and every now and then I would check the website. In August, just under 3 months until the cruise, a price came up that we thought was good, considering the amount of artists that were on board, so we booked it. Booking was easy and a lovely consultant from Cruisin' Country was very helpful.

We were not disappointed. It was just like Tamworth, but on a cruise ship. The ship was Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas - our favourite RC ship (so far), so lots of good venues with stages.

We were particularly keen to see Mel and Susie,

Graham Roger (and Trevor Tolton),
and Graeme Connors, but there were so many more that were so good, that we are now keen to see. There was one song that I came away from the cruise singing in my head over and over, and it was one of Graeme Connors - Beach House - love it.
Most venues were perfect for the performers and more importantly, the passengers. Many evenings we spent in the Schooner Bar sitting in seats where we couldn't see the performers, but could still enjoy the music. Here we are enjoying the Hillbilly Goats - from a distance. Such fun.
The Colony Club was the same - if one could get a seat. We were fortunate to get good seats early in the cruise for the first performance of Tracey Killeen. She told the life story of Patsy Cline.
Pool area wasn't ideal, mainly due to the sun, but we did get to see many great artists there, especially when many were crowded into the Centrum to see Chad Morgan!!
One of the theme nights was True Colours and passengers were encouraged to wear sports team colours. Of course the Eastern Suburbs ROOSTERS were well represented. The pool party that evening was fun. 
We were disappointed with the venue for Mel and Susie. They did the morning show with other bush poets Grant Luhrs, Bob Magor, and Greg North in the Centrum. The Centrum is a great space, but it is not a good concert venue. Most of the artists that performed there also performed in other venues on the ship. The problem with the Centrum is there is not enough seating for the many many people who wanted to be there. The great Chad Morgan only appeared in the Centrum and the last Final Show. The Morning Show started at 9am each day and went until 11. I went past most mornings between 8-8.30am and all the seats were already taken and even going back anytime between 9-11am - no seats. Sadly only saw snippets of Mel and Susie as standing room only, and one can only stand for so long!! We felt sorry for the elderly who simply could not stand for any length of time.
Mel and Susie in the Centrum.

Chad Morgan in the Centrum.
Each night there was a Headliner Show that was repeated for each main dining room seating, and our cruise cards were different colours to indicate which show we were allowed access to. In reality there was not enough room for all passengers to sit in the theatre. By the end of the 7 night cruise, we needed to get to the theatre a good hour before the show to get a good seat - thanks goodness for drink waiters!
One of my favourites - Troy Cassar-Daley
We were introduced to so many other country music artists, and had the chance to see some favourites, like Allan Caswell. We got great seats in the Schooner Bar half way through his show when passengers left to get to another show early. 
As frequent cruisers we are use to cruising on Royal Caribbean and the Country Music Cruise is NOT like a normal cruise. Yes, accommodation, meals, entertainment are included but it was not the same. First, we did not see our cabin attendant once - have no idea of his name, or what he looks like - we did get two towel animals on the cruise. We like to have evening meals with the same people and the same table staff. This was not the case on the chartered Country Music cruise. We ended up eating in the Waterfront buffet with some people we met in the main dining room one night. Something to keep in mind next time we do Country Music Cruise. There are also not many of the 'usual' cruise ship activities. There was the 'belly flop' competition, but that was about all. I did miss the trivia quizzes that are a normal part of regular cruising. One thing we found interesting was the Drinks Package was more expensive on this cruise. We did two cruises 11 days apart, both on Royal Caribbean. The first, this Country Music Cruise, the Deluxe Beverage drinks package was $89.64 each per day. On the following cruise, 11 days later the price was $73.14 each per day. A big difference, with no reason for the difference. 
The cruise did include two ports: Noumea and Isle of Pines. We have been to both ports many times and stayed on board for Noumea, but did a local island tour off ship at Isle of Pines - see next blog post. We had a great time, especially with family traveling with us. This was island night in our favourite meeting place - the Champagne Bar.
We found that there was so much great entertainment on the cruise that we were never in the cabin - so the choice of an interior cabin was a good choice for this cruise. We loved the cruise and hope to go on the next one - with Michael Waugh, O'Shea, the lovely Amber Lawrence (that was also on this cruise), Camille and Stuie, Bob Corbett Band, and Gina Jeffreys.