REVIEW:
Location:Sydney,
Australia. We cruised to Port Vila, Vanuatu. Lamen Bay, Lifou Island,
& Noumea, New Caledonia.
Ship:'Fair Princess'
How I rate the 'Fair Princess' out of 5 ( 5 = Best, 1 = Worst. )
Cabins:5
Public Areas:5
Food:5
Entertainment:5
Facilities:4
Itineraries:4
Recreational Activities:4
Service:5
Boarding commenced at 2pm was quite simple
with the going through immigration and the photo opportunity being conducted
in the wharf side shed prior to boarding. If you didn't want that
photograph for posterity you could by-pass it and carry on onboard.
Ship's staff directed us to our deck and cabin where stewards were
waiting to show us the facilities. All reasonably smooth and without
hiccups. The baggage took a little longer to arrive onboard as there
was so much of it and took a while to sort out. Its a good idea not
to carry any breakables in your suitcases as they get thrown around a bit
from deck to deck down the stairwells.
Leaving Sydney harbour. |
Passing the Opera House. |
The ship sailed at 5.30pm with a big party
being held on the Promenade deck aft as we sailed under the Sydney Harbour
bridge. Again the 'photo opportunity ' with ship's photographers
scurrying around taking snapshots. (I have yet to work out what happens
to all those photos that nobody buys.) Photo opportunities are a
big thing with cruise lines. They seem to think we don't have our
own cameras or you are incapable of putting a photo together.
Sydney harbour bridge. |
The weather was perfect as we left and for most of the trip except the last night when the rolling swell from the south-east made it a bit uncomfortable. ( I actually became seasick) The views were glorious and the ubiquitous Asian and Philippine bar , cabin and meal staff were friendly, helpful and above reproach. The cabin we had was actually a four berth made up as a twin so there was plenty of storage space and room to move. The standard of cleanliness was very good in the cabins, public areas and decks. The only annoyance I found with the cabin was that it did not have a double bed. To get that one needs to upgrade a few decks with the additional cost involved.
Business onboard was conducted by way of a
'cash card' which you purchased from the purser at a cost of $100.
This gave you $95 credit that was reduced each time you purchased
a drink or something from the shops. No cash was used at all onboard.
As the cash card ran out of credit you added more money to it. This
system worked well and kept you informed of what you had spent and had
left on your card after each transaction. At the end of the
trip you cashed the card in and received your remaining credit and the
$5 deposit back in cash.
Group Photo , Islander Night. |
Sunset at sea. |
The entertainment was excellent with the cruise staff ensuring that everyone had the opportunity to have fun and enjoy themselves. Various ship board activities were conducted on the days we spent at sea as well as for those who did not go ashore at the ports of call. The ship's entertainers included cabaret star Beau Smith (who?) and comedian Mike Harris who were excellent in their own evening shows in the theatre and the Fair Princess Entertainers including Cameron Wenn, Samantha Fayle,Todd Stephenson,Craig Fook, Monique Hendry and Amanda Talbot. The musicians were 'The Fair Princess Show Band', 'Arkestra' and 'Tucan' who kept us going in the lounges and discos. Ed Manego kept the South Seas Lounge piano chirping along whilst we had our pre dinner drinks.
Facilities onboard were excellent for a ship
that's been around for a long time. The lounges were clean and tasteful
and the staff were quick to serve you. Drinks were reasonably priced
with most beers $2.70 and most mixed drinks $4.20. The cocktail of
the day cost $4.00. The swimming pools were refilled with fresh
sea water each night so that the temperature went up as you neared the
tropics. The sun decks were kept tidy and were all well used by passengers.
'The Gang' at table 122, Grosvenor Restaurant. |
Dining was excellent with two sittings for each Restaurant. There were two restaurants onboard, the Grosvenor and the Dorchester. Each day there was a different 'Theme' with food to compliment. We found the food very good and plentiful. You could order the whole menu if you wanted. There was lots of variety in the menus. The lunch time buffet on the Promenade deck aft around the pool was well serviced and enjoyed by those onboard. If you were still hungry after that all that food you could go to 'Harry's Cafe the Waves' for a pie with mushy peas, or to the 'Pizzeria' for a pizza or cappuccino.
Looking south Boulari-Havannah passage |
Entering the Boulari-Havannah passage. |
Berthed at Port Vila, Vanuatu. |
Iririki Island Resort, Port Vila, Vanuatu. |
Swimming at Lamen Bay, Vanuatu |
Anchored at Lamen Bay, Vanuatu. |
Ship at anchor , Lifou Island. |
-Cultural Dancers of Lifou. |
We boarded the Petit Train (a motorised wheeled vehicle) and drove through the main streets of Noumea. You pass through the residential areas, the scenic waterfront, climbing to the lookout at Ouen Toro where you can enjoy some of the most breathtaking views of Noumea. After a short stop and refreshments we head back via the Ansa Vata beach and Lemon and Orphan Bay, passing the new Government House, markets and marinas. Tour duration about 1.5 hrs.
The ship stayed in Noumea for only 8 hours so things were very hectic to see and do as much as possible. On top of that it was a Saturday so most of the shops were closing by midday. However, a good time was had by all.
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Le Petit Train. |
Ansa Vata Beach, Noumea. |
On leaving Noumea the ship sailed back towards Sydney and the end of our cruise. Value for money wise, I don't think you can beat a cruise such as this because all accommodation and meals are provided and you only need to bring sufficient funds for drinks , tours and souvenirs. The ship arrived back in Sydney harbour about 6.00am in the morning. Lots of people were awake to see the entry into the best harbour in the world. Some had stayed up all night partying....
Thanks to Captain David Calabrese and all his officers and crew,
Bronwyn Knight the Cruise Director, Dan, Shona, Travis, Bryan, Cathy, Pat,
Shane and Paul the social directors, Pat and Graham , David and Rosemary,
Garry and Marian our Dining party, cholil our dinner waiter and Nana our
cabin steward for a fantastic holiday.
See also Cruise Review
'Superstar Gemini'
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