Perhaps a little critical with this but I say it as I see it. Rest assured however, she's a beaut ship and an Aussie seasonal favourite.

Full details here...

Spoil Factor 6.5/10

Warm, contrasting... see full report here

Spoil Factor 7.5/10

BLUE LAGOON CRUISES

SHIP HAS SINCE RETIRED

The longer I've been home from this cruise, the more I'm inclined to think it deserves better than seven out of ten.

It truly was amazing.

Everything is in 'Fiji Time', a concept most of us have come to understand but I have to say the crew do remarkably well to schedule each island arrival; each meal, and each event with finesse.

All the while, appearing to be very relaxed - and Fijian!

This is a cruise I'd be keen to do again!

Be sure to read up on our full report at the link below. It's probably the most peaceful cruise holiday I've had in ages!

OASIS OF THE SEAS! A floating city!

Cruisescene was fortunately enough to get a close-up view, when invited on her inaugural cruise in Nov 2009. It is truly mind blowing! See full report | view pic

CIC

"Didn't really know what to expect on an older and smallish ship but at a great deal, we were up for anything!

She was splendid and traditional in every way. What the ship didn't have (compared to the newer and larger vessels), the crew were keen to make up any way they could.

Service was excellent and the food better than I'd really expected and better than most cruises I've done in the past.

I'd recommend Funchal to anyone. The destinations were perfect but I'd also suggest anyone intending sailing her, board with an open mind and let the crew take care of the rest!

Christine, St Hubert's Island NSW

P&O CRUISES AUST

SHIP HAS SINCE RETIRED

Great "fun ship" atmosphere, ideal for groups or families planning a first cruise. Plenty to do on what I considered a safe and strong ocean-going ship with good facilities suiting the younger set.

Food was easy on the eye, and better for the tummy... and I strongly recommend customers try the steak restaurant, the cuts were great!

Good child facilities and the kids loved the family atmosphere. Great nightly shows!

Editor - Cruisescene

HAL

Truly beautiful... food was excellent and service was generally good.

Perhaps I boarded with greater expectations but I found the cruise to be rather quiet but this is what HAL does best in providing passengers with a peaceful atmosphere.

The ship was in great shape though the staterooms seemed a little small. `VERY clean and very affordable cruising. We saw some fantastic destinations and was honored to meet the Captain and his family - from the Gold Coast. Thanks Henk, for a very memorable cruise! Having spent some time with you made all the difference on a cruise which I'd otherwise describe as one best suited for the more astute.

Editor - Cruisescene

CARNIVAL CRUISES

Very "Americana" and very vibrant. Not a moment went by where you're in a situation where you'll miss an event. Fast paced but also found the time to relax and read a book.

Food was so-so but our waiter was always keen to provide anything (& sometimes everything), on a mission to completely satisfy us.

Queues for lunch at the buffet restaurant were sometimes a chore, but it was worth waiting for.

Cabins were HUGE but I'll advise the attendant we had wasn't so attentive.

But in all, a good cruise and we saw some of the best destinations along the coast of Central America you'll ever see.

Editor - Cruisescene

Donna, it's the best cruise we've ever done!

Truly, you've done it again! Discovery was amazing and so were the crew, the food and of course the very unique itinerary we did!

She's an older ship (and no balcony cabins) but honestly, we didn't have time to cribber about things like that because they made us all feel like royalty and I am really over the moon!

How could you ever come up with something that even comes close again??? I'm guessing you will of course!

Geoff & Marg, Abbotsford NSW

CELEBRITY CRUISES

(Relocation cruise, prior to refurb in Italy)

I honestly have to say, while she was up for a refurb (and steaming ahead with us onboard), Century was simply fantastic! We sailed from Miami to Barcelona and I'd have to say it was probably the best 16 nights I've ever had aboard a ship!

Food, service, entertainment & atmosphere were at an all time best! While the crew were keen to witness (and help out) a major facelift, we were assured the excitement wasn't just about their eagerness to see a new home at sea; it was what they did best... in customer service! And I get that!

Fine dining, all the way. Kids made more than welcome and there was plenty for them to do in a very well orchestrated "kid's club"

Bottom line? 5 Star 24/7 I would just love to sail her again especially now she's fully refitted and from what I understand, nothing has changed about her ability to satisfy the fussiest cruiser.

Editor - Cruisescene

RCI

They say celebrity is like big brother to RCI, or the premium of the two. While Celebrity does take service to the next level, I couldn't fault Rhapsody in any way. The crew were fantastic, they got to know you, your likes/dislikes and called you by Mr Meads-Barlow rather than "Sir".

There were some minor hick-ups in the dining room where new staff had been appointed to waiting positions but the senior crew soon had them under control and delivering the type of service we like to see.

Food in the dining room was better than I expected, with a good variety of dishes available, and some that weren't even on the menu!

Food in the Windjammer buffet restaurant was superb. It was articulately presented and the area kept very clean.

Bar staff were a hoot! `Said Australians would have to be their best friends and passengers now!

The ship is very open-planned, no nooks or crannies. It was bright and airy and the huge greenhouse effect the glass had in public areas gave the appearance of "space" on a ship that should really be described as mid sized.

Destinations (Maui, Tahiti/Moraya & Bora Bora) were exceptional. We had plenty of sea days and if you like that, you can't go past this cruise for a good all round experience.

Editor - Cruisescene

RCI

The ship, although a tad smaller than Rhapsody was similar in many ways. Windjammer was just as good but I noted dining room food and menus weren't as good I remembered on Rhapsody. Also, I couldn't say the staff catered as well given Australians are generally relaxed and laid-back though they tended to get used to (15 of us) once they too, could relax a little and understand we were Australian and not Americans! Quite humorous really.

The manifest was made up of nationalities right across the board. Europeans, New Zealanders (they were great fun!), South Americans and passengers from the USA & Canada. A good mix.

Duty Free shopping was below average; lack of product types and few specials that you'd often see aboard ship.

The cabins (like on Rhapsody) were average size and had all the mods and cons you need. Cabin attendants (at least ours - Danielle), was fantastic. Likewise, the shows were good in a nice size theatre considering the ship's tonnage.

Captain Tommy was excellent; always out and about meeting and talking with passengers on his time off.

We organised our own Shore Tours and this turned out to be a bonus; being picked up in a Limo Mini Coach and spoiled rotten.

A word of advice, if you're interested in seeing Kusadasi (Turkey), plan to holiday for a week. It was the best port we visited and we'll be advising our customers to consider a week there given its history, beauty and the many things to do there!

Editor - Cruisescene

HAL

Elegant, sophisticated and charming. Quite Gaudi in decor and showed all the signs of a luxury cruise, from boarding.

Food, table service and menus were excellent in an atmosphere "you really had to dress for" although the cruise itself was casual and very enjoyable.

Lots of quiet areas for reading, catching up with friends for a quiet drink or there were times in a souped up bar where you could waltz the night away.

Crew were professional and attentive; as you'd expect on a premium Round the World Cruise with Holland America.

Amsterdam was a typical example cruise in what Holland America do best... treat you well and let you go about doing your thing with few interruptions of public announcements and the likes.

Co-editor - Cruisescene

CARNIVAL CRUISES

What a ship! Massive! And always plenty to do.

Surprisingly the cabins were quite big. Bigger than usual and bigger than expected on a ship that hosts 3,000 or so passengers.

The cruise was very American; the razz and all that loud kind of thing but it was easy to handle given the destinations (Barcelona and Dubrovnik being best) were excellent.

We're glad we arranged our shore excursions through Cruisescene especially once we saw 50 or so passengers struggling in and out of buses and us..? Well, all seven enjoyed the personal pamper of being collected and driven around where and where we wanted.

Food was A-OK and they did well to cater for the number of passenger on board.

Service was good, the cruise was enjoyable.

Laurie & Donna, Roseville NSW

RCI

I love the wide-open feel about Splendour and the do what you want feel.

Cabins though were a little tight (compared with Carnival Freedom) but more than did the job all the same.

Nightly shows were great and our favourite family eating spot was in the Wind Jammer Cafe.

We loved this ship and saw less of our kids who were (or seemed to be) better entertained in the kid's club. And that's OK with us... and a far cry from past experiences!

Destinations were so-so... couldn't get over the trek to the top of Santorini but lucky for the cable car albeit we were stuck in a queue for ages (5 ships in!). Best next time we do what you did and go to the front of the line and get a donkey! (The walk back down the mountain wasn't so bad)

Corfu was great as was Split (Croatia) but Crete... I could give or take.

Given the kids had an absolutely great time (and if they're happy, we are!) we've rated this cruise quite highly and as you know, we've cruised many ships! Splendour of The Seas came up with the goods and we had a good onboard experience.

Laurie & Donna, Roseville NSW

RCI

Well, where do I start??? From the moment I boarded her I felt a real difference, something I've rarely experienced in all the cruises I've done.

At 90,000 tonne, I expected passengers in the masses and lengthy queues at breakfast and lunch and any activities happening aboard. She was full - near 2500 pax and how wrong could I have been? VERY

In fact, `sometimes she appeared ghostly.

One of my other reservations was "How well can passengers enjoy a cruise when ideally, we mix the feeling with hot sun, pools and spas and sunbathing? Alaska certainly wouldn't be hot, would it?

Well OK, few braved the cooler days around the pool but many convened in the Solarium pool area - bathers and all! Pool temps were set around 25C and it made good sense to don the swimmers and attempt a few laps or just wade around as it was ten degrees hotter than the day time temps outside.

In brief (and I can rave out this ship long after we up-anchor), my findings were:

DINING: Superb, better than any other RCI cruise I've done and the food was served hot and couldn't have been fresher. Let me suggest you experience dining - if at least only once - and for a small surcharge, at Portofino's and/or Chops Grill. The two restaurants are truly outstanding. Seaview Cafe (free) is also a great alternative to lunching in the dining room or Windjammers.

WINDJAMMER: Excellent quality food, very fresh and it was easy to move around, even easier to find a table to eat. I was surprised about the lack of fish on offer (particularly salmon, given it was Alaska) and more surprised about limited choices of different kinds of dishes available.

BARS, CASINO & PUBLIC AREAS: You wouldn't think for a moment you shared the facilities with another 2000 plus passengers. When I said "ghostly", it almost appeared empty at times because there were so many public areas, and so many activities going on elsewhere aboard ship, finding you favourite spot was never difficult.

SERVICE: Second to none. You are addressed by first name and I didn't find any crew member (who once knew who you were), forget your name after that.

STATEROOMS: Average sized, all the mods & cons and good sized bathrooms. Attendants were generally good and helpful and the room was always made up to your liking.

DESTINATION - ALASKA: Like I said, Alaska's not for the cruiser looking to swim or sun bathe. That said, I was surprised by the mild temps of around 15C and the number of us who eventually got around in light clothing.

The glaciers are better than anything we ever saw in photographs and honestly, the best way to see them is to do the ship's shore tour by helicopter and experience the dog sled once there. It is out of this world!

OVERVIEW: Stunning. The ship, the destination and everything about cruising Alaska. Even for kids... perhaps moreso for kids! It really is an eye opener and a true education.

RCI

HI Donna, well you will be pleased to hear that all is well. The cabin is good, very quiet and thank you for that. The ship atmosphere is much better than last year. The food is 100% better and so is the service. They even have an afternoon movie in the theatre which is very popular. There are noticeably fewer passengers on this sector. Tomorrow is Papeete.

Judy & Graham

PRINCESS CRUISES (AU)

Two nights at sea probably wasn't enough to give this this ship the grace it deserves, however the experience I did receive sailing her should be noted all the same.

Sun Princess is an adorable vessel ...Very, very clean and it seemed she provided more crew (various staff) than most I've sailed but it could very well be that the crew are always "in the right place, at the right time".

STATEROOMS: Probably larger than most! She of course does have the standard cabins sizes but Sun Princess offers a variety of alternative room configurations in most categories, allowing more room (at a small premium price), should you need it. I was lucky enough to be allocated a 'disabled' stateroom and while these can never be guaranteed to passengers who don't require them, I had more than I needed in a room that really looked like a mini Inside Suite.

DINING: `A nice experience. Regency dining room (one of three) was clean, roomy and table settings were very good. Food quality was good and waiter service was satisfactory.

Alternative Dining (Sterling Steak Restaurant - $20 pp surcharge) was exceptional on night 2 and although we sacrificed a lobster menu in Main Dining, we ordered steaks that had you talking about them all night but to top it off, the waiter delivered us the lobster, as a special treat.

SERVICE: Crew were a`plenty. Bar staff were polite as were table service staff across the board. The waiters in Sterling Steakhouse were exceptional and obviously hand-picked.

I didn't meet our cabin attendant which is quite odd, especially when your onboard account accrues a grats charge of $10 pp/per day. That said, the room was always made-up in a timely and neat fashion.

KIDS: Sun Princess definitely appears to have all it needs to cater for kids. Our cruise had very few children but having seen Pelican's - a full kid's club/minding facility, and the teen area; Sun is more than ready for her kid's holiday program coming in up next month.

PRICES: Drink charges were reasonable as were the gourmet extras like the "Sundae Bar: etc. Duty-Free shopping was "as to be expected" but there were an array of garment specials... for the bargain hunters.

Overall, I found Sun Princess comfortable. The Lotus Spa was "so, so" in a 'Hot Stone Massage'; public areas were nice and open and there was plenty of room around the deck areas.

Announcements were few, in fact; passengers complained about "little goings-ons" but I find it hard to agree considering the cruise for many was just 2 nights of 10, to Fremantle.

I have in fact re-booked our family in January 2010 for a South Pacific cruise to make sure we get it right! I know she has more!

Editor - Cruisescene

HAL

Classy, intimate and very stylish!

Click here for full write up and photos

RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS

RCI

Ship Report

New Zealand

Dear Michael
 
            Re Rhapsody Of the Seas:  January 27th cruise to NZ
 
            This stateroom is the type that I would book.
Usually,I would have booked a year ahead to get a comparable stateroom.
I liked mid ship.
 
            This was ideal. So quiet!!!!
 
            Since  the weather was sunny in most ports,the balcony was used ,extensively.
 
            AND you managed such a deal!
 
            This was an experience in booking for me. I have never done a spontaneous booking.
 
             I have decided that I shall travel every 2 months, if I can! I shall get booking     whenever/wherever I can    .I am   
             staying flexible. I did 4wd excursions/walked for hours in NZ .And loved it!
 
              Ship:
 
              The cuisine is suited for American palate. Heavy food--fatty/over sweet. However ,one can find some relief ,if one is
discerning.   I feel that they will have to
               change if competing in southern waters.   For instance,Sun Princess has done this.
 
               The staff were lovely.
 
               Enough entertainment interest. I found their shows too noisy . However,I am a semi /classical/love piano-guitar,mod
music/opera/theatre,etc and there was enough of it.
 
                I have to thank you, Michael.  I have vast network and have passed along your address and shall continue during my liaisons in the coming months.
 
                 Thank you ,kindly
 
                 Ellie

MSC MELODY

MSC CRUISES

MSC CRUISES - AFRICA & SUEZ APR 2009

Click here for full overview/experience

STATENDAM

HOLLAND AMERICA

ALASKA 2010

What a quaint little ship! Well, little by today's standards, but big in every other way!

See our full report here. You'll agree she has more to offer than a lot of her rivals!

MERCURY

CELEBRITY CRUISES

VANCOUVER - Walk-over, lunch & inspection

I remember when Mercury was once tipped to cruise downunder and possibly spend a season (or two) sailing the South Pacific. That was before Celebrity Cruises decided otherwise, and retire her to German partner cruise company, TUI.

She was docked for the day during a turn-around Alaskan cruise. Having cleared security procedures, Donna and I were directed through the Crew access area and to the gangway to board. The Crew themselves were well aware of who we were however and nonetheless greeted us the way they'd greet any boarding passenger. That was only the start, of our tour and inspection...

read on here

WESTERDAM

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

Thanks Donna. Yes we did 3 weeks on the “Westerdam” (Holland America) in a grade 2 Deluxe Balcony suite – fabulous. Suite was at the stern on deck 7 had a wrap round huge balcony with 4 arm chairs; table and 4 chairs; drinks table and 2 sun lounges – and that was just the balcony !!!!!! Interior we had beds, coffee table, lounge with 2 additional lounge chairs; wet bar; dressing room; huge bathroom with twin basins, shower and Spa bath. Of course Suite pax also have access to a special Neptune lounge on that deck where one can get coffee, tea, snacks, breakfast etc all day long and where staff do whatever arrangements you want like tours, money changing, DVD delivery to the suite etc. Of course suite also includes priority boarding and disembarking and tender use, as well as complimentary laundry and dry cleaning etc. Like a hotel Executive Club arrangement.

Food and service were absolutely excellent and suite pax have the dinner menu delivered to the suite every morning so they can have dinner delivered if they do not want to go to the restaurant, and also breakfast is delivered daily – you just fill out the form and leave it on the door each night as in a hotel. Cannot speak too highly of the staff and service everywhere on board – absolutely fantastic.

Itinerary was Fort Lauderdale to Madeira, Cadiz (Spain); Almeria Spain (so one could visit Granada and the Alhambra); Corsica; Rome; Naples; Messina (Sicily); Sarande (Albania); Split (Croatia) and disembarked Venice. A real dream voyage.

(Mike Hatton - former head of AFTA)