Cranky, One friend has just come back from doing the Greek Islands with her hubby.

They had a fantastic time away and really enjoyed it.

We went to Vanautu, the Isle of pines & Lifou last year. It was a gift from our children for our 50th Anniversary.  Enjoyed seeing the islands but didn't enjoy the ship at all.

Unfortunately they booked, not realising that it was school holidays  and there were screaming kids everywhere.

I would prefer to fly to a place and have more time for sightseeing.

Sandi. We have done the same cruise twice, but it was so hot...no children on ours ,and we made some great friends along the way..I believe the Greek islands are lovely, but I would love to see Venice,and Italy, I dont know why, they just appeal to me..but you are either a cruiser or not, there is no in between, and if you like the land beneath your feet ,and you love sight seeing, flying is the way to go..We tried a couple of Mystery flights..and had 3 attempts at it, each time drawing Sydney as the mystery destination..so we gave up..but on my bucket list is to get a campervan and tour Australia...When I am not so busy...LOL..

I love being on the water, small boat or big.  It was just the kids that spoilt the trip for us, that and the bad weather whilst at sea.  Entertainments were cancelled, too rough to be on deck.

But one thing I can't stand is when you are having a meal, kids running up and down screaming and yelling.  Why do you have to put up with other people's kids misbehaving ??  Why can't parent's seem to be able to control their children these days.

I agree wholheartedly with you..but on the first cruise we did we were novices, and made the mistake of booking a seven day trip. and there were a lot of children on board , I overheard a woman in the bar saying she loved cruising as she can have some time out, and she hadn't seen her children all day for the whole week....( Probebly they were the ones that were pushing all the buttons in the lift and screaming up the hallways)..but apparently the 7 day cruises are full because most parents can take the kids out of school, if they are not on holiday already..and its reasonable fares. but then we learned to take the 11- 16 day and over cruises..and its much more relaxed as us older folk fill up the ships..There are a few children on board but we found basically that they were very well behaved and a lot of them were with grandparents..

Cranky darling...lovely to read about your recent cruise. You must have been away around the same time as we did! Did you travel with Royal Caribbean? We did and had a fantastic time. We flew to Honolulu...joined a 8 night cruise of the Hawaiian islands and as if that wasn't enough...rested for a couple of days and boarded another Royal Caribbean cruise back to Sydney stopping at Vanuatu, Mare, Noumea.

I recommend anyone going on a cruise pay the extra and have a balcony suite...the service is just incredible and having a butler makes you feel like a royal couple!! The food is heavenly...but as Radish pointed out there is so much wastage...people eating with their eyes instead of just taking what they need.

The nicest part having no children on the cruise...as much as I love my grandchildren...the thought of having other people's screaming darlings running around the decks makes me cringe.

Like you have been to New Zealand several times...however not by ship...we flew there and then went around on the scenic rail journeys. Glad you enjoyed Hobbiton. Cute place but have to say I'm not a Lord of the Rings fan.

I have just returned  end of May from a trip to the U.S. where we flew into L.A then to Miami jumped onboard "the Royal Caribbean ship "Allure of the seas" at 24 hours notice sailed the Caribbean and Bahamas for 7 days, arriving back in Miami for 8 days sightseeing in Florida, before boarding Norwegian Star for a 27 day cruise to Europe visiting Portugal, England, Holland, Germany, Estonia, Russia, Denmark, Finland ,Sweden etc before disembarking back in Denmark and flying down to Rome for a week before coming home. We were away 7 weeks in total a fabulous trip.

Pete if you behave on board a cruise like you do in here I'd bribe the first able bodied seaman to toss you overboard...I couldn't manage it...I'm too old and feeble...( smile)

I'm Actually a bit concerned that you are far too young to be in this thread...no wonder this is putting you to sleep, it's way past your bedtime...

Like a light ?.....let me help...."CLICK".

Peanuts , Pete is a typical wooden spooner...he has obviously suffered somewhat during his life and is hiding what is probably a nice bloke under a cloak of sarcasm...I have picked up in his "humour" along the way he is English, so he has got something going for him...the Pete's of the world love feeding off people's responses, but that's ok....I have a never ending supply of food..and I am always happy to share...

He is all yours Cranky, i am so over smart mouthed people that are only interested in disrupting, putting down or destroying other peoples pleasure..i wouldn't  care if he is Oliver Twist reincarnated there is no excuse. Lots of people have suffered in their lives they do not use it as a license to be rude, bad mannered and ignorant.I in future choose to not see his posts or respond to them in anyway as like a spoilt child behaving badly to seek attention, he is the same. One does not reward bad behavior.

Cruise  PNG  with Princess I had a great time there

I am wondering if there are other Oceania Cruises afficionado's, being YLC members?

I and my wife, discovered the cruise line by chance..we had never heard of them.

When choosing a cruise, itinarary's are what is the most important to us. In doing so at the end of 2011 we read about a long (54 days) cruise from Papeete to Southampton.

The port intensive voyage included the French Polynesian islands (Bora Bora, Huahine,etc;), Pitcairn and Easter Islands, then mainland Peru, Ecquador, Panamacanal, Caribbean Ports, Charlston, Sth Carolina, New York, Then Canadian ports inc Quebec, Then onto ireland and Finally UK.

All this on Oceania's beautiful ship, MV Marina. We both where looked after by the most caring, efficient,fun staff and provided with the most wonderful food. Oceania lay claim to the finest cuisine at sea, i would have to agree. A byword on the Terrace cafe buffet on board Marina .. Hygene .., a post on here described a disgusting buffet on a certain ship,the disgust pertained to the manners of the guests apparent greedy approach at the buffet. Oceania's buffet is not self service. You point out want you want, and the assistant plates the food then presents it to you, all the food is beatifully displayed but covered.

During 2013 we went on another Oceania ship, Nautica, 35 days from bangkok to Rome, another wonderful, faultless port intensive voyage.

Not yet planned the next, but,all being well, we will book another.

I have been on 9 cruises for health reasons...I have a few issues which prevent me from doing certain types of holidays..my last was from Sydney to Hawaii...only 5 ports but they were all new to me except Suva....17 days long..stayed  days in Honalulu and 3 in big Hawaii...was a dream holiday and had a wonderfull time...