ozififer

Way back in April-May 1970 en route to Australia on the migrant ship Fairsky we hit rough seas in the Bay of Biscay a day out from Southampton which caused a lot of sea sickness with a large number of the passengers. However, that was just a taste of much worse to come.

A day out from Cape Town to a day out from Fremantle, eleven days in all, we couldn't get out on deck. There was a large cyclone in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The captain did his best to skirt it but not with much success. That ship bounced about like a cork. There was mountainous waves and three or four times the ship went into deep troughs. Bow first at an angle, down and down, and looking out the windows there was just a wall of water. The the ship would stop and then ever so slowly start to come out of it again. Meanwhile, while this is happening, dishes and glasses were shattered and any furniture and the likes not bolted down, slid across the floor. It was all a very scarey time for us land lubbers on our first voyage on a ship.

The experience didn't put us off though as we are ardent cruisers having done 29 cruises and with two more booked.

A couple of years ago we called in at Benoa on the Rhapsody of the Seas. We were off the ship and ashore before 9am as Royal Caribbean had hired very fast big catamarans to convey the passengers to the shore.

Don't know about Vila but we were in Noumea last November on the Pacific Pearl and my daughter made inquiry on the ship regarding free hifi. She was told to follow the crew, so she did. On the ground floor of the Tourist Information building where you get off the ship there is a cafe on the left hand side. That is where the crew go. My daughter actually purchased a can of soft drink but the hifi was free. As regards completing your Outgoing Passenger Card put in the ship's name or the cruise number. Country where you get off, put "Australia". And Country where you will spend most time, we always put "Cruising". Never had a problem.

The atrium on P&O's Pacific Pearl was all decked out with Christmas trees and garlands when we sailed on her back on 18th November. A lovely display.

Dunfermline eh! I can almost see "Hame" from across the Firth of Forth!

We are in sunny Bo'ness!!:)

We have admired the illuminations of the refinery on many occasions from the Fife side, my wife originates from Culross. Tomorrow we are off on P&O's Pacific Pearl for 9 nights around the Loyalty Islands. Our 27th cruise. We wish you well for your trip "Down Under" and your cruise. We have been on the Rhapsody twice and it is a beautiful ship. I am sure you will have a ball.

Where in Scotland is Home??

I am a Fifer. Came from Dunfermline, but have lived in Adelaide, South Australia, for 43 years. Over the years my wife and I have been back on 12 occasions, the last visit being 4 years ago. Although I love Australia, and Australia has been very good to me, Scotland will always be "Hame" to me.

Lassie!!! I'm guessing that Scotland has a place in your heart!!:D

 

We sailed on Splendor of the Seas in September (I think this is the same class as Rhapsody) - there were a few issues but I would know to expect these now - for us this cruise is all about the itinerary - it seems such a good way (and reasonable cost) to visit Australia - I have been trying to get there for the past 13 years!!

Aye Lassie, Yer nae wrang! Scotland does hae a place in my Heart and I wid just love to gang hame and hae my next cruise on the Hebridean Princess around the Hebrides and the Western Islands.

Och laddie, yeel hae an awfy braw time and ye will jist love the Rhapsody, it's bonnie ship.

Back in the early '80's we cruised on two Russian ships. Did 14 days from Sydney to Hong Kong on the Alexander Pushkin which is now known as the Marco Polo. We also did 14 days on the Karylia out from Adelaide to Sydney and on around the South Pacific islands. We also booked to do a third cruise on another Russian ship, The Belorussya, for a 14 day cruise around New Zealand. However the ship went into dry dock in Singapore to have it's bottom cleaned and when they were flooding the dock after the procedure, the ship capsized in it's cradle. Besides these Russian ships we also cruised on Sitmar's Fairstar to Fiji.

We have cruised around New Zealand twice. Thirteen years ago on P&O's great Pacific Sky. Cruised anti-clockwise entering Milford Sound virtually at daybreak. Very cold and wet, but stunning. Two years ago we did New Zealand clockwise on the beautiful Sun Princess. This time we entered all the fiords in the afternoon. Nice and warm and in beautiful sunshine. Stunning in the wet but even more so in the sunshine.