Pacific Dawn - 27/11 to 11/12

[suey]

Arrived back yesterday from our 14 night NZ cruise.So quick review.

* Captain Neil Turnbull, a lovely chatty man, who gave at least one update each day

* Cruise director Sandy, who had his mum, dad, brother and sister-in-law from the states on the cruise, he did a great job.

* Guest entertainers Saw Amber Jade, excellent and talented, La Forza excellent 3-men singers, Davidia good vocalist.

Didn't see Ugly Dave Gray (cruised with him too many times), Greg Hayes comedy impressionist (heard he was good) and James Lamont.

* On board entertainers, circus performances excellent, laser shows good and all shows excellent (especially pirates and pub night)

* we bought a horse (cheapest at $200) but lost badly But we did win best decorated horse with our Xmas themed reindeer and Santa jockey.

* Bingo, most sea days they had two sessions which I don't think works well poor payouts. Mum won a share game $75

* Casino, we had a few good payouts here from $120 to $1800 jackpots (which daughter got on our last day, her birthday)

* Ports were excellent, we arranged all our own tours and attractions. Harbour cruise and skytower Auckland, hired car in Tauranga for trip to Hells Gate Roturua with a spa, just shopped in Napier, cable car and Te Papa in Wellington, hired car in Christchurch for Gondola and scenic touring and hired car in Dunedin for trip to Larmach castle and chocolate factory (which was dissapointing with no specials like Hobart). Scenic cruising in Fjordland was a highlight of the trip, amazing.

* Cruise staff excellent although many left the ship yesterday including Peewee (who is coming back in Feb as Deputy cruise director), Emmy and Matt.

* food great as usual, we reserved same table each night

Only negative for cruise was the appearance of the dreaded Norovirus which had some passengers confined to their cabins for up to three days and the ship on red alert, so no self-service buffet etc. But they handled the situation in an excellent fashion and managed to contain the virus from turning into a full outbreak.

 

Finally another great cruise enjoyed by our four generations of cruisers from my 83yr old mother to my 15 yr old grandson.:):)

[LouLou28]

Wow Suey ... if only I had realised you were one of the other horse owners (sorry we were the ones that owned that ramshackled mule that won!).:o:)

 

We had a great cruise ... amazing and so different to all our others!

 

Hope you enjoyed yourselves!

[suey]

Wow Suey ... if only I had realised you were one of the other horse owners (sorry we were the ones that owned that ramshackled mule that won!).:o:)

 

We had a great cruise ... amazing and so different to all our others!

 

Hope you enjoyed yourselves!

 

Well if we had to be beaten I am glad it was by a fellow cruise critic person;)