And just like that, my South Pacific Cruise is over and it’s back to the real world!
I shared a cabin with my 3 besties: my sister, my best friend since high school, and her sister. The four of us have been great mates since high school – over 30 years now.
How can I sum up such a huge week – stopping in Noumea and Lifou (New Caledonia) and Port Vila (Vanuatu) – in one little blog post?! Clearly, I’ll have to do more than one post about it.
10 Memorable Moments from My South Pacific Cruise
But for now, here are 10 memorable moments from my South Pacific cruise.
1. Worst Moment
That’s easy – getting seasick the very first night.
This was quite unexpected as it was my third cruise and I’ve hit rough weather before – and take seasickness tablets – but alas, this time it didn’t help me. I couldn’t believe how suddenly it hit. I had just put my serviette on the table after thoroughly enjoying a delicious dinner, when I was overcome with a wave of nausea.
Although we all felt queasy, I definitely got hit the worst and ended up getting an injection to settle my tummy down. Even so, I spent most of the next day in bed, feeling less than my best.
2. Picture Postcard Moment
The tropical beach on Lifou was absolutely beautiful – just like a postcard – and we loved swimming and enjoying the water.
3. Most Outlandish Moment
I actually held a snake! No, I can’t believe it either. While in Vila we visited the Secret Garden, and were treated to a personal tour by one of the staff who took a shine to us 🙂 . He offered us the opportunity to hold a snake – my friend Nicola jumped at the chance while the rest of us stood safely back and took photos. And then I don’t know what came over me, but I decided I could be brave too. After a couple of false starts, I was draped with the snake – and here’s the proof!
4. Most Delicious Moment
Although all the food was amazing, towards the end of the cruise I discovered that the cafe on deck served the most amazing iced mochas and macarons. After that, no afternoon was complete without a stop at the cafe for an afternoon treat!
5. Most Surprising Moment
Maybe it was because I was sick at the start of the cruise; or maybe it was because I was eating (mostly!) healthily; or it could have been all the walking around our ports of call; but I actually lost a kilo or two on the cruise!
6. Most Relaxing Moment
Lazing around on the deck on one of the super comfy couches was so relaxing I dropped off to sleep one afternoon! Although the 10 minute neck and shoulder massage after breakfast one morning was a close second 😉 .
7. Most Refreshing Moment
We visited the Cascades waterfall in Vanuatu on a very humid day, and after climbing to the top it was so refreshing to feel the breeze and spray from the waterfall. If only I’d taken my swimmers!
8. Silliest Moments
I took my beloved toy puppy Sophie with me (and boy was I glad of her cuddles when I was sick). The girls took great delight in hiding her somewhere in the cabin everyday, much to the amusement of our cabin steward!
Here Sophie is hiding in a very “safe” place 😉 .
9. Most Interesting Moment
I went to a Q&A session with the Pacific Entertainers, and a backstage tour. The evening shows were a definite highlight of the cruise, and being a typical sticky beak I loved these glimpses of behind the scenes.
10. Most Expensive Moment
It cost 75c per minute to connect to the internet on board, so I used it sparingly to keep in touch with my family.
What do you think would have been your favourite moment?!
Hi Janet, I also held a snake when I cruised in 2010 (at Champagne Bay). I thought what the heck! Probably the last time I’ll do it 🙂 Loved reading about your adventures. I’ll be cruising around New Zealand in April next year. I know you’ve also done this cruise. Can’t wait for 14 days of pure relaxation and investigating some yarn stores at the shore stops 🙂
Hi Mel, yes that’s exactly the feeling that came over me, I still can’t quite believe I did it even now a week later! You will LOVE the NZ cruise but it will be cold, especially on the South Island. Have a great Christmas! x
Oh what a fabulous time. I get seasick on large vessels so I’d be worried I’d spend the entire time sick. I’ve never really thought of a cruise for that exact reason. It looks like you had a blast though!
Deb, I was so surprised as I’ve never had a problem before. We’re doing a 2 week cruise of the Mediterranean next year so hope I’m okay for that. Surely it can’t be as rough as the Pacific Ocean??!!
I can’t believe you are back so fast! Looks like you had a fab time, apart from the seasickness. It did look incredible, but now I’m worried because I am cruising next year to Mexico and The Caribbean I get seasick very easily. Gee I hope I’m going to be ok. You must be nice and relaxed for Christmas now. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year xx
Make sure you get some Avomine tablets from the chemist and take them from the night before you go. It was really rough weather – once the waves settled down, so did my tummy. And yes, I’m feeling very chilled out!
Glad you had a good time! You held a snake?!! I’m not sure I could do that. They freak me out! My 5 nights at Burleigh Heads also went by very fast but it did me the world of good and I’m feeling a lot more relaxed now for Christmas than I would have otherwise! 🙂
Me too!!!! Still can’t believe I did it and believe me, it will probably never happen again!
Looks like you had a great time. And Sophie, too. I hear Vanuatu is a great place. I guess it’s true.
It’s beautiful but the poverty is quite confronting. We are so blessed in Australia.
Stunning photo of Lifou! Now as to your outlandish moment, glad that you were able to do it, I would most probably pike out!
I’m so glad I did it!!!! One for the Guinness Book of World Records for sure!!!!
Glad you had such a great time, except for the seasickness x
Thanks Rae, have a lovely Christmas x
Sounds amazing Janet! Glad you had a great time even if you didn’t feel well to start off with. Looking forward to hearing more about it.
I’m sure I’ll be banging on about it on the blog and social media for ages … it was just so amazing (except for being sick)!
I’m fairly certain one of my besties was on that ship with you Janet. I have never heard of anyone losing weight after a cruise. Merry Christmas!
Is your friend a teacher? It felt like 90% of the people on board were!!!!
Yep she is! Haha! It was definitely your cruise! That’s funny 🙂
I would love to do a cruise! Definitely on my bucket list.
I went to Vanuatu a few years ago and absolutely loved it! But was no where near as brave as you!!
Sorry to hear you got sick but thankful that it didn’t last too long and ruin your trip completely.
Sounds like my kind of holiday except of course the snake part. Have done it once and felt ill for hours.
Really? I was on a high all day after conquering my fears!