Sea Princess Review
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A cruise I had wanted to do for a long time, I thoroughly enjoyed the ports of call, Geraldton, Broome, anchor in the Kimberleys, Darwin, Cairns and Alotau. Loved the locals and all their attention in Geraldton, along with their $5 hop on hop off bus - best value of the trip. Due to a medical emergency we missed out on Port Douglas, and instead of mooring offshore in Cairns, we actually docked in town. Question why we couldn't have done that anyway? Something to do with tides etc perhaps.
Dining and our table of 8 were a lovely bunch, as Pam said, it's like sitting down with the family each night - catching up on what everyone had done during the day. Wish I could say the same about our waiters - why couldn't they remember (it was a 16 day cruise) that I was the only one who never had pepper - my patience did run out a little towards the end.
Our wine waiter never knew what ingredients were in the martinis I requested - he had to go away to find out, then came back with half an answer. I wonder if their lack of care was a result of knowing they weren't getting extra tips - as the tips had been taken care of in our cruise fare. Other cruises we have done, the waiters knew everything about us the second day in.
Cabin Review
Interior
Port Reviews
Perth (Fremantle)
Caught the train from Perth station to Fremantle. A good cheap way to travel there.
Geraldton
Used the $5 hoho bus and got off at all the nominated stops. Stand out was the memorial to the HMAS SYDNEY. The volunteers who man this site are to be commended for their knowledge and presentation. Also cudos to the volunteers who man the welcome tents at the wharf as we all got off the tenders. Very friendly and a credit to the town of Geraldton.
Broome
Took advantage of the $10 multi stop bus ticket, to visit the nominated tourist sites. Liked Matso's brewery, the museum, and Cable Beach. We did find it quite hot in the late afternoon sun there though, a bit more shade would have enticed us to stay until sunset perhaps.
Darwin
Went on the hoho bus, a good way to get to the outlying War Museum.
Cairns
Went up to Kuranda on the Skyrail, which we enjoyed very much. Kuranda is like any other touristy town, then back on the train. A very slow 2 hour journey, but some great photo opportunities along the way.
Alotau
This port is very much like Fiji would have been during the 60's. Not a lot to see or buy from the locals. I donated money instead to a Pentecostal church (it was Sunday) that was rocking its socks off with God, and to a stand that was all about the disabled in Alotau. We then paid $15 each to sit and watch native dancers, and bought lunch and drinks there as well. Spent over $100 in their community without buying junky stuff to bring home.