Cruising as part of an extended family and friends group of 9 in 5 cabins. Age range 82 to 17 :-) Arrived in Sydney for a couple of days ahead of the cruise. Stayed at Sir Stamford just off Circular Quay. Easy access to rail transport, Amazing people there. Embarkation went very smoothly, although we had a 'suggested' boarding time we arrived at 11am ish and were on the ship in 20 minutes. Mum and my elderly stepdad were ushered via elevators into the OPT and very well looked after during embarkation. Cruised from Sydney to Lifou, Mystery Island, Port Vila & Noumea before returning to Sydney. Two cabins mid ship balconies, one a large inside and two aft balconies. The pastel pink on deck 7 was initially disturbing but we quickly got used to it. Cabins pretty much what we expected, not being able to open the balcony divider was annoying but not a deal breaker. Had 7388 and 7390. Thank you to our cabin Stewards Dwi and Dion!

Kids were in 7390, had a balcony likely 6 times bigger than the mid ship balconies, two sun loungers, two chairs and a decent table. DH and I had 7388, I cried and thanked God when I saw the size of our balcony and the furniture! Two sun loungers, two laid back deck chairs and two standard chairs, a low table and a big table. Fully covered by deck 8. There is a view out the side of the ship and a massive view out the back. There is some obstruction with the superstructure of the ship, but when relaxing on the deck we hardly noticed it. Yes, we spent a lot of time out there. Size of balcony I would estimate is 8 times that of a standard balcony. Did First Night Done Right in Chops, fab. Also did the Mystery Dinner Theatre, I figured who the killer was, yay! Service was up to RCI WOW standards. Sent a bag to the laundry for a standard wash & fold, they got a stain out that I have been trying to remove for months! Food the usual subjective issue, I enjoyed it, smaller portions but I saw this as a good thing. We played Shuffleboard on deck 4 and lots of staff said hello and chatted with us as they went past. Even got to speak with the Captain, twice! Really nice, genuine guy. Ports, Lifou, climbed the hill to the Church, lovely. Mystery Island, oi vey! Amazing, please can I stay there a few days? Port Vila, loved the locals, taxi drivers are hit and miss, we had two lovely drivers to town and back to port but I did hear some negative stories. Made purchases at the market on the wharf. Noumea, was there on a Sunday and pretty much everything closed after 2pm, do a tour or stay on board. Already looking for another trip, qualifiers cabin 7388 and Mystery Island! Happy to email pictures of the cabins and balcony.