After a six week cruise with my parents while I was young, going on a cruise was always there in the back of my mind. I was reading all advertisements in newspapers, searching the net for cheap cruise sites and checking out the local travel agents. I had a lot to get in order. I needed passports, new clothes, money, travel sickness tablets, and the list goes on.

Finally, early this year I booked a cruise aboard Rhapsody Of The Seas. Two tickets in a luxury window view cabin. One fare for me and the other for my son. It was to last for 14 beautiful, balmy nights, departing from Sydney. We cruised to such magnificent islands in the South Pacific, including Mystery Island, Luganville, Vila, and Noumea. We may have sailed upon the edge of a few cyclones giving us a much more bumpier ride than expected, but it just added to the fun. It gave the term "Rolling around in bed" a new meaning.....

Our first stop was Noumea. I just loved the place, and so did Brendan... Even though it was very hot and muggy , we were first off the ship and last to get back on. We walked around the entire town and marvelled at the tropical fish swimming in the clear waters of the marina. Everyone here speaks french, so Bonjour was our hello to anybody that walked passed us.

Back on the ship in the evening, what do we do first? I wanted to get ready for dinner, but Brendan has plans on playing ping pong. We met a lot of people at the ping pong tables...There was the theatre to attend, people to catch up with, but most of all I just wanted to watch us depart the lovely Noumea.

I had the best ever sleeps on the ship. My bed here is so comfortable. Breakfasts on the ship were devine. What a selection to choose from- smoked salmon,bacon, eggs, pancakes, fruits, donuts, danishes, yogurts grits and oatmeal. You could even watch the chef at work while he prepared in front of you an omelette made to order. You could eat all day in the Windjammer Buffet, or enjoy a la carte service in the Eidelweiss Dining Room. Here tables of eight guests would be spoilt with the attention of four waiters. They didd everything for you, apart from put the fork to your mouth.

Mystery Island was gorgeous. A real slice of heaven here. brendan spent most of the day snorkelling the beautiful warm water, being amazed at the colorful tropical fish. He then had to prove his manhood and crack a coconut open to feed his mum... Must be a man thing that relates back to the caveman days. All men must provide food for the weaker sex... While he was entertained, I was busy having a drink of kava kava with the local tribesmen. A truly weird drink that tastes and looks like muddy water. After two coconut glasses of kava, your mouth becomes numb, and you begin to feel really relaxed.

Luganville is my favourite port of call. The people here are just the friendliest people in the world. So laid back and carefree. We toured the area in the back of an old, rundown ute. We travelled past palm tree plantations on our way to the Riri River. Here we got on dug out canoes and were paddled downstream by the locals. Not a good idea if you cant swim. Our canoe was taking in water faster than we could bail it out. The canoe behind us actually collapsed. It was a laugh a minute. Everyone here smiles and they just want to please you. We got to the end of the river to the Blue Hole. It was such a beautiful serene place.

Luganville is a place I could live for the rest of my life.

After a three course meal in the evening it was off to the theatre to see Jacki Love perform live on stage. She was so entertaining. Had us all laughing out of our seats when she got two men out of the audience to sing Cest Bon with her... hahahaha

The next port was Vila. While it looks extremely beautiful, the people here are so very pushy. We were approached by over 100 taxi drivers all wanting to take you everywhere. Their prices were extremely expensive, wanting Au$150 to drive you to one place. They had you completely surrounded and it did become rather scary. Brendan and I decided we would just go back to the ship, when a lovely female taxi driver agreed to our price of AU$40. She took us around Vila for the entire day, showing us all the great sites. She took us to the local market and showed us where the best shops were. She looked after our belongings in the car while we went off sightseeing. I later realised just how lucky we really were as others had their belongings stolen and also lost their taxi ride home.

The crew on the ship were the most entertaining and attentive people I have met. They even remebered everyones names. Not bad when the ship had 2000 passengers.I cannot make one complaint about Rhapsody Of The Seas. Brendan was known to all staff as Sir Brendan. Not a bad title for a 17 year old. Our steward made sure all our needs were met and folded our towels into such wonderful animal creatures every night. She is worth her weight in gold. Nothing was too much trouble for her.

I now, definitely have the cruise bug, and am looking forward to my next cruise. Im saving every cent and searching every cruise website looking for my next great cruise deal. I have so many great cruise sites that I would like to share, but not sure if Im allowed to here. Hopefully someone will let me know.

My next cruise will be with a friend or friends, and it wont be too far away. As soon as it is booked I will let you all know about it.

Happy cruising fellow passengers!

Bon Voyage!

Savvy Cruising Diva