- Joined
- Nov 12, 2012
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A few odds 'n sods:
The wifi (wee-fee
) on board is adequate but varies throughout the day, I guess as people use it more or less. You get your own log-in, but you can only use one device at a time, with is a bit annoying.
The expedition leaders/specialists are a mix of Australian, Canadian, English and NZ, but mostly Aussie. They say you can ask them anything, anytime, but they are not about except during zodiac time and understandably, are pretty busy then. I've only had a brief chat to the geo. Yesterday at Ashmore Reef, the zodiac guy we had tried to tell be that the reef was formed n a subsiding undersea volcano! (Its just a high point of the Continental shelf).
The service crew (cleaning, waiting, bar) all seem to be Filipino, and are very good to deal with. A fair proportion of them are on their first or second cruise.
Professional crew (Head Chef, Head Engineer, Sommelier, Cruise Director, Captain & Deputy) all French of course.
Power plugs are European type; I think its a bit bizarre that on this new-ish boat, they aren't of the international type.
Cabins are very quiet - haven't heard any external noises (eg loos in adjacent/above cabins). Aircon works well, simple adjustment. Mini bar kept stocked - I had to ask for gin instead of whiskey (there was already tonic water there ). Bed comfortable, bathroom space (just) adequate. Bathroom products by someone called Hermes - I believe its the French equivalent of Palmolive.
Masks are required in all indoor settings, except when eating & drinking. Going up to the bar or the buffet, expected to be on. No-one appears to be enforcing, but I'd say 90+% compliance. Four days in, I think we are still 'case-free' or at least symptomatic-free.
Demographic I'd say 90% Australians, with a few Germans and ?Korean. Most 60+, very few <30.
On-board activities: There is a classical pianist who plays in the lounge and we had a 'concert' from her last night in the theatre, plus a jazz/easy listening type duo. There are quizzes, films in the theatre, and lectures from the specialists.
Annoyances: Not many. There is no 'moving map', showing where we are, anywhere. I requested a look/tour of the below deck engineering and/or the Bridge (as we were told we could have), but no reply after three days. I would have thought yesterday, when we were parked at Ashmore Reef all day, would have been ideal to see below decks. I've already had a grizzle about the French-ness of the meals, but the lack of variety in the wines is downright bad, and for the 'premium' grog package, the single solitary additional wine is a Yering Station Chardonnay! $20 at Dan's. I mentioned the Sancerre we had the other night and I think the opinion was that its a good drop. It was only for the Captain's gala.
At Ashmore reef, we weren't allowed to land on the island, or even set foot on the sand off the side of the zodiac - its a Marine Protected Zone, fair enough. Unfortunately, no-one told the Captain, who was in his own zodiac with his partner, having a little snuggle along the beach from us
. Lucky guy, but a bit rough (the 'standing on the beach', not the snuggle) when we were told verboten to stand .
The wifi (wee-fee
) on board is adequate but varies throughout the day, I guess as people use it more or less. You get your own log-in, but you can only use one device at a time, with is a bit annoying.The expedition leaders/specialists are a mix of Australian, Canadian, English and NZ, but mostly Aussie. They say you can ask them anything, anytime, but they are not about except during zodiac time and understandably, are pretty busy then. I've only had a brief chat to the geo. Yesterday at Ashmore Reef, the zodiac guy we had tried to tell be that the reef was formed n a subsiding undersea volcano! (Its just a high point of the Continental shelf).
The service crew (cleaning, waiting, bar) all seem to be Filipino, and are very good to deal with. A fair proportion of them are on their first or second cruise.
Professional crew (Head Chef, Head Engineer, Sommelier, Cruise Director, Captain & Deputy) all French of course.
Power plugs are European type; I think its a bit bizarre that on this new-ish boat, they aren't of the international type.
Cabins are very quiet - haven't heard any external noises (eg loos in adjacent/above cabins). Aircon works well, simple adjustment. Mini bar kept stocked - I had to ask for gin instead of whiskey (there was already tonic water there
). Bed comfortable, bathroom space (just) adequate. Bathroom products by someone called Hermes - I believe its the French equivalent of Palmolive.Masks are required in all indoor settings, except when eating & drinking. Going up to the bar or the buffet, expected to be on. No-one appears to be enforcing, but I'd say 90+% compliance. Four days in, I think we are still 'case-free' or at least symptomatic-free.
Demographic I'd say 90% Australians, with a few Germans and ?Korean. Most 60+, very few <30.
On-board activities: There is a classical pianist who plays in the lounge and we had a 'concert' from her last night in the theatre, plus a jazz/easy listening type duo. There are quizzes, films in the theatre, and lectures from the specialists.
Annoyances: Not many. There is no 'moving map', showing where we are, anywhere. I requested a look/tour of the below deck engineering and/or the Bridge (as we were told we could have), but no reply after three days. I would have thought yesterday, when we were parked at Ashmore Reef all day, would have been ideal to see below decks. I've already had a grizzle about the French-ness of the meals, but the lack of variety in the wines is downright bad, and for the 'premium' grog package, the single solitary additional wine is a Yering Station Chardonnay! $20 at Dan's. I mentioned the Sancerre we had the other night and I think the opinion was that its a good drop. It was only for the Captain's gala.
At Ashmore reef, we weren't allowed to land on the island, or even set foot on the sand off the side of the zodiac - its a Marine Protected Zone, fair enough. Unfortunately, no-one told the Captain, who was in his own zodiac with his partner, having a little snuggle along the beach from us
. Lucky guy, but a bit rough (the 'standing on the beach', not the snuggle) when we were told verboten to stand .
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