South Pacific Cruise Reviews

We always love sailing with NCL no matter the itinerary. We think that we would have liked another port or two in Australia and skip a few in New Zealand, if the length of the cruise is the same. Otherwise, make the cruise longer with additional ports in Australia. As far as entertainment: there was too much repetition of the same performers.

We were forced by RC to chose this cruise as they cancelled our original cruise to the South Pacific and would not refund our money. We had already made all of our trip arrangements when they cancelled the cruise and so we had limited options of RC cruises that fit our schedule. The service, food, activities and entertainment were subpar. The adult section is so small that the pool is basically a giant tub and the restaurant space is limited. There were 1,700 children under the age of 18 on this cruise which made it a zoo. The activities for adults were lame, i.e. how to fold a napkin or make a towel animal. The weather prevented us from going to 2 of the 3 ports and so we were basically stuck on the cruise from hell. RC didn't make any special accommodations for passengers to make up for missing the 2 ports. The excursion prices were ridiculous. We were sick of cold food, poor service (dining) and lack of entertainment/activities and couldn't wait to disembark. Another passenger who had cruised for years told me this is typical for RC in Australia to have subpar food, activities, service, etc. DON"T GO!

The rain turned in to a Typhoon, runways were flooded and the 1st level of the airport was flooded with 3 feet of water. Airport was closed for 2 days and when I tried to rebook a flight - found out that from the Station Manager for Air New Zealand - all the people who were ticketed with a 2 for 1 Ticket from NCL - were expected to get their own ticket out somehow. On hold for 2 hours with Air New Zealand - when I said my record locator - P62ZQH - she hung up and said NCL would have to rebook themselves. Called , left message for agent. Called emergency number at , was connected to NCL whose agent informed me that " She couldn't stay on the phone with me. Her manager wouldn't like it while she tried to get in touch with Air New Zealand and get me rebooked. The call was recorded - listen to me begging for help and her hanging up on me. Hours standing in lines. I called the insurance and was told we were covered but there were no tickets available. Slept on the floor of the airport for 2 nights because all the hotels were full (cancelled Elton John concert), then I found a hotel but Air New Zealand had our luggage. No clean clothes. Stood in line the next day for 4 hours on day 4 and finally got booked on Air Tahiti Lui for the next day at 3:00pm but booking disappeared overnight - no record locator. Again in line to rebook and finally got out and home on February 1st - stop over in Tahiti. Poor customer service from , NCL and Air New Zealand. I will turn in the costs to insurance but EVERYONE who had a 2 for 1 ticket found ourselves locked out of any help from Air New Zealand. I heard NCL sent planes but didn't specify "for NCL Customers" so they were filled by Air New Zealand with other passengers. I want , NCL and Air New Zealand to make this right somehow. And "I'm sorry" is not enough.

The staff made the cruise enjoyable. Many going out of their way to make the cruise more enjoyable. We found out that the Tazmin Sea, between Australia and New Zealand, is one of the roughest in the world. Our crossing, even though cloudy and cool, was not bad. Apparently, the week before was much worse. Something a cruiser should be made aware of before booking this cruise. Overall we were a little disappointed by the experience. We heard so much mor positives about New Zealand.

Beware masks will be required throughout this cruise. Even though we went through all the protocols of producing vaccination records and a Covid test within 72 hours of our sail date we received an email from HAL the day before sailing that everyone on board would be required to wear masks throughout the cruise with the exception of drinking and dining. Not what we signed up for.

Nice experience , Coastal Kitchen dining was fabulous

This was a fabulous cruise. It's just too bad that the weather didn't cooperate more.

Its a big ship but didn't seem so big. We enjoyed relaxing by the pool and using our balcony. Very disappointed in not much offered for activities. I don't think bingo was offered more than twice and they don't tell you in advance how much it is. If you are looking for free activities that the ship offers that day has come and gone. Go early when attending trivia, We went 30 min early and still could not get a seat. If you wanted the next trivia or the activity following trivia good luck getting a seat, people rarely vacated.

Easily the best cruise experience ever, partly because I met a few officers (and many crew members) who made sure I thoroughly enjoyed the ship and its many amenities. Although some of the ports were industrial ports, shuttles were available to get us to the city center which offered interesting things to do.

We enjoyed all the places on this back to back cruise starting in Tahiti. The NCL staff was trained to perfection. My only negative comment is the photograph area. I felt the employee was not pleasant and appeared annoyed that we didn’t buy more pictures!

It was lovely!! Although.. I did not get the memo about the lack of ozone layer in New Zealand quite quickly enough, LOL

Horrible, there are many ships to choose from, choose a different one.

We loved the itinerary, but between the nightmare of two rooms that were unfit for human habitation due to 80 degree temperature/diesel fumes and the poor food quality, we won’t be back to Holland America.

Overall Holland America is a good cruise line but cheap in some ways. Including soft drink beverages should be a must. Drinks and food in the informal dining places and their timings need improvement.

The ship was decorated for Christmas; a LOT of kids! Staff was fabulous; activities were fun, especially the IFLY. If you do this, it's free when in port but they don't release the free spots until the day before. We missed Mystery Is. but made the most of the other two. Weather was great - even the downpour in Vanuatu; you learn to expect it in the islands.

Great value, ship/food/service lived up to our expectations, itinerary was dynamic and comprehensive with lots of variety. Loved the alternating busy port days with a day off in between. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting a quick exploration of the lands "down under"

Even a small ship but enjoined the quietly and relax, love all the ports , sunshine, warm weather, beautiful islands, beaches and clean water.

The French Polynesian islands are the closest thing to paradise I have ever imagined. We had a great time despite Norwegian not because of Norwegian. All you saw and heard at guest services was many, many people complaining for one reason or another. Most of the complaints were regarding the scheduling of air travel through Norwegian. I would and will do the trip to French Polynesia again,...BUT NOT THROUGH NORWEGIAN CRUISES !!!

Amazing French Polynesian cruise included an option to spend the night in an OWB at Intercontinental

This cruise was very nice, other than the entertainment.