Nice, but not stellar....
Regatta Cruise Review to South Pacific
Contributor Level:
Second Mate
Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 5
Helpful Votes: 202
21 Night Trail Of Captain Cook (Sydney To Papeete)
Sail date: March 10, 2024
Ship: Regatta
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 6075
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 2 months ago
Review summary
The itinerary was very good and largely to islands we had never been to. The weather was a major factor, whether it was rainy or just hot, this made a difference in our comfort levels for all of the excursions. Like any long trip, there were good excursions, and some lesser ones. My disappointment was generally in where the ship parked everyday. The port areas tended not to be pretty or tourist inviting for nice walks. These were not the pictures that one sees in commercials about these islands. When we took bus tours to other parts of the islands, we were able to see the beauty. That being said, if one books a tour like this, one should plan to take an excursion every day.Embarkation
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
My expectations were higher based on comments from past travelers. The menus look opulent and better than other cruise lines that I have used. My biggest complaint and that shared unanimously among the guests is that the food was consistently cold, and in some instances undercooked. There was never a hot meal received, although twice, the entree was luke warm at best. The tastes were good, however. (I understand that in the buffet, entrees were cooked to order in front of you so they would be hot...I did not try this. Lobster and lamb were available in this way.) One of my lobsters in the Polo Lounge was consistent with raw chicken. I did not say anything, not wanting to embarrass anyone, but I also did not eat it. Tosacana was a nicer staff than Polo, which we felt were too stuffy. We enjoyed Waves Grill, which was a nice alternative to the buffet for lunch.
Onboard Activities
We participated in the various Trivia contests, used the gym and spa, and played 9 hole golf several times. On sea days, we felt that there was less to offer than on Celebrity. I found myself in my cabin reading, which I could have done at home.
Entertainment
We went to four shows that were excellent.
Service and Staff
Generally speaking everyone was polite and helpful. As with any elongated relationship, there were a few hiccups along the way, some of which were ultimately resolved. Our cabin stewards were excellent.
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
The cabin was actually nicer than I expected. The size was appropriate, albeit, with a very tiny bathroom. Most importantly, both the bath and main room had extensive cabinet, closet and storage space, which was a major asset.
Ports of call
No excursion. We toured independently. Wonderful city.
Thumbs Up
0
The excursion did not go well, primarily due to audio equipment failure. This let to a shortened tour which did not cover the sites promised. Driver dropped us at the aquarium an hour and a half shorter than the tour was supposed to last.
Rotorua, New Zealand
Hells Gate Mud Baths. One of the highlights of this trip. Guide was excellent. The facilities were wonderful. Everyone in the group had a terrific time, and we continued to share pictures throughout the remainder of the cruise.
We traveled independently, having been there in the recent past. The aquarium is amazing, and we were able to reserve a semi private experience inside the penguin exhibit. Well worth it....book in advance!!
Excellent excursion, cruising to various islands. Little hiking on one for a picnic at the top of a hill with beautiful vistas. Guide was excellent.
Our excursion was canceled upon arrival, due to previous weather conditions. This was disappointing as there was little to do at the last minute other than walk around the town.
We took the Pearl South Pacific Escape excursion, which was a full day trip to a 4 star resort with lunch and local/culture entertainment. The rainy weather, literally, put a damper on this activity, making swimming and boating (separate fee) near impossible. The buffet lunch was nice and ample. There was a spa and salon at the resort, that I wish I had known about earlier and would have made appointments, particularly in light of the weather. Unfortunately there was only one stylist there and she/he was not available.
Aleipata District & Beach Break excursion: EXCELLENT. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. The beach was amazing, (and I hate beaches!!). The water was warm and inviting. Fish swimming all around us. Everyone in the group became fast friends which continued through the rest of the cruise. One of the true highlights of the month.
Eastside and Downtown excursion: itinerary changed from the time we reserved, and we were not informed until we embarked on the ship. The beach visit was basically canceled. The water was all coral as far as the eye could see, so the depth was not more than six inches. No swimming was possible. Instead there was another local cultural entertainment session. The guides used are 14 year old students, who sang more than guided....and never bothered to count the passengers before driving off. (They left my husband behind, choosing to leave one locale 10 minutes earlier than announced. With lots of screaming, the driver finally stopped until my husband could run to catch up with the bus.)
The port was Boring Boring. The shops were all extremely expensive, basically only selling black pearls and carved wood. Our first tour was canceled by the ship so we walked through the town. Weather was terribly hot, humid and uncomfortable. The next day we took Aquasafari which was incredible. One of the highlights of the trip. We also took Le Truck Island Tour, which was nice.
Vanilla Flavor & Tahaa Motu Picnic: Excellent tour. The owner of the Vanilla Plantation was a wonderful, passionate speaker, and a joy to listen to. The Tahaa Motu was a private island visit, again with the wonderful beach conditions with fish swimming abundantly. There was an ample buffet lunch. Also on this tour was a stop in the middle of the ocean to visit sharks, which swam around our boat in great numbers! Another highlight of the trip!
Disembarkation
Excellent. Walked right through, picked up our luggage and waited for our driver. Took no time at all!