Cruise from New Zealand to Hawaii with Royal Carribean

THE ports of call may not always live up to expectations but the packed cruise programs provide just the right entertainment, writes Barry O'Brien.

The Solarium area on deck 12. Picture: Charles Brewer

"YES sir, the coach is airconditioned," I was assured by the lady agent selling tickets for a French Polynesia Moorea Island tour.

I am on an 18-day cruise on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas from Sydney to Hawaii via New Zealand and Tahiti, visiting Picton, Wellington, Papeete, Moorea, Bora Bora, Lahaina (Maui) and Honolulu.

We decided not to take a ship-organised tour but find our own way around on this island. After disembarking the tender which brought us ashore from the anchored ship, we were besieged by local operators touting their tours at a much-lower price than that offered by the ship.

After paying, we were led to a Mitsubishi utility with bench seats in the back. "We were told it would be an airconditioned coach," I wailed. "What better airconditioning can you have than the breeze blowing through your hair," came the cheerful reply from the guide.

It was a bone-jarring ride over bumpy roads, but turned out to be good fun as we beat the tour buses to the best vantage points.

After the delightful New Zealand stops of Picton and Wellington, the French Polynesian Islands were a slight letdown with little difference between the three locations.

It is said Tahiti's Papeete is a bustling city with thriving cafes, shops and a vibrant market. We arrived on a Sunday and almost nothing was open.

However, they were welcome stops in the middle of nine days at sea. The ports of call were secondary to the packed days at sea on this cruise.

The onboard entertainment, with a couple of exceptions, was outstanding. Aussie Danny Elliott, a multi instrumentalist, vocalist and tap dancer is one of the best acts we'd ever seen.

The Solarium area on deck 12. Picture: Charles Brewer

Accomplished in a variety of instruments including piano, guitar, clarinet, flute, didgeridoo, tin whistle even the bagpipes on which he played Rock around the Clock or, as he put it, "the old Scottish favourite, Rock around the Loch", he received standing ovations for his shows.

Radiance of the Seas has a budget of $2 million a year for entertainers. International comedy impressionist Paul Martell, an Irish/Australian, was flown from Sydney to Papeete for one night (two performances), then returned to Sydney. He was hilarious and had us in fits of laughter. All shows were good, clean fun.

Magician Leo Ward and his 10 assistants (his fingers), with dazzling sleight of hand and rapid fire wit, was another to impress. He also gave an afternoon talk, revealing a couple of the tricks of the trade. The Boys in the Band group wowed us with hits of The Beatles, Jersey Boys, Jackson 5 and Bee Gees, while the Argentinian show, Tango Buenos Aires, was spectacular.

Unlike the early days of Royal Caribbean Australian cruises where everything was slanted toward US guests, on this cruise Aussies were very well looked after.

An Aussie bar containing many Australian labels and rugby league premiership photos was well patronised while the trivia questions had Australian content. Thirty nations made up the 2143 passengers on board, predominantly Australians (1183), Americans (311) and Germans (236).

There is no shortage of dining options on board. The main dining room had a good selection with a different menu every night. Speciality dining included a Brazilian grill, Mexican, Giovanni's Italian, Chops American Grille, Izumi Asian Cuisine and the Chef's Table where every course is paired with a specially chosen wine to enhance the dish.

These dining options are extra - from $95 a person for the Chef's Table experience in an exclusive private dining room, to $3 a person for Rita's Mexican Cantina.

Hot dogs are available daily at Boardwalk Doghouse and delicious profiteroles and other goodies attracted us daily to the Park Cafe in the solarium.

There is also the Windjammer buffet.

The undercover solarium ensures poolside activities can be enjoyed in any weather, the nine-hole putting golf course is a favourite and the rock-climbing wall a magnet for the adventurous.

Pool (eight ball), table tennis, and shuffle board tournaments are just a few of the daily activities available.

Go2 - Radiance

Radiance of the Seas will return for another Australian-based season next summer, with cruises such as a seven-night Tasmanian Explorer cruise departing on January 27 priced from $899 a person. The fare includes gratuities, food (except in specialty dining), entertainment, kids clubs, and use of amenities such as a rock-climbing wall, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and gym facilities.

For more information, call 1800 754 500 or visit www.royalcaribbean.com.au