The start of our 9 day cruise to New Caledonia, the size of this ship is just "MASSIVE" It has water slides and pools, a Casino, restaurants even duty free shops .. overall a great experience. The usual on board fun and activities including shows, movies and fine dining. The green thunder well that was a one only. Imagine standing in that clear tube next minute the floor gives way and you go flying down the tube in super quick time.
First stop was Isle of Pines, sensational place, crystal clear water, friendly locals with small markets and local food. One thing to consider if you want to save a few dollars on the Island excursions is to arrange an Island trip or tour when you get on the Island. Arranging Shore excursions on the Carnival can get expensive for a family. These places as you might imagine are set-up for visiting tourists, believe me they have it worked out. Spent a bit of time at the local beach side markets on then went on a tour on the other side of the Island at a place called the Natural Aquarium ... awesome little cove and great for snorkelling. As the picture indicates the Ship parks up in the deep water off the coast and then they run tender boats back and forth all day with "THE TOURISTS" The local currency is the French Franc but they will take the Aussie dollar as well.
Lifou .. great little Island, Like all other ports setup for the tourist dollar with local markets etc. Get a local massage or a hair braid. We discovered the Secret Grotto as its known with Eddy in the red outfit. A get back to nature adventure where we discovered the Islands fauna. including a limestone cave. Have a search around on the Island if you venture to Lifou for other tours as well. The day we visited was a bit overcast and windy and not an ideal snorkelling day. Got to see a live coconut crab which I believe are good eating depending on their diet, might just stick to the ocean variety thanks. The Lifou Island tours were day trips mostly so you had plenty of time normally to look around. On arrival into the Port there was a few small markets setup ready to take your tourist dollar but quite reasonably priced.
Noumea Arrived into port in the early hours of the morning, Decided on a partial tour around the Island on a Bus to see the sights. It was a Sunday so not much open which was unfortunate but local markets were open . The Jetski was great fun, Rachel rode it most of the way around the harbour tour (Flipped me off once into harbour) Lucky for me I had the cut out switch attached to my vest. There are some really nice houses on the Island but also a lot of state housing which the local government heavily subsidise apparently to try and tidy things up a bit. Went past the old Club Med which is currently being refurbished. The Island has rich deposits of Nickel and mining is evident as you tour the Island. From here it was on to the last Port called Mare'.
Carnival Spirit departs Sydney on numerous Island cruises.
