This was our first cruise in Australia and it did not live up to expectations. We travelled Darwin to Broome over 10 days via many stops in the Kimberley. At double the price of our other cruises (including with APT and Silversea) we were expecting a high standard. Instead it was simply satisfactory to good.

Breakfast, lunch and some dinners were self-service from a cramped buffet. At dinner we were called up by table and waits of up to 45 minutes were experienced. The food was good but not exceptional. The kitchen ran out of cream and ice cream early in the cruise and one could not get a cheese platter after dinner. Except for the two official captain's functions, all alcoholic drinks were pay as you go.

The Kimberley scenery was great, especially the waterfalls and inlets. Wildlife was scarce, except at the Lacepede Islands bird rookery. Many of us remarked that it seemed strange to get excited at a wallaby sighting when we'd probably seen hundreds before. The cruise did include two fishing experiences and they are to be congratulated for that, including their strict "catch and release" policy. Read more