We have just returned from our second trip on True North. On both trips we have had the dubious pleasure of having Craig Howson, managing director and part owner of True North on board. On the first trip, we did to the Sepik river, Craig was with some fishing buddies and they were an awkward presence but fairly easily avoidable. They drank a lot but kept pretty much to themselves. The trip to the Sepik was fascinating and very enjoyable. In addition to seeing the Sepik river there was some great snorkeling and fishing on offer and the other passengers were all very pleasant.

Our most recent trip was to Raja Ampat. Again it was very beautiful with lots of great Snorkeling. The scenery was spectacular and the sea life and corals were some of the best we have ever seen.

Craig was again on board but this time accompanied by his wife and 3 of his children, together with some friends and their children. In all there were 8 adults and 7 children in the group. In general they didn’t make any effort to engage with the rest of the passengers. The children we were told ranged in age from 13 to 6 years, but in truth there was one 13 year old and the other 6 ranged between 9 and 6 years. 3 boys shared a cabin but all the other slept on the floor in their parents cabins. Fortunately 3 of the other passengers were on their own otherwise a ship meant to be carrying 36 passengers would have actually had 41 on board. As it was there were 38 passengers on board. This group got special treatment all the time and the rest of the passengers were made to feel that they were just being tolerated on someone else’s holiday. Cruise critic says that you are unlikely to have children on board but this is clearly not the case. Our understanding was that the managing director was on board at least 12 times a year and his children traveled at least three times a year with him. Trying to avoid school holidays and asking before you book may mean that you can avoid children but there is clearly no guarantee. Read more