We planned this trip since sept 2010 and booked all sectors hotels flights trips independently starting with a BA direct flight to sydney via Bangkok 22 hrs but very good to arrive in the stunning socks area of Sydney harbour and stayed at the intercontinental hotel (fantastic location and facilities make sure you do manly beach on the ferry get fantastic trip through the harbour and only a few dollars) we then did a quantas walkabout pass from sydney to cairns cut very short due to cyclone yasi but qantas were fantastic evacuating us to brisbane)then continued on to melbourne then back to sydney ( idea was that we could see a bit more of australia while leaving luggage in sydney worked very well returning for 1 night before embarking the ship.

Embarkation was very good apart from all the threads that you can take as much wine as you wish WRONG we had 8 bottles only allowed 2 rest confiscated although once onboard would appear everyone "smuggling in luggage" not in carry on!!

Very pleased with our vista suite and luggage arrived in good time but put swimwear in hand luggage so you can enjoy the sun and stunning views of bridge and opera house and the sail away is something that will stay with me for ever simply fantastic!! Read more