Riviera - February / March 2026

On 8th. February I joined Oceania's Riviera in Sydney for a five week jaunt to Indonesia, the South Pacific and back. As with my previous Oceania cruises aboard Insignia and Regatta, the ship was very comfortable and spacious with excellent service and very good food throughout. A most enjoyable voyage.

Riviera in Melbourne, two days before I joined her (not my photos).

My very comfortable cabin.

A very relaxing and delicious lunch in the ship's main restaurant.

In the tropics I often had lunch or dinner al fresco.

Komodo Island, Indonesia.

A very hot and steamy morning in Celukan Bawang, Indonesia. As is usual for me these days I stayed aboard, relaxing in the shade by the pool bar.

One of the lovely bar staff.

Early morning arrival in Darwin, from my cabin balcony.

Alotau, Papua New Guinea.

In Vila we anchored mid-harbour because the road to the cruise pier is still unserviceable from a mud slide earlier this year.

Relaxing on my balcony on a calm and balmy afternoon in the South Pacific.

Another of the very friendly staff who recognised me from an earlier cruise.

Another advantage of a smaller ship is the port accessibility. We tied up in the inner harbour in Noumea. 

On board friends Jill and John - good company. I saw the green flash of the sun on two consecutives evenings from this lounge .

Some boisterous weather as we headed back to Sydney.

Silver Moon - December 2025 - Post 1

 On 30th. November I joined Silver Moon in Melbourne for a back to back cruise to New Zealand and back, disembarking on 3rd. January. 

As with my previous Silversea cruises, the ship was beautiful very spacious and comfortable with excellent service from friendly and obliging staff throughout and very good food. A marvellous month.

Silver Nova and Silver Moon in Melbourne on the morning of November 30th. Not my photo.

The return itinerary.

My very comfortable suite.

Beautifully appointed and spacious lounges.

The excellent Bar Supervisor for this lounge.

The ship's Staff Captain. Though well equipped, the bridge was surprisingly spartan for a five year old cruise ship.

I was pleased to perform a magnetic compass adjustment, as a courtesy.

An extremely lavish Champagne Lunch.

This was the first time I'd had authentic foie gras. It was too rich and intense in flavour for me. I prefer the more commonly found pureed version.

I was pleased for the opportunity to try Cristal, however I prefer Dom, Krug or Bollinger.

The ship was beautifully decorated for Christmas.

Christmas Eve dinner from my regular dining table in the main restaurant.

Christmas Morning brunch.

Silver Moon - December 2025 - Post 2

Dinner with one of the cruise hostesses (r) and two other passengers.

Mount Manganui

Napier

 

Picton

Lyttelton

Port Chalmers

Milford Sound

Crossing the Tasman Sea