This group of friends -- Christina, Nat and Jas -- loves organising trips away for the girls.

Witness some of the fun on this tour packed with culture, beaches, waterfalls and local life.

Their summation of the whole adventure: “You take so much for granted… I found myself alive again today!”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycpS1Ajapys

Once you’ve seen the shots of the white sand, green tropics and the smiles on these girls’ faces, you might want to experience this tour for yourself.

Here’s some more information to get you on your way:

Round Island Safari

Vanuatu holidays

One of the most delicious Shore Tours in Noumea is A Taste of 1881, where you can catch the  yellow ‘tchou tchou’ train to the charming seaside restaurant Le 1881 and feast on the popular French dish crêpes Suzette to your heart’s content.

Whether you’ve indulged in this tour and you’re keen to relive the memory or you’re yet to depart on holiday and you’re looking to get in the mood for French cuisine, try this simple recipe for sweet, buttery crêpes at home.

Crêpes sound intimidating but actually they’re quite easy and require few ingredients (and it’s a great recipe to make with kids!).

What You’ll Need:

●      1 cup (150g) plain flour

●      2 tablespoons caster sugar

●      240ml milk

●      2 eggs

●      Butter for greasing pan

Method:

1. Whisk or beat all the ingredients in a bowl until smooth with no lumps. The batter should be thinner than a pancake mixture as you want the crêpes to be delicate and light.

2. Heat a flat saucepan and put in a small knob of butter to stop the crêpe from sticking and make them more golden.

3. Pour in a small amount of the batter and tilt the saucepan round and round until the batter is spread to the edges.

4. Wait about one minute then turn with a spatula. Repeat steps 2-4 with remaining batter being sure to add butter each time but never letting the pan get too hot or your crêpes will burn.

Try with – cinnamon and orange sauce:

What You’ll Need:

●      100g butter

●      1 orange

●      2 tsp cinammon

●      ¼ cup sugar

In a small saucepan melt the butter, then add the juice of one orange, 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon and 1/4 cup of sugar. Pour over your hot crêpes and enjoy!

Feel like trying the real thing in Noumea? Check out this gastronomic tour.

More recipes

More on Noumea

If you are a traveller with limited mobility, cruising is a fantastic option for you – we recently chatted with wheelchair user and cruising enthusiast Rod Russ who shared some of his tips and experiences.

Onboard, there are amenities such as wheelchair accessible cabins (you will need to book ahead) and lifts that allow wheelchair access to most parts of the ships, but we also do our best to offer accessible experiences on land with a range of limited-mobility tours.

From glamorous limousine rides to Vanuatuan villages, here are just a few great activities that are available:

Customise your own limo tour of Adelaide

Create your own custom tour of Adelaide in a chauffeured limousine! Choose from a range of times and numbers of passengers to suit your desired itinerary, group size and/or budget:

Seven-hour tour with 10 passengers

Seven-hour tour with 6 passengers

Four-hour tour with 10 passengers

Four-hour tour with 6 passengers

Experience Antarctica in Akaroa

Visit the International Antarctic Centre, where you can enjoy real snow and ice, explore the Antarctic gallery, see Little Blue penguins and “cruise” down to Antarctica via the new 4D EXTREME Theatre. Then, visit the lovely flora Christchurch Botanic Gardens before returning to Akaroa.

Tour Noumea in your own private car

Enjoy the highlights of Noumea from the comfort of your own private vehicle. This is a two-hour tour designed specifically with limited mobility travellers in mind and can be tailored to suit your needs.

Vanuatuan village experience

View the gorgeous countryside and plantations of Santo in Vanuatu as you are driven to the remote area of Ngergarr.

In the village you’ll have the opportunity to mingle with the locals on the island of Espirito Santo and experience traditional life. Enjoy a guided tour through the village and a performance of local dancing and music.

See our full range of tours and activities on shore for people with limited mobility

Learn more about P&O Cruises and accessibility during your cruise holiday

Share your cruise holiday experiences with us www.facebook.com/POCruises

It’s no secret that Melbourne has loads of good shopping. What can be tricking is deciding which places to spend – Melbourne is large and there are lots of great retail pockets.

We asked Michelle Matthews, publisher of Deck of Secrets to nominate her five top shopping streets. Most are around 3-5km from Port Melbourne where you will embark/disembark from your cruise. We’ve provided public transportation options from the tram stop near Station Pier.

1. Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

View Larger Map

“Arguably Melbourne’s finest retail strip for original labels, great cafes, bars and restaurants and charm. And just a short walk from the centre of town.”

Getting there from Port of Melbourne:

Catch the 109 tram towards Box Hill from stop 129 – Beacon Cove

Get off at stop 13 – Lansdown Street/Victoria Parade, Fitzroy

(total time on tram about 25 minutes)

Walk east (same direction the tram was travelling) to the next cross street off Victoria Parade, Napier Street. Walk north until you hit Gertrude Street, about 200m total from the tram stop.

2. Crossley Street, Melbourne CBD

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“This tiny street features nothing but great shops – fashion, jewellery, vintage homewares and even a men’s tailor from the old days. Don’t miss Von Haus bar as well.”

Get there from Port of Melbourne:

Catch the 109 tram towards Box Hill from stop 129 – Beacon Cove

Get off at stop 7 – 101 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD

(total time on tram about 20 minutes)

Walk east on Collins (same direction the tram is travelling) and then go north (left) at the next major cross street, Exhibition. Go east (right) at second major cross street, Bourke. Crossley is the first street on the left – keep an eye out, it’s small! About 500m total from the tram stop.

3. Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD

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“Running from Spring Street right through to William Streets, you’ll find exclusive local crafts, many fashion outlets, awesome cafes and dozens of galleries.”

Get there from Port of Melbourne:

Catch the 109 tram towards Box Hill from stop 129 – Beacon Cove

Get off at stop 3 – William Street/Collins Street, Melbourne CBD

(total time on tram about 15 minutes)

Walk south (right) on William Street until you hit Flinders Lane, which is less than 100m from the tram stop.

4. High Street, Armadale

“This nice suburb has gotten noticeably cooler recently with several flagship fashion stores locating here.”

Get there from Port of Melbourne:

Catch the 109 tram towards Box Hill from stop 129 – Beacon Cove

Get off at stop 1 – Spencer Street/Collins Street, Melbourne CBD

(total time on tram just under 15 minutes)

Walk north (left) on Spencer Street for just over 100m – you will see the Southern Cross Railway Station on your left.

Catch the train towards Pakenham and get off at Armadale

(total time on train just under 20 minutes)

The Armadale Train Station is on High Street, Armadale so just walk out and start shopping!

5. Chapel Street, Prahran and Windsor

View Larger Map

“While the South Yarra end has had its day in the sun, the more edgy retailers can be found further along in Prahran and Windsor and slipping down the side streets.”

Get there from Port of Melbourne:

Catch the 109 tram towards Box Hill from stop 129 – Beacon Cove

Get off at stop 1 – Spencer Street/Collins Street, Melbourne CBD

(total time on tram just under 15 minutes)

Walk north (left) on Spencer Street for just over 100m – you will see the Southern Cross Railway Station on your left.

Catch the train towards Sandringham and get off at Windsor Train Station

(total time on train around 15 minutes)

The Windsor Train station is just off Chapel Street. Walk east (right) on Maddock Street and then go north (left) on Chapel.

For more information on public transportation visit the Metlink Melbourne website

Check out P&O Cruises cruise holidays calling in Melbourne

View Melbourne port info

Gok Wan – stylist, designer, host of Britain’s How to look good naked and star of Westfield’s latest campaign – knows a thing or two about clothes.

We asked him for some fashion advice for your cruise holiday wardrobe. The key, he says, is being prepared for lots of different situations, while keeping it simple:

“I think it’s important to remember that when you’re on a cruise you’re split into three environments: recreational, evening wear and on land touring. If you’re going for seven nights you will probably need three looks for all of the above.

It’s not a disaster if you’re seen in the same outfit if you’ve got a show stopping killer outfit to wear mid-way.

For instance, ladies if you’ve got a great gold dress mid-week every one’s going to be so blown away by your dress they won’t remember your repeats. The same goes for guys who should bust out the killer tie or suit mid-way.

Also, you can shop onboard. Much better to under pack and buy any extra essentials you might need then overdo it. Plus, you’re going to be visiting different countries with different requirements for dress so keep that in mind.”

Here are two items that can be super versatile and be worn day to night:

Ladies: The Maxi Dress

Maxi dresses are long, billowy and usually made of light fabric. They are great for throwing over your swimsuit and wearing around the deck. You can also jazz your maxi dress up for dinner with the right accessories: a nice jacket, clutch, shoes or bold necklace.

Guys: The Cotton Shirt

Make sure to go for something lightweight and short-sleeved. Think white – during the day it looks great with a pair of khaki shorts, then throw over a blazer and you’re ready for the evening. Linen is also a good fabric as it is really breathable, however linen wrinkles very easily so may not fare well in your luggage for too long.

See also

Tips for packing and preparing for your cruise

Cruiser David Buckingham’s helpful packing spreadsheet

If you’re cruising as a family:

Cruise planning tips: Travelling with children

Gok Wan

P&O Cruises passengers can look forward to watching some live circus action onboard – featuring skilled and daring acrobatics, aerialists, juggling, and even a bit of clowning around – at the Pacific Cirque shows.

You can also be a part of the show via our onboard circus workshops with the performers – we spend an afternoon with Rigging Captain, Jair Ramirez, who treats us to a juggling lesson and let us in on what it takes to be a skilled showman!

What does it take to be a circus performer?

Jair went to two different circus schools, Circociudad and Circo Para Todos, both in Colombia.

He spent three years at each, individually studying the basic circus skills like tumbling, handstands, trapeze, unicycle and juggling.

What’s a really impressive or daring trick?

Jair: “Juggling to music with four knives!”

What skills do they teach in the circus workshops?

Things like juggling, hula-hoop, clowning and basic acrobatics.

During our lesson, Jair demonstrated how to juggle with two balls. Then he upped the ante to three and then he showed us how to throw them under our legs and arms while juggling. He was better at it than all of us.

How many circus workshops are there during a cruise?

Usually, once or twice a cruise for adults. There are also workshops for kids in the Kids’ Club.

Learn more about P&O Cruises onboard entertainment

Our  “landlubbers”, people who had never been on a cruise holiday, officially experienced their first cruise on the 9th September. We can’t wait to be able to bring you our video documentation of their real life experiences in the coming weeks and their reflection on whether or not their Landlubber cruise fears were justified.

Out of more than 2,600 entries we were so pleased to accompany Lois & Peter,  The Henderson Family; Kim, James,  Nathaniel and Nicholas, Tracey & Marty, Natasha & Lee, Jessica & Mick and Lew & Colleen onboard Pacific Jewel on a 9-night cruise to the Pacific Islands.

In the interim, here’s some behind the scenes shots of the Landlubbers experience. Click to view larger-sized images.

P&O Cruises Landlubbers Nathaniel and Nicholas playing Wii on the Big Screen onboard Pacific Jewel

P&O Cruises Landlubbers Lew & Colleen preparing for dinner at salt grill onboard Pacific Jewel

P&O Cruises Landlubbers James & Kim Henderson enjoying dinner onboard Pacific Jewel at La Luna asian fusion restaurant

P&O Cruises Landlubbers Mick & Jess overcoming their fear of cruising as an unhealthy holiday onboard Pacific Jewel. Bootcamp at sea!

P&O Cruises Landlubbers Jess & Mick participating in Bootcamp at Sea onboard Pacific Jewel

P&O Cruises Landlubbers Marty & Tracey enjoying a healthy breakfast out on deck onboard Pacific Jewel

P&O Cruises Landlubbers Marty & Tracey enjoying a picture perfect moment in Lifou, Loyalty Islands

P&O Cruises Landlubbers Tracey & Marty and Tash & Lee pose for a photo in Lifou, Loyalty Islands before heading off on a shore tour

The Henderson Family and Colleen & Lew pose for photo in Lifou, Loyalty Islands before exploring the markets

P&O Cruises Landlubbers Peter & Lois embark a shore tour in Isle of Pines, New Caledonia

P&O Cruises Landlubbers at our last port of call, Isle of Pines, New Caledonia

Be sure to check back here on our blog to see all of their video experiences

Meet all the landlubbers

Are you new to cruising? Learn more about what a holiday with P&O Cruises is all about

Earlier this year, P&O Cruises went on a hunt for “landlubbers” – people who aren’t keen on the idea of a cruise holiday and have never been on one. The plan is to bring them onboard and show them what they’re missing!

We’ve been chatting with the six winning groups to learn why they haven’t wanted to go on a cruise. They are currently holidaying with us on a 9-night cruise to the Pacific Islands. We are following their progress to see if they get their sea legs!

Our sixth set of landlubbers is Lois and Peter:

Geography was never on their side – being almost 500 kilometres from the closest ocean view, Lois and Peter’s lack of time on the water comes with the territory as Coober Peddy residents. Peter hasn’t even seen a boat for 40 years!

The thought of being onboard a ship for nine days doesn’t appeal at all to Peter: “Nowhere to go, not much to see,” he says. He is also attached to Lois’ home cooking – and doesn’t think the cruise cuisine will hit the mark.

The motion in the ocean is a concern for Lois, who when asked about her issues with cruising says “seasickness more than anything!”

Will a cruise holiday win Lois and Peter over?

“I don’t think so!” Peter says, without hesitation.

Congratulations to Lois and Peter for winning the holiday with us!

Be sure to check back here on our blog to see how Lois and Peter and all our landlubbers went!

Meet all the landlubbers

Are you new to cruising? Learn more about what a holiday with P&O Cruises is all about

Earlier this year, P&O Cruises went on a hunt for “landlubbers” – people who aren’t keen on the idea of a cruise holiday and have never been on one. The plan is to bring them onboard and show them what they’re missing!

We’ve been chatting with the six winning groups to learn why they haven’t wanted to go on a cruise. They will be holidaying with us on the 9th September, on a 9-night cruise to the Pacific Islands, during which time we will follow their progress and see if they get their sea legs!

Our fourth group is Lee and Natasha:

Both 30, Lee and Natasha lead very, very busy lifestyles.

Lee is a strata manager who enjoys kite surfing and has been training for the Oxfam Trailwalker event – which involves him walking up to 80km/18 hours a weekend.

Natasha is a sponsorship sales manager for an events company, who sells exhibition spaces across Asia and travels frequently. She’s taken up kite surfing as well and is really in to Zumba (A Brazilian exercise/dance trend).

Their idea of cruising is that life at sea would be a bit too slow-paced for them

“We’ve always had the perception that it would be pretty boring and a different generation of people on the boat. I’ve always taken it from what I have seen on the movies – retirees playing scuttleboard… The grey warrior boat,” Lee says.

“And BINGO! Though I do quite like the idea of BINGO – ha!” Natasha adds.

Important for both of them are ways to stay active while at sea.

“I see there is a pretty substantial gym – but haven’t seen what other options are available,” Lee says.

“Lee’s mum actually went on a cruise a couple of months ago and she was saying that there is a running track and pools on the boat,” says Natasha.

Congratulations to Lee and Natasha for winning the cruise holiday experience with us.

Be sure to check back here on our blog to see how Lee and Natasha and all our landlubbers went!

Meet all the landlubbers

Are you new to cruising? Learn more about what a holiday with P&O Cruises is all about

Earlier this year, P&O Cruises went on a hunt for “landlubbers” – people who have never been on a cruise holiday. The plan is to bring them onboard and show them what they’re missing!

Out of more than 2,600 entries we’ve selected six groups, all with different reasons they’ve never wanted to go on a cruise: “It’s boring,” “Not my kind of people,” or “I’ll turn green as soon as the boat starts to rock!”

Our six groups of landlubbers will be holidaying with us on the 9th September, on a 9-night cruise to the Pacific Islands, during which time we will follow their progress and see if they get their sea legs!

The first group is the Henderson family: Kim and James, and their sons Nicholas and Nathaniel.

Kim and James have never been on a ship and Kim worries that a cruise ship may not be able to handle her two active boys – who do scouts, karate and soccer.

The family has done a fair bit of travelling, both overseas and around Australia, “but most of our recent holidays are camping holidays,” says Kim. “We love to go camping a lot. Gives the kids space to run around.”

“We’ve actually been talking about going on a cruise for five years, and have been trying to get the nerve up to do it. We’ve got boys and they are quite active children. We’re worried that there wouldn’t be enough for our family to do on a cruise… Or that the children would be bothering the other passengers,” she adds.

Dad is also a bit worried about the motion in the ocean:

“I was prone to motion sickness many years ago and that is what has kept me away. My mum, she has been on a few cruises and says you don’t feel anything, it’s such a large ship.”

The boys, however, seem pretty excited about the prospect:

“I’ve never been on a boat that huge before and I’ve never been on a boat that has a pool in it!” Nicolas says.

And mum and dad can already see some positives of life at sea:

“I’m interested in going to see some of the shows… And my mother in law told me you can eat at any time, day or night! That’s not bad really,” says James.

“If you want pizza at midnight you can go and get it!” says Kim.

Congratulations to the Hendersons for winning the cruise holiday experience with us!

Be sure to check back here on our blog to see how the Hendersons and all our landlubbers went.

Meet all the landlubbers

Are you new to cruising? Learn more about what a holiday with P&O Cruises is all about