We had a fantastic holiday trip. We went for a 10 day cruise on the Rhapsody from Durban to Mauritius and back. The trip was full of splendid experiences. We took a flight to Durban and stayed over at family for the night and then went early to the port to check in and embark. On setting sail, the ships entertainment crew, were instantly busy making sure that everyone had a truly awesome experience, starting with the sailing away party, to day time events and live entertainment every night till late.
We celebrated Melissa’s birthday on the cruise which was on the 30th of December 2005 and the kitchen staff baked her a special cake and brought it in on the formal sitting that night. They played Happy Birthday music and made a lovely fuss. Melissa was in her element.
The New Year experience was breath taking, because not only did we celebrate New Year for the existing time zone (we went through 2 time zones.) but we also celebrated it for South Africa. The time on the ship for South Africa’s New Year was 2 AM. So effectively 2 Parties! We had on deck dance shows, live performances, magicians and singers. What a blast!
Food and service was all 5 Star all the way with choices from Al la carte and Buffets for all to choose personal preferences.
The food also never stopped with 4 Full meals served per day and that excludes teas and coffees with cakes and biscuits during the other hours. (All this was included in the trip price – You only paid for alcohol and beverages not part of the servings.)
We sailed into Port Louis on the evening of 1st January 2006, it was too late for us to plan any family trip but went off early the next morning on an excursion on the island. The weather was not great on that day but we had fun and made the most of it.
On the 3rd (It was the traditional hot weather) we went off to the local markets and purchased T-Shirt and sundry from the Textile industries. The other markets did not interest us much.
Later that same day we left back for Durban. Another sailing away party and the works!
The trip back was not as rough as the forward trip and a lot more folks spent time on the decks. We saw flying fish and loads and load of water, beautiful and still. I felt so relaxed!
Finally we saw Durban harbour and the reality of it all coming to an end crept in. We enjoyed every single moment and will certainly do it again.