This was the part of the "Black Watch" annual world cruise which I had not experienced. The idea of the South Sea Islands attracted me. I flew to Lima (Peru) and boarded the vessel at Callao. We set off the following day across the mighty Pacific Ocean. After six days at sea we arrived off Easter Island. The normal anchorage was not rated suitable so we sailed round the island to find an alternative, safer anchorage. This we did but then it was deemed unsafe to go ashore as the sea was rough and the local tenders were deemed unsuitable (the jetties were too small for the ship's tenders). Sadly, we could only view the famous statues through binoculars. Off we sailed again and two days later arrived off Pitcairn Island. Again the local boats were deemed unsutable so we remained aboard. It was some compensation that a large proportion of the island's permanent population (currently around 47!) came aboard so we had some contact with island. One family who visited are direct descendants of  Christian, one of the "Bounty" mutineers. After ten days at sea our luck changed a nd we went ashore on successive French Polynesian islands, Fakarava Atoll, Tahiti and Bora Bora. The first was a mini paradise, Tahiti interesting but too commercialised and Bora Bora very beautiful. The best was yet to come with a visit to Ratatonga in the Cook Islands. This is a real gem and must be the best kept secret in the tourist industry.  The visit to Nuku'Alofa in Tonga was a disaster with all forms of chaos surrounding tours. The visit of our ship and the "QE2" was just too much for the place. It was very disappointing. On we went to beautiful New Zealand, one of my favourite places in the world. We called at Auckland, Wellington, Lyttleton (for Christchurch), Dunedin and the New Zealand fjords. It was a real joy to return to this beautiful country. After a further two days at sea we arrived in Sydney. A little over a day's sightseeing and then a 22-hour flight back to the UK.

The ship was as good as ever. The food was excellent. It seems to improve each year. The service from mainly Thai, Philipino and Indian staff was up to the normal high standard and always given with a smile. The on-board speakers were very good. Sandy Gall, the former ITV reporter, was particularly good. The captain's initiative in organising "star gazing" sessions from the upper decks was a brilliant idea.

On the downside the cabaret acts varied from reasonable to dire. Some were well past their sell by dates. This, I believe, is one of the results of cost-cutting.

Over all a good cruise filles with high points and disappointments.

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