Linda Hall: Jellyfish don't scare me - but why don't you go in first?

Linda Hall

Well, I can officially call myself a cruiser now.

Actually, Mr Neat has been calling me that for quite some time but I'm pretty sure he means something entirely different.

For seven days I sailed the high seas on the Pacific Aria from Brisbane to New Caledonia where we stopped at Noumea and this amazing little island called Mare - to Vanuatu and back to Brisbane.

Mare was just stunning. The water was crystal clear, although when we arrived at the beach we were warned that there were lots of bluebottle jellyfish on the beach and in the water.

A local had a loudspeaker and was warning people that they might get stung in the water, but not to worry because he had "the remedy" and he held high a spray bottle of vinegar.

Funnily enough, no one went in the water until my brave son-in-law and granddaughter decided they hadn't come all this way to sit on the beach.

On went the goggles and flippers and in they went.

Everyone was watching. They didn't have to go out far to the coral to start snorkelling.

At one stage my granddaughter started splashing about, stood up and squealed. The local laughed and put his gloves on and said "don't worry, I'm ready for her". But he hadn't counted on the toughness of a Kiwi girl. She just carried on.

Soon others started to venture out, including me. I did get a sting on my finger but the experience of snorkelling in the ocean for the first time was absolutely worth it.

I practised in my daughter's pool before we left and loved it. It was amazing to see all the beautiful fish, it was like swimming around in a tropical aquarium.

I drank straight from a coconut and ate delicious banana doughnuts made by the local people. It's a day I'll never forget.

Then it was on to Vanuatu. We swam with turtles, in a beautiful waterfall, and went to hideaway Island, where the snorkelling was even better.

Another fantastic day.

Before I went on the cruise I was a little worried about the weather and the stories I had heard about people getting gastro.

We were lucky. The weather gods blessed us with some stunning days. In fact on the last day the sea was like glass and the captain on his daily updates told us that he hadn't seen such conditions for a very long time and that we were lucky.

There was not one sign of sickness on board and I talked to a lot of people who had been on other cruises - one couple were enjoying their 13th.

Everyone was impressed by the stylish Pacific Aria. It had just been refurbished and everything looked fantastic.

They had also changed the way the food was served in the main restaurant, The Pantry. Instead of a smorgasbord where people could help themselves, there were about 10 food stations in a huge area where the food was dished up for you.

A brilliant move, as it meant the food was covered so that passengers couldn't cough and splutter or touch it and there was less waste.

Sometimes there were queues, especially at the roast station, but they moved swiftly. The staff were friendly. Of course, someone always has to be obnoxious and I heard one passenger say to a staff member: "I want skim milk and you better have it here by tomorrow morning".

Some people just don't understand manners.

Anyway, it was great fun and we came home with lots of wonderful memories.

However, the best part of my holiday was spending time with my Aussie families, one of which I hadn't seen for nearly three years – far too long between hugs.

Well, folks, it's only five more sleeps until Christmas Day. I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas. If travelling, take care out there.

• Linda Hall is Hawke's Bay Today's assistant editor.