Sunday, June 17th .....

We’ve been back for a couple of days and it’s time to reflect on what was quite an extensive and expensive holiday. I had devoted countless hours to the organisation of the Japanese component, which was by far the most complicated but had left it to Royal Caribbean to get the cruise right and made no particular plans for Beijing, trusting that something would turn up.

First the positives: Japan was a delight, everything that we expected and more. We saw places that we had not visited before and re-visited a couple of old favourites. The accommodation was excellent and the food outstanding, I had worked out a budget for that leg and we spent the last $9.40 in Otaru before we sailed off to Russia, so that was pleasing.

China was a revelation. Grasping the opportunity for some sight-seeing, we saw remarkable things and realise we need more time to see this wonderful country in the future. Oliver, our tour guide, was a great advertisement for his country and looked after us really well.

The Legend of the Seas is a beautiful ship and our cabin was spotless and comfortable. Sited, as it was, adjacent to the coffee shop was a bonus. Drinks were cheaper than on other cruise ships and their scotch whiskey cocktails were generous and delicious. Like other cruise ships, RCI is in the business of gouging their passengers for every last dollar. Every day, a sheet of bargains available at the shops is delivered to every cabin. There are more waiters trying to sell drinks than any other staff members. The Spa is a rip-off and the Art Auctions are interminable.

Still, in that respect, RCI is no different from any other cruise line. Continuing the negative, although the food was good, there were no outstanding dishes to look back on. Breakfast was the same every morning and there was never enough fresh fruit. There wasn’t enough to do on board, although we were content to read our books. I don’t know what they could have arranged that would have interested us.

The choice of shore excursions was limited and the one we chose, in Vladivostok, was second-rate, probably not the cruise line’s fault but it was sold under the RCI banner. Would we cruise again with RCI? Probably, but we would lower our expectations

It’s always good to fly though Changi Airport but the new Terminal 3 at Beijing will give it a run for its money. Built for the Olympics, it’s very spacious with comfortable places to sit but, on the negative side, it’s impossible to get a drink there and the Duty Free is not up-to-scratch.

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of the trip for us was dealing with the different nationalities on board the ship. Part of that was the crew’s need to say everything in 3 or 4 languages, which became very boring and meant that nobody listened to anything. But part of it was also the cultural differences between the different nationalities. We pride ourselves on not being racist but our patience was taxed by the lack of respect shown by some other passengers to Europeans, and the ignoring of basic conventions. Nowadays, every cruise ship expects passengers to use disinfectant gel before entering the Dining Room. A great number of passengers refused to comply, which is a real issue if it’s a buffet. Standing back to allow someone else to go ahead is an accepted part of our culture, but clearly not of some others. It’s as if some people have no peripheral vision and are single-minded about getting to the front of the line. We follow arrows because that’s clearly the way that the crew has decided is the best way to go; not everyone sees that and cut corners as a matter of course.

I shouldn’t whinge and we met some delightful people of all nationalities on board but we certainly felt more disquiet about the level of people’s behaviour after this cruise than any previous. Having said that, we’ve met lots of Australian abroad who make us cringe and Americans are not always the easiest people to travel with.