Aug2011_DAYBORO TRAVEL

With much thanks Stephen and Sharyn Durley wanted to share their experience with readers and people wishing to plan a cruise or utilize the service of Dayboro Travel:

The Cruise Line was "The Yachts of Seabourn" the ship they most recently built was the ‘Seabourn Sojourn".  The cruise from Auckland to Sydney for 12 nights.
This was to be our first cruise with this line and about our 8th cruise in total.  Wow what a great surprise!  We arrived at the port looking for the usual queues to drop off our luggage and obtain our cabin keys, charge card and clearance to board the vessel.  There was no queue just a personal welcome and an escort to the grand saloon where we were offered a drink – yes alcohol, and seated for 5 minutes to fill out necessary paperwork and be cleared by immigration.  Then a personal escort to our cabin  –  known as suites on this vessel.  On the way a quick tour of the ship which is luxurious in the extreme.
Our suite (it is an all suite ship) consisted of a full marble bathroom with separate bath and shower together with two vanity basins and wc.  Next is the dressing table followed by the walk in robe, almost big enough  to dress in.  A queen size bed and two bedside tables make up the curtained off bedroom.  The living area is a fully stocked bar with fridge, flat screen television with interactive computer information service including hundreds of movies.  A dining table and two chairs, together with a three seater settee, completes this area which opens onto a spacious private balcony with reclining chairs and table.  Not bad for the second lowest category.
Everything is included in your fare.  The only charge we added was $9.99 for an hour of internet time to find out about the cyclone.  The food is world class, two formal restaurants and two casual dining areas.  Even in the buffet restaurant there are staff to carry your plate back to the table and get anything else you want.
This is a cruise line that understands service.  The service everywhere is slick but still personal and the staff will enjoy a joke with you if you want.  The entertainment is very professional with several guest artists during the cruise and professionals on board throughout the cruise.  The hub of the ship is known as the square which consists of a huge lounge with library books computers, newspapers, quizzes, jigsaw puzzles, a bar and a cafe all looking out the stern of the ship.
It is dangerous to describe anything as perfection, but really this is the only way to describe this experience.  Total indulgence!  
We were lucky that our local travel agent, Penne from Dayboro Travel, was able to get us a late booking special with a huge discount, which meant this was actually cheaper than a previous similar trip on a lower grade ship.  We would like to thank Penne for her exceptional service,  and her ability to save us money by beating quotes we had been given by other Travel Agents.  
Thank you Penne.