UK to NOUMEA NEW CALEDONIA via Panama (or the other way!)

[ANNIE]

I would like to visit my family in Noumea and travel by freighter.  Always wanted to go via Panama (done Suez/Africa as used to live there). probably on my own to start with (my wanna-be travel companions still stuck working!!). Any suggestions for an active, adventurous, granny with backpack on wheels please! Time flexible but want to be in Noumea by mid February 2011

[Peter]

I can recommend CMA CGM (Tilbury, Rotterdam, Dunkerque, Le Havre, New York, Savannah, Kingston, Panama, Tahiti, Fiji, Noumea).

I did this trip last year and had a great time.

One thing though . . . I'm not sure what 'adventurous' covers but you may be interested in a rumour that the CMA CGM ships were going 'dry' (as in no alcohol).

This may not concern you, but I wonder if anyone can confirm this?  I would miss that glass of wine with the evening meal!

Cheers.