Index for this page (scroll down to see in order): Pacific Dawn - Melbourne Cup - Nov.. 2018
Pacific Dawn - Pacific Island Hopper - Oct. 2014
Pacific Dawn - Pacific Island Hopper - Oct. 2014
Pacific Dawn - Melbourne Cup Cruise - Nov. 2018
This was our second cruise with P&O, our last one being four years ago on the very same ship. It has had a revamp in that time, but our opinion has not changed a great deal about the it. Of course we had a ball as we sailed with a large group of friends and it was a thrill to go to the Melbourne Cup, but P&O is not one of our favourite cruise lines.
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We had always wanted to go to The Cup, and cruising is the most carefree way to do it. We sailed out of Brisbane on a fine, but windy Saturday, spent two days at sea and arrived in Melbourne on the morning of the Cup. We had a second day in Melbourne at leisure, then another two sea days and arrived back in Brisbane the following Saturday.
The ship had many activities based around the race theme. Several guest speakers were very interesting with Cup histories. Joe Agresta, a track rider for Bart Cummings and Sheila Laxon, the first female thoroughbred horse trainer to win the Australian cups double (Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup) were particularly entertaining.
The ship had many activities based around the race theme. Several guest speakers were very interesting with Cup histories. Joe Agresta, a track rider for Bart Cummings and Sheila Laxon, the first female thoroughbred horse trainer to win the Australian cups double (Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup) were particularly entertaining.
The cruise fare included Melbourne Cup entrance, but inside were many options to upgrade. We chose one of the cheaper options - the P&O enclosure - which cost over $500 and included seating in the shaded enclosure and grandstand, all food and alcohol, access to toilets, betting, big screen, etc. When the rain pelted down we were very glad of our decision as we had some protection from the elements. If assured of a sunny day, a picnic blanket and a hamper would have saved a lot of money, but you still would have had to line up for toilets and drinks.
Fortunately the sun came out for the main race and we were able to watch it from the stands. We didn't win on this race, but we felt like winners just being there. The rain didn't spoil our day, in fact it added to the adventure. At the end of the day it was an easy bus trip back to the ship.
We spent the following day having a look around Melbourne CBD, but it was cold and crowded, and when we sailed that afternoon the rain poured down again.
So, would I recommend this trip to others? I would because it is a great, hassle-free way to get to the Cup. It was fun because we travelled with a group and the on-board activities were plentiful. The nightly entertainment was of a high standard and the cabins are roomy and well laid out. P&O seems to have the monopoly on ships sailing in for the Cup, so it is the cruise line you have to use for this occasion
Would I recommend P&O generally for other sailings? The answer is no - there are many other lines that offer better quality.. P&O seemed focussed on grabbing your money at every turn. Most of the physical activities (water slides, rock climbing, yoga, sauna, etc.) had a charge and they weren't cheap. You paid for all restaurants except two - The Pantry and The Waterfront. While The Pantry food was quite good, you still had to fight for a table. The Waterfront food was mediocre, too salty, and mostly served cold by unmotivated staff. The drinks were expensive and there was no drinks package available, no happy hours, no wine packages. While some staff were very good, generally they seemed a bit slack. As I already said, the restaurant staff were uninterested, the cabin attendants cleaned superficially (sticky spillages were on our drawers from the last cruise, a leftover plate of seafood was in our fridge from the previous cruise, soap dispensers were in need of filling, and so on.
Still, it was a fun trip and this was our once in a lifetime visit to experience the Melbourne Cup. Now we have joined the throngs who flock to Flemington to eat and drink and dress up and bet and cheer at this national iconic event and we are very glad we did it.
Would I recommend P&O generally for other sailings? The answer is no - there are many other lines that offer better quality.. P&O seemed focussed on grabbing your money at every turn. Most of the physical activities (water slides, rock climbing, yoga, sauna, etc.) had a charge and they weren't cheap. You paid for all restaurants except two - The Pantry and The Waterfront. While The Pantry food was quite good, you still had to fight for a table. The Waterfront food was mediocre, too salty, and mostly served cold by unmotivated staff. The drinks were expensive and there was no drinks package available, no happy hours, no wine packages. While some staff were very good, generally they seemed a bit slack. As I already said, the restaurant staff were uninterested, the cabin attendants cleaned superficially (sticky spillages were on our drawers from the last cruise, a leftover plate of seafood was in our fridge from the previous cruise, soap dispensers were in need of filling, and so on.
Still, it was a fun trip and this was our once in a lifetime visit to experience the Melbourne Cup. Now we have joined the throngs who flock to Flemington to eat and drink and dress up and bet and cheer at this national iconic event and we are very glad we did it.
Pacific Dawn - Pacific Island Hopper Cruise - Oct. 2014
This was a short cruise with Reg's two sons. The cruise conveniently left from Brisbane, but our first P&O experience was rather disappointing. To be honest, this cruise ship has been my least favourite of all ships I have sailed on. The food was very mediocre in comparison to other lines and the free dining options were limited pretty much to one a la carte restaurant and the buffet. The buffet was set up as a cafeteria style setting which meant lining up in long queues, passing every section of food even if you just wanted a dinner roll from the other end. Also, as you lined up upon entry you did not know what was on the menu ahead and so didn't know whether to choose the food you first passed or wait to see what was on offer further down. I much prefer the islands of similar foods set up on lines such as Norwegian and Princess. While free style dining seemed a great option, you had to book 24 hours ahead, so you may as well have had a set dining time to avoid the bother of booking.
More charges seemed to apply to other food options and activities on this ship in comparison to other cruise lines and the cost of alcohol was high without any happy hours or wine packages to entice drinkers. Perhaps this was a good thing - we drank very little on this cruise despite being accompanied by two North Queenslanders. Other gripes - activities and shows were often late starting, the air con throughout the ship was on polar ice setting so that we shivered our way through this tropical cruise, the gym was tiny and if you happened to be feeling peckish after 9:30 at night, then tough luck people - food is finished (unless you are willing to pay at the coffee shop.)
More charges seemed to apply to other food options and activities on this ship in comparison to other cruise lines and the cost of alcohol was high without any happy hours or wine packages to entice drinkers. Perhaps this was a good thing - we drank very little on this cruise despite being accompanied by two North Queenslanders. Other gripes - activities and shows were often late starting, the air con throughout the ship was on polar ice setting so that we shivered our way through this tropical cruise, the gym was tiny and if you happened to be feeling peckish after 9:30 at night, then tough luck people - food is finished (unless you are willing to pay at the coffee shop.)
On the plus side, however, the cabins were excellent with a very spacious design and plenty of storage space. We had an ocean view cabin with a large picturesque window. The company of fellow passengers was great. We met many terrific people and we loved travelling with Murray and Michael. Their wry wit and their larriken friendliness made dining with others very entertaining indeed. Their first comments on joining a table usually drew raised eyebrows and looks of surprise. Next they drew laughter and, as the night progressed, you could see those at the table warming more and more to them, until upon leaving, a genuine delight was usually expressed at having shared the table and had such pleasure added to their day.
So, although I would probably not choose this line again, the holiday was fun. All holidays are to be treasured, even the not so perfect ones. I might sound a bit nit-picky about this one, but it was still better than not doing it. And cruising is still a very attractive travel option for me.
My rating (with a 5 being the highest):
So, although I would probably not choose this line again, the holiday was fun. All holidays are to be treasured, even the not so perfect ones. I might sound a bit nit-picky about this one, but it was still better than not doing it. And cruising is still a very attractive travel option for me.
My rating (with a 5 being the highest):
Cabin 5
Ship decor and design 3+ |
Entertainment 4-
Activities 3+ |
Food 3
Staff 3+ |
And now for the journey ...
We took to the high seas on the Pacific Dawn to Noumea, Lifou and Port Vila, leaving Brisbane on a blustery, chilly summer day, so windy in fact that we could not sail from port until after dark when the wind strength lowered.
Delayed travel departure? Not a problem. No connections to be made, no plans to adjust. Our holiday had started the moment we stepped aboard, so we enjoyed the city scape and the wind whipping down the river without a concern. In fact, it was lovely. The flowering jacaranda trees splashed purple patches along the river and through the city and, as the sun sank in the west, the buildings shimmered in that glorious golden glow that only certain sunsets create. Night fell, and with it so did the wind. We set sail as the lights of Brisbane twinkled below and the stars winked above, floated past the feeding frenzy and carnival atmosphere of Eat Street, drifted under the Gateway Bridge, curved and sparkling like a jewel encrusted tiara, and headed on out to ecsta-sea. |
Noumea, New Caledonia 20 Oct. 2014
Despite sailing at increased speed over the next two days and nights to try to make up lost time, we arrived in Noumea in the late afternoon when the city had closed down for the day. We walked the empty streets past parks, churches and shop fronts, but found nothing open at all.
Noumea is the Capital of New Caledonia, a French overseas territory, and feels very much like the French territories of islands in the Caribbean such as Guadeloupe and Martinique. Just as in the Caribbean, I imagine it is alive and colourful during the day, but at closing time the metal shutters come down and it becomes a drab, deserted place.
Noumea is the Capital of New Caledonia, a French overseas territory, and feels very much like the French territories of islands in the Caribbean such as Guadeloupe and Martinique. Just as in the Caribbean, I imagine it is alive and colourful during the day, but at closing time the metal shutters come down and it becomes a drab, deserted place.
Lifou, New Caledonia 21 Oct. 2014
Lifou, our next stop, proved more inviting. Also a part of New Caledonia, it is the largest island in the archipelago of coral atolls known as the Loyalty Islands. Murray and I set off on foot to explore this sparsely populated place while Michael lolled on the beach and Reg remained on board the ship. We climbed to a newly renovated church set atop cliffs overlooking the bay where the cruise ship lay at anchor. The view was spectacular, although we had only climbed 800 feet. The church, along with another down in a small village on the flats, was built by convicts and natives of the island in the mid-1800s when Catholic missionaries arrived. Whaling and timber were the main industries during the nineteenth century, but today copra and tourism rule.
Murray and I had a marvelous time exploring the quiet countryside, taking side tracks down to beautiful little coves of sandy beaches and turquoise water and generally feeling the peacefulness of this place. A relaxing massage and a cold beer back at the landing beach rounded off our short stay very nicely.
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Port Vila, Vanuatu 22 Oct. 2014
Our third port of call was Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, another sleepy, laid back tropical island of the Pacific. If you ever do this cruise, save your shopping till here. Duty free alcohol is cheapest by far and the clothing and souvenirs are more reasonably priced and more varied than the other two stops.
The area occupied by Port Vila has been inhabited by Melanesian people for thousands of years. In 1606, the first Europeans arrived at the island, led by Pedro Fernández de Quirós and Luis Váez de Torres. In the 19th century when the islands were known as the New Hebrides, the British possessed economic control of the zone, though by the end of 1880, the economic balance began to favor the French. After 1887, the territory was jointly administered by the French and the British until the country became independent in 1980.
Brisbane, Australia 25 Oct. 2014
And so, three ports and four sea days later, we arrived back in Brisbane. Not the best cruise, but still, I can think of a lot worse things to be doing than sailing the Pacific on a cruise ship.