Back to P&O for 21st cruise.

Wife and I recently did a 9 day cruise on Pacific Aria to the usual Lifou, Noumea, Mystery Island and Port Via stops. We started cruising with P&O around 10 years ago and did our first 7 with them and since then had done another 13 cruises with assorted other cruiselines. Many of our cruises have been long ones - but this was just a shortie. We hadn't been with P&O for about 7 years.

Anyway - we thoroughly enjoyed this cruise. Enjoyed the ship and everything about it. I was aware that P&O are attempting to attract a younger crowd - and I think I saw evidence of that. Quite enjoyed the different frame of reference especially after a 46 night Princess cruise on Sun Princess last year - which could only be described as a floating old folks home!!! ( BTW I am 70 myself) I had some reservations about the newish "Pantry" - it took a little getting used to but the area was very pleasant.

Organisation onboard was very good - and not once did we have to queue anywhere . I recall early days on P&O and other cruiselines having to queue for an hour to get tender tickets - and on Sun Princess you had to get to the theatre at least an hour early for a seat. No such problems on Aria. There always seemed to be plenty of inside seating in all the venues available - another problem evident on the local Princess ships.

Now it is impossible to go hungry on a cruiseship as we all know - but I do think that the portion sizes in the MDR have been reduced to the point of silliness. There were evening entrees which were not much larger than a teaspoonfull :) - and gone are any steaks as we used to get. I did like the variety of dining options with the Italian and Asian restaurants. We got to go to both but they became very popular and were impossible to book towards the end of the cruise.

Overall it was a very enjoyable cruise and the price we paid was no more than we paid 10 years ago.

I'll Second that. I did the Eden though.

Have since done the Maasdam, and next off on the Zaandam. I really prefer the smaller ships. K

Thanks for the review Bazzaw.

I agree with most of your observations. I do believe P&O have picked up and will consider them for short cruises if the timing, itinerary and price is right. I still prefer a few other lines but they are not here all year round and do not do the itineraries that P&O are offering.

As for serving sizes, I like it as I get a taste and can have a 5 course meal (appetiser, soup, salad, main and dessert) without feeling like I have over eaten.

Good review, thanks. I also have enjoyed my cruises on the Eden, there was a great vibe on the ship and I really enjoyed having a younger demographic on board, it was fun watching them have fun. Suddenly you find yourself joining in and doing things that you would never have considered.

I too enjoy the smaller ships, spacious cabins, full Promenade Deck and what is most important - different itineraries. While I prefer the food on Princess, I don't go hungry on P&O. What's more if you get hold of their expanded wine list in the MDR there are some great wines at reasonable prices - something other cruise lines should take note of.

Thanks for the review.

Those stupid sizes seem to be across most lines, the number of times I've seen a menu item, as plural but been served just one is amazing.

Spare ribs in sauce, one rib.

Spring Rolls, one of.

Just two examples I can recall on two different lines.

If I knew it'd be just one, I'd have asked for extra.

Thanks for your review [emoji3]

Im taking a p&o cruise later this year and it's a family trip, shorter and of course a smaller ship. It's going to be different from cruising solo on a celebrity ship. I liked the big ship and I didn't mind being younger than the average onboard age.

I agree that portions across lines are small. Our table on solstice often ordered two appetisers each at dinner. One night a couple of people even ate two entrees apiece [emoji15] I think that was rib roast night?

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Thanks for the review. I was looking for some info on Aria and Eden as we are thinking of doing a possible last minute cruise. A lot of reviews I read were disappointing so it's great to read your perspective.

Do you mind telling me how the cabins were?

......I was looking for some info on Aria and Eden.

 

Do you mind telling me how the cabins were?

Inside cabins bigger than those on the Sun Class Princess ships. They had a sofa - didn't have to sit on the bed to watch TV/movies..

Another thanks from me Barry, we are also thinking of booking on Aria from Singapore, I think it must be after a dry dock? so your info and opinion is appreciated.

We did our first P&O cruise to PNG on the Eden last year. We enjoyed the smaller ship. There were plenty of daytime activities unlike some of the other lines where there seems to be less to do during the day. The live entertainment was the best we have seen on any cruiseline. The Alter Ego Band was fantastic. Unfortunately their contract with P&O is ending in December.

I've heard from talking to other people that the Eden/Aria are a lot better than the other ships.

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Cabins aboard the Eden (and I assume the Aria) are lovely. Quite large and restful.

Be aware that the shower is over the bath although there are plenty of grab rails. Could do with a bit more bathroom bench space as there are no cupboards over the basins.

Also the oceanview and interior cabins do not have fridges. I believe balcony and suites do. Balconies look quite big. I haven't upgraded from steerage yet!!

If you like Asian food you must eat at Dragon Lady. I ate there for 6 out of my 12 nights last cruise. Yum yum. MDR is also very elegant and food ok. Lovely ambiance about it. Pantry is crowded but the food is fine.

I don't mean to sound critical but the Eden still seems to be having troubles. The airconditioning was not working properly or underpowered. It was sometimes hotter on board than outside in 30+d temperatures. On deck 6 near the doors marked "engine casing" it was really hot in the passageway and sometimes you could smell fumes. The usual tender breaking down (happens every time I am on her) and they always seem to be replacing some pipe or other. Pity because she is a lovely ship.

I would travel on her again because the positives outweigh the negatives.

I hope the Aria doesn't have the problems the Eden seems to have had. :cool:

 

I agree that portions across lines are small. Our table on solstice often ordered two appetisers each at dinner. One night a couple of people even ate two entrees apiece [emoji15] I think that was rib roast night?

 

I ate two mains on Solstice one night on our last cruise. I had the lobster main as my appetiser and the duck as my main. :D ;p Although I did feel a little fuller than usual after dinner, I didn't feel overstuffed.

I ate two mains on Solstice one night on our last cruise. I had the lobster main as my appetiser and the duck as my main. :D ;p Although I did feel a little fuller than usual after dinner, I didn't feel overstuffed.

On our QE cruise I ordered lobster in the MDR and my husband ordered steak. Our table waiter overheard my husband comment that he had wished he had ordered the steak Next minute the waiter gave my husband a plate of lobster as well.

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Do you mind telling me how the cabins were?

Fine by us - we had an outside cabin and we always get the steward to make the cabin up into twin bunks . Makes for more "moving around" space in the cabin.

We enjoyed the smaller ship. There were plenty of daytime activities unlike some of the other lines where there seems to be less to do during the day.

 

 

Aria has a separate cinema ( not unlike Oriana) and had several movies on each day. I enjoy movies but can't cope with those upper deck ones - freezing cold at night and screaming kids during the day :)

I Notice Aria doesn't have a refrigerator in the room. Does it have an ice bucket for the dozen cans of soft drink, which you can bring on board?

Aria has a separate cinema ( not unlike Oriana) and had several movies on each day. I enjoy movies but can't cope with those upper deck ones - freezing cold at night and screaming kids during the day :)

Barry, Andy will be pleased to hear that, he likes his movies after lunch....he usually goes off on his own:D I get to read in peace without the TV on in the cabin!!

I Notice Aria doesn't have a refrigerator in the room. Does it have an ice bucket for the dozen cans of soft drink, which you can bring on board?

Marion, we were just discussing the Aria not having a fridge and we remembered that the Radiance of the Seas insides didnt have one either. We just got an ice bucket and had it filled everyday.

To be honest we only use the fridge for our bottle of water, unless we are on Princess and get the free mini bar.

I do have a question and I specialise in silly ones [emoji14]

I'm trying to plan my budget for December. I have to do it now for obsessive and financial reasons. Mostly obsessive!

I bought a non alcoholic package on celebrity in March and it was nice but not super essential. I don't drink much alcohol so will pay by the glass or book a wine tasting session again.

If I don't buy the P&o equivalent, what is there to drink for no extra charge onboard at the pantry or elsewhere??

Oh yes and if I went to the casino supermarket in noumea and got a few bottles of Perrier or the like would they confiscate them?

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Hi Chesterbear, free tea, coffee and water 24/7 from Pantry I believe plus water in the bars. No water allowed to be brought onto the ship. 12 cans of soft drink loosely packed in hand luggage is allowed. I took a wide neck empty water bottle with me which you can refill from the water stations but you must put the water into a cup and then in to your bottle. P & O do a water bottle package but not Perrier just plain water. Water in cabins also ok to drink so I've been told.

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Hi Chesterbear

If you like orange juice or other juice you can always take some from the Pantry at breakfast time and keep it in your cabin. Put it in a bottle when you get there. I do, although glasses of juice are not that expensive from the bars if I run out. The soft drink card covers lemon, lime and bitters if you like it.

Thanks for your help [emoji3] this is all useful stuff. I have to wait until October to book anything!

I will have to see what cans I can get in Sydney as we have 2 days there beforehand. I will take an empty water bottle and can use that.

I may get a soda card for me. I think it covers soda water and I'll drink that too.

Too many days to go [emoji14]

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We also haven't done P&O in around 9 years....but Tuesday just gone we snared a guarantee cabin for $399 each on Aria. Friends have done Aria many times and like her.

Yesterday got cabin upgrade notice to deck 4 midship.....super happy with that.

For the pricely sum of $798 for 7 nights for 2 people I don't think we can whinge about anything.

very much looking forward to experiencing what this ship has to offer.

Tania:D

We also haven't done P&O in around 9 years....but Tuesday just gone we snared a guarantee cabin for $399 each on Aria. Friends have done Aria many times and like her.

Yesterday got cabin upgrade notice to deck 4 midship.....super happy with that.

For the pricely sum of $798 for 7 nights for 2 people I don't think we can whinge about anything.

very much looking forward to experiencing what this ship has to offer.

Tania:D

Well Done! Bon Voyage!

I tried to make a booking for a single for $798, but was not successful despite trying on line, by phone and by email. I also wanted to experience the ship, as I haven't cruised P&O at all, and was considering a longer cruise on her.