Best P&O Ships

[Tigerman00]

I have been thinking about the past, the fun I had on the Fairstar, Pacific Sky, Pacific Sun, Pacific Dawn and the Jewel.... well, I come to the conclusion that the atmosphere and fun diminished as the newer ships arrived. Think back how we loved the 23,000 tonne Fairstar with 1300 people on board, what a blast, the Pacific Sky was also well orientated to have fun. Then the Fun Police arrived and all the risqué events disappeared. Just my opinion.

Still love cruising, I am older now but still love a good time .

My best ship was the Pacific Sky just knocking off the Fairstar by a hair.


K

[Aus Traveller]

We too enjoyed the Fairstar, but I think the 'fun' aspect depended on your age. We were young parents with three children, so it wasn't a party-drinking cruise for us.

I believe if the Fairstar was resurrected and sailed again today, the cruising public wouldn't accept the lack of facilities. Just recall, there was one 'lounge' for evening entertainment and that entertainment was just the orchestra playing for dancing (pity if you don't dance), and a guest entertainer or two. No shows as we know them today. I think life has moved on from the Fairstar, even though we loved her at the time.

[thied]

WE did like the Pacific Star

[ceejay3377]

My first cruise was on the Pacific Sky, and I fell in love with cruising. She was well set out and I loved the outdoor disco, the lounge that kind of merged with the aft pool, and the (almost) wrap around promenade deck. Now, I find prefer the HAL ships as they give me the same sense of 'old style' cruising.

Cheers,

[Kiwi Kruzer]

My favourite P&O ship was the one and only Canberra.

[bazzaw]

Hmm - well there are some LONGTIME cruisers here , but as a fairly new cruiser, I think that ships are a bit like women - they are all the same, except that they are all different.


Barry

[Sandielle]

Very diplomatic, Barry.

[finetuneit]

I've loved all of the ones I've been on (all have been P&O ships). The original Oriana (twice), Canberra and Pacific Sun. We'll soon be adding Pacific Pearl to the list and I already know I'll love her just as much as the others!

[suey]

I think the Sky is my favourite but I do love the Dawn as well. We miss the passenger participation shows (Western Night and Horror Night) where passengers rehearsed and were part of the show - one cruise daughters and sister were witches and brother a transvestite in horror show and grandsons and nephew animals in Western show 'GREAT FUN''. Also miss the Pyjama and gender bender nights - they were all harmless fun - also Áfternoon Madness'. Ahh memories.

[Skyrules]

Hmm, it's tough.

My nostalgic favourite is Pacific Sky - the first P&O Crusie ship I went on and the one that got me addicted to cruising.

Of the current batch, Pacific Dawn & Pacific Pearl are almost insperable in top spot... I can't split them.

Least favourite of the 6 P&O Ships I've been on (Sky, Sun, Star, Dawn, Pearl, Jewel) is Pacific Jewel.

[Aus Traveller]

Originally Posted by Skyrules

Hmm, it's tough.

My nostalgic favourite is Pacific Sky - the first P&O Crusie ship I went on and the one that got me addicted to cruising.

Of the current batch, Pacific Dawn & Pacific Pearl are almost insperable in top spot... I can't split them.

Least favourite of the 6 P&O Ships I've been on (Sky, Sun, Star, Dawn, Pearl, Jewel) is Pacific Jewel.

I agree with that comment. What is it about the Jewel? The dome being used for spa/fitness is one negative, but is there something else?

[karmac]

Originally Posted by Aus Traveller

I agree with that comment. What is it about the Jewel? The dome being used for spa/fitness is one negative, but is there something else?

In my opinion, that's about the only negative. We loved The Jewel. The wider sun deck was definately a positive and we loved Connexions and Casbah. Any ship is a good ship in my opinion

David, I envy everyone who has been on the Canberra. It's one ship I REALLY wished I'd sailed on.

[finetuneit]

We spent 2 months on Canberra for her world cruise at the end of 88/beginning of 89. I have nothing but fond memories of her. I recently saw pics of her while she was being scrapped and it horrified me. It was so sad to see such a beautiful ship in such a state.

[The Fox]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Kruzer

My favourite P&O ship was the one and only Canberra.

i agree

[Rasa Sayang]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Kruzer

My favourite P&O ship was the one and only Canberra.

Something about that ship - I'm sorry I never travelled on her.

I remember once sailing out through Sydney Harbour on the Himalaya as the Canberra was coming in.

Everyone on board the Himalaya's decks just droooled.

As for my favourite P&O ship - has to be P&O UK's [current] "Oriana" - a beautiful ship.

[thied]

for those who do not know about the Canberra ( SS Canberra)(the Great White Whale)
built in 1957 and lanched in 1960, and scrapped in 1997.
Tonnage it had a few.
1961: 45,270 gross tons,1962: 45,733,1968: 44,807,1994: 49,073.

Speed: Trials: 29.27 knots (54.3 km/h),1961–1973: 27.5 knots (51 km/h),1973–1997: 23.50 knots (43.5 km/h)
In 1961–1973: 548 First class, 1,690 Tourist class, 960 officers and crew.
In 1973–1997: 1,737 passengers, 795 officers and crew.

[Skyrules]

Originally Posted by Aus Traveller

I agree with that comment. What is it about the Jewel? The dome being used for spa/fitness is one negative, but is there something else?

The carpet is horrible - I feel sorry for people who suffer sea sickness as the carpet certainly doesn't help.

The showlounge is badly designed, the chairs are uncomfortable.

She felt much more crowded than Pacific Dawn, despite being the same size.

[Skyrules]

error post -please ignore

[slasher1964]

I'm booked on the Jewel for a New Years Cruise,
previously been on the Pacific Dawn & Dawn Princess, both great cruises
disappointing to book a cruise, then hear a lot of bad things about the Jewel.
But i've found a lot of things that would upset some people, i wouldn't even think twice about. One thing that does annoy me a bit (most cruises i presume) is cheezy music. The Dawn Princess cruise, they had a passenger talent show, best entertainment on the cruise by a mile.
I think i you want a good time you'll have one, regardless of the short comings of the ship. If your going to get upset about no towel animals, bacon being a little cold on day 2 breakfast etc... you'll probably find your just short changing yourself on a holiday you've paid a lot of money for.

[finetuneit]

Originally Posted by slasher1964

I think i you want a good time you'll have one, regardless of the short comings of the ship. If your going to get upset about no towel animals, bacon being a little cold on day 2 breakfast etc... you'll probably find your just short changing yourself on a holiday you've paid a lot of money for.

Very well said!