rockie

Sorry to keep harping back to the Sky but some of you here understand what I mean. AND, there were lots of people on the Pearl with the Sky lanyards and I had a lot of conversations with people who said the Sky was still their favourite.:D

I think the guys name on the Sun was Dave somebody. Think we had Adam on one of the cruises but can't remember which one, I will have to dig out my dailys. I don't think I would do another cruise with Zoltina-J.

The great thing I liked about the Pearl was lots and lots of seating. On the Sun you had to wait till somebody stood up and then raced for the chair. The Pearl has so many sitting to read areas it was great. I also love the old fashioned open promenade deck like the Sky had.

I am not sure what is meant by and "American" way when it comes to entertainment staff- would anybody care to elucidate further.

 

Barry

Okay I will, but first I must go put on my flame proof suit. I guess I am harking back to the Pacific Sky and the good 'ol Kiwi/Aussie entertainment staff, i.e Cruise Director and assistant ones. I do not mean the Production/Show side of things when I say Americanisation. As someone else said, on P&O the shows are the best I have seen anywhere.

There is no sponenatiey(sp) now, everything is scripted, except on the 2nd Liars Club when the immigration announcments come on during this show and the comdedian stood up and did a very un pc version of sign language. This was hilarious.:D:D:D This is what I mean, this sort of thing has gone. Zoltina did not look at all amused when he did this but people were laughing till tears run down their cheeks.

If they have changed the job description of a cruise director they should be called something else instead because our idea of cruise directors includes people like Demo, Dan Styne and the guy on the Sun last year. The guy on the Sun last year was a bit of a twaat but he got people involved, was seen around the decks and actually talked to people. This year the Canadian guy tried to get people to do the scavenger hunt. He asked very droly, couldn't really be bothered. He was a nice guy, don't get me wrong, but it was like he was hoping nobody would do this game, and nobody did. There was an older crowd onboard, I will admit to this but there were a lot who would probably have joined in in the past. It's almost like the cruise companies have gone back to catering for the really old crowd and not the younger people. I am not one of the younger crowd, i.e 20's, 30's or even 40's, but health seminars do not do it for me. I like the good old participation activties P&O used to have.

I have just come off the Pearl and heard people complaining they didn't get free biscuits with their room service which they complained about having to pay for. The quote was something like, " When you pay for a balcony suite you expect to be treated differently" HUH?? :confused:

I have noticed cutbacks from the old Sky days and even last years Sun cruise. There are fewer waiters in the dining rooms and the poor buggers are running like a racehorse all night. The service was still very good though, even though a bit slow at times. It is not the waiters fault and I am writing to P&O accordingly. They have gone 'American' with the entertainment staff. The production shows though were the best I have seen on 7 cruises. They are really awesome. Now, Zoltina-J. mmmmmmmmm. What can I say. She is a really good MC but in the past cruise directors have got involved in deck games etc. Have they changed their job description to, 'You only see the cruise director before and after a show.' The trivias' were fun and there were some tough questions, which I hope I will remember the answers to. The itinerary was great but they really need to get their tender operations sorted out. Still had a great cruise, how could you not.

Definatly book midship lower decks rather than fore or aft cabins.

I have found the Pacific Sun has a very strange movement about it, even in calm waters. The trick is to take whatever medication suits you as soon as you board, then everyday after that.

I tie colourful material on the handles of our bags as when they unload them after getting back from your trip, a LOT of people have the same bags as you. I even put them on my carry on luggage and handbags as when they go through the x-ray machines they are easy to spot. Sometimes they come out the other end with other peoples