horrie33

You will find that in the Main Dining Room you will be offered a table of your choice, i.e. for 2 or for 6 - 8 etc. Never a problem. You will have to remember that we are a very informal bunch and you will have no trouble meeting and mingling with a great cross section. Some are characters, bushies, rednecks and miners, accountants and nurses - all good interesting stuff. We went New Guinea last year and was very good cruise. Children are very well controlled during the holiday cruises but every second passenger seemed to be schoolteachers - LOL

I believe that the full breakfast menu is available in your cabin and the service is free (I think) We did not use it. I took food to the cabin without any problems and see lots of passengers with coffee and couple of pastries making their way back to cabins. The Nespresso machine in your cabin has a container with 8 different varieties, topped up each day with fresh milk put in your fridge

We recently (july) complete the identical cruise that you have booked. We were in a Full Suite (11111) so there is a difference between a suite and a full suite.

First off, you get priority boarding. Drop off luggage, there is priority queue for Suite passengers and your boarding pass means you are on board very qjuickly - think we were in cabin at 10.45. The full suite has a large balcony, with lounges and table and chairs. Cabin is large - King bed, walk in dressing room and marble bathroom. Lounge and 2 chairs, coffee machine, music pod, safe and refrfig. lots,lots of hanging space. 2 TV.s. Flowers, and champaign on arrival with fresh fruit bowl every day. You can have high tea each afternoon - just too much and on formal night you get champers and savouries at about 5.00pm. Anytime dining and personal attention from head staff. Priority tender tickets for islands. Invite to Ship's Officers cocktail party (much better than Captain's) and free photo with Captain. Priority disembarkation when you arrive home and you are thru customs in no time. Free laundry and water. This is for a FULL suite. - hope it is of some help but you can contact me if you care for more info. Welll worth the extra expense

WOW! How good is that? Might just make one more cruise before I hang up my cap

I was told by someone who appeared to know (which means nothing) that they were going to put a Sushi Bar on the Dawn at the next refit, Hope they don't drop the Thai - it is great.

Nicely said, Sandy. I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. Drink prices are about what you would pay on a night out in town. Beer about $5-6.00, wine about $8.00 and cocktails from $9.00 to about $15.00. You will always find a winger and the anti P & O group are out there but if you try to enjoy yourself, you will have no problems with the Jewel.

Although we have never cruised with Princess, yesterday I got an email from Princess Cruises stating that because of the number of cruises with P & O, we were now members of the Princess Captains Circle, Platinum Level. Maybe they are going to extend this incentive to P & O too?

I seem to remember that the 2nd show starts at 9.30 and finishes at 10.30, but I really don't think that there is much noise transmitted. Enjoy your cruise

For those who would like to try a full suite on the Pacific Dawn a few photos of suite 11116, which may help you to make a decision. Happy to answer in questions.

Sailing up the coastline you would more likely to see whales than ships out of Brisbane going East, altho we had one whale sighting in July cruise to Fiji, If you have a balcony you would have a good chance on any of the coastal cruises. This year is supposedly a boomer for whales so good luck, Maybe also at Moreton Is. too, there would be a chance.

Well, how long is a piece of string? It really depends on how much you want to spend. If you don't drink you can get away with very little. Suggest that you bring your own snorkelling gear as the Islands are just magic in this area. There is nothing much to spend your money on in Lifou, just beautiful Island with a couple of great old churches and great reefs for snorkelling. Noumea, just get off the boat and buy tickets on the Chou Chou train or one of the busses there. Much cheaper than buying thru the cruise company. It's not a lovely place but it has interest but there is not much to buy and what there is, is very expensive. Good aquarium

The kids will cost you nothing. The kids clubs on board are free and kids seem to love them. The girls who care fore the "youngins" are to die for and you can leave the kids in confidence. Meals are free in the Waterfront and the Buffet but you can pay, $50.00 to go to SALT and $28.00 to La LUNA, both well worth the experience. Drinks will cost you about $6.00 for a beer and $9.50 up for cocktails. Vila will take A$ - Aussie prices too

Thanks Thied!

We have taken a suite on the Pacific Dawn in July. Apparently there is CD/DVD players available in the suite. Can someone tell me if there is a library to choose from or do you have to take your own? Probably won't use them anyway - more things to do!

Actually it's the Cyclone season down under! And yes, January is fairly in the middle of the season. However the cruise companies know well in advance when and where the cyclone is and take necessary steps to avoid. This year one of the cruises was diverted south to Sydney instead of going north because a cyclone was in the area. I think that you are pretty safe so go for it!

Last November the Visa applications were filled in at the P & O Check in. No problems at all except the form had one question more than squares for the answers. I just drew my own square and ticked it off. Should hope that by now that would be all sorted out.

We like to get there earlier than the scheduled boarding time. We check our luggage, complete our documentation and then walk around to Portside for a coffee and relax. We we go back, if our number has been previously called we just stroll up and go thru, otherwise we wait our turn. It is all done pretty smoothly and professionally. We too, like to eat lunch in the dining room but last trip, November, it was closed. Hope it is open for this July's cruise

Labadee is in Haiti - I think that if I was visiting there I would take every precaution known to man - I think it is an unhealthy place of the highest order, but I shouldn't generalize as I've never been there.

I really don't think that it makes a great deal of difference but have been told that on deck 11, smokers (on deck 12) moving chairs at all times of the night can be annoying. I seem to remember that smokers were restricted to the Starboard (right) side. On recent New Guinea trip, we tried to work out which would be the "shady" side but what's shady going up is sunny coming home so didn't really matter.

seem to remember most temples had a ban on shorts/short skirts etc but they would hire/sell "wrap arounds" for about $1.00. I'm going back many many years and all things change but they would definately not let you in if they thought that you were inappropriately dressed i.e. too much bare skin

We always cruise from Brisbane and like to get there early, usually 9.00 - 9.30 You can drop off your luggage, get your boarding papers, and then go an have a coffee around the corner at Portside. Because you are early, you get an early boarding pass, like A or B, and quite likely find that you are in your cabin before 11.30- 12.00.

We tried leaving late but found that we were twiddling our thumbs at home, all packed up looking at dumb morning TV, whereas on the Dawn you can get yourself familiar with surroundings, get some lunch before the herd - our holiday starts when we check in; and it sure beats being late!!!!

We now always go by car - leaving the car at Portside Parking Station. It costs about $10.00 per day and they take you to the terminal and pick you up when you come home (included). You can book on line and choose from uncovered or covered parking

We are also from Gold Coast and have tried the train (not again, very inconvenient

) and also the bus shuttles. The shuttles take so long as you travel around the suburbs to pick up other passengers who just may not be ready. Providing we get a good start using our own car we have been back home on the coast by 10.am as it is only a comfortable 1.00 hr drive to the north Gold Coast

Totally agree with Cool Cruiser.

We generally eat in the Dining Room (no extra cost) enjoy the service, after all you are on holidays. The breakfast Buffet can be good but at times it is like a Backpacker's Kitchen!

As for spending money - we find that about $100 per day usually shows up on our account at the end of cruise. We visit Salt at least once, and La Luna (the oriental restaurant) is good value and great food. A bottle of wine, about $30.00 does us for two nights and we usually have one or two coffees per day. Throw in the odd cocktail and a beer or two and you have it. You probably have a cabin credit of $100/$200 which helps out. A 5 y.o. will cost you nothing - the kids clubs are apparently great and free, so get you child booked in early.

And don't listen to the wingers - always a few and I always get a good laugh at their misconceptions.

One cruise and you will be hooked, so go ahead and enjoy the experience.

Don't worry about negative reports - just look forward to your cruise - count the months and days as anticipation is a big part of your holiday. We have never traveled on the Jewel but have done so on her sister ships. All good stuff over 7 cruises. Your cruise is what you make it, join in the action and you will be hooked like 99% of all first cruisers. Good luck

I think that is one question that you will have to take up with P & O. I have always done it thru my travel agent but when I first enquired they knew nothing about it and had to go to P & O for answer. Definately try for it as it can work out to be quite worthwhile. Good luck!

Some photos New Guinea cruise W345. Volcano in Rabaul harbour as we arrived and as we left.