Aus Traveller

P&O don't have a formal night. On the seven-night cruises they have a 'cocktail night', and a couple of theme nights (Gatsby, Bianco and back to school).

Pizza, hamburgers and room service are all I can think of. However, this isn't new.

The choc-covered strawberries are OK.

I'm sure he will look good whatever he wears.

He looks very very smart. One of the most-frequent cruisers on Princess always wears a white jacket on formal night. That couple won't be on our cruise on 26th June.

I think we still get the canapes on formal night on Princess, sometimes choccy-covered strawberries, but on occasions they have been delivered to our cabin after we leave for dinner. They then become a snack before bedtime.

What is the difference between those and the RATs that are widely available here? Are these TGA approved and ours not?

On our last several Princess cruises, I estimate that 20%-25% of the men wore dinner suits (tuxedos to Americans). The majority of the men wore dark suits with either a tie or a bow tie. No way was anyone allowed into the MDR with shorts/Tshirt or thongs (as in footwear 🤣). I saw men being politely turned away and that wasn't on formal night. Our last few Princess cruises were Australian-based in 2019 and 2020. That is 'recent' as far as cruising goes. 😁

There have been indications that the choccy on the pillow has gone the way of the dodo. ☹️ I love the dark square chocolates.

Boarding usually shuts off one hour before scheduled departure.😁 Planned arrival of 3pm would be cutting it too fine and probably result in a rush to get there before the deadline.

Agreed. P&O Aust is a budget cruise line. We prefer Princess but occasionally book a 7-night P&O one when we get it at a good price - but not a suite. We know what to expect and go with a positive frame of mind to enjoy ourselves. We do. 😁

No. He has come back complaining about his suite on the Pacific Explorer and vowing "never again".😁

Agreed. It doesn't take me as long to pack for husband as it does for me. 😁 Yes, I have to pack for him while he stands there looking helpless.

The extra milk would probably solve the problem with the coffee. Good idea.

On our first Princess cruise, the auto gratuity system was still in place. When we went to our table in the MDR at the start of the 35-night cruise, the waiter said "I'll take care of you and you'll take care of me. You know what I mean?" That ensured he didn't get an extra tip from us. We found out later that he would have been in trouble for soliciting an extra tip, but I suppose he would have claimed that he didn't ask for a tip. 😁

Going from memory, on a seven-night cruise P&O change the breakfast and lunch menus half way through, but the dinner menu is different every evening.

We both drink the coffee in the Horizon Court and don't find it too objectionable. 😁 I prefer to get my own because I can add a dash of hot water so it isn't too strong. However, the coffee in the dining room is quite drinkable as long as it hasn't cooled off too much before I get it. The waiters keep the coffee carafe in an insulated cupboard, but sometimes it is there too long before they serve it.

Way to go! 👍

From your posts before your cruise, I feel you went on the Pacific Explorer expecting the worst and you weren't disappointed. Maybe if you had gone with a different mindset, you would not have had such a negative opinion of the cruise. 😁

We are long-time Princess cruisers, also going on the 26th. On formal nights, most of the men wear a dark suit/shirt/tie, about a quarter wear a dinner suit, and the other quarter wear smart casual (maybe a vest with shirt/tie, or whatever). The dress code for the dining room is dark suit or dinner suit, but this doesn't apply in the buffet. I suggest you take the suit, so your husband isn't in the minority.

I recall that in the Princess webinar it was said that the first three cruises will be at less than full capacity. I think it was 80%. After that they will still keep some cabins empty to use for possible quarantine accommodation.

Wow! That was a spectacular table centre.

Except for the specialty coffee, expect coffee to be made from syrup or (in the dining room) brewed. Maybe bring your own might be safer.

Pre-COVID, a desk was set up at the entrance to the Waterfront restaurant. I always went there rather than try to phone someone.

I think you will find that is only for Australian cruises. If you booked an RCL cruise in, for instance, the Caribbean, you would be charged the gratuities.