Bee Kay Posted October 19, 2013 #1 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Hi all you lovely cruisers! My hubby and I are taking our first ever cruise next year on the Pacific Pearl to Vanuatu. We have booked an obstructed view cabin on deck 8 (hopefully we still have some daylight) anyway I was just wondering about what is in the cabin? Is there a kettle? A fridge? Should we bring our own coffee? Can you get a decent coffee in the restaurants or is this an extra charge? Thanks in advance :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi_cruiser Posted October 19, 2013 #2 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Welcome to Cruise Critic Bee Kay :) No, there not a kettle in the cabin, but you can get HOT water from the Plantation restaurant, and yes there is a fridge in the cabin. If you want a Good coffee, then you will have to pay for it. It depends on the sort of coffee you like, but if there is a coffee, you like, and you may think that they wont have it, then you can take your own. Hope this helps :) If you have any other cruising questions post back here and I am sure me or someone else will be able to answer your question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingsis Posted October 19, 2013 #3 Share Posted October 19, 2013 There are coffee machines in the buffet which provide surprisingly pleasant coffee otherwise u will need to head for Charlie's bar for coffee. You will get coffee with your meal in the dining room too. The Pearl is a nice ship, good choice for your first cruise. Try and budget in a meal at Salt. That is the restaurant you pay extra for. But it is amazing Especially the licorice parfait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Kay Posted October 19, 2013 Author #4 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Thanks for the advice! I am very excited, I almost get as much joy out of planning as holidaying ... Almost hehe. Hubby and I love a good coffee so thus the caffeine related post. I had read that The Salt Grill was worth a visit so we will definitely budget that in. Thinking about our ports Champagne Bay, Port Vila, Pentecost Island and Mystery island; is there any particular must see places that people can suggest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingsis Posted October 19, 2013 #5 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Depends what you like to do. Are you sightseeing types or snorkellers or more action types. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingsis Posted October 19, 2013 #6 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Champagne Bay is my favourite port. As far as I am aware there is nothing but the beach there. But then I adore beaches and snorkelling so I didn't look for anything else in paradise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Kay Posted October 20, 2013 Author #7 Share Posted October 20, 2013 We'll I am game for anything but hubby (will be 50 next year) likes the quieter life, I would love to snorkel for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingsis Posted October 20, 2013 #8 Share Posted October 20, 2013 At port Vila you can visit Hideaway Island and snorkel straight from the corally beach. It is a marine reserve so fantastic fish to see. They do glass bottom boats too. The ship will have a tour or you can do it for a fraction of the price using a local. Nearby is the Cascades which are lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Kay Posted October 20, 2013 Author #9 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Wow that sounds amazing. I had read that you could save a lot of money by booking direct rather than through the cruise. Would I just do that on the day or is there somewhere I can contact ahead of time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingsis Posted October 20, 2013 #10 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Just walk off wharf and a line if buses will be waiting. They are really just vans but they have a B on the number plate if they are a bus. Ask how much to get to hideaway island. It is something like 200 vatu so only a few dollars each. At hideaway a little boat will come and pick you up. You pay to go on island and u can hire snorkel gear. Very safe there. Nice bar/cafe too. Ask if they are taking boat out. Tell yr hubby there is an amazing world under that water and he should snorkel too. I am nearer 60 than 50 but never miss a chance so he isn't too old. When u r done u can take boat back to shore. There will be more vans waiting and u can go up to cascades next. Or do it in the other order and go to falls first. Driver may wait U may even strike a deal at the wharf for getting to both places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Kay Posted October 21, 2013 Author #11 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Thanks so much cruisinsis it's great to have first hand advice. We are so excited and I am trying to stay away from all the negative comments about the pearl. Having never cruised before, we don't really have any preconceived ideas :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bella cruiser Posted October 21, 2013 #12 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hi, I see you are going to Pentecost, this is a rare port with only a couple of ships a year between April and June to witness the N'Gol land diving ceremony. We went on Pacific Pearl last year. There are no organised tours here but if you just catch the tender ashore and follow the little track to the large grassy clearing where the land diving takes place. The locals have placed large fallen logs across the slope so there is seating for people to watch but not much shade. It's fascinating but a little confronting. When you have had enough you can walk a little further along through the village where you will find the school. We were there on a Saturday, but the teachers were there proudly showing anyone interested the children's work and a group of kids and some adults were there singing traditional songs for us. We had collected a backpack full of school supplies to donate as they don't have much and are in desperate need. My 10 year old son and one his little friends from the ship got talking to a couple of local kids who went home and got a soccer ball and it turned into an hour long impromptu soccer match with the local kids and ship kids, they had a ball. We then just walked back across the village to the beach for a swim. It's a beautiful lush island with beautiful people who live in very primitive conditions. A very special experience. BTW we found Pacific Pearl to be a very nice ship, with a fantastic crew, roomy cabins & good entertainment without being glitzy or flash. We would cruise on her again without hesitation. I am sure you will enjoy the experience.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingsis Posted October 22, 2013 #13 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Hi, I see you are going to Pentecost, this is a rare port with only a couple of ships a year between April and June to witness the N'Gol land diving ceremony. We went on Pacific Pearl last year. There are no organised tours here but if you just catch the tender ashore and follow the little track to the large grassy clearing where the land diving takes place. The locals have placed large fallen logs across the slope so there is seating for people to watch but not much shade. It's fascinating but a little confronting. When you have had enough you can walk a little further along through the village where you will find the school. We were there on a Saturday, but the teachers were there proudly showing anyone interested the children's work and a group of kids and some adults were there singing traditional songs for us. We had collected a backpack full of school supplies to donate as they don't have much and are in desperate need. My 10 year old son and one his little friends from the ship got talking to a couple of local kids who went home and got a soccer ball and it turned into an hour long impromptu soccer match with the local kids and ship kids, they had a ball. We then just walked back across the village to the beach for a swim. It's a beautiful lush island with beautiful people who live in very primitive conditions. A very special experience. BTW we found Pacific Pearl to be a very nice ship, with a fantastic crew, roomy cabins & good entertainment without being glitzy or flash. We would cruise on her again without hesitation. I am sure you will enjoy the experience.:) I second those sentiments. I would love to see the divers but know it is sort of hard to take - and I loved the Pearl. One of my favourite ships Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Kay Posted October 22, 2013 Author #14 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Your posts gave me chills, I took a look on you tube to see what we were in for and it looks incredible. I would love to take some school supplies along too. What do you feel would the best things to take? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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