We are back from P&O Pacific Pearl package

[windsor26]

We had an enjoyable cruise because we are on a cruise but one has to make comparisons:

Well we are home at last from our cruise and package on the Pacific Pearl.

 

We left home as usual but thought we would try the Captain Cooke ferry to White Bay for the first time. There were only 4 of us on the ferry which was a nice cruise across the harbour. Not many steps off the ship but then a 700m walk across to the road and along to the Pearl. We will not bother again.

 

We completed the health form and joined the line to checkin. We had number 2 so only had about a half hour wait before we went through customs and baggage search and joined the ship.

 

We took our own baggage on board so found our cabin and unpacked quickly. There were masses of drawers for us to put clothes and loads of hangers The room was larger than we normally have as we usually go inside but we had been upgraded to a square window room.

However the lighting was very low making reading etc difficult. There was only really one bedside lamp 20 watt bulb I think as the other lamp was positioned at the further end of the dressing table by the window No use for those in bed.

The beds were very comfortable and the pillows just as we like them. Although the seat on our toilet was loose this did not matter we were just careful.

We visited the buffet for lunch and were quite disappointed with the choice and flavour of this food so gave it a miss thereafter.

We went around the ship to discover the wearabouts of everything but did not find many smiling staff at this time of day.

We only saw our steward once in the while cruise (just to rearrange the beds which were in the incorrect formation)

The entertainment was good as we expected for a themed cruise and it was varied enough for most people to find something to suit them

The muster drill was the worst fiasco we have ever attended. We waited for over half an hour after the said time and eventually the staff from the stairways joined us. We had been warned that the announcement was difficult to hear (if this was known and it was important why had it not been mended) When the wearing of the life jacket was demonstrated no one could see the staff showing this. To top it all BEFORE the drill was finished the CD interrupted over the tannoy and started to give the daily entertainment times so the drill just petered out and as no one had taken the names of those attending it probably did not matter anyway.

 

The items we missed:

welcome speech by the captain and introduction of his chief staff.

Welcome by the CD Gemma and being told the names of her staff.

pillow chocolates (but not sure if this was due to our steward as we did have one on one evening)

toiletries in the bathroom (There is just wash jel in the shower.)

Bathrobes for use (there is one in a plastic bag left on thebed for you to buy at $35.)

Being able to have free breakfast in our room (every item was $5)

Free lemon squash with lunch (water was available ) and coffee afterwards which was quite palatable from a machine

Champagne waterfall

A library and book swap cupboard. It seems these have been discontinued although the maps and lift notices still show library

Daily crossword puzzle

The comfortable sunbed mattresses and blankets available for viewing a film by the pool at night.

The free popcorn while watching the film

Missed the milk and cookies trolley mid morning (not even available in the buffet which closed down sharply between every meal)

Missed afternoon tea as this was never offered.

A choice of more than orange or apple for breakfast juice (no tomato, pineapple, grapefruit etc that we are used to on other cruise lines)

We would have like to get a burger or chips from the grill by the pool but on this ship every item was $3 (free on other lines)

We missed the all day free pittza available on most ships ($9.50 with 4 choices on the Pearl)

I missed having the purchased duty free drink delivered to our cabin during the late afternoon of the final day so it could be packed carefully for flights. It had to be collected from the restaurant between 6am and 8am in the final morning but as most people had to put their luggage out the previous night this makes it difficult to get on a flight

I normally treat myself to a couple of cocktails but they were quite a bit more than I normally pay so went without.

Having bought wine I found it unusual to have to take the unfinished bottle with me for use the next day (usually kept by the waiters and we would just ask for it the next day even if we were going to a specialist restaurant or the buffet they would ask our table number and get it for us) This meant that whatever we were doing before dinner one of us had to go to the cabin to get the wine out of the frig to take to dinner.

We found that the arrangement for dinner were chaos. Neither fish nor fowl. There is not anytime dining you either dine at 6.30 or 8pm BUT there is not fixed traditional dining either. If you do not phone and book a table during the day you arrive at your time and take pot luck. We were unlucky in being given tables in the same area with an extremely poor wait staff. We tried asking to sit elsewhere but were told those areas were pre booked.

The food was cold for every dinner meal we had, even the soup. The white coffee was black and “they did not have milk as it as dispensed from a machine”

One evening there were 4 on our table The waiter took one man's order and left for 5 minutes then took another persons order and then left again after 8 minute more he came for our orders. The meal was a long time coming which was probably why it was cold again and my ordered cheese and biscuits which I Never got.

We had breakfast and lunch in the dining room and twice we had good waiters but were never able to get the omellette as “there is a waiting time of 25 minutes” This, even on the last morning when very few were in the dining room!!!

What can I say about disembarkation??? we were self disembarking and taking our own luggage and even then we were held in line for a while and then there were no taxis available we were 5th in the line and waited about 25 minutes before one came

We had a good flight home although it was early in the morning and we waited for ever for our luggage in Sydney

The hotel in NZ was excellent clean friendly everything you would want in a kitchen available should it be required and very comfortable bed.

Edited February 5, 2016 by windsor26

[Cyrix400]

HI windsor 26 - I note that you had 4 previous cruises on P&O Aust. Re items that you missed on this cruise (as listed) - was that also the case with your previous cruises on this cruise line ? (And it is only after my first cruise with P&O Aust on Eden that I now know in detail how this line works, and what it does and does not provide)

[This_Beats_Working]

We were on Pacific Dawn last week and had the same issues but our restaurant food was always hot and no staff problems

 

Basically what I put it down to was the discount prices means lesser quality. I paid $250 each for a 3 day cruise.

 

The first cruise I did in 2002 was $6000 for 4 people in a cabin for 10 days. Same cruise in 2016 is a lot cheaper. Something has to give, that's why there are less staff, no afternoon tea.

 

It's like the $5 pizza, you get what you pay for

[windsor26]

HI windsor 26 - I note that you had 4 previous cruises on P&O Aust. Re items that you missed on this cruise (as listed) - was that also the case with your previous cruises on this cruise line ? (And it is only after my first cruise with P&O Aust on Eden that I now know in detail how this line works, and what it does and does not provide)

 

Yes we did 3 P&O Australia cruises in the early 2000's on the Pacific sky and Sun and we did not notice any extra charges for between meals food and I am sure that the buffet was open most of the day on those cruises There was a welcome 'party' with speech from the Captain and the first show was a welcome from the CD The other misses are from what we find on RCI and Princess but if P&O have put in an outdoor film screen for late night films there should be a little comfort to watch them

 

I think they have changed their ways and not all for the better Thee were at least one improvement on our first p&O Australia cruise When we embarked the first lunch had to be BOUGHT and thy only had sandwiches, pitza or pie and each was $7-10

 

I do know the food was better hot and better served in the Restaurant The waiters did know their jobs

[MicCanberra]

Thanks for sharing.:D