Pacific Explorer post cruise thoughts

We got back this morning from Cruise X739 , 4 nights Sydney to Moreton Island return.

Embarkation at White Bay was very fast and easy. Our allocated check in time was 12:00 noon to 12:30 pm. We arrived at the Terminal at 11:50 am and were in our cabin at 12:10pm ! Because this was a domestic cruise , the only checks by officials were : all carry on sports type water bottles were emptied of any contents into bins and then you were allowed to carry them on empty. Your carry on bags were then run through the scanners and that was it.

We had previously travelled on the Sea Princess so we had a good idea of the layout of the ex Dawn Princess. Balcony cabin BB grade was clean and the balcony area had been just painted. The inside of the cabins had not been refurbished during the last dry dock in June. All fittings were functional and the air conditioning worked well. Cabin was serviced twice a day. Towels only replaced in the morning service with a turn down service and quick refresh at night. The cabin attendant managed to service our room each time when we were not present , so easier on her and us.

Dining area refurbishments were very well done. The Pantry works well with crew serving your meals from behind glass counters. You can help yourself to cold meats, fruit , cereals , coffee , tea and juice , at breakfast. We only ever ate breakfast in the Pantry so I am unable to comment on other meal times in there.

We noticed the Majority of passengers entering the Pantry at breakfast times did NOT make any attempt to wash their hands at the sinks at entry or use the sanitiser dispenser. Nor were there any crew advising passengers to do so.

We had lunch at "Luke's " on Embarkation day as the Pantry was overflowing with passengers and Luke's was virtually empty. The menu is mostly burgers , hot dogs , fries and a prawn dish. Prices ranged from $3 for the fries to $12 for the prawn dish , burgers were about the $5-$6 mark.

Angelo's and Dragon Lady are included in your fare as well as the Waterfront restaurant. The pizza place , a sit down a la carte type eatery was extra charge. The refurbishment of what is now Dragon Lady is very attractive.

$29 per head for the Love Riot VIP ticket was a great deal ,we thought. You start with a special 5 course dinner in a curtained off section of the Waterfront restaurant and you are then " kidnapped " by cast members and escorted to VIP seats in the front two rows of the Black Circus Theatre. You are given a cocktail type drink and then watch the show. Not suitable for children but a lot of laughs.

The last night there was a show in the main Marquee Theatre entitled Rock Anthems , a great show with the Show Band and wonderful dancers and singers pumping out the hits.You can then continue on to the Atrium , deck5 , where most of the on board entertainers performed a medley of tunes.

Disembarkation : The afternoon before , luggage tags are delivered to your room indicating which lounge or area you are assigned to wait to leave. Large luggage to be placed outside your cabin between 4pm and 8 pm for collection.

The Pantry is open from 6 am that day and the Waterfront restaurant is open from 6:30 am for breakfast.

You must vacate your room by 8 am. Your assigned lounge has a crew member checking you are in the right lounge and advises when each group is able to proceed to the gangway. Two gangways were in operation so getting off the ship was on time as per allocated. You collect your luggage from inside the Terminal and proceed outside.

Staff were outside the front doors of the Terminal and gave easy to follow directions to all transport options.

Overall the ship looks great , the crew works hard and are friendly.

The only issue I had with the layout , is the area on the Promenade Deck 7 forward, a designated smokers area. I think this is an error as it takes away from the enjoyment of a lap or two around the ship, undercover, which many passengers enjoy.

Thanks for that. I'll be on the Explorer next Sunday.

By the way, how was Moreton Island?

Scary, 'most pax entering Pantry without washing/sanitizing hands.' And the perception is all us Aussies are hygienic people...Wrong. :evilsmile:

Thanks for that. I'll be on the Explorer next Sunday.

 

By the way, how was Moreton Island?

Great visit , lovely water. Spotted plenty of whales and dolphins in Moreton Bay on the way to the island. Then many turtles from the lookout at Cape Moreton lighthouse. We bought the Cape Moreton Northern tour through P&O. 4.5 hour tour by all wheel drive bus , with snack and a drink . Drove along many tracks to Honeymoon Beach and the lighthouse, great day. Certainly not cheap but worth it we thought. Cheers, Buzz.

Scary, 'most pax entering Pantry without washing/sanitizing hands.' And the perception is all us Aussies are hygienic people...Wrong. :evilsmile:

By the way NO SEWERAGE smells anywhere that we noticed :) A couple of blocked public area toilets which were quickly attended to. Looks like they have got to the bottom of the problem. Cheers, Buzz.

Great visit , lovely water. Spotted plenty of whales and dolphins in Moreton Bay on the way to the island. Then many turtles from the lookout at Cape Moreton lighthouse. We bought the Cape Moreton Northern tour through P&O. 4.5 hour tour by all wheel drive bus , with snack and a drink . Drove along many tracks to Honeymoon Beach and the lighthouse, great day. Certainly not cheap but worth it we thought. Cheers, Buzz.

I like Moreton. It gets overlooked in favour of Fraser, but in some ways it's even better.

Scary, 'most pax entering Pantry without washing/sanitizing hands.' And the perception is all us Aussies are hygienic people...Wrong. :evilsmile:

Who has that perception? :cool:

Thanks for the review, glad you had a great time and it has sorted out some concerns of our friends.

Scary, 'most pax entering Pantry without washing/sanitizing hands.' And the perception is all us Aussies are hygienic people...Wrong. :evilsmile:

On P&O people cannot serve themselves at the buffet, so it only matters to themselves if they haven't washed their hands.

Who has that perception? :cool:

Most Aussies and overseas people.:evilsmile:

Thank you for reviewing your cruise.

On P&O people cannot serve themselves at the buffet, so it only matters to themselves if they haven't washed their hands.

Disagree, And the other people who touch things that the unwashed have touched, like the table or chairs or condiments etc, and lift buttons and the list is endless.

On P&O people cannot serve themselves at the buffet, so it only matters to themselves if they haven't washed their hands.

You are referring to P&O Australia not P&O UK ? P&O UK is still 'self serve buffet.':p

Disagree, And the other people who touch things that the unwashed have touched, like the table or chairs or condiments etc, and lift buttons and the list is endless.

Agree with you Uncle Mic and when they pick up a plate from the stack, if it is not given to thee.:halo: Bacteria runs amok in cruise ship buffets, even in P&O Australia's Pantry dining facility. :o

Another reason why I avoid the buffet if I can.

Another reason why I avoid the buffet if I can.

I wish all lines would open their MDR's for lunch on Port days, like P&O UK and Cunard do. More civilised and less chance of catching the germs.:cool:

You are referring to P&O Australia not P&O UK ? P&O UK is still 'self serve buffet.':p

Yes. P&O Aust. This thread relates to Pacific Explorer. :)

I wish all lines would open their MDR's for lunch on Port days, like P&O UK and Cunard do. More civilised and less chance of catching the germs.:cool:

Princess and P&O Aust used to have the dining room open on port days, but changed the policy several years ago. Maybe it's because there are not many people still on board and it does not warrant having the staff standing around doing nothing in the dining room. I agree that I sometimes would like the dining room to be open on a port day, but I recognise that having it closed, allows quite a few of the waiters/junior waiters to have a few hours ashore.

I would like it open on port days as well but realise that depending on the port I may not be back for lunch all the time so am happy that they at least have other options available.

Princess and P&O Aust used to have the dining room open on port days, but changed the policy several years ago. Maybe it's because there are not many people still on board and it does not warrant having the staff standing around doing nothing in the dining room. I agree that I sometimes would like the dining room to be open on a port day, but I recognise that having it closed, allows quite a few of the waiters/junior waiters to have a few hours ashore.

Understand. :halo: And concur, reasons why MDR's are not open Port Days.