ccsclean21

Years ago you didn't need a passport to sail to the Pacific Islands and it was great but now we all have to go through a lot of hassle and costs to get a pass port to cruise all because of a few stupid trouble makers.

These trouble makers should be forced to reimburse the cruise fare of passengers they have affected and the damages they have caused.

Maybe if they hear that they could end up been bankrupt they might think twice before causing trouble.

You go on cruises to have fun, meet new people not belt them up.

i think that P&O should add a few free things like the pizza and burgers. Surely they don't make that much money by charging for them.

Highly trained and professional security staff... where? I couldn't see any in those videos only thugs with security on their shirts

I known some times one feels like kicking some people as they deserve it but you can't and if you did you could be sued and in this instance I think these security staff have possibly opened the door to a lawsuit as all the guy that was been kicked has to say was that he was just watching when attacked by the security staff and kicked while on ground which it shows on the videos and news agencies. bad move by Carnival. It is quite obvious that these security staff are not train or profession as to the way they handled the whole thing, they spent more time and man power attacking one person who was already down and letting the main trouble making group continue brawling. You pay peanuts and you get monkeys. When I was on the Eden while doing safety drill I noticed a bull horn on the deck next to me, now that would have been very useful in getting control of the situation by just putting the horn on squelch at full blast and everybody would have stopped, wondering what it was as this would be a human response then put back to load speaker and in a very strong voice tell everyone to drop this would give the security enough time to move in on the ring leaders and bring it to a Holt and if that failed use a fire extinguisher and spray the main group then grab them while they are incapacitated by the product from the extinguisher. Could use foam, makes a mess but very slippery on smooth surfaces, CO2 a little bit more cleaner, then there is the good old powder type extinguisher and a big big mess but hey if it stops a brawl why not, but kicking someone while they are down, very bad move, all they were doing was going for the easiest target. Years ago if a brawl broke out on a cruise ship it was controlled very quickly and quietly. you watch the cruise lines bring in a policy banning people from filming incidents on board but footage can be good for evidence in court and in this instance I think staff might have been trying to hide the kicking that the guy was getting. All this shows is how vulnerable a cruise ship is. All the staff had to do with the guy they were kicking was put ties on his hands and move to the next trouble maker, not join in. The bunch that caused this brawl should pay for wrecking the cruise for all the innocent passengers on that cruise and they should be banned from every cruise line and airline because if they brawl on a ship they'll do it on a plane.

Hi Pacificlover

That was the worst restaurant food I have ever had. I have been on the Jewel twice and the food in the MDR was quite good with good variety but on this ship there was no real variety and I was not game to ask for another steak as the last one was terrible and it pulled apart and looked sinewy which it was " very Chewy"

I don't know why such poor menu and food in the MDR but they better fix the problem fast as they will loose passengers.

The ship was very nice, the crew fantastic, Angelo's and Dragon Lady's restaurant was excellent and the staff in both those were fantastic. I can honestly say that the crew onboard the Pacific Explorer were the best I have come across in all the ships I have been on but fix the food and menu in the MDR.

Hi

I was on the 3 night comedy cruise 14th to 17th December 17 Pacific Explorer and the Dragon Lady and Angelo's is free, just book as soon as you get there.

I have been on other cruises like the Pacific Jewel twice and the last time was last year 2016 and the food in the MDR was quite good but this time on the Pacific Explorer in the MDR the food was shocking, I asked for a steak and got a piece of meat that looked dry but when you cut it the meat just pulled apart and looked as though it had been stewed and eating it was very chewy and the menu was very limited, so go to Angelo's or Dragon Lady you won't be disappointed. I normally have my dinner in the MDR but the food was not up to scatch and I don't know why the menu was so limited with choices and thought maybe because it was just a short cruise but that is definitely not the same standard as what was on the menu on the Jewel far from it.

I can say one thing about P&O Australian ships there is always something going on in the entertainment scene even past mid night and the service on board was excellent and staff very friendly.

While on board I heard that the Golden Princess was going to be renamed and handed over to P&O Australia It is starting to look like a hand me down line where Princess lines send their outdated ships too.

It's like a big brother or sister handing down clothes they have outgrown and the younger kid who gets all the old outdated stuff. How about some new ships.

You don't want the nick name, The hand me down line.

Hi all

Well it is now 2017 and the debate is still going on about where to berth the oversupply of cruise ships on Sydney Harbour and no closer to solving it.

Someone in this post mentioned about putting the cruise ships at the old HMAS Platypus dock and I think that has some merit but would probably need dredging to accommodate the large ships then you will no doubt get resistance from residence in that area about causing congestion in the area. Sydney needs Tourist money to help local businesses and increase jobs.

Another idea is maybe a floating dock that can easily be put into place when a ship is expected in port, bit like what they do when the International boat show is on in Darling Harbour but a much bigger scale then remove when not in use and use charter boats to ferry the passengers to Circular Quay or pick up passengers for their booked tours.

Maybe a good place to put the floating dock would be in that area between Robertson Light house and Bradleys head or around the corner at Port Jackson Bay as these areas are out of the way of the shipping lanes. May need dredging to fit the ships. I am pretty sure that the HMAS Melbourne was anchored in that area between Roberson Light house and Bradleys Head but more near the Bradlys Head side and the Aircraft Carrier Melbourne had a draft of around 25ft, so is possible.

Good grief, Looks like I was wrong maybe the Islands won't be fixed by Christmas not if they keep getting belted by storms, at this rate you might be better taking your hammer and nails for those cruises.

The people on those Islands must be scared out off their wits after been hit twice in as many weeks. Pray to God to give these poor people strength as they will need it and hope you Cruisers have some Islands left to visit.

Hi Cliffyroro

Your right, cruising is the best and I have met some fantastic people while cruising and new friends from crew members I now talk to through Facebook to meeting passengers I met on board and now very good friends with.

I am cruising around New Zealand 11th November 17 and if the cruise line misses a port due to weather or some other reason then it doesn't matter all it means is my wife can't drag me off the ship to go look at shops. Yippee. I just love looking out over the ocean, relaxing. No mater what port you get to go to you will have a great time as you are on one of the best ships around and who wants to leave a ship with great food and service.

Hi all

Do what Robbie_3 said go with the flow if there are any changes. I have been on cruises that missed ports and it was a bit disappointing but still enjoyed the cruise so imagine those holiday makers that were booked to stay on those islands at the resorts that got hit and wiped out now those tourists have a problem but least you still have a cruise, to where who knows but it's a cruise.

Maybe the cruise lines should call it a mystery cruise.

Have a bet on which Islands you will be visiting.

Take time to remember those people killed by that vicious storm and their families.

Hi Underwatr More than happy to tell you the article I got it from. just type http://www.cruisepassenger.com.au then scroll down till you see the article on Hurricane Irma: Cunarders fight for answers.

I think you will find that these islands are built to withstand some very heavy storms, I imagine it wouldn't be the first time it has been hit by a Hurricane, maybe Irma was the biggest I don't know, but if you still get to go to at least some of the Islands that got hit by the storm find out from the line you are traveling on what things do the Islands need that the passengers can take onboard to donate to the communities and as for Christmas what would make a Community happy is toys for the children because I would imaging some children would have lost everything so why not, help or donate.

I know the cruise lines are at present still evaluating the situation but I read in a newspaper that someone was trying to cancel a Christmas cruise and they were told they would lose a large percentage of the fare, "Come ON", by Christmas the place might look like a hurricane hadn't even hit as communities can build very quickly.

So I was just saying that if the cruise lines do resume their services to the islands then do something for the communities especially at Christmas, take something for the children, they will love it. You will find it will be one of the best cruisers you have done.

I read that some people are planning on suing the Cunard line because the trip they had booked for Christmas was still on as the Queen Mary 2 is still planning on going to the wrecked islands of the Caribbean and this is at Christmas time, well this is what I reckon everyone should do that has a trip planned on one of those cruise lines that are still heading to that part of the Caribbean.

You shouldn’t look at the Cunard trip or any cruise to the Caribbean as a write off, do what Australians always do either help or donate, that’s what the ships like P&O did when Vanuatu got smashed by a Cyclone.

The communities that got hit by the Hurricane still need to make money and a percentage of that comes from cruise ships visiting the islands. You may not see the islands as it was but you will be the first to see it after the hurricane so that in itself is unique as you will see first hand what a vicious storm can do and how communities pick themselves up and pull together to rebuild their communities. You will be amazed how fast communities rebuild after a disaster, I have seen this with Vanuatu and I got to know the people of Vanuatu better than just doing an ordinary cruise as I researched to see what the village communities needed and it was pencils, pens, coloring books for the children and I just filled one of my bags up with stationery and asked the ships crew who I could give the supplies too when we reached port. I now have a photo of the children who received the much needed stationary in one of the outer communities and that out does every cruise I have done and it makes me feel good knowing that I help make a community feel they are not alone that their neighbors will always be there to help and P&O Australia was the company who started the idea to donate things to Vanuatu.

believe me it will be one of the best cruises you could do and pick up supplies before you board but find out before you go what the communities need that you might be able to stuff into your luggage and take to the communities.

So do you think you will reconsider your trip as it may be one of the best cruises you will have done

I agree with you The_Big_M Thats what happen on a 5 Star ship we took in Europe. I think they were trying to pay for the ship in one cruise as everything was expensive and as MicCanberra stated that is true too because I can remember paying for cruises back in 1983 and I paid over $2500 for an inside small cabin on a 14 night cruise and the only food was a buffet in the morning and lunch in the MDR and if weather was good they had cold meats and salads and very poor selection of deserts then Dinner in the MDR and that was pretty much it but you did get alcohol duty free and you could buy bottles of alcohol on shore and bring onto the ship and drink it but the alcohol was reasonably priced onboard so why bother buying it on land to bring back except for duty free to take home. You didn't have much choice of ships to go on, you either had old crap or very old crap and I asked a purser back then "that's what they were call back then not hotel directors like they are called now " why don't they bring the nice ships over to Australia as I felt there would be a market in it and got told that they wouldn't bring nice ships over because Australians drink too much and would ruin the new ships, what *#&* head and I spoke to someone at RCL in America around 1985 or so and got told it would cost too much to reposition a ship to Australia and that was when they had the Monarch of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas, but what do I know, and look at them today and if one of them took my advice back then one of them would have controlled the market being the only decent ship in Australia so yeah things have improved in cruising but I don't want to see quality of food go down and ships full of Celebrity Chef restaurants to the point that there is no MDR or buffet and you have to pay for everything. Believe me I saw what potential cruising in Australia would be back in 1980s and no one listened so am I right with this one we will have to wait an see and the only thing that will stop quality falling into the bows of the ships is the passengers. There was an oversupply of cruise ships in the Caribbean back then and was building so they sent them to other parts of the world to try to escape the heavy competition as that is what is forcing prices down in the Caribbean, oversupply of cabins. But least we are getting some very nice looking ships and we should thank the crew who look after us as they spend months away from their family to give us a fantastic holiday so to all the crew of every cruise ship thank you for your fantastic service and friendliness.

Here is a question to everyone, How many of you would like to have cruise lines have all inclusive cruises and no extra charges, no even for that special coffee.

I reckon everyone.

I find that variety falls in the food in MDR and Buffets when there is a speciality restaurant on board and I have been on a 5 star ship that the MDR room and buffets were set up to force you into the speciality restaurant or "it felt like that" by either having very poor food choices and quality or the MDR you had to wait even though we had made a booking and we still had to wait over an hour to get a table and a lot of passengers felt the same way we did that the line was trying to push us into the speciality restaurants. Those speciality restaurants are popping up everywhere on ships. I found that P&O Pacific jewel had better food and service than on that 5 star ship and we were sorry we didn't stay with RCL or P&O Australia but you live and learn. The benefits of P&O Australia cruises is that there is no gratuities,and they use Australian dollar not US$ that in it's self is a big money saver and you still get great service and great food in the Buffets and MDR not feeling like you are being pushed into a speciality restaurant, I just like to see all inclusive and leave the wallet at home. Let those TV chefs set up their restaurants on land and leave the cruise ships alone.

Hi MicCanberra My wife and I are RCL loyalists but did enjoy the pacific Jewel and my wife usually gets nails done on the ships and she stated that prices for nails and facials were cheaper than other lines and very friendly staff as well, not that RCL staff are not friendly they are as well. The things you have to pay extra for are the activities where as it's included on other lines then there is the ice cream as it is New Zealand ice cream but you can get sorbet free in the MDR just ask and your friendly waiter will bring you heaps then there is the burgers and pizza which you pay extra for I don't know how much as I was happy with the all inclusive food. What ship are you going on and when?

Yeah your right I didn't notice the date.

Thanks

Hi Ozscot01 I don't mean to offend anyone but years ago there were no speciality restaurants just buffets and MDRs now they are popping up like weeds. but personally I find speciality Restaurants are a gimmick and people try them out with mixed reactions to the quality and service on the ships. I I have been on the P&O Pacific Jewel twice and enjoyed it but there is a lot of things u get free on other lines that u pay for on P&O but I found the food to very good and the crew onboard to be very friendly and the cakes in the pantry are free and very nice. If they have high tea on Pacific Explorer try that out, it cost $20 back 2015 on the Jewel but a lot of fun and cakes that are delicious or you could enjoy the cakes from the pantry that are free and they are nice too. I think you will enjoy the cruise and the food. Just remember you are not on a 5star ship but the service and food on board the Jewel was equal to the five star ships. You have to pay for the little extras you get free on the 4.5 and 5 star ships like room service, ice cream on pool deck and use of sporting amenities like the Pacific Edge but P&O Australian cruises are cheaper and no Gratuities so you use that to cove the extras.

Enjoy your cruise and tell us what you think when you get back .

Thank you Lov Botswana for your quick response to my Donut bar query. Did the Solstice have a Donut counter where they have all the different types of donuts from cholcolate with sprinkles to pineapple donuts. I don't know if the counter was in the buffet or another area of the ship.

Thanks again

Hi I have a question for anyone who has recently been on the Celebrity Solstice, I saw a video on the Solstice that some young lady had took and it showed a Donut Bar with all these beautiful donuts, well my question is do they still have it on the Solstice and is it free.

I love Donuts especially the Pineapple ones.

Thanks

Hi Does anyone know if they still have the donut bar on the Celebrity Solstice and also if they are free.

Thanks

Why would you go on a cruise to pay extra for the food from those so called speciality restaurants and you are not even served by the celebrity chef themselves, then there is the extra charges for a burger and pizza. I don't know if anyone has heard that P&O Australia is now charging extra for a speciality entertainment show on the Pacific Explorer and this is just another idea to charge passengers extra on cruises. COME ON GIVE US A BREAK !!!

We go on cruises because of the food and shows that’s supposed to be included in our fare. What's next charge for using the pool. P.S Cruise companies if you read this, that was not a suggestion.

To encourage people to use premium services, cruise lines have more reason to reduce the quality of their included offerings. :mad:(n)

Just another idea to charge passengers extra on cruises. COME ON GIVE US A BREAK !!!

We go on cruises because of the food and shows that’s supposed to be included in our fare, now they are charging for so called speciality restaurants where you are not even served by the Celebrity themselves only by some random person who is unknown, now speciality shows . What's next charge for using the pool. P.S Cruise companies if you read this, that was not a suggestion. :mad:

Hi can someone who has recently travelled on the Celebrity Solstice tell me If you pay as you go for the soft drink on the ship do they give you a can or is it from the soda fountains. I know on some ships if you have a drinks package you don't get a can only the soda fountain type but if you don't have a drink package you get the can of coke :D

Hi

Does anyone know why cruise ships arrive in the early hours of the morning and depart in the afternoon in Australia.

Why don't they do the opposite and arrive in the afternoon and depart in the morning.

It would give time for the crew to sanitise the ship during the night especially with the Norovirus becoming a big problem to the cruise lines.