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ADF's Trip Report - 25/10 R635 Peach Sunsets

aussiedisneyfan

By aussiedisneyfan,
in P&O Cruises ( Australia )

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Tikibird

Tikibird

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Thanks for such a fabulous review, Jane! I'm especially happy to hear that the midship outisde Caribe deck cabins are nice since that is what I chose hoping it would be quiet.

 

What's the deal with the racehorses? Was that for Melbourne Cup day or do they do that every cruise? How do you get involved in it?

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karmac

karmac

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Thanks for such a fabulous review, Jane! I'm especially happy to hear that the midship outisde Caribe deck cabins are nice since that is what I chose hoping it would be quiet.

 

What's the deal with the racehorses? Was that for Melbourne Cup day or do they do that every cruise? How do you get involved in it?

 

They do it every cruise tikibird. Just go to horseracing the first day & you'll find out all about it.

 

Karen

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aussiedisneyfan

aussiedisneyfan

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As Karmac said go the first racing day, usually first or second sea day.

 

They auction off six horses and the winners are to care and decorate the horse for the owners race at the end of the cruise. We paid $220 for our and split it into 22 $10 shares. They go for all sorts of prices, the first horse sold for only $160 and on other cruises I have seen them sell for over $300. You need to pay cash for it on the big race day.

 

You are given a "feed bag" full of streamers etc and a sheet of instructions, you are supposed to market the horse and come up with a history and name ours was orginally Pistol Knight -get it??? and another was named Nads and people were encouraged to shout Go Nads.

 

The purchase price of all the horses is pooled and the winning horse gets the cash. To race they roll 2 dices, one for the horse number and the other for the number of moves. Lots of fun.

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kaseyoz

kaseyoz

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loved your review ADF. Sounds like you had a ball.

 

With regards to the hammock. i took a blowup air matress type of thing that spent long periods of time with me just floating on it and also tons of kids trying to tip me off it. And competitions to see how many people culd fit on it at once.

We didnt use this in the pool though

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meals

meals

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Fantastic review. I think the reviews really help you work out what to take and what to expect. I just love reading them.

I hope I can do one when I get back after the 16th. More, more, more.

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suey

suey

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Great photos, thanks:)

 

 

As Karmac said go the first racing day, usually first or second sea day.

 

They auction off six horses and the winners are to care and decorate the horse for the owners race at the end of the cruise. We paid $220 for our and split it into 22 $10 shares. They go for all sorts of prices, the first horse sold for only $160 and on other cruises I have seen them sell for over $300. You need to pay cash for it on the big race day.

 

.

 

On our last cruise in September the horse racing was not at all popular - very few turned up to the 1st one so they only had a couple of races and didn'y auction off the horses as normal. The second day was a little better bt still a reduced number of races. Such a shame as I love the horse racing-lots of fun.:(

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aussiedisneyfan

aussiedisneyfan

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A great review! Thanks! We have decided to wander around Noumea too - how long did it take you to get to the city on foot? Were there taxis? Thanks again, the photos were lovely!

 

The city basically starts across the road. Three minute walk to Coconut Place? Janine had time for a quick browse round terminal, passport stamp and go to the chocolate shop and easily be back at terminal in time for 4.30 tour. I think we got off around 3.45. Not sure as my camera time was stuffed up.

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acdc

acdc

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Thanks ADF, I've had so much helpful advice from this board. We leave this Saturday on the Star...6 more sleeps! By the way, what is the value of a "gold coin"? $2? Should we bring coins with us? Generally we when we travel overseas we leave our coins at home, just take notes to change..

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aussiedisneyfan

aussiedisneyfan

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Either $1 or $2 are ok, depends how generous you are feeling. Most kids etc ask for $1 for photos. Don't take a bagful of coins with you onboard, take notes and change them at the casino. Often the locals with ask to change their coins for your notes.

 

Edit: that is photos with their animals etc, not all photos.

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Tikibird

Tikibird

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Jane, your photos are awesome! Now I know what you mean by the horses, I was having trouble visualizing what they were about. I can assure you there will be no "Brave Tikibird" photos in my collection!

 

How did you get the ones with the P&O Pacific Star Inaugural Cruise frames? Are they yours or from the ship photographer?

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aussiedisneyfan

aussiedisneyfan

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The photos with the border were taken with the underwater camera for sale onboard. It is $24.95 which also includes the first processing. I bought mine last cruise and just reused it. Make sure you buy it from the camera shop. In Jan the gift shop had disposable ones for about the same price, single use and no developing. I got stung.

 

The processing was $6.95 and with the fancy borders $13.95 so an extra $7. I am glad I paid the extra. Oh and $9.95 for cd. So they cost me a lot but I don't regret it.

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begginer_cruiser

begginer_cruiser

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What great photos! I might look at buying a camera from the camera shop to take snorkelling in Lifou. The borders look great.

 

In your photos i noticed the ones of Caloundra. Can you remember what time you passed there? We depart Brisbane at 2:00pm and would love to see Caloundra but have the first dinner sitting. Not sure if we will get to see this.

 

In the casino on the star i believe you use your cruise card. Is this correct? Also, if you are lucky enough to win any money, does it go back onto your crusie card?

 

Thank you

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aussiedisneyfan

aussiedisneyfan

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Unfortunately my camera was set to Alaskan time. If I have the caculations correct it was at 5.50pm or possibly 6.50pm, sorry I can't be more specific.

 

At the casino the machines/tables all take cash. You can use your cruise card to get cash but it will cost 3%, you also need photo id the first time. All the machines/tables payout in cash and you could then go to the pursers desk and put it on your card if you wished.

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tgard76

tgard76

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Lee the bartender there was a great guy and remembered our drinks.

 

 

Lee and I became great friends, he used to be up in the Outback Bar and it was great sitting up the back, chatting and laughing with him while enjoying the view. Always had a full can too. I have pics of him in my Webshots album.

 

Trevor.

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