1st time cruiser review W909 Samoan Secrets Part 1

[a&s cruisers]

Review Part 1 Pacific Dawn W909 Samoan Secrets

 

Fri We left our hotel, the Ibis at Kings Wharf after breakfast and went to have a look at our home for the next 2 weeks. “OMG, it’s huge” was our first thought. We had a look at the hive of activity as they got the ship ready for us to board. At 11am we checked out of the hotel and went to Wharf 8. The check in was quick and easy, plenty of staff to direct you where to go. We got onboard around 11.30am, ready for our first cruise!

 

On board the ship

We found our cabin on Deck 9 easily and met our wonderful cabin steward Elimar. He left a towel dog on our bed 1 day with sunnies on. Lunch was available at the buffet, which we sampled. There was plenty of food and plenty of choice for the entire cruise. After our first lunch we went and checked out all the areas of the ship – Sun deck, the Dome, Lido deck, the show lounge, the atrium and all in between. We decided to walk and use the stairs everywhere, good move as I only put on half a kilo (thought it would be worse!)

 

Most days we ate breakfast and lunch at the buffet and had dinner at Palm Court. After a few nights we settled at 7.30pm for dinner and had Rommel and Pina giving us excellent personal service. They knew us by name and also remembered our drink preferences. We enjoyed the experience, meeting new people at most dinners. Rommel sang in the crew show and was singing as he served most nights. He even made peacocks for our table one night.

 

We found plenty to do on the ship; bingo, trivia, games, lectures, shows or just swimming/lounging on a deck chair.

 

The sea seemed fairly calm; except for the first rough Sunday. Most days were warm around 29deg. Sometimes clouds/rain came in the afternoon.

 

We even stopped someone for a chat and a photo one morning.

 

We enjoyed his midday bridge broadcasts; he has an excellent sense of humour.

 

 

 

Some of the shows we had were:

Katrina Retallick, Blonde Divas show

Do you wanna dance show

Hayden Smith – Vocalist/Multi instrumentalist

Pirates of the pacific show

Outback country show

Daniel Webb – Vocalist

Mark Kristian – entertainer, great show, very funny

Boogie shoes show

Crew show and Pub night – great fun

Motor city motown show

Steve Hart – Comedy/magic, more comedy than magic, but still a good show

Michael young – banjos

Starry starry night – farewell show

 

All up we thoroughly enjoyed the Pacific Dawn as our first cruise and we look forward to future holidays/cruising.

 

Next Part 2 Ports of call.

[leggyliz]

Thank you Sue fantastic review so far cannot wait for the rest. :D

 

Liz

[kezza]

Thanks Sue, looking forward to the rest of your review.

 

Kerri

[karmac]

It's always good to read a first timer's review.

Sue, although we often said hi to each other as we passed, it's a shame we never really got around to sitting & having a chat..........maybe next time:D

[Lizard©]

Great review so far!!! eagerly awaiting the next installment.

 

Lynda.....who IS going to cruise May or October 2010 :)

[a&s cruisers]

Yes it was a lot like that Karen. Hello, goodbye as we passed others on the ship.:)

[Kinkacruiser]

Thanks for the post .You'll always remember your first cruise...we loved ours too and can't wait foir the next one.

Looking forward to reading about Samoa, etc.

Cheers,

Anna