ceeceeDee

We're due in New Caledonia around Christmas. If there is a change of itinerary, it really won't bother us. Been twice before so we know what we're 'missing'.

AND it's excellent PR

To be totally honest Suites, I preferred Dawn over Encounter but everyone's opinion is subjective.

You're welcome. May I enquire if there was any special reason for your query?

Depends on the physique, I guess, but a tux and white gloves would be more dignified.🤭

Oh, I dunno. The RCI mega ships have a car on the Promenade Deck, not to mention Bumper Cars. I'm sure they could jam at least a mini bus in. 😆

Well, give them a tip. 'Wear clean undies every day in case you can hit by a bus' or 'Lightening Flash in the third at Randwick'. 😂 Sorry, couldn't resist!

Unless you manage to catch and confine the critter to a glass jar so it can attend an identity parade.

The formal and theme nights are there for people to enjoy them. They are completely optional, no one is forced to participate. We love dressing for the occasion, but totally get it if it's not someone else's cup of tea. Having said that, however, there are certain standards particularly in the evenings where shorts, thongs, tank tops and caps are really not 'smart casual' whatever definition you care to apply to the term.

Hey Nuttyscouse. How was the cruise??

No, I'm not disparaging P&O either. They have their market niche and we've cruised with them often. However, they shouldn't be described in the media as a 'luxury cruise ship'. Everyone has their own ideas of course, but I envision 'luxury' as butler service, outstanding suites, huge balconies etc. (not that I've experienced - or necessarily want - any of those, it's just a perception of what 'luxury' would suggest to me) with a price tag to match. On a side note, I wouldn't have a clue what to do with a butler anyway!🤣

Did a bit of sleuthing. Looks like the old girl was doing the trip up the Queensland Coast.

Actually, I nearly made mention that 'compared to a ferry................' 😂

Yes, the media always seems to refer to a 'luxury cruise ship'. (Headline for that tragic occurrence on Pacific Adventure with the a man overboard after running up a big gambling debt). I agree, AT, P&O isn't a luxury line and although facilities are reasonably comfortable it ain't exactly Viking or Silver Seas!

I've heard first hand how supportive P&O has been (Pacific Partnership programme, etc). A few years back we were on a South Pacific cruise and got chatting to a young lady working in one of the bars. She was a lovely Ni Vanuatu lass who had family living in Port Vila which had experienced a fairly bad cyclone a few months earlier. Apparently P&O not only supported staff whose families had been affected, but also the islanders with supplies and assistance. Yes, P&O needs the islands as much as the islands need the cruise ships, but P&O doesn't seem to hesitate when assistance is needed and has ongoing programmes to help the islands. P&O passengers have a bit to do with it also. Apparently $1 per passenger per cruise fare is a donation to the Pacific Partnership. I believe this has now increased to $2 per passenger (it's voluntary, you can have it removed).

We've never encountered them on any cruise (including Pacific Dawn) or hotel we have stayed in. Like Jean, we don't put our suitcases on the bed. I've read some reports where people routinely pull back the bedding and inspect the mattress when they first enter their hotel room. Probably not a bad idea.

I found the fish and chips in the MDR (lunch) was very good. Loved everything in Angelos, not quite so enthusiastic about Dragon Lady. But again, it's all subjective.

Agree with what you had to say re the restaurants, Daz. We avoid the Pantry as much as possible and only go there if the MDR is not open for lunch (port days usually). Having said that, the baked ham last cruise was really nice. The rest of the offerings looked a bit 'blah' to me and I avoid the salad bar because you never know who has sneezed on it or stuck their fingers in (particularly kids. Don't get me wrong, I have got nothing against kids but a lot of the time they have their minds on things other than hygiene). There was no limit on how many times we could go to Dragon Lady and Angelos on our cruise. From memory we only dined once in the MDR for dinner. Had no trouble going to Angelos multiple nights.

Our last P&O cruise wasn't actually dedicated to footy, but the State of Origin was on the big screen on the Lido Deck. We just avoided the area whilst it was on. Footy jumpers were in evidence in the dining room, but that was pax wearing them!😂 Didn't really impact us at all.

Sorry to hear your husband has been ill, Eileen. I hope you are not too disappointed with P&O. Not much choice this time of the year. As for the food ...... We did the Queensland coast on Encounter last June. Whilst I wouldn't rave about the food (except in Luke's specialty restaurant - outstanding), we didn't find it as bad as some people have reported. It's not 5 star but then P&O isn't a 5 star line. I guess it depends on your expectations. We tend to accept P&O for what it is - a budget line. Having said that, we managed to find dishes we liked (and some we didn't) over the seven days. The fact that I didn't have to cook it or clean the kitchen and the food was served by excellent wait staff went a long way to making it more enjoyable.😂 Just expect pub food and you may be pleasantly surprised.

We're all thinking of you Les and sending positive thoughts

Can Tanna handle cruise ships?

Yes, a bit far to throw in Fiji

Thanks, Geoff. Seems a bit hit and miss, but I'm happy to go with the flow. We didn't bother with 'duty free' anyway. The prices weren't all that great and we don't buy duty free just for the sake of it. Totally different story when we go the Port Vila. Prices there are well worth investigating.

🙄😂