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Anyone who claims they didn't know smoking in cabins and on the balcony of cabins is banned is either delusional or a total muppet. You can't smoke in the cruise terminal, Australian hotel rooms, restaurants, et al so why would anyone think it was acceptable to smoke anywhere on a cruise ship except in the designated smoking areas whether or not they have watched the safety video. Are we going to get to the point where 'no smoking' signs are installed in all cabins and balconies? It truly beggars belief. And as a smoker, I'm not part of the anti smoking lobby. However, I do have some courtesy and common sense and am often appalled at the anti social behaviour of some people who think they can smoke anywhere at any time they like. This minority gives the rest of us a bad name and I can honestly see it resulting in a total smoking ban on cruise ships. If this happens, then so be it. Safety first. You only have to look at the photos from 2006 of the Star Princess (now Pacific Encounter) to see the havoc caused by shipboard fires. I've read the official investigation report conducted at the time and it was determined that the most likely cause was a cigarette flicked over the side from one of the upper decks and being sucked back onto a lower balcony, exacerbated by the flammable nature of the balcony dividers, balcony furniture and the material used on the floor of the balconies at that time. From memory there was also a suggestion that there was a towel or clothing left on the balcony which smoldered for quite a while. Ignorance is neither bliss nor an excuse in my opinion.

In the Australian summer RCL, Carnival, P&O and I think Princess do South Pacific cruises of varying lengths and from different embarkation points. They probably do Tonga (I suspect mostly out of New Zealand, but I could be wrong) but I haven't gone into the various itineraries and we invariably sail from Brisbane unless we are doing an overseas jaunt like the Caribbean (last time from Miami). On the P&O Encounter (ex Star Princess) there is a formal night, but from our recent cruise it would appear some people do dress up, others don't. We always throw semi formal gear in our luggage and usually take the opportunity to put the glad rags on. Of course we go all out for Gatsby, it's a blast. Love roarin' 20s fashion! I'm sure you will have a wonderful cruise and we'd love to hear all about it upon your return.

Hoo boy. I had no idea I would open such a can of worms (and accusations of bribery and corruption) when I posted that I give the cabin stewards a couple of dollars tip on the first day!😯😁 To be honest, I was going to just crawl back into my hole and not respond further, but I think I really need to clarify. I am NOT paying for services yet to be rendered. Service has already been performed in the shape of room preparation and willingness to rectify problems or provide extra items. I make a point of telling the stewards at the time that the tip is a thank you for presenting the room to perfection. (Obviously if the room wasn't up to scratch, I wouldn't tip and they'd get a complaint instead). And let me reiterate, I am only talking a couple of bucks here not a tip of epic proportions.🙂 As I said originally, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect that. I just happen to think that a small token of appreciation is a nice thing to do. Again, my decision and I certainly don't expect everyone to agree with or follow my practice.

550 days. Just finished booking for Christmas 2024. Hopefully there will be at least 1 in between.

Good value for money compared to land-based holidays, unpack once, wake up and you're in a different port, total relaxation, no cooking or cleaning, exploring new cultures, entertainment on tap, dress up or down as the mood strikes. Even just watching the waves on sea days is great.

Now, that's encouraging! You may well talk me into it😂

I'm one of these crazy people who actually enjoys sea days.😄 Need to crunch the numbers, but I wouldn't mind doing a repositioning cruise (maybe when RCL repositions from Brisbane to Hawaii) at some future date.

I suppose because I'm vaxxed up to the hilt, the protocols aren't worrying me and pre cruise testing is not onerous. Just from my personal standpoint. I have friends who are keen to cruise again, but they are unvaxxed - their choice. I feel for them, but they would be very vulnerable if the protocols were lifted and they went on board.

Thanks, Marion. I agree, I would never opt for interior. Up until our last cruise we have opted for ocean view or equivalent. I like natural light and often if I get up during the night, I like to watch the waves. Our last cruise we opted for a mini suite and the balcony really did get some serious use. So from here on in, we're spoilt. Nothing less than a balcony for us.

That's great to hear, thanks Marion. A lot of times I distrust reviews since most people who post have an axe to grind and are far from subjective. What category of room did you have and what did you think of it? I agree, I wish Carnival would have slightly longer cruises. Even if it is the South Pacific, visit a couple of extra ports to stretch it out to 10 days for a Brisbane round trip. We find 7 days is never long enough. I'm open to correction, but from my research it would appear only P&O offers a 10 days South Pacific cruise. No big deal, we always enjoy P&O, but it would be nice to have the option of trying another cruise line.

Hi Marion. The way P&O has been performing lately to almost capacity, there is probably a market for a larger ship but they tend to be at the mercy of parent company Carnival and what ships Carnival want to discard. I guess it comes down to their number crunchers and what is most profitable. P&O will always be the poor relation, which is a pity. Totally off topic, but I note from your signature block, Marion, that you sailed on Luminosa last year. We have been eyeing her off and would appreciate your feedback and what you thought of her.

Yes, we've done the South Pacific with P&O in winter.

BTW, Pacific Explorer is an ex Princess ship Dawn Princess

Welcome back! We've just completed our first cruise post covid and can't wait for the next one!

I always specify gin when I ask for a martini. Traditionally, a martini is made with gin but I always specify. The other is a vodka martini. I also prefer stirred not shaken so my order is something along the lines of a 'gin martini, stirred not shaken with 3 olives'. That way I get what I am expecting.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion. I don't see it as a bribe at all. I look at it as a tip for preparing the room to a very high standard and as a token of appreciation. I only give a very small amount as a gesture that their work is of a high standard and acknowledgement of the exemplary work they do. My decision and I will continue with the practice.

Frankly, I wouldn't be game to take an independent tour. At least if you book through the cruise line, the ship will wait if you are late. Six people went AWOL on our most recent cruise - announcements over public address system, etc. Apparently two of them made it back, four didn't.

Here in Australia, we do not have much of a tipping culture. However, we invariably give a small tip to our cabin stewards on day 1. They don't expect it, but really do appreciate it and we always get looked after really well. We also tip them again at the end of the cruise. We also tip waiters who give top service at the end of the cruise. These people don't earn huge money, work 12 hour days 7 days a week for 8 months at a time, yet they are always smiling, always obliging and do a great job. They deserve a couple of extra dollars.

Sorry, Kiwi, you've been reading the naysayers regarding P&O. We've just returned from 7 days to Cairns on Pacific Encounter. We had an absolute ball and we could find very little to complain about. If you want a rundown search the forum for the thread Help Me Decide. I've gone into detail about the ship and our experience. BTW we docked in Cairns which was really convenient and an easy walk to the CBD. A stroll along the Esplanade is also highly recommended.

Even so, that's a great price for a mini suite. Pity it's not sailing from Brisbane. I'd be in like Flynn!!!

In case anyone is interested, we're just back from cruising on Encounter and the Byron mini suites do, in fact, have a Nespresso machine! Yipee! We made good use of it, believe me. And the coffee pods were top quality.

Apologies for typo. It isn't that far to walk to the forward lifts.

Hi Dididi. We have just recently cruised on Encounter, so I can answer some of your questions. 1. Dining Options. You can ring the Maitre D from your room phone to arrange which is what we did when we boarded as we hadn't made any dining bookings. You can also make bookings on the App (though I haven't personally done this as the App wouldn't download on our phones). Reservations for Luke's and Gradi can also be done through the Maitre D or you can book in person at Dragon Lady for all restaurants, I believe. We changed our mind about dining at Waterfront one evening and just changed it to Angelos by going in person to Angelos the day before. 2. There is body wash and combined shampoo and conditioner in the shower and liquid soap on the vanity. I used the body wash, but took travel size shampoo and conditioner because I prefer my own brand. 3. Not sure about the laundry. Didn't use it. I always just take a bar of laundry soap and rinse things out in the bathroom using one of the pool towels to get the excess water out and then use the clothes line in the shower. Saves a lot of mucking about. 4. Haven't travelled on Explorer, but Encounter had various craft classes (small fee I believe) and a library. From memory I don't think the library was shown on the deck plan. 5. Can't help you with Tonga, I'm sorry. Though we have been to Fiji. Hope some of this helps and have a great trip.

We have just returned from a cruise on Pacific Encounter. Scuttlebutt is (source was a crew member so may be a tad reliable, who really knows except P&O executives) that Explorer has already been sold and that Coral Princess will be coming over to the P&O fleet in the not too distant future. Coral was launched in 2002 which would make her around the same age as Encounter and five years younger than Explorer. Guess we'll all have to be patient and see what eventuates.

Just back from our cruise on Encounter. If anyone is interested 9201 is a great cabin deck 9 forward. Well maintained and very comfortable. Also it isn't that to walk to the forward lifts.