ceeceeDee

This may be because our 'guaranteed' room was the result of paying for a cabin upgrade some six months prior to sailing and a room number was not assigned at that time, but ..... Around 44 days from sailing, I had occasion to ring P&O Customer Service on another matter pertaining to the trip and they assigned the room whilst I was on the phone with them. So we got our room assignment well before embarkation week. BTW, I must say that I have always had a very good experience dealing with P&O customer service.

Hi All. Just wondering if anyone has stayed in room 9201 and if so what did you think of it?

Hi, I'm assuming you are cruising December 2023? Included in fare options: Waterfront (main dining room): 7:30am-9:30am, Noon to 1:30pm, 5pm to 9pm (you need to book a time, either early dining or late dining for dinner). Unless things have changed you don't need to book for breakfast or lunch The Pantry (buffet): 6:30am – 10:30am, 11:30am – 3:00pm, 5:30pm – 9:00pm Angelos: Dinner: 5:00pm – 9:00pm (booking required) Dragon Lady: Dinner: 5:00pm – 9:00pm (booking required) Menus and current drink prices are a bit hard to find, but if you are prepared to spend a bit of time googling you may find something. I know the average cocktail is currently around $16 and bottles of wine start at $30. Not sure about beer and spirits Found this on a Cruise Critic professional review: Pacific Explorer's cabins were not touched in the refurbishment. This means local power points were not added, leaving only one Australian outlet per cabin. The old American and European outlets are still there, left over from the ship's early days, so you could bring two travel adapters to plug your devices and chargers into them. Power boards are also allowed if in safe working condition. Note: Re power boards. From what I've read on line (not necessarily P&O) power boards with surge protection are not acceptable. Also I'm not sure when the review was written so maybe Explorer has had another refurb since 2017. Not sure about room service. I believe there is a surcharge, however. Hope the foregoing is of assistance. Enjoy your cruise.

I think the E muster is a great idea. Saves wandering around clutching a life jacket and being jammed in a room with who knows how many people some of whom persist in talking whilst the crew are trying to deliver the safety message. The muster drill on Symphony of the Seas pre covid was held in the gym. I may as well not have bothered as I couldn't hear or see a thing due to very tall people in front of me talking incessantly. The only draw back with the E muster, as far as I can see, is that it is a bit of an honesty system as the crew don't have proof you have watched the video or have just turned up to get your name marked off. Anyone doing the latter is very short sighted. I guess emergency situations are fairly rare, but I'd rather be prepared in the unlikely event, so to speak.

We're off on Encounter soon. We have always had absolutely no complaints about the shows and entertainment on P&O. There is definitely not a shortage of included-in-fare entertainment. We haven't decided about the Black Circus yet. If we do decide to go it actually won't cost us anything as we will use the on board credit we were given when we booked the cruise. Don't write P&O off over one cover charge show. If you prefer not to pay for entertainment, as Daz says, there are plenty of free options available.

Thanks, Daz!!! Hope you enjoy your adventure on Adventure!! Not long before you'll be taking to the high seas again. We're trying to make up for lost time, but getting time off work restricts us to a certain extent. However we're looking very closely at New Zealand next year. I'll be very interested to hear your thoughts on Virgin after your October trip. Thanks again for your help with our queries. Much appreciated. Cheers Cee

Thanks, Daz. I knew I could depend on you!😄 We fully intend to try all three (as well as Luke's) just we didn't want to be 'locked in' so to speak. Hope you had a great time on Explorer. We're super excited and can't wait to get on Encounter having not cruised since late 2019. Been suffering withdrawal symptoms all through the covid shut down. Have had this cruise booked for 18 long months!

I recently read a review of Encounter where the poster mentioned that dining bookings are rotated between the free dining options (Waterfront, Angelos and Dragon Lady). The poster also mentioned that you don't get to decline to rotate. Can any recent passengers confirm this? Seems a bit strange that you can't state a preference. Whilst we're not overly fussy, we do have a preference to dine at the Waterfront most nights.

Well said, guys! We have always adhered to the idea that you take a good time with you. We have NEVER had a bad cruise. Sure, things go wrong - like missed ports - but that is definitely not the end of the world and if people took the time to read the P&O terms and conditions, it is clearly stated that itineraries are not guaranteed (though all care taken). We missed a couple of excursions in the Caribbean due to a hurricane just about flattening that particular island. Yes, it was disappointing but we were just grateful that our long awaited cruise went ahead which was by no means guaranteed as the hurricane was heading straight for Miami whilst our flight was touching down in Houston. Fortunately the storm changed course. We still had a fabulous cruise even though we didn't get to see and do everything we had planned. We did have a bit of a giggle to ourselves when some of the locals were moaning they had to travel for four hours to get to the cruise terminal and they were exhausted. We were travelling for just on 27 hours all up.😄 I remember feeling incredibly irritated on our first cruise on Pacific Dawn when we seemed to be surrounded by whining masses. We really couldn't understand what the problem was. We were having a ball. And it's pointless complaining that such and such a cruise line is better than P&O when the cruise line referred to is in an entirely different class and price bracket. Like comparing apples to lemons. You get what you pay for.

Usually when we cruise on a ship we haven't sailed on before, we sign up for a behind the scenes tour, which is always fascinating and gives a real insight into the sheer logistics of running the ship and catering to the passengers. We're in awe of what the crew actually does to keep things running smoothly. Bit like the old adage of the elegant swan on the water with its legs frantically paddling below the surface. I remember being impressed when touring the kitchens of the Waterfront restaurant on Pacific Dawn. The wait staff, for instance, were amazing. They balance heavily laden trays up and down escalators from the kitchen to the dining room (and vice versa) in all sorts of weather. That's some juggling act! (Having worked in hospitality back in the day, I would have baulked particularly in rough seas). Anyway, the point of this preamble........ Has anyone been on Encounter in the last month or so and do you know if they are back to offering the All Access Tours? They were discontinued due to covid restrictions. Just wondering if they have been reinstated as we would love a tour of Encounter having not sailed in her before.

Hi Rassa, Priority boarding is usually assigned to passengers who reserve a suite or an M1 (Byron) mini suite. On our next cruise they have also given priority to the first 100 bookings who selected a value+ fare - I don't know if they always reward the first 100 bookings, however. And yes, you are correct with being unable to choose boarding time until 30 days before. Hope you enjoy your adventure on Adventure.

Well, we have 100% success rate in NOT getting sick (admittedly prior to covid). Two cruises on a smaller ship (approx 2000 pax) for 10 days and 7 days respectively and one 7 day cruise on a mega ship (6000+ pax). Have another 7 day cruise booked on a 2600 pax ship later in the year. Haven't really given the possibility of getting sick a second thought. Yes, we will be taking precautions - hand sanitising regularly, avoiding the elevators (added bonus of burning calories by taking the stairs) and probably not jamming into the crowded nightclub but really you can get sick by going to the local shopping mall. Go ahead and book your cruise.

Thanks, Windsor. Forgot to mention in my original post that I will be departing from the International Cruise Terminal Brisbane.

Thanks BtB for your prompt response. Appreciate it. Wonder what the situation is post covid? Perhaps they are a bit more stringent?

Would love a bit of feedback from recent cruisers on Pacific Encounter. We can't select a check in time on cruise control as yet because we are still waiting for a cabin to be assigned. Could someone please advise the check in time "window" for a cruise departing at 4pm (ie earliest/latest). Also are the selected check in times strictly enforced? Just wondering as our travel companions have their cabin number (and obviously will be selecting their check in time) and we will have to fit in with them as we will be sharing transportation to the ship. We have priority boarding (our companions don't) but I guess that won't cut any ice if we end up having to arrive way before our check in time when we finally get to select it. Thanks in advance for your help.

We absolutely loved Dawnie as well, sailing on her several times. There were rumours that she was going to be scrapped, which was upsetting. However we are delighted to learn that she has a whole new lease of life home porting from Tilbury, London. She was bought by a new cruise line (Ambassador) and is currently sailing as the Ambience. If you're interested google her. She looks FANTASTIC, grand old lady that she is 🥰

That's quite odd with Commonwealth. Taking out cruise cover direct with Covermore definitely covers covid

Thanks for your response SuitesRbest, really appreciate it.

To the best of my knowledge you can't bring alcohol on board. Soft drink cans only and they have to be loose in your luggage

A bit late for your information, since your cruise has come and gone. However, if anyone else is interested the theme nights night are Bianco (white night), Gatsby (roaring 20's) and Back to School

I'm a bit surprised at the comment that food is not available at the Byron Beach Club. My understanding is that you can order food (which will be delivered to your lounger) but it is not free.

I think the average alcoholic drinks package covers 15 drinks per day.

It definitely pays to shop around for cover. If you are a member of an automobile club (RACQ, NRMA, etc) or have private health insurance, these organisations offer member discounts. Also check with your bank, they may do travel insurance.

We have an upcoming cruise on Encounter and will have a 250mb internet package. Being techno idiots (freaking out about the P&O App for a start!😬) could someone tell us if the internet package we have will accommodate email access (however slow it may be) please. We don't intend spending a lot of time on the net, just a quick scan of emails from time to time.

Yes, the Oasis