Sandielle

I agree with you Croydon Cruiser. People boast on cruise forums that they have filled water bottles with vodka, take rum runners etc.

There is iced/non-iced water supplied in the free beverage machines and there is nothing wrong with the water that comes out of the bathroom taps. We drink it all the time and it tastes as good as the water that comes out of our filter at home!

You are still allowed to take 12 cans of soft drink, just not packed in a carton - blame that on the people who smuggle on alcohol in softdrink boxes.

I certainly would not refuse to cruise P&O for that reason, but I would refuse to cruise with them if they allowed drunks to roam the ship. As it was, on the cruise we have just got off, there were a few in the lifts who were pretty 'tanked up', but not causing any trouble.

Ships have visited in the past with ash falling when the wind was blowing the wrong way. The day we left the volcano started erupting just before the captain let go the ropes. Luckily, no ash fell on us, however the pilot said it would be blowing over the town later that evening.

Fletch, I don't know about ALL drinks being more expensive on P&O. We've just come off Pacific Dawn and most cocktails are cheaper than on Princess. :) Wine about the same. Can't speak for spirits or beer but my husband was drinking one kind for $5 or $5.50.

Some observations.........

We have enjoyed ALL of our cruises on both P&O and Princess however there are differences. There are some minor hiccups, but you find those on any holiday.

Staff great on both. They adore children - they miss the children they have left at home so they can provide them with a good education, etc.

Food good on both, but Princess have more choices, including lobster tails on the last formal night, free icecream and pizzas as well as special theme meals/desserts in the buffet!

We have found a mix of ages on both, but overall Princess tends to have more older people (who mostly still want to have fun!)

P&O have great kids' clubs and sailaways and larger cabins, especially the bathroom and dressing areas.

Princess has great loyalty perks, while P&O has none, although their cruises count towards Princess rewards.

I know some people who absolutely love the Jewel, so don't be swayed by other people's opinions. Generally, it is the unhappy people who complain more.

Whatever you choose, I hope you have a great time. (No cooking, cleaning etc! :D )

That's much more impressive than the farewell eruption we had leaving Rabaul last November. :rolleyes:

Pretty funny but I think they already have names 'Aria' and 'Eden'.

Yep, and their itineraries are also out. We've just got back on the Pac Dawn and they were selling cruises on the new ships with great VIP packages for those who booked while on the cruise.

Deck plans for Pacific Aria and Eden are here:

http://www.pocruises.com.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/Aria%20and%20Eden%20deck%20plans.pdf

I'd be happy if they gave us priority boarding and tendering. That wouldn't cost them anything and it would be great not to have to queue for tender tickets.

Come in spinners! I think you may have been part of the great Australian sport of "Ant stirring". As a young person (I was once!) in the country, much fun could be had by poking a stick into an ants nest, then standing back to watch all the ants run about looking for the "attacker". Something like what has happened here. Quiet day on the forums, so maybe Cruisercool though they would raise a few comments?

It has been fun watching everyone run about commenting!

 

Gnomey.

LOL, I too think someone was bored! Dammit, I have been sitting on my hands 'til I have cramps, but I just have to give in.:cool::D

As some would consider me one of those selfish 'elderly infiltrators' and whose body may look it, but who's really 30 inside, :rolleyes: I feel sorry for the OP. When he/she becomes 'elderly' however will he/she cope? I shudder to think.

I think it is time we all found some patience, tolerance and respect for each other whether young, old or in between. Then the world would be a happier place. Oh, and don't forget a generous dollop of humour - it really helps, believe me. :D:p

(Oh yes, I'm cruising on Pacific Dawn on Saturday week. Hmmm, I wonder if the ship will be full of those darn young whippersnappers, whooping it up, partying, running around and trying to knock my feet from under me - thankfully, I don't need a zimmer frame QUITE yet.)

Just kidding folks. May you all enjoy your cruises! :)

LOL, I wondered about this until I saw the date on the OP's post. They must have started making it again - I bought some from Coles a couple of years ago and take it on every cruise BUT I still haven't used it. The creases seem to fall out when you hang the clothes up. Besides the ships have steam irons and ironing boards free to use.

We are going up the coast at the end of the month, so I have my fingers crossed we will see whales. Friends reported heaps when they were out in their small boat in Hervey Bay. They stopped the engine and whales came right up to the boat. Awesome! :)

I have been on several P&O cruises without any troubles. The staff have always been great and the food also very good. I prefer the cabins on Pacific Dawn and Jewel to those on the Aust. Princesses. Although I love the perks, being Elite on Princess Cruises, I would travel on P&O ships again.

Wahhhhh, I'm weeping because I CAN'T see it, Barry. :( It shows 'Private Video'

They always seem to have warm welcomes in Cobh. Haven't heard of the Blessing of the Bonnets before, lol. :)

Napier, NZ, is another place that always has a great welcome and farewell.

OMG, haven't they fixed this problem yet? :confused: (Haven't been on CC for a few weeks.)

Is there any sign of work being done on this ship? The rate they are going they will still be limping along for our February 2015 cruise. :cool:

That's right David. I have seen more than one cruise ship at Cairncross dry dock in Brisbane.

I find both Sea and Sun Princess fine. They usually cruise about 17 knots anyway. (I know they crank them up between Tauranga and Napier, David, lol)

It does seem to be a long time until Sea Princess's dry dock, though, and I'm pretty sure it's being done in Singapore.

Nice work and savings to boot.:D

Thanks Mic, but longer to wait. :rolleyes: Hopefully we can do a couple of short cruises next year.

David, if you are doing 2016 cruises please put us down for Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific - Sea Princess 8 April 2016.

My first Princess cruise was also blue, even though I had previously cruised with Sitmar & P&O . The following Princess cruise you are updated to the correct status

How long ago was that? As Aus Traveller said they changed the rules about 2 years ago - Jan 2012. I was Platinum on my first Princess cruise and my DH was Gold as I had done more cruising than he had. The CC lady onboard explained the circumstances - she was very busy that cruise with processing all the new members.

I have finally made it to Elite and looking forward to the extra perks. Have told my DH, if he is very, very good, I'll let him share my mini-bar contents, he he he! :D

Anna, we have just changed Princess cruises with no problems and no cost. In fact we have saved $1300. We were booked on an Hawaii cruise for 2015. We did not have an FCC but booked because the cabins we wanted were selling fast.

We have just booked for the 2016 sailing (our desired cabins again selling fast) and cancelled the 2015 cruise but used an FCC. We got more OBC and still saved on the previous fare. We used our usual TA and there were no charges to do this. :)

Wouldn't it be nice to live on the World for a time.....

That's my dream....................:):)

Welcome back, Les. Been quiet without you! :D

 

Perhaps the Princess Line does it differently - be interested to hear!

Princess has two washers and dryers on each deck and it is terrible. (That is Sun and Sea Princesses.) They take so long and often one is broken down. Last cruise I spent hours in there just for one load. Thank God I've reached Elite. P&O laundries are great and the machines much quicker.

WooHoo........nice to know. Hope she doesn't just do the same old Noumea-Lifou-Port Vila though.

Do they iron your clothes, too? Or is that hoping for too much? :D