lagoon380

On some flights they spray the plane with insecticide either before you board or in some cases while you are on board just before landing.

This is to control things like the Zika virus etc.

What about cruise ships, do they also spray the ship with insecticide?

That would make it 3 from 3 I think, we had a heli evac on our cruise on the Jewel and the next cruise also had one and now this cruise.

On our cruise it was to evac 2 young children with pneumonia.

We only booked the cruise on the Jewel as a last minute thing, some friends were looking to go on a cruise and I was keeping an eye on the PNG cruise when a cheap oceanview triple popped up out of the blue where none were available earlier so booked it and it was the only triple oceanview left but our friends booked an interior triple for $507pp, we paid $618pp so they were happy with that.:)

If you enjoyed the food on the Carnival Legend I think you be fine with the food on P & O, very similar, not much difference between them.

The cabins were of similar size, slightly different layout, slight preference to Carnivals layout over P & O.

Service was great on both, staff did a great job.

The extra's - Carnival has free ice cream (soft serve) but I would rather pay for New Zealand ice cream as you really can't compare the two.

Carnival has free pizza 24/7, P & O $9.50 each.

Other than that not much else, if I had to choose between them Carnival would be the winner.

If you cruise with kids, Carnival would be my suggestion.

Having cruised twice on the Carnival Spirit and Twice on the Carnival Legend and now recently with P & O on the Pacific Jewel, I thought I would do a comparison between the cruises as the cruise on the Jewel was 11 nights and our last cruise on the legend was also 11 nights and both cruises were the same price and both as oceanview cabins so I think a fair comparison for what you can get for your cruising dollar.

We have enjoyed all our cruises so far including the last one on the Jewel.

The cabins, food, service and entertainment were all of equal or close to it on all cruises, all were excellent in our opinion and staff as well.

There were only two areas that let P & O & The Pacific Jewel down compared to Carnival.

The first was the age of the ship and size, you could feel far more movement on the Jewel compared to the 2 Carnival ships, I suppose that was to be expected as it's a smaller ship.

Solid steel and steel bars for railings compared to glass you can see through on Carnival.

The second was the embarkation, it took 1.5 hrs to board at the OPT at Circular Quay on the Jewel, far longer than any of our Carnival cruises.

These are only minor issues to us but should be a consideration none the less.

I will say that if you expect a 5 star ship, food etc don't cruise with either as that is not there market but it surprises me that some people compare a much more expensive cruise to P & O and then complain that it not like so and so, of course you get what you pay for.

Now I would certainly cruise with Carnival & P & O again, When we booked the P & O cruise we were a bit hesitant because of the bad reviews but were pleasantly surprised with our cruise on the Pacific Jewel.

So if you are considering a P & O cruise but worried about all the bad reviews, don't worry and give it go, you may be surprised as we were.:)

Got off the Jewel on the 6th Sept, lots of staff cleaning lifts, hand rails etc, ship seemed very clean, not sure that there is much more that they can do.

Carnival Vista destroys marina.

https://youtu.be/0_FnuGWoo8Q

Carnival Legend listing as Azipod malfunctions.

The snorkeling was off the beach but a long way out to get to the drop off, if you look at the photos where the water changes to the dark blue is the drop off and that's where all the footage was taken.

All the activities, tours, bar and food is located at the opposite side of the Island from the tender wharf and where the footage was taken.

They do have a glass bottom boat and also snorkeling tours that take you out via boat but I just swam across the lagoon then over the shallow reef to the drop off.

Prices not sure as we only bought a T-shirt $20.

Here are some short snapshot videos from our visit to PNG with P & O on the Pacific Jewel Aug/Sept 2016.

Alotau

Kiriwina Island.

Conflict Islands

P & O had money exchange on the ship which you could exchange back to Aud, the Bank at Alotau came onboard the ship and set up a money exchange as well but no changing back to Aud.

The ship ran out of Kina which you would expect.

Just back from PNG.

Alotau - we went to the cultural festival, it was ok, singing, dancing arts and craft for sale, large traditional canoe rides of around 5-10 mins for $10 Aud which my son and wife enjoyed. The town was small and very basic.

Kirrawina Island - Beach stop, shallow lagoon with fringing reef, if snorkeling go past the fringing reef and snorkel the drop off. Lots of arts and craft for sale, kids with their canoes offer rides for $5.

Conflict Islands - Beach stop, by far the best island we have ever been to, an unspoilt paradise. Large deeper lagoon with shallow fringing reef, again if snorkeling go out past the shallow reef out to the drop off, turtles, reef sharks and thousands of fish of all sizes and colour.

Vouchers used for most things although we purchased a t-shirt in Aud.

Lots of shore excursions available via the ship, I didn't purchase any but spent around 4 hours snorkeling the drop off which is about 100m from the shore.

We were on that cruise to, so really keen to hear your comparison on your return.

 

Have a great trip.

Thanks, I'll do a review when we return.

Yes enjoyed our last 4 cruises on Carnival, now giving P & O a go in 10 days time and see how they compare.

Our last cruise was on the Carnival Legend in March for 11 nights and this cruise on the Pacific Jewel is also 11 nights, we paid roughly the same price for both cruises with both cabins being oceanviews so should be a fair comparison.

Hideaway Island Resort in Vila might be a good option.

We went to The Pearl resort in Suva, 45 min drive out of town about $60 for the 3 of us from one of the tour operators on the dock.

Great place to relax, have a swim in the pool or beach and grab a bite to eat as well.

The only issue I see with 8169 is the night time deck party's which their should be 2, one on Caribbean theme night and 80's theme night used to Mexican.

8169 will have less movement than 8255 but it won't be much unless the sea's are really rough.

Another issue would be if your kids have a sleep during the day as pool deck is very busy during the day.

Under serenity would be quieter

Pool is still open at night at least it was on our cruises on Carnival Spirit & Legend.

I would try to change it as you have young kids, it's worth a try you never know.

You will be directly under the main pool deck which also has the main stage area for any deck party's which will be on at night.

Crew moving deck chairs/tables around at night or early morning could create some noise, music, people dancing etc when deck party's are on, they usually run from 10pm till 12 I think.

Also pool and spa pumps maybe.

Sound proofing may be good and you hear nothing but don't know as haven't stayed in that cabin.

We stayed in a cabin under the red frog pub and could hear the music which was ok for us but would not be good with young kids.

I would think it will be ok most of the time as at night is very quiet on pool deck, only when deck party's are on I would say you will hear some noise.

Yes, fingers crossed for good weather but cruising in the rain and wind is still better than work.

On the Jewel in 3 weeks time to Alotau and Conflict Islands, I would be very disappointed to miss the Conflict Islands, Alotau not so much.

Both are very similar, The Spirit had a refurb last year so has a few more features than The Legend, been on both twice either would be fine.

The cabin could be assigned the day you board but usually a few weeks before and your chances of being able to change your cabin allocation would depend on how full the cruise is, you may be able to change it but maybe not.

They have a voucher system on the conflict islands, no need for local currency, vouchers available from the ship or on shore.

More info is available from their facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/conflictislands/

Also interesting that the islands are privately owned by an Australian.

P & O Pacific Jewel 26th August

I just booked this today, mainly due to the stop at The Conflict Islands, looks like a divers & snorkelers paradise.

The Conflict Islands...... http://www.conflictislands.com/the-islands/

Located in the pristine waters of The Coral Sea, the Conflict Islands comprise of 21 untouched islands and boast the most extensive biodiversity and coral reefs in the world.

With a third of the world’s species of marine fish, the Conflict Islands are home to everything from the tiny ghost pipe fish to the huge manta rays and killer whales. The 21 uninhabited tropical islands surround a spectacular lagoon and are currently under consideration for a World Heritage Marine Site. Among the group of islands, Irai island has been found to have the second best coral in the world with the most number of species noted in a single dive – a divers absolute dream!

The main islands, Panasesa is open to travellers for private hire and features a resort Club House, six beachfront bungalows and runway capable of landing short-haul flights. Activities on offer include sport fishing, diving, kayaking, sailing, boating and nature encounters. 80 miles due East of Papua New Guinea, the Conflict Islands are as little as four hours from Sydney and accessible by private charter from Port Moresby or boat transfers from the Milne Bay capital, Alotau.

Well done to P & O, I don't care what he's background is, only a fool would flick a cigarette butt anywhere, let alone on a ship, he certainly got what he deserved and hopefully he will think about his actions next time he has a cigarette.