Seafarer Explorer

Out of Brisbane years ago P&O had a full day stop for Noumea and you could really explore the areas history, museums and cultural centre. Now its a 3pm docking. I find the more you visit an area you seem to explore further afield and need more time. Could someone please enlighten me on cruise ship/region protocols as to why cruise companies every few years cant swap docking time slots (I understand they plan itineraries and book dockings years ahead) Does a ship have to dock at a main wharf/town at least once on a voyage? Or is it just uneconomical/time poor for cruise companies to tender boat only. This is a question especially for shorter 7-9 nighters as we have started cruising out of Sydney instead of Brisbane just to get better itineraries. PS This is NOT a whinge just a query.

Sorry I am a bit late replying to this post. It depends which ports are on your cruise. We have done all several times over the last 20yrs. So our favs for beaches/snorkeling without having to book on over priced tours to get there try:-PNG Cruises -conflict Islands/kiriwina/kitava Vanuatu -champagne bay/mystery island

New Caledonia -mare/isle pines Fiji -dravuni Island. then of course if you scuba dive everywhere is fair game.

*a cruise is only what you make it so have fun!

Your best bet would be to get your cabin steward to keep one or two ice buckets topped up. We found the fridges not very cold anyway and do the ice bucket trick with a hand towel wrapped around it to insulate it longer.

Hi, We find deck 8 fine. we have felt vibrations at aft on lowest deck (probably above the prop shaft area our fault!) Pac dawn has had a lovely revamp very tropical, Have fun!

We have stopped heaps of times on cruises at Noumea at both container port/tourist info centre port/full day & 3pm. Your ship docks at the tourist info area, a big open square style building. There will be colourful dancers on your arrival and you can have a bit of a shop and talk to the locals then get back on the ship for sunset drinks,this would be your most relaxing option. You dont need French currency at this stop. Anyway I am with you that its the grottiest rudest port to stop when New Caledonia has so many other beautiful areas. WHY WHY does P&O do this silly 3pm docking. You cant doing much apart from wine and dine (and we do enough of that on-board!) and depending on the time of year the 'yellow choo choo' train tour returns in the dark and you cant see anything! Stay positive though P&O will wake up to the fact Noumea has to be a very saturated market for them by now!

Hi, We are budget cruisers as well preferring to spend on once in a life time experiences along the way. If you dont have to book too far ahead i have found booking close to departure the cheapest. The catch though is full payment non refundable usually within a few day of booking applies. The guarantee cabins are fine but they are usually in the 'rougher ride' areas such as full bow or stern. However it depends on where you are going, if only sticking close to the coast and no overseas crossing they are fine. Deck 8 obstructed views are great cabins on Pac Dawn and central to everything. An upgrade from my experience is usually same cabin different deck so no difference. P&O has a strange fare structure and if you do the maths the pack & go fare is always the best even taking into consideration any free drinks packages or cabin credits. I know I am a bit late replying to this but this mornings quad inside fare 13th Jan $493 and obstructed view quad $544, I am considering this also. About boarding, we take the time slot near midday have lunch on board and an afternoon nap ready to stay up late in true cruise style. Boarding in Brisbane is pretty quick unless its a Saturday departure then you want to miss those finishing work at midday and rushing to board for 7nt cruises. Hope this helps.

Hi, We have done 9 trips on Pac Dawn. Her latest refurb is light and tropical, very nice. The tap water in cabin is perfect and tastes just fine. There is also an ice machine up on the pantry deck in the coffee area that has 'little pieces' of soft ice to make an iced tea or coffee. The new Pantry idea is fabulous. We grab fish and chip or crackers /cheese plate and sit on the aft deck for sail out with a cocktail at every port, then head back in later for dinner. The concept is not buffet but more mini restaurant style and you can take your dinner anywhere and have sea views, after all that the point of cruising. The waterfront restaurant is modern but does not have table cloths if that bothers you. The easiest way to book is as soon as you get on board head aft and they have a booking table set up outside the restaurant. There are 2 sittings, we prefer the later 7.45pm as you can linger longer or still make it to the late show, there are also less children. If you are going to dine at Dragon Lady or Angelos you need to book very quickly as they get booked out.

We have just come off the newly refurbished Pac Dawn. It is lovely. Having done 6 trips on her before she was getting tatty and old hat. But now she is quite modern. They have added an on board app for your smart phones (go to flight mode so data free) this means you can text each other were you are and not wait and it has 'Daily whats on'. One pool has been turned into a wonderful kids water park. The new pantry style of eatery is very easy. All public areas tropical/bali style furnished light and modern. Cabins no changes but could do with it at some stage (never in them anyway!)

Pac Eden and Pac Aria have a luxurious feel as they still retain some decor from the Holland America line they were purchased from hence the roof that closes over the pool. The cabins -linens/king pillows, shower over bath, Elemis toiletries are lovely (we get ocean view obstructed cabins) Be aware that this ships ocean view cabins on deck 6 do have the promenade deck going past your window.

In a nutshell Pac Dawn a firm favourite especially if you have teenage/young kids. Aria and Eden still good for all but are smaller ships and dont have that young hip feel if thats what you want.

Hi, We had an ocean view cabin deck 5 on a trip to PNG. It had a shower over bath. My mum has knees that dont bend to well and the bath was up quiet high. Having said this you could sit and swing legs in. Had great ideas to fill the bath and soak but thought we'd get wedged (they are narrow) There are handrails and base was not slippery. The loo also has a handrail to aid getting up if needed. Eden is a lovely ship and it was nice travelling with 3 that there was no bunk above queen rather the couch became a 'proper bed'. The top deck has a terrific viewing area with huge angled glass windows to catch coming into and leaving port. Have fun!

Yes I've just had the same experience with the 'Kids cruise Free' offer. I usually find cruise company 'offers' not the best deal but good for people who hate doing research. The cheapest cruise deals are either departing in a few weeks time and need full payment at time of booking or for the pacific area try cruising off season (our winter months) a bit colder water but it never seems to worry our kids.

The reason we cruise is that it is easy and stress free. Just get to the terminal join the line up and do as the others do.Just remember there will be others just as new to this as you are. Keep your passport, credit card or cash and pen easy to get to and then once on board either snooze before departure or grab a drink and go to the sailaway party and have fun LOTS OF FUN.

Must agree. Flipper hire very expensive and just more to carry on and off ship. We just use reef shoes and have our own masks saves a fortune as a family especially if going to cruise a fair bit.

We found the value for drinks package depended if you had lots of port days or not. Port days you'd buy on land then maybe a drink on board then bed (depending how big a port day) Sea days a different story you tend to indulge more. Everyone travels differently though.

Themed nights so much better now. Bianco White party just pack anything white. Gatsby party had women in strapped dresses with fringes going around and headband with a feather off to the side, also feather boa to top it off, Men had suits with scarf and hat some with white shoes (think mafia look). The back to school party i left to the young ones as getting back into a school uniform was not going to happen!

Go for it. Bianco white party lots of families, even babies in white nappies and singlets dancing on the top deck. Seems to settle down by 9pm and kids go to bed or kids club and adults return to party. Gatsby lots of fun for the girls and most guys looked very cool. A must is to attend the dance classes on the day of the party then you can really join in. Have fun!