bad reviews on pacific sun

hi found this site and it seems like nothing but bad reviews about pacific sun....have a read

ecember 30th, 2008 Pros: The best part of our voyage on the Pacific Sun was the day we got home and off that rusting hulk of a ship.

Cons: Windows you could not see through.From years of lack of cleaning or replacement as required. Swimming pool not heated.I had the water temp checked one day and it was 13 degrees c you would suffer hyperthermia within minutes of entering pool at that temp this ship is not set up for cruising in cooler climates and waters. The ships entertainment venues are closed by midnight.While they claim there are at least one bar open till 2 am.We were unable to find it. I think they may be referring to the staff bar off limits to us mere passengers. The ship is very tired in all respects and has not kept pace with modern cruising vessels.For instance if you are technically minded and would like to know information like where exactly are we? what direction are we headed?How fast are we going?All of this info is able to be presented to the passenger on the in room tv or on the few tv screens around the ship for about the cost of one passengers ticket But no. This is a cattle Ship and you are fed what comes out of the rear end of a Bull and kept in the dark. Most of the staff are good.However they are clearly unhappy with their employer and i don't blame them they work long hours for little pay.This of coarse is reflected in some areas by the i don't care attitude by some. Our cabin attendant was great as was our waiter in the restaurant.Most of the casino staff were terrific and the girls on the rear deck bar were faultless and could not do enough for you.The security Manager However was a thug and was transferred of the ship as a result of his actions good rid ens too.

Overall: I could go on for some considerable time about the problems with P&O and the ship,However best sum up by voting with my feet.We were a group of eight seasoned cruisers who will never set foot on board the Pacific Sun again and for that matter i Doubt that we would cruise with P&O again. BE WARNED "IT'S A DUD"

December 31st, 2008 Pros: Getting off the ship and away from those P&O jerks

Cons: I have been on this earth for near 50 years and in business for near 28 years. I have never ever had dealings with a more unprofessional organisation in my life. P& O have a reputation for altering the ships itinery for no valid reason simply to save money. This is an itinery that we, the passengers have paid for. And to top it off, when you want to discuss it with them, you get told that it is no point sending in emails or letters of complaint because "we will just delete them". After threatening legal action whilst on the ship, I was called to the office of the Director of the ship to explain the reasons for the changed itinery. It was to say the least, discraceful how much he lied and spoke bulls..t. Very unprofessional. Most of what he told me was contradicted by the Customer Relations at head office. My strong advice is never to go on a P&O cruise. By all means go on a cruise, but not with them. Their track record is appalling and in our case, they completely ruined a holiday for 2000 passengers...and they could not care less. Even if some people have had a good experience with P&O, they should not be supported because of the many thousands of people who have had a bad experience. We have a class legal action going so we will get the last laugh and we are currently undertaking a media campaign to warns as many people as possible - stay tuned

Overall: P&O must be avoided at all costs. We all should vote with our feet and no matter how big they think they are, united, little people can make a difference

Yes the pacific sun is an older ship and probably only 3*.

BUT look what you paid for your cruise and try and compare what you would get in queensland during the summer holiday for the same money, I bet it wouldnt even cover the airfares.

The pacific sun was our first cruise In october 2005 , we booked again staright after and sailed on her in april 2006.

Many posters here love it, Go with an open mind to have fun don't look for the negatives.

For every bad cruise/review there are probably 5 good ones.

Check out sailawaysally and chelseasforever's review. They were on the same cruise and totally different reviews.

On my pacific dawn cruise last october I wrote that our sailaway was one of the best run i had had, only to read some one esles review that nothing happened. I too wondered if he was on the same ship.

You will have a ball, try all the activities, talk to people, smile, share a table and have fun.

then come back here and tell us how you worried for nothing....

funny that-

I have also read good reviews-

Go with an open mindset and be prepared for a good time

If you are looking to have a bad time you will undoubtedly be able to,

I have stayed in pretty disappointing hotels but still had a good time

Pacific sun is what it is

an older ship that was New once- it still must have its merits

I hope so my husband and I travelling on her for my 50th birthday in July this year for a 10 nighter from auckland

Hi,

We had a great time on the Pacific Sun last year....service, food, ship,fellow passengers all great....everyone's expectations and attitudes going into their cruise is different.....we just returned off the Rhapsody of the Seas and some of the reviews I read about her were not very glowing, but we couldn't have been happier....so don't let the ultra negative spoil your build up to your holiday....wish it was me going.....:p;):D

Have a great time....:D

Regards Sandie :)

oh please dont get me wrong am going with open mind and i am very postive person never let ngative pple gte me down im going to have fun and we r on a table of eight only come across the sight as i was looking to see what the outside cabins looked like and clicked on that side to find the reviews....and i will be back to put in my postive review...4 more sleeps im cheering

Yes some people don't like to cruise. (never will fully understand) But i found they usually are - just not into holidays.

Yes some people don't like to cruise. (never will fully understand) But i found they usually are - just not into holidays.

Amen to that

I couldn't agree more

Maybe they are into those holidays that are massochistic (spelling?)

where you

tramp around in swamps and deserts, climb rocks and get bitten by misquitoes bugs and snakes- all in the name of adventure:D

Not my idea of a holiday No way!

give me the buffet and the remote control for the TV any day:rolleyes:

I loved the Pacific Sun & my family all had a great time :). Yes she's old but so are a lot of the hotels in Sydney :rolleyes:. She is clean and tidy and most of the staff are fantastic. I think some people are hard to please and that is why they posted bad reviews. A cruise is what you make it. Go and enjoy yourself :D.

kaseyoz, oysterfiend, luckiestmitw, Alymo1 & Brossy, all made good points, & I agree with them all.

It all depends on the people who go on these cruses, which make the cruse,

For example when we went on the Pacific Sun in June 08, on one on the shore tours we did in Nuku'alofa, there was one lady in our tour group who just read a book for most of the tour & we over heard as she was talking to some one else that she was board and there was northing to do, which was not true, as there was lots of thing on, I guess she was not interested in them.

We where on the Pacific Sun before she had her makeover, apart from some areas been a bit dark and flow of the Lido Buffet area not that great e.g.: you have to different stations to get your food/water etc… and the photos where a rip off, and a few other miner complaints e.g.: the cruse director was annoying.

Apart from that we had a nice cruise :), and I would like to go back on the Pacific Sun again to see what the makeover is like.

It’s just a shame their removed the water slide!! It was fun! :D

Yes I agree

I spent WAY too much on photos -

they were expensive!!:eek:

but they didn't break my arms to make me buy them

This is a great example of how important it is to get the right cruise and right ship to meet your expectations. The Pacific Sun is a 3+ star ship, and this reviewer was obviously expecting a 5 star ship.

Expecting windows that are clean - stay at a land-based hotel. The ship is at sea and as such will get splashed by the occasional wave. Sure it's not pleasant to look out a salt-encrusted window, but they do get cleaned occassionally.

Expecting the pools to be heated - the water comes from the sea and is treated and pumped straight in - sorry, take whatever temperature the sea is. If it's too cold, don't go in! I would rather pay a cheaper fare and have a colder pool.

Expecting the ship's progress and position to be displayed on the TV - is that a reason to complain? It's all available on the chart on display on Deck 10 anyway.

It's also hugely arrogant on the part of the reviewer to assume that all passengers feel the same they do. And I've never heard of P&O having a reputation for changing itineraries- all companies have to from time to time but I wouldn't say P&O have a reputation for it.

Anyway, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect that this reviewer obviously had a bad time- I'm just taking issue with some of their unrealistic expectations.

Forgot to say we're on the same cruise as you, harmony71, and don't worry because there's only 4 more days until you can see for yourself what Sun is like!! Getting very excited now :):D

Any cruising day beats a day at work regardless of ship. We loved Pacific Sun, nice roomy cabins, friendly staff, good food, ship was clean and or being cleaned 24 x 7. Sure it isn't 4 star and above so what we had a great time.

Some people really do expect a bit much.

hi found this site and it seems like nothing but bad reviews about pacific sun....have a read

 

ecember 30th, 2008 Pros: The best part of our voyage on the Pacific Sun was the day we got home and off that rusting hulk of a ship.

 

Cons: Windows you could not see through.From years of lack of cleaning or replacement as required. Swimming pool not heated.I had the water temp checked one day and it was 13 degrees c you would suffer hyperthermia within minutes of entering pool at that temp this ship is not set up for cruising in cooler climates and waters. The ships entertainment venues are closed by midnight.While they claim there are at least one bar open till 2 am.We were unable to find it. I think they may be referring to the staff bar off limits to us mere passengers. The ship is very tired in all respects and has not kept pace with modern cruising vessels.For instance if you are technically minded and would like to know information like where exactly are we? what direction are we headed?How fast are we going?All of this info is able to be presented to the passenger on the in room tv or on the few tv screens around the ship for about the cost of one passengers ticket But no. This is a cattle Ship and you are fed what comes out of the rear end of a Bull and kept in the dark. Most of the staff are good.However they are clearly unhappy with their employer and i don't blame them they work long hours for little pay.This of coarse is reflected in some areas by the i don't care attitude by some. Our cabin attendant was great as was our waiter in the restaurant.Most of the casino staff were terrific and the girls on the rear deck bar were faultless and could not do enough for you.The security Manager However was a thug and was transferred of the ship as a result of his actions good rid ens too.

 

Overall: I could go on for some considerable time about the problems with P&O and the ship,However best sum up by voting with my feet.We were a group of eight seasoned cruisers who will never set foot on board the Pacific Sun again and for that matter i Doubt that we would cruise with P&O again. BE WARNED "IT'S A DUD"

 

 

December 31st, 2008 Pros: Getting off the ship and away from those P&O jerks

 

Cons: I have been on this earth for near 50 years and in business for near 28 years. I have never ever had dealings with a more unprofessional organisation in my life. P& O have a reputation for altering the ships itinery for no valid reason simply to save money. This is an itinery that we, the passengers have paid for. And to top it off, when you want to discuss it with them, you get told that it is no point sending in emails or letters of complaint because "we will just delete them". After threatening legal action whilst on the ship, I was called to the office of the Director of the ship to explain the reasons for the changed itinery. It was to say the least, discraceful how much he lied and spoke bulls..t. Very unprofessional. Most of what he told me was contradicted by the Customer Relations at head office. My strong advice is never to go on a P&O cruise. By all means go on a cruise, but not with them. Their track record is appalling and in our case, they completely ruined a holiday for 2000 passengers...and they could not care less. Even if some people have had a good experience with P&O, they should not be supported because of the many thousands of people who have had a bad experience. We have a class legal action going so we will get the last laugh and we are currently undertaking a media campaign to warns as many people as possible - stay tuned

 

Overall: P&O must be avoided at all costs. We all should vote with our feet and no matter how big they think they are, united, little people can make a difference

Thank you for your comments, we are just off the Volendam yesterday a five star ship at three star prices. Pacific Sun a two star ship at five star prices, I would not touch it with a barge pole!

Any cruising day beats a day at work regardless of ship. We loved Pacific Sun, nice roomy cabins, friendly staff, good food, ship was clean and or being cleaned 24 x 7. Sure it isn't 4 star and above so what we had a great time.

 

Some people really do expect a bit much.

I agree totally!!!!:):D;):p

Thank you for your comments, we are just off the Volendam yesterday a five star ship at three star prices. Pacific Sun a two star ship at five star prices, I would not touch it with a barge pole!

Don’t you mean that the Volendam is a four star ship!,

at lest on the Pacific Sun, the sheets get changed often, not like on the Volendam, when the sheets only got changed maybe once / twice in 17 days!!,

and that there is a lot more to do on the Pacific Sun competed to the Volendam (we came off the Volendam on the 5 January 09)

I would go on a 5 star ship at 2 star prices in a heartbeat if we got some cruising down this way in the winter,

Unfortunately we don't get them,

We own an accommodation business and travel from end April onwards after business slows right down

All the good priced cruises on ships other than P and O

departing/or terminating in Auckland sail over the Summer Months

Even knowing its at best 3 1/2 star -

a 10 night trip in an outside cabin/twin for $2000 a piece still seems a good deal to me even on the Pacific Sun-

No flights - all meals and accommodation

How many other holidays can you take for $2000 NZ a piece for 10 nights and have no meals to cook or beds to make,

Yes I would like to try other lines but have to fly great distances to be able to do so- cruising NZ Autumn-Winter

I must admit that I was not looking forward to our Sun cruise in October 07. Bad publicity for P&O, the age/condition of the ship all made me wonder why I had ever booked.

Now I can honestly say that it was our second favourite cruise. Everyone was wonderful - staff, passengers & P&O staff - & we had a most relaxing enjoyable time.

We had already done 3 cruises prior to this - one each on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean & Princess. The Sun seemed quite a step down from these others ships - OK the decor is a bit tired, but our cabin was very roomy & everything was kept very clean throughout the ship.

Go with an open mind & who knows it may become your favourite cruise. Each cruise is different, but is as good as you make it. If you look for faults & complain all the time you will miss out on so much.

I'm so glad that we did our Sun cruise & have some wonderful memories.

Leonie

"

 

 

December 31st, 2008 Pros: Getting off the ship and away from those P&O jerks

 

Cons: . Their track record is appalling and in our case, they completely ruined a holiday for 2000 passengers...and they could not care less. Even if some people have had a good experience with P&O, they should not be supported because of the many thousands of people who have had a bad experience. We have a class legal action going so we will get the last laugh and we are currently undertaking a media campaign to warns as many people as possible - stay tuned

 

Overall: P&O must be avoided at all costs. We all should vote with our feet and no matter how big they think they are, united, little people can make a difference

Mmmmmm wonder if this person is referring to the Pac Sun cruise that was shortened and had an itinerary change due to the ship saving stranded sailors the cruise before... a group of angry pax were talking about complaining to as high as you can get even class actions..........maybe P.O told them to take a hike... shiona

Mmmmmm wonder if this person is referring to the Pac Sun cruise that was shortened and had an itinerary change due to the ship saving stranded sailors the cruise before... a group of angry pax were talking about complaining to as high as you can get even class actions..........maybe P.O told them to take a hike... shiona

Hi Shiona, if it was the same cruise, the people complaining don't realise...it is the law of the sea that any nearby ship must go to the aid of anyone in distress.

not long to go for our cruise on the Pacific Sun ......

kind regards, Lorraine:):)

Thanks to P&O we have had 2 good holidays and we will have more to come. If you book when the specials are available you can get a great holiday at a fantastic price. We have holidays in Fiji etc, and P&O is, in my opnion a cheaper option, all in one price, dont have to worry about things etc etc. Who cares if the ship is not brand new. It is clean, comfortable, lots to do. There is nothing wrong with the food and the service is fantastic.

Dirty windows! Ever heard of sea spray?, what do some people expect, a little man paid $50 a day to hang over the side every morning in the middle of the South Pacific to clean the windows while we 'cruise' at 18 knts? Get real. Then people would complain of someone being able to see into the cabins???

The food is better than RSA/RSL standard but not upto 4* dining, I for one am more than happy with what I get - more than happy, and the kids love it, as do we.

Please lets have a ship here in NZ for more than a few months.

Steve

We were on the Sun last oct just after her most recent refurb. We did 2 weeks BTB & LOVED it to bits! As others have said, cruising is what you make it. Don't go with expectations then you won't be disappointed.

Hi Shiona, if it was the same cruise, the people complaining don't realise...it is the law of the sea that any nearby ship must go to the aid of anyone in distress.

 

Lorraine:):)

And so they should.........even if it wasn't the law.

Hi all just thought id add my thoughts to this thread, we started cruising two years ago and are first cruise was on the pacific sun:Dwe had a ball so much so that we booked are next cruise on ncl pride of hawai what an awful ship:( bad service by an all american crew.

If we had sailed them first it might have stopped us cruising but no the pacific sun had given us a taste of what it is like to cruise with great line I might add we have since cruised msc musica superstar virgo Rhapsody of the seas, and yes the sun is a bit dated but we can honestly say its got the best vibe of any ship we have been on we were on her again in sep to the whitsundays and like the first time we couldnt fault her;)we have also been on the pacific dawn and had a good time on her also. A cruise is what you make it take the good with the bad and just enjoy it

Jacquie

mm are lot of interesting posts so riff raff we are on the same cruise....whats the diff between all the decks im on the upper deck