a few questions

[Wildence]

Hey all,

Well finally we are only a few days away, and just can't wait! Very excited!

We were discussing what we need to pack and what not to and have a few questions we would like to get an answer to, if anyone knows.

1. Do we need to take any cash with us? If yes how much? We have not booked any tours directly from PO website, and will organise it once we are there?

2. Silly question - but do we need to take towels with us?

3. Can we carry on board a few bottles of water? And may be some food?

4. We have heard that it is very expensive to use internet there, and what about roaming? Is it affordable?

5. Is there a movie theatre there, and if there is one - what movies do they play?

6. Which restaurant is recommended to go to?

Thank you in advance

Cheers

[sharri34]

Hey all,

Well finally we are only a few days away, and just can't wait! Very excited!

We were discussing what we need to pack and what not to and have a few questions we would like to get an answer to, if anyone knows.

1. Do we need to take any cash with us? If yes how much? We have not booked any tours directly from PO website, and will organise it once we are there?

2. Silly question - but do we need to take towels with us?

3. Can we carry on board a few bottles of water? And may be some food?

4. We have heard that it is very expensive to use internet there, and what about roaming? Is it affordable?

5. Is there a movie theatre there, and if there is one - what movies do they play?

6. Which restaurant is recommended to go to?

Thank you in advance

Cheers

 

Hi Wildence,

 

1) I'll always take cash with me, as it's good to give Tips to the crew (If they deserve it :p) also if You'd like to use the Casino, that uses Cash as well, In regards to the ports, it just depends what ports you are visiting as to how much money/what kind of currency to bring)

2)I wouldn't bother with Towels, they supply bath towels as well as beach towels, and you can always ask for more if you need them :)

3) Water, Soft drink, Juice, food is all fine :) Just no Alcohol!!

4) Sorry I dont know about Roaming...

5) Depends on what cruise it is, The Pacific Jewel doesn't have one...

6) Once again depends on the cruise and personal taste :)

 

Sam

[Kiwi_cruiser]

1. Do we need to take any cash with us? If yes how much? We have not booked any tours directly from PO website, and will organise it once we are there?

 

It’s easier to take cash with you as getting cash once onboard can be hard, but you can get cash out onboard. (I will let you decide how much you want to take)

 

But take like $5, $10 notes if you’re going to the islands etc...

 

You wont be able to do any ship tours on the day you get to the island (Some time the local do tours, but make sure you get back to boat before, you leave or you will be left their, but once you get on the ship, you can book tours, but if their is any tours you fancy you might want to book them now! As some of the tours can sell out very quickly.

 

2. Silly question - but do we need to take towels with us?

 

Nope, the ship will provide you with them.

 

3. Can we carry on board a few bottles of water? And may be some food?

 

Yep, you can carry on board a few bottles of water or soft drink, we have never had a problem with that, but you may have a problem taken food onboard.

 

4. We have heard that it is very expensive to use internet there, and what about roaming? Is it affordable?

 

Roaming will be just as expensive, but if you just want to do a quick check of your e-mails, it won’t be too expensive.

 

5. Is there a movie theatre there, and if there is one - what movies do they play?

 

Their is not a movie theatre as per say, they normally play movies in one of the theatres / lounges on different days.

 

I cant help with the movies as I have not been on a cruse since Christmas/New Year, but I would think they would be playing most of the recent movies, keep an eye out in the Pacific daily for what movies get show on any day.

 

6. Which restaurant is recommended to go to?

 

Try them all :) and then once you find one you like go back to it!

 

 

 

What ship are you going on?

 

 

Hope this helps :)

[Wildence]

Oops sorry, forgot to mention that we will be sailing on Pacific Jewel, and will be visiting Noumea, Wala, Vila nad Lifou Island.

[The Fox]

Oops sorry, forgot to mention that we will be sailing on Pacific Jewel, and will be visiting Noumea, Wala, Vila nad Lifou Island.

 

we went on the jewel in april...here is my honest review

 

 

 

Pacific jewel j012n 7.4-17.4.2010

From my previous posts you probally know that i am not a big fan of P&O Australia.

From some of the reviews about the jewel,most which were scathing I was really worried about sailing on her and at one stage even considered cancelling. I am certainly glad I didn,t.

I went onboard I supose with and open mind but apprehensive from some of the reviews I read...one called it the cruise from hell,another described the food in the buffet as slop...just curries and stews,shows terrible,circus a joke...not the greatest comments to have you over enthusastic before you board.

 

Here is my views and observations

 

Embarkation/disembark

Easy we arrived at 11am checked in got our cruise card and boarding number and was told check-in would begin at 11.30am.

We met up with our friends Ross (wombat) & Lesley from our cruise on the Dawn Princess in May 2009.Also Joanne (packetau) was there and was great to catch up with her as well.Boarding commenced at 11.30am and we were on the ship 11.45am.....simple .

getting off we had meeting at 8.10 ...off through customs etc 8.25am .

 

THE SHIP

 

The Jewel is an old ship which P&O have tarted her up a bit with new carpet through out and synthetic grass around the poll plus all new deck chairs..

 

We went sraight to our cabin on deck 10.When I put my cruise card in to open the door I didn,t know what to expect....to my

surprise the cabin was excellent,large ,bright and roomy.Heaps of drawer and hanging space

.A beatuifully laid out cabin.The bed was comfy and the pillows were the best.Probally the best cabin I have ever had.

After having spent 10 wonderful days on the Jewel with our good friends Ross & lesley I come away with a different view than the one I had gone on with.She is a stately old lady with warm charm and character...in all a lovely ship.

 

DINING ROOM.

The Waterfront Restaurant is fabulous.It is stylish and elegant and the food is really good.

BUFFET.

The Plantation buffet, like most gets busy especially on sea days and it can be very hard to find a seat but there is seating

in the ajacent La Luna and in the hamburger/grill area or plenty of seating out on deck....didn,t bother us at any stage.

The food was good with heaps of variety.

SALT GRILL.

In a word excellent...dont miss it.

ENTERTAINMENT

Again very good and the circus acts both outside and inside were excellent....just like a mini CIRQUE de solei.

 

PUBLIC AREAS

Good but some could get crowed but it just comes down to personal mangement to fit in every thing you want on any night.

Di & I both thought the Atrium was a bit small and lacked natural light.Fiting and furnishing throughout the ship were

clean and comfy.

POOL AREA

The POOLS are starting to look a bit shabby but the water was fresh chlorinated water.What we thought was strange was no supply of pool towels.You brought the one from your cabin.....so that was it for the day keep or lose it until your cabin steward cleaned your room....different but you get used to it...no big deal.

BAR SEVICE

At first I thought this is terrible no waiters asking you if you would like a drink....they just walk around looking disinterested....not so all you do is ask them...unlike other lines with waiters who besige with request for drinks because of add on tax..the more they sell the more they make.Its not hard to get off your butt and go to the bar yourself and get one.THE OASIS is a waste of great space and although we had good weather it was not patronised.I think it will go unless they

lower the cost.Another thing which people might object to is no receipts for drinks purchased which I thought strange.

PORTS OF CALL

Noumea.....the least said the better for me.

Lifou....beautiful, snorkeled and climbed that rotten hill to the church....never again....but well worth the view and a lovely church with its resident spiders.

VILA...we all love ...traditional TUSKERS beer at the pub ....then shop.

PENTECOST...great snorkeling....and the land divers can have all to themselves...great to watch.Vey hot day.

Di And I had a fantastic time and cant wait to sail on her again in August for a special occassion cruise.

My finally comment...I would sail on the Jewel anytime....if P&O would lower the costs of 2 berth cabins.

Unfortunately....I doubt that will happen.Our thanks to Ross & Lesley we really enjoyed their company especially at dinner where we had many laughs.

 

Col & Di

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