Pacific Explorer June 2020

[Rob_H]

We're considering a couple of P&O Pacific Explorer cruises in June 2022 (fully realising they might not sail, but we can hope).

 

We've cruised almost entirely on NCL (Norwegian) apart from a couple of Princess cruises.  For those that have been on the smaller NCL ships (like the Sun) and Pacific Explorer (about the same size), what were the major differences for you?  We did notice that Princess ships were generally older, and less well maintained than the NCL ships, probably even more so for the ex-Princess fleet at P&O Australia.

 

I'll call customer service to check when they're open, but does anybody know if the current P&O booking assurance (full refund of deposit up to 75 days before sailing) applies also to the "Go" fares that have usually non-refundable deposits?  We'd never book a cruise with a non-refundable deposit, especially over the next couple of years (exception is last minute deals where we'd pay in full anyway).

 

Finally, I saw a mention here that P&O Australia sailings count towards Princess Capain's Circle.  How does that work, do we need to do something to link them?  Also, do Carnival shareholder discounts work with P&O Australia?

 

[sewgood]

Hi Rob_H,

I've never sailed on NCL but have sailed on Princess and P&O Australia.

The only information I can give you is if you have sailed Princess your accounts are automatically linked and you will get one credit for sailing P&O, no matter if you sail in a suite or an inside room.

If for some reason after the cruise you have not been credited with the Captains circle credit you can see the host next time you are on Princess or just give them a phone call.

In regards to the Pacific Explorer all of the public areas have been redone. Same ship different day channel on YouTube with Alfie (link below) gives a walk through of the public areas on this ship. This is really up to date.

The cabins when I sailed on this ship a few years ago had not been done up beside from a strip of night lights under the fridge which came in handy.

Yes Carnival shareholder discount applies to P&O as well.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttglfMg3UY0&t=344s

 

[Rob_H]

Thanks Sewgood.  Interesting video.  Thanks for the useful information on the Princess/P&O overlap.

 

We're booked, but anything could happen and the chances of these cruises going ahead as currently scheduled is quite low.  Still, it might happen!

 

(Yes, the refundable fare option did include the Go fares, according to customer service).

 

Rob