At last...my Pacific Star Review

[Painter]

My Pacific Star Cruise Review

 

Yes I did enjoy this cruise with my sisters. It was good to talk about old times and have a laugh. The time spent together was “good medicine”

 

The embarkation was a bit of a pain as we got to the Transit Centre about 2.00pm and didn't get onboard until 6.15pm.

They started to bus passengers from 4.00pm. but it was first come first go.

Some had dropped off luggage and signed in at 8.00am.

This is not a P&O fault and when the new terminal is completed I am sure embarkation will be a breeze.

 

Got to our cabin and discover two of the four security vaults were locked.

Tipped our cabin steward and asked him to get them opened for us but this still hadn't been done when we disembarked.

Cabin was small but OK.

Quilts are the same ones (as in design) that are used on the Sapphire Princess.

Shower/Toilet had a good towel supply.

My pillow reeked of cigarette smoke and was so hard I had it exchanged for a softer, fresher one on the second night.

In one draw we found a pair of undies. Under the bed were crumpled photos and rubbish left by previous passengers. Also a "sicked on quilt" that had been forgotten (maybe hidden by past passengers)

Our cabin creaked and groaned and made funny noises. We didn't get any sleep for two nights because of the “wild party” noise from the cabin next door with four young men passengers. (Swearing , yelling, bumping on the wall,etc)

We eventually did complain to the desk and they acted on it very quickly.

The third night the boys did not make a sound.

Having noisy neighbours can of course happen on any cruise ship and I was impressed with the actions of the P&O staff.

 

One sister and I watched the sail away from just under the ships horn. When it sounded the horn on leaving Brisbane it got stuck and wouldn’t turn off. I didn’t time it but was told it went on for about seven minutes. It blasted our ears and we couldn’t hear for an hour. This was just one of the many smaller mechanical problems they had.

 

The weather was perfect and the sea was so calm. The jerking shuddering motion this ship creates caused many people to be seasick. The dance production had to be postponed to the next night as some of the performers were also seasick. Two of my sisters were seasick.

Heaven help everyone on this ship if ever it ever experiences the rough sea I sailed on from New Zealand to Hobart.

Start taking the seasick tablets a day or so before your cruise.

 

Now this smell that everyone is talking about...yes it does smell like sewerage... or maybe it is a gas smell. I don't know what it is but it can get very bad at times.

That is why I say this ship may be suited to the younger person. They don't always notice the "not so clean" thing.

Yes... cleaning did go on and I watched one of the cleaners polish a brass railing only to have the worn area become brighter and stand out more.

 

The food was great.

I have worked in the hospitality industry and I know quality.

Yes ...top marks for the food.

Very similar to the food on the Sapphire Princess.

 

One of the lifts had a shabby heavy cloth draped around the walls. Not a good look and it just made one wonder what was the reason for it.

I did like the Duke Bar. This was decorated in an unusual keyboard theme.

The music played there was very enjoyable.

The entertainment in all areas was good.

I watched two movies. First one “In Her Shoes” was very good.

I think the other was called “The Dreamer” and this was based on a true story. A girl owned a horse and entered it in a big race.

This was SO funny when it came to the end of the movie my sister and I got excited and began cheering loudly as the horse came to the finish line. The other passengers in the room got into the spirit of things and joined in. One chap had a pretend whip and started to use it….I am sure he must have been a jockey at one time because we all felt we were really at this race. When the movie was finished we all had a good laugh. The passengers on this cruise were a happy friendly lot.

The Pacific Show Lounge was very nice. I would say this area had been recently refurbished. The “Love The Night Life Show” production wasn’t the best dancing I have seen but I did enjoy the show anyway.

A comedian/vent/sing (sorry I don’t have his name) was excellent.

He got a good laugh with this one liner…

“If you can’t speak English you will probably get a job on this ship”

 

I didn’t enjoy the spas. One had a very yellow water look and a terrible smell. Those using it joked about it and said it was urine. The water jets didn’t have good pressure behind them and only enough to send out a soft bubble. The water in this spa was nice and warm.

The other spa had a nice clean look about it but the water in it was a bit too cold.

I didn’t use the pool but did notice there were always a lot of children in it when I walked past.

Didn't get to try the Lotus Sps as the cruise just wasn't long enough.

Won $12.00 at the casino.

Bingo had big prize money but I didn't get to win any of it..

 

I could go on and on but I think that is enough for now.

My favourite cruise ship is still the Sapphire Princess.

 

To finish all I can say is ...if you book a cruise on the Pacific Star just remember it is an old ship and

YOU WILL STILL HAVE FUN!

 

 

Marleneann.

[NARELLE]

I feel the same comparing the pacific Sun we went on for New Year. My husband and I kept comparing to sapphire. - probably that is why we have now booked Auckland to Sydney on Sapphire next January and taking the kids with us this time.

[davoni]

Good honest review Marleneann, especially as it covers both positive and negative points about the ship. If I was booked to cruise on the Star it would not put me off as I would just be happy to be on holiday...in fact it would prepare me for what to expect and I would view any improvement as a bonus. :) Cheers, Yvonne.

[Painter]

I feel the same comparing the pacific Sun we went on for New Year. My husband and I kept comparing to sapphire. - probably that is why we have now booked Auckland to Sydney on Sapphire next January and taking the kids with us this time.

 

Oh Narelle isn't the Sapphire just magnificent.

Yes after I got home from my Sapphire cruise and raved about it everyone my daughter and husband did a Mexico cruise on her. Now she has joined me in promoting this ship.

I also have several friends who are now booked on her for cruises.

Did you see my review of her?

 

http://home.iprimus.com.au/marleneann/

 

Click on the Sapphire Princess button.

 

So happy you can manage to cruise on her again. The kids will love it.

 

Marleneann.

[Skyrules]

Good honest review Marleneann, especially as it covers both positive and negative points about the ship. If I was booked to cruise on the Star it would not put me off as I would just be happy to be on holiday...in fact it would prepare me for what to expect and I would view any improvement as a bonus. :) Cheers, Yvonne.

 

I agree. I am still looking forward to my cruise on Star in 11 days! We've made a deal that this time we aren't going to spend the time comparing ships. When we went on Pacific Sun we did a lot of comparing with Pacific Sky - probably too much. This time we've said we're going to try and enjoy the cruise without comparison.

[chaz cruiser]

One of the lifts had a shabby heavy cloth draped around the walls. Not a good look and it just made one wonder what was the reason for it.

 

They usually use the cloths to protect the walls/mirrors in the lifts from the luggage. Maybe they forgot to take them off or decided for a three night cruise it wasn't worth it!

 

Cheers,

Chaz:)

[Past it]

Well written review Painter,Gave praise where it was due and well thought out.They do say its very hard to go back,whether it be old ships or cabins with no balcony! :p

[Tropicalshowers]

Thanks for the review Marleneanne. You havn't put me off at all. We are just that touch more prepared!

Our agent rang today to say Qantas has 'removed' our flight to Brisbane & we are now on an international flight at 6.30AM...that means we have a 4AM start now! AH GODS!! We shall be too excited (& tired) to worry about noise or smells! By the sound of it though, we will probably be in the first group that embarks:D ...has to be an upside somewhere!

Cheers

[Creeky]

Thank you Marleneann - It was great to read your review - We will still enjoy our cruise on the Star in september as most of what you said was the way we thought it would be - We always thought that after going on the Sapphire Princess it would be hard to go on one of the Aussie Ships and not think how old they look - We really loved the Sapphire Princess and maybe this cruise on the Star will make us love the Sapphire more - but we are also going to try the Sun and the Regal when it comes

 

Thanks again Marleneann

Peter & Cheryl

[maxx]

Great honest review. No sugar coating. I know the P&O ships are old, just hope my cruise will be ok. I have a reluctant cruiser (DH) with me. He loves to give me news item about pirates, date rape, breakdowns, etc. If this, our first cruise, is full of faults like Pacific Star then I think this may be our only cruise:(.

[Painter]

Thank you Marleneann - It was great to read your review - We will still enjoy our cruise on the Star in september as most of what you said was the way we thought it would be - We always thought that after going on the Sapphire Princess it would be hard to go on one of the Aussie Ships and not think how old they look - We really loved the Sapphire Princess and maybe this cruise on the Star will make us love the Sapphire more - but we are also going to try the Sun and the Regal when it comes

 

Thanks again Marleneann

Peter & Cheryl

 

Hello Peter & Cheryl

 

So pleased you are still happy and excited about going on the Star.

I wanted to give a truthful review so your expectations of the ship wouldn't be dampened as soon as you boarded. Especially if you had been on the Sapphire or Diamond Princess.

I was so pleased I had been prepared for what to expect by a link to the Courier Mail review via this forum.

Now there are lots of "good" things about the Star. One of them is

THE FOOD IS CREAT!

On our Sapphire cruise there was a good mix of people from all over the world.

On the Star it was mostly Australians but I did meet a few folk from New Zealand.

 

My sisters are a mad lot and we had a great time. I have reached sixty (my sisters are younger)and I also went to the Pyjama Party and played the games. I didn't know how to tell my hubby that I ripped my jamas by jumping on a young man *Giggle*

 

Just go prepared to have fun.

 

Marleneann.

[Painter]

Great honest review. No sugar coating. I know the P&O ships are old, just hope my cruise will be ok. I have a reluctant cruiser (DH) with me. He loves to give me news item about pirates, date rape, breakdowns, etc. If this, our first cruise, is full of faults like Pacific Star then I think this may be our only cruise:(.

 

 

No no Maxx!!

If hubby hasn't been on a cruise he won't have anything to compare it to and he will think it is great. If there are a few smells just tell him this can happen and don't make too big a thing of it.

He may love it...then you will be cruising again.... and again....and again.

 

Marleneann.

[maxx]

No no Maxx!!

If hubby hasn't been on a cruise he won't have anything to compare it to and he will think it is great. If there are a few smells just tell him this can happen and don't make too big a thing of it.

He may love it...then you will be cruising again.... and again....and again.

 

Marleneann.

I certainly hope so. If we can conquer his sea sickness I plan to cruise many many times.

[mummsie]

Hi Marleneann,

Thanks for the review. Its very hard not to compare when you have been on the best. Although I must say the Sapphire and the Pacific Princess were of the same quality just not the same quantity. :p It will be interesting to see how the Superstar Gemini compares to both of them when we go on her. Gayle

[sweet_successes]

Thanks Marleann for your review - you have given both positives and negatives as you said you would. Just a question - did you take any photos of the ship?

 

Cheers Rach

[Painter]

Hi Marleneann,

Thanks for the review. Its very hard not to compare when you have been on the best. Although I must say the Sapphire and the Pacific Princess were of the same quality just not the same quantity. :p It will be interesting to see how the Superstar Gemini compares to both of them when we go on her. Gayle

 

Hello Gayle!

 

You will be pleased to know I didn't do any dance classes on the Star. Seeing you (as a competition dancer) gave up in disgust when you tried to teach me on the Sapphire.*Giggle*

Please email me your review of the Gemini when you get back from your cruise. I have been thinking about doing something like a Superstar cruise but will wait for your report.

marleneann43@iprimus.com.au

 

Hugs from Marleneann.

[Painter]

Thanks Marleann for your review - you have given both positives and negatives as you said you would. Just a question - did you take any photos of the ship?

 

Cheers Rach

 

Rach I have a page on my website just for my Pacific Star cruise. I will be updating it in the next few days with a review and some photos.

 

http://home.iprimus.com.au/marleneann/new_page_39.htm

 

Marleneann.