P&O Pacific Dawn

[gympiebrowns Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gympiebrowns]

gday Guys/Gals

has anyone been on this ship for the 7 day pacific island tour, if so any advice would be great, or is anyone going on this cruise in june this year, cheers for all advice

browny

[derek11 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close derek11]

hi Browny,

In 2011 did a 5 day pacific cruise on the Pacific Dawn. Had a ball, my advice is to relax and do some different things on board and at the ports of call, my favourites was the day spent at Mystery Island and the day trip out from Noumea to Amedee Island and also the jumpers on Pentecost island.
The last night of our cruise I partied all night and about 4 in the morning power went out on board the boat and found out that night on the news that the ship nearing ran into the bridge crossing the Brisbane River, I was looking at that bridge as we went under LOL

cheers Derek

[MDS69 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDS69]

I have been on the sister ship the Pacific Jewel twice with the last as recently as last month. Send me your email address and I will give you some tips for cruise ships like taking a power board from home as you only have one 240V socket to charge cameras, kids games, laptops etc. Antiseptic soap on tap for your bathroom to minimise germs and sickness etc. Also have a spreadsheet this freak put together that has everything you need to know about ports of call, currencies and lots lots more.

[Fearless Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fearless]

G'day Brownie

Wife and I went on the 7 day cruise last year on the Dawn. Excellent time.

As Derek said, sit back relax. Between Sue and I we put 2 grand on the cabin card (the one you use on board for everything, drinks, snacks, coffee duty free on board). However, if you are going to Vila, get your duty free grog there. Cheaper than the boat.

Also take some cash. At the end of the cruise, tip you cabin boy/girl directly (we gave $50), and if you get a really good drinks steward (they will look after you and look for you when you are on deck) again we gave her $50 cash. If you use the tipping envelopes, I believe that it goes into a central fund and distributed among all the deck/cabin staff.

The cruise is just sit back, relax and get waited on shamelessly. Sitting on the deck, having a few drinks (the beer is overpriced, cocktails are about $1-2 more, but what a choice.) The best meal on board is Salt resturant. You pay a small premium but you taste buds will appreciate it. Otherwise the food is really good for large scale catering.

There is also a coffee/cake shop down on deck 6 or 7 that is good. Found that on our last day.

Shore trips, well all you can do is have a look on what they are offering. Noumea was OK (remember that it is French) Take the "train tour" rather than the bus, you get to see more that from inside a bus.

Lifo is a rather small island. We did the grotto tour. Very good as the guides explain all about traditional medicne.

In Vila, snorkling trip in the morning and then the "Thriller in Vila" jet boat.

Once again, sit back, relax and get pampered. Enjoy yourselfs and we wish we could come as well.

Cheers

Frank and Sue

[ROY07 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ROY07]

Hey mate one of the coppers up here has just got back from a cruise will ask him which boat and let you know.
Troy.

[WDTP Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close WDTP]

Hi Browny
My Husband and i went on it, had a great time,only thing is with the Kids they get their own card and can run up quite a bill over all great trip Kris

[QUICKY Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close QUICKY]

We did an 11 day cruise on the Dawn out of Brisbane last year and had a blast. Like others we had a large Cabin bill (bar) but luckily the wife had a nice win at bingo that paid over half the bill. Salt Grill was great and the main Dinning room was good as well but I wasn't impressed with the buffet. Entertainment was good and there is enough happening on board on sea days to keep you occupied. If you are travelling as a couple and dine in the main dinning room, when you make your booking say you will share a table, this way you meet some great people. Shore excursions are too expensive, be game and barter with the local cabbies, they will show you what you wont to see plus some. Have just done an 11 day Med cruise on the Norwegian Jade and what we get dished up her in Aus is expensive and the P&O ships are way behind other cruise lines. But having said that we had a great time. It looks like Cruise Critic has moved to PP

[gympiebrowns Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gympiebrowns]

hey tyvm everyone so much to digest but will have a great time, we got our own guide for Vanuatu (friend recommendation) get him for the 8 hours for AUD$150 with a renewal of vows thrown in at a small village....