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P&O Cruises

MV Pacific Sky

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Reviewed by: Claudio Belvedere
# previous cruises: 7
Date of Trip: March 26, 2004
Itinerary: Nowhere

My second cruise on Pacific Sky and still the same crowd this cruise was completely full, lots of party types being a nowhere cruise it was go go go non stop, not for the faint hearted our cruise was delayed by one day so P&O to their credit refunded 50% of the fare to everybody which donated back to them via the bars onboard. one thing I noticed hardly anybody over 50 on this cruise was a bit disappointed I don't think I will go on short cruise again and I think I am ready for Pacific Princess.

The ship as usual was spotless and the party on rear deck was in full swing when we boarded the staff kept up with drinks and cleaned immediately, leaving Sydney in the afternoon on a nice day was a highlight, pools were filled up next day and as usual your hardy teenagers jumped in I suspect it was a bit cool, Horizon Bar is still one of my favorites just under bridge. disco was packed on both nights we were on board the 40 year olds seemed to party harder than the younger ones, I noticed the corridor leading into disco now has machines for kids there, plenty of room in lounges and the promenade deck is a real pleasure

The on deck buffet seemed to have disappeared instead of 2 lines only one now and very long queues, same in dining room queues and only buffet available in dining room the only lunch we had on board was a mexican theme absolute rubbish, now wonder pizzeria was so popular($6). I was really disappointed I always enjoyed the dining room lunches, I suppose they have decided to cut staff and buffets are the way to go the maitre d told me in future all cruises will have buffet lunches. Dinner was more civilized people dressed up and pretty good service food was good quality and although serves were small you can get more if you ask being a 2 niter the staff didn't go out of their way to look after you they were polite and efficient thats all compared to my last P&O cruise I'd say they have cut their food budget. Anyway having said that we only paid 200 bucks so I suppose you get what you pay for. Wines were around $20 per bottle. the out back grill extra charge didn't seem very successful and doubles upas a pie and chips place as well. The New Zealand ice cream was very popular, bar service is fast and efficient and the roaming busboys are always picking up glasses etc

Baja 234 a 4 berth outside we were upgraded thanks PO. clean still had a Sitmar print on wall what can I say its a cabin toilet was supplied with soaps only no other toiletries and towels on request not a bad idea cabin attendant nice indonesian i stuffed up and left him 2 cans of scotch and coke and 2 cans of bundy and coke forgot he is Muslim. The lights in toilets broke down on last night on all cabins baja deck where we were, and we were told they will be fixed never got done, didn't overly concern me .

Being a 2 niter the entertainment was made up of the Pacific sky dancers who did a couple of crap floor shows everybody liked them except for me. There was a Filipino pianist in horizon bar, a band from Sydney in rear bar, disco in disco and on deck very popular in sports bar another disco this time 70/80s music the last nite was very busy, the band was on rear deck as we left sydney a great touch.

On sunday the only full day on board there was marriage game and bingo marriage game was a laugh, ship board bingo seems to be a scam as they seem to pocket quite a bit of takings, casino was pretty busy I have a theory that poker machines on ship (not just P&O) don't have to abide by any laws so they don't return a fair percentage of takings. The cruise director Shona was pretty good her offsider James seemed to spend the whole cruise avoiding any contact with passengers. The young sports crew arranged the deck side game and we all had a laugh watching the younger passengers trying to play tunnel ball with balloons full of water you know mindless games great for a laugh the staff were enthusiastic. The kids club was very well run and parents were very impressed. There were only 2 movies shown whilst on board 2 pm and 6 or 10 pm cant remember P&O would prefer if you watch videos in your cabin extra charge of course. The ship left Sydney and headed south towards Eden in Victoria we hugged the coast till Nowra and then headed back out to sea very pleasant and never much more than a 4 foot swell it was short sleeve weather just. Stores onboard did a roaring trade in t-shirts and trinkets a lady in front of me spent nearly $300 in stuff backpacks, stubby holders, shot glasses, k rings, biros you name it she bought it.

This cruise attracts all sorts of people except the elderly they know not to do short cruises, young party typed mainly 40 year olds lots of married women having a break, never any trouble. There is lots of security on board and they are very efficient you wont find any upper middle classes here (except for me) everybody was happy except for last morning whilst waiting to disembark they all seem depressed and just want to go home.