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P&O Cruises

MV Pacific Sun

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Sue T.
# previous cruises: 5
Date of Trip: February 28, 2005
Itinerary: Australia

Our cruise travelled from Sydney to the Whitsunday Islands, Cairns, Port Douglas. We had a very nice time, though if I had a dollar for every person who said "the Pacific Sky was so much better.." (including myself), I would be a millionaire.

The public areas were quite nice on the Pacific Sun. There was plenty of seating for everybody, especially the main showroom with 2 levels and hardly any posts in the way. It was good how some of the rooms were non smoking. Others however, like the casino and Smugglers Bar, a gas mask is advised for non smokers! The pools were great especially the one with the slide. There were plenty of deck chairs, though a lot were broken in the backs, as were quite a few things like the table tennis tables. The shops were ok though I remember there being so much more choice on the Pacific Sky.

There were different choices for food which I really liked. You could have a menu lunch and breaky in the dining room or go up to the buffet. We tried each and both were great (apart for the large line of people at the buffet). Dinner was really good as well, with 5 courses each night. Our table of 10 was terrific company. I think they are getting slightly stingy with things though, for instance there was a debate how many tea bags they were allowed to put in the teapot. I think 2 for 8 people is a bit lean!

Drinks from the bar were club prices, with a daily cocktail on special each day for around $5.50. Bottles of wine were very reasonable priced as well.

Our cabin was nice and airy with a porthole. It was a good size compared with the Sky. The TV had movies running 24 hours, as well as a few other channels. The bathroom was smallish but nice and clean looking.

The cruise staff put on some great shows. The guest entertainment was highly lacking, with an opera singer, and an old crooner. Wherever did they dig those two up from? Yikes! Not like the great hypnotist and magician we had on the Sky.

There were plenty of activities for everyone through the days.. we loved the trivia competitions, which there were a lot of. The art auctions, surprisingly, were very interesting as well, and we won some art. The movies were shown in the main show lounge, and left much to be desired. Apart from one, Ray, they just showed movies that were on the tv. The night times were really disappointing. After the show, the only thing to do was watch the live band sing hits like "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" with the older age folk, or doof doof in the disco with the young kids. There was no middle ground and we came to the conclusion the ship really catered for the over 60's and under 25's but left out the middle aged. After the band finished at 1 there was nothing left to do but go down and watch telly. The Pacific Sky had more night time entertainment for middle aged people for sure. With all the people whinging about that you would think they would do something about it! Some nights were good with the champagne waterfall and the hawaiian night. We stopped at 4 ports, Cairns, Port Douglas, Whitsundays and Brisbane. The tenders we had to use were disgracefully organised, with most people, including us, waiting 2 or more hours just to get on one. They really need to get their act together with the tender situation! Also was very disappointing the itinerary change from overnight in Cairns to 9 to 6. We were supposed to stop for an hour or 2 anchored at Willis Island but from the time it took my husband to go to the cabin and get the camera we were long gone past! We went on a tour from Port Douglas to the Barrier Reef for diving. Although it was very expensive, $185+ per person, it was a great day. Some people booked their own tours independently and saved 3/4 of the price.

I don't know about the other Pacific Sun cruises.. ours was a cruise of older age people 60 and up. In fact the office said there were less than 200 people under the age of 60! (My husband commented at one time that he felt like he was trapped in a old age home). Our dinner table friends were of all around the same age as us though, and we spent a lot of time with them throughout the cruise. If I was to go on another Pacific Sun cruise I would definitely check first to find out the age of the majority of passengers. However, because of the night time entertainment and a few other things I won't be going on the Sun again. I'm trying the Pacific Star next.