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Pacific Sun -P&O Cruises Australia
Fact File - Pacific Sun
Vessel: Pacific Sun
Cruise Line:P&O Cruises
Star Rating: Not yet rated
Tonnage: 47,262 grt
Max Passenger Capacity: 1900
Entered Service: July 1986/Nov 2004
Description: Pacific Sun is a ship for all ages. Children are well catered for with three activity centres - including the Shark Shack on the top deck that was a new addition to the ship when it underwent its refurbishment - catering for up to 300 kids. There is a range of accommodation to suit everyone but there are only 10 suites with private balconies. Of the 743 cabins - some of which accommodate up to five people - almost two thirds have ocean views and 18 are wheelchair accessible.
P&O Cruises Australia - Pacific Sun
Finding your feet on the first few days of a cruise is like finding your perfect cocktail in the bar - there's a huge selection and it can be difficult to know where to start. Participating and trying new things is what it's all about and you're probably not going to like everything you try. But once you've found what makes you happy, there is no looking back.
Day one: Pina Colada
P&O Pacific Sun's maiden voyage was going to be fun, there was little doubt about that. The scene was set early on when groovy music started to pump out of the sound system at the back of the ship and excited cruise passengers lined up to consume fruity cocktails while preparing to set sail under the Harbour Bridge. There were no subdued farewells on this voyage - just some boisterous cheering as the ship barely made it under the bridge, a bit of dancing and lots of smiles.
From November last year, Pacific Sun became the largest cruise liner ever to be based in Australia. Built in 1986, the Sun is no spring chicken and from the outside lacks the modern gracefulness of her newer relatives in the P&O fleet. However, a $35 million refurbishment has given her a new lease of life and at 47,262 tons size isn't an issue as there is plenty of room for all 1900 passengers on board.
Formerly called Jubilee, the ship was part of the US-based Carnival Cruises fleet, but Pacific Sun has been welcomed to Australia with open arms by both ardent and first-time cruisers and has quickly gathered a reputation as a "fun" ship for all ages.
Once Sydney harbour started to fade in the distance, guests headed to the bars or to their cabins and spent the few hours before dinner familiarising themselves with the ship's layout (there are nine decks) and facilities.
Maiden voyages are never all smooth sailing and for the first few days at sea, there was the odd hiccup on board. Guests were confronted with a number of delays in the dining room and despite the $200 credit given to all passengers for the first 48 hours, queues at the purser's desk were way too long for the first few days at sea. As well as topping up their accounts, many guests were lining up to request P&O's "modified gratuity policy". This saw $4.50 per person per day automatically added to passengers' shipboard account - taken off. Australians have never liked being told when or who to tip and have always enjoyed the choice of tipping at their own discretion.
It took a few nights for the waiters to hit their stride in the dining room but before long, the right wines were waiting to be served; the meals were quick in arriving and the waiters were much more attentive. Pacific Sun has two dining rooms - The Bordeaux, which seats 538 and The Burgundy, which seats 426 - both are neatly fitted out without being too flashy. The meals were of a high standard and the portions generous, with few guests at our table getting through the entire five courses. Highlights were themed nights when the maitre d' Max Rondoni, added a touch of his Italian flair to the evening. The wine list was also extensive offering a variety of good Australian wines at affordable prices.
After a late meal on the first day, we headed back to our cabin for a good night's sleep. Once inside, you could see where much of P&O's $35 million refurbishment had been spent. The stylish cabin featured new carpet and a good-sized bathroom that had a deep hand basin with a modern mixer tap. Storage for toiletries was a little on the light side, but in the cabin itself, cupboards provided plenty of hanging space and several drawer-like shelves to accommodate shoes and smaller items. While there was plenty of space to accommodate a couple, those with more in the cabin might end up fighting over drawer space.
The queen-sized bed - which, split into twin beds - was a highlight of the cabin and helped ensure a great night's sleep. Not only was it a good size, but it was also very comfortable. Roll away beds are also available for families of five. The cabin also featured essential items like a hairdryer and television but why would you do anything but sleep in your cabin when there was so much entertainment onboard?
Day Two: Strawberry Daiquiri
I had set myself one challenge for day two and that was to navigate my way around the ship and find the best sunbathing location. It didn't take as long as I'd expected. While the 20-somethings propped up the bar with a beer or socialised in one of the two hot tubs, I stumbled across the "child-free" sunbathing deck. This seemed like the perfect escape - not that there were many kids around as they were far too busy hanging out in the excellent kids clubs.
After a brief encounter with a good book, I considered having a go on the twisting, two-storey waterslide but instead, headed for the safer confines of the lunch buffet in the Outback Grill. This area, which also features a pizza bar and steak restaurant for alternate dining at night has also had a total makeover. With its timber floors and tables and its warm colour theme, it was a great alternative to the more rigid style of dining offered in the restaurants and was very popular with families and the younger crowd. Salads, fresh fruits, pastas, roasts and specialty cuisines, such as Mexican, were offered in a buffet style and despite the area's popularity during daytime meals, it never seemed crowded. The area was also a popular choice for breakfast, especially on the days when the ship stopped at ports and people were raring to go.
With concerns of spiralling kilos weighing heavily on my mind after a few visits to the dessert area I headed for the top deck for a few laps and then to the gym. There is only one word to describe the gym - small, but it was relevant to the interest people seemed to have in using it. Only once did I have to leave because all the treadmills were being used and that was only because two were out of order. However, all the equipment was state-of-the-art.
After dinner on day two it was time to check out the night-time entertainment and for those who like a good show, the Atlantis lounge was the place to go. This very Vegas-styled showroom seats 700 and is adorned in a black, red and gold colour theme with giant, golden sea-horses flanking the stage. It has a relaxed, lounge-styled seating arrangement with glass balconies in the top levels for better viewing. And the stage shows were just as impressive. Three new productions have been introduced to Pacific Sun's entertainment schedule and they have all been geared for the Australian market.
Terrace In The Groove offered a different style of entertainment featuring comedians, the deputy cruise director Michael Whitemore with Songs You Love To Hear and a very serious karaoke night.
Day Three: Mai Tai
To really enjoy a cruise you need to totally relax and go with the flow. The Lotus Spa looked like the place to go to help achieve this state of total relaxation and it was easy to find - I just followed the delightful aromas wafting through the corridors from the aromatherapy candles. The spa is a very stylish part of the ship where most women (and some men) would happily spend several hours indulging in some well-deserved pampering and the massage was worth every cent.
For those who prefer a bit more excitement on their daily schedule, there was a plethora of onboard entertainment to keep cruisers happy. Guests could choose from trivia, dance lessons (popular with the uni students and the older generation), bingo (always popular as there was cash to be won), beer quoits, big screen movies, table tennis and a golf-putting tournament to mention just a few. For a good laugh and a chance to have a punt on the horses, get along to the cardboard cut-out races.
But with nine bars and lounges on board, some people just weren't interested in other forms of entertainment. For the over 25s, the intimate Smugglers Lounge - decked out like a beach shack with fishing nets and corrugated iron walls - was a popular hangout and usually had a live band playing. The Speak Easy piano bar was a good alternative if you wanted to have a quiet drink and a conversation and it was never crowded. For the younger generation - who appeared to sleep most of the day and only come out at night - the Oz Bar and nightclub was the place to be. For the sporty types, Legends Bar was the place to catch your favourite sporting match while sinking a coldie. A decent-sized casino also catered for those who like a bit of a bet. There are more than 100 pokies as well as blackjack, roulette, fun 21, ocean poker and three-card poker.
After an early evening snack at the sushi/oyster bar - a first on an Australian ship and a popular place for a lighter meal - we had a little flutter in the casino before heading to the Outback Grill Steakhouse for an alternate dining experience. Here we enjoyed one of the most tender and best-cooked steaks I had eaten for some time and well worth the $15 cover charge for a totally different experience to the dining room.
Day four: Love Boat
Just a few days into the trip, I found my perfect cruising rhythm and my perfect cocktail - a heady mix of melon liqueur, Blue Curacao, pineapple juice and coconut cream. For just $5.50 I was truly in heaven.
Written by Rochelle Tubb