philpara,s Cruise Tales, Pacific Sun - Pacific Islands

philpara,s Cruise Tales, Pacific Sun - Pacific Islands

Published by philpara
05-10-2006

philpara,s Cruise Tales, Pacific Sun - Pacific Islands

Hi Gang,
Just got back from Pacific islands cruise on Pacific Sun today,
Fantastic weather all the way, Visited New Caladonia, Nice island, pity about Noumea, interesting history, but has rather run down appearance, got the impression from locals that France does not spend too much money on them. Loyalty islands, beautiful islands, had privledge to visit island village, this was the real thing folks, no set ups or show pony village like some places. Simple living to the extreme, no electricity, no machines, no luxuries of any description [NO DAMN CELL PHONES], but those people were happy AND healthy. Vanuatu, again nice island and again pity about Vila the capital. Isle of Pines, beautiful islands with the whitest fine sand you will ever see.
The ship, The Pacific Sun ?. Like most things it has its good and bad points. For me and Marilyn [my wife] this ship was not for us. This ship is high density, 1900 passengers and basically suited for families and young uns, [we are in our err umm mid fifities///] crowds abounded and difficult to find secluded quiet spot. The modern piped music played in the public areas was too loud, intrusive and irritating. The engine vibration was very noticable, our cabin lliterary rattled, other people commented as well. [mind u were were on deck 5]
The Food, good food and plenty of it, u wont go hungry on this ship
The crew, Could not fault them, These guys worked their butts off, they work upto 18 hours a day[especially the waiters], 7 days a week for term of their contract which can be upto 10 months and get paid peanuts. I think P and O should be condemned for the working conditions they give these people. I would rather pay more and give them better conditions.
The entertainment. Very good, good live shows, plenty daytime activity no complaints there.
Fellow Passengers. Mixed lot, few oldies like myself and even older, but mostly 30 to 40 with, quite a few kids and teenagers [wasnt school holidays either] but a well behaved bunch, didnt see or hear of any disorderly conduct, mind u, the dress regulations were regularly ignored.
Go Again ?. Marilyn not too keen but if we did, have to be a bit more subdued ship, get my drift. and one that doesnt exploit its crew so much.
PS. 10 days without hearing one cell phone, PURE BLISS,
Regards
Philpara

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By joespit on 05-10-2006, 08:12 AM

Phil Loved your report, especially the part about cell phones. It must have been wonderful seeing the villages in the real sense. Thanks

By karmac on 05-10-2006, 08:52 AM

Hi Phil
Well, even though you were obviously a bit disappointed with the ship, sounds like you enjoyed it. We were on the Sun a month ago & we loved it. Then again, we're in our mid 40's with 3 kids (15,11,10). One of the things we liked best was the group of pasengers on board. Lots of families & lots of older people. Not many of that "contiki" age group, if you know what I mean. Again, no unruly behaviour. Lots of kids which we were grateful for and yes, they were all very well behaved. Our kids had an absolute ball. I thought the food & service was first class and I agree with you about the way P&O treat their crew (as far as I know that's on all their Aussie ships). They don't complain though.

Karen

By CharlieW on 05-10-2006, 10:09 AM

Phil,

Emjoyed your report. Thanks for sharing.

By Lancashirelad on 05-10-2006, 02:15 PM

Thanks for the report Phil, sorry you did not enjoy the ship much. I am sure you will find a line out there that is for you.

By philpara on 05-11-2006, 11:26 PM

Alcohol rip off

Hi gang
Just continuing my cruise tales, pet subject today is ripp offs. Now I dont drink but my wife likes a bacardi now and then, The price of bacardi and coke on the Pacific Sun was $AUS5.50. Fair enough I hear u say, if u are landlocked. We purchased 1125ml bottle bacardi duty free on board for $15aus, [which u get at end of cruise, remember no private alcohol allowed] which when p and o ad their profit must be a few dollars cheaper. Now im no Einstein but doesnt that work out a MASSIVE profit as u only get 30ml in a glass of bacardi [correct me if im wrong on that]. Seems to me some of that profit could go towards paying their crew a decent wage, [another pet subject sore point]
Oh well thats one gripe off my chest today, feel better now, Still love that big beautiful ocean.
LIZ. Fannypacks [giggle giggle] are called Bum bags here.
ps. has anyone been on Pacific princess lately, Considering our next cruise [if i can talk marilyn into it] on her. Regards
Philpara

By Dani on 05-11-2006, 11:37 PM

In the states, a Bum Bag would be a trashbag that a homeless person carries around

Although in Seattle, must be capitol of the homeless, they are using shopping carts.

By philpara on 05-12-2006, 03:27 AM

shopping cart dumpers

yes. and doesnt it annoy u when shoppers dump shopping carts in the street, too damn lazy to take em back, regards
Philpara

By philpara on 05-12-2006, 03:56 AM

Pacific princess ozzibob

Ta ozzibob for your rundown on Pacific Princes. Seems all ships have their good and bad points. We too had to do a questionaire about the gastro virus on boarding Pacific Sun, in reality who in their right mind would tick yes to having it, as u said, instant confinement. The hand spray was available throughout the ship but nobody was obliged to use it and I very rarely saw it used in dining room, except for my wife and me [shes paranoid about germs]. Mind u the crew were pedantic about cleaning things, [except our cabin window, salt encrusted]
I think it a bit undiplomatic of the captain to wash his hands in front of everyone after shaking their hands, wonder he didnt wear rubber gloves.[and mask] I never met our captain, saw him a few times, he smoked too, on the bridge of all places, whatever happened to smoking in workplace regulations lol
Also as u said P and O are after the dollar [read my bit on price of alcohol] Their shore tours are over twice as expensive compared to booking it privately and they have the habit of booking the subject tour exclusively for that day so you cant go privately [or so they tell u so u wont even try][we found out later they lied]. The fact the natives had to guide the ship was interesting. I was fascinated by the ships GPS guidance system. they just punch in the port and then follow the white line, maybe they didnt have the software installed for that sea stretch.
Again ta for the info
Regards.... Philpara

By dj victor on 05-13-2006, 03:36 AM

Hi philpara thanks for sharing your cruise, I would like to comment something for everybody....

The main reason why they shore tours are over twice as expensive compared to booking it privately, it's because they "wait" for you (if you were late to get on baord, lost ship) plus they pay lot's of money to rent and hire locals to be your "guide".

The fact the natives had to guide the ship, well Everywhere worldwide the "local" Pilot Must run the ship to her final position at dock side.

The crew, WORK FOR TIP'S, Tipping it's SO Important for them, the staff and officer's don't get any tip's at all, well Maitre D and a few others, but Waiters and Cabin Stewards they work just for tip's and they get paid at the end of the cruise (2 days after or so). In some cruiselines (Carnival;Princess) tip it's included on the price of your cruise...

Regards