In the spotlight

Just went on the 3 day weekend and while I enjoyed it I wasnt overly impressed by the experience. I was glad to hear from other “cruisers ” on board not to judge cruising by this experience as for some reason the weekend wasnt up to the usual standard. Was sorry to hear this, but maybe will try cruising one more time.

Was good to hear about your experience on pacific jewel lynn. Do you know if there is a blog anywhere that other pacific jewel passengers have commented on cruise or where we can find out other peoples experiences?.

My friend and i are on the most fantastic journey around New Zealand on the Pacific Jewl right at this moment we left Sydney behind on the 1st February 2010 we are having a fantastic time the cabins are brilliant you can not fault the food or the service the crew are wonderful they make you so welcome especially the Captain.
All i can say is that it is only as good as you make it where else can you have fun and relax at the same time on the Pacific Jewel of course.

I am having a great time on the jewel meeting people and viewing new zealand in all its glory even if the weather is a bit iffy.The service and food is first rate and the staff are wonderful. I know no matter how much you supply for people there are some that are still never happy but that is no fault of the liner some people just like to winge. My favourite part is the captains virtual bridge talk capatain lorenzo is a great spokesman for p&O he is a pleasure always and I have enjoyed 2 trips with him and look forward to many more.Thank you P&O.

Yes Captain Lorenzo is wonderful. We had him on our cruise on the Pacific Dawn last year. It was his last cruise with her before having a holiday with his family and then going on the Jewel. Cant wait for my cruise in November

Donna and i are having a great time we are looking forward to standing on land tomorrow i know we will have sea legs but that’s part of the fun. We are heading towards Port Charlmers at the moment when we arrive in the morning we are going on the old train ride through the Tairea Gorge we are looking forward to it we will keep you posted.

My neighbours are on this cruise atm and i am sitting here at home on the NSW Central Coast following there trip via the live cam feed. I love this feature its great and i can see where they are the whole trip, its the next closest thing to actually being on board LOL.
Hope your having a great time Chrissy and Lil cant wait to hear all about it when you get home.

do you have yoghurt on the jewel

Really looking forward to my family celebration on Pacific Jewel ex Syd on 14 Feb – my first ever cruise and a great opportunity to get back to Vanuatu where I worked for 18 months over 30 years ago. Was wondering what the environmental impact would be. Has anyone seens calcs of CO2 impact of cruising? Guess one could do a first approximation from total fuel oil used in 10 days divided by number of people on board (crew and passengers. Do P&O have any carbon offset sheme?

All ships usually have Yoghurt. Just returned from Pacific Dawn and they had Yoghurt. Every cruise I have ever been on has Yoghurt. Can’t wait to sail on Jewel in December.

Going on my first cruise in May on the Jewel. I am a diabetic and just wandering if there are any others out there who have been on the jewel who can tell me about the food on board.

Hilarious

Are you drunk at home or on the Pacific Jewel?

I’m cruising in November as well! i’m already so excited, we’re frequent cruisers, best holiday ever, but extra excited to go on the Jewel for the first time, too early to start the countdown? never

Hi Cheryl, the food is so varied and brilliant, there is something for everyone on board but if you are concerned then be sure to get in contact with P&O before you cruise to let them know of your dietary requirements have a great time!

Thank you Melanie for your comment. Iwill ring P.O. and am planning on having a great time I can,t wait.

Hi Jen, What cruise are you going on? We head out on the 28th, it’s our first cruise and we are very excited, I am sure the lines can’t be any worse than in Vegas, i keep trying to not read all these posts but they are addictive.

Hi Donna, Just wondering if you could give me a hint at about how many $$$$ i would need to be able to have a day at the spa etc etc with my hubby and basically just spoil ourselves rotten on the trip. He was thinking $1000 a day, I thought that a bit excesssive! I hope i am right thanks

Hi guys, We have just arrived home after 2 fabulous weeks on the Jewel. The Spa is great very luxurious and worth the $$$$.
If you wait a few days they have specials but to give you an idea a full massage is about $170 and an hour facial with all the trimmings was $130 on special. If you want to use the sauna area they have specials for couples that work out cheaper for the whole cruise. You have to remember these are luxury extras and there are many things to do for free also.
Enjoy every minute…….we did

Lots of Yoghurt and anything else you desire, yum yum!!!!!

You’ll have a blast on NYE cruise. They are the best. I head out on 10 Dec to Tassie.
I have been on christmas, NYE and other south pacific island cruises oh and just got back of Cairns & Port Douglas on Pacific Dawn.
I have not been on same ship twice. Every cruise and ship is different.
Just take pleanty of spending money.

At home – practicing for my cruise!!!

DEEP!!!!

We are 2 male freinds going on the jewel in march 20th.Just wondering if there are many single ladies that cruise on these ships.We are both mid 40’s and curious.

Don’t forget to watch getaway ch9 this thursday a segment on the jewel

Whats the demographics on the Jewel??
Specifically, % wise of people in their 20’s

Wouldn’t be many i think most would be 40 plus

Awesome!!!! (Sarcasm ) I know at least .1% of the population will be in their 20’s. Me and a friend. Anybody going 10th March around here? Do I hear .2%?

if its like the dawn then they’ll be people all ages, my partner and I are in our 20’s and on the dawn, there were heaps of people our age, lots of groups and couples, besides older people can be really really fun to hang out with on the ship too

Hey Pizza Boy,
I believe P&O are changing or have changed their image to be a more “Family Friendly” cruise line. where young couples with kids as well as older familes can feel safe & secure on board and not be harassed. On the past cruises I’ve done over the last couple of years, there has always been a great cross section of ages on board and you definitely feel like one big happy family …………

Hi Pizza Boy,I can see that everyone has helped with your questions,but if in the end that you and your friend dont enjoy your cruise could I recommend a Contiki Tour for your age group 21-40.Once you have been on a cruise you”ll never look back.Plus I dont think that age really matters.Have fun,But not to much?Let us know when you both come back Good Luck….

Thanks for the reply’s guys. I now know what to expect

Been there done that Natalie, thanks for the suggestion though, I have only been on a day/night teaser cruise and I did enjoy it a little to much, I can see my bank balance sailing away as we speak. I have no fear of not enjoying myself, just trying to warm up to the idea of charming some of the older crowd…. Or perhaps they might just charm me.

Hi Pizza Boy,Its good to see that you have done a Contiki Tour,least your with a group of people not to large,and in the spirit of travelling.No challenge is impossible.I can see my bank balance sailing also,but id like my next cruise to be on The Oasis Of The Seas in the Bahamas!!! Id desperately want to try rock climbing,on the ship or wave surfing..And guess what im not shame to say that im 42 this year,@ your only old as you feel.Isnt it the new 30?Maybe us(oldies) could so show you both a thing or to!!!By the way your not a mummy”s boy?Good on you.Take care,I enjoy seeing your reply’s.

I went in January and there were HEAPS of 20 – 30 year olds. Just the luck of the draw on the day I guess!

THANKS!! only 321 odd days to go

So funny you mention The Oasis. If I were a Mummy’s boy, (which I might work on mind you) id be on that boat come 2011, as the parents are actually going on that cruise then. Being 42 you are in prime time cruise mode. I did some digging and apparently 42 is the average age aboard P & O Cruises. In some strange way we have something in common, I am turning the reverse of your age in October.
Thanks for all your advice!

Well Pizza Boy,I do see that you do have the charm!We might have in a strange way have something in common.My birthday is at the end of September.Its nice to see that you want to reverse my age,but I dont need to im fab as it is!!!And you know what they say,at 40.You got to have a laugh and you only live once.Im certain your going to break a few hearts on your next cruise.Keep in touch,you never know,maybe one day we might even be on the same cruise.I”ll shout around a few drinks.Take care.

Chris, sign up for singles cruising. They have their own single mingle cocktail party. They used to have match making, where you fill out a questionaire and the staff match you with a lady and you go to her cabin and pick her up and take her to a party. Maybe dinner and dancing. Don’t know if they still have this.
Just went on Pacific Dawn and they did have singles meet in a bar for a chat to meet your fellow single cruisers. And various other activities all cruise.
I would reccommend this for you and your friend.
Believe me there are always singles on cruises.

Hi Pizza Boy, sounds like you and Natalie really hit it off on the bloggs. Perfect ages to. Hey Nat it would be good to have a toy boy hey, teach him a thing or two.
Enjoy your cruises – you will both have a blast on your individual cruises.
There were also heaps of 20 – 30 on my recent cruise, I went in January in school holidays.
There is also singles meet and greet, if you are interested in that. Meet other singles on your cruise. Activities all cruise for the singles club.

Hi Jen,Yes im sure that Pizza Boy would be a blast,and catch up with his mates for drinks,maybe us gal pals could show the younger ones a few things or two.Your only young as you feel,And being 41 nothing can stop me!By the way im not a cougar,but I do have a few friends that are..My 8 yr old son even has to catch up with me.My partner who is 47 @ I have been with for 27yrs@ he know what im like,im just the life of the party.Age for making friends doesnt bother me.My son @ I adopted an elderly couple on our last cruise in July,And we fell in love with them,MY son in the end called them Nonna,Poppa.WE still keep in touch.Thanks for the advice,I havent taken it personally,I just think that Pizza Boy and I just have a blast!!!I enjoy reading his blogs,Now you cant tell me you’ve had a laugh!!!Take care,And yes I’ll be the one partying on my family next cruise.

Natalie, I met people on Dawn blogg who were going on the same cruise as us. I even met a girl who lives in the next town from us. I met her before our cruise and then we all met the other bloggers on the cruise. We all took photos and went to shows together, ate together, drank together etc etc. It was a blast.
We all have fb pages and have each other photo’s on their. We all chat on fb all the time. Awaiting our next group cruise, to be arranged.
I am married with 3 kids and yes people from all walks of life, ages etc all get on well together on cruises and some make life long friends.
It is terrific how much excitement and fun you can have on cruises. Fantastic.
Natalie, how many cruises have you been on?
I have been on 6 & my first one was in 1978 for 4 weeks. I was only 8yo.

Jen,If you have read my blogs before I have been on 2,my first 1 was on the Sky,my son has been cruising since the age of 3,@ my other half has done 3.I loved the Dawn.Before our son was born,we used to travel around Australia quite a bit.Our son’s favourite city is Sydney.The most beautiful destination for me is Dravuni Is in Fiji.Im trying to plan our next cruise on The Oasis Of The Sea’s.Yes you do make alot of new friends,the couple next to our cabin were from the same neighbourhood as us?How strange is that!!!Yes there are alot of age differences on board,@ their are alot of single people out there.But everyone does get along,I wont ever forget that I even danced with the captain on my first cruise.He came to the children’s disco,and it was a blast!!! I dont worry about a persons age being 20/80 I treat all people the same,otherwise life would be to boring….Yes Pizza Boy is young,So am I.And if I meet him/his mates LUCKY ME.And I would shout them a round of drinks.Keep in touch.

Thank’s jen,
We have been told that we will be prime targets by some lady freinds.A lot more women than men apparently.

Oh,where do you sighn up

Not Happy Jen (Im only joking) I think that you and I have scared Pizza Boy OFF,He hasnt blogged either you and I…Maybe we done his dash,and not his dough(ha ha)Like I said to you before,you cant take everything to seriously.Ive read some of your blogs you seem to be an easy going person,@ say it as it is.Im sure that you @ I would get along if we ever met up.How old are your children? Bye for now…

Come now Natalie, nothing like making a lady wait, the slow cooker works the best in my opinion, especially on the juicy grain fed portions.

16 Days until I get me some Salt Grill steak If you follow.

hear, hear roslyn, I’m with you. The only thing i could fault about the whole thing was the whingers, but eh you get that. Thanx guys for a great experience……….

Well hello Pizza Boy,I hope that you understand Italian,so here goes.Do quindi pensi che l’assenza da cuore piu’ a lungo?And thankyou for calling me a lady!!!!I dont know if I agree with you about the slow cooker though because im a person who likes it HOT and tasty.And whats this about the juicy grain fed?Only if your mother knew what you are like,breaking all these girls hearts.Only 16 days till your cruise.I hope that you @ your friend do get a grilling?Ive never been to Ouvea before so let me know whats it like.Keep in touch,stay out of trouble,but I doubt that anyway.I’ll look at your cruise,via web cam!Dont rock the boat(ha ha)Arrivederci

Hi everyone,
I am going on PJ in May as a single mum of 3 teenage boys I am just wondering are there lots of single parents that go cruises or will I be in a total minority group. I don;t really care either way cos I have waited so lonnnnng to go on this cruise. Any other bits of advice will be very appreciated.

Hi Trace,
Im a single dad and going in march with a mate who is also single so the answer would be yes

Thanks for that Chris, its good to know there will be other singles, I hope you post your thoughts when you return from your cruise, and hopefully they will be good. Cheers

Only 2 weeks to our cruise on 17th