Life aboard Pacific Jewel
Pacific Jewel has a distinctive all-white curved forwards superstructure inspired by the dolphin. P&O cruises offer relaxation with a touch of luxury, good food and entertainment on the high seas, aimed at middle Australia. Enjoy a top-class performance in the two-story Marquee Theatre. The spacious domed entertainment centre features great live entertainment, comedy nights and jazz events. Competitions and games, both indoor and outdoor, day and night, will keep all age levels involved. Children have their own facilities and areas, and there is an evening child-minding service. The ship also handles conferences, and caters for wheelchair accessibility. Pacific Jewel has received good reviews for crew, service, food and entertainment. Gratuities are included in the fare.

Accommodation
Staterooms come in four categories – Mini-Suite with balcony, Outside with balcony, Outside and Inside – and 15 price levels (higher decks costing more). Many cabins have a third or even a fourth bed available. All cabins are spacious, with walk-in robes, and twin beds mostly convertible to queen size. Facilities include refrigerator, kettle, personal safe, bathrobes and toiletries, and an interactive video system. The décor is neat and attractive. About two-thirds of the cabins are outside cabins having a large window (or porthole in the case of a few). Ten cabins are wheelchair accessible. Cots are available for children under three years.

On the upper decks are Mini-Suites with balconies that come with upgraded bathrooms and a range of extras and can accommodate three. Suites have access (payable extra) to a private lounge away from background music. Check out the deck 11 suites for night-time quietness. Of the 832 cabins, 198 have balconies, aimed at an affordable range. Note that room-service meals come at extra charge.

Food and Dining
Dining-wise, there are five eateries onboard Pacific Jewel. Dining is where and when you like: “Your Choice Dining”, at Plantation (around the clock) and The Waterfront (three meals time daily) and tables seating two to eight. The décor is bright and extremely colourful and bright. Dress up for the formal dinner/s. There are two alternative (pay extra) restaurants. The line has recruited its first ever celebrity chef, Luke Mangan, who has added his touches to the menu in the Salt Grill restaurant, a steak and seafood venue. La Luna is a casual restaurant serving Asian-style cuisine. The crew have a name for friendliness and the food selection is plentiful and varied.

Pacific Jewel’s late 2012 refurbishment adds a Natural Ice-cream Parlour, for everyone’s liking (and licking). A café on the Lido Deck serve casual meals and grills, and at night less formal dining with pasta, steaks, salads and desserts. Themed bars and lounges are aplenty. This ship has its own chocolate café on board. The cafe serves up chocolate ravioli, warm chocolate fondant, Belgium waffles and a range of cookies and chocolate cake. Enjoy while on the Internet (though Internet charges are high).

Entertainment
The main attraction is, of course, sailing to the South Pacific! You will have four or five sea days, and there’s plenty of activity day and night to keep you entertained (but no library, so take your own books). The Marquee, two decks high, is the main venue for production shows and major cabaret acts. The top Lido deck displays a Big Screen day and night. At night the Lido deck presents an aerial trapeze display. Other centres of entertainment are: the adults-only Sit Down Comedy Club, the late night Piano Bar, The Attic disco, and cocktail nights. Live bands, karaoke, dancing and the casino offer non-stop evening activities.

By day guests can join in a variety of organised activities. The top sun deck is now an adults-only Oasis spa area complete with wicker beds, lounges, ottomans and a new whirlpool. Under the sun on the upper decks is the ocean-view Aqua Health, Spa and Fitness centre that spans two decks and 1,300 square meters. It features 11 ocean view treatment rooms, a salon, fitness centre and thermal suite. The Children’s Centres that cater for ages 3 to 10 years is situated at the rear of the top deck. HQ and HQ+ are hangouts for 11 to 17 year olds.

Explore the decks

14 - Deck 14 12 - Deck 12 11 - Deck 11 10 - Deck 10 9 - Deck 9 8 - Deck 8 7 - Deck 7 6 - Deck 6 5 - Deck 5 4 - Deck 4 2 - Deck 2