Pacific Jewel Cruises

Life aboard Pacific Jewel
Until August 2017 Pacific Jewel sails out of Sydney, offering cruises to Pacific islands, the Great Barrier Reef, Sunshine Coast, and 3-night theme cruises off the coast based on comedy, and food and wine. Four-night cruises head for Moreton Island and the Hunter Valley. During September and October cruises depart Auckland for various Pacific islands. You may consider the Melbourne Cup cruise of 6 nights departing 4 November 2017 (fare includes tickets and transfers). In mid-November 2017 Pacific Jewel relocates to Melbourne for three months, from where she sails to South Australia, Tasmania, Pacific islands, and Queensland coastal towns. From April 2018 Auckland hosts Pacific Jewel from where she again visits Pacific islands. Appropriate to her name, Pacific Jewel now has a Pandora Jewellery outlet.

Pacific Jewel has a distinctive all-white curved forwards superstructure inspired by the dolphin. Her latest features were added in July 2015, and at 70,310 GT she carries 1950 passengers. P&O cruises offer relaxation with a touch of luxury, good food and entertainment on the high seas, aimed at middle Australia. New to the ship are a Laser Tag game for all ages on the top deck, two-deck child-free Oasis, 40 inter-connecting cabins, and top-deck nightclub. The spacious domed entertainment centre features great live entertainment, comedy nights and jazz events. Children have their own facilities and areas, and there is an evening child-minding service. The ship also handles conferences and weddings, and caters for wheelchair accessibility. Pacific Jewel has received good reviews for crew, service, food and entertainment. Gratuities are included in the fare.

Accommodation
Newly upgraded staterooms come in four categories – Mini-Suite with balcony, Balcony, Oceanview and Inside – and 23 price levels (higher decks costing more). Many cabins have a third or even a fourth bed available. All cabins are spacious, with wardrobes, ensuites, and twin beds mostly convertible to queen size. Facilities include flat screen TV, fridge, personal safe, controllable AC, bathrobes and toiletries, and an interactive video system. The décor is neat and attractive. Outside cabins having a large window (or porthole in the case of a few). Forty interconnecting cabins for families and groups allow quad-quad, twin-quad, triple-triple, and twin-twin bedding.

On the upper decks 36 Mini Suites and 162 Outside staterooms come with balconies. The Mini-Suites have bathrooms with shower over bath, priority check-in, fruit and flowers on arrival, and can accommodate three or four. (Check out whether the deck 11 Suites allow for night-time quietness). Note that room-service meals come at extra charge. Nine cabins are wheelchair accessible. Cots are available for children under three years.

Food and Dining
Dining-wise, there are four eateries onboard Pacific Jewel. Dining is where and when you like: “Your Choice Dining” at the main The Waterfront Restaurant or the buffet Plantation Restaurant. Expect big ship banquet catering. The décor is bright and very colourful. Dress up for the formal dinner/s. There are three alternative (pay extra) options. The line recruited celebrity chef Luke Mangan five years ago, and his Salt Grill restaurant, a steak and seafood venue, has continued its outstanding success. La Luna is a casual restaurant serving Asian cuisine. For an exceptional evening make a reservation at Chef’s Table, for a tour of the galley and commentary by the Executive Chef.

The buffet on the Lido Deck has been replaced by The Pantry, with a contemporary café vibe. Designed as an international food market, it has eight outlets (Hook’s Fish & Chips, Mexicana, The Grill burger bar, Fat Cow Carvery, Curry House, Stix Asian, Coffee Bar and the Sugar Bar dessert station). Also on the pool deck is The Café for coffee and muffins and the like. Socialise in the atrium at Charlie’s Bar, along with coffee, cakes and other treats. In addition are daily wine tastings, master classes, and vintage seminars. Families are well catered for: Children have their own menu changed daily in the Waterfront restaurant, and they can dine early at the Plantation. The crew have a name for friendliness and the food selection is plentiful and varied.

Entertainment
The main attractions are the destinations: the South Pacific, Great Barrier Reef, PNG, and SE Asia. During sea days there’s plenty of activity day and night to keep you entertained. There’s a new program of parties, and a concert-style production show ‘Off the Charts’. View all the action and latest movies on the Big Screen day and night on the pool deck, and at night the Lido deck presents an aerial trapeze display. Other entertainment includes Laser Light shows in the Atrium, game shows, and adults-only Sit Down Comedy Club. Forward on the top deck is The Dome with dance floor. There are five bars and a casino, much live music and karaoke. By day guests can join in a variety of organised activities such as Bingo. The shopping arcade offers fine jewellery, crystal, perfumes and fashion apparel.

P&O Edge is Australia’s largest adventure park at sea, for children and adults. Its 20 activities include high rope swings, Walk the Plank, laser tag, slack lines, Segway obstacle courses, flying fox lines, funnel climbs and many more designed around the ship’s existing architecture. Two aft decks offer an adults-only Oasis spa area, complete with wicker beds, lounges, ottomans and a new whirlpool. There is a small Aqua Health, Spa and Fitness centre. 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. Leisure spaces include jogging track, whirlpool spas, library, gym and health spa.

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