Pacific Aria Cruises

Life aboard Pacific Aria
After April’s cruises out of Melbourne and Adelaide, Pacific Aria sails from Auckland until mid-October, over 3 to 14 nights. The shorter cruises are ‘office breaks,’ the longer cruises reaching South Pacific islands. The longest ‘Bounty Adventure’ cruise is of historical interest. After this she will sail from Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, mostly over 3 or 4 nights. P&O does a good job of offering cruises of varying lengths and destinations, to suit families and singles, first-time cruisers and retired couples. So, put aside three or four nights to relax on board with good food and entertainment, and a break from home. For her ‘last hurrah’ in April 2021 Pacific Aria departs Melbourne for Esperance, Albany, Fremantle, Bali, Phuket, Penang, Kuala Lumpur and finally Singapore over 18 nights. Pacific Aria then leaves P&O to sail with Cruise & Maritime Voyages and renamed Ida Pfeiffer.

In the growing Australian market P&O’s standard of cuisine, restaurants, public spaces and leisure activities maintains its excellence. This is reflected in the 2014 Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships, which raised the Line’s ratings significantly. (P&O was one of only two of the largest 10 Cruise Lines to be given a higher rating, the other being MSC). On board, P&O offers 60 activities. You’ll appreciate the traditional inside cinema, and the closed roof over the top deck pool. P&O crew, service, food and entertainment receive strong reviews from guests. P&O cruises offer relaxation with a touch of luxury, aimed at middle Australia. Gratuities are included in the fare.

Accommodation
Staterooms come in five categories – Penthouse, 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. Oceanview rooms have a bathtub and shower; higher categories have a whirlpool bath and shower. Facilities include flat screen TV, fridge, personal safe, AC, telephone, 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). Fifty-two interconnecting cabins for families and groups allow quad-quad, twin-quad, triple-triple, and twin-twin bedding.

The Penthouse Suite is lavish with spa baths, separate living and dining areas, large balcony, a powder room (featuring a second toilet), a king bed and floor to ceiling windows. Also receiving the spa bath treatment are the Suite with balcony category. Suites accommodate three or four, and include a range of extras such as Nespresso machine, priority embarking and disembarking, bathrobes and slippers, and a lot of little extras. Note that room-service meals come at extra charge. Many staterooms are modified accessible and wheelchair accessible (6). (Check out whether the deck 10 Suites allow for night-time quietness.) There are no single cabins. Cots are available for children under three years.

Food and Dining
Dining-wise, there are four eateries onboard Pacific Aria. Dining is where and when you like: “Your Choice Dining” at the main The Waterfront Restaurant or the pool-deck Pantry, a multi-station food court offering a variety of cuisines. Expect big ship banquet catering. The décor is bright and very colourful. Dress up for the formal dinner/s. There are four alternative options. The line has recruited celebrity chef Luke Mangan who has added his touches to the menu in the Salt Grill restaurant, a steak and seafood venue. The other two specialty restaurants serve Italian at Angelo’s and pan-Asian at Dragon Lady. For an exceptional evening make a reservation at Chef’s Table, for a tour of the galley and commentary by the Executive Chef.

Four other dining options start with the al fresco Burger Shed next to the pool for breakfast, lunch and through the evening. 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 at the Cellar Door. In all, Pacific Aria features 15 bars, restaurants and cafés. Reserve your place for High Tea in the afternoon. Families are well catered for: Children have their own menu changed daily in the Waterfront restaurant, and they can dine early at the Pantry. The crew have a name for friendliness and the food selection is plentiful and varied.

Entertainment
The main attractions are the well-selected (and many new) ports of call. On sea days there will be plenty of activity day and night to keep you entertained. The forward two-deck theatre The Marquee is the venue for production shows and major cabaret acts. There’s an indoor cinema, and a dedicated cooking demonstration room that, in the evening, offers dining along with your own cooking supervised by the ship’s chefs. During the day there are game shows, Bingo, karaoke, and many other activities. In the evening, perhaps after cocktails, there’s the adults-only Sit Down Comedy Club, casino, much live music, and forward on the top deck a lounge with dance floor. The shopping arcade offers fine jewellery, crystal, perfumes and fashion apparel.

P&OEdge is an adventure playground for children to adults, offering up to 19 activities that include high rope swings, laser tag, slack lines, Segway obstacle courses, flying fox lines, funnel climbs and many more designed around the ship’s existing architecture. The lido deck main pool and two hot tubs have a retractable cover, with day beds and abundant flora to provide a luxury residential feel and a great setting for entertainment. The second pool is in the adults-only Oasis retreat. The giant spa complex includes a range of thermal suites, and gymnasium with circuit-training and fitness classes. On the lower promenade deck is a 360 degree jogger track. P&O’s children’s programs cater for ages 3 to 10 years, and late-night child minding (pay extra). HQ and HQ+ are hangouts for 11 to 17 year olds.

Explore the decks

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