Pacific Aria Review
Rating by category
Additional details
I had read the reviews on this ship prior to departure and was extremely concerned by the bad reports. I contacted P & O to express these concerns and was assured that the ship was sea worthy and that we would have a wonderful time.
How right they were! Despite a last minute hitch getting on board to receive a phone call from the dog sitter that she had got locked out of the house (good neighbour managed to get her in) and my husband believing it was yet another sign that we should not be going, we had the best time.
The weather was wonderful with slight seas apart from the first night when the ship did rock and roll a bit when there was 100km winds. Also the Captain coming over on the intercom to ask First Aid to attend to deck 5 - at 1 am in the morning. Then for him to come over again shortly after to advise passengers not to be alarmed but there had been a fire on board but it was all under control. Think I would rather not have known this detail.
Cabin Review
Our Cabin was excellent, a king size bed with a sofa and table and 2 other arm chairs. Separate dressing area.
I found that even with my knee I could get into the shower which was over the bath.
Balcony had a table and 5 chairs and 2 sunbeds and there was plenty of room to move around.
Staff Bonia and Nincia were excellent kept the room clean and delighted us with the different animals that they made from the towels.
Port Reviews
Noumea
We walked around the shops and the marina had a coffee in a restaurant which was A$10 for 2, We thought that was acceptable.
Isle of Pines (New Caledonia)
Sand and Sea was lovely. Local markets and local people making hats from plants to give to the people on the cruise. Beautiful place did not want to leave it
Mystery Island
Sand was made from Coral which was loose to walk on - I found this hard with having had a knee operation prior to the cruise.
No seats available so husband dug me a seat in the sand which was very nice and was admired by other travellers.
Port Vila
Taxi drivers hounded you for their business. Felt frightened and was concerned for wallet and pick pockets. Nothing was taken but was hustled and bustled.
If you do not do an organised excursion leave it till later to go ashore when these drivers have all gone. Local markets along the dock were selling local items but taxis were all along making it hard to view them, if we had gone ashore later these were all gone so could have looked more closely at the markets.