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P&O Australia Cruises

229 Reviews
P&O Cruises Australia Pacific Explorer Pool Deck
  • P&O Australia Cruises Tips, Activities, and Overview

  • Who goes on P&O Australia cruise ships?

  • Do I have to dress up on a P&O Australia cruise?

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P&O Australia Cruises

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P&O Australia Cruises Tips, Activities, and Overview

Who goes on P&O Australia cruise ships?

Passengers come mostly from Australia and a few from New Zealand. It's a relatively younger crowd than found on some other lines, with an average age of about 45 years old.

The generally easy-going and fun-loving passengers tend to be more budget-focused with value for money more important than luxury.

Although the cruise line is popular across multiple generations, couples and families dominate. It has won accolades for its family-friendly atmosphere with children kept busy by kids' clubs staffed by qualified teachers and childcare workers.

Do I have to dress up on a P&O Australia cruise?

P&O ships do not have formal nights with black tie requirements. Instead, there's usually one or two party nights (check your itinerary), with themes such as the Great Gatsby or the Bianco party, which calls for white clothing.

Is everything free on P&O Australia cruises?

No. All meals at Waterfront Restaurant, The Pantry, Angelo's and Dragon Lady are included in fares. But all other dining options carry a charge. Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are also not included, but dispensing machines for water, tea and coffee in The Pantry are free. In terms of activities, there are plenty of perks -- from the complimentary kids' clubs and comedy shows to cooking demonstrations and pool games. However, shore excursions and P&O Edge activities, such as zip-lining, are an additional expense.

What are P&O Australia’s most popular activities?

There is a wide range of onboard activities which include fitness classes, cooking demonstrations, mixology classes, live bands, dancing, game shows, table tennis, casinos, cabaret shows, karaoke, deck parties, spa treatments, trivia quizzes, in-cabin movies, shuffleboard, bingo, dance classes, themed nights and parties, talent shows, enrichment lectures and port talks.

P&O Edge is an adventure park that uses the ship as its equipment; for example, abseiling across the bow or climbing the funnel (charges apply).

Also popular are short theme cruises with a focus on food and wine or health and fitness, featuring speakers, presentations and special activities.

Why go with P&O Australia?

  • Largest permanent big-ship cruise line in Australia
  • Lively atmosphere, family-friendly with excellent kids clubs
  • Recent ship upgrades offer more choice, facilities and modern decor
  • Attracts a casual, predominantly Aussie crowd
  • First newly built year-round Australia-based ship coming in 2019

Best for: Fun-loving, value-seeking families, couples and solos who like to socialise

Not for: Anyone yearning for a quiet, kid-free getaway with strict dress codes and formal nights

P&O Cruises Australia Cruiser Reviews

Great Time Cruisin with the Family

My children had a fantastic time in the kids club each day, which was great for us to have a break from the kids for a few hours.The kids talent show was fantastic and it was great to see the children have a go with performing on a stage.Read More
RTA77

First Time Cruiser

•

Age 40s

Great entertainment and parties however the food was a huge let down and the pantry concept just doesn’t work

P&O have a major issue with included in fee dining options and food service staff.The food you come to expect from a cruise was nothing short of awful.Read More
markandallan

6-10 Cruises

•

Age 60s

Worst Cruise Ever

The internet plans are a complete waste of time $100 or A$10 per day just to be connected to social media or A$25 per day to be connected to basic internet, which buffered and you could only connect about 5% of the time.Despite every passenger having to line up the day before our first port to get our passports checked by Australian immigration, we then had to line up the next day to get a ticket to get ashore.Read More
Globe.Trotter

2-5 Cruises

•

Age 40s

Find a different cruise

Entertainment on board was really good, plenty of trivia and game shows with the staff, Bingo on a couple of days, so there was always things to go and see and play along with, which was a nice positive.Breakfast here was revolting, I would wake up first thing when it opened and without fail I would have cold scrambled eggs, rock hard bacon and lukewarm hashbrowns, the pastrys and cereal bar are the only good thing about it, rather go to the waterfront and have your breakfast cooked to order and get it hot, plenty of options for lunch and dinner, but the lining up due to the small little area is such a pain and could be avoidable with better setup.Read More
liamrowley99

2-5 Cruises

•

Age 20s

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