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P&O Australia Cruises

197 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

HORRIBEL FOOD, GREATE MUSIC

Drinks are double the price of any other cruise line considering they are pouring 1/2 nips (30ml) for $11.As it was a cheap cruise, i didn't mind the extra charges, however, when i totalled up my account + the cost of the cruise, it was about the same anyother cruise line.Read More
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COYLE42

10+ Cruises

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Age 80s

Better than we expected

There was a sail away party with some dancing on the pool deck and one on the last night, but we did not go to that ( and it was held in a small venue on board ) and the White and Gatsby themed evenings.It was rough so they could not put as many people in as normal but they had 2 docks set up on the side of the ship but only loaded one boat at a time.Read More
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Deb1971

10+ Cruises

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Age 50s

Communication and logistics were an unmitigated disaster

Typical of such a cruise, we could not book restaurants in advance, nor tickets to shows -- and most appalling, since this was a solar eclipse cruise, accompanied by many experienced eclipse chasers, as well as astronomers from around the world, including Australia and the USA (among those, 130 passengers signed up through Sky & Telescope Magazine), NO ONE KNEW THE PLAN prior to departure.Bar tenders and shop keeps were bemoaning their work conditions -- long hours, no breaks -- and were explicitly told that they were not allowed to leave their stations to see the solar eclipse during totality (I got the impression that this demand might have been relaxed for a number of the crew but I am uncertain of this detail.Read More
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asterism

10+ Cruises

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Age 50s

Totally Eclipsed

Check-in: Check in times were supposedly staggered but scenes of utter chaos greeted us at Fremantle with passengers being pushed and pulled in all directions - there seemed to be no coherent plan in plan to ensure the smooth transition of passengers from terminal to ship.However, no information available for anytime other than current day.Read More
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Romanaround

10+ Cruises

•

Age 60s

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