For our cruise we had booked a boarding time online, arrived about ten minutes early and were told there was a backlog of passengers, we had to stand for nearly two hours, not a good start! Our cabin ( 10152) was fine but very cold due to the A/C having no workable control, serviced every day with a chocolate except for the last four nights. The staff and food were excellent in our opinion but the entertainment was disappointing to say the least, the exception being the Jazz vocalist on the last night, he was good.General criticism from our group was lack of (free) activities whilst at sea, by the way, the Capuccinos in the coffee shops were great (served with a chocolate).

We were warned by the Captain three days into the cruise of higher than normal sickness on board, unfortunately we had to visit our Doctor when home, my Wife and I were diagnosed with Influenza A (Bird-flu) and another lady in our party had to spend three days in hospital with Pneumonia. We were glad to be home, cruising is not for us, having said that, there were some on board who enjoyed themselves. The Pacific Jewel is in a tired state and I wonder if the refit later this year will improve on this? I would add that we found getting on and off the ship at the ports to be frustrating, most of the time only one crew doing the checking off and on. The people of Portland, Burnie (volunteers) did a wonderful job once we had docked. P & O put out a flyer for Hobart stating there were complimentary buses for a shuttle into and from the Town, not so (and hasn't been for the past two years) I have received an apology regarding this!