The cruise on the Pacific Aria was probably the worst cruise I have been on. The itinerary was changed to what we originally booked, then the change in boarding times. We flew down from Cairns a day earlier than we need to wasting money on unnecessary accommodation. Unfriendly staff (except our cabin attendants who turned out to be the only pleasant staff on ship). The food was bland, serving sizes in the Waterfront restaurant were ridiculously small as was the portion sizes in Angelos, Dragon Lady and the Salt Grill by Luke Mangan. The lack of salt and pepper annoyed lots of people including myself. I don't see why at every meal you need to ask for salt and pepper and believe me the food needed it. The food was also mainly served cold even though it was supposed to be hot. Charging for room service breakfast again is just a grab for money. None of the other cruise ships I have been on charged for room service breakfast.

There was no food service between 9.30pm and 6.00am unless you paid extra for it. Going by what was served up you would be even more annoyed if you had paid extra for it. The food was the same day in day out for 10 days. Charging for bottled water is just penny pinching especially when you are in the middle of the ocean. $5.00 for a scoop of ice-cream is again is a rip off. There was no tea or coffee served at lunch or dinner in the Waterfront Restaurant unless you asked for it and even then it was served with contempt as if you were inconveniencing the serving staff.

Once it started to rain the ship leaked. A leaky ship isn't good for the confidence especially with buckets strewn around the decks and restaurants catching dirty water. Air blowers going in the stairwells trying to dry out wet carpet. Read more