Pacific Jewel Review
survey54
10+ Cruises • Age 60s
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Sail Date: May 2016
‘Pacific Jewel” is purposefully a “no frills” cruiseship to keep the prices low - if you want the extras you have to pay for them. However our 14 night cruise was totally enjoyable: the ship is clean and well maintained and the staff & crew are very friendly and obliging. Our cruise was an intensive '7 ports in 14 nights' cruise, which meant that anyone who bought the $89/day drinks package would have struggled to get their money’s worth - although some gave it their best effort! To start our holiday, it was easy to catch the Captain Cook ferry from Wharf 6 Circular Quay to White Bay for $9 each. It is a reasonably long, but level, walk from the wharf to the White Bay terminal, crossing the road twice. Easy bag drop-off.
As past cruisers we had our boarding ticket marked ”P” for “Priority” and were one of the first on the ship after it was declared ready for boarding. We had inside cabin 10266, which was convenient to the Oasis rear deck, to the Pantry on deck 12 and to the Waterfront restaurant on deck 7. The cabin was the same design as the Pacific Pearl, with a small bathroom but plenty of drawer and hanging space. TV channels were quite repetitive but there were also some modern movies like The Revenant and the latest Star Wars.
Unlike the Pacific Pearl, there are no spas in the Oasis adults area. The 2000 passenger ship has only one pool area, consisting of two, 21 person capacity, 1.7metre deep swimming pools (one reserved for adults) and two, 4 person capacity, spas which means only 2.5% of passengers (50) can be wet at any one time. There is no disabled access to the pools and anyone with difficulty climbing ladders will not be able to use the pools, and those who cannot climb steps or steps will not be able to use the spas. Despite its outside appearance, there is no forward viewing lounge on the ship: the smallish ’Dome’ is only on the Port side, with the Starboard and Forward windows taken up by the Gym and the Spa, the latter of which touted their expensive products & treatments ad nauseam.
Cabin Review
Cabin Inside Cabin
Inside cabin 10266 was large compared to other cruise lines but had a tiny bathroom with limited bench space and no room to hang a bath towel to dry. The shower curtain was changed once during our voyage. Plenty of cupboard, drawer and hanging space in the room. Safe and barfridge. Only one (Australian) powerpoint in the room so we took a powerboard. Plenty of lights. TV was a good size but you couldn't watch it at an angle - it had to be viewed front-on. The bed was a good size but the pillows were small and thin (you can request extras). Under the bed was a sign "Yes, we clean under the bed"! No trouble fitting 2 large hardcased suitcases under the bed. Chocolates provided every second night and the occasional towel animal.
Port Reviews
Port Vila
Port Vila is still recovering from the cyclone earlier this year. A$5 each one way by :bus" to go from the dock to the town centre. We took a "bus" for A$25 return to go to Hideaway Island for snorkelling. The flat bottomed "ferry" to the island was free and it was then it was A$15 each to visit the beach area on the island (the Resort and its other facilities are reserved for overnight guests). Reef shoes are a necessity on the coral beach but the fish are both plentiful and of many varieties, literally right off the beach. The coral was colourful and it was great to see some active coral regeneration work. Back at the dock, the stalls have cheaper prices than the shops in town.
Mystery Island
Tricky anchorage due to the narrow passage through the reef. Pristine waters, coral and fish - some even said they didn't need to snorkel to see the fish and coral. Unsuitable for wheelchairs. Biodiversity Officers fined passengers who brought food from the ship onto the island.
Port Denarau
30 to 40 minute tender from the ship, but well worth it. Good value shopping at the Port, with a variety of ships and restaurants. A free and well presented cultural show was put on for us.
Dravuni Island
200 inhabitants. Very poor community, so some passengers brought donations for the primary school (money, books, pens etc). 20 minute shoulder and neck massage on the beach for $10. Strenuous hike to the top of the hill to see the view. Snorkeling off the main beach is not good - few fish, no coral (unless you go further to the right, near the big rock) but plenty of sea grass.
Noumea
No bargains here - both duty free and everyday commodities at the supermarket are much more expensive than Australia. Choo-choo train is expensive at A$42 each.
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