By this time last year we had been on three cruises. A few weeks ago we went on our first cruise for 2019. The Bounty Cruise is one of the cruises that we have always wanted to go on, but either the time wasn't right, it was sold out, or the price wasn't right. This year when I started looking it was sold out except for suites (would love a suite, but just can't afford it). I kept looking and when I saw a window cabin become available at a good price I booked it. Then I told Peter 😊.
We booked a window cabin at the front end of the ship (cheaper), and ended up with a window cabin smack bang in the middle on deck 6, just off the Atrium. Perfect! Less rocking - not that it worries us - one staircase up to bars and dining, and one staircase down to reception coffee shop and morning trivia. Perfect. The only down we could see for some people would be the bands playing at night in the Atrium. They could be heard in the room, but most nights they finished about the time we went to bed (10.30-11pm), we are not young anymore. We had plenty of cupboard space, the shower was the best we have had on any cruise ship, the bed was lacking the spongy mattress top that has made the beds comfortable at other times. We did have an issue with the air-con being on 'freezing' in the room and making a noise like one is flying a airplane. Despite turning the heat up as high as it would go, and requesting 5 times over the first and second days to get it fixed, it wasn't until we called housekeeping at 11.30pm on the second night to get blankets, that someone came the next morning and could feel the chill as soon as we opened the door. The air-con was fixed within the hour, and the noise (that we didn't complain about) was gone.
Our room attendants were great as usual (we have only had one cruise where we never saw the cabin attendants). We had the usual towel animals
One thing that P&O Australia was lacking, and we mentioned each time in our feedback comments after each cruise, was the lack of enrichment talks. Not the usual 'spa/health' talks, but guest speakers. We were happy to see that this cruise had two guest speakers. We hope this is a change that P&O have made for all 5+ night cruises - also another change was we no longer have to take our life jackets to muster - woo hoo. One speaker focused on the Mutiny, while the other speaker focused on Australian history. She was so interesting. One of her talks made us want to trace Thunderbolts footsteps in the caravan.
A surprise on the cruise was the addition of State of Origin events. We knew SoO 2 was on while we were away and the most we expected was to see it on TV. It was screened on the big screen at the pool, in the Marquee Theatre and also in our cabins. It was probably also screened in the casino. Ben Elias, Chris Walker and Steve Hart were on board and there were trivia's, pass the ball competition, and numerous discussions and question time. We would recommend a cruise when SoO is on, and we will be looking for them next year.
The ship is still the same. We like the different bars, although one needs to get there early to get a seat, especially for trivia. I missed a lot of trivia because there were simply no seats in or near the venues. Even though Deck 7 didn't go all the way around, it was good to be able to sit in the quiet.
The Dome, Deck 14, is always our 'sail away' venue - quiet and warm in the sun with great views. It is a designated quiet zone most days up until around 3pm.
A 'go to' place in the mornings and sometimes before retiring back to the cabin was the Cafe on deck 12. These photos were a rare time it was empty, as many passengers were ashore. The ship is wonderful when in port.
The only disappointment was one of my favourite T2T's, Creme Brulee, is no longer available on P&O. May not get the refreshment package next time.
Being Winter, we didn't spend a lot of time around the pool, except to watch the odd movie. Can you spot Peter relaxing on the smoking side?
Cruise Director Ben has a morning tea trivia.
The food is great in the main dining room especially breakfast. The Pantry seemed a little better than usual, and it was good to see a sandwich type station some days. I kept my Vegemite sachet from breakfast to make a sandwich for lunch in the Pantry when we didn't go to the main dining room. Also during the day I put away either a pastry or bread roll to have at night. The only food venues open after 9pm are at extra cost. It was always very hard to find a seat in the Pantry during meal times, and we took out lunch back to the cabin a couple of times when we couldn't find a table in the Pantry or pool area.
Slices of cake are available to purchase all day in the Cafe.
After lunch and before dinner one can find seats at the back of the Pantry overlooking the adults area.
Being a 14 night cruise we got to know the bands performing on the ship and they were very good. Dial 2 has been on Dawn every time we have sailed with her. They are very popular and we were lucky to get seats a couple of nights.
Lazy Leis were on Aria when we sailed on her last year and they were also on this cruise. A great band and they even had their own show in the Marquee theatre and did the pre SoO show with Aussie songs.
The Groove Band performed in most venues and were good.
The Production Shows on Dawn are good but we have seen them all at least twice, so didn't go to most. We were looking forward to Xcentric however the ship was rocking too much for the dancers so it was cancelled and Tenori performed a different second show. They were funny and really good.
There were also a couple of Sit Down Comedy shows, very funny. We knew there would be a Gatsby night and a Bianco night and went prepared, but didn't know about the Masquerade party. We were lucky to get a seat at the back of the Atrium and stayed there all night.
At the start of the Welcome Aboard Show, Cruise Director Ben gave us a lot of facts and figures. There were 1794 passengers and 717 crew, and the average age of the passengers was 62 years. Peter thinks it was much higher. We thought we would go up to the pool deck on to see how many turned out for Bianco Night. Usually one can not see the floor. Still fun.
We love the different designs in the lifts on P&O. I really need to take a photo of each lift next time.
The ship is still the same. We like the different bars, although one needs to get there early to get a seat, especially for trivia. I missed a lot of trivia because there were simply no seats in or near the venues. Even though Deck 7 didn't go all the way around, it was good to be able to sit in the quiet.
This was leaving Suva.
We even watched the footie live.
The food is great in the main dining room especially breakfast. The Pantry seemed a little better than usual, and it was good to see a sandwich type station some days. I kept my Vegemite sachet from breakfast to make a sandwich for lunch in the Pantry when we didn't go to the main dining room. Also during the day I put away either a pastry or bread roll to have at night. The only food venues open after 9pm are at extra cost. It was always very hard to find a seat in the Pantry during meal times, and we took out lunch back to the cabin a couple of times when we couldn't find a table in the Pantry or pool area.
Lazy Leis were on Aria when we sailed on her last year and they were also on this cruise. A great band and they even had their own show in the Marquee theatre and did the pre SoO show with Aussie songs.
In summary:
Day 1 - We were scheduled to embark at 12 and although we were there earlier we had to wait until just before 1pm to board. Upon boarding we were ushered to the muster - no time for lunch or even a drink.
Day 2 - at sea.
Day 3 - Noumea 3pm -9pm. Peter got off to do internet stuff.
Day 4 - at sea.
Day 5 - at sea.
Day 6 - Nukualofa, Tonga. We booked a historic tour through the ship which was very good -and another blog post.
Day 7 - Vava'u, Tonga. Tendered. Had a walk around the village.
Day 8 - scenic cruising Mutiny position.
Day 9 - Suva, Fiji. A Sunday, so most things closed. Walked around the town.
Day 10 - Port Denarau, Fiji. Tendered. Peter got off and walked around the resorts. It was a different drop off to our last visit here, and consisted of only resorts.
Day 11 - at sea.
Day 12 - Port Vila. Dan Murphy's of the Pacific. Stocked up on our alcohol. Can't beat 1.25ltrs of Dewars Scotch for $16 Australian. Once off the ship one must navigate a maze of market stalls to get out the other end. This photo is the beginning of the maze.
Day 13 - at sea.
Day 14 - at sea.
Day 15 - arrived back in Brisbane.
Day 1 - We were scheduled to embark at 12 and although we were there earlier we had to wait until just before 1pm to board. Upon boarding we were ushered to the muster - no time for lunch or even a drink.
Day 2 - at sea.
Day 3 - Noumea 3pm -9pm. Peter got off to do internet stuff.
Day 4 - at sea.
Day 5 - at sea.
Day 6 - Nukualofa, Tonga. We booked a historic tour through the ship which was very good -and another blog post.
Day 7 - Vava'u, Tonga. Tendered. Had a walk around the village.
Day 8 - scenic cruising Mutiny position.
Day 9 - Suva, Fiji. A Sunday, so most things closed. Walked around the town.
Day 10 - Port Denarau, Fiji. Tendered. Peter got off and walked around the resorts. It was a different drop off to our last visit here, and consisted of only resorts.
Day 11 - at sea.
Day 12 - Port Vila. Dan Murphy's of the Pacific. Stocked up on our alcohol. Can't beat 1.25ltrs of Dewars Scotch for $16 Australian. Once off the ship one must navigate a maze of market stalls to get out the other end. This photo is the beginning of the maze.
Day 13 - at sea.
Day 14 - at sea.
Day 15 - arrived back in Brisbane.
One disappointment, perhaps the only one of the cruise, was the lack of beaches to simply sit on. Peter took his snorkeling gear, but unless you paid for an excursion to a beach or resort, there were no beaches. Guess we have been spoilt going to the lovely south pacific ports with beaches. Here is the ship at Suva.
Would we do it again? Yes of course!!!
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