Pacific Encounter - Melbourne Cup Cruise 2022

We had so many cruises cancelled, we were so glad when cruising came back to Australia. So this is cruise number 3 for 2022. We booked the Melbourne Cup Cruise, not because we like horse racing but because we like cruising and the special was Cheers to You Sale. We did that one Christmas on Aria and loved it. The only problem was that the 'Cheers' (drinks package) wasn't included - despite the fact that it was advertised for the Melbourne Cup Cruise. However, we were not going to let that spoil our cruise. As we don't drink a lot, well I don't 😇, I bought the refreshment package and had a couple of cocktails during the trip. Still that was bad advertising on P&O's part.

We arrived on time, 12 noon, Peter dropped me off and I checked in the bags. While Peter parked the car. Parking was easy at Wilson's car park as we had pre-booked. Peter parked the car and walked back to the 12 noon queue I was on. It was good to walk past the long queue of people who arrived early, and I was glad that the Terminal Staff now check for times.

Embarkation: time slots were put up for passengers to queue behind. That was a great idea. However, we were in the queue for 12 noon and as as soon as we got to the front of the queue a Terminal staff member blocked it off and ignored us when we said we were 12 noon check-in passengers. I wish I had got her name - she was really cranky. It was 12.15! We had to merge with the 12.30 check-ins. Not a good start, and a negative. 

Once inside the terminal there was another queue to head up to the check-in. That took us to an escalator and the check-in. In total it was about 25 minutes once inside the terminal to Check-in with P&O staff. Passengers that didn't use the Verifly App went onto a longer queue and took longer to check-in as all documents had to be checked. We were done in less than 5 minutes and walked the long walkway to the ship. Good to get steps in!

We went straight to lunch in the Waterfront Restaurant. The lunch time menu is the same every day, as is the breakfast menu.

Muster is now done via the TV and a video. After lunch we went to the cabin, got our key cards, watched the video, and went to our muster station. Easy.

Cabin: we booked an obstructed window guaranteed (cheaper) as we have done previously, and we have never gotten an obstructed window. This time we did..... but it wasn't too bad. Next door would have been worse. 

The cabin inside was the same as the balcony cabin inside that we has in September. The cabin was fine, clean, plenty of storage, and the cabin steward was great. The bed and the pillow are the best we have slept on.

Food: was good in the Waterfront, and Angelo's, but not so much in the Dragon Lady. As this was an 8 night cruise we were allocated Angelo's, then Dragon Lady then Waterfront. As the new menus are the same for three days, there is not a lot of variety. We found the menus in Angelo's didn't change until day 5. I had chicken schnitzel for 5 days out of 6. My choice as I don't eat red meat. Waterfront was great and variety, even though the menu didn't change often.

At Angelo's I ate the same meal twice, and Dragon Lady is disgusting - my opinion. We have now tried Dragon Lady a total of five times pre and post the 'pause'. The food is not to my liking. My sister loves it, Peter thinks it is ok, although the second night we ate there we were sitting in dark - literally sitting in the dark! We had to use our phone torch to see the menu. NEVER going there again. So on the 8 nights we ate in Angelo's twice (same menu), Dragon Lady twice (different menus), and Waterfront 4 nights with two different menus. Really would be happy if they went back to a different menu each night in the Waterfront. We also like sitting at the same table with the same staff, which we were able to do the last three nights after talking to the maitre de at the Waterfront.

Pantry breakfast is ok. We prefer Waterfront though. I love Eggs Benedict, and the Waterfront has that as well as smashed avo and poached eggs. I always ask for one egg and hollandaise sauce on the side. A great way to start the day.

Pantry sandwiches and cookies/deserts are ok. 

Tried the fish and chips again - still mushy fish. The pre-made sandwiches are ok, and the fresh bread rolls are great. Thank goodness I take my Vegemite. I always take a sealed container for snacks at night. We would take some cake or cookies or bread rolls back to the cabin fridge for after the show snack. There are no free food outlets after 8.30 on P&O - unlike Princess, Celebrity, and Royal.

The Shows: the shows are great on P&O. We still have to try the paid $20 Blanc de Blanc show - and we will - it books out quickly.

Each day's shows:

1. Johnny Balance. We saw him on the comedy cruise and he was really funny. This show was very similar.
   
2. Production show: Seven. A great show, we have seen it many times. Will go see it again.
   
3. White night and Sitdown Comedy Club 'Ship Happens' with Demo Simis.
4. Halloween. Encounter did the best Halloween displays, too many to show here, even better than Royal Caribbean, although Royal had Halloween cocktails.  Feature show was a violist Vov Dylan, pretty good.
   
   
   Outside every lift was a display. It was so cool.
   
   
5. Melbourne Cup Day. Elvis film in theatre.
6. Sitdown Comedy Club with Paul Brasch.
7. Gatsby Night. Production Show: Cover Girls.
8. Production Show: Musicology. 
   

Entertainment: Also good. We love trivia and the games. Having them in Black Circus is good, but when they are in the Encounter Hotel it is crowded and noisy. If one can get a seat, it is hard to hear over the talking passengers who are not playing. All the smokers go to the smoking area just outside the Hotel, and the smoke can be smelt as one walks past the doors. The hotel is where all the smokers hang out. Christian is really funny and on this cruise we also had Zoltina-J as it was a Melbourne Cup Cruise, and Zoltina is well versed on Australia and Melbourne Cup.

We really enjoyed the talk on the Titanic by Alec MacDonald, and would go to that again. It went for over 90 mins and was so informative and interesting.

Melbourne Cup Activities: We were not expecting all these activities, as we had booked on a Cheers to You Sale - nothing was mentioned about the extra Melbourne Cup activities. there was a horse statue that we were able to take photos with. Also talks related to Melbourne Cup and Horse Racing: Q&A with John Miller; Q&A with Robbie Dolan; Q&A with Sheila Laxon. There was free transport to the cup and free general admission to the cup - the availability to up grade to a seat etc. We also got a very good souvenir book per cabin and a golden cup pin with entry into a competition. There were Melbourne Cup sweeps on board and dress parades.

First day we docked at Station Pier at Port Melbourne Beach, an easy walk to beach, and public transport to the city. Ship put on a bus at a cost and the queue was long. It was better, and cheaper, to walk up to the main road and catch public transport. Tickets could be purchased at the shop. It pays to research your port stops. 

The ship moved the second day to container wharf - and there were free buses to cup and free buses to city.

The third day in Melbourne was only the morning and although there was a free bus to the city, many passengers stayed on board.

We had a great cruise, we usually do. A cruise is what you make of it.