P&O Pacific Explorer Questions & Answers

Sorry Mafchief, I was not one to endulge in playing anything like that on the cruise but I heard no complaints and I heard people were looking forward for bingo.

Thank you very much.

I’m not too sure about gluten free ice cream. Sorry

We had the same problem with our softdrink package so i used online chat to let them know. They sent me an email to confirm the package was showing their side, but said not to worry as it would show as a symbol on the front of our cruise cards they gave us when we checked in.

Free water is always available at The Pantry, 24/7. We buy the 6 x 1.5l water bottles for when in the room. Water was provided at all restaurants when dining too.

If you drink more than 2 mock tails and coffees a day it’s probably worth the money as you also get bottled water included too. BE AWARE, THEY CHARGE FOR EVERYTHING, THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY FREE, Biscuits, Cake, Pizza, Burgers, Icecream etc!

Don't go on P&O it's run by monkeys. Princess boat's are way better

Just don't go, honestly it's not worth it, P&O are utterly terrible.

Have you been on carnival?

Hello Tania, The cruise is a waste of time as the others have said. If you are going then the $25 package is worth it as the mocktails are definitely good. Also, the bottled sparkling water and coffee make it worth it. I had about 10 sparkling waters, 4 mocktails, and 3 coffees each day which paid for itself. Also, do not touch the water in the cabin - you will be charged for it. Just grab water from the bar each time you return to your room and keep it in the fridge - take it along when ashore and you do not need to buy water.

Thanks Warren, have you been on Carnival boats?

There are gluten free options. Don't know about snacks, but there are meals.

Drinks packages are soft drinks or alcoholic drinks. Mocktails are not included. Try google search for the latest list of what's served but unless it's a recent post the menu will change. Any cruise line, if staff have to serve you a refreshment, there'll be an extra charge unless it's tap water at your table.

Mocktails are on the $25 refreshment drink package

I have no idea? On the Explorer WA cruise I did not find happy anywhere. Linda

I thought the drink package was worth it because I like chai tea and the occasional coffee, plus it let's you get 600ml bottled water, mocktails, lemon lime & bitters, softdrinks. They tend to only let you get one drink at a time although I did get a hot drink and bottled water together once or twice. You aren't supposed to share your card or buy for someone else but.... If you aren't big alcohol drinkers not worth the price to get alcohol package. Most Alcoholic cocktails $16, pacific Island ice tea (long island) $20.

US Dollars

No wine.

Around $40 for a bottle

I saw a small book shelf near reception, some sort of book exchange, not more than 50 books

No alcohol at all, only 12 cans of soft drink in carry on luggage

Did not buy it. We can go a few day without internet

I was hoping to not use it but now have work stuff I didn't finish that needs to be submitted while away

First Drinks - Unless you are a heavy drinker don't take the drinks package. Water, Ice Tea, coffee is free. The coffee is good just like the 7eleven service stations. You can take soft drink cans onboard at embarkation. The limit is 5 per person. You can not take any bottled drinks, just ring pull cans. They must be in your hand luggage NOT checked in. You can (adults only} take 1 bottle of wine that you need to drink in your stateroom. NO HARD LIQUOR as that will be confiscated. At 4pm there is usually a happy hour at one of the bar venues (buy 1 drink get the same as a second drink for $1 extra). There are usually some shop/spa promotions that are held and if you go you get a free glass of champagne or Mimosa. I go have the drink and then leave. Room service offers a buy 6 cans of soft drink in one transaction and only pay for 5. Another thing you can do is buy and pack powdered Tang. Comes in a variety of flavors eg orange juice, mango raspberry and you just stir a spoon full of powder to your glass of water. The ships water is good (de-sall) so don't buy bottled water. It is not better. For variety on a long cruise take some coffee stix of your own and have mocka, hazelnut latte, salty caramel. Activities. There are a lot of quizzes, ring toss, paper plane making and flying that you can participate in, often offering a prize. Some activities have a small FEE eg. jewelery making but are often worth it. Depends on what is offered. There are jigsaw puzzles, board games that you can use and a daily crossword, brain teaser and sudoku. You will find them on deck 5 or 6. The library is take your own book to read and then swap it from the swap box. Each day there is a ships news letter delivered to your door that informs you of the days activities. Read it over breakfast and you will not miss out. There are free shows in the theater at night and live music at bars, but there is also extra fee $10 each, shows (black Circus for more adult themes. Kids spend most of their time on the water slides that are included. Other outdoor activities like the flying fox is extra fee. The movies are included and your stateroom TV will also offer movie choices. The kids club offer electronic games but a fee is involved. Some restaurants are included, other up-maket ones are extra charge. The Grill, pizza and the chinese restaurant, pantry are all free of charge. There are enough food choices included. The only thing I don't like is Ice Cream is an extra charge now. They used to have free soft serve cones but now it is outsourced to New Zealand Ice creamery and expensive. I get my Ice cream fix at the restaurant each night with dessert. Never know I might see you on the ship, 5 cruises booked on the explorer between Oct and Dec. All up 56 cruises completed via different companies.

Thank you so so so very much !!! We booked the pacific explorer first time cruise today on 9th july 2023

First Drinks - Unless you are a heavy drinker don't take the drinks package. Water, Ice Tea, coffee is free. The coffee is good just like the 7eleven service stations. You can take soft drink cans onboard at embarkation. The limit is 5 per person. You can not take any bottled drinks, just ring pull cans. They must be in your hand luggage NOT checked in. You can (adults only} take 1 bottle of wine that you need to drink in your stateroom. NO HARD LIQUOR as that will be confiscated. At 4pm there is usually a happy hour at one of the bar venues (buy 1 drink get the same as a second drink for $1 extra). There are usually some shop/spa promotions that are held and if you go you get a free glass of champagne or Mimosa. I go have the drink and then leave. Room service offers a buy 6 cans of soft drink in one transaction and only pay for 5. Another thing you can do is buy and pack powdered Tang. Comes in a variety of flavors eg orange juice, mango raspberry and you just stir a spoon full of powder to your glass of water. The ships water is good (de-sall) so don't buy bottled water. It is not better. For variety on a long cruise take some coffee stix of your own and have mocka, hazelnut latte, salty caramel. Activities. There are a lot of quizzes, ring toss, paper plane making and flying that you can participate in, often offering a prize. Some activities have a small FEE eg. jewelery making but are often worth it. Depends on what is offered. There are jigsaw puzzles, board games that you can use and a daily crossword, brain teaser and sudoku. You will find them on deck 5 or 6. The library is take your own book to read and then swap it from the swap box. Each day there is a ships news letter delivered to your door that informs you of the days activities. Read it over breakfast and you will not miss out. There are free shows in the theater at night and live music at bars, but there is also extra fee $10 each, shows (black Circus for more adult themes. Kids spend most of their time on the water slides that are included. Other outdoor activities like the flying fox is extra fee. The movies are included and your stateroom TV will also offer movie choices. The kids club offer electronic games but a fee is involved. Some restaurants are included, other up-maket ones are extra charge. The Grill, pizza and the chinese restaurant, pantry are all free of charge. There are enough food choices included. The only thing I don't like is Ice Cream is an extra charge now. They used to have free soft serve cones but now it is outsourced to New Zealand Ice creamery and expensive. I get my Ice cream fix at the restaurant each night with dessert. Never know I might see you on the ship, 5 cruises booked on the explorer between Oct and Dec. All up 56 cruises completed via different companies.

Even if you are going somewhere warm pack a cardy as inside air conditioning can be cold

Thank you so much Carlyne yeah I read on itenary about air con so I thought jersey and umbrella. Wow 56 cruises !! Super exciting !!

Carlyne, everything I read about P&O says you cant bring alcohol onboard. I know we were allowed to take a bottle of wine each onboard our Princess Cruises, but it was stated clearly in the rules. I cannot find that P&O Australia allow it. I would love to take wine onboard for in our room. Would love to discover that we can. On Princess we could also purchase Gin & Bacardi for our room, and get tonic and coke on our soft drink package and it was lovely being able to drink each night on our balcony.

Carlyne how recently did you cruise? I had the very same thought as NICKY who posted just before me

Hi Gary - I got the $25 drinks package and all coffees were included. I think cappuccino was on the list - I personally took a liking to iced coffee - and is available in bars all over the ship, but I would recommend Charlie's Bar (the coffee shop) which has more options. Sheridan

Thanks