P&O - Pacific Explorer
My first impression was WOW - it looks great! We have sailed on Dawn Princess, as it was previously & Pacific Aria and while looking similar in theming, it is far larger & more impressive. While we enjoyed the Dawn Princess it is definitely an improvement and caters for a much broader age group. It is an evolving concept as P&O continue to refine features such specialty dining, the main dining room & adding new ideas.
The atrium is a very funky area that is a nice hub with the ocean bar, café & shops. Looking up from the atrium you can be tempted with a pizza from 400 Gradi, a legend in the pizza game. Pizzas range from $10-$14 but usually cost around $20-$25 at their restaurants.
We also took in Explorer Hotel which was previously the Wheelhouse Bar. It is now much lighter, along with a great feel to have a few drinks listen to live music & have a dance.
Black Circus is the aft lounge which has the adults only show Love Riot that hosts laser tag with smoke and flashing lights at set times.
The theatre is largely unchanged but is a great space with no columns offering unobstructed views wherever you sit.
The Bonded Store is like a hidden little speakeasy bar with great atmosphere and a good stop off on your way to the Blue Room. It has a wow feel as soon as you walk in with live music a dance floor with great little nooks to find your space with friends.
Main dining room is a very open layout and P&O have moved away from lots of little workstations for waiters with a number of benches in which to serve from. Previously it was very hard to find a table that wasn’t very noisy!
The pantry is like a food court allowing you to select what type of food you feel like from Mexican to Seafood, Asian or Indian. A big open eating area works well.
The central pool area has great sun lounges with decent mattresses plus big double sun lounges. Be quick though as there are only a few this will be in high demand. From this deck, you can get an ice cream at New Zealand Natural Ice Cream, a cocktail at the Malibu cart and pool bar or look over proceedings from the upper at the Luke Mangans light dining offering Luke’s. It’s a great location!
The Waterpark kids will find this great fun over a cruise with some pretty twisted water slides plus splash zones with tipping water bucket and play zones.
The Edge Adventure zone is mostly on the top decks with adrenalin activities such as zip lining, walk the plank over the edge of the ship, bungy tramp, mechanical bull, laser tag and segways. You can buy an individual activity or a cruise long Adrenalin pass starting at $99 Adult or $89 for kids.
Overall, the ship is well laid out. It offers many zones to read a book including padded window alcoves plus a range of place to eat, drink and party. P&O always do a great sail away party plus during the cruise you can join in themed nights with a Gatsby night, white party and back to school.
Pacific Explorer is set to become a great family holiday favourite.