P&O South Pacific Islands Cruise 2023
Australians are spoilt with beach and
island destinations literally on our shoreline though if you’re also itching
for another stamp in your passport and need to scratch an overseas trip fix,
the islands of the South Pacific await.
The South Pacific holds an abundance
of natural treasures. The scenery is breathtaking with white sandy beaches,
tropical temperatures all year round; the people are charming and the days long
and leisurely on a cruise to the South Pacific.
Many times when we travel we’re
constantly on the go, jumping from one place to the next and exhausting
ourselves in the meantime. A holiday at sea is the perfect time to unwind, lay
out by the pool, read a book, search for ocean wildlife, or take advantage of
the countless activities on board the cruise ship. You’re not scrambling to
pack your belongings or fighting traffic trying to reach your next destination…
you’re simply relaxing as you watch the sun set over the vast and calming
ocean.
Noumea, New Caledonia ( 1st Port Call
)
Just two hours and 20 minutes flying
time from Brisbane, New Caledonia is an eco hotspot, home to the largest marine
park on Earth. Being far from modern civilization, New Caledonia was able to
preserve its beauty and protect itself from harmful external influences, which
leads to the development of tourism on the islands.
New Caledonia is also the
cosmopolitan hub of the South Pacific with its French influence on food,
boutique shopping on Rue de Sébastopol, Rue de l’Alma and La Promenade and
nightlife around Anse Vata Bay and Baie de Citrons. There is a Latin Quarter,
Chinatown and morning markets selling everything from fresh croissants and
coffee to papaya and passionfruit.
You dock in an industrial port when
visiting Nouméa and a shuttle bus is provided free of charge which will deliver
you straight to the Noumea Tourist Centre to start your day on the island. At
the centre, you will find local delights at the marketplace upstairs, and
various tours and day trip options from local vendors.
We arrived late afternoon and only decided
late to book a tour to Lemon Bay. We navigated our way onto the bus, heading in
the direction of Baie des citron (lemon bay.) Lemon Bay is only a few minutes’
walk from the touristic Anse Vata Beach. This beautiful sheltered bay with
uninterrupted views out to the pale blue waters of Lemon Bay offer a look into
the carefree life of local Caledonians. Various beach-side cafes and
restaurants can ignite your senses from fresh seafood, delicious steaks or
summer salads to enjoy with a cocktail or local beer in the sun
We walked to the top of the street
were Le Meridian Hotel Dion sits on the shore and finished at Single Fin, which
is a bar restaurant nestled on the Baie des Citrons, buying a couple of drinks
enjoying unobstructed sea views in an atypical setting full of charm worthy of
Bali. We watched a stunning sunset and jumped back on the bus and returned to
the ship.
Lifou, Loyalty Islands ( 2nd Port
Call )
The largest coral atoll in the
Loyalty archipelago is home to six native tribes. The coral reefs at Jinek Bay
reputedly have more than 2000 fish species, making snorkelling an adventure in
spotting the diversity of underwater life. Lifou has limestone caves, beaches,
rainforests with walking tracks and a hilltop church where visitors can climb for
reflection and views.
The island is quite small so a tender
is required at this port, the view as you are anchored out at sea is that of a
picturesque and quaint island that calls you from the ship.
The locals of Lifou will greet you
with big happy smiles as you wander through the open air markets where you’ll
find unique souvenirs, arts and crafts.
Upon arrival we decided to head to the small white church perched up on the hillside to the left. This is Notre Dame de Lourdes. Once off the tender we walked straight up the hill through the markets and took the main road and headed to the left. You walk past a few village houses. At the end of the road you come to a path of stairs which will take you up to the summit of the hill to where the quaint church is perched. It is a bit of a hike, but well worth the effort. We visited the church and took in the amazing scenery. The viewing platform located close to the chapel is well worth visiting, offering panoramic views towards Jinek Bay.
We then headed
back to the wharf which is over a beautiful beach area where snorkelling and
swimming is popular. We jumped into the water for a couple of hours. You could
sometimes see colourful fish, and we were told if you are in the right place at
the right time, you could swim with large turtles who inhabit the bay.
Port Vila, Vanuatu ( 3rd Port Call )
Two hours 30 minutes flying time
direct from Brisbane, Vanuatu is one of Australia’s closest island neighbours
and a nation of contrasts. You can browse colourful markets or visit the casino
in Port Vila, sip French Champagne or drink down a bottle of the local Tusker
beer (available from the local supermarket), fly by private helicopter to your
own private island or get back to nature exploring wild forests and remote
waterfalls.
The volcanic geography means the
islands are lush with tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, streams and
waterfalls. Guided treks traverses plantations, dense rainforest, fresh water
rivers and local villages to hidden caves, waterfalls and beaches. Boat cruises
(on board the Coongoola sailing ship), horse-riding tours and guided day tours
are other ways to explore the natural beauty of Vanuatu.
Due to the port being damaged after
the recent cyclone and ongoing infrastructure repair at the Port-Vila main
wharf, the Government approved a temporary cruise tender barge solution at the
seafront, to allow visitors to disembark, mama handicraft vendors relocated to the Waisuke area (next to
Municipality market)
The Haos Blong Handikraft was along the seafront and a great place to shop for traditional authentic crafts, while Hebrida Market Place was the spot to shop for hand-painted clothing and accessories such as woven bags. Although the islands of the South Pacific are beyond beautiful, too often the larger towns wear a dusty, run-down air. Having spent the previous day swimming in crystal water of Lifou , we had little desire to go ashore when the boat anchored. A stretch of markets along the esplanade, however, offered some temptation. Every market we explored in the South Pacific offered a relaxing way to pass some time. We simply wandered at our leisure with no pressure to buy — indeed; once or twice we had to hunt down the stall owner to pay them. Australian dollars were accepted.
Beyond the town, the island is simply beautiful, but we were in no mood to do a
shore excursion. We did a quick loop around the first main street in and out of
a few shops before hitting Fung Kuei. Fung Kuei is the most visited shopping
destination in Vanuatu by new and returning travellers for a simple reason, the
biggest range of products at the best duty free prices. A few hours later we
were back of the ship enjoying the decks and pool.
Theatre and Shows on Pacific Encounter
Pacific Encounter has two feature performance spaces, the large
Marquee theatre at the bow and Black Circus at the stern. The main theatre
shows offer plenty of sequins and feathers and a great mix of classic and
contemporary hits. But the hottest ticket onboard Pacific Encounter is Blanc de
Blanc at Black Circus. This new risqué, Parisian-inspired show incorporates,
burlesque, comedy and circus routines and is for grown ups only (so much so,
there’s an 18+ age limit). The VIP Experience includes a bottle of high-end
Champagne and front row cocktail seating and is worth the splurge. Feature
shows were Isabel Olofsson, Swedish vocalist sing the songs we know and love
with a good dose of fun. Seven, based of seven deadly sins. Was a wounderful
visual feast twisting and turning through scenes of fantasy. Glenn Starr’s, hit
parade. Musicology, is legends of the music industry and decades of amazing
hits. Jonny Balance, is comedy magician. One, is a music journey.
Daily Things to Do on Pacific Encounter
There are least two activities happening at any given time onboard. On top of the usual bingo and trivia that you find on cruises, there are also dance classes, meditation sessions, and live music on the top deck. Craft workshops are often themed for the next party, such as a free Gatsby-style headband-making class. Sports include table tennis, three-on-three basketball, volleyball, half-court tennis, quoits, and pool games.
The Good Times daily program is left in your room during turndown or go high
tech with the free P&O Cruises app which can be used to create your own
customised online daily program.
Pacific Encounter Bars and Lounges
With nearly a dozen bars on board, the key factor that
determines the popularity of the ship’s different drinking venues comes down to
the time of day. Some bars and lounges are popular at sunset and the early
evening, and then change to either a party venue or a secluded lounge bar later
in the night. Others like the Encounter Hotel are busy throughout the day and
night.
For chilled out tunes: The Blue Room features live guitar
duos in the early evening and a relaxed and intimate ambience. Get in early for
a good seat and sit back and enjoy the tunes before dinner.
For the party people: Head to the bar at the Altitude
Nightclub which is known as ‘the spoiler’ as it hangs over the rear of the
ship. If you’ve had a few drinks, skip the moving walkway at the entrance.
For classy cocktails: The Bonded Store is small and
intimate with limited seating that gives it an air of exclusivity. The
cocktails here are several steps above those found in other parts of the ship.
Running a cruise ship that carries as many people that live in a
small country town is a formidable logistical operation, much of it taking
place below decks or behind those secure "no admittance: crew only"
doors.
We see front of house people such as waiters, entertainment
staff and bartenders around the ship, and we know the captain and his officers
are up on the bridge navigating, but who's keeping the engines running? Who's
washing all the towels, tablecloths and sheets? How many chefs are working in
the galleys to produce 10,000 meals a day – and who does the washing up?
One of the best parts of cruising is meeting all types of new
people, but those people aren’t always guests or inhabitants of the ports you
visit. We constantly love the amazing service we receive from all crew members,
and it’s easy to tell that these crew members made sure we had the vacation of
our lives, even when it involved going above and beyond their job description.
If you’re looking for the ultimate holiday where you can relax
and create memories that will last a lifetime, look no further than a cruise
holiday. There’s no better way to enjoy beautiful locations, try delicious food
and refreshing drinks, and choose between a range of onboard activities and
entertainment options.
P&O’s Pacific Encounter offers something for everyone with
its range of amenities, including dining options, bars, a theatre, a cinema, a
spa and fitness centre, and activities for all ages. The ship recently
underwent a significant refurbishment and is in great shape to cruise to
amazing destinations such as New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, New Guinea and
Australia, with room options available to suit every budget.
