Page 32 - Explore Spring Summer 2019

WORK, REST AND

PLAY AND EXOTIC

PORTS OF CALL

In November of 2018, I was fortunate to take the ship and the numerous restaurant and
my seven-year-old daughter, and my 14-year- dining options. Pacific Aria’s adults-only Oasis
old niece Alyssa, on an eight-night South pool area is the best I have seen and the Top
Pacific cruise from Brisbane on P&O Cruises’ Deck Pool has a retractable roof.
Pacific Aria, visiting New Caledonia and
Vanuatu. At the same time I attended a Cruise Once on board the ship, we completed
Line International Associations Masters formalities, enrolled my daughter in the kids
course which was held on board. club, phoned to reserve a couple of dining
options and unpacked our luggage. Our
This proved to be a perfect combo where Balcony Room was a good size and featured
I could attend Masters sessions (held the new Heavenly beds and the best part, the
conveniently during kids club hours) while balcony with loungers. Balcony Rooms offer
enjoying a holiday. My niece took my daughter twin or triple capacity and some interconnect.
to kids club each day (which she loved) and
I collected both youngsters for long lunches Pacific Aria’s adults-only
by the pool or at 5pm to enjoy the evening’s
entertainment and on-board amenities. Port Oasis pool area is the
days were a time to explore the islands. best I have seen and
Our journey started in Brisbane after an early
flight from Auckland where we discovered the the Top Deck Pool has a
upside of arriving early: a morning at leisure.
We had a transfer prearranged from the retractable roof.
airport and after dropping our luggage at the
Brisbane Cruise Terminal we continued to the Next it was time to join the passengers and
CBD for a spot of shopping. crew in our designated mustering station for
the compulsory safety drill and life jacket
Pacific Aria is new to the P&O Cruises fleet checks. Then on to the sailaway party on
and formerly belonged to the Holland America the pool deck with face painting, swimming
line. She has a capacity of 1,860 guests and and a good DJ. Later, as the effects of an
recently underwent extensive and award- early morning made themselves felt, it was
winning renovations to her public areas. I lights out for my daughter while Alyssa and I
loved the fun artwork and decor throughout admired a magnificent sunset.

30 HELLOWORLD TRAVEL : EXPLORE : SPRING/SUMMER EDITION