pacific encounter cruise ship cabins

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Pacific Encounter

Former name: star princess.

Cruise line P&O Australia (P&O Cruises)

• Brisbane (Queensland Australia)

Pacific Encounter current position

Pacific Encounter current location is at East Australia (coordinates -23.67770 S / 152.74455 E) cruising at speed of 16.2 kn (30 km/h | 19 mph) en route to BRISBANE. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Pacific Encounter

Pacific Encounter current cruise is 4 days, round-trip Whitsundays Cruise . The itinerary starts on 01 Jun, 2024 and ends on 05 Jun, 2024 .

Specifications of Pacific Encounter

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Pacific Encounter Itineraries

Pacific encounter review, review of pacific encounter.

The 2002-built (as Star Princess) cruise ship Pacific Encounter is the 3rd Grand-Class vessel constructed for Princess Cruises , with sisterships Crown , Diamond , Caribbean , Grand , Emerald , Ruby , Golden (Pacific Adventure since 2020) and Sapphire .

The vessel (IMO number 9192363) is currently UK- flagged (MMSI 232032840) and registered in Southampton .

In 2018, Princess announced that Golden Princess and Star Princess will be transferred to the P&O Australia fleet in 2021 and renamed, respectively, "Pacific Adventure" and "Pacific Encounter". The vessels' transfer was officially confirmed on October 21, 2020. Star Princess as Pacific Encounter started operations for P&O AU in November 2021 after a scheduled drydock refurbishment . In 2020, Golden Princess (as Pacific Adventure) already joined the P&O AU's fleet.

Princess Cruises' Star Princess was Bermuda-flagged (MMSI 310361000) and registered in Hamilton .

In May 2023 was announced that Princess Cruises' second SPHERE-class ship will be named Star Princess , joining the fleet in August 2025.

History - construction and ownership

P&O Cruises  is a subsidiary company and two brands owned by Carnival Corporation - P&O UK and P&O Australia. In 2000, P&O Cruises became subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises, which merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003. P and O is the world's oldest cruise company, starting passenger shipping operations in 1822 on the routes connecting England with Iberia.

The 2600-passenger ship Pacific Encounter/Star Princess is relatively big for the Australian source market, with a wide diversity (for its size) onboard facilities and still providing a traditional cruising experience. During drydock 2008, Star Princess received several new facilities, including the Piazza (energetic amusement space), bakery, Internet Cafe, wine bar, sushi bar, The Sanctuary (adults-only zone with padded lounges and shaded places), Crown Grill (complimentary eatery with seafood and steakhouse fare), 7 Suites (with walk-in closets and spa tub bathrooms). The Retail shopping area was redesigned, with Essence Shop (relocated to deck 7 and doubled in size) and Meridian Bay Shop (on deck 6, replacing Essence Shop).

Decks and Cabins

Pacific Encounter staterooms (1298 total, in 34 categories) include 205x Suites, 515x Balconies, 212x Oceanviews and 366x Inside, including 25x wheelchair-accessible. Most cabins are sized 160-190 ft2 (15-18 m2), with cabin balconies sized 45-90 ft2 (4-8 m2). Nearly 80% of all outside staterooms are with private step-out balconies. The largest accommodation is the Grand Suite (615 ft2 / 57 m2, with terrace sized 115 ft2 / 11 m2).

The boat has 16 decks , of which 14 are passenger-accessible and 7 with cabins.

Review/Shipboard facilities and amenities

Deck 4 houses all staff/crew cabins, the ship's Tender Embarkation/Disembarkation areas and the Infirmary/Hospital/Medical Center (served by resident physicians and nurses on 24-hour call duty).

Deck 5 houses The Piazza Atrium (3-decks high, with a stage for live performances), and the Lobby Hall (Lobby Lounge, Destination Lounge/Shore Excursions and Tours) served by Lilly's Bar, Charlie's Bar and Avalon Cafe. Deck 5 is the lower level of P&O Retail (duty-free shopping complex spreading on 3 floors/5-6-7) and aft are the Fine Arts Gallery and the Waterfront Restaurant.

Waterfront is a complimentary Dining Room open for breakfast (7:30-9:30 am), lunch (12-1 pm) and dinner (5-9 pm). For lunch expect salads, soups, pasta, chicken pho, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, fish, cheesecake, pies, fresh fruit, and cheese plates. Dinner menu includes seared ahi tuna, ocean trout, lamb shanks, pork chops, chili chicken wings, vegetable moussaka, curry, ravioli, salads, pavlova, chocolate rolls, trifle, fruit and cheese plates.

Deck 6 houses Marquee Theatre (2-floor main show lounge for large-scale evening music and show productions, daily trivia games, bingo sessions, game shows, culinary demonstrations, various workshops, seminars, kids' talent shows), the Casino (gaming lounge with slot machines and gambling tables, served by its own Bar, also hosts Texas Hold'em tournaments and Pokies tournaments) and The Bonded Store. Deck 6's Atrium houses the Reception/Guest Services Desk (24-hour passenger services and assistance), Level UP Arcade (games room), Life Photo Studio (B&W photos/portraits studio sessions)), Shops. The Bonded Store is a bar lounge with a signature cocktails menu (via a partnership with Archie Rose Distilling Co) where are hosted themed whisky- and gin-making classes and tasting events.

Midship on Deck 6 is the Angelo's Restaurant (complimentary Dining Room) for Italian cuisine and specialties like slow-cooked pork neck, veal shank ragout, fontina, and pumpkin arancini balls, osso bucco, seafood cacciucco, pan-fried gnocchi and sweets like crispy cannoli. Bookings for dinner can be made at the Reception Desk.

Aft on Deck 6 is the Dragon Lady (Asian restaurant) with an origami-folded menu and non-alcoholic welcome shooters. Dishes are designed to be shared banquet-style, such as Indian spiced duck samosas, Vietnamese rice paper rolls, Chinese dumplings, Japanese tempura-crusted sushi rolls, barramundi green curry, honey prawns, chicken satay sticks. Desserts include mango and sticky coconut rice, a jar of apple caramel milkshake, salted dark chocolate cake with sesame ice cream. Dinner bookings are made at the Reception Desk.

Deck 7 houses the Promenade (fore-located outdoor/open-air deck space for walking/strolling), Marquee Theater's upper level (2 of 2), the Ocean Front Bar (Atrium bar with lounge seating, dance floor, a stage for live performances; hosts art auctions), Shops, IMAGES Photo Gallery, Luke's Bar & Grill, Noosa Room, Encounter Hotel (piano bar/English pub), Blue Room (Lounge & Bar), 400 Gradi (pizzeria), Black Circus Theatre (show lounge and bar).

• Luke's Bar & Grill (Luke Mangan Restaurant) is a fast food bar (with a takeaway option) serving burgers, hotdogs, chicken wings, kebabs, fries, prawns. Food is not free, but the prices are reasonable. Wine and beer are also offered. Luke's Bar also functions as a specialty restaurant for lunch and dinner. Luke's Restaurant offers signature Luke Mangan dishes, like Kingfish Sashimi and licorice parfait, Barramundi for two, Kitchen beef slider.
• Encounter Hotel is a daily piano bar /evening English pub bar with comfortable seating, dance floor, stage for live performances, fine alcohol and craft beers.
• Blue Room is an Atrium Lounge & Bar with a dance floor and live music entertainment, nightly transforms into a disco club with DJ programming. The lounge is served by its own piano bar. The late-night blues session named Blues@Blue features several very talented musicians getting together for a 1-hour-long jam, rotating with excellent guitarists and different singers.
• 400 Gradi (Neapolitan pizzeria by chef Johnny Di Francesco) is open for Lunch (between 12-1:30 pm) and Dinner (between 6-11 pm). Many passengers prefer takeaway pizzas to eat elsewhere or get these delivered to the cabin via room service.
• Black Circus Theatre is an entertainment lounge with a stage for performances (by guest comedians, singers, illusionists, cabaret-style performances) and has its own full-service Bar. Intended for cabaret performances, the venue has a supper club vibe but there are no full-size tables to eat supper, so it's basically a theatre with rows of seats along with ledges to place drinks. During the day, the lounge is used for kids' TC&Skipper's Island Adventure Show, The Edge's laser tag gaming and as Cinema/early evening movies.
• Noosa Room doubles as Conference Center/Meeting Room and Wedding Chapel.

Deck 14 houses the Navigation Bridge/Wheelhouse, midship pool deck area (2x swimming pools - Main Pool and Family Pool), 4x Jacuzzies/hot tubs, a band stage. The Family Pool deck is served by Magrodome Bar. The Main Pool deck is served by Grandi Pronto (Pizza Bar), Luke's Burger Bar (premium beef and pulled pork burgers, seafood rolls), Pool Bar (beverages) and Ice Cream Bar (serving complimentary New Zealand Natural Ice Cream).

Also on Deck 14 are The Pantry and the Oasis Pool Deck.

• The Pantry is the ship’s self-service buffet restaurant/marketplace with 9 fresh food outlets. The restaurant is complimentary and open for Breakfast (between 6:30-11:30 am), Lunch (11:30 am – 3:30 pm) or British Pub Lunch (11:30-1:30 pm /on selected days) and Dinner (5:30-11 pm). The buffet has its own bar for drinks, a stage for live performances, and a dance floor. At lunch and dinner, the food outlets include McGregor's Garden (salads), Stix (stir fry), Mexicana (tacos and burritos), Curry House, Hook's (fish-and-chips), Nic & Toni's (Italian), Fat Cow (carvery), Kettle & Bun (soups and sandwiches), and Sugar Bar (desserts). In the evenings, a 10th venue (Shell & Bones) opens as an a la carte priced restaurant. A kids' dinner for children between 3 and 10 years is held at 4:15 pm daily, with highchairs available upon request.
• The Oasis Bar is a poolside bar serving the Oasis Pool (swimming pool aft on deck 12) and the Oasis Sundeck (adults-only sunbathing area aft on deck 14).

Forward on Deck 15 is the ship's wellness complex (Elemis SPA) that groups the facilities Byron Beach Pool, 2x Jacuzzies/Whirlpools, Fitness Center with F45 Fitness Studio (Aerobics Room for classes), Thermal Suite, Rasul (steam and mud room), Elemis Day Spa, 2x Saunas, Treatments Rooms (for massages), Beauty Salon and Barbers (manicure/pedicure/hair/nail/barber services), and Bondi Bar & Lounge. Complimentary water aerobics is also available.

Aft on Deck 15 is the Youth Center & Lounge with two Outdoor Play Areas (one with a Paddling Pool). Kids & Teen Centers Turtle Cove & Shark Shack are dedicated to children and teenagers club facilities for age-appropriate and supervised daily activities (sports competitions, dance classes, treasure hunts, themed parties, computers, gaming consoles, big HDTVs, foosball tables). A Sony PlayStation VR Room is situated in HQ.

Midship on Deck 15 is the Big Screen - an outdoor cinema with a huge LED screen. Complimentary popcorn-cookies-milk are offered during the evening projections under the stars. Deck 15's sundeck is served with beverages by the Sky Bar.

Forward on Deck 16 is the Byron Beach Club - an adults-only, open-air sundeck/relaxation area with 1x Swimming Pool, 2x Outdoor Hot Tubs (Jacuzzies), sunbathing area (with padded chaise lounges), steward service (light meals), direct access to Elemis Spa Pool (forward on deck 15 below) and private outdoor cabanas (with spa massages). Charges per person apply. Also on Deck 16 is the Youth Center's upper level (outdoor playground with a Hot Tub and Paddling Pool).

Deck 17 houses the Magra Dome (sliding glass roof over deck 15's pool area), The Lawn (barefoot lawn bowling green, putting green/mini-golf course, Golf Net), the P&O Edge facilities (outdoor sports activities area), and the Waterslide (entry-level). The aft-located relaxation area is a sundeck fitted with 1x Swimming Pool, 1x Splash Pool, 1x jacuzzi/Hot Tub, deck games area (Giant Chess, Shuffleboard) and is served by the Sunset Bar.

During drydock 2023 refurbishment, on Deck 17 were installed the Twin-Racer waterslide (length 142 m / 466 ft, height 16 m / 53 ft) and the P&O Edge Adventure Park. P&O Edge facilities include a Zipline (length 55 m / 180 ft), Cargo Net, Walk the Plank, Beam Walk, and a Rock Climbing Wall. P&O Edge is positioned ~10 m / 33 ft above Deck 16. The waterslides are dual-racing (with several twists, and turns) and feature LED lights and sound effects. The aquapark has a separate shaded area for kids (outdoor playground) equipped with a dumping bucket and oversized water toys.

Aft on Deck 18 is the Sports Court (multi-sports combined court for playing basketball, volleyball, football). Deck 18 also houses The Walkway (Walking/Jogging Track with 2 scenic Walkways) and the Altitude Nightclub (Disco Lounge with a full-service Bar and DJ programming in the evenings. During the day, Altitude Nightclub doubles as an observation lounge. The Altitude is accessed via two elevators and also via stairs from The Oasis (adults-only sundeck/swimming pool relaxation area located aft on deck 16 below).

Itineraries

Star Princess's itinerary program was based on roundtrips from USA-California homeports ( San Francisco and Los Angeles/Long Beach ) to Hawaii, Baja Mexico, Alaska, alternating seasonally.

Pacific Encounter's inaugural for P&O season started with the Maiden Voyage on October 2, 2021. Previously, for the boat was scheduled a 15-night "Southeast Asia and Australia" (repositioning itinerary) from Singapore (drydock location) to Brisbane (homeport). The next two start dates were in 2022 - March 8th (4-day "Whitsundays Cruise" to Airlie Beach) and May 28th (7-day Barrier Reef Discovery), both Brisbane roundtrips, but were also canceled.

Eventually, the Maiden Voyage was rescheduled for August 27, 2022 (7-day "Barrier Reef Discovery" roundtrip from Brisbane to Airlie Beach, Cairns, Willis Island).

The Brisbane-homeported Pacific Encounter visits ports in Australia (including Great Barrier Reef ) and South Pacific Islands (New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Papua New Guinea). The itineraries are themed "Barrier Reef Discovery" (7-night), "Pacific Island Hopper" (7-night), the themed "Comedy Cruise" (4-night cruise to nowhere ), "Whitsundays Cruise" (4-night to Airlie Beach QLD ).

Pacific Encounter - user reviews and comments

Photos of pacific encounter.

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Other P&O Australia cruise ships

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Pacific Encounter Wiki

The Fincantieri Monfalcone -built Star Princess was christened by godmother Gunilla Antonini - wife of Dr Corrado Antonini (Executive Chairman of the Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri ). The liner started its 26-day Maiden Voyage (Pacific Ocean itinerary) on February 13, 2002. Star was the fleet's first Grand-class vessel, with sisterships Golden (Pacific Adventure) and Grand . The other (similarly-designed) boats from this series are Caribbean , Crown , Diamond , Emerald , Ruby , Sapphire .

Pacific Encounter (Monfalcone shipyard/hull number 6051) is powered by Wartsila-Sulzer marine diesel engines (models 8ZAV40S and 8ZAL40) generating total power output 63,36 MW.

Fun fact is, that earlier there was another vessel with the name "Star Princess"/ Columbus (former "Pacific Pearl" operated by P&O Australia ).

Pacific Encounter refurbishments review

During drydock 2021 (March-April/2-week project at Damen Shipyards Singapore ) the ship's hull and superstructure were repainted.

The ship's 3 restaurants (Angelo’s, Dragon Lady, The Waterfront) were refitted with new carpets and artworks. To The Pantry (lido market) were added 3x Australian fresh food outlets (Stix, Curry House, Kettle & Bun).

The drydocking project included 250+ contractors, 84000+ man-hours, installed new carpeting (~14000 m2 / ~150700 ft2 of carpets), and all the interior was repainted (~5000 m2 / 53800 ft2 of walls and ceilings).

All public spaces were extensively cleaned and renovated.

Also were conducted general maintenance works.

The ship's last drydocking project was conducted in Singapore in 2023 (Feb 6-25). Deck plan changes after refurbishment 2023 included the installation of the Twin-Racer (142-m-long/16-m-high dualing waterslide) and P&O Edge Adventure Park (outdoor activity zone on Deck 16) featuring a 55-m-long Zipline, Cargo Net, Walk the Plank, Beam Walk, Rock Climbing Wall. New venues include Luke’s Bar & Grill, Byron Beach Club (pool deck), 400 Gradi Pizzaria (via partnership with chef Johnny Di Francesco), Black Circus Theatre (main show lounge), F45 Fitness Studio, Altitude (disco nightclub), Encounter Hotel, Bonded Store.

Pacific Encounter inaugural itineraries 2022

The renamed Star Princess/Pacific Encounter was originally planned to start operations for P&O Australia with a 15-day repositioning sailing (from Singapore to Brisbane ) in 2021, followed by the Maiden Voyage from Australia.

Next is the 7-day "Barrier Reef Discovery" itinerary (Maiden Voyage 2021).

However, both voyages were canceled and the ship's inauguration was eventually rescheduled for August 20, 2022.

Next table shows the 7-day "Barrier Reef Discovery" itinerary (Maiden Voyage 2022).

Star Princess itineraries 2020-2021

Star Princess ship's last itinerary for Princess Cruises was planned as a 30-day relocation cruise from Alaska to Asia (Vancouver to Singapore / for drydocking) priced from ~USD 2700 pp. However, this voyage was eventually canceled.

Next tables show the last Star Princess itineraries that were scheduled by Princess Cruises before the transfer to P&O Australia. Prices are in USD (per person) and based on double occupancy.

(2020) 15-days Hawaiian Islands Christmas and New Year cruise ($1300)

(2021) 15-days Hawaiian Islands ($1200)

10-days Baja Peninsula Sea of Cortez ($850)

15-days Hawaiian Islands ($1200)

15-days Hawaiian Islands ($1400)

28-days Hawaii, Tahiti Samoa ($3100)

10-days Baja Peninsula Sea of Cortez ($950)

The last in the Star Princess schedule was the 7-day relocation voyage from Los Angeles to Vancouver ($530 pp).

Star Princess ship review (facilities and amenities, food, drinks, entertainment)

Star Princess' restaurants are open seating. Alternative dinner venues are the reservations-only Sabatini's Italian and Crown Grill (both with cover charge pp). The Lido buffet restaurant is open around the clock.

The Wheelhouse Bar serves a pub lunch, and a grill and pizzeria offer casual snack choices.

The ice cream bars and patisseries charge for premium ice cream and specialty coffees.

A wine bar offers extra-charge artisan cheeses and evening snacks.

Chef's Table and Ultimate Balcony Dining options are also available, as well as Afternoon Tea and room services.

Follows the complete list of Star Princess restaurants and food bars.

• Capri Restaurant (ship's aft Dining Room; dinner only - offers Anytime Dining between 5:30-10 pm)
• Crown Grill (160-seat steakhouse/seafood restaurant, reservations recommended; on select days serves British Pub Lunch, complimentary)
• Portofino Restaurant (ship's forward Dining Room for Breakfast 7-9 am, Lunch 12-1:30 pm, Afternoon Tea 3:30-4:30 p.m.; features Anytime Dining for Dinner between 5:30-8 pm or 8-10 pm)
• Amalfi Restaurant (dinner only aft Dining Room; with 2 fixed seatings at 5:45 pm and 8 pm)
• Sabatini's Restaurant (Italian specialty restaurant; reservations recommended)
• Trident Grill & Prego Pizzeria (self-service, complimentary fast food bar)
• Horizon Court (self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary).

Both the Vista Lounge and Princess Theater can host featured entertainers and production shows, and each of the shows runs several times.

The Princess Theater is more like a Broadway theatre than a cruise-ship typical show lounge. It features same-level orchestra seating, stadium seating behind, as well as a few boxes.

The Vista Lounge is cabaret-style, with chairs grouped around small drink tables and big windows making the room light during the day.

The Explorers Lounge and Wheelhouse Bar are side by side on Promenade Deck. These smaller entertainment venues host karaoke, pianists, dance bands and theme parties, as well as games and trivia during the day.

Follows the complete list of Star Princess lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Piazza Atrium (3-deck open floor area; features live performances entertainment and lobby Bar Piazza)
• Princess Fine Arts Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop; Platinum Studio
• International Cafe (24-hour specialty coffee bar and patisserie)
• Vines Bar (wine/seafood/sushi bar)
• Library (with Internet stations); Internet Cafe (24-hour)
• Princess Star Theatre (2-level musical and show productions; hosts workshops, seminars, game shows)
• Shooter's Lounge & Bar (smoking lounge and sports bar)
• Vines Shop; Calypso Cove Shop; Essence Shop; Meridian Bay Shop; Facets Shop
• Princess Star Grand Casino
• Crooners Lounge & Bar (live music; also used for seminars); Vista Lounge & Bar
• Explorers Lounge & Bar (disco/show lounge; hosts karaoke, comedy, game shows and art auctions)
• Wheelhouse Bar (piano bar during the day and an English pub nightly)
• Scoops Bar (Sundaes Ice Cream Bar, complimentary)
• Outrigger Bar (poolside bar); Tradewinds Bar
• Star's Lotus Spa complex; Beauty Salon; Fitness Center (with Aerobics Studio)
• Hearts & Minds (Wedding Chapel)
• Movies Under the Stars (LED screen outdoor cinema)
• Video Games Arcade; Teen Center; Youth Center with Paddling Pool and outdoor playing areas
• The Conservatory (recreation area); The Sanctuary (adult-only open-air area); The Oasis relaxation area
• Calypso Reef & Pool area; Neptune's Reef & Pool area
• The Skywalker (Jogging Track); Sports Court (volleyball, basketball, European football); Shuffleboard, Deck Chess; Princess Links mini-golf course
• Skywalkers Disco Nightclub.

Star Princess refurbishment 2017 review

The 15-day drydock refurbishment in 2017 (December 3-15, done in San Francisco CA ) resulted in the following deckplan changes:

All passenger staterooms received new bedding (all beds were replaced with Princess Luxury Bed). Many cabins were made interconnecting. Category MA (Mini-Suite) was changed to M1.

The ship's kids and teen lounges (part of "Camp Discovery") were renovated and updated via a partnership with Discovery Channel (as part of Princess Cruises' complimentary onboard children program "Discovery at Sea").

To the onboard Boutiques (Shops of Princess) were added "Fragrance & Cosmetic" and "Effy Fine Jewelry".

Sabatini's Italian Trattoria (specialty restaurant) was updated with new decor and a new menu (partnership with Chef Angelo Auriana).

The ship's wellness complex (Lotus Spa and Fitness Center) was upgraded with the latest gym equipment.

The Casino Lounge was redesigned and received new carpeting.

Among the other upgrades were new upholstery and carpeting throughout the ship and general maintenance works.

Star Princess' 2017 drydocking was part of Princess Cruises' USD 450 million multi-year fleet renovation program "Come Back New Promise".

Pacific Encounter review: All you need to know

We couldn’t wait to get onboard to see what Pacific Encounter was like for ourselves, especially the Byron Beach Club which we had really enjoyed on Pacific Adventure . It was such a nice change being able to cruise from our home port of Brisbane instead of having to fly down to Sydney.

Our trip began with a magical mystery tour to the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal . It’s like getting lost in an industrial estate that is still under construction with the occasional signpost saying you are almost there. Exiting the dusty backblocks near a waste management site, we arrived at the shiny new terminal and more importantly Pacific Encounter.

There’s no public transport at the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal so plan for a taxi, Uber or transfer if you aren’t able to drive out there yourself. If you are, the carparks at the terminal aren’t huge so book ahead or you might not get a spot. If you want to stay overnight at a hotel that’s (reasonably) close to the terminal, you’ll find some suggestions here .

The ship, like the terminal, is new or almost new with Pacific Encounter looking fresh from multi-million dollar refurbishment and a name change from Star Princess. Brisbane is the home port for Pacific Encounter which cruises from here on a year-round basis. When we arrived at the terminal, the bag drop and processing was very orderly and quick so the terminal does work well.

Download the P&O App and complete your required online paperwork before boarding as this needs to be shown at check-in and when you get on the ship. My app was a little hinky at first and kept disconnecting but once I got it working, it was great. In hindsight, it would have been better if we had printed out our paperwork as a backup instead of just relying on the app.

Pacific Encounter deck plan and finding your way around

We found the Pacific Encounter deck plan easy to follow. For anyone who had been on Star Princess, it would be even easier. Entering on Deck 5, we were greeted with The Lobby lounge and a glittering atrium that extended up to Decks 6 and 7. This area is designed to impress and it succeeds. Also located in this area is the important Avalon Café for morning coffee and the two bars, Lilly’s and Charlie’s.

This is the first area of the ship where you get to see the refurbished public areas that were re-engineered into all-new venues from the ship’s Princess days with all of the ship’s lounges, restaurants, and bars getting a full makeover. Also located on Deck 5 is the main restaurant called the Waterfront, a small library with novels you can borrow while you’re onboard, and the Destination Lounge which has seating but no views.

Before venturing any further, we went to our cabin located on Deck 9 where we found our cabin keys in the document holder next to our door. This was different to our last P&O cruise when we were handed our keys at check in. Our cabin was a mini suite with access to the Byron Beach Club, a new “suite retreat” on P&O’s two newest ships. The cabin was a nice size and had new carpet, linens and soft furnishings but the furniture and bathroom hadn’t changed from ship’s Star Princess days.

Also included in our room due to the Byron Beach Club was a basket of fruit, some fresh canapes and two large bottles of water. A welcome letter that listed all the Byron Beach Club inclusions like bathrobes, Byron Beach Club flip flops (to take home), access to Angelo’s restaurant for breakfast and daily snacks was also in our room. Our key card was coded for the Club entry on deck 16.

Some important safety procedures have also changed concerning mandatory life jackets and lifeboat drills. The procedure now is to watch the demonstration of putting on the life jacket on the TV in your cabin and then proceed to your muster station. Look at the back of your cabin door to find out where to go. The muster stations are staffed from the time you get onboard until sailaway so you can proceed there at your leisure to have your name checked off (don’t bring your life jacket). Watch the video and go sooner rather than later as it gets busier later in the day as more people get on board.

Our next stop after getting our muster station checked off was heading back to Deck 6 and the Dragon Lady restaurant. The reason you will want to go to Dragon Lady is not for the food at this point but to get your restaurant bookings made or reconfirmed. You can also book restaurants via the P&O app. Stationed at the Dragon Lady restaurant are 4-6 staff with a computer to assist in booking specialty and non-specialty restaurants for your cruise. Byron Beach Club guests get priority bookings but in our experience it’s always good to get restaurant bookings done early on any ship.

Pacific Encounter had plenty of choices for dining onboard with many free venues like the Waterfront Restaurant, and buffet called The Pantry that is similar to a food court plus free specialties like Angelo’s Italian and Dragon Lady for Asian fusion. Extra cost restaurants include Luke Mangan’s Salt Bar & Grill and the P&O Trattoria. Quick eats at a charge are also available on the pool deck at Luke’s Burger Bar and P&O Pizzeria plus cones and more at New Zealand Ice Cream.

Coffee lovers can head the Avalon Café or New Zealand Ice Cream for their daily early morning hit but have patience as even with multiple machines and good baristas, you do have lots of caffeine-starved passengers after an espresso style brew, especially in the mornings. The barista coffee onboard is very good and worth the spend but like most cruise ships, the free restaurant coffee is best avoided unless you’re (really, really) desperate for a caffeine hit.

The Bond Store bar on Deck 6 is decorated like a speakeasy and perfect for a romantic cocktail or small get-together. The Casino Bar is located in the casino (surprise, surprise) and is a bit bright and sterile. It’s best for a grab-and-go beverage on your way to another lounge or bar unless you want to hit the tables or play the pokies.

Up on Deck 7 are the cool cat areas with the tropical decor of the Encounter Hotel beckoning with a dance floor and afternoon/evening entertainment. It reminded us of a trendy Cairns pub and had a nice vibe at any time of day. Adjacent is the Ocean Bar which is a favourite hang-out in the mornings and afternoons for coffee aficionados who liked to grab a takeaway and come up here to enjoy the ocean views.

The place to be in my opinion is the Blue Room, a cool blues-themed bar and lounge that is ideal for late afternoon and pre-dinner drinks or a late evening nightcap. There is entertainment here in the afternoon and evening with cool tunes and vocals from guest artists. We liked the Encounter Hotel but often ended up here for a quiet late afternoon drink as the hotel doubled as a trivia venue around this time on our sailing and was often full.

Way up on Deck 14 are the sun lovers’ drinking spots like the Pool Bar and Oasis Bar at the stern. The Oasis is an adults-only area on the ship with its own pool and sun deck and was a popular hangover recovery zone in the mornings on my sailing. Later in the day, people got into the cocktails and went for a dip in the pool. Deck 15 has the Sky Bar which overlooks the main pool and big screen.

The Byron Beach Club is on Deck 16 and has its own pool, sun deck, bar and cabanas. The ship’s spoiler incorporates the Altitude Nightclub which is also a great spot to chill out and read during the day with 180 degree views. It’s perfect for watching the sunset if you can get a seat and at night it’s a disco and late night party hangout.

A must-do on Pacific Encounter is Blanc de Blanc, a strictly 18+ show that combines, comedy, circus and burlesque in the Black Circus Theatre. This sold out before the end of our cruise and costs $20 each or $120 for 2 for VIP seating. My top tip is get the VIP tickets as they come with a bottle of Champagne (expensive stuff that’s the real deal) and the best seats in the house.

The other big show on board our cruise was Musicology, a Broadway-style production of major music hits over the decades with all the sequins and feather action you expect on cruise ships. It was very entertaining and good for all ages. More entertainment was provided by guest performers in the main theatres and lounge and bar areas throughout the ship, all of it of a high quality.

There are waterslides on the pool deck plus pools and spas that are all worth a dip especially when the ship heads north or east for tropical island escapes. The main pool on Deck 14 is popular for all and the separate kid’s pool has a retractable roof for weather protection. The last pool on Deck 14 in the Oasis which has a good view of the ship’s wake.

One pool area that is a bit of a secret is the one on Deck 15 which has a little kids’ water play area and a small, deep pool for their parents. Also on Deck 15 is the Byron Beach Club pool area which is accessible through the spa but only for Club guests. We’ve written a detailed Byron Beach Club review if you would like to know more.

More things to do on board are the daily activities such as trivia, game shows and bingo that take place in the Encounter Hotel or Black Circus Theatre. All of these are very popular so get in early for seats. The ship also has a spa and a gym which has all new carpeting and equipment plus a dedicated workout studio for yoga and F45 fitness sessions (these classes cost extra). Free stretch and meditation classes are also available here so check the daily schedules for times.

The restaurants on board were very good at the paid and free venues we visited. The standout was Luke’s Bar and Grill, followed closely by Dragon Lady with breakfast at Angelo’s and P&O Trattoria also rating highly. We didn’t have dinner at Angelo’s as our cruise was only three nights but other passengers said they enjoyed it. All of these restaurants had good service and décor that made us feel like we were having a special dining experience.

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The main dining room was also of a high quality and worth a visit, especially on sea days for lunch. We didn’t try the pizza at the P&O Pizzeria for lunch but the ones we saw other passengers eating looked good. Our only disappointment food-wise was Luke’s Burger Bar which didn’t live up to the hype. Compared to other cruise lines with free burger outlets this was a real miss.

We did note that the ship was training new staff and at busy times the bars sometimes felt understaffed but all the passengers were patient and understanding. There were a lot of standouts on our cruise but the biggest bouquets need to go to the hard-working cabin stewards and the crew staffing all the drinking and dining venues. They provided the best service possible, even when they were run off their feet, and always with a smile.

Pacific Encounter cruise ship tips

1. Download the P&O App and pre-book as much as you can when you get onboard.

2. Book your dining early (Dragon Lady has staff on-boarding) for times and dates and try them all if you can, especially Luke’s Bar and Grill.

3. Book tickets for the Blanc de Blanc 18+ show on your first day and splash out for the VIP treatment.

4. Get to venues early for good seats as the theatres do get busy on full sailings.

5. Report any problems with your room to your cabin steward instead of contacting guest services. Often they can arrange to get things fixed like having a blown lightbulb replaced.

6. Have realistic expectations when it comes to your room as you do get what you pay for. Don’t expect a huge, fancy looking suite if you have paid a modest price for a regular cabin.

7. Find your favourite spot/lounge or bar but be prepared to share if it gets busy. Who knows, you might find a new friend or two.

8. Leave a tip for the cabin stewards they work exceptionally hard to make your cruise as pleasant and comfortable as possible.

9. Don’t forget the ship has plenty of guest laundries if you like to pack light and travel with carry on only.

Disclosure: The writer travelled as a guest of P&O Cruises and would not hesitate to cruise on this ship again as his own expense.

Want more great cruise advice? Check out our tips for choosing the perfect cruise , cruising with grandchildren , cruising with tweens and cruising with kids of all ages , solo cruising , the best activities on Ovation of the Seas , doing a Transatlantic cruise with kids , cruising in Australia or Papua New Guinea , Iceland cruise tips , cruising on a megaship , scoring a bargain cruise fare , cruising the Mediterranean , making the most of a cruise ship kids club , luxury cruising with kids , and the Byron Beach Club onboard P&O Cruises . We have also reviewed Disney Wonder , Pacific Adventure , Celebrity Edge , Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas , Pacific Encounter , Carnival Splendor , Voyager of the Seas , Nieuw Statendam , Viking Helgrim , Pride of America , Coral Expeditions in Tasmania and the Great Barrier Reef , Celebrity Solstice , and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth .

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Trevor Templeman

Trevor Templeman is a photographer and writer who travels the world capturing the essence of locations through their landscape, architecture and people. His words and photographs are published in magazines, newspapers and online around the world.

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The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship

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What is the best location for a cabin on a cruise ship?

As a cruise writer for more than 20 years , I’ve heard that question a lot, and it’s not an easy one to answer. On any given cruise vessel, the best cabin location for one person might not be the best choice for another.

The ideal cabin for a light sleeper on a particular ship, for instance, might be a room tucked away in the quietest corner of the vessel. But another passenger on the same ship who cares more about the view might be happiest with a completely different spot.

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On a typical cruise ship, cabins are spread out all over the place — high and low, and to the front, middle and back. Not that that’s always the case.

Some cruise vessels — particularly river ships — have cabins clustered at their backs with public areas at their fronts. Other vessels, such as most of the ocean ships operated by luxury lines Seabourn , Silversea Cruises and Scenic Luxury Cruises , have cabins clustered at their fronts with public areas at their backs.

Cruise cabins also come in all shapes and sizes and with a variety of amenities and benefits. Some lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line , offer a huge range of room options , from tiny, windowless “inside” cabins to palatial suites, in all sorts of locations on their vessels.

Indeed, there’s such a wide variety of not only cabin locations but also types of cabins on ships, so the best way to narrow down the choices of accommodations on any given vessel might be to assemble a list of cabins you definitely don’t want to choose.

Related: Inside Regent’s $11,000-a-night super suite  

As it happens, we’ve already done that here at TPG in our guide to cabin locations you definitely should avoid .

Still, there are some broad categories of cabin locations on cruise ships that always are in high demand due to their prime locations.

Related: 6 reasons why you want to pay up for a balcony cabin

Midship cabins

These are the cabins that you should seek if you’re particularly prone to seasickness.

The big allure of a midship cabin is its stability. You won’t feel the rocking of the sea in a midship cabin nearly as much as you will in a cabin toward the front or back of a vessel. This is because ships are like teeter-totters. They pitch forward and back around a central axis that barely moves.

If you are in the center of a ship, you are at the equivalent of the center of a teeter-totter. Even in very rough seas, you’re not going to move nearly as much when the ship goes up and down in the waves as someone located at either of the far ends of the ship.

Note that it also helps to be low to the water if you’re worried about seasickness.

On very large ships, where activity areas are spread far apart, midship cabins also offer the advantage of being at the center of everything. The main pool deck, for instance, is likely right above you when you are in a midship cabin — not a long walk away. Ditto for central interior areas.

Related: 22 cruise ship cabin hacks that will transform your voyage

Cabins at the back

There’s something mesmerizing about being at the back of a ship overlooking its wake. When you are in the open ocean, you can see the long trail of churned-up water behind you, stretching seemingly forever like a road in the sea. It is tangible evidence of your journey. When you are pulling away from a port, you have the best view in the house.

I admit I could stand at the back of a ship for hours, looking out over the water, and I’m a big fan of rear-facing cabins — as long as they have a balcony. I’m firmly in the camp that says rear-facing balcony cabins are among the best balcony cabins on any ship.

Often, the balconies on rear-facing cabins are bigger than the balconies on side-facing cabins, and they also feel quiet. There are far fewer balcony cabins at the back of a ship than on the sides of a ship, so you don’t hear a lot of noise from your neighbors.

If your cabin is at the rear corner of a ship, you might even have a balcony that wraps around two sides of the vessel. Those sorts of balconies are the ultimate in cool.

Note that on some ships, all or most of the rear-facing cabins are large, pricey suites, but this isn’t always the case. Carnival Cruise Line ships, for instance, typically have quite a few non-suite accommodations at their backs.

Related: Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Cabins at the front

I’ll admit, I’m not a huge fan of forward-facing cabins. For starters, there is nowhere on a ship more prone to movement than the front of a ship. Forward-facing cabins also often lack balconies, for reasons I will explain in a moment.

All that said, many cruisers just love forward-facing cabins. They love them because the view can be spectacular, particularly as you arrive at a new port. Also, some people love the idea of being at the very front of a ship and being able to see where they’re going.

Related: Why it pays to upgrade your cruise cabin

Forward-facing cabins also sometimes come with extra space. This is because they sometimes incorporate the oddly angled interior spaces that exist at the front of ships, which often have slanted fronts. As mentioned above, forward-facing cabins often will not have balconies, as the wind over the bow of a ship that’s underway is such that a balcony isn’t practical. Instead, they’ll have large windows — sometimes floor-to-ceiling windows — that offer stellar views.

Cabins surrounded by other cabins

Light sleepers, take note: The best place to be if you want the best chance of not being bothered by noise is a cabin that is surrounded by other cabins. This means a cabin that has a cabin directly above it and a cabin directly below it, as well as cabins on both sides.

To find such a cabin is harder than you might think. On the typical ship, the top deck of cabins is directly below the pool and activity decks, which can be noisy during the day and even into the night (yes, the noise sometimes will waft through your ceiling). The cabin deck just below that top deck of cabins can be a good choice.

But go a couple more decks down, and you’re often right on top of interior entertainment decks that are home to music lounges, theaters and other noisy venues.

Related: 15 ways cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise  

If the ultimate in quietude is your goal, you’ll also want to avoid cabins anywhere near elevators, passenger launderettes and other areas that draw foot traffic. It can take some studying of deck plans, but as seasoned cruisers know, it’s worth holding out for a cabin that is far away from anything that could keep you up at night.

Cabins near the spa

If you’re a big spa fan — the kind who can spend hours on vacation getting treatments — you’ll want to get a cabin right near your ship’s spa. Trust us. Walking long distances across a bustling ship in your robe and slippers for a spa appointment can be a bit, well, weird.

Cruise lines cater to spa lovers with special spa cabins that are close to the spa and come with special spa amenities. These might include plush bathrobes and slippers to wear on your way to the spa, upgraded toiletries, scrub kits, aromatherapy diffusers and even yoga mats. The cabins sometimes also come with spa discounts, unlimited spa lounge access and other spa-related perks.

Lines that have designated spa cabins on some or all ships include Celebrity Cruises , Carnival, Holland America , Azamara and MSC Cruises .

On Celebrity, the spa cabins — called AquaClass cabins — come with exclusive access to a special spa restaurant called Blu.

If you’re interested in a spa cabin, you’ll want to book far in advance. They often sell out early.

Bottom line

There is no right answer to the question of what is the best cabin location on a cruise ship. The perfect location for a cabin for one passenger might not be the perfect location for another.

That said, there are certain places on cruise ships that are better than others when it comes to cabin location, including the front and back of vessels. There’s nothing quite like being able to look forward from your room when on a ship approaching a port or to watch the wake of the ship from a rear-facing cabin.

Planning a cruise for the coming year? These stories will help:

• The most spectacular waterslides and watery fun zones at sea
• Cruise ship restaurant nirvana: The 9 best meals at sea
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The best Caribbean cruises for every type of traveler
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Pacific Encounter Balcony

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1993 how the construction company remstroy was created   the year 1993 was a period when a lot of construction companies, which had been working successfully during the soviet times and had rich staff capacity, were forced to cease their activity for various reasons. a lot of capable specialists either had to look for another job or change their field. but there were also those who were willing to realise their potential in the field of construction in accordance with the received degree and the experience they had accumulated. thus, in 1993 in elektrostal (moscow oblast) a group of specialists and people sharing each other’s ideas, who had enormous educational background and the highest degree in architecture, organized and registered ooo firm erg which began its rapid development and successful work, offering its service both on the construction market and other areas. 2000 industrial construction is the main area   seven years of successful work have shown that combining different types of activities in the same company is not always convenient. and in the year 2000 the founders of ooo firm erg decided to create and register a monoprofile construction company ooo remstroy construction company. industrial construction was chosen as the priority area. it was in this area that the directors of ooo sk remstroy began their working life and grew as specialists. in order to achieve the set goal, they selected a mobile team of professionals in the field of industrial construction, which allows us to cope with the tasks assigned to ooo sk remstroy throughout russia and the near abroad. 2010 manufacturing of metal structures   we possess modern equipment that allows us to carry out the entire cycle of works on the manufacture of metal structures of any complexity without assistance. designing – production – installation of metal structures. a staff of professionals and well-coordinated interaction of the departments let us carry out the work as soon as possible and in accordance with all customer’s requirements.” extract from the list of members of self-regulatory organizations, construction.

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