This P&O cruise upgrade is a game-changer

I found the perfect new addition on the refurbished Pacific Encounter.

With my arms firmly by my side and  hands outstretched, I waddle  back and forth like a penguin. Next, I place one hand on my hip and shake the other in the air like   a waving teacup,  before shooting    an invisible basketball in the air with an enthusiastic “wooh!”.

It feels a bit like I’ve stumbled into a Wiggles concert on board the Pacific Encounter cruise ship, but my six-year-old son is nowhere to be seen. While he’s happily playing board games with his new-found friends at the kids’ club a few decks above, I’m taking part in a dance class ahead of that night’s Great Gatsby party in the ship’s lobby, which includes a Charleston flash mob I want to be ready for.

Before dinner that night, I don a sequined headband with a peacock feather I’d made at another class earlier in the day to complement my dress, which had been languishing in my wardrobe since a Titanic-themed Christmas party two decades ago. “You look beautiful, Mummy,” Oliver says when he sees me in my finery.

I’m a firm believer that cruises, like everything, are what you make of them, and if you go in with the right attitude, it’s hard not to have a good time. And it seems there are plenty of others that share that view. The fun begins with a Sail-Away party as we leave the port in Brisbane on our four-night return voyage to Airlie Beach, with enthusiastic renditions of the “Nutbush”, “Macarena” and “YMCA” on the top deck.

From fitness classes and wrinkle remedy seminars to karaoke and wine tastings, there are seemingly endless ways to spend your days on board. But, as any parent of young children will tell you, all kids really want on holiday is a pool. Luckily, there are five to choose from on the Pacific Encounter. With up to 2600 passengers on board, the main pool and family pool can still get a bit crowded, but as we are staying in a suite, we also have access to the exclusive Byron Beach Club. This, my friends, is a game-changer when it comes to cruising in Australia.

There’s a large recreation deck with cabanas, wicker lounges and sunbeds. Picture: Supplied. 

Spread across two levels at the front of the ship and accessible via the Elemis Spa, the retreat was added as part of a major upgrade in 2022, when P&O replaced five ships with three bigger ones. As well as a pool, which has only a few other people in it at any given time, there’s a large recreation deck with cabanas, wicker lounges, sunbeds and games like quoits and a giant Connect Four.

We order lunch from Luke’s Burger Bar and play in the pool while waiting for it to be delivered. Bartender Hango from Vanuatu, who is dressed in a navy polo shirt with a white cap and cool sunglasses, also offers to make me a special cocktail to sip while we wait. “What colour is it?” I ask. “Rainbow,” he replies. “What’s it called?” I ask. “It’s a secret,” he replies. It proves as delicious as it is colourful. “This is my favourite place on the ship,” Oliver declares as he sits back in the whirlpool spa after his meal.

The specialty restaurants are another drawcard. As well as stylish pan-Asian eatery Dragon Lady, there are two Italian restaurants and Luke’s Bar and Grill, serving a delectable crab omelette and mouth-watering kingfish sashimi.

The writer’s son with the ship’s captain. Picture: Angela Saurine.

After dinner, we usually head to one of the bars, which include the speak-easy-style small bar The Bonded Store, serving highly Instagrammable smoking cocktails, and jazz bar The Blue Room, before seeing one of the vibrant shows. Seven is based on the seven deadly sins, while Musicology is a celebration of tunes through the ages, with hits such as “Disco Inferno”, “Proud Mary” to “Viva La Viva” performed with great gusto. But the standout is the sexy and cheeky Blanc de Blanc Uncorked – a cabaret-style show with plenty of acrobatics, double entendres and audience participation. As I say, hard not to have a good time.

5 Top Kids’ Activities on Pacific Encounter

1. Twin Racer Waterslides

   Race against friends and family on these two twisting blue tubes which sit side-by-side on the top deck. There’s also a brightly coloured water park with some fun interactive features for littlies.

2. Kids’ Clubs

  From Lego-building competitions and foosball tournaments to video games and pyjama parties, kids will have a blast at the kids’ clubs, which are tailored to different age groups. There’s Turtle Cove for two- to five-year-olds, Shark Shack for those aged six to nine, HG for 10- to 13-year-olds and HQ+ for teens aged 14 to 17.

Kids can soar over the deck on a flying fox. Picture: Angela Saurine.

3. P&O Edge Adventure Park

 Soar over the deck on a flying fox, play laser tag or pose at the bow of the ship like Rose and Jack in Titanic with P&O Edge Adventure Park.

4.  Deck Games

  A cruise isn’t a cruise without deck games. Mini golf, table tennis and quoits are among the offerings sure to help the family bond.

5. Level Up Arcade

Try your luck on the E-Claw machines, compete in virtual motorcycle races and play air hockey in the amusement arcade.

The writer was a guest of P&O Cruises.

How to see Airlie Beach on a cruise

Pacific Encounter sails from Brisbane year-round. Voyages range from three-day comedy cruises and four-day itineraries to Airlie Beach through to longer cruises to the Pacific Islands and Papua New Guinea.

Originally published as This P&O cruise upgrade is a game-changer