Cruise Ship Pacific Aria

Seven Day cruise trip from Brisbane to Cairns, with a stop at Hamilton island and an hour at Willes Island where the Weather Station island. The Pool was in the middle between the restaurants on one side, and the gym, Casino, Marque and Dome Bar on the other side. My room was front/starboard and every meal time I had to walk past the pool, which is a better option than the long passage below. The swimming pool was below

I had breakfast at The Waterfront Restaurant, lunch at The Pantry, and dinner at Angelo’s, Waterfront, or once at Dragon Lady, which was always booked out, why I do not know as it was the last choice for me.  Every evening was dress up time with a theme that I followed because I had done the cruises before with P&O….cocktail, black, white, Gatsby and Halloween this trip. The last night was my birthday and that was made special when Angelo’s provided a cake with a candle, and a team, who happily sang ‘Happy Birthday’ while making sure the surrounding tables joined in too.

 

The meals were thus fun. I shared a table with Leonie from Maleny and Lola from the Gold Coast and we enjoyed all the evening fun and got on very well together. Lunch I mostly had alone and linked up with a German Trio..Peter, Gabi and Inge, so that was fun too. Days were casual, I was happy to sit on the Balcony alone, and go on tours every day in Port. Breakfast was always at the Waterfront for me, because I enjoy a formal sit down breakfast complete with juices and Tea and if lucky, a happy waiter. Mostly they were grumpy in the morning, and the maitre D’ would come and apologize.

Meals were very small as you can see above, but as there were 3 courses, that was not an issue. We enjoyed the food and the dining together. Lunch was in The Pantry where there was a selection of different types of food…Mexican, Roast, Sri Lankan, Bakery with filled bread rolls and sandwiches and a Salad Bar. At the two ends there was the drink corner with tea, coffee and water. It was basic and adequate. If you had bought a drinks Card, which I had done for $49, soft drinks were available, and I was able to get the ladies a drink on my card too in the evening. I mostly drank soda with a slice of lime and sometimes, bitters. All food was served at the food bars, so portions were controlled somewhat, but many went back for seconds.

Halloween Night was fun and many came dressed in weird and wonderful costumes. We simply wore black. It was fun laughing with others about what they were wearing. I made the comment that we three were the best looking there..as many were painted with blood, black lips, white faces, and wearing what they thought were ghoulish looks. It was a fun evening. The Marque had a Dance show the evening before with some macabre dance moves with futuristic screaming changing lights and effects that were dramatic and characterized a ghostly cemetery with awakening ghouls perfect  for All Saints Night.

I did enjoy the Jazz quartet that played every evening. I sat there one evening and took these photos… There was music in many areas of the ship. One could party all day and night if one so chose to do this. Mostly people just sat around and watched. They were a very quiet group of cruisers and extremely well behaved. Everybody sat in their couples or small groups of 3 or 4 and just watched.  One lady sitting behind us at the show, was talking loudly, so when Leonie pointed this to to me, I turned around and said, “Shush!!” and to my amazement, she did and never spoke again for the rest of the evening.