P&O Cruises AU Reviews - 6

My partner and I don’t usually go on cruises

My partner and I don’t usually go on cruises, but we decided to try P & O for a 5-night trip on the Pacific Explorer to witness the April 20 solar eclipse. I didn’t expect much after reading some negative reviews. However, considering the cost, I’m giving this cruise a solid 5 stars for VALUE FOR MONEY. It’s definitely a budget cruise line, and the price reflected that. The cabin was small, but typical for cruises. Everything worked well except for an old television. We had enough space to hang clothes and store our empty suitcases under the bed. The shower was good. The public areas were clean, stylish, and well kept. We didn’t join in on the regular entertainment but enjoyed the special astronomy lectures, which were great. We didn’t pay extra for any special dining and only ate in the main dining area. The food wasn’t fantastic, but it was okay with a decent variety, typical of a buffet. After five days, we were ready for something different, but it was fine. The dining room was busy at peak times, but we always found a table. Staff were very friendly and helpful. For a company that doesn’t encourage tipping, they were excellent. We ended up tipping our room steward Iris in cash because she worked so hard and always greeted us by name. While we might not go on another P & O cruise, mostly because we’re not big cruisers and would prefer to spend more for something more luxurious, I would still recommend this company to anyone on a tight budget.

Paid £3400 to stay in a cabin that was

Paid £3400 to stay in a cabin that was clearly not up to standard. Missed three ports, and the shower had a rubber glove over the drain to stop any bad smells. Water coming out of the taps and toilet was discoloured, and I had to deal with a flooded room in the middle of the night, using towels to clean it up. The shower kept overflowing, furniture was falling apart, and the sealant had black spots and rust. The staff was unhelpful, and the ship looked old and rusty. They were painting over the rust, but it was obvious some places hadn’t seen a paintbrush before. The carpets had rips, patched up with hazard tape. They promised to paint the bottom of the shower to cover the damage. I’ve emailed them many times, with photos to prove everything. I’ll be taking this up with them in Southampton since I live nearby.

We took a cruise on Iona to the Canaries

We took a cruise on Iona to the Canaries and were quite let down by the food quality, which was below par. However, our suite at the back of the boat was great, although it was noisy due to the sun deck above. The room was always kept clean to a good level, though the couch was not comfortable at all. We used to be big fans of P&O Cruises, but not after this trip. We ate at the Horizon, surrounded by dirty dishes, with staff just walking past, not paying attention. The resident group, however, was quite good. Why doesn't P&O provide a questionnaire in the cabin? Unfortunately, we have another Iona cruise booked, but we can’t cancel it since we wanted to switch to a different ship.

Avoid P&O and Classic Holidays at all costs!

Avoid P&O and Classic Holidays at all costs! My friend and I booked a "Tribute to the King" cruise ages ago, and we were both so excited about it. Flights were booked, everything was set. But a few months ago, I started getting suspicious when I accidentally discovered that the cruise was suddenly renamed a "comedy cruise." I asked a lot, but I was always told everything was fine. Eventually, after pushing and pushing, I was told the theme was changed. I would've boarded that ship, expecting Elvis 🤬. They could have informed me earlier. I didn't need to take time off work or spend money on flights. Soooo mad!

Excessive charge for guest change

Excessive charge for guest change Earlier this year, I enjoyed the Australia Day cruise with a family friend, and the experience on the ship was nice. While I was still aboard, I made a booking for next year with the same guest. I was informed that I could change the guest later if needed. Unfortunately, that person can’t join anymore. I’ve already paid for the cabin and plan to go alone, so I called P&O to update the booking. To my surprise, I was told I would incur a 25% charge to change the guest's name, despite the fact that the cabin price remains the same whether one or two people are in it, much like a hotel. When I raised my concern, they explained it was their policy, and the only way to avoid the fee was to add a different person. Absurd? You tell!

Had a credit note to use with P&O Cruises

Had a credit note to use with P&O Cruises but couldn't get in touch with them directly. Had to book through a third party, Ozcruising.com.au, who charged almost twice as much as the price listed directly with P&O. We felt forced to pay to avoid losing the $1200 credit, especially since we were about to leave the country. Ozcruising claimed it was the last cabin available, but the ship was less than three-quarters full! The itinerary changed to just one stop, Port Vila. The crew was great, but I was very let down by P&O, who haven’t responded to any of our follow-ups, despite the ship's reception trying to reach them.