Pacific Eden Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We did the Eden cruise departing Cairns on 27 July to New Guinea. We are sorry that P&O has sold this ship on, as we found it to be a delightful, smaller ship. We hope her sister ship, Pacific Aria, will be as good when we sail on her in the future.
The ship had a lovely "happy" feel to it - the staff all seemed to be genuinely happy. (This is in contrast to our last cruise on Golden Princess! It did not have a good feel at all).
I was a little concerned about what to expect, having heard that P&O had bought her from Holland America line and the ship's age. No need to have worried - we just loved this ship. (We are disenchanted Princess cruisers and this ship has restored our love of cruising).
Cabin Review
Our cabin was lovely. Certainly the Holland America style was evident with the cupboard layouts, quality of the lounge, basin top etc. As always with cruises, lovely and clean. Also seemed larger than previous balcony cabins on Princess cruises. The one thing I loved was having a (spa) bath which apparently all cabins on this ship have except for the interior ones. Lovely to be able to have a relaxing bath on a floating ship. There are plenty of grab handles for getting in and out to access the overhead shower, if needed. It was wonderful not to have to squeeze into the very small shower recesses on Princess ships and trying to avoid water going all over the floor.
My one and only main gripe was the quality of the shampoo/conditioner in the shower. This really is below standard and I will take my own in future cruises.
Our steward (Ernesto) was wonderful - anything requested was organised/fixed soon after. For example we had a problem with the plug in our bath and a mechanic was there that afternoon fixing it.
Port Reviews
Conflict Islands
As said previously, loved the Conflict Islands but the excursion on the glass bottom boat was a huge disappointment. Feedback to P&O since then, has not even rated a "thank you for letting us know" email.
Was great to be able to swim straight from the water's edge and see coral. (We didn't have (or choose to hire) snorkel gear, but just loved the freedom of this.
Was impressed with Ian Gowrie-Smith is trying to do on the island but the goods for sale by the natives were far more expensive than on the other island. Also saw and appreciated what he is doing with raising the turtles until they are larger and able to be let free and hopefully survive.
Kiriwina (Papua New Guinea)
Missed one island due to bad weather but enjoyed the one we went to.