P&O Pacific Pearl ~ That’s Entertainment

Have you ever been on a cruise? I’d never been on a cruise before, and I didn’t know what to expect on my first, on P&O Pacific Pearl. Sydney harbour is so much a part of our city, and sailing at sunset was an occasion in itself. We passed under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and passed the Sydney Opera House, then sailed out through the heads.

The occasion was celebrated with the first (of many) P&O cocktails: a Pacific Island Tea. Yes, I sipped a few of them on the cruise, and danced each night away.

Mostly however I just found that the ship was a lovely way to relax, mostly in the privacy of my cabin and on its balcony. Sitting, in the sun on my deck chair, I watched the world sail by.

There was a whole bunch of entertainment onboard, to suit all tastes and activity levels. Show tunes from West Side Story and Guys & Dolls had me tapping my foot. The biggest belly laugh of the voyage came from the cooking demonstration of celebrity Chef Luke Mangan. Strewth!

Chef Luke Mangan picked three people from the audience to join him onstage and cook with him. It wasn’t at all what I expected. Luke Mangan was quite the entertainer as he flirted with the ladies and had a beer with the bloke.

With a capacity for more than 1700 passengers and close to 700 staff there are numerous shows, shops, bars and eateries – including my favourite the forty seat restaurant of Chef Luke Mangan: Salt Grill.

Would I cruise again? With good food and good company, I’d say I’ve found my sea legs.

Inside Cuisine was a guest of P&O Cruises on the Pacific Pearl and at Salt Grill.