Sail Away with Pacific Pearl

Pacific Pearl leaving Auckland

Five minutes ago I had this close-up view of 'Pacific Pearl' as she cruised out of Auckland. I'm staying at Devonport this week and from my vantage point on the waterfront I could even hear her band playing at the sail away party.There will be 1850 excited passengers on board, starting their partying for an eight night cruise to some Pacific Islands.

 'Pacific Pearl' was built in 1987. She was refurbished and brought down to New Zealand by P&O as the newest addition to their fleet in December 2010. In the year and a bit since then she has cruised the South Pacific.

  Today's cruise is called the Petit Escape. Its itinerary takes it around New Caledonia with days in port at  Noumea, Lifou and the Isle of Pines. (I have written about each of those places on this blog if you'd like to do a search for them.)

  'Pacific Pearl' is popular with families and groups of friends as a high percentage of the cabins are quad share. If you are an older couple looking for a quiet time aboard this is probably not the ship for you. But if you are with your family or friends, wanting lots of entertainment and parties, with days ashore to swim and snorkel, then a reasonably priced cruise to the islands on 'Pacific Pearl' could be fun.