An adventure on the ocean
WHEN you’re a teenager, life is all about living on the edge.
Testing your limits, doing something you didn’t think you could do, going places you’ve never been.
When you get a little older, the hunt for the adrenaline rush can be a little less important.
It’s time for relaxation, good food, good company and taking in those beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
Good cruises these days cater for both.
We went on our first cruise testing the water off Brisbane – and our sea legs – on P&O Pacific Dawn for a Christmas in July special.
For my wife, who was a little worried about the idea of being at sea for days, the appeal was that it was only a short cruise – three days.
The big attraction for our youngest son was not the idea of going on a big ship on the ocean – but rather putting the P&O Edge Adventure Park to the test.
We bought a VIP Bronze pass (the gold and silver packages had already sold out) which gave us access to multiple sessions a day for about $100.
Heart-pumping activities on offer include riding a flying fox above the pool deck, walking the plank, climbing up the crow’s nest viewing platform, and the spectacular P&O bow ladder climb.
You can also do rock climbing, ride segways, play laser tag, and an array of other activities. The Gold Pass which is $129, includes the segway and laser tag, whereas we paid extra for our laser tag battle.
There’s also a Titanic Moment activity where you re-enact the iconic lean and arm stretch post at the front of the ship’s bow.
Our son took on walking the plank first up, just after a brief shower of rain – and a rainbow.
While you are fully harnessed and well briefed by the friendly instructors in every activity, it takes a leap of faith to lean back on a plank while dangling off the side of the boat.
The Pacific Dawn also has two waterslides, a pool (which was pretty small) and an inadequate number of spas.
In between racing around watching our young adventurer, we enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Waterfront Restaurant and the Pantry.
Our most frustrating part of the cruise was the beginning. You have to a book a nighttime slot for the Waterfront and you can only do it when you get on board. So we spent the first 45 minutes just trying to get through. The phone just kept ringing.
In the end, we joined the queue of others who had given up on the phone and went to the restaurant itself.
The restaurant experience was certainly a step up from The Pantry with good service, though the food was not exceptional.
The Pantry offers lots of variety with everything from Mexican to Asian meals.
Every night there was a new show on offer ranging from operatic singers to a full-scale musical production.
During the day there was bingo to cooking sessions with 4 Ingredients’ Kim McCosker.
On the big screen above the pool and deck chairs, there was sports action and Christmasthemed movies at night, which was a fun way to kick back under the stars.
After three days, we felt like we packed a week’s worth of holidaying into our cruise.
And we’re already planning another.