Australians have made it very clear they’re keen on cruising (we’re over a million passengers remember?), but if you find someone that needs convincing, how’s about enticing them with an entire five-course meal made of chocolate, tennis legends and rock’s finest.
P&O Cruises Australia isn’t just paving the way in Australia by reinventing local onboard dining, installing generous activities and introducing the country’s first new-build vessel, it’s leading the sector down the path of themed-cruising.
While the concept isn’t completely new, it really only started to make waves around Australia when P&O noticed a growing trend amongst Aussies looking for short weekend escapes.
So in came those food and wine cruises, which then branched out to Melbourne Cup sailings and then a MOFO cruise.
But the entertainment guys and gals over at P&O haven’t stopped there, here are seven ways P&O Cruises is completely rocking Australia seas with its themed cruises:
1. Rocking it with a Brazilian Model/Cake Queen
She may have only just wrapped up her time on Zumbo’s Just Desserts, but Gigi Falanga is keeping the treats coming onboard Pacific Aria this weekend.
The rountrip from Sydney will see the model-turned-cake queen join the ship’s Food & Wine cruise, during which she’ll recreate some of the amazing creations from the show as well as teach guests a few tricks of the trade.
Gigi’s not the only local celebrity the cruise line has managed to book, P&O also has The Champagne Dame aka Kyla Kirkpatrick boarding Aria on 30 September to 3 October with her saber, which she’ll use to cut open a bottle of champagne – the first time sabrage will be on a P&O Cruises – plus she’ll host two Master Classes.
Raw Beauty Queen, Kemi Nekvapil of Kemi’s Raw Kitchen, will be onboard Pacific Jewel in December for a trip out of Melbourne where she’ll demonstrate her raw recipes, plus Artisan and Cheesemaker Kris Lloyd from Woodside Cheese Wrights will sail on both Pacific Jewel and Pacific Dawn in December for some cheesemaking demonstrations and cheese tastings.
2. Rocking it with Rock n’ Roll
Imagine an entire ship rocking out to rock n’ roll.
That’s exactly what guests can expect from Pacific Dawn’s Rock cruise departing from Brisbane next month.
The ship will have Rock trivia, Air Guitar Championships, every venue will be filled with rock music AND there’ll even be Songwriting Workshops hosted by musician Peter Grose.
Of course, a highlight for most guests will be the rockers themselves, including including Ross Wilson – the co-founder and frontman of Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock.
3. Rocking it with the Blues
From rock n’ roll to blues.
The best of Australian blues will converge onto Pacific Pearl next month for the line’s Blues Cruise departing from Sydney.
All the best band from Blues Festivals around Sydney have been handpicked for the themed cruise including Glenn Cardier and The Sideshow, Blue Shaddy and Tomcat Playground.
4. Rocking it with Tennis
Know someone who would really love an exclusive breakfast in Salt Grill with Todd Woodbridge? Or take a photo with Australian tennis legend, Ken Rosewall?
They’re just some of the tennis-related offering available on P&O Cruises’ popular Australian Open Cruise running again in January next year.
The five-night roundtrip from Sydney also includes two days admission to all the action at Melbourne Park as well as a volley of tennis-themed activities onboard including trivia, table tennis championships and Wii tennis tournaments.
For those who prefer to stay onboard, The Australian Open will also be screened live on the ship’s giant screen for guests to watch in poolside style during their cruise, while the Men’s and Women’s Australian Open trophies will also be onboard.
5. Rocking it with Comedy
Remember the big haired, hilarious and completely honest Effie?
She plus other comedians such as Bob Downe and Peter Rowsthorn are taking the laughs out to sea during separate P&O Comedy Cruises.
As headliners of their own cruises, they’ll not only tell their own jokes, but watch on as passengers try their hand at stand up comedy in the Comedy Gong Show – after receiving a few tips from the pros of course.
The cruise will also see guests ask the comedians anything they want during Q&A sessions.
6. Rocking it with MOFO
Passengers will see the ‘darker’ side of cruising next year when P&O Cruises launches its first Dark Mofo cruise.
The inaugural cruise will depart Sydney on Pacific Jewel and take all 2,000 guests on a three-day journey down to Hobart where they will enjoy Tasmania’s annual celebration of the dark.
Once Jewel docks in Tasmania, guests will step off to see the art, food, music, light, film and oddities. As part of the cruise they will be given entry to Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), a return ferry trip plus priority pass to the event’s City of Hobart Dark Mofo Winter Feast.
7. And finally, Rocking it with Chocolate… oh my gosh died!
Imagine an entire meal (NOT JUST DESSERT, an entire sit down meal) made of chocolate.
Uhhh hell yeah, yes please, P&O just take my money!
The line will host a Chocolate Degustation at Chef’s Table during this weekend’s Food & Wine Cruise.
Guests will enjoy a meal at the Chef’s Table made up entirely of chocolate. Like for example, a pumpkin-filled chocolate ravioli.
There’s literally chocolate in every course.
Aside from that (but do you really need more convincing with this one?) the cruise line regularly as chocolatiers sail onboard offering Chocolate Tastings, Chocolate & Wine Pairings as well as Chocolate Masterclasses where guests learn how to make items like Chocolate Truffles.
