P & O Aria - 1st February 2016
After a quick whip around the ship and lunch onboard the newly refurbished P&O Aria, I must say I am quietly impressed with the upgrades.
With some terrific new dining options, modern decor upgrades and staterooms perfectly designed for both couples and families, it really is P & O like you’ve never seen before! The refurbishment is not quite finished, with the ship’s 630 cabins and suites still to undergo a progressive upgrade that includes good quality beds, fine linen and stylish modern decor. Until this takes place, the staterooms in my opinion remain slightly tired and more in line with the 3.5 star standard that usually is P&O. That being said, there are some wonderful configurations for families with Quad share cabins boasting a queen size bed and separate bunks for the littler travellers in your family.
Onboard dining has been taken to new heights onboard the Aria. Gone is the tired buffet, replaced with The Pantry – a savvy new space offering eight different dining choices from Mexican to Fish & Chips, fresh sandwiches and Indian Curries. If a la carte is more your style then you are spoiled for choice with 3 additional restaurants included in your cruise price. There are 2 new specialty dining options Angelo’s and Dragon Lady along with the main Waterfront Dining Room. Angelo’s Italian restaurant with modern takes on some Italian classics is a beautifully decorated restaurant complete with a Vespa Scooter and large photo portraits adorning the walls. Dragon Lady is the second of the new dining options with a fantastic mix of Asian fusion dishes in a stylish and sophisticated atmosphere. Luke Mangan’s Salt Grill also makes an appearance onboard offering some of his signature dishes for an additional surcharge of $39 per person for lunch and $49 per person for dinner. Be sure to book early if you are wanting to dine at any of these specialty restaurants as space is limited and they are proving a very popular addition. I recommend booking straight after embarkation to secure your table.
If gambling is your thing, the casino is there to offer all the usual suspects, Blackjack, Pokies, Roulette and options for a flutter on the horses should it take your fancy. On deck there are two swimming pools, one of which is the adults only Oasis complete with sun-lounges, hanging wicker chairs and cocktail bar. The main swimming pool while it appears to have adequate seating, during sea days it may prove difficult to secure yourself a sun lounge. Either head up early or be patient. The kids club has some great facilities and offers a range of activities to suit all age groups. The space was not huge but they have definitely ensured there is plenty to keep the kids entertained throughout the cruise.
There are a number of bars on board with a variety of entertainment offerings throughout. These have all been thoughtfully decorated to create unique and individual spaces for passengers to enjoy. Drink prices start from $5.95 for basic draft beer (VB) with imported beers like Corona at the higher end at $9. Cocktails range between $11 - $16 each and wine and spirits by the glass start at around $7.50. If you don’t mind a cocktail or two and let’s be honest, who doesn’t, then the drinks package may be for you. For $79 per person per day you can enjoy unlimited beverages up to a value of $12 per drink. This may seem excessive but a cocktail by the pool, pre dinner drinks and perhaps wine with dinner will very quickly add up.
Overall I was definitely impressed with the attention to detail in the refurbishment. While I would rate the public areas closer to a 4 star standard, please keep in mind that P&O is still priced as one of the most economical cruising options in Australian waters. This can significantly affect the demographic of passenger onboard. I feel it is fair to say, while the ship is lovely, I still feel it is at most a 3.5 star product. For a cheap and cheerful getaway, it offers all the benefits of cruising and great value for money in a nice modern environment. Well done P & O!