Like no place on Earth

Tips for potential Cruiselings from our recent experience on board P&O Pacific Dawn from Brisbane to Airlie Beach and return. 4 nights, our first cruise on a BIG ship.
We have been sailing in the Whitsundays several times on small yachts, so this was a completely different experience for us.

Postives
There is a lot to like.
The staff are excellent, happy, friendly and efficient. Islanders, from Vanuatu, the Philippines, Indian, South African, Australian, etc.
The ship was refurbished in 2017 and is in great shape. Terrific décor in the many different venues. Very well maintained, very clean, a tidy ship.
Fantastic organisation of all meals, events/activities including embarkation, disembarkation, shore visits, etc.
Loved the 5 star dining at the Waterfront, and the Oasis bar at the stern of the ship, over two open decks.
Plenty of opportunity for exercise, on the stairs, the upper deck above the Lido, the Promenade decks.
Comfortable balcony cabin.

Negatives
Smoking allowed on the Starboard Promenade deck and also aware of it in the Lido area.
The pool was relatively small and not very appealing, although kept clean. The Lido area was the most popular area of the boat, and always busy, except very early in the morning, so we mostly avoided it.
With 2000 passengers on board, queues were inevitable at various times, going to the main Waterfront restaurant, or in the extremely busy food court, the Pantry.
Although the Promenade and Orient bars were great locations, we only went once to the Orient Bar, as just too busy most of the time.
Environmental issues.
Here is the policy from the cruise people, so they are trying...
www.pocruises.com/legal/environment

General
Being yachties, we love boats of all shapes and sizes, and always enjoy our boating trips. This was no exception. We were able to find our own places, there is something for everyone.
“At sea” days are really at sea… out of sight of land, travelling up the coast about 50 miles offshore on this particular trip.
Being fit before you board is a good idea, as it is great to be able to walk up and down the stairs, although there are plenty of lifts at every stairwell, and we kept finding new stairs.
Would only have a balcony cabin, or better. Would not enjoy an inside cabin or outside cabin with just a porthole. Our cabin was on the 10th level well forward on the Starboard side. Ideal, with an outside deck nearby, pretty quiet, well away from the public areas, and easy to walk up or down to the various bars, restaurants and cafes..
A favourite was the elegant central Atrium.
Quite a party boat, with two themed parties which started at 9pm, and late night disco at the Dome. Fun atmosphere.
We regard ourselves as being overweight, but there were plenty of people on board who were at least twice our size, so over indulgence can be a problem…

Would we go again?
Yes, but probably on the shorter 4 or 7 night cruises initially. We really enjoyed the trip, lucky to have absolutely perfect weather. Will probably try out other ships, perhaps with less passengers.