Dark Mofo hits Hobart in June, a winter festival that has fast become a favourite and mainstay of the national circuit; attracting incredible music, arts and food events, and an iconic nudie run that is always the talk of the town.
There are a lot of ways that punters can get to the event from the mainland – though P&O Cruises have offered something quite unique (and affordable) for those who are able to depart from Sydney: A cruise direct to the festival (and back), that will ensure you have transport, accom, food and tickets to the festival all sorted. And for prices starting at just $500 per person (quad share), it’s a financially competitive alternative to flights and on ground accommodation. I for one would love to see more destination festivals take up the P&O experience, especially at that price point – and with the fair assumption that the cruise will be full of like-minded, arts-going peoples.
Those are my kind of peoples.
I caught up with P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell to learn more about what passengers can expect from the cruise, which is sure to be unlike any cruise you’ve ever been on…
Do you expect the cruise to attract a new kind of crowd for the company?
The demographic isn’t expected to be vastly different from other cruises, however we are expecting to see a higher proportion of first-time cruisers keen to take advantage of the cruise as an easy and unique way to experience the festival. The cruise fare represents exceptional value – in addition to meals, transport, accommodation and entertainment, guests will receive admission to MONA and ferry transfers to the museum as well as entry to the festival’s signature Winter Feast.
What can guests expect from the entertainment (and other activities) on board?
Cruising offers a convenient, value-packed and fun-filled way for people to experience some of Australia’s most iconic events and celebrations. Guests joining our new Dark MOFO cruise will enjoy all of Pacific Jewel’s wonderful features such as P&O Edge Adventure Park, Salt Grill by Luke Mangan, The Pantry, as well as the ship’s great production shows, as they head south to Tasmania.
While P&O will continue to offer an action-packed line up of world-class entertainment including its legendary Bianco and Gatsby parties and theatre shows, all official Dark MOFO experiences will begin in Hobart. Pacific Jewel will dock in the heart of the city during the festival, providing a convenient base for guests to attend the event and experience the sights of Hobart. P&O’s ‘main event’ cruises are all about making it easy and affordable to enjoy events of this calibre, where accommodation and entry is usually at a premium.
If this is a guests’ first cruising experience, what are three pieces of advice they shouldn’t board without knowing?
1. The great value cruise fare includes main meals, accommodation and entertainment plus event transport and tickets. Additional items such as alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, specialty dining and internet are at an additional cost.
2. Check out our on-board daily newsletter called GOOD TIMES so you are well prepared to take advantage of all the great activities and dining options available each day
3. If cruising is new to you and you are unsure of anything, ask our friendly staff – they can assist you in getting as much out of your holiday as possible. With Dark MOFO, the Winter Feast and MONA are obvious highlights but there is a lot more happening so rug up and try as many events as you can possibly fit in – one of my favourites is Dark Park.
If guests enjoy this cruise, what other event focused cruises are coming up that you’d recommend?
We have cruises to the Melbourne Cup, Australian Open and the State of Origin, plus a special Australia Day cruise.
Fares on the six night cruise – which includes your time in Hobart – start from $500 per person quad share. For more info or to book head to the official website. For more information about Dark Mofo, head HERE. The event runs from the 8th to the 21st of June, while the cruise departs on the 13th.
———-
