All aboard: how to champagne cruise on a beer budget

Frankie - the cruise entertainment director - addresses the crowd.

"Someone has just asked a very important question," he shouts.

A man (dressed in all white to comply with tonight's white party) has asked his partner (wearing a white dress) to marry him.

"And what was the answer?" Frankie asks them.

"Yes!" the woman says. Everyone cheers and watches on as the new fiances slow dance, both looking a lot elated and a little overwhelmed at all the attention.

This is the first proposal I witness on the four night cruise from Brisbane to Airlie Beach, but it's certainly not the first celebration.

I've also seen two weddings, several hens parties and a group wearing matching T-shirts that read 'Oh ship, it's a 40th!'.

This is the first cruise my friend and I have been on. We were curious as to what a cruise would have to offer two 26-year-old women who love to relax by the pool, visit tropical islands and drink cocktails?

A lot, it turns out.

We start the cruise in the most appropriate way - with frozen margarita in hand at the 'sailaway' party hosted on the top deck of the ship, where passengers are treated to panoramic views of the sunset as we head out into the ocean.

At Trattoria, the fine dining Italian restaurant, we gorge on arancini, pasta, and wine. It's one of several premium dining experiences guests can splurge on.

We get a little 'cruise 101' lesson from others in our party. Most people book dinner at the range of eateries on the day they board, so they can then book their activities according to dinner time. We also learn that if you don't finish your bottle of wine at dinner, you can ask the waitstaff to send it to your next restaurant booking. Another trade secret is to wait toward the end of the cruise to book in a spa treatment or buy a souvenir - you're more likely to discover discounts.

Our first day at sea is spent lounging poolside in sarongs reading our books White Lotus style. The Pacific Encounter's Byron Beach Club is our favourite reading spot: the private area has a bar, pool and spa, reserved for passengers in suites and M1 and MA graded mini-suites. Not that there is a shortage of pools on the ship - there are five.

I keep an eye on the water for sea life, but when we take a ship tour, third mate Simone tells me if they see anything from the bridge, they make an announcement so no one misses the whales, dolphins or other animals.

Another day, another view: The Whitsundays is out our window. Our initial plan to go snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef is called off due to bad weather, so we take a scenic flight over the natural wonder instead.

Some use the shore excursion to go jet skiing around the islands, board a glass bottomed boat or take a four wheel drive tour to secluded waterfalls; others decide to stay on the ship. But sitting in the front seat of the tiny plane, soaring directly over Heart Reef and the crystal blue waters of one of the natural wonders of the world, I know this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Our pilot flies us over Heart Reef three times, twisting the plane sideways so everyone has the opportunity to capture the moment with their cameras before we return to Airlie Beach.

We spend the rest of our time at shore eating fish and chips and swimming at the lagoon.

After yum cha at the ship's Chinese restaurant Dragon Lady we head to The Bonded Store, the Pacific Encounter's bar with extravagant, signature smoky cocktails.

Here, the bartenders teach us how to make three different cocktails and give us one to taste that they prepared earlier. It tastes exactly like Vegemite toast and is not a popular option in the room.

The class is great value for money - $45 for four cocktails that would normally cost $20 or more each? Bargain.

Blanc de Blanc Uncorked is Pacific Encounter's premiere cabaret. Think seductive dancing and sensual singing, jokes that make you blush, audience interaction and near nudity (also known to cause rosiness in the cheeks).

Which brings us to the fateful white party on the top deck of the ship.

Unlike the Gatsby Party the previous night, the white party was for the people celebrating occasions, the hens' nights, milestone birthday parties and, now, engagements.

Out on the dance floor, the newly engaged couple are surrounded by dozens of people in their twenties.

We're betting there's more than a few cruising converts among them.

P&O Whitsundays Cruise Byron Beach Club Mini-suites are from $953pp (2 person room). The room includes exclusive access to Byron Beach Club, twin beds that convert into a queen, an ensuite and a private balcony. Departing from Brisbane, our four night cruise docked in Airlie Beach on day three. Interior rooms are from $549pp (2 person room). Despite P&O Cruises closure announcement, the Pacific Encounter and this cruise will still be run under Carnival Cruises from April 25. Visit www.pocruises.com.au/cruises/whitsundays for more information