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Caravan 37

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  • Location
    Essex
  • Interests
    Travel
  • Favorite Cruise Line(s)
    Haven't found one I didn't like!
  • Favorite Cruise Destination Or Port of Call
    Caribbean

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  1. Thanks! The ones listed are all that are available in our price bracket ( unobstructed balcony)
  2. Hi we have choice of: 8584 8552 8550 8542 8050 1526 7034 7546 Would prefer no overhang/lack of sun reasonably central/MID thanks!
  3. Hi - looking at booking for April from Dubai round UAE/Oman ( have previously done very similar on Lirica a few years back). Wondering about the position/deck and if expert 'skier52' has any words of wisdom? Sun on the balcony without overhang that sort of thing? Thanks
  4. We're just back from Arvia and thought I'd give a summary of our experience here. Embarkation Our scheduled time to embark was 13.45. We arrived and were checked in with CPS by 13.15. Went to board and were waved through to the terminal, not the early arrivals queue. There was a sign apparently saying that all arrivals up to 14.00 check in could go straight through. There was a bit of a snaking queue inside but it moved fairly quickly and we were through security and in our cabin by our scheduled arrival time of 13.45! Cases arrived fairly soon after so were unpacked and settled in pronto. Cabin We had a FWD-MID cabin on Deck 12 starboard side (12329). We liked this position as it was a bit cheaper than MID but didn’t seem too far for us to walk either to either end of the ship and it was close to the lifts and not too far from the laundrette either 😊. We’ve been on Iona so no surprises in the layout. A larger balcony than we had on Deck 5 of Iona and much bigger than balcony on Britannia. Our steward was efficient and accommodating with any requests. We did have some loud banging on our sail into Southampton on our last night – sounded like a man walking in hard shoes on a hardwood floor, not like creaking or banging because of the wind/seas. Strange. Dining MDR - We only visited the MDR once for dinner – it was ‘ok’. Acceptable food, decent portion, hot but just….not very exciting. We had the ridiculous tables 4 inches apart but had a good chat to our neighbours, so it was fine. For breakfast we only went 3 times – it was ok, service was hit and miss though, asking for tea/butter/toast etc was a bit frustrating. Chefs Table – Thought we’d try this out on one of the formal evenings – wouldn’t bother again. Food, like the MDR, mediocre and felt very crowded so wouldn’t do this again. Sindhu – went once on this cruise and have used on other P&O ships. It was a nice meal and good service but I think it’s a bit hit and miss depending on your order so we probably wouldn’t go again for a while. Epicurean – went once on our anniversary. Good food, nice service. Was busier than I’ve ever seen an Epicurean tbh but that added not detracted to the evening. Glass House – went once only, simply because they only do the tapas dishes or the ‘big and bold’ with three different ways of eating say ‘chicken’ which all comes on a big plate. We quite like the options on Britannia of having steak or something else. But it was very good food and service. We ended up having 6 dishes from the little menu which was really nice. Olive Grove – didn’t really like this on Arvia but loved it on Iona when you had to pay a little extra. Was booked in twice but didn’t go back. Was really crowded, noisy, hectic. The Beach House – went twice, we’d booked it in advance and assumed the menu would change the second week but it didn’t. The food was ok but again hectic and preferred this venue on Britannia. Keel & Cow – we’ve always liked this venue and ate here 3 times for dinner and 4 times for breakfast. It was relaxed, good food and efficient service. Horizon – we ate a few breakfasts here and a couple of - lunches. It was ok food, not much selection (a LOT of curry and roasts everywhere it seems) but for a quick lunch while sunbathing or for quick breakfast before going ashore it was ok. The Quays – we had a couple of lunches here but didn’t try the breakfast. Fish and chips always good, the giant Yorkshire was good too but maybe more suitable to colder weather cruises Taste 360 – this was a quick lunch venue for us a couple of times, but it was always really busy, not a problem, but the eating habits of some were shocking. There was always loads of food on the floor! 6th St Diner – only went once on our last night when we ate at 6.30 – we quite liked it but not necessarily when you are dressed up. Music was great, food was unusual but surprisingly good. Entertainment We really enjoyed Leanne Mitchel (won The Voice 2012) in Headliners and Jayson Keeler. We thought Vocal Extr3me were also very good. We didn’t see the production shows but did book a few 710 Club slots. I was a bit disappointed tbh – it wasn’t bad just wasn’t as great as I thought it would be given some of the rave reviews. I guess it depends on the ensemble you have on board. The Club House was something we tried once and left in a hurry – say no more. We had used this venue previously, but it has changed and had lots of children running around unsupervised, older children throwing themselves on the sofas and their parents not much better, shouting and carrying on, shocking. Maybe we’re just getting old 😊. The pianists in Crows Nest/Atrium were always a pleasure to listen to. Cinema – disappointing that there weren’t many films for adults and if there were they were all sci-fi or action man stuff. I understand it was half term in Scotland so maybe that’s why? My Holiday/Queuing We’d booked what we could before we left so only used the dining queues for K&C/Glass House/MDR, they worked well. We either joined the queue while having a drink or before we left the cabin and didn’t have to wait long at all. We didn’t see any queues outside the venues at all. Horizon – we always found a table easily quite near the buffet and this was breakfast and lunch. Same The Quays although always a bit of a wait for fish and chips. Overall we had a very enjoyable time – weather was great, ports were interesting, we always got a sunbed and observed that there were still loads of beds to be had at 11am which is a first in my view. Clearly if you don’t start looking till after lunch on a sea day you’ll be disappointed not to get exactly the spot you want but what do people expect? Hope this helps someone.
  5. We've definitely had it before but it wasn't advertised much
  6. We have done this previously in Epicurean, on Iona I believe, but I don't think it's offered anymore
  7. So - managed to book Epicurean no trouble. Sindhu no trouble. Beach House no trouble. Nothing in Olive Grove/6th St Diner after 6.30 all fortnight but I'm guessing we can change the bookings we made for 6.30 on board? Booked Chefs Table to try on one formal and got 8.30 ok. Phew
  8. Thanks - it was because I read of your ( and others) experiences that I was keen to book, for 8pm slots, ASAP- I'll keep and eye on the book page for today and see what happens. Yes I can see that some are not bookable pre cruise. Fingers crossed
  9. Thought it might be difficult to get specific dates/ times for pay restaurants? Or is that not the case? Read a lot about it on this board.
  10. Yes done all that last week (3 weeks before) - just thought I'd avoid a scrum by booking first thing early doors Sunday morning - ah well........ Thanks
  11. Was invited to select dining when logging in to P&O this morning but all dates are greyed out and still says coming soon or enquire onboard? Thought the dining was open from midnight 14 days before? This usual? Wanted to get in early so logged in at 7am (drew the line to staying up till midnight) and glad I didn't now Thanks!
  12. Hi - does anyone know if its still possible to get tickets on arrival if ship excursion and train website say they're full? Was thinking to get off pronto and try our luck? On 5 May sailing on Brittannia arriving Flam 9 May. Thanks!
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