terrierjohn

I think for the MDR you, @Selbourne and I, are on the same page, we all believe that if the virtual queue was the only option, then MDR dining would run far smoother, with only peak times having to wait a little longer. However I am with @Selbourne as regards the theatre for the 8:30 shows, which is the one we prefer. On our Iona cruises we found long queues forming before theatre opening time, and the check in system slowed down the entry, quite often meaning people were still queueing approaching start time. The other 2 theatre performances rarely had a full house, so for these people had few problems. If you do post about your experience, then please make sure it's an 8:30 show you attend, and a popular artist.

That's great news Avril, and it must be a big relief to you.

Just to set the record straight, Arvia was ordered on 1st Jan 2018, over 2 years before Covid closed down cruising. Thomas Cook stopped trading on 23rd Sep 2019, nearly 2 years after Arvia was ordered, and destined for winter seasons in the Caribbean. I certainly don't think P&O are the best managed cruise line in the world, but they would have needed a genuine clairvoyant at the head to have been able to accurately plan their 2023 winter Caribbean charter capacity faced with the problems that an airline collapse and a pandemic were going to create.

You're clearly not a fish and chip connoisseur, if you think the Quays offering is crap.

If P&O correctly operated the virtual queuing system, and cut out all walk ups and ALL and every single one of the prebookings the MDR's would operate very smoothly, and the virtual queues would be cut to a minimal amount, and only people wanting a table for 2 at busy times would find lengthy delays. Which was how Freedom Dining used to work.

You seem to forget that airline capacity was drastically reduced during covid, and all airlines are struggling to cope with the current demand, and P&O's planned increased capacity was all pre covid. Following the demise of Thomas Cook, P&O were mainly using TUI, with Virgin picking up the slack, however both of those airlines are struggling to meet their own increased demand, as a result P&O had to find an alternative at relatively short notice. Rather than criticising them you ought to be grateful that they succeeded, rather than cancelling a slew of bookings. I am sure that neither P&O or Maleth intentionally created the problems they have encountered, but hopefully the rest of this winter Caribbean season will now run more smoothly.

Happy New Year all you night owls, let's hope it's a more peaceful one than 2023. John.

Just changed to the new app and my first complaint would be for changes to dinner reservations. Whilst there is an edit button it only permits changes to time and shared or private. If you want to switch to another restaurant you need to delete and save, then move to the other restaurant and make a brand new booking, which might not be available at the same time or shared or not. It would be much better if changes could all be done at the same time.

You have to remember that the experts who recomend changing your mattress every 7 years do generally work for the bed manufacturers.

They seem to be rather tame1st World problems, IMO.

Sorry to hear this Avril, I hope they diagnose Frank's heart problem promptly, and that he quickly recovers from the Pneumonia is soon back home with you.

Unless you are a real night owl, then you could leave 1 case until you return at night and then put it out after you have packed your evening wear.

I assume it will be on BBC iplayer, if you really want to watch it.

You dont need to take wire coat hangers, your cabin steward will be able to provide as many of these as you want.

I doubt it will be Azura, she has been geared up for sunshine cruises, and I assume she will carry on with the Med and Canary Flycruises.

I would guess that the bathrooms could be re-fitted, but you would need a massive team to refit all 1000 or so bathrooms on even the 2 little ships during a normal 2-3 week 5 yr refurbishment, and 3 times as many on a new giant ship.

Have those dates changed, because I am fairly certain one of the refits was due in 2023.

If P&O are making the investment in their refurbishment that they promised, then I guess they are safe for at least 5 yrs. However I have not seen any posts that indicate any improvements have so far been made, and one of them was supposed to happen this year. Not surprising really, it's nearly 10 yrs since P&O promised they were replacing all the TVs with large widescreen ones, and Ventura and Azura are still waiting.

A very Marry Christmas to everyone, and let us hope that these strong winds do not blow Santa off course.🎅

A big Mac with sprouts and stuffing would make a change I guess.😇

The main reason is of course that those not working do not pay NI contributions, nor do they need to pay any pension contributions.

All of the above may be correct, however the UK population in 1950 was 50 million, and it is predicted to be 70 million in 2035. I rest my case.

Unless there is a marked divergence in death rates and ageing, then the number of potential passengers for Arcadia and Aurora should remain unchanged, and with the increase in the UK population and people living longer, it could even grow. Of course it's by no means certain that the newer septagenarians will enjoy the same style of cruising as the current ones, but equally they might. So it is possible that there will continue to be a demand for the 2 little ships, even if they do need replacing sometime in the future.

There is continuous painting taking place, on all the outside decks, and on the exterior of the ship. In every port you will see deck hands with a paint or varnish pot, and very long handled brushes for the ships hull.

I think you meant single trip cover cannot be taken out until you are within 12 months of the cruise date. My understanding is that if you have continuous annual cover, then this does cover holidays booked beyond the 12 month period. But maybe @hobbsie65 could confirm if this is correct, and if this also applies if you switch insurance company, but renew the annual policy on the correct date.