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1 hour ago, Astrajet said:

We are on Britannia this Sunday. On 5th September I was able to book four signature performances - two Headliners shows, the comedian and the Beatles Celebration.  I can't see any new acts.  What are the "three more acts that have appeared today"?

We have Mel Mellors, Pure Paloma, Brett Cave & Cream of Clapton. I can’t book anyone!!! 

Has anyone on the Britannia sailing next weekend, managed to book any of the Signature Performances - in the Entertainment section?  I’ve been trying for days; today 3 more acts appeared but still can’t book any of them, despite 3 different time slots. They’re only showing as appearing 1 night only! 

34 minutes ago, Jennizor said:

Great news today the balance payment has been applied. Have now checked in just need to print off e-tickets and luggage labels. Disappointed that we have to print of the labels as paper ones are not very strong. May try to strengthen them cardboard, anyone any better ideas?

Brilliant news, at least it’s all sorted and you can start getting all the stuff together ☺️

2 hours ago, tring said:

We are not booked on P&O until Aurora Caribbean next Feb, but find this very worrying.  If we have to plan our movements around the ship, may not pay the balance.

 

Can I ask what entertainment needs booked?  Is it just some special things, all shows as well (in which case are you given the titles up front) and would we also have to book into lounges/bars where musicians are playing and the disco as well? 

 

We rarely go to the shows, but will in some cases and most of our evening movements are just what we want to do at the time.  Without that, there is little point in cruising IMO.  I do not see what is wrong with the current, first come first served method.

 

I’m sailing on Britannia in a couple of weeks; the Entertainment section is now open but apart from the cinema, it comes up and says you can’t prebook some things. This morning I couldn’t book anything, now just the Signature Performance can be pre booked.  Don’t know if this will change during the day!!  

28 minutes ago, BestGuessed said:

Our balance for the Britannia 25th September cruise is due for payment tomorrow and even under the 30days payment of balance term we don’t know what we will actually be paying for/getting for our money. 

A little proactive interaction from P&O would be helpful even if it is just a “We haven’t forgotten you and are working on it” type of communication.  To be reassured that they will be offering us alternative options would help our anxiety levels as at present we don’t know whether we can look forward to our holiday in a month’s time or not.🤷🏼‍♀️
Instead,  P&O seem to be actively avoiding communication which is shameful.

I agree, I’m also travelling on the same cruise and it is getting a bit stressful with the lack of communication.  I appreciate its a massive challenge with moving goalposts but other lines have managed to put some info out. I’m hoping they will decide to sort out all testing requirements like TUI have. 

1 hour ago, wowzz said:

My understanding is that you cannot use self administered tests for the purposes of entry to the UK.  Princess have alreasy stated that they will be administering the appropriate test on board. P&O will have to do the same.   

I would be more concerned about thousands of passengers trying to log on and complete the Passenger Location forms! 

It would be so much easier and less stressful if they would!!  I can see no one being able to upload anything via the ships WiFi as it’ll be overloaded!!  

8 hours ago, Dermotsgirl said:

Looking at the government web site, it looks as if a PCR is required to enter England, to be carried out 3 days before arrival.  This would mean that the tests would need to be carried out on board on the homeward journey. If this is the case, then I’m sure it would be up to P&O to arrange. 
 

With regulations changing all the time, P&O will leave it to the last minute before they advise people what is required.

 

With only a month to go before the first international cruise is due to sail, it will be very challenging to achieve a cruise as advertised. 

I’m travelling on 25th Sept on Britannia and I'm thinking the same. It’s proving very difficult to get any info out of P&O about the testing logistics for the return journey and time is reducing if we do need to buy our own tests to take with us. You can’t use the free NHS ones, they have to be the private tests. Some other lines have already stated their plans and organised packages you can buy for the return to the UK. 

31 minutes ago, Bin man said:

Are people doing their own test weekly before cruising ? Is it a good idea to do these? Any help would be appreciated. Will p wnd o give us guidance when the international cruises start ? 24/9 Especially about the return testing what is expected of their passengers ! 

Im sailing on Britannia on 25th September, am hoping they’ll give us guidance about what the expectations are for returning re PCR testing, logistics  etc, as there just doesn’t seem to be any communication about this for the international sailings. I notice that TUI/ Marella have put their guidance up already. 

1 hour ago, Britboys said:

But maybe P&O will not sail to any country against FCO advice...?

You’d think they wouldn’t but I’m hoping they’ll give some guidance soon, so we know one way or the other!! Rather than leave so close to the start date 

Really interesting thread as tbh didn’t think/ know about FCO cover for non essential travel. I’m travelling on the first cruise out to Europe on 25th Sept. all we’ve had so far from P&O is a revised letter to advise theyve updated the insurance requirements to include COVID and upped the liability levels. There was no mention of the FCO travel risk or that we might need to add that on. 
what they have done is provide a link to Holiday Extras, who’s insurance will cover the new cover requirements.  However having asked them this morning about adding FCO non essential cover, they don’t do it. So it’s a bit strange of P&O to partner with a company that doesn’t offer something which might end up being applicable. 
 

as it’s the first one out ~ there’s a real lack of guidance as it’s been concentrated on UK schedules.  

Thank you for your replies. I never thought about the lip salve idea but it makes perfect sense, it seems the least exposed the better including the face. We are wanting to do the sled ride aswell, it will certainly be an experience! I am looking at auction sites for clothing and boots because if we are not careful we will spend more on that than the cruise itself!

I'm going this march - march 5th. I got a lot of my cold weather clothing in the sales at mountain warehouse & from aldi. I'm definitely taking lots if layers!!

Alison

I have done 2 solo cruises and always asked for a large table with some other solos. I have both times been on a round 8 with a mix of solos and friends travelling together. Both times it's been fun meeting up. I've asked for the same again on Oceana in March.

Thanks Clodia, I've rang them & requested to sit with other solo passengers :).

I'm travelling on X505n Northern Lights in March. It'll be the first time travelling as a solo passenger - just wondered if there are any other solo travellers going??

Do P&O seat solo travellers together for dining - if do, so they let you know before we sail or once onboard? :rolleyes:

Thanks - am getting very excited now!!

Thanks

Thank you Sharon for the camera info above.

I only have a small Samsung digital camera - not a big, professional camera; is this likely to be no good or not get very good pictures from it, do you think?

I'm happy to just watch the lights, fingers crossed they appear, than spend lots of time trying to get my camera to work!! Am worried that it will freeze up & not work at all!!!

But obviously I'd like to take a few to show I'd actually seen them!!

Thanks

Alison

We too are booked on X505 and have received a letter regarding the change of date to accommodate the solar eclipse on the following cruise. Fortunately we are flexible with our holiday dates but not happy about this change. When we enquired about transferring our booking to X506 we were quoted an extra £1,000 for the same package (where does this come from?) so needless to say have stayed with our original booking!

I am somewhat concerned by all the talk of excursions already being booked for this trip. We have no information on any trips and cannot find any - help please!

Currently unable to access CP - surely P&O could have sorted this out by now.

This will only be our second cruise, so still finding our way around the cruise world and any tips greatly appreciated.

Hi Sisterscope

Yes lucky for me I could also change my holidays at work. I had an email yesterday to say that the trips were available from 4pm this afternoon. I was able to book via cruise personalised at about 6pm ish - so I'd give it another go.

£1,000 seems a bit steep to change when it was their decision to change it!

The trips I looked at seemed exactly the same as the ones I'd already booked so cannot understand why P&O couldn't just transfer people's bookings to new dates & offer passengers to cancel if they didn't suit??

This will be my first cruise on my own, though am really looking forward to it :)

Alison

Just an update have received more emails today to do with the refunds for excursions I can also log on to cruise personaliser but not able to book any shore excursions yet as they are not available.

Yes I've received quite a few emails, including confirmation of the cancelled excursions & refund. I've also had 2 new booking confirmations, both of which have the wrong remaining balance amount on!!

Alison

I'm hoping so though am more concerned now having received another email to show they've completely changed the booking number & I'm on a waitlist for a cabin grade.

Am confused as I'd actually picked a cabin when I'd booked last year - I would have thought that they wouldn't have changed passengers cabins/ allocation as its the same boat, were just moving 2 days forward.

Alison

Yes I did the same & thought it was my week for the eclipse!! I'm hoping we can rebook the excursions & they're all still on....don't want to miss the dog sledging!!

Alison

Just received my letter today that the dates have been changed for the above cruise next march.

Anyone else going on this one & anyone else received theirs?

Alison

M&S grade 4 thermals were fine. You definitely need silk liner gloves if you want to work a camera! At the coldest - -28C - I wore two pairs M&S thermal leggings, cotton trackie trousers, waterproof overtrousers, thermal socks and snow boots (for grip). On top I had a long-sleeve thermal vest, short sleeve thermal vest, thin knitted cotton polo neck top, polartec fleece and waterproof coat. My best buy was a thermal hood from Aldi! And you need waterproof mittens to go over the silk liner gloves. Also - get some ice grips. Mine were YakTrax which are spring type so I didn't always have to remove them indoors, whereas the spiky kind had to be removed.

 

I was warm as toast and believe me - we didn't care what we looked like!!

You do look very warm & bundled up!! Thanks Sharon, the list is really helpful. I already have some boots, socks & grips - though don't think they've got springs on them! :)

Thanks very much - that's what I was hoping!!

Long sleeved Merino wool base layers, fleece lined outdoor trousers, if very cold base layer leggings. Now is the time to buy as its the end of the season for such items.

Thanks Thejuggler - I'm starting my list! :D

I've just booked a mini cruise on Britannia next year but I've booked through a travel agent rather than online.

i was wondering how or if I can claim loyalty points if I haven't booked direct through P&O?

Thanks

It was the only one when I booked. So much for not being able to see the Aurora with a full moon!!

The pictures look fabulous - so glad you saw them. I'm booked on this cruise next march & am so excited already. I hope I'm that lucky :D.

I'm keeping an eye out for suitable clothing, would be grateful for any suggestions! I already have my snow boots :p

Alison

Hi gojocruise.

Yes I've always wanted to see them too & my friend doesn't really like the cold so took the plunge to travel on my own. Am really looking forward to it & meeting people.

Managed to get some clothing in the sales but still loads to get. Luckily there's lots of time. I'm on the hunt for snow boots :D.

Hope you manage to change your booking without too much trouble :).

Alison