arendale1

5 minutes ago, Tom Marton said:

Maybe Docco's onto something asking whether this is another cost cutting exercise then - very easy to do, and this backs up the comments about the weather conditions:

 

https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/uk/st-peter-port/historic

 

Force 8 gale?  What?

I haven’t read through the log we were given yet - will have a look later.

I’m not sure that they cancelled to save money as they had a lot of refunds to give out due to missed excursions.

However, a captive, bored audience = lots of money spent onboard 🤔 Including the ‘sometimes works’ WiFi. Whilst onshore most have access to their data.

I’m getting all cynical now 😉

5 minutes ago, ozzysdad said:

Got to say that the wind given in the Captains log for yesterday morning was given as a Force 8 gale which was frankly nonsense, it was no more than a light breeze as we approached Guernsey, every shipping forecast I referenced between 6am and 7am when the decision to cancel the tenders was made gave the wind readings at less than 20 knots with gusts of around 22 - 24, I appreciate the  Captain is better qualified and must consider the safety of his passengers but yesterday's none event was extremely disappointing given there was hardly any swell and breaking waves of Ventura in no more than a light breeze.

We were disappointed not to dock at Guernsey yesterday, but after reading a review of Ventura there last week, I think it would have been a very stressful time getting both on and off the ship.

We are very unlikely to ever cruise with P&O again (for other reasons), so them having St Peter Port on their itinerary or not isn’t going to make any difference to us.

If we hadn’t had a great experience with another cruise line previously, I don’t think we’d ever cruise again tbh.

On 4/18/2019 at 8:31 AM, Eglesbrech said:

So sorry to hear that, it is frustrating when you are looking forward to visiting a place.

 

Are they offering an alternative port or are you just bobbing about?

No, we just sailed around. Would rather have gone to another port or at least stayed near land. Bored after already having a sea day and the lack of internet made it worse. We’d already paid for WiFi the previous day and could only use it for 8 out of the 24 hours. Customer Services weren’t very helpful.

No Guernsey today - just been announced. 

Not great really, although sounded like it was going to be a battle trying to get off anyway 😕

1 minute ago, docco said:

Sorry. Missed that!  Were you one of the early ones off the ship?

No, we waited until around 11am.

10 minutes ago, docco said:

I think a number of us would be interested in any feedback you can give on how long it was taking to get in and out of Amsterdam from Ijmuiden.

I’ve posted above about how easy and straightforward it was. We got straight on one of the coaches and  it took less than an hour to get off the ship and arrive in Amsterdam. Then around a 10 minute walk from the drop off at the station to the centre.

We’re on Ventura atm. Went to Amsterdam yesterday, absolutely fine getting there and back. Straight on one of the many coaches waiting both ways. Had a great day.

Decided not to go again today and currently sat in the sun enjoying a glass of wine at one of the bars on the beach in IJmuiden. Pleasantly surprised by this port. Looking out from the ship all you can see is an industrial port. Get off the ship and walk a short 10 minute stroll to the lovely beach and bars - we’re having a great time and actually quite happy that we’re experiencing another port.

21 minutes ago, miaandmum said:

hi ive been following this thread with interest as we are going on our first p&o cruise next saturday on the azura (usually cruise with royal caribbea). am wondering what weve let ourselves in for - im a 55 year old mail online reader - hoping to leave brexit behind for a week!

We’re just sailing away from Southampton on Ventura- our first ever P&O cruise. So far we’re loving it 👍 We’ve only sailed with Royal Caribbean previously. First impressions, we prefer RC, but nothing wrong with P&O - just smaller, but fine.

Been onboard Ventura since lunch time and so far we’re all enjoying it. Cabins are fine, staff lovely and as first time P&O cruisers, we’re quite happy.

Thumbs up for first impressions 👍

9 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Yes don't worry.

The cabin steward usually leave a card with their name and number on or you could ring housekeeping from your cabin phone if you need anything.

Graham

Thank you

9 hours ago, Eglesbrech said:

 

Either a difference between ships or onboard management decisions when the hotel manager changes perhaps.

 

I don’t think most people will notice if it happens (and they will of course have to make provision for any cabins with 3rd or 4th berths).

One of our cabins is for 3 of us and we sail on Friday.

Does this mean we’ll get the service?

7 minutes ago, AndyMichelle said:

I am sure you will have a fantastic time, despite the horror stories.

Many do get in, so fingers crossed for you.

Andy

Thank you - hope so!

5 minutes ago, docco said:

Bruges is delightful. But a 7 night cruise that only stopped at one of the advertised ports couldn’t exactly be seen as a success!  Except for P&O.

Bruges is the place myself and hubby want to go most - the kids are looking forward to Amsterdam. Well, they were when it was meant to be a nice come and go as we please visit 🤨

Starting to wonder why we bothered booking this cruise - first the Amsterdam changes, now looks like we’re unlikely to see Guernsey too 😞

Any dampners for Bruges? 😩

We’ve booked with CPS

12 minutes ago, tartanexile81 said:

I've only ever booked one cruise which included Guernsey and we got in successfully on Ventura. It was a beautiful day on a  beautiful island and I'd love to go back 

We’re on Ventura so I’ll keep my fingers crossed 😉

Flown over it many times, would be nice to actually visit 🙂

2 minutes ago, AndyMichelle said:

Salmon is a standard and various fish dishes are often available. I am not a big fan but

Michelle loves fish and had plenty of choice in the mdr.

Andy

Love salmon - and prawns too 😋

3 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

 

I noticed that they had added in quite a few interesting vegetarian and vegan options to the menu. They even had a vegan merangue made from chick pea water for one of the desserts.

 

There were a number of very good fish options, particularly at lunch. They did a fish platter with a variety of cooked seafood eg calamari, prawn rolls etc. The trout was also excellent.

Ooh thank you for your reply. Hubby and I love fish and seafood, other than that we’re veggie. Daughter is Pesco pollo veggie and our boys are looking forward to some steaks (as you can probably imagine, they don’t get them at home often 😆 )

We’re meant to be docking in Guernsey next week - this doesn’t bode well 😞

Hope the menu is as good for pescatarians?

We are going to go into Amsterdam on day one, and stay local on day two. Not doing any of the excursions, and don’t want to risk missing the shuttle back on day two 😳

1 hour ago, No1cherry said:

I am going this week on Friday, hopefully they will have learnt some lessons from the first cruise. I can see Amsterdam being taken of the itineraries altogether. I think I am going to adopt the attitude to go with the flow and see what happens.

We’re on the same cruise 🙂

I think everyone in the cabin had to have the same package to stop people from being tempted to share.

Not cruised with P&O yet (off in a few days), but I’m sure someone who has will post.

Does the new rule (apparently only applies if we leave the EU with no deal on 12th April), apply to children’s passports?

It doesn’t seem to when using the link above. Is this correct?

3 minutes ago, Vampiress88 said:

 

Yeah because drinks and things will be marked up so I suppose they will lose less money. 

 

Why cant they just offer it. Why do I have to argue for them to fix their mistakes. 

 

Suppose its worth a shot as a last resort before I cancel. 

Good luck!

I know it’s a bit of a battle as we have our own issue with them atm (the Amsterdam port change), and they are offering nothing at all regards a goodwill gesture. I’m still waiting to speak to someone and we go next week 😞

3 minutes ago, Vampiress88 said:

 

Obc? 

 

They have offered nothing. Every time I have tried to make it work so that both p&o and I are not losing out because of their mistakes it’s had to be me asking if they could do this or that. 

You’d think someone would have at least tried. 

On board credit. It’s worth asking as they are more likely to give you money this way as you will still be spending it with them. But, means less actual spends out of your own pocket.