Paulandkazuk

Thanks to all who replied. Sounds like a great solution.

This site never fails to amaze with with its usefulness and helpfulness.

Hi all,

Just a brief question.

Myself and Karen booked the 7night cruise on Ventura to Iberia and Portugal departing Southampton on the 23rd of August (very soon yessss !), a guaranteed inside cabin at a great price.

More recently (a few weeks ago) we then booked the preceding 2 night cruise on the same ship to Guernsey and back, making our holiday a 9 night cruise.

Both cruises were savers, ie a guaranteed grade of cabin etc.

Obviously we knew that we would likely end up with two different cabins and would have to pack up and move to the new cabin after the two nighter, which has happened and we are fine with.

My question is , wil P and O allow us to leave our cases somewhere on the ship on the Sunday (23rd), or will we have to take them off the ship in Southampton and check them in again later that day?

It's not a huge deal if they do but obviously we would prefer to leave the cases at reception so we are not dragging them around Southampton for a few hours. I rang P and O a few weeks ago but CS were a bit non committal.!

Infact, as a bonus second question (!), do any of you think we will be allowed to stay on the ship on the 23rd instead of getting off and booking in again in the cruise terminal??

Sorry for the long post, any answers most welcome.

2 weeks to go, can't wait!!!

The Singapore slings on P and O are the best I've ever tasted. Perfect for a first day of holidays treat.

I can almost taste mine from my upcoming trip on Ventura on August 21st!

Hi,

Your opinion of Azura pretty much mirrored ours of Aurora recently. Like others have said, it's great to hear such a positive opinion of P and O.

I was worried before ours due to some negative reviews and comments but needn't have worried. It was fantastic. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with posting negative comments if that is your opinion,and it would be a pretty boring site if you only saw positive reviews but let's face it.. Those of us who can afford to cruise (or do Any kind of foreign holiday) are luckier than the vast majority of people in the world!

Hi all,

As somebody who has cruised 3 times previously, all with Royal Caribbean, I thought I would post a brief summary of my impression of P and O, having returned from the recent 3 night mini cruise on the Aurora (may 7-10).

Firstly I should begin by stating I was a tiny bit apprehensive that P and O wouldn't be for us. I worried they may be a little too "old" for our age group (mid 40's). Also that they may be a little boring and "British" (ie: with a few too many 'professional grumblers').

Oh my god,how wrong could I have been? So wrong Infact that I'm ashamed to admit I ever doubted them!

The ship was beautiful. Just the right size, with lots of space per passenger in the bars and public rooms. Balcony cabin was great with a simply fantastic level of service from our room steward. Okay the balcony wasn't enormous but neither was it overlooked. And as with everything it was spotlessly clean.

Dining was also brilliant. Breakfast and dinner being superb in the Alexandria restaurant. Lunch in the Medina was perfectly fine, my only tiny tiny criticism (if you can even call it that) was that the choice of hot food wasn't extensive (but cooked perfectly and replaced very swiftly to keep it all lovely and fresh.) Salads and desserts were great (as was afternoon tea - something RCCI don't offer ).

Our fellow passengers were lovely, particularly our companions at dinner. We didn't try the speciality restaurants as it was Only a 3 night trip but heard several reports that Sindhu was excellent.

Entertainment was very good, especially Badness, who had the entire theatre on their feet in seconds.

One thing which I must compliment P and O on is the drinks prices. Cheaper than at home!!! We're not huge drinkers but to see cocktails, on a cruise ship, made with premium spirits for just over a fiver was a very very pleasant surprise. (Tip: champions bar on deck 7 does the best Singapore Sling I've ever tasted!). Especially after Royal Caribbean who were charging £8 seven years ago!! (Plus 15% tip too)

In summary I would struggle to fault P and O. Their prices are highly competitive, and the prices onboard are outstanding value.

I can't believe I ever had any doubts. We cannot wait for August 23rd (7 nights on Ventura, sailing to Atlantic Spain and Portugal), and are avidly looking at next years itineraries (my girlfriend was a first time cruiser and is now seriously hooked).

One thing I do think RCCI do do better (purely to our tastes - not to everyone) is their ships are slightly 'glitzier' with a bit more to do for teenagers etc (ours will be with us next year!) although even this may change after we've experienced Ventura in August.

Brilliant ship, brilliant fellow passengers, brilliant value.

Hi everyone.

Just want to say thanks for all the replies. Sounds like the onboard shops aren't especially good value (which in turn sounds very similar to RCI).

Still can't wait though..!

Hi,

Firstly I have been a lurker on here for a short while and I want to say what a helpful and friendly bunch you all are!

I have a quick question for the experienced P&O cruisers please.

What are the prices like (compared to the high street) in the onboard shops?. We're on the Aurora in a couple of weeks and interested in prices for perfumes and watches. Are they noticeably different to the high street? And is the selections available decent?

Any replies are greatly appreciated, we're so excited to try P and O after a few RCI cruises in the past.

Thanks in advance.