smj777

Agreed. As I said before, the cabin spirits and wine prices are reasonable. Its the bottled beer prices that are extortionate, even with a package, if they have one, a bottle of beer costs over 3 times the UK supermarket price.

The first England match on 18/6 kicks off at 7pm BST. So if you're in the Med, it will be either 8 or 9pm local. Better do early dining that night.The missus will be pleased - not!

Hope so, I'm on Ventura for first 2 weeks of the competition. I was also on board for Euro 2016 (England v Iceland etc.). They showed the matches both in the bars that had TV and on the TVs in the cabins. They also showed the Lions matches against New Zealand last year. I suppose that it depends if the ship is somewhere that can get a satellite signal, but that is most places these days.

I agree too.

P&O are a business and people carrying crates of alcohol or numerous bottles on board is out of order then drinking there own alcohol all over the ship including the bars was taking the pxxx.

P&O were very good in letting people bring alcohol on board at ports of call when other lines prohibited it.

When visiting Spanish ports i used to like to bring a couple of cans or bottles of their stronger and hoppier San Miguel beer on board to drink on the balcony.End Quote.

 

I don't mind paying the spirits and wine prices for delivery to the cabin, as they are reasonable, but the price of a bottle of beer to drink on the balcony is exorbitant. A San miguel in port probably costs around a Euro, but a Peroni will set you back about £3.50 in the cabin (£1.20 in Tesco). At that rate, a cold beer after a day in the sun for 2 for a fortnight comes to £98!

Bringing alcohol on board is not unlawful, just against the P&O rules that they changed after we booked.

Let them cast the first stone - Who hasn't got P&O tea spoons in the drawer at home.

About service staff I mean.

My experience on various P&O ships.

80% Happy and efficient.

10% Quiet and efficient.

8% Happy but a bit dopey.

2% Grumpy.

Anyone agree or disagree?

I have been told this, so I don't know if its true.

"If the lift arrives with a Ding Dong it is going down. The arrow confirms this. If it arrives with a Ding but no Dong then it is going up. This might help some of you with the confusion regularly seen outside of the lifts. All you need to do is sort out your Dings from your Dongs"

All I need now is some way of knowing wether to turn right or left out of the lift!

"I do wish, if they do have to cut back, they'd sack the pianists and string quartets in the bars in the evening - I'm sure some people love them, but unfortunately I don't."

At last, someone who shares my feelings about the loud, poor quality live music in the bars. Singers who are flat, pianists that regularly hit bum notes and all so loud that conversation is difficult unless you get as far away as possible. Not necessary, a buzzy bar atmosphere spoilt in my opinion.

Everybody is right about the steps up and down at the bow. Lots of people run on it so take no notice of the stuffy P&O diehards who tell you that you are not allowed to run, that's nonsense. Personally I have always found that if you go out early in the morning hardly anybody else is out there and so they wont be getting in your way. I don't run but I do speed walk and find that early is the best time. Best of luck.

 

I seem to now be a stuffy P&O diehard! I'm sure that the people in the single cabins on deck F will appreciate someone running on their ceilings early in the mornings.

The prom deck runs contiuously round the ship, but goes up then down steps at the front. I run too, but do it in the gym. I don't think its fair or safe to strollers, sun bathers and people just sitting and relaxing to have runners pounding past.That isn't what that deck is intended for.

We never have a problem using the sockets where the kettle plugs in. Alternatively, take a 3 pin to 2 pin adaptor and use the shaver point in the bathroom, there are shelves right by it. (Somebody will moan that this unsafe/against the rules ....) Just don't leave things on charge when there's nobody in the cabin.

The answer? Buy wine cheaply in ports, carry a big bag, put wine in bag. Go to ship. Go to cabin. Drink wine. If challenged on embarkation deny existence of wine. If searched allow wine to be taken away. Collect wine at end of cruise.

What are they going to do if they catch you? Make you walk the plank?

We use bubble wrap than roll in towels. We have never had abottle damaged in years of cruising. Bottles can just aseasily be broken in your hand luggage.

You can take your drink allowance onboard in any way that you like. Suggest best to wrap well inside case(s) to save having to carry bottles around before getting to your cabin. You can take whatever amount of soft drinks/mixers you want.

Request through yout TA or directly with P&O now. As soon as you get to your cabin, check with the steward that he knows this what you want and has done/will do it.

The question I want to ask is, if we tip our steward, waiters etc. in cash, do they get to keep that or do they have to hand it in to a general pool?

I have looked for the definitive answer but can't find it. If the latter is the case, then I'll keep the auto gratuities on, but not tip any extras. If my cash goes to whoever I want it to, then I'll remove the autograts and tip generously like we used to.

Now thats a thought. If everyone aked for the return of all of their 'Discretionary' payments for the last 6 years P&O would certainly have to rethink their policy. I roughly worked out that my wife and I would be returned at least £1500!

Thank you, found and used. Much appreciated.

Hi all,

The list of excursions is now up for our next cruise in June. On the cruise personaliser they only give the day and duration of the trips. Somewhere, last year, we found details of the starting times for each excursion so that we could avoid the ones that go at about 8.30 (Yes, yes, don't be so lazy....I know).

Can anyone guide me to the place where these appear, they were certainly available well in advance so we could decide and book in plenty of time.

Grateful for any help.

This is a perfect example of why it is best to use a specialist TA. They can answer these questions for you even if they have to do a bit of research.

Shineson - No I didn't book my cruise knowing it's price if you expect me to pay the 'new' suggested service charge in full. True I can waste my deposit by cancelling but, why should I. Like most other purchases in life, give me a price for the goods or services you are providing up front and allow me to decide whether to take up your offer or not.

 

I could add that the change to the alcohol policy is another example of altering my contract with P&O after I have booked in good faith. I, along with many others I suspect, book well in advance of our holiday and accept the terms and conditions at the time of booking. Whilst I have never abused the earlier, more lenient, policy on alcohol used by P&O it becomes very difficult to decide which company to book a particular cruise with if the terms can be changed between booking and departure.

THIS is what I object to. I know the T&C allow amendments, but surely not for "Lets get some more money out of those that have already paid" changes. We have 3 cruises, booked when alcohol was allowed to be brought on board and DSC was £6.50. Sneaky to alter those after the contract was made.

Just checked for September £33.50!😁 dont think I will beat that price..

 

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Always beware of booking in September as you may well clash with the Boat Show. Hotels in and near Southamton are fully booked years or months in advance. It happened to us one year but we stayed at the Holiday Inn in Eastleigh and left our car there during the cruise. They provide a free taxi transfer to and from the ship. Not cheap, but very convenient and you can still get your OBC which will offset the cost.

We've had this before. When you go to get your coffee or a meal etc.just say 'Can I pay for this with my credit card?' If they say no, just go somewhere else. It very rarely happens in Western countries.

One of the smaller ships, over 55s only. Service and gratuities included. No restriction on drinks brought on board at any time. Free WiFi,

Entertainment aimed at older passengers, quizzes not to include modern pop music or film questions More mobility access cabins and the newspaper delivered every day to your cabin. You'd need to book straight away before they were all snapped up.