ChrisPBacon

Thanks very much LB.

Thanks CB.

Even though gratuities have not been prepaid a daily amount will automatically added to your seapass card that will cover dining and housekeeping. If you feel you want to give more on top of that it is at your discretion and certainly not required.

 

If you have the drink package you have paid gratuities for your drinks and nothing else is required, again any extra is at your discretion.

That's interesting Ken. I didn't know that my drinks tips were prepaid OR that there was still tips going to be added for other services. I assumed none would be added.

Thanks for the help! (y)(y)(y)

A tip is for good service rendered, not for an anticipated service. As a Brit, I get irritated in places like Vegas, where they have no problem not only telling me up front they want a tip, but quite often, how much they expect. It seems that in the US in particular, there is an expectation of a tip, just because they are there.....which then goes up if they happen to provide a good service. That doesn't work for me unfortunately. The better the service, the better the tip....but always AFTER the service is received.

Just a couple of questions.....

I've opted not to pre-pay my gratuities, but we do have the drinks package. So what should I be tipping for say....a couple of drinks. What about cabin stewards for a 12 day cruise?

Second question. Having lost my Ray Bans on my last holiday, I need some more. Can anyone give me an idea of prices, compared to what I'd pay in the UK. From my cruises on P&O, I know the ships are not always the cheapest.

Thanks in advance.

in reply to chris, ref the one about aldi/ m/s. we shop at aldi, and yes we also can afford to shop at marks/spencer but we chose not to we are quite happy with the food we buy at aldi, never had a problem, and yes we are cruising with p/o azura to the caribbean in dec. also sailed on ventura last year. no problems. also we could afford to sail with celebrity etc. but we are not snobs and we spend our money as we wish. if we can get a bargain we will.

I wouldn't worry about those using the shopping analogy. Anyone who feels the need to brag on a forum about where they shop, really isn't posh or upmarket. They are the sort of people who go on a day trip to London and buy a souvenir from Harrods, just to walk around with a Harrods plastic bag! 😂😂😂

Have any of you compared Tui Discovery ships (Thomson) for the Caribbean- these are ex Royal Caribbean ships and sail from Montego Bay and Barbados next winter. They have far more balcony cabins than Thomson smaller older ships and are standard all inclusive (drinks) Thomson ships have a very relaxed way of cruising, have open dining and the entertainment voted by this site is 5 star. You can have fine dining for a small supplement and most itineries have only one sea day a week. You can fly by Dreamliner from a number of regional airports and they allow you to choose your cabin (albeit by phone currently).

I've heard good things about Thomson cruises. Those I've spoken to, who have taken one have nothing but praise for them.

When one says "P&O cruises are now too expensive" or anything is "too expensive"; I wonder if the prospective purchaser can no longer afford them or are we to infer that the said cruises are no longer good value for money.

 

If you look at the cruise market and what is available to the UK market ex-UK, it seems to me that you can go down market and get a product where the experience is in my view of a lower quality. Dining not as good and entertainment a bit more basic as the waiters are the cast. Alternatively you can go up market and get a US line which has a lot of whistles and bells of a boutique line. End of the day it's horses for courses, you pays your money and takes your choice. If you want to stick with a particular line such as P&O, it makes sense to wait and bag a bargain as and when they occur. If you are not that keen on a line for whatever reason then why book?

 

Regards John

It's not a question of affording it for me. I can. But that shouldn't mean I just lap up every price increase that P&O send my way. They are providing a service and if any other provider, be it a supermarket, restaurant etc. raised prices by the margins that P&O are doing, then I'm going to question the value.

A 20% increase next year, for much the same cruise. Yes, I know we don't have to pay it and we can go elsewhere, but as paying, loyal customers, we have every right to question it on here. This forum isn't just about praising. It gives a chance to critique all aspects of the cruise, including the price.

Back to the Aldi and M&S comment. The language that you use and comparison to dung, clearly implies that you are indeed an Aldi shopper .... and that is exactly the type we prefer not to have on P&O Cruises, so sorry this is snobby ....but I'm a M&S/ Waitrose girl myself - as are a lot of others. Nothing to do with money darling or the ability to pay - just class! x

Nice try at a fishing trip, but you're too obvious. I'd say 5/10, but keep trying. You'll get the hang of it soon enough.

 

 

 

 

Spot on chaps.

 

I joined a table on the January Oceana cruise and that just about sums it up.

 

Having a moan while on her 20th Oceana cruise.

 

 

On this last cruise in the Caribbean, a couple told us about someone they were talking to in a bar onboard. Now I said above that the food was great. But it was a highlight of the cruise for us. i thought it was better than ever in the MDR. The conversation they had was this woman saying how awful the food was in the MDR. That she'd not been able to eat a thing it was inedible.

 

Now i know that an opinion on food is subjective, but I've no idea where she got this from. The food was fantastic and the portions were good.

 

 

Good morning John.

 

Criticism is fine, I have no issue with that as long as it is balanced, fair and open to challenge.

 

However, the comments I was referring to were from members who claimed to have abandoned P&O as a cruise line but still persist in their billows attacks.

 

A bit like the Brexit Remoaners really.

 

 

P&O really need to up their game in the customer service areas, and I mean on land, rather than on board. My relative on the same cruise as me bought some drinks shortly before we left for our flight back from the Caribbean. So it was after his bill was settled. What he's been charged was higher than the receipt he got. It wasn't a fortune, but on principle, he thought it worthwhile to call them. After 20 minutes of waiting, he just hung up.

 

Before our cruise, Amber Cove was swapped for Grand Turk. If anyone doesn't use their cruise personaliser, they wouldn't have known because P&O didn't inform anyone. I emailed them (knowing what the phone line is like) to ask why, but I got no response. We found out from elsewhere that there was a naturist cruise going in there, so we were swapped. It didn't spoil our cruise and we know that they have every right to change the itinerary, but they should be letting people know about such a change.

 

Maybe if P&O improved in this area, people would talk to them rather than vent on here?

 

Does this post mean I'm moaning again? :-)

I trust I'm not being lumped in with those who only post negatively. I've already said that my cruise was great and in fact, the service and the food was as good as ever. I think the new executive chef is doing a better job than the previous one. But this IS a forum. This is where we should discuss these things and get them off our chests. Just because someone is on here complaining about an aspect of their cruise, doesn't mean that they are anti-P&O or are just here to rubbish.

We pay a lot of money, whatever your views on pricing are :-). We pay for the cruise, the food and we pay auto-grats for all those who serve us in the bars and restaurants. So we expect the cruise line to deliver good service and keep the standards high. So you may not come back from a cruise and sing the praises of any of this, unless it was extra special. It's what we expect. But if something was wrong or out of place, then you'll come on here and discuss it.

The simple answer, when one of the two major benefits of Select (OBC and cabin selection) are gone, is to remove the Select fare. Go straight to a saver. But don't keep selling a fare for which one of the main benefits isn't available.

Incidentally, I've never had an OBC that brought the fare down to a saver level, because they are also offering parking, as you say, or a coach. You have to look at all those benefits and see what you need. I don't need them on a Caribbean cruise. So if I can't book a cabin and the OBC doesn't take up the slack between saver and select.....why would I pay for select? The only reason I can think of is to make sure I'm on the cruise.

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Of course I do not agree. Select fares have been around for much longer than a year. To me it is up to the TA to point this out. Once again full fares have always gone to guarantee when a cruise has reached a certain level of capacity.

 

 

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Then they should stop selling Select fares at that stage. Take away the OBC, that as we know, doesn't make up for the extra cost of the Select fare. What do you have left as a Select benefit? Shuttles? Only ever used them in Corfu. Choice of dining? When I have been given fixed dining, I've gone straight to the restaurant and changed it.

So tell me.......what's the benefit of booking a Select fare if you can't pick your cabin?

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In that case the limit must have been reached. It is not a time limit it is a number of cabins sold limit. Shows it is a popular cruise. This is backed up by the high prices as already mentioned above. Remember these cruise next Feb have been on sale now for 10 month. Many people are booking early to get the better prices and if your experience is common they will book early to get a choice of cabin.

 

 

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In which case, that particular holiday shouldn't be offered at a Select price, when, as you go through to book, it still says that you can pick your cabin. I accept that if I book a saver fare, I get what I'm given. P&O want to have their cake and eat it.

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Not the same as my experience when comparing cruises for next year, but each to their own.We're very happy with what we've paid and very, very happy with our obc. It's an easy decision for you ChrisPBacon - don't cruise with P&O again and enjoy the bargains on other lines. If I felt like you I would definitely be looking elsewhere. Good luck

Think I'll have a break from cruising tbh. Done two a year for a few years now. Maybe I'll come back one day with a new appetite for it? [emoji3]

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No I am not wrong you have not read what was written. On all cruises you can select your cabin if you book early enough. However there is a cutoff point on bookings when they go to guarantee. Now this has always been the case as far as I know in my cruising experience.

 

Secondly you clearly do not follow the prices as I do and for most cruises it is not worth going to saver as the difference is so small. You may be correct that in the past that was the case but it is now.

 

 

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On my cruise between the 4th and 18th Feb, I went online after visiting the cruise desk, a full 12 months before the cruise and it would only give me a guaranteed cabin. That's my example, but there's a thread on here somewhere with people giving many examples.

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All drinks included. This means premium drinks including champagne malt whisky etc. Caviar included on demand. Fantastic food. No trips. We prefer diy. Hate cruise tours!

 

 

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Cheers! [emoji106]

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We left p&o as Caribbean members 4 years ago. Tried seabourn and on a late booking basis £ for £ no comparison. Seabourn every time when comparing the whole cost of the holiday. The experience is on another level.

 

 

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Are Seabourn one of those that throw in excursions and such galeforce? I haven't checked their prices, but if they are all inclusive, I wonder how close they are to P&O now.

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I agree, I certainly wouldn't pay £000's more to cruise with P & O over other cruise lines. I like cruising with them however if the price and itinerary are right

 

In regards to health and safety, I have never experienced any health and safety issue on any cruise line. The best example I have of a crew dealing with an incident was on a cruise with NCL. We had an announcement one day to say that a person needed rescuing from a stranded sailboat and we were the nearest vessel, we cruised for over two hours at full speed to get to the vessel, the captain then manoeuvred the ship to block the wind while the crew went out with the lifeboat to rescue the people from the yacht

 

 

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Most of my cruises have been with P&O. I like the ships, the service and as someone else said, the Britishness. Particularly when it comes to the entertainment. The comedians are geared towards a British audience for example. I have no issue with the recent cruise we've taken. Maybe I wouldn't save too much going with someone else?

We've been to the Caribbean on P&O for the last four years. Although I can afford the price they are quoting me, I also want to take other holidays. I want a few city breaks this year. So I look at the price increase and say, well as much as I enjoy it, a £1000 hike is £1000 I can spend on another holiday or city break. I then think what is the best value, and I reason that I could have three really decent holidays for the price of one balcony in the Caribbean.

My choice and I accept that others would choose differently.

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The cruise difference quoted by the OP was for Azura in February and therefore the Caribbean - hence my reply. A cruise is worth what you're willing to pay for it and as I only cruise from Southampton the choice is limited in the Winter especially and I've always been happy with what i've paid. It may not be obvious from the base line prices how much obc is offered - although no free internet or drinks. For our cruise next Feb on P&O we've got £1500 obc which, in anybody's book, is not to be scoffed at

We got a total of £500 OBC on this cruise. Next year, we were offered a total of £700, but the cruise was £1200 more expensive. No matter how you look at this, that's a hell of a price hike in a single year. P&O are there to make a profit for their shareholders, so good luck to them for making money whilst they can. And yes, I know I have the choice to take it or leave it. But this forum has the word 'critic' in its title, so I'm here being critical of that strategy. That's what forums are for. It will be interesting when Branson comes in, if he chooses to discount cruises in the first year, to build the brand. One thing Virgin (the airline at least) excel at is customer service.

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You can pick your cabin with a select fare on all cruises. If you book early enough. Saver fares are not going down because they are filling the ships. Most saver fares are not worth it because with a select fare the OBC often takes you down to the level of the saver. So you might as well book select in the first place.

 

Clearly the price increase and the lack of late deals are an indication of how well sales are going.

 

If you want a cheaper deal then cruise November or early December they are always cheaper than February.

 

 

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You're wrong on a couple of points there dai. You cannot select your cabin on ALL select fares any more. Check out some of the recent P&O threads on here. Whilst on my cruise, about 10 days ago, after going to the loyalty desk, I went online to check availability on the P&O website. I chose a select fare, went all the way through to the section that said 'choose your cabin'. I clicked to proceed and got a message across the page saying I could only have a guaranteed cabin.

The second point you are wrong on is that when you take off the OBC, it brings you down to the saver fare. I've never had that on any cruise and I've done a few. I got close once, but the gap is growing. If that was the case, they'd never need saver fares. You are right about the rest though. It is indeed down to good sales that the saver fares are few and not great value.

But let me just clarify something, just for the snobs we have talking about Aldis and M&S, and those suggesting I go at a cheaper time. I can afford to go exactly when I like, but I am choosing not to pay 20% more than this year....this last cruise was about 10-15% more than the same one the year before this. Just because I take that stance and I use it as a debating point in a thread, doesn't invalidate my argument about P&O taking the p*ss. Now.....if you are saying that no matter what, I will pay it, you either have more money than sense or you're gullible. If it's the latter, I have some rocking horse dung to sell you for my garden.

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I absolutely agree with Port Out - if you want to pay down-market prices and then pay them by all means, but stay away from P&O. I am happy to pay for a top-quality product… and it's not all about the accommodation/food/service. It's also about top quality health and safety. We recently had an issue whereby there was a fall crew alert - our first ever after 30 years at sea. My only thought at the time was; '....thank goodness we are on a P&O vessel!" You get what you pay for ........

You are talking as though P&O are the ultimate in cruising. But if you are actually saying that no matter how much P&O raise their prices, you will pay it, that makes you very gullible, with much more money than sense.

Have you been on another cruise line where the crew went into meltdown due to an alert, or are you saying that because this crew dealt with it.....that makes their health and safety better than others?

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You have to compare like with like. P&O cruises on Azura in Feb will include all flights and transfers to the Caribbean whereas Celebrity's price is cruise only. We've cruised with Celebrity a few times ad we certainly spend significantly more onboard Celebrity ships than we do on P&O

Fair point. But I'm not intending to go to the Caribbean with another cruise line. Out of principle, I'm not paying around 20% more for my cruise than I have this year. I haven't even looked at any other prices. By the way, most other cruise lines offer free internet and drinks packages.

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I think P&O are now marketing their cruises further into the future than they previously used to do. The reason for this is that if your competitors launch six months, or whatever ahead of you they can catch the early doors bookings whereas you are offering nothing during that six months. Not many people book that early but cruise lines are not going to offer risky marginal prices that may work out around the break even point, they will offer premium prices for pick of the best cabins. If you look at other bigger lines which have more ships they are in a position to market on a regional basis which is less risky and also being global operators can put more cruising capacity into a different part of the world. I cant see P&O doing this with UK based sales being their customer base. Big players can also dump cruises on a specific market if they want to use that strategy for some sort of tactical reason. I wonder if the US Dollar, Euro and Pound have led them to be more cautious this coming season with Brexit and more difficult prices due to this.

 

Nearer to sailing date the cruise line will more likely become sensitive to not selling sufficient cruises to date on their anticipated sales figures. In the fullness of time I foresee prices falling back to similar to last year but this wont happen until nearer sailing date. Meanwhile if people want to pay premium prices then they will continue for a bit.

 

Regards John

Basically, those saver fares that haven't been such good value for the last couple of years, will again become good value. People will stop paying those select fares (they've even removed the chance to pick your cabin on some cruises) and just wait and wait until prices are reduced.

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