3 hours ago, Vampiress88 said:

I always thought that it changed half way through. So last year On 7n cruise we went to sindu twice. At beginning and second to last night and menus were different. 
 

as far as I know the menu is up on a board outside. We just asked the waiter what day it was changing cos we knew we wanted to come back but didn’t want to repeat the menu. 
 

we’re on a 14 night one soon so I assume it will changed on night 7 at a guess

1 hour ago, AndyMichelle said:

The waiters are aware of when it will be changing as they used it as a bit of a selling point to get us to book again after our first night meal in Sindhu. 

I still think it will change every few nights on 14 night cruises as they will want you to book as many times as possible, so we would probably try both menus in the first week then choose our fav to return in the second. 

Have a great time, 

Andy 

Again thanks for your feedback. Whether we'll go more than once is up for debate, we'll see how we get on.

1 hour ago, AndyMichelle said:

On a 7 night cruise, I think it changes after 4 days? 

We have definitely had both menus about 3/4 days apart. 

Andy 

1 hour ago, happy v said:

It does vary according to the length of the cruise. You wont really know which menu until you get on board. If you do book and it isn't the menu you want it is easy to change.

As this is a 14 night TA I’ll be interested to see how much in advance we’ll know the nights for each menu. If we can change easily we may do that, but having reviewed the options I believe we can cope with either. Just wondered how P&O communicated what days were which menu. On RCI one of the speciality restaurants used to have a choice of menus, but posted the days on which they would be applicable on day 1 when you boarded, so if you had pre-booked for a day for which you didn’t like the menu, you at least on day 1 have enough notice to change if you needed to. 

Just now, Hobson1754 said:

When we were recently on Britannia and dined at Sindhu the waiter told us that the menu would be changing the following week (actually 6 days later) so I assume that they change it weekly.

Thanks

I'm investigating the Epicurean and Sindhu restaurants on Britannia and see the P&O website gives examples of "Menus 1 & 2".

How does this work, are they rotated on different days? If so, how do you know what days they are offered?

Thanks

We're 60 days away from sailing and ever since it was possible 'to book' speciality restaurants not all days were available and when they were only times such as 6:30 pm were displayed. The dress code was displayed but now has disappeared.

19 minutes ago, wowzz said:

I think that there are a few issues that need to be considered here.

Firstly, the staff on P&O tend to be from the Indian subcontinent,  and are quite reserved, as is the norm . Conversely,  on Princess,  the crew are,  in the main,  from the Philippines,  and tend to  be  more outgoing. 

Secondly, the length of the cruise is a big factor in pax/crew interaction. On short  (less than 14 days) cruises, the crew never have the chance to really know you. On our last Princess cruise,  18 days or so, we kept bumping into the same wait staff in the buffet and the MDR, and had a good rapport, although we knew that we were never going to be life long friends. 

It probably also helped that we were   only two out  of six Brits on the entire cruise,  so we were a bit of a novelty item!

 

There must be something else in the mix here because several of the staff on our recent NCL sailing were from the Indian subcontinent and were some of most outgoing and engaging personalities we’ve met. I don’t agree about the length of cruise though as we’ve done many 7 night sailings where the crew remember you, but then again they’ve not been on P&O. This to me points to the cruise line itself. Do P&O discourage staff from being over familiar?

3 hours ago, Eglesbrech said:

The ability to use OBC in advance of the cruise to book trips, speciality restaurants etc. Celebrity do it so it is possible.

 

 

I agree, just used my $600 OBC from upcoming RCI cruise to book things, especially useful when there's sales on.

Checking nearly everyday for our TA B007 but still no luck until today!

What's the difference between the class types anyone know?

14 minutes ago, Ptroxx said:

Sorry but I was just on NCL and they have the same casual dress code. 
 

What clothes should I pack?

 

When it comes to what to wear, you can go resort casual or get decked-out and look your best - it’s your call. That’s the freedom of Freestyle Cruising. We even have special “Dress-Up or Not Night.” It’s the perfect opportunity to get your portrait taken with your family, that special someone or even with the ship’s Captain.

Cruise Casual: the Freedom of Freestyle Cruising

Dress cruise casual anytime during the day, in the buffet and in most specialty restaurants. For women, it includes summer and casual dresses, skirts, regular or capri pants, shorts, jeans and tops. Khakis, jeans, shorts and casual shirts are fine for men. Swimwear is acceptable at the buffet and outdoor restaurant, but a shirt or a cover-up and footwear are required.

Actually on Norwegian it can differ from ship to ship. We were recently on Escape and long pants were required for men after 6pm in Bayamo and Le Bistro as per the daily newsletter.

8 hours ago, jeanlyon said:

Well I logged back and it had accepted the insurance details, and the address of my friend.  Very odd.  As it's April, I do not have any dress codes, not that it matters.

You're not alone. Ours were there a couple of days ago, but nothing at all today when I went to check our travel insurance contact details were still valid (luckily they were so I didn't have to chance any updates).

53 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

The other things finally to consider are the days you spend ashore, so you are not buying coffees aboard.  Also, if you are not very well at all whether it's for one day or more, you have paid for that day's drinks.

 

There are days when I drink more and days when I drink less or don't have coffees.  It's wasted if you are either ashore or ill.

We are on a 14 night transatlantic with 8 sea days, so not much opportunity to be ashore. Even on port days, I won't stop having coffees onboard, either before we go ashore after breakfast or when we return mid afternoon. We are also more likely to purchase even more water to take ashore with us.

I read this excuse a lot, about drinking less onboard due to being ashore, but I respectively suggest this is a myth and used as a reason not to purchase a package. Maybe as we never do an excursion or are ashore for more than possibly 4 hours, we are still onboard to have sodas, waters, coffees, and beers. Obviously once we set sail again in the evening we are at sea and seeing this is when we consume alcohol (rarely do we drink alcohol before 7pm except for the odd beer with lunch) we don't consume any less on a sea day as on a port day.

As for being ill, then of course that can impact the advantages and effectiveness of a package, but our view is we can't not consider purchasing it just because we maybe unwell. Hopefully, we won't be.

I am repeating myself justifying why we look to purchase a package, and again I will say this is our decision, we are not forcing anyone to buy one, but it would be nice if sometimes people accept our decision. 

23 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

I agree with you but, as someone who could never drink enough to make it worthwhile, I worry that just like Celebrity and RCI did when they introduced drinks packages, P&O will increase their drink prices and moderate drinkers like me will be faced with bigger bills.

I realise its a selfish attitude but so is wanting a drinks package no matter the potential inconvenience to other passengers.

I know I shouldn’t, but I have to ask, what is the potential inconvenience to other passengers because a drinks package is being offered? I don’t want a drinks package but if I consider one that is offered is financially beneficial to me, I'll take it. 

37 minutes ago, Deeliteful said:

My last two cruises were on NCL, not my favourites but had a great time, especially winning $7000 on the poker cruise last month!

However one thing they do really well is what they call the waterfront. This is an area outside some of the bars and restaurants which have comfy chairs and sofas, and tables even when the restaurants are closed. Great to watch the sunset with a cocktail in hand and a lovely area to relax in during the day, away from the crowded pools (NCL pools are ridiculously tiny for the number of passengers they have). And of course great to be outside and see the sea, which is why I like cruising 😂

I agree, one of our favourite places on the Breakaway and Breakaway Plus class ships.

20 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

I think the RCI app already allows you to message other family members via the app with free wi-fi.

Yes, maybe, but NCL allow you to actually call each other for a nominal fee. 

1 hour ago, grapau27 said:

RC give both Pauline and I as D+ loyalty 2 days free internet each through ships WiFi.

And us too

5 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Royal Caribbean have these group meetings on every cruise so singles or lesbian/gays can meet up.The daily newsletter or a sign at reception advises people of these get togethers.

So do NCL

Also as mentioned by Presto2, apps are becoming more common on other lines. Great way to reduce the amount of paper being used for the daily newsletter, track on board account, make reservations for excursions or dining. Also some have the ability (by using the onboard wifi for a nominal fee) for you to call others onboard to assist in keeping in touch with family members for example.

1 hour ago, GaznPaula said:

Well i would not declare that on any future insurance form lol

Please re read my post, it is not just alcohol which you appear to be fixated on that can make £39.95 good value. What people consider expensive is a personal perception. You have yours and we have ours. But I don’t consider your remark about what I should, or should not declare on any future insurance form amusing, I find it insulting. Oh and by the way, we don’t have any issue rehydrating by consuming 2 litres of water a day. 
 

However, I’m over having to validate our decision to take a package, I don’t need to explain our reasoning, it’s our decision, but I do object to the inference that we are ‘boozers’ to use your terminology, no doubt you perceive us as alcoholics. 
 

Well I give up. I really do give up. Freedom to me means I can dine at a time that I choose, not at a fixed time mandated by the cruise line. If I can make reservations to guarantee that time, as on land, I will. I can also guarantee we are not tardy, so charge me a deposit, because I won’t lose it. 
 

Why do I like reservations as on other lines. Because I can choose my time, my table size and don’t have to stand in line waiting for the next to be free like a cafeteria! 

36 minutes ago, GaznPaula said:

No i just think you are missing the point .

Its a total cabin cost of £80 a day.

So can YOUR cabin consume £80 of booze a day over a 6 or 7 or 13 or 14 night period ?

Yes, but if you re-read my example, the £80 is not just alcohol which all the negative comments seem to concentrate on. There are soft drinks, coffees, and bottles of waters to consider.

7 hours ago, jeanlyon said:

Further to my previous, if when you check the Itinerary, it just gives AM and PM, click on Learn More and the times appear.

Thanks for the info. I assumed it was in the personaliser (the most logical place IMHO) but I can't see them in there, but can if I review the cruise as though I was making a new booking!

26 minutes ago, happy v said:

Jean, I may be thick, most probably am🙂, but I can't see Learn More on the itinerary page. In fact it doesn't even say AM, PM.

But I did know we were late in Genoa so I must have seen it somewhere.

Now I'm just confused!

As I mentioned above I found them for our upcoming sailing on the main site, not the personaliser.

5 hours ago, majortom10 said:

Wouldnt be beneficial for us and I doubt as some think that you would drink 2-3 glasses of wine with dinner because of the availability of wine waiter. We have ordered bottles of wine in the past and not received it until we have nearly finished the main course. We have on occasions when it was finally bought to our table and before opened when wine waiter shows you the label we refused it and said it is too late now dont want to drink wine with dessert.

From your comment and other reports I’ve read, it does appear wine service is subpar in the MDR. If we can’t get at least 2 glasses of wine served during dinner, that will be a major issue and then my example of another glass will probably after dinner. However, if wine service is bad during dinner, I have no problem going to the nearest bar and getting another myself which I have to admit I had to do on another cruise as service was definitely subpar. 

5 hours ago, davemorton said:

As with most things, it works for some, and doesn't work for others.

Thank you

6 hours ago, jeanlyon said:

Exactly!  I think people forget it;s £80 a day unless you are a solo.

We understand the cost for 2 and it’s still less than on other lines. 

6 hours ago, GaznPaula said:

So take it you are a solo cruiser ?

Two people in a cabin. Both have to purchase.

Start doubling up.

No, not a solo cruiser but I’m giving an example what I would drink and the resulting cost. We know both have to purchase. Do you find my example of my consumption unrealistic?

37 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Sometimes people don't understand the complexities of restaurant management.  Well said Harry.

I’ll take that as a dig at me who worked in a restaurant for 6 years 😀. You still can’t convince me it can’t be done, as I stated at least 3 other lines we sail on operate a reservation system, it’s obvious to me P&O don’t want to be more customer focused.