Strawberry field

Now looking at Celebrity but it's a minefield isn't it. It's a nice problem to have though :)

Thanks everyone for your replies and yes Sue it would be a balcony so there would be somewhere to escape to when needed.

Just at the moment we are thinking of staying with what we know and that's P&O. Since this morning a third person will be joining us who doesn't care about paying the premium for a single person, doesn't care where they go or when! It's becoming a juggling act :')

We have done Independence and we thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it most compares to Ventura size wise. Most things are the same like dining, bars, quizzes, cabins etc., The price of drinks on RCI are far more expensive around £30 for an average bottle of wine and £12 cocktails. The entertainment team, we thought are far better and do a lot more, they give a live round up of each days activities piped through to your cabin. They do a Mr & Mrs type show which was very funny and a game called Quest which again got the passengers involved. They also have mini-golf which is a nice way to spend up on the top deck. There are 2 ice shows which were spectacular. The shows were a bit more varied and there were more things to do in the day.

 

The other difference was obviously the passenger mix, although most were British because the ship left from Southampton, there must have been every nationality going. We enjoyed this and must say the Americans and Canadians mixed very well.

 

We would not hesitate in going with Royal Caribbean if the cruise suited, but as we have only cruised once on Independence, this is based purely on this cruise.

Thanks Mandy

Interesting reply especially about the ice shows as we both enjoy that sort of thing.

My father did Independence, absolutely hated it.

Thanks Trevor

Was it because of the decor, fellow passengers or just too much going on? This is what we are slightly concerned about.

Hi

We have only cruised P&O as we love the ships, they are relaxing and peaceful especially when doing the Fjords. We are considering doing the Fjords again next year again with P&O but also considering Royal Caribbean as their itinerary is better suited for us at the moment.

My question is will it be as peaceful and relaxing on R.C. as it would be on P&O? Their ships look more razzmatazz than what we are used to so that's the reason for my question. We can only afford one cruise a year so would we be best to stick with what we know and love or take a chance? We are both active pensioners but like to be relaxed.

I did realise that. Apologies if I sound a bit patronising.

No I never found it patronising at all, no problem whatsoever :)

I'm sure you appreciate all nationalities but there is certainly a lot to be said to be proud to be British.

Indeed, I treat everyone with the same respect as they treat me regardless of where they hail from. :halo:

Thanks everyone for your answers. We had a look at Princess amongst other suggestions but have decided to stay with P&O. Two reasons for this whilst the price isn't out of our range it's still a fair bit above P&O. The other reason is we are British and we like the Britishness of P&O so why change.

Thanks again for your help :)

SF

Thanks everyone for your replies. Yes I've never wondered why we like P&O but it is indeed the Britishness. Looks to me that it's worth having a look at Princess as most of you suggested. Fly cruising isn't possible for us for health reasons and living in Southampton makes Princess a possible alternative if not it's back to pando :)

Thanks again:)

We have only done P&O cruises up until now and next year is now in our thoughts. We were wondering about trying other cruise lines and how they compare with P&O.

In your experience of other lines which is the closest to P&O without actually being them. I expect in the end we will stay with who we know and enjoy but it's still worth looking at others as well if just out of curiosity.

Thanks for any help:)

I noticed you sent the message by iPad, if you are trying to do the print from there as well sometimes the print option doesn't show. I printed mine but I had to get the laptop out to do it.

We were four cabins away from C153 last month and we heard no noise at all.

I have just read your review thank you for such a balanced report. It was good to read some positive things about the ship as we are considering a 25 night round trip from Southampton on her. Desperately trying to make up our minds between Aurora and Adonia.

Thanks for that :)

All I can say is Aurora is a lovely ship and the promenade deck is truly superb. The public rooms are furnished to a very high standard indeed. The only real drawback that caused us a problem at times was the rather small Costa. We did struggle to get a seat a few times but we accepted that and went our happy way to other venues. I would cruise on her tomorrow if I could. It's very easy to get seats in the Crows Nest regardless of when you go.

We fancy this cruise but we're wondering if you sailed into Flam ot tendered? I have heard that it is pot luck with Flam. Great review

We have been twice in the last year to Flam on Aurora and the Britannia and docked both times.

Hope that helps :)

Which seat were you occupying in Andersons when the old chap asked you to move? I shall make sure that I sit in it when we are on Aurora next week, in case he's done another back to back! Quite unbelievable!

As you walk in to Andersons there is a freestanding wall in front of you with wine bottles and flowers on. Turn to the left and it's the very first couch right in front of you. Going by memory I think it's either blue or grey.

We couldn't believe he asked such a thing and if he had been more polite we may have moved but not without at least a please.

Have a good cruise :)

We were on that cruise and really enjoyed it. I liked the two films mentioned but the singer and comedian were not my taste. I suppose that is why P and O have a range of entertainment choices. We loved Anderson and were pleased with the prompt service. I do not know what I would have done if somebody asked me to move. I did not notice any abuse of the dress code but them I am not sure how it applies in the bars and theatre. In Olden we walked to the village and up the valley. It was much nicer than the petrol station, shops and busy road by the ship. One of my favourite cruises.

 

 

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As I said in my review it was a lovely ship and great cruise. I'm glad you enjoyed it as we did.

Thank you for the good review. We are sailing on Aurora for the first time in June having been on Oceana and Ventura so will be interested to see how Aurora compares.

I have been on Ventura but not on a cruise and obviously the Aurora is smaller and to me seemed to be more elegant. Enjoy yourselves in June :)

Thanks for your review. It was indeed very fair. Aurora is one of my favourites in the P&O fleet as I prefer smaller ships. I am looking forward to boarding her this weekend bound for the Baltics. It is almost 5 years since I was on her and I am looking forward to seeing the changes made in the last refit.

I'm glad my review was fair, have a wonderful cruise :)

Thank you for your balanced review. Aurora was the first P&O ship we went on, to the fjords, after a long break away from cruising and I loved her. We are back on her this summer, having since been on Azura and Britannia, which I prefer in that order. Having read some recent reviews, I have been having the odd qualm about whether we would have such a good cruise this time, but I'm reassured, so thank you very much.

You are most welcome and she is indeed a lovely ship and in my opinion a wonderful cruise awaits you. Don't have the odd qualm about her as there is no need 😊

Aurora review .......... Fjords April 22nd 2017

http://click.email.cruisecritic.com/?qs=742253cf55580a12e290be3715ff881084f20f40fe2e5a681077a94776336aad88724d7c73c8eb382cda5d37dee0a62750a1dcf68a2b0f2d

If it follows the same time as last year's launch it will be in late September.

So soon, that's great :) It's just that we want a particular cabin and we have to get in early.

Thanks very much indeed.

Hi

Would anyone have an idea when the latter part of 2019 P&O brochure comes out. I know it's two years away but I would be interested in booking as early as possible.

Thanks :)

I was on Aurora last week and the only time it was off was when sailing out through the Fjords after leaving Flaam and then for a while on the way to Olden. Other than that it seemed to be available most of the time. I used it as little as possible as I wanted to enjoy the cruise so there may be other places it's not available that I never noticed.

Hope that helps:)

Think a ship visit is a good idea. We live too far away to go down that route but we spoke to a couple who live down south and they have visited ships for a day. Apparently you can have a meal and a tour. If you are bothered about a two day cruise and the prospect of stag/hen dos why not go for a week? We tend to go outside of school holidays as we now have the kids off our hands so to speak but you never know what type of passengers will be on-board until you actually get on the cruise. We have taken an early med cruise for the last three years and the passengers have all been different. I think on Britannia I have noticed the dress code had definitely slipped several notches on our last cruise.

I'm not bothered about hen/stag do's simply asking what the truth is regarding them as so many people say different things. I cruised on Britannia last year and thought that the dress code was adhered to by 95% of passengers on that holiday. My brother went on a ship visit a month ago and thought it worthwhile and I can't think why I hadn't thought of it. We are now booking a visit and will see how we feel about another Britannia cruise before booking our next holiday. I'm 99% certain it will be Britannia.

Thanks for your help :)

We have decided to book a ship visit on Britannia so my wife can see the difference between her and Aurora. I'm sure we will choose Britannia but I want to give her the choice. It's even better if the cost goes towards a credit but if not it's still worth doing.:)

Needs a bit of thinking through as you might have to shell out for a taxi if you don't live on the correct bus route.

 

Lol John

If it's not raining I could walk it John ;p:cool::')