Ardennais

I think it was about 12.20-12.30am when they suddenly started to open! I almost gave up but as I’m a night owl, I was still wide awake!

I had a hunch that the gala night might be problematic, even if the ‘app’ was working which is why I pre-booked the Limelight Club for the night. How did you get on with the beverage manager? We had dinner in the Epicurean last Sunday (12th). Booked for 7.30, service was so slow we missed the 10.30 show!

I agree. We thought it was just us to begin with and kept logging off and trying again! Luckily, I had pre-booked everything at home once booking opened and had a printed copy. I found myself recalling the lively discussion here a few weeks ago and the posters who claimed that the ‘app’ was brilliant etc etc. I wish!

I was ready to book at midnight, and saw that some time slots had sold out by the following morning!

Thank you very much. Very helpful.

We also love Aurora, and had a great cruise with the children when it was still a family ship. I like family friendly ships, nicer atmosphere.

Thanks. We’re not looking at a worldie - still working! Hoping to do another 35 nighter.

Does the £50pp deposit apply to all cruises? What about longer cruises, say 21+ nights?

What’s the dress code for the Epicurean on non-formal nights? Smart casual?

I’m with your DH on this!!

Graham’s photos are making me hungry!

I have repeatedly said that I don’t expect things to be exactly as they were pre-pandemic. My expectations are different but the glossy advertising seems much the same as before. THAT is what annoys me more than anything. The overpromising and underdelivering! I also feel for those passengers who save up for one holiday a year and are disappointed. It’s all very well for some of us to list our numerous holidays - if one is lacking, then we can brush it aside because, hey, we’re going on another one in a few months and we’ll most probably have a better time. That’s not the reality for most people.

Cadiz - have you been to Jerez? We enjoyed a trip there and it’s not far. Lots of bodegas.

It’s true. Some people can’t do things which other people find reasonably simple to do. Writing a coherent sentence, accurately, being one of them.

I’m so sorry to read this and hope that you both feel better soon. Regarding the insurance, I recently had to claim from my insurers after cancelling a cruise beginning of December - not Covid related but a close relation fell ill and was hospitalized. This was a FO cruise, and the TA sent the cancellation invoice within 4 days. We had to cancel a Cunard cruise about 5 years ago, same TA and the cancellation invoice was again sent within about 3-4 days. I can’t imagine why P&O should be any different. Sorry about the parking. With the Cunard cruise, I remember we ‘paid’ for the pre-hotel stay by redeeming a free night with a booking company, but were unable to claim for that, so sort of similar to your situation. Once you have the required documents, the claims process was quite straightforward so don’t be alarmed. In my case, with Staysure, I had to upload all relevant documents but I think it’s also possible to do it by post. It then took a week (5 working days) for them to provide a settlement offer which was exactly what I was expecting.

I think it could be clearer. I would add one word to the following sentence: If you no longer want this table, please PRESS cancel. And then below, have CANCEL instead of LEAVE QUEUE. or even CANCEL TABLE.

We don’t even have a walk in centre. I can’t help thinking back to when my children were babies and I could just turn up, wait in line and someone would see them. Parents now have a huge struggle to see anyone - no wonder people’s mental health is suffering. I watch Call the Midwife and honestly, if that is really how it was then, there was a much better service 50 odd years ago. Ok, I know that medical advances have transformed the way people are treated, but the basic face to face service has just about disappeared around here.

Very true around here, sad to say.

Good advice. If someone tells me that a card payment hasn’t gone through, I always ask for the paper receipt showing the failed payment before doing it the second time.

We visited Saintes on a P&O excursion and had enough time for a leisurely lunch. Lovely place.

So sorry to hear of their misfortune. There are some nasty people about. I do hope it doesn’t put them off going again. And all this booking business if quite off-putting for many people, which is a shame.

It does make you wonder though why they don’t publish timings. I was having a look at the Celebrity website last night and they give very detailed timings.

That’s lovely Avril. Congratulations. I would love to see a photo of your wedding!!

Is there anywhere on the P&O website showing the possible excursions for each port before you book a cruise? I’ve never thought about it before, and just view the excursions for our booked cruises. They give ideas of things to do independently.

Oops, no idea how that happened!