Cruise Puss

That is very true. The beer selection is better, but the cocktail list is, quite frankly, abysmal.

It would be extremely helpful if you could let us know. ☺️ Having been on Iona's Maiden, and just gotten off her last week, and having been travelling with P&O for over 20 yrs, we have to agree with you regarding the drinks. The drinks menus on Iona are extremely limited. You can only have a very limited selection of cocktails, that are different in every single bar, and not one of those cocktails are what you would normally get on any bar menu around the World. Where are the Margaritas, or Martinis made with whatever gin you would like. Usual cocktails like a Rusty Nail, Cosmo, Godfather, Mint Julep, Manhattan, Negroni, Old Fashioned.... the list is huge! None of these exist or are available, unless you are prepared to pay for individual ingredients, which would cost quite a lot of money. We are not sure why P&O have done this, but it is a HUGE mistake. It puts us off travelling on Iona again frankly, which is why we are hoping that the old drinks menus are still available on Arcadia. ☺️

Hi, Has anyone got up to date photos of Arcadia's bar menus? We haven't been on her for a while, and we want to know if they are the same as Iona's or not. Many thanks. CP

We have been on all P&O ships, including those no longer with them. We've been on Arcadia 7 times since 2007 and she is one of our favourites. Have to say that on all her cruises we have never been the only ones up after 10pm! In fact, we've never experienced that on any P&O ship. She is a lovely ship with a great atmosphere. It does depend on the cruise as to the age group you will get, with cruises to colder climes generally appealing to an older clientele, and warmer cruises appealing to a younger clientele, but obviously that is a generalisation, and it has never adversely affected any of our cruises on her. The only thing she lacks is a Glass House, which she would definitely benefit from. The entertainment is the same on all P&O ships, so that shouldn't be an issue. Why not try her, if it's a short cruise what's there to lose? If you like her you've gained a ship to go on; if you don't, you've only wasted a small amount of money and time. IMHO you will like her. 😊

Many thanks. ☺️

Hi there, We're on QV at the end of October. Don't suppose you could let me know how much it is to go in the Hydropool area both for the whole cruise or daily (if that's allowed)? Also, I presume you can sit at all of the bars? Many thanks. CP

Not all of them. Arcadia's Suites are a lot more than they were in 2009, probably because she is now Adult Only.

I have said exactly that before. It's okay, until it affects you...... As someone who has been travelling with them for over 20 years, I can safely say, they are heading in the wrong direction - that of downwards.

That's very helpful, thanks. Good to know there is Jazz somewhere. ☺️ I hope you continue to enjoy your cruise. ☺️

Many thanks. A shame, it was absolutely fantastic as a Jazz venue.

Hi there, As you are currently on QV, could you tell me what they are using the Yacht Club for? When we were on QE last September they had Jazz in there, but I know it's usually used as a nightclub. Cheers CP

I don't think you should be concerned about the quality of the food, it should all be good quality regardless of where you eat. As already mentioned, waiters should serve you at the speed you want. If you feel rushed I would gently say something. I really wouldn't be overly concerned. I'm sure you will enjoy your cruise. ☺️

We travelled on QE out of Southampton last year in a Britannia Club cabin. We especially loved the restaurant. The fact that you have the same table for every meal every day is wonderful. The restaurant was much nicer than the larger one, much less noisy. A small tip, if you do go BC go to the restaurant quickly once on board to choose your table, the best placed ones go fast! We also liked the cabin, yes, it is small if you are used to having a Suite, but it was okay. The main problem we had was a lack of storage space. I've purchased some magnetic hooks and bags to hang on them for extra space this year. We thoroughly enjoyed travelling BC and have, in fact, booked QV out of Southampton for this October in the same category. Whatever cabin you travel in you will have a fabulous time, Cunard are a great cruise line. 😊

Indeed. Certainly not to be confused with the former Grand Harbour, and it is indeed the only 5* hotel in Southampton. It's superb and the food is wonderful. We are staying there again before we join Sky Princess in September.

I know. My M-i-L is one of them, although she is far from vulnerable I can tell you! 😆

This is not the case. You only need the two original vaccinations, plus one booster shot. The 270 days relates to the last original vaccination, not the booster. Most people will only ever need one booster. Only the vulnerable need more.

Oh course! 😁 Not sure if everyone will be honest about it though. Probably about as honest as saying they were fine when answering regarding the health declaration....... 🫤

I can recommend the Harbour Hotel. It's almost on top of the Ocean Cruise Terminal and the QEII Terminal, and they will transfer you to the terminal free of charge. It's also a very nice hotel with two fantastic restaurants and a bar on the 6th floor with wonderful views of the Solent and the Ocean Terminal.

I do not mean to butt in to this conversation, but I thought I would add that my Husband and I, and my Mother-in-Law, have just got off Enchanted in the UK and we all currently have Covid. We have all had the original two vaccinations, plus one booster for myself and my Husband, and my Mother-in-Law has had two boosters. My M-i-L hardly has any symptoms (she has had Covid previously) my Husband has had a few symptoms (slightly sore throat, loss of taste and more mucus in his head) I've had it the worst with 'bad cold' symptoms - coughing, sneezing, loss of taste, dry mouth, but no sore throat or headache). Frankly it is a bad cold for most people and, as some sensible person has already said, it is a virus and will never go away. Both P&O UK and Cunard have now said they do not need a certificate for passengers to get on board in the UK, and they only need a passenger to confirm verbally they have had a test. Cruise companies are going to suffer terribly if they do not all change to this way of thinking. If people wish to carry on testing themselves that is up to them, but most people simply want to get back to normal.

The current population of America is around 330 million. The percentage of people who have died from Covid is, therefore, 0.02%. Dreadful for those who have lost family and friends (which I have) but a tiny amount nevertheless. How many die every month from cancer, M.S , Parkinson's, Pneumonia, Bronchitis, etc etc. People need to get some perspective.

Covid is a bad cold/flu - not a killer disease. My Mother has a 'killer disease' -it's called M.S. and one day it will kill her. It has not, however, stopped her from having a full and interesting life! You should treat Covid just as you would a cold/flu and avoid people who may be vulnerable or infirm. Everyone has been vaccinated twice and boosted, sometimes twice, so if you do get it, just like with a flu vaccine, you won't get it that badly anyway. I have vulnerable parents and have avoided them in the past if I had a cold or flu, I shall do the same with Covid. Cruise ships have always been extremely safe places because of all the health protocols they have to put in place already because of such things as Norovirus, and now they have upgraded their systems they are even better. We have friends who have gone on cruises, tested negative, and then had it on their return. We need to get on with living, or the few years left to some of us will be rather dull to say the least!

I didn't know you could request it on the keypad, so thank you for letting me know. ☺️ This is only our second Princess cruise, although our 41st overall, so we aren't as up to date as when we travel on other cruise lines.

As I'm the one who asked the question, I'm afraid I feel I have a right to agree with you. Once you start down this road, it's only a matter of time before things that taken for granted no longer exist, including the things that matter to those who don't think a turn down service is important..... Everyone has something they would miss.

Could anyone currently on Enchanted Princess tell me if they are doing a turn down service in the Standard Double Balcony cabin? Cheers CP

Many thanks for this. 😊