Sammeesam

24 hours on berth is preferable to 24 hours going through the busiest seaway in the world in the low pressure system heading our way.

 

Up to Storm force 9 and very rough seas through Saturday.

Totally agree. even if we don't sail today, everything except the view will say our long awaited holiday is here! It will be another story to dine out on. :D

Hello again,

Another couple of questions, please. During our forthcoming cruise (excited!) we will spend our 15th night on board with P and O giving us access to The Peninsula Club. Do any of you good folk know if we will automatically start to receive club benefits (assume there are benefits) or should we present ourselves to reception and ask? Would they have details of our previous cruises to confirm? I'm not sure what's the best way to do this.

Also, can you let me know what happens with luggage when flying home (from the Caribbean) I read that hold luggage gets put outside on the last night as standard, but will I get any paperwork to confirm? Thinking of worst case scenario of arriving at Gatwick and no case appears on the belt, and I've no proof I left my bag outside my room two days earlier.

Thanks all.

Hello everyone

We are about to embark on our first cruise aboard Azura and the Select dining restaurant options look really good especially The Glass House, £4.95 for three plates.

Could you please give me your thoughts about Select dining and is it a good idea to visit on formal nights or non formal nights? Also, is the afternoon tea in Epicurean worth paying for? I've read afternoon tea is served both in the restaurant and also at the buffet? Three venue choices for afternoon tea? I assume it's a major part of the day?

Thanks all, in advance.

We have also been on deck 5/P deck on Ventura - it's a hidden gem! As per previous comment you are really close to the Atrium and on the perfect deck for disembarking at port. There was absolutely no noise and we never had the pain of waiting on the lifts to get to our room. On port days there were often 30 odd people waiting for the lifts.

We found we were at the heart of everything on board.

Another bonus being with significantly fewer people on our deck you had very few people walking past the door making it even quieter and the laundrette was never very busy either. Being lower down P Deck is never going to feel any choppiness.

Keep it to yourself-but I think it's the best place to be.

Hello everyone, I'm looking for a bit of guidance about Royal Caribbean cabins. We have seen the current (October 17) promotion for All In cruising with the drinks package included. This looks like a great offer and means we may be able to afford to take my dad and my sister in law with us. They would both need their own space. However I can't seem to find any single cabins as part of the deal and it looks like it would be full fare x2 for each of them. Which would mean 6 fares for 4 of us in 3 cabins. If I called Royal Caribbean might I get a deal rather than going via the website or maybe through a travel agent? Does anyone have any suggestions of thoughts of a more affordable way as part of this or possibly another deal. Any thoughts most welcome. Thank you.

I agree they have to err in the side of caution. However, Royal Caribbean and many others have posted amended itineraries on their websites for many days. It's clear to anyone who does some basic research that St Maartin and Dominica are in a terrible state at the moment and it will take a long time for them to recover. The islanders are lacking even the basics in many cases and are a long way from being able to open up to tourists. They last thing they need is a bunch of moaning Europeans complaining about the lack of gluten free coconut water. As soon as the horrors of the hurricanes were known it was clear changes wouldhave to be made. So why are P and O still offering excursions for both these places even today? Does it not set unrealistic expectations for some? Those who maybe put hope over experience?

Thanks everyone, most helpful. Any other top tips for transatlantic cruises (first one in October) most gratefully received. I'm a tiny bit concerned about the weather mid Atlantic and the possibility of slight boredom creeping in.

Thanks in advance

Hi everyone

We are about to embark on our first transatlantic cruise ex Southampton (super excited) and we have heard anecdotally that the ships clocks are set back one hour each day while at sea to ensure we arrive without sea lag? Can anyone confirm for us.

Many thanks.