Windsurfboy

It is hard to compare Saga with other lines. Comparisons with very much cheaper lines, makes Saga look expensive. But you get what you pay for, and Saga is in a different league. The only line that is similiary priced are the "upper" Cunard cabins. A standard saga cabin costs the same as a Brittania Club. A saga suite similiar price (may be a fraction more) than a Cunard Queens Grill. All I can say is Saga compares very favourably with Cunard QG. Food is just as good,you get more with Saga. General service around ship is as good if not better than say Grills terrace. Saga feels more friendly throughout whole ship

I understand why you have booked so much in advance we will do likewise. But still think it is a shame this is necessary

I think if you book a suite on P&O , must be prepared to pay speciality dining to get a suite experience, even so it is good value.. Which goes back to one of orginal questions , can the butler help get you reservations if speciality restaurants full, or do you have to hope you can book all you want before boarding.

Good review, message seems to be , be prepared to pay for dining, and do it asap

I don't jog , but walk fast , always go in opposite direction so people can see me . If you are going in same direction, you have people dawdling along three abreast oblivious to any one behind, and seemingly deaf to a polite excuse me

had our first Saga cruise last year., booked a month for this winter. In our experience all cruise ship staff have been nice on P&O and Cunard. However Saga just seemed that bit friendlier, ship seemed a happy family. Similiary saga passengers, everyone chatted just a nice atmosphere. I suppose a more homogenous mix , in terms of age, and I expect income/experience. Cleary Saga food and service is better than P&O should be given price , it matches Cunard grills

Only 26 suites on Arvia and Iona, 1% of cabins smallest share in fleet. Only Brittania has enough suites to justify suite only restaurant. Anyone know How many covers in Epicurean on Arvia Iona ?

Something I'd also like to know , Given comments that speciality restaurants get booked up quickly.

Or even better a rear corner suite with sunbeds

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Thank you So no formal library to borrow books. Clearly a different market to traditional cruise ship..

Can people who have been on ship confirm if library or not on Arvia

Your choice to wear one, same as others choice not to wear one. Too many people get too emotional one way or other.

The gardens are free. You can get cable car up and down for half price of tour. The caves, fantastic stalagmiites etc and light show included in price a must ser. So is the glass overlook. We walked down to the ww2 tunnels also included in cable car price , then got a local bus back. Took from 9.30 leaving ship to 13.30

Did they give you the option of cancellation with a full refund, and offer to pay any costs you may have , e.g. hotel at port. They should do

With premier inn prices and country house prices respectively You get what you pay for, Cunard used to be a 20%to30% premium over P&O , now it's more than double the price. I'm paying £14k for a 2 week cruise on Cunard QG and £6k for a suite on P&O, same price as Brittania on Cunard. Physically the p&O suite is better than Cunard, nice breakfast in Epicurean. However won't be QG food , will have to use speciality restaurants. P&O more of a family ship. So I know they will be different. However you can enjoy both

True , but the decision to dress above the dress code is a personal one. It's not up to other passengers to intimate that by *just" following the dress code you are not properly dressed , and areignoring some unwritten Cunard spirIt/feeling. Anyone's personal preferences are irrelevant. There is no such thing as just following the dress code, you are or you aren't. Like a speed limit 70 mph on a motorway is as legal as 50 mph. The OP asked if a dress shirt and smart trousers were fine on a non formal night. The answer to that is SIMPLY YES. Not yes but true Cunarders ........

The "feeling" is what the dress code is for.. Cunard believe a smart shirt and trousers are completely acceptable on non gala nights, clearly that is what they want.. On a Cunard ship It's only Cunard who specify the dress code.

One can wear anything but swimwear in the day on Cunard. On non formal nights, ie 5 out of 7, a jacket and tie is completely optional. On formal nights a suit and tie is accepted, but why not go for a TUX. If you reject either of those then it's the buffet and some bars on formal nights

All I can suggest is try wearing a tie and a shirt with a proper collar every day for a week and see what you think

Suit equals jacket and tie. Which some find less comfortable than an open neck shirt.

Returning to agent vs direct. I was a few days late booking Capetown to UK for April. So could only get mid aft not preferred midships . However looked occasionally to see if any midship appeared. Today is final balance day , so checked for last few days. Yesterday afternoon a midship cabin appeared , I rang at 5.50pm to grab it before it went. I just wonder if an agent with many clients would have time to keep checking. If I'd have had to ring agent first then they ring Cunard they would have closed.

Worrying. We're not going till 2024 , but if reviews stay same will write off £300 deposit.

Hope not champagne is available at all bars any way. You can get champagne in living room in evening if you ask.

On our Eastern Mediterranean cruise, multiple people including ourselves , told the restaurants manager , speciality menus must change after two weeks. Which he did.