Windsurfboy

Going off piste and the previous conversation about booking early I've just had a look a balcony availability on my 2024 cruise, on a select fare you have choice of what looks like 75% of cabins. This either means there is a huge amount of unbooked cabins. Or the vast majority are booking guarantee. But to me it does point to on the two biggest ships that a gamble on last minute bargins for a balcony cabin is perhaps worth it.

There is a logic in that, people not needing assistance can get there quicker and can be boarded quickly and clear area around the lifeboat enabling all the staff to be available to help people that need it.. If it was done the other way round half the staff would be unavailable to assist people to board as they would be fully occupied with crowd control. Perhaps it is also a sign of the times, in that they may not believe that people will wait quietly in a true emergency (sinking ship , fire) whilst they slowly load a wheelchair in front of them.

Dropping it just after final balance , that's SNEAKY

Presumably if you can save £1000 - £2000 it makes sense to loose your 5% deposit and rebook at lower price. All I can say is on my cruise all rear suites have gone and forward are £1000 more than I paid..

The only guarantee is if they cancel you must get every penny you've paid , never mind how long ago and how many times it's been cancelled , back in full If you cancel you loose your deposit. If you've paid more than your deposit the difference should be returned. OBC is lost, that's normal

Given that the hypothetical, identical cruise on same day is very unlikely. I take it , and please correct me if I'm wrong, you would be happy with either if timing and intinerary was what you wanted.

HH, Thank you

Host Hattie,I see you mentioned Bealieu , did you use park and stay at Montague Arms. We usually stay at their sister hotel Carey's Manor, but they've stop advertising their park and cruise package. We're you happy with Montague arms.

Whatever happens, P&O must give you all the money you paid them back, every penny. That is the law, no question. Whether it £1000 plus £5000 later, or £6000 in one go. The outstanding question is about other out of pocket expenses

Offering 100% refund is what they are legally obliged to do. No way out of that. Also anything booked via them. Any quibble use section 75 on credit card As for other expenses not booked via P&O , presumably section 75 doesn't apply as theoretically still available . P&O has a moral resposibility. I think a headline 1000s of holiday makers left out of pocket as P&O cancels maiden cruise might stir things up.

If you are QG, if you want say a cake just mention it to maitre D. Or Butler Or if you have a favourite meal, even if not on menu just mention it day before

I'm with you on that, my wife loves broccoli, I call it the devils vegetable. Ever since the kids left home when I no longer had to set an example, I generously donate mine to my wife or the bin. Yes I know its good for me, but there are limits

Auto Spell check strikes again, segue turned into Segway

A nice diversion about a hob , presume you put an old non electric kettle on a hob to boil, hence name. a prize to anyone who can segway from this into a dress code discussion, as normally happens

I've a gas one on my cooker , I suppose it's an alternative to taking everything but the kitchen sink with you. Seriously I also have no idea what a hob is.

Given your snoring and sleeping arrangements did you every consider two connected Q4/5/6. Two proper beds, two bathrooms , two toilets

Sad for everyone, but never seen reason for people loving maiden voyage. High risk. Perhaps it gives you insight to Her Majesty who used to say , " the world smells of wet paint". Glad we're not booked till June 2024 when hopefully everything will be hunkydory, and all restaurants open , all staff fully trained.

I would expect furniture on Arvia to be identical or extremely close to what you get on Iona

Like late show as you can get seats. It's too much of a rush to get early show , and if you arrive at last minute often full. Don't find it to late , 10 pm show over by 10.45 , in cabin well before 11 pm , just don't succumb to nightcap temptation.

I think it all depends on how flexible you are , and how many cabins of the type you want are on the ship. With 1334 standard balcony cabins on Iona and Arvia, then odds favour flexible last minute buyers. Similarly with 777 standard interior cabins. If you want something else or are looking at smaller ship,perhaps early is best

Our June 2024 suite on Arvia med cruise is £1000 dearer than at launch, and that's for a forward cabin , which we wouldn't have. All rear like ours gone, so for some cabins it's launch or nothing.

Unfortunately Arcadia not going back to UK via Capetown on world cruise. Wait to see anyone else .

Should say Food and service looks as good as pre covid.. oops

Thanks for review. Food and service looks avoid as per pre covid , wellcome information. As to trips, we always go independently, Cunard are not alone, in being economical with the information about what you can do independently. But the opposite of economical with excursion costs. Thankfully plenty of time to Google everything.

Wy can't you go into details