seahorse001

2 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

All the more reason not to pay for a seat, and just accept what you get at check in.

yes . I am not paying for a seat full stop...

9 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

But only if you pay. If you turn up without having paid for seats, then they will be allocated free when you check in, and you will more than likely sit together until only single seats are left.

If you read my post you would see that I am travelling solo , its gone off on a tangent 

4 hours ago, Snow Hill said:

The EU and USA are looking to act on such charges as seat allocation and hand luggage charges, which are often billed as optional, as both believe airlines are using them to advertise the lowest fares online. 

good I hope they do. The point to my thread is that P & O do not state this anywhere, so anyone booking a cruise may not be aware of this and it will add up quite considerably. 

18 hours ago, Presto2 said:

Have never been on an airline where you don't have to pay if you book a seat. That's with BA, TUI, Monarch. Excel and Jet 2. Some gone now but if you book in advance you have to pay

you don't have to pay for a seat on EasyJet, Ryanair and Tui unless you choose too. If you choose not to pay you will be allocated a seat on check in 

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

Apparently it is P&O that sets the seat charge on the charter not the airline.  This year the cost increased from £36pp each way to £45pp each way which is a pretty steep increase on any measure.  Families and groups in particular are keen on reserving their seats but as a solo I wouldn't bother.  In the past I have had good solo seats as they tend to be aisle allocations and on a couple of occasions I even got free of charge a bulkhead seat, although that was on Thomas Cook before their demise.

thanks for reply , i think that is just disgusting profiteering. I have scoured the P & O website and cant see anywhere where it states you pay for seats 

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

Apparently it is P&O that sets the seat charge on the charter not the airline.  This year the cost increased from £36pp each way to £45pp each way which is a pretty steep increase on any measure.  Families and groups in particular are keen on reserving their seats but as a solo I wouldn't bother.  In the past I have had good solo seats as they tend to be aisle allocations and on a couple of occasions I even got free of charge a bulkhead seat, although that was on Thomas Cook before their demise.

Thanks Megabear. There is no way I am going to pay for seats when travelling solo. I will take my chances and leave them allocate seat.. What a blinking cheek !

On 10/10/2023 at 6:48 PM, seahorse001 said:

Hi

 

I looking at a P & O cruise to Caribbean Jan/Feb 2024. I cant go from Manchester. The only other choice is LONDON? 

 

Does anybody know which London airports P & O use please? it makes a massive difference to me as I need to know if/how I can get to the airport, flight times, do I need to stay in hotel night before etc

 

I find it awfully strange they just say London ? weird !

 

thanks in advance  

update to tjis thread. Cruise booked & flights are on my P & O account - it is indeed Gatwick , thanks everyone . However , i have also discovered that they charge for seats (what's that all about, even on EasyJet/Ryanair you don't HAVE TO pay for seats!!!). I have done another thread on this 

5 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

Yes.  We recently stayed at the Premier Inn Gatwick North Terminal and it checks all your boxes.

https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/west-sussex/crawley/london-gatwick-airport-north-terminal.html

 

thank you

Hi All

not strictly a cruise question but .....

I have a flight to Barbados from Gatwick south terminal (January).  As the flight leaves at 9am and I am travelling from S Wales I will have to stay in a hotel the night before. 

Before I go and research my question is ..... does anyone have any hotel recommendations - cheap, cheerful, restaurant /cafe for evening meal, easy to get to from Gatwick South bus station and hopefully a shuttle to get to the terminal in the morning. 

thanks in advance 

hi

sorry if I have opened another thread. I can see there is one thread on Maleth Aero but my question is not answered.

I have just been on my P & O booking and realised I could book my seat on the flight. Then I realised that I would have to pay?

Does anyone know why I have to pay to book a seat? I'm not particularly bothered where I sit as I'm a solo traveller, but if I had a choice I would like to book my preferred preference - but I'm not paying . HA !

Thanks in advance 

9 minutes ago, Britboys said:

In the past it has largely been Gatwick but with the recent difficulties procuring aircraft, it could be elsewhere. Other possibilities are Heathrow and Stansted.

Thank You. Stanstead would be a nightmare for me . Gatwick/Heathrow are  doable. 

Would you happen to know when they let you know where you are flying from please ?

Hi

I looking at a P & O cruise to Caribbean Jan/Feb 2024. I cant go from Manchester. The only other choice is LONDON? 

Does anybody know which London airports P & O use please? it makes a massive difference to me as I need to know if/how I can get to the airport, flight times, do I need to stay in hotel night before etc

I find it awfully strange they just say London ? weird !

thanks in advance  

On 7/25/2023 at 11:21 AM, Samrennie said:

Hi everyone 

 

I have my first ever cruise coming up in August, booked on a bit of a whim as i trip i have always wanted to do but never had the chance befor, solo from Southampton to the fjords on Iona. Since booking i have come across a lot of reviews that are now giving me a lot of anxiety. I have read ICf’s very good review but aware that i have booked in the height of the school holidays and my first concern is that the ship will be over subscribed with over 6k passengers on a ship advertised as holding 5.2k, is that right?

 

I’m not going to be able to afford or want to dine in speciality restaurants, i blew my budget by upgrading to a balcony cabin (have been allocated on deck 5) but i now have serious concerns about being able to find somewhere to eat with half decent food, i tend to eat fairly early at home - 6.30pm-7pm and need to try and maintain this if i can, do i just use the app to get in a queue an hour before i want.to eat? Happy to share tables and also saw a comment that mentioned picking up a pager early and stating when i would like to eat, does anyone know if this works? How does this all work for breakfast and lunch as well, which i tend to be a bit more spontaneous about depending on whether i am hungry or not. 

 

Would like to see some entertainment as well so any tips on how this might work would be gratefully received. 

 

I am also hoping to take some 2ltr bottles of fizzy water on board as i like to drink this during the day, has anyone done this and it is best packed in cases or just as packed from the shops i.e. the 6pack you can get shrink wrapped then covered in luggage tags?

 

Thanks for any help as starting to feel would have just been easier to book a week in the sun!

HI Sam 

I think most of the replies have answered most of your questions .

I have just returned from a 7 day Norway cruise on Iona travelling solo so just want to add some things from a solo perspective . It is a big ship with lots of people but as a solo you can ALWAYS find a quiet corner somewhere as there is always one chair or sunbed available . Don't be scared to  ask people if chairs are taken in the bars/atrium etc , it mostly results in having a little chat with people. It is a bit daunting when you first get on but my advice is start at the top of the ship and walk each deck to orientate yourself. There are plenty of maps and signs in the corriders.

*I took a lite of spirits and 12 cans of soft drinks on board, carried them in a bag and straight on board, There is a fridge in your room to keep them. I asked my cabin steward to provide a bucket of ice every day, and it was delved every afternoon around 3pm. So I had a little tipple before dinner.

*re main dining rooms , you don't always have to book these. I found that if I turned up I could always get a table (mostly sharing was great). Like you I eat early. Not sure this would work if dining late or if in a crowd but worked for me solo

*ditto theatres 

*ditto Limelight club. I went there twice without booking and went in (quietly)  after act had started. Just took a  seat at the bar, ordered a drink and enjoyed some fab music.

*There are solo meet ups every day in the Crows Net bar . I turned up there at the beginning of the week. Very nice to speak to fellow solos who were all great. Some I never saw again and done there own thing. Some I met up with one or twice and went to dinner or show. I seen most of them around and about and had a chat.

*if you feel overwhelmed and your budget allows book in the thermal suite (steam room, sauna, small pool, chill section). Quiet in there as only allow so many in at the time. You have to book this in advance 

Main thing is just enjoy yourself. I guarantee you will love it and will come back for more .

Hope this helps. Kind Regards 

Sue 

2 hours ago, zap99 said:

Things may happen whilst you are on your adventure.

no idea what you mean !  but thanks Zapp99

hi 

just logged on to P & O to book some things/sort out admin (Iona sailing 1st July ) 

P & O advises to bring face masks and hand sanitizer.

is this mandatory and do we need face masks aboard? or have they not taken that message off yet ?

Thanks 

hi, just jumping on this topic. I am aware that one can take a lite of spirit's and some soft drink on board P & O.

Stupid question but.......im planning on a bottle of vodka and 6 small cans of tonic - question is can you carry these on board in a bag or do you have to pack in your case ?

🙂

FYI 

i am booked on Arvia 1st July and just booked the theatre and GREATEST DAYS is on. I was surprised and delighted  as didn't expect it . Fingers crossed it goes ahead. It is only on for 1 day during the week 

hope that helps?

hi all 

I'm on a P & O cruise in July. Stops are Stavanger, Alensund, Olden & Haugesund

The excursions are quite expensive and from what I can see it is not much cheaper to book with a private firm ? am I correct on this ? 

I'm happy to just wander around doing my own thing mostly. The only thing I would really like to do is the Lyfte skyllift in Olden . Does anyone know if there is a cheaper alternative for this ?

Also is there an excursion I must not miss , happy to pay if it is a bucket list thing 

Thanks in advance 

Hi 

I'm sailing on Iona  to fjords in July. I have OBC to use and would like to book the thermal suite for the week. 

If I book now I would have to pay now. Does anyone know if I can book as soon as I get on board using by OBC? and if  the charge would be the same ?

Also can I book the theatre now ?

thanks all 

Thanks 

Hi all.  Thinking of booking on P & O Azura for next Christmas. Fly's in to Tenerife to pick up cruise.

My question is ...will it be warm enough to swim in the outdoor pools - are they heated ? Appreciate can't forecast the weather this far in advance. Just wondering

Thanks in advance