Trimone

We are actually been moving back to P&O, we got fed up with itineraries selected by NCL, we got passed platinum in 2022 and decided we needed a change, we did a European cruise with P&O this year, it wasn’t perfect but are willing to try Arvia in the Caribbean early next year.

I think since Covid the social side of cruising has suffered more so than land based holidays, and maybe the grass isn’t greener it’s just changed.

Having had 100% success rate with another cruise line the art to the bidding is to have something special to start with, as someone said there was no availability of a grade required, well there is if they get upgraded.

Anyone that has travelled on NCL or RCL since covid will know they have zero atmosphere, whereas P&O have filled the ships with good offers, not over the top drinks prices, allowed passenger's to take a litre of sprits on, done good destinations.... See you in 6 weeks Tenerife 

Simon Calder talks how the wind blows, his poor advice during the Ash cloud cost us a fortune.

On 9/2/2022 at 9:39 PM, Megabear2 said:

18 March 2023 - a deck C midship balcony is currently £2,738 with £110 OBC so to guarantee the C deck balcony with any time dining you are looking at a difference of £630 to guarantee it.

 

The early saver starting figure is between £1998 and £2098 for the standard balcony so position of the cabin makes little difference to the price. Again the deluxe has a difference of £720.

 

In your case if the mealtimes are a deal breaker then it is a risk regarding anytime dining.  There is normally a little flexibility on the allocated dining on a saver but there is no certainty you can change.  Having said that we have been lucky on all but one occasion in our allocation and have had freedom dining allocated on all but one cruise in recent cruises, however I'm told this is most likely to our registered preferences with P&O over a number of years.  

 

The current promotion which is running ends on 5 September. This could mean a better offering may commence on 6 September but it could also herald more price changes either up or down.  Overall it depends on how much of a gambler you are, either for the dining option or a possible new offer to your advantage. Hope that helps,.

Well that worked in our favour, A311A doesn’t include flights or transfers now, but stayed the same price, mind you Standsted flights!!  

Easy answer the popular cruises will be 100% less popular discounted about 35% and 60% full…no atmosphere dead ships

Google a local Southampton taxi company not Uber, you will get a good price, good service and someone that cares.

Thank you all for the great advice 😀

Booked superior balcony early saver, lets hope there's more atmosphere on board than NCL!

I’m going to book it….

39 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Which ship and date are you looking at ?  If its Iona or Arvia there are pitfalls which can be explained, there's also a huge price differential for some cruises for select.

Azura in the canaries A311A, works out about £2k for a balcony? Is the superior worth the extra, also I couldn’t stand not being able to eat when I want too?

How dangerous is it going for the early bird? Also if they choose your dining time can it be altered?

Since Covid we have cruised twice with NCL, both European cruises, we have thought the atmosphere lacking some what, some how not the same, we have done about 10 previous cruises with them, that gave us a thought about going back to P&O?

I glanced at some pages on here, and it appears a lack of customer care by them are we doing the right thing?

Any feedback grateful  

15 hours ago, Travelling2Some said:

Hmm . . . maybe somebody who (1) got a fantastic deal on the 18 day Sun transatlantic, (2) doesn't care about bells and whistles and pampering - I'm happy reading a book no matter what ship I'm on, (3) isn't food focused - I can eat fine cuisine at home and the gin & tonics are the same on any ship (4) is mainly interested in post-cruise in Lisbon with the Canaries, Azores and Spain being bonuses. 

 

I've already booked the Viva and the Bliss BUT we are about itinerary and the "rust buckets" tend to get the best ones.  I'll book any ship that's going where I want to go and I think I just proved it by booking the Carnival Pride (horrors!) to Iceland out of London.  Definitely a major "old tub" but so port intensive that it's a non-issue - besides we'll likely get a kick out of it being a fun "retro-nostalgic" blast from the past.  Maybe we'll think we're still 25 if we don't pass any mirrors, lol!

I’m thinking P&O, from canaries to Malta 12 days, including flights very responsible and 2011 ship?

I first cruised on NCL in 2005. Then the food in the MCR was exceptional, in fact I think we only had two speciality dinners, since then the quality of the food has slowly fallen short of what I would call special, that I expect on a cruise, since 2018 I have either travelled Haven or suite, on our last cruise in July on the Jade, the quality of meats had detreated to an all-time low.

Its okay NCL flag wavers saying its the supply chain, but so is my cash, we are interested in doing the canaries but who would spend silly money on a rust bucket like the Sun, I may wait for the viva? 

6 minutes ago, travelgip said:

Just to clarify - if I upgrade to the premium plus beverage package & prepay gratuities, am I still billed the 20% "tip" for each drink?  Prepaying the gratuities covers me for no bar tab?

Thanks

No, that’s it, you’ve already paid tip

Does one get Fever tree on NCL

4 hours ago, ziggyuk said:

 

I think you have the same situation in Australia as we do in the UK, in that if you rebook you lose your deposit which is not the case in the US, correct me if I am wrong.
The only time I ever did a cancel and rebook (the saving exceeded the deposit) covid hit an the cruise was cancelled so I lost my deposit during the rebooking for no reason 😱

What works well in the UK and therefore potentially for you is to ask for an upgrade price after full payment, as long as the upgrade costs more you only pay the difference even if it's a tiny amount, if the upgrade is less than the original price you have to pay cancellation fees so it's unlikely worth it. Just make sue the upgrade costs more than the original ticket.

As an example, in April in the Med I called my PCC to see what he could do and he offered me an upgrade from an inside to Balcony for £10pp which we jumped at as we had a $130pp bid in place. Just be warned when you upgrade you move to the current offers, for us the free at sea was the same but we lost our double points which meant we did not make the next status which was a annoying as we did not realise until afterwards.

If you booked direct on the website or phone I would advice you to get a PCC (personal Cruise Consultant), a good one can be worth their weight in gold as you have a single point of contact and they deal with things for you by email or phone call, I have a great PCC.
You might already have a PCC, check your marketing emails, if you have a PCC it will have their number and email near the top of the email. If you don't have a PCC you can call and request one, if you used a travel agent they will also take care of things for you.

Here is an example of mine:

 

 

 

 

So much to understand Tim hand *****

Can anyone taste the difference between the Gins with that carbonated tonic and ice in it? You can drink it all night with no effect, I personally like a aviation you can taste the gin in that…

The Donna Summer story

Name a decent wine now for under the $15 ?  Over the last few years NCL have been tipping drinks over the drinks package limit, they have even put Baileys over, although they never give you the correct measure.

After talking to cruisers on different lines, they say we don’t bother with the package because prices are responsible like pub prices.

Has become a bit of a Stag and Hen party ship, we sailed on its first outing after Covid, excellent 

Shame none of the experienced staff want to work on Prima & Viva, in the third party universal hull the staff accommodation is very cramped, ask any staff why they are not going on them?

7 hours ago, MotownVoice said:

eh?

 

People drive this distance to work every single day. 
 

Both ways!  
 

 

Are you aware of the train strikes, plus by road you have traffic congestion, I don’t think anyone would be able to commute presently.

London is nowhere near Dover?