AndyMichelle

Boo... I take all them nice things back... 😊 I think you will find we need the win a bit more than you!!! I am going today, I need some justification for £18 parking a 25 minute walk from the ground... Andy

I get where you are coming from Jane, I too get frustrated with the odd poster who only seem to be here for a fight, so have to distance myself for a while. But, sometimes, you have to push back and then you realise they don't engage with you, just picking the easy fights... Members like you keep a lot of us going, this is a fantastic virtual family, but every family has its 'weird uncle'... 😂😂😂 Keep on keeping us going Jane, Andy & Michelle xx

Oh bless you Josy, so sad. Our thoughts are with you. Andy & Michelle xx

P&O are far from perfect, but offer enough for everyone to have a great holiday. If you go with the right attitude, you will have a fantastic time. Andy

You was probably on the phone chatting while I was waiting😂 As previously said, there is plus points to booking through an agent, but I felt more secure booking direct this time. Have a fantastic time. Andy

I take it all back, book through an agent!!! 😂 Only kidding, but after spending 55 minutes to get through to P&O to rectify a query we were unable to do online, I was very frustrated. Fortunately, the girl who answered was so helpful, sorted out the queries quickly and efficiently, explaining that they had I T issues, (surprise surprise), hence the delay in getting through. As you were... 😊 Andy

I love your positivity for what you have experienced, that's great. It's important we all enjoy our cruises our way. I think the problem is you are quoting one ship experience, but the title of the thread says 'cruise buffets', not Arvia buffet... Also, you mention another thread about MDR wait times, this was a completely different ship... I will do as you suggest and try it for myself on our next cruise, perhaps you can do the same and try the MDR. Please carry on being positive and doing your holiday your way. Andy

I saw this Sue, huge queues in the rain if arrived too early but if you arrive on time, straight in... Gone are the days of take a card, sit in the nice warm reception and get called as soon as they have a gap. Andy

Nonsense... We always share by choice and want everyone of our dining companions to enjoy their meal their way. If they want 6 courses and we don't, so be it... We also choose late sitting, so nobody has to rush away. This adds to the social element, which we love. We have never had any issues regarding this on numerous cruises. Andy

Things must have changed drastically as the buffet has always been hit and miss for us, mainly miss... We can all only talk about our experiences, but yours differ greatly from ours, but we haven't been on Arvia yet... Let's hope the whole fleet is up to this standard and that the infamous 'bun sniffers' are no longer prevailant... Andy

Barrier replacement, it started as soon as the M27 smart motorway was completed. Mainly runs OK, just early mornings northbound or when there is an accident. You are not too far away to nip through the back streets if needed, but I'm sure you will be OK. Andy

We have done both and although all the above is correct, we had a major issue when things went wrong and we were due a refund. The specialist cruise agent said 'nothing to do with us' and P&O wouldn't talk to us, referring us back to the agent. For our next cruise, we have booked direct online. It was very easy, selected the cabin we wanted etc and was happy with the price. Andy

We would love to share a table with people like yourselves. You have plenty of class in our books, good manners and great parenting shows class. I might have to swap the Peroni for a sweet sherry or something though 😂 Andy

I consider myself working class. I don't always understand etiquette and sometimes when I do, I ignore it. I like a pint of Peroni at the dinner table and have been known to swap hands with my knife and fork. I even once took my jacket off on formal night!!! I try to treat everyone with respect, have good manners and do not judge anybody. To me, these are the most important traits, enabling me to mix with any 'class'. We are attracted to P&O partly due to price/value, service etc, but what keeps us coming back is the amount of amazing people who cruise with them that we have been luckily enough to meet. We have dined and become friends with politicians, bankers, senior police officers, a retired Mayor, shop workers, hairdressers and road sweepers and have enjoyed all of their company equally. Is anybody on board really bothered about class? If they are, I am yet to meet them. Andy

SHHHHH... You are spoiling our fun🤫🤫🤫

It could be a comparison thing Steve. We had sailed on Aurora a few times without issue, then went again shortly after being on Britannia and found it very noisy, although we soon got used to it, I think the Peroni helped... 😂 We wouldn't hesitate on going on Aurora again, but have to accept she is not as sound proofed as the more modern ships. Andy

You misunderstand... They are not reusing the luggage trollies, that is all that is left of her... 😂 Andy

We had our upgrade email today for our Britannia cruise end of June. The main reason we booked select fare was to choose where we wanted to be on the ship. I'm sure this has been answered before, but am I right in thinking if we chose to upgrade, the cabin would be allocated by P&O? If so, absolutely no use to us, wouldn't want to risk being above the nightclub or below the pool decks etc... If the upgrades are offered to saver fare cruisers, then I can see the attraction. I'm sure it works for some, just not us... Andy

I suppose I would relate it to taking your own drinks into a pub, it wouldn't have crossed my mind. It may not be the rules, but it just doesn't feel right. Is it then OK to take your supermarket bottle of gin into a bar and ask the waiter to bring you glasses and ice? Each to their own. Andy

Couldn't agree more, the amount we paid for an annual policy was only slightly higher than for one cruise. Ours is also with Staysure, they were by far the best value taking into account Michelle's medical conditions. Andy

Don't go giving P&O ideas Phil... 😂 I knew it was a joke as I'm sure the supplements would be much higher... Andy

Not today unfortunately... Cold, wet and windy I'm afraid. Andy

Fair point. One of our most memorable nights on a cruise was seeing 'Sinbad from Brookside' (Michael Starke? ) in the Limelight. Wasn't expecting too much, but he turned out to be very entertaining. A singer, musician, comedian and actor, but the best part was his story telling of growing up with the Beatles and life in showbiz. He was happy to sit and chat with those interested at the end of the show as well. I think we paid about £25 each, but the overall experience was well worth it. We loved the setting, food, service and show and wouldn't hesitate to book again. Andy

Another recommendation for Staysure, we are/were in a similar situation to you and they cover our cruises at way below other quotes. Michelle says that you are better to call them as the online tick boxes can easily shove you in the wrong category. Good luck, Andy

I think we had the pleasure of meeting Simon and yourself on a cruise, possibly Ventura new years 2019/20? It was a very busy evening and we shared a table in the bar at the top/back of the ship, can't remember what it was called. Glad to see you are still cruising, hope you are both keeping well. Andy & Michelle PS, sorry for going off topic.