jaydee6969

@SarahHben Just came back off Arcadia this morning, and I thought you might like an update.

Arcadia has started the tours up again, and as I understand it the only ship at present with the aim to restarting on others soon.  Perhaps @molecrochip has an update?

I was too late by the time I spotted the advert on screens about the ship, the waiting list for this was very long for a limited number of places.  Price quoted was £75 and on the penultimate sea day we happened to be passing the group as they were about to head off into the unknown below deck areas etc.

Just now, molecrochip said:

Due to bad weather, the pilot is not expected to be able to board at the Nab Tower.

 

Britannia heading to Falmouth to collect pilot.
 

She is expected to dock in Southampton late. ETA not yet confirmed so proceed to Southampton as planned if boarding tomorrow.

Did wonder why she was heading that way.  Cheers.

4 hours ago, TigerB said:

In April, and on other cruises since, it has been next to the Science Park.  I can't see it being any different. 

 

We must have been one of the last to have a drop off up in the old place, opposite the Portal dels Serrans on our Azura repositioning cruise in March.  Long transfer both ways.

We were looking at doing the Azura repo again in 2026, but would want to go to the science park area this time.  A tick in the positive column for us.

We will find out in two weeks time when we sail on Arcadia for the first time.  Previously cruised on Azura, Ventura, Britannia, Iona, Regal Princess and Enchanted Princess.  All obviously larger and multi generation.

We are going as the same family group that went on Iona together last year, and everyone enjoyed the ship and the multiple venues etc.  We will find out soon enough how we all feel about the ship.

Nice to hear you had a great cruise, and the ship is not as bad as most social media sites etc would have us believe.

We will be boarding Arcadia later this month to hopefully see the Northern Lights, 6 of us and all of our first time on Arcadia.

1 hour ago, sandancer said:

When we sailed on Arvia this year I was able to book and pay for Epicurean etc in advance. Is it only the 2 newer, bigger ships that this arrangement applies to or is it on all of the P&O ships?

We are flying out to Malta to join Azura on Thursday, and no we have not been able to pre book any dining in advance.  All to be done on board.

13 hours ago, Presto2 said:

You must be unique -- not being sarcastic. When did you sail as I've not yet heard anyone at all say it worked. We retire next year so want to book when you booked to avoid the chaos we had.

Certainly not unique, having used the 'app' since the seacations and on many cruises since and not had any issues with it.  Used it this year on both Ventura and Azura with no issues.  Will see what has been changed on Thursday on Azura.

I also helped some other passengers out on Ventura, who on their 3rd cruise with the 'app' still couldn't get it to work.  After 5 minutes, showing them how and what to log into, and what to change when going ashore, all sorted.  They even found me again later in the cruise to thank me again and offered to bus us drinks in appreciation.

I personally like it and hope it leads the way towards a full Princess proper app copy and experience.

P&O website now updated @molecrochip, now correctly displaying level 'perks' for Mediterranean tier.

Priority boarding seems so far away now.....

20 minutes ago, molecrochip said:

A lot of people on here may be Mediterranean tier, but Pacific and Atlantic are bigger tiers.

 

I agree that the website contradicts the booklet. I don’t know which is correct.

Only just got our Atlantic pins, however with the future cruises we would be just shy of Mediterranean on our Arvia cruise next summer.  Just curious as the P&O web pages have only recently been refreshed.

On 6/17/2023 at 11:30 AM, jaydee6969 said:

I can only assume this is a website error, but currently P&O site now states Mediterranean tier get priority arrival time, check in and welcome onboard reception. The T&C's do not, however they are dated 2017.

 

Screengrab from just now.

 

@molecrochip can you shed any light on this?  Does it look like a website error, or have the benefits been improved for Mediterranean level?

I can only assume this is a website error, but currently P&O site now states Mediterranean tier get priority arrival time, check in and welcome onboard reception. The T&C's do not, however they are dated 2017.

Screengrab from just now.

One of our favourite places on Iona is the Olive Grove.  I was disappointed for what menus I have seen online for next years trip on Arvia.

I have had the lasagne a few times as well as the ravioli.  My favourite desert was the Baklava selection, well worth the £1 extra.

Nice blog @TigerB, brings back memories of our Iona Fjord cruise last year and also a teaser for next year on our Britannia Fjord cruise.

Nice informative posts, good work, looking forward to learning more phrases.🤣

We had an 8 seater table for the 6 of us in Aqua on our Canaries cruise last year for most nights.  Looked after us well in there.

22 hours ago, molecrochip said:

A surprising large number of those people live local to Southampton.

Hands up that's me.  I may arrive early, but that was always on the understanding as it was that I may have to wait to board.  

With Iona, its the unknown lottery of trying to get into the 710 club at least once at a reasonable time and trying to book the Gin making class before its full.

4 minutes ago, Splice the mainbrace said:

Ohh the good old Balmoral at Nursling. I lived in my teens and early twenties a few hundred yards away and had many lively nights in their drinking and playing pool as well as my first illegal drink just up the road at the Horns Inn. 

Never thought I would see the Horns Inn mentioned on these forums.  Was a regular watering hole for my family for many years, and occasionally still visit as we still live within a mile.  The regular switch when licensing hours were more regulated to the Balmoral or the NRSC depending on what the opening hours were.

52 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

I suppose when I did it, we spent an hour on the bridge which was fascinating.  They don't do that now.  My husband also visited the engine room.  I have no interest in the galleys or high tea.

The bridge is still listed as one of the places you tour.

And the galley and high tea would be most welcome from this cruiser.  As would the other places you get to visit.

I will be onboard Azura in 3 weeks time.  One of the first things I will be enquiring about will be this.  They were not doing them back in March when we were onboard.  Will let you know then unless someone can update before hand.

15 hours ago, swanseaboy said:

The one thing I did notice on my recent QM2 cruise was the Daily Planner (Horizon) was available to read on the App. This was really handy as I always forget to take the paper copy with me. I don't think P&O currently have the daily 'Horizon' on the App?

My Horizon was certainly available on an app on my phone.  The photo library.  Easy enough to take a photo of each page for the day, certainly when in port and want a copy of the emergency contact info.

Just now, lancashire_cruisers said:

ICF I for one have really enjoyed your live from and hope to see more of them in the future. For what it's worth the newer and bigger ships always get a pasting on here. You should have seen the furore when Ventura and Azura were launched! 😄

I can not imagine the state of this forum when Britannia was launched!!🤣

14 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

You are right I dont need to keep responding

 

I honestly dont think it's balanced enough on here and it is too negative but I do think I'm also worrying too much like you say

 

So I'm going to have a break at least until I book my next cruise 

 

And get some work done without distraction to pay for it!

 

Lol

 

Speak soon guys!!

 

Ps - Honestly Iona outside of school holidays for sure you would be fine. You don't need to be a born planner. You are an experienced cruiser. It would be easy for you. You would enjoy far more than you dislike on her I'm sure. And at the very least have a good holiday if not a great one

 

 

@Interestedcruisefan, your posts have been a breathe of fresh air across this forum, and much needed.  

Enjoy a break away, as most of us do when it grinds us down, and look forward to your posts in the future.

Ps - it is too negative on here at times, with some determined to cast a negative shade on all to do with P&O cruises.

17 minutes ago, himan said:

They weren't doing them when we were on her last year but will definitely ask in July when we board. If not I'll just have to make do with my usual daily tours of the watch shop! 😂

Same as you, asked on both Regal and Enchanted but no.  Back on board Azura soon and Arcadia later this year.  After muster, first thing is a trip to reception to enquire.  And the other half quite often finds me wandering around the watch shops.

2 hours ago, himan said:

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply. Good to hear daytime talks are still happening and hopefully the ship behind the scenes tours will be reinstated by the time we go on next April. Been probably 4 years since we were on Britannia doing the Norwegian Fjords cruise as been doing Princess since then, in fact on Sky Princess end of July so only 8 weeks to go. Really like the look of Arvia though.

Princess also did a behind the scenes tour pre covid.  Much more expensive than P&O, but from what I have seen you got a few items to takeaway with you.  Might be worth enquiring when you are onboard Sky Princess.

21 minutes ago, jh1809 said:

I haven't seen a photographer on a cruise since before Covid. I imagine that, now that most people have smartphones and take their own photos, P&O no longer found that providing ship photographers was sufficiently profitable.

They had photographers on Azura on the repositioning cruise this March, with the usual set pieces for formal nights around the atrium.

9 minutes ago, molecrochip said:

Britannia was first to have electronic screens. I though Azura and Ventura had been retrofitted.

 

Iona and Arvia have the next level of screens.

 

Aurora and Arvia have a more traditional theatre setup.

Yes Azura and Ventura have large screens on the stage, Astonishing wouldn't work without them.

But as you note, not on the same level of quality as Iona and Arvia.

8 hours ago, himan said:

Just wondering if anyone can tell me if P&O are doing behind the scenes ship tours as on the point of booking Arvia for next April and this would clinch it for me. Also are they doing daytime talks with guest speakers? thanks in advance for any replies.

I asked this question on our recent March repositioning cruise on Azura at reception.  They were not running yet, but anticipated them starting once given the go ahead from shore side.

I will be back on her next month, and will pester them again.

It is still listed on the P&O website, although needs some searching.

https://www.pocruises.com/onboard-activities/Gifts/behind-the-scenes-tour