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Bashyman

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    IONA Deck 5

    in P&O Cruises ( UK )

    Posted

    Hi all,

     

    We've just booked a 7 night cruise for 2023 using out FCC from P & O on the IONA.

    Only been on one cruise (Ventura) in 2019, had 14 night cruise booked on Britannia for 2020, which then got moved to 2021, now is moved to 2022 🙂

    I've a couple of questions, we are a family of 4 and have booked two Large inside cabins next to each other on Deck 5 (5471/5473). Are these going to be really noisy cabins as Deck 5 is below the main deck.

    Has anyone experience in staying on this deck? I could've booked Deck 4, which probably would've been quieter, but my son and wife suffer from sea sickness a little, and on the Ventura we stayed on deck 5...only realised after that it is below main deck on the IONA

    Also, is there an arcade for the kids on the IONA (ages 12/14)? We're going in February (Western Europe), so will be freezing. Plus are any of the pools heated?

    Cheers

    1st time cruisers...Ventura in 1 week...Advice please

    in P&O Cruises ( UK )

    Posted

    On 7/31/2019 at 4:01 PM, DamianG said:

    Here are some of our plans:

     

    La Palma: We walk to Bajamar beach which is in the bay opposite the ship's berth (about a 30 min stroll). You can see it from where the ship docks. It doesn't look very attractive because of the black volcanic sand and industrial buildings nearby, but it's clean and safe. Despite being near the port the water is crystal clear. There are toilets, showers and a snack bar. One thing to bear in mind is that the black (dry) sand can be scorching hot so flip flops are essential (even for walking down for a paddle). I still remember having to put my trainers on just to walk down to the water for a dip!

     

    Funchal (Madeira): We once took a very expensive taxi ride to Acquaparque which was great but it is a long way from the centre. This year we plan to try find the Lido Swimming Complex which looks nearer.

     

    A Coruña: We are taking our son to the science museum Casa de las Ciencias http://www.coruna.gal/mc2/es/casa-de-las-ciencias

    It's not too far to walk to, is relatively inexpensive (adults €2 & kids under 4 free) & there is plenty to see & do. If your boys like football the Riazor Stadium (Deportivo de La Coruña) is not far from there, close to a beach and surrounded by bars and cafes. After the museum we'll be heading to Praza de España for some tapas at our favourite restaurant Pulperia de Melide .

     

    Good luck with your plans and have a great cruise.

     

     

    Thanks so much for taking the time to do that. I reckon we'll give it a go 🙂

     

     

    1st time cruisers...Ventura in 1 week...Advice please

    in P&O Cruises ( UK )

    Posted

    On 7/31/2019 at 4:01 PM, DamianG said:

    Here are some of our plans:

     

    La Palma: We walk to Bajamar beach which is in the bay opposite the ship's berth (about a 30 min stroll). You can see it from where the ship docks. It doesn't look very attractive because of the black volcanic sand and industrial buildings nearby, but it's clean and safe. Despite being near the port the water is crystal clear. There are toilets, showers and a snack bar. One thing to bear in mind is that the black (dry) sand can be scorching hot so flip flops are essential (even for walking down for a paddle). I still remember having to put my trainers on just to walk down to the water for a dip!

     

    Funchal (Madeira): We once took a very expensive taxi ride to Acquaparque which was great but it is a long way from the centre. This year we plan to try find the Lido Swimming Complex which looks nearer.

     

    A Coruña: We are taking our son to the science museum Casa de las Ciencias http://www.coruna.gal/mc2/es/casa-de-las-ciencias

    It's not too far to walk to, is relatively inexpensive (adults €2 & kids under 4 free) & there is plenty to see & do. If your boys like football the Riazor Stadium (Deportivo de La Coruña) is not far from there, close to a beach and surrounded by bars and cafes. After the museum we'll be heading to Praza de España for some tapas at our favourite restaurant Pulperia de Melide .

     

    Good luck with your plans and have a great cruise.

     

     

    Have looked at the science museum and looks good. Have you been there before? Is it all in Spanish?

     

    1st time cruisers...Ventura in 1 week...Advice please

    in P&O Cruises ( UK )

    Posted · Edited by Bashyman

    Hi all,

    We are a family of 4 (two boys aged 9 and 11). We're set to sail in 7 days for our first cruise on to the canary islands on the Ventura P Deck (12 nights). I have a couple of Q's and if anyone has any good advice.

    We've only booked two excursions with P&O, Tenerife-Siam park and Lanzarote-Playa Blanca on your own. We are also docking at Maderia, La Palma and La Coruna. Any advice here?

    I've read that you are allowed to bring 1 litre of Alcohol on P&O cruises per adult (is this true for the Ventura). Does this mean I can bring a bottle of Vodka and my wife a bottle of Gin...If so, where should we pack it?

    Also, what's the best option for onboard WiFi, have looked and seems a bit confusing. I just want to be able to text a few photo's via whats app and maybe Facebook and check emails.

    I've also read on review of Ventura that from May 2019, auto gratuities were made inclusive of the cruise fare...does this mean I don't have to opt in or out like I've read about?

    Lastly, it's our 14th wedding anniversary on the 2nd day of sailing...who should I approach to see If I can get a freebie surprise for my wife arranged (I.E.Champagne/flowers) Iglu or P&O? and what's the likely hood? Will they just laugh and say no?

    Looking forward to benefiting from all your experience 😉

     

     

    1st time family cruise on Ventura next year. Any advice?

    in P&O Cruises ( UK )

    Posted · Edited by Bashyman
    Paragraphs

    HI all,

    We are a family of 4 with 2 boys (when cruise sets off they'll be 9 and 11)

    We have just booked our first cruise, August 4th 2019 for 13 nights on the Ventura to the canary islands (Madeira, La Palma, Tenerife, Lanzarote and La Coruna).

    We are all so excited. Have just logged in and we've been allocated a cabin already...P323 (Outside Cabin). I've looked into it and it's on Deck 5. Have obviously googled the cabin and have read a couple of reviews for this particular cabin (admittedly were wrote in 2011) and reviewers have posted that when the stabilisers have been 'deployed' the noise has been unbearable and remained that way until they were 'brought back in'.

    My first question is, has anyone else experienced this cabin? I've read other reviews on deck 5 (P deck), and all other ones have said it's probably the best deck to be on for lack of noise and ship movement. My parents, who are regular cruisers and have been on this ship before (although not deck 5), say that it's a good deck. Just worried about the noise in that particular cabin, or could it be the individual reviews I read were over sensitive?

     

    Also, I know the Ventura had a refurb in April this year and part of the work carried out were on the stabilisers...could this have made a difference to the noise in cabin P323?

     

    I am an incredibly light sleeper and don't want to spend all holiday shattered. We are booked on the easy saver, so can't change the cabin anyway, just want peace of mind. Maybe the stabilisers won't be deployed anyway?

     

    My other question is regarding the entertainment and facilities for our boys. The vast majority of the reviews I've read for the Ventura have been for couples with no children.

     

    I know they have clubs for their age range and they will be in the same age range for the 'reef' club. But just wondered what they get up to in this club. My two, as I expect most boys that age LOVE gaming and my parents have told me that on some cruises they have PS4's and xbox's or similar in the childrens clubs. Does the Ventura have this type of thing? I'd rather prepare them for what they can expect as they've heard my parents talking about their cruises and what they've experienced with observing other families. We don't want them to be disappointed. Also, are there drinks/ice cream packages for the children?

     

    Thank you for reading and thanks in advance for any replies.

     

    Also, any other advice (e.g. excursions/dining) or info would be much appreciated. So excited...but still a whole year away!

    1st time family cruise on Ventura next year. Any advice?

    in P&O Cruises ( UK )

    Posted

    HI all,

    We are a family of 4 with 2 boys (when cruise sets off they'll be 9 and 11)

    We have just booked our first cruise, August 4th 2019 for 13 nights on the Ventura to the canary islands (Madeira, La Palma, Tenerife, Lanzarote and La Coruna).

    We are all so excited. Have just logged in and we've been allocated a cabin already...P323 (Outside Cabin). I've looked into it and it's on Deck 5. Have obviously googled the cabin and have read a couple of reviews for this particular cabin (admittedly were wrote in 2011) and reviewers have posted that when the stabilisers have been 'deployed' the noise has been unbearable and remained that way until they were 'brought back in'.

    My first question is, has anyone else experienced this cabin? I've read other reviews on deck 5 (P deck), and all other ones have said it's probably the best deck to be on for lack of noise and ship movement. My parents, who are regular cruisers and have been on this ship before (although not deck 5), say that it's a good deck. Just worried about the noise in that particular cabin, or could it be the individual reviews I read were over sensitive?

    Also, I know the Ventura had a refurb in April this year and part of the work carried out were on the stabilisers...could this have made a difference to the noise in cabin P323?

    I am an incredibly light sleeper and don't want to spend all holiday shattered. We are booked on the easy saver, so can't change the cabin anyway, just want peace of mind. Maybe the stabilisers won't be deployed anyway?

    My other question is regarding the entertainment and facilities for our boys. The vast majority of the reviews I've read for the Ventura have been for couples with no children.

    I know they have clubs for their age range and they will be in the same age range for the 'reef' club. But just wondered what they get up to in this club. My two, as I expect most boys that age LOVE gaming and my parents have told me that on some cruises they have PS4's and xbox's or similar in the childrens clubs. Does the Ventura have this type of thing? I'd rather prepare them for what they can expect as they've heard my parents talking about their cruises and what they've experienced with observing other families. We don't want them to be disappointed. Also, are there drinks/ice cream packages for the children?

    Thank you for reading and thanks in advance for any replies.

    Also, any other advice (e.g. excursions/dining) or info would be much appreciated. So excited...but still a whole year away!

    1st time family cruise on Ventura next year. Any advice?

    in First Time Cruisers

    Posted · Edited by Bashyman
    Change layout of paragraphs

    HI all,

     

    We are a family of 4 with 2 boys (when cruise sets off they'll be 9 and 11)

    We have just booked our first cruise, August 4th 2019 for 13 nights on the Ventura to the canary islands (Madeira, La Palma, Tenerife, Lanzarote and La Coruna).

     

    We are all so excited. Have just logged in and we've been allocated a cabin already...P323 (Outside Cabin). I've looked into it and it's on Deck 5. Have obviously googled the cabin and have read a couple of reviews for this particular cabin (admittedly were wrote in 2011) and reviewers have posted that when the stabilisers have been 'deployed' the noise has been unbearable and remained that way until they were 'brought back in'.

     

    My first question is, has anyone else experienced this cabin? I've read other reviews on deck 5 (P deck), and all other ones have said it's probably the best deck to be on for lack of noise and ship movement. My parents, who are regular cruisers and have been on this ship before (although not deck 5), say that it's a good deck. Just worried about the noise in that particular cabin, or could it be the individual reviews I read were over sensitive?

     

    Also, I know the Ventura had a refurb in April this year and part of the work carried out were on the stabilisers...could this have made a difference to the noise in cabin P323?

     

    I am an incredibly light sleeper and don't want to spend all holiday shattered. We are booked on the easy saver, so can't change the cabin anyway, just want peace of mind. Maybe the stabilisers won't be deployed anyway?

     

    My other question is regarding the entertainment and facilities for our boys. The vast majority of the reviews I've read for the Ventura have been for couples with no children.

     

    I know they have clubs for their age range and they will be in the same age range for the 'reef' club. But just wondered what they get up to in this club. My two, as I expect most boys that age LOVE gaming and my parents have told me that on some cruises they have PS4's and xbox's or similar in the childrens clubs. Does the Ventura have this type of thing? I'd rather prepare them for what they can expect as they've heard my parents talking about their cruises and what they've experienced with observing other families. We don't want them to be disappointed. Also, are there drinks/ice cream packages for the children?

     

    Thank you for reading and thanks in advance for any replies.

     

    Also, any other advice (e.g. excursions/dining) or info would be much appreciated. So excited...but still a whole year away!

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