newbie cruissy

Ventura looks to have spent some time hiding in Torbay overnight

Just noticed that, medical emergency perhaps?

So if it's been booked as club, they can only use Bay Tree? And not the other 2 MDRs?

Would this be on the personaliser? I don't have their booking confirmation

Looking at the P&O site for Ventura, it seems that of the 3 MDRs, one is club dining, and the other 2 are freedom. So if they can't get club in Bay Tree, they could always just arrive at one of the other 2 and get a pager?

Hello, We went on an Iona cruise last year, and very much enjoyed. My in laws have taken the plunge and are off on Ventura Spain and Portugal in a few weeks, and as we've been on one P&O cruise in the past they are looking to me for advice. I know Iona and Ventura are very different, and wanted to check some things. They've booked select, picked a quiet cabin (accom above and below), booked CPS for parking and so far so good. Dining on Ventura looks to be a mix of freedom and set. They'd like set dining on the early sitting. Can this be booked in advance? I can't see an option on the personaliser? There look to be 3 MDRs on board, do they all have the same menu? Also is there the need for the mad rush to book speciality dining 2 weeks ahead, or is it a bit less of a frenzy than Iona? Ports of call. I believe that most but not all are walkable from the ship. Itinerary is Santander, Vigo, Lisbon, Porto and St Peter Port. As select fare they'd get transfers FOC if needed, just want to check where this would apply. I know Guernsey is a tender port. The "app". Is this on all ships, or just Iona and Arvia? And on Ventura is it needed for booking, or as a smaller ship can they just turn up (more for speciality as they'll hopefully be early set dining for MDR) Thanks in advance 👍

Only in the laundry....

That's what I'm talking about. Is this Iona?

Hmm, maybe. The bed is across the cabin, with space at the end to get past to access the balcony. So they must be 8 feet across minimum, maybe 10 feet on the diagonal.

Thanks, but do they have hooks, or anything else I could hang one on? I could take a camping hammock myself if it could be rigged up.

Hello, we are back off to Norway again this summer. Last year was our first cruise and we opted for an inside cabin. Needless to say we loved it, and had a little snoop around a couple of already vacated balconies as we disembarked. Booked a balcony for this year as a result, but photos and reviews I've seen look like the balcony will have 2 small hard chairs, and a little table. Does anyone know if there are hooks for a camping style hammock to lounge in as we go through the Fjords? Thanks 👍

I recently booked via an agent, and had the P&O website open in front of me while doing it. They had the exact same cabin availability at the agents that I could see online.

Found this online: Norwegian Taster Menu Amuse Crispy Chicken Skin, White Fish Caviar*, Watercress Mayonnaise Cabbage Shoots, Marigold Petals and Vinaigrette (gf) Starter Pickled Beets, Goat’s Cheese Cream and Apple Crisp Rye (v) These beets are from Brims, an island outside Stavanger, and are prepared using a traditional Norwegian cooking method of pickling. Gluten-free option available Fish Fillet of Lightly Smoked Mountain Trout* Horseradish Cream, Pickled Cucumber and Puffed Rye This brown trout is reared in Røldalsfjellet and weighs approximately 500-600grams. In this dish, the trout is lightly smoked, served together with a fresh cucumber salad and a rich horseradish cream – a classic Norwegian combination. Gluten-free option available Main Course Fillet of Jaeren Costal Lamb* Potato Cream Mayonnaise, White Onions, Baby Carrots, Hispi Cabbage Chive Oil, Jus Gras and Butter Emulsion (gf) The lamb gets its unique taste from the ‘salty’ soil and is crispened and accompanied with a powerful potato cream mayonnaise and a shredded lamb garnish. Pre-Dessert Cream Cheese Ice Cream, Buerre Noisette and a Sweet Crumb The ice cream is made from a delicate local cheese. Dessert White Chocolate Espuma and Cloudberry Sorbet Meringue, Caramelised White Chocolate, Cloudberries (gf) This is a modified variant of the classic Norwegian dessert cloudberry and cream. Cloudberries are very juicy with a similar taste to a raspberry or a redcurrant. They can be fairly tart when eaten raw but with a hint of floral sweetness. Coffee and Petit Fours Caramel and Forest Mushroom Fudge (gf) This Finnish fudge has a light aroma of cep mushrooms. --------------------------------------------------------------- Norwegian Vegetarian Taster Menu Amuse Crispy Green Cabbage, Watercress Mayonnaise Cabbage Shoots, Marigold Petals and Vinaigrette (gf) Starter Pickled Beets, Goat’s Cheese Cream and Apple Crisp Rye These beets are from Brims, an island outside Stavanger, and are prepared using a traditional Norwegian cooking method of pickling. Gluten-free option available Salad Cucumber Salad Horseradish Cream and Puffed Rye Gluten-free option available Main Course Salad of Roasted Celeriac, Creamed Potatoes, White Onions, Baby Carrots, Hispi Cabbage Cabbage Chive Oil, Butter Emulsion (gf) Pre-Dessert Cream Cheese Ice Cream, Buerre Noisette and a Sweet Crumb The ice cream is made from a delicate local cheese. Dessert White Chocolate Espuma and Cloudberry Sorbet Meringue, Caramelised White Chocolate, Cloudberries (gf) This is a modified variant of the classic Norwegian dessert cloudberry and cream. Cloudberries are very juicy with a similar taste to a raspberry or a redcurrant. They can be fairly tart when eaten raw but with a hint of floral sweetness. Coffee and Petit Fours Caramel and Forest Mushroom Fudge (gf) This Finnish fudge has a light aroma of cep mushrooms.

When we were on Iona last July I had looked into this and was excited to book. Sadly Epicurean was closed during that cruise, but I do remember that there was a vegetarian tasting menu alongside the meat / fish one. I remember this as my wife doesn't like lamb, so we were hoping to swap out the lamb course for the veggie one instead.

2 weeks ago it was find a trolley (there were plenty) and take luggage over yourself. Not far though, and then it went onto the conveyor and away.

That's one hell of a cruise!!

Looking forward the that episode of Antiques Roadshow

Don't think you can blame P&O for that, although some on here might 😉

We have Celena Cherry this coming Sat and Sun, followed by LA Voix the rest of the week.

So basically "Enquire on board" then 😂

Hadn't noticed that, and yes it is new. The wording changed from "Enquire on board" to "Available to book on board" in the last day or so. Odd wording though given the new explanation. The "Enquire..." message would be more appropriate if there's that uncertainty. The "Available...." message implies that once on board you can definately book.

So when listed as "Available to book on board" can one assume that they will be open? This is the new message on my online booking.

Interestingly, my Cruise Personaliser has changed in the last day or so, and now, instead of "Enquire on board", says "Available to book on board" Small change of wording, but reason for optimism perhaps??

Agreed. We are due on board Iona in 3 weeks time. Marco Pierre White is kind enough to be joining us. Tad embarrassing if the flagship restaurant is closed.

Yes, but the question was itinerary vs what they expected as they embarked on 18 June.