Cruisemeister2002

I seemed to remember the last cruise we did the wine didn't flow so much as previously. It seemed to be available one minute and gone the next. I know cruise lines make a majority of their money by sales onboard via outlets and drinks, along with I dare say excursions. Seeing as you don't have a choice, apart from whether you buy drinks or not, if you drink then you have to pay according to your choice. But I do feel that paying £20 for a bottle of wine that is £7 in Asda is a bit over the top. If for instance they charged £12-£14 they would sell much more. I know not everyone watches what they spend. But under the current situation where they need to entice as many as possible to cruise they should consider what they charge.

We were lucky enough to do a cruise on Artemis a few years ago and had a member of staff on our table every night. He was the Chief Engineer and moved to Adonia after Artemis went. We had wine every night paid by P&O and a Captains cocktail party. Not the usual one where you get G&T without the G and wine more attuned to cleaning out the sink. But one with very good wine and canapes and you didn't have to catch the eye of the waiter/waitress in order to be served. Don't know whether the Cocktail Party has been reintroduced or if you are still getting a voucher for a drink ?

Must say it hasn't come across to me that they don't wish to be dining with passengers. But of course they won't get on with some the same as I wouldn't. I think in the main I have been fortunate to meat many other passengers who we got on well with and kept in touch. Just like the waiters and cabin staff they have a duty to promote the Company by their presence. It doesn't matter whether they like it or not. Some will some won't. By the way my comment " Not paying all that money to sit with the crew" was tongue in cheek and not meant to offend.

Obviously someone who's opinion is " I don't pay all that money to sit with the crew"

But my dear (Hope I am not being too familiar) it is what you must expect dining with others (In the words of ghastly Virgin) sailors. It's like when you chat someone up and say words like "Do you come here often?" You have to expect the traditional how many cruises have you done ? We (not the Royal), but me and the wife, or more correctly the wife and I have had the privilege of many of the who's life revolves around outdoing fellow passengers at the table. Isn't it just spiffing, don't ya know. I take great glee in listening to people rabbit on about their dining habits. Can't recall which ship, but a lady insisted on telling us she was dining at Cafe Bordeaux. We even had a Gentleman who wore a large bib, invited one of the receptionist to diner one evening and apparently was a dab hand at telling the Captain how to dock the ship. My advice, go to the luncheon. Have fun and listen tongue in cheek to those who are "Experts" at cruising. Safe voyage and have a lovely cruise.

My point is that yes I appreciate that passengers going down with Covid need isolating. But why oh why does P&O or any other cruise line need to move the area of isolation. All they need to do is compile some sort of statistical chart based on number of passengers and ship size. Set aside x amount of cabins plus 5 or 10% on top of that and allocate a section of whatever ship suitable for accessibility by staff deemed necessary to control and serve those with covid. Instead of disrupting passengers that have chosen a cabin to suit their needs only to find that at last minute . com these requirements have been shattered and whilst not completely ruining their cruise doesn't exactly enhance it. One last thing, before I bore you all to death. I wonder what the situation is on cruise ships frequented by American passengers. Do they have to put up with this situation ? As I have always been of the opinion regardless to pricing etc that they are better looked after than the Brits.

Sounds like your friends had a Johnny Rotten bathroom ?

Adding to the debate on embarkation I always feel that this part of the cruise is the worst. Not only is your lovely holiday over (we hope it is) but you have this hanging about on the ship and when called it's worse than Jumanji with the charge to the gangway. Then there's the long and winding road that leads you, not to your door, but to an escalator or lift down to the luggage hall and then the cresta run to get a trolley and the find my luggage somewhere, anywhere before sneaking through the "Nothing to declare" section and finally onto the path and roads leading to our coach all the time hoping half the cases don't fall off the overloaded trolley. If only all cruise lines could just try to make this part of a cruise a bit more enjoyable rather than feeling " Well, that's that lot out of the way"

Is it just me not noticing, but as far as I am aware cases of Covid ashore are either not being reported or are on the wain. Whereas those onboard seem just a prevalent as they always were. Is it the "Floating petri dish" syndrome. As for passengers paying a "Select price" which states choice of cabin. Then surely it becomes P&O's choice of cabin. If the one selected is then not given. I know certain circumstance are beyond P&O's ability to do anything about it. Such as where the safety of passengers is paramount. Like docking under stormy conditions or as with the pandemic certain ports of call installing such harsh conditions that it would make a call at that port untenable. Where cabins are being used for those going down with covid whilst it may in the earlier days be advisable to change the location of said cabins due to access and control P&O have had plenty of time, more than 3 years, to decide where isolation cabins should be on their fleet. It is beyond comprehension that after all this time that someone books a cabin and is told they have to now move. P&O needs to get their act together.

Items such as steak were as you say available as an alternative. I remember our first cruise in 2002 onboard Victoria, for those not familiar it was a small ocean going ship, formerly the Kungsholm. We had separate beds and a port hole in our cabin which was closed going through the Bay of Biscay. An elegant ship with lots of wood and etched glass in the MDR. We had a table of six and our fellow diners were lovely people. One Gentleman told me of the fact that steaks were available if you didn't like what was on the menu. I do believe they were then of a better quality than those available in the MDR's now. But of course, you are now expected to fork out extra if you want something a bit better now.

I think when you take your first cruise it's like being a kid in a sweet shop. As the saying goes "You always remember your first time " although I not convinced that related to cruising. But the general idea is spot on. Not many will I suggest not cruise again. Usually you are hooked. I have friends who I tried persuading to try a cruise but many don't realise how big cruise ships are and although people do suffer sea sickness it's really not that bad. We went through a force twelve going to the USA a few years ago and although there were a few tables in the MDR that were empty I didn't consider it that bad. Next cruise we go on will be our 17th and from our first back in 2002 when we were cruise virgins you discover either by default or through fellow passengers what suits you best. How you book, when you book, whether you book excursions through the cruise line or do your own thing. In a lot of cases it's safer to go the through the cruise line as a) For your own safety, B) because if you are late the ship won't wait. If you do your own thing as we did in New York plan your days carefully. Go further out on the first day (That is if you have more than one day in Port) and less far on the second day or on an excursion by the cruise line. We did the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ourselves and it saved 50% of what it would cost via the cruise line excursion and we could stay as long as we wanted.

You are right, it is very nice. I received an email stating I have an extra £200 OBC. Due to a problem I had on a previous cruise I also have another £150 added to that a free coach to Southampton and I should get another £150 for my holding of 100 Carnival shares. So £500 total. What's not to like about that.

Great to hear from a fellow cruiser and glad you enjoyed Aurora. Amongst our favourite ships along with the now departed Oriana. It would be nice if P&O replaced her, when the time comes with a similar ship of a similar size. I have my doubts as the days of the 1800 passenger ships seem past. Of course there are other Companies available but although all inclusive are very much more expensive. To give those an idea of the price increases we booked a cruise for 35 nights on Ventura Caribbean and US which departs early next year. It cost for an inside cabin around £6,200. Looking ahead to 2024 there's a cruise on Arcadia to US and Canada for 30 nights and an inside is £8,500. So an extra £2,300 and five nights less.

All I can say is good luck to those that spend the best part of £40 a day or more on booze. Each to their own I say. If that's what floats your boat, or as a Captain once said to me "It's not a boat, it's a ship". Neither myself or wife are big drinkers. I would hazard a guess that on any given day we would drink half a dozen drinks max. We usually take a litre bottle onboard at embarkation each so as to have a G&T or Vodka and coke or whatever. We don't always have a bottle of wine with the evening meal, sometimes taking our pre dinner drinks through from the bar to the MDR or I may have a beer and the wife a G&T at the table. If there's a football match I want to see we go along and I'll have a couple of pints and the wife a cider. Shore day's we usually pop to the bar when we get back to the ship if it's mid to late afternoon. So drinks packages aren't for us and there's no way at nearly £80 per day for a 35 night cruise I would consider spending £2600.00 on booze.

Appreciate that. Wasn't sure although must admit I thought that was the case. I think I would find it very difficult to consume 15 drinks a day. In the past have been out with mates and they are consuming their third pint whilst I am still on my first. On a cruise it differs from one day to the next. If it's a sea day and there's football on in one of the lounges we go along, my wife generally reads as I watch the football and she will partake in a Pina Colado, G&T or a cider and I a pint or two. After the afternoon proceedings we go back to the cabin. Have a G&T or Vodka & Tonic whilst getting ready for the evening meal which is usually around 20.30 we then go to a bar and have a pre diner drink. Sometimes we have a bottle of wine, but not always. Once leaving the MDR we usually go to the Theatre for a show. We don't normally drink whilst the show is on. More times than not we then, after the show, make our way back to our cabin. Occasionally we go to see a cabaret and will have another drink. So realistically no more than half a dozen drinks per day, very rarely more, very often less.

Personally, if P&O want people to purchase drinks packages then in my opinion they should be geared to various needs of their passengers. Some as has been indicated believe that a few beers pre dinner, wine with their meal, beers after dinner and a nightcap is what they consume. Some have one, maybe two beers a day, a wine at dinner and unless going to a club maybe don't have any more. Some may not drink at all, but like speciality coffees, mocktails etc. I do think that P&O could be a bit more inventive. Not make so many restrictions on things like doubles, bottles of wine and costs per drink. After all as long as the daily cost isn't exceeded what difference does it make ? Also for those who wouldn't come anywhere near the daily cost why not make a package for two people. Although some would not blink at the daily cost many like myself try and keep spending in check and although I am not saying that my daily limit can't be exceeded I do try to not go too overboard (besides you get wet ). So in essence, please don't feel I am getting at you if like a few bevvies. But I personally, even when cruising, don't have more than two beers a day. I like the occasional scotch and American Dry and am partial to a glass of Port. We have when at dinner stretched a bottle of wine over two nights. But generally we would consume at one diner. So currently wouldn't buy a drinks package.

We must all realise that photographers onboard are exactly that. They take photo's and are probably paid a meagre wage enhanced by sales as with cars, double glazing etc. Many of them are very nice people and if you don't wish to have your photo taken then just decline. I must admit sometime they position themselves where it is difficult to avoid them and it can when you are a bit hot and bothered be annoying. But I feel it's best to politely decline rather than go off on one.

I perfectly understand things like Ports of call being changed due to adverse weather as with places like Bar Harbor for instance where the ship has to use it's tenders to get passengers ashore and Ports like Guernsey which we have missed due to adverse weather. On one occasion and I'm not sure how often this happens we ended up docking at another Port due to the weather conditions. As for cabins this is a different situation. I do not believe for one minute that upgrades are done for the benefit of the customer. They are done to attract those looking to pay less for a lower grade cabin. After all, you very rarely, if at all, get upgraded from an inside to an outside or a balcony unless stated by the cruise lines in their brochure or via an agent. Upgrades that I have received are in my opinion rarely that much better than the chosen cabin and quite often less accessible for amenities. That is why in general we refrain from accepting upgrades. Where a passenger pays for the right to choose a cabin they should unless there are problems that cannot be overcome get what they choose. As for cabins being used to quarantine, they should be designated once plans are finalised for the seasons itinerary for that ship and not be changed around.

I have never bought a drinks package and to me it's a bit like "Supermarket Sweep", buy the drinks package and you feel you have to get your money's worth. When you take say a 14 night cruise, possibly 6 of those will be port days, the location, not the drink. Therefore you are left with 8 sea days. Most people I imagine go ashore and either take in an excursion or venture somewhere themselves. This may take 3,4,5 hours away from the ship, I know a few excursions are virtually all day. Taking this into account are you going to be drinking the best part of £40 worth of booze, coffees or whatever per day. Whilst I don't consider myself a miser I do allocate a certain amount of money per day and when I have a handful of receipts I go through them and make sure I am keeping roughly to my ultimate spend. My wife may purchase a handbag and I a watch. Not always and I guess the next cruise I take I won't be getting any more watches, can't say the same of the wife buying a handbag. I think it's her favourite pastime ? So in essence I won't be buying a drinks package. But that doesn't mean others won't. Must admit I am not quite sure, bearing in mind it's £39 + per day whether you can carry over part of this to the following day or whether that's it and if you don't spend the one day allowance it's lost. Do feel you should be able to get a bottle of wine at dinner on this allowance as long as it doesn't put you over the monetary limit.

At a time when although we are aware cruise lines need to make up for two years of lost revenue. You would think bearing in mind what is happening in this Country and what is about to happen come the winter that they would sharpen up on their desire to make cruises everything they purport them to be. No good coming on a video and proclaiming you have been on several ships recently and are appreciative of those loyal customers to P&O and then doing basically the opposite by alienating travellers by not making their cruise a once in a lifetime experience even if they are having their lifetime experience on a regular basis. As with any form of holiday there's always another option. We cruise again, God willing, next year and we hope the experience is just as good as before. After all our money is just as good as before.

I'm no expert in this. But would think that if they advertise "Select Price = Choice of Cabin Number" Then they have to give you what you have chosen. Alternatively, if they have a clause in this due to covid, which I doubt they have, then you should be entitled to choose another Cabin. Falling that you should get some sort of compensation such as a bit of OBC.

can honestly say Pompei is highly recommended. Did it a few years ago and thought it was amazing. Plenty of walking though and astounding to see how advanced they were for so long ago. Funnily enough the last time we visited Civitevechia for trips to Rome as we had been to Rome before we stay in Civitevechia. Sometimes it pays to not go on trips, but to venture locally.

I think your attitude is spot on. I am not so concerned with leaving money for the kiddlewinks, all grown up now of course with kids of their own. Hopefully they will have the house split between them which will be far more than my dear father left me. I can't afford hugely expensive cruises but I do go on a 35 night cruise next year we booked for this not last year but the year before and both times we ended up not being able to go for one reason or another. We generally go for an inside as we like to spend our money on other things rather than the cabin as we just see this as somewhere to sleep, get dressed and shower. Obviously shower first and get dressed afterward. With regards to my Grandchildren I put money in my Daughter's account for them every month and bought my Granddaughter a car a couple of years ago. If they have been in trouble financially I have helped them out as best I can.

Must have been misled. Thought the Captains name was Speaking. As they always say "This is your Captain Speaking "

It may be cheaper to put the central heating to frost free and go on a cruise for a couple of months after all even if you go to cold ports of call you'll be warm in your cabin and obviously if it's hot you won't need heating at all and what's better than sitting on deck cocktail in hand, fish and chips and a burger or pizza available or a light lunch in the buffet or a 4 course meal in the MD ?