Cruisemeister2002

I suppose Azura and Ventura will take over the Atlantic cruises. Neither of which I prefer to Aurora or Oriana. Oriana has obviously departed and Aurora must be close to going as is 22 years old and obviously ships of that age and capacity are more expensive to run than one running on LNG such as Iona and Arvia. I must admit the itineraries of both these ships don't fill me with excitement. One seems to go mainly to the Fiords and the other has the Med with the same itinerary month after month. Whether this is due to the availability of LNG or the size of these ships I don't know. It has been said that certain ports of call are out of bounds to this size of ship. Which again leads me to question the necessity for vessels of this size especially when comments have been made with regards to the facilities afforded by P&O on these ships stating that they don't for their size have what Royal Caribbean have. It does seem to an extent they are caught between a rock and a hard place as to whether to cater for old fogies such as myself or the younger generation. They are clearly putting off some of the older clientele with larger ships whilst not appealing to the younger generation by not having all the bells and whistles on the new ships.

I was viewing P&O's itinerary for 2024 and Aurora and Arcadia are cruising to Canada and the US in September of that year. Sadly it must be said that the chances of her going much beyond then must be limited as Oriana has gone and she was four years older than Aurora. A lovely ship who we have had many very good cruises on along with Oriana. As I stated, I'd love P&O to at least bring in two more ships with around 2,000 passenger capacity as I would rather sail on one with 2,000 passengers than one with 5,000+ . I currently have a cruise booked on Iona for next year, but would prefer Arcadia (which incidentally we haven't been on) in Sept 2024 USA and Canada 30 night. God willing.

I am glad to see that P&O are now doing 30 night cruises to America and Canada taking in two days at Boston and three in New York, definitely needed. Have been to Egypt and Turkey (Istanbul) and would like to revisit. Cannot fly so many cruises are not on the itinerary. I would like to go on the 30 nighter to American and Canada and although it's not until 2024 on Arcadia it had gone up considerable as I have a cruise booked next year 35 nights on Ventura inside cabin at £6,200 and the 30 nighter on Arcadia again inside is £8000 +.

I think it depends on what is regarded as small. I would say a small ship holds about 700 passengers. Most of these tend to be top end cruise ships with top end prices. P&O I would suggest never had or have had problems filling Aurora, Oriana or Oceana all around 1800-1900 passengers which nowadays I suppose is either classed a medium or small because many are now coming in at 5,000+. Maybe and I class myself as one of them we view small ships around 1800 passengers. Beside P&O no longer have Victoria (Formerly Sea Princess), Artemis or Adonia and I presume there's no plan to bring ships of their size back into the fleet. Though I would love to see them bring in similar size replacements for Oriana and Oceana and when she does retire, Aurora.

Have seen a few tribute bands and individuals. Annie Lennox on Ventura, Whitney Houston, Freddie Mercury all very good. Going past one of the lounges a few years ago and two guys who were excellent opera singers past me by I said "Your the two fivers are you" ? They laughed and carried on into the lounge.

Met up with a "Middle of the road group" once. Sadly they all got run over.

I suppose we are like many cruisers. First cruise you buy anything and everything then you realise how expensive they are and do you really want someone taking a photo of yourself when you have been up since the crack of dawn feeling hot and dishevelled only for someone to say " Let's see a nice smile" when all you feel like is to sit in the bar and have a quiet drink and unwind a bit. We still on rare occasions buy a couple of photo's and because I purchase an Ultimate Package part of this is a Formal Photo in frame. The only downside to that is you notice how much older you look from the last time.

Kids seem pretty cheap to me.(7s6d) Don't need any though as I have four of my own and 8 Grandkids . Showing my age with old pounds and pence. No offence meant.

We, that's myself and the wife have been on 16 cruises so far. 15 of them with P&O and although a bit long in the tooth compared to yourselves it can be quite amazing how the enjoyment of one cruise is different to another. Like the old saying goes " You never forget your first time " not sure that related to cruising, but never mind. You get my drift. Some ships seem to have it and some don't and really it's personal choice. We have loved Oriana, Aurora and even Artemis. We liked Britannia and Azura. Didn't enjoy Oceana or Adonia and wasn't as keen on Ventura as we were on Azura although very similar. We adored Victoria, our first cruise. As I put in an album " A true Queen " Many would totally disagree with our assessment of these ships. Iona is obviously pretty new and we look forward to cruising on her next year. But as a fellow shipmate has pointed out it really does depend on what you found good on one ship and poor on another.

The only Penthouse I've ever had was on the top shelf in a newsagents and that was a long time ago.

Does moving with the times mean we have to enjoy dodgem cars, wall climbing, water slides and zip wires. Oh course it doesn't but sadly I think the days of cruising for the older generation means either putting up with lots of things that past cruises we enjoyed we had have finished. Whilst you will still be able to read and relax I fear that Formal nights and set dining times may become a thing of the past. That will of course depend on how many people in their 30's, 40's and 50's rebel enough and insist on certain things remaining. But having cruised since 2002 and I expect many who cruised way before then have noticed how things we took for granted are either no longer available or you have to pay extra for them. Drinking chocolate and sandwiches late evening, little bags with toiletries in them, chocoholics in the MD, free tours of the Bridge ( Not Stamford) and galley, steaks as a separate item, not on the menu, but you could ask for one if there wasn't anything on the menu you liked. Vegetables served at the table and as much as you liked. Sailed on Oceana, Oriana and Aurora all fond memories. Aurora is still going and has cruises up to 2024 I believe. Oriana was about 4 years older than Aurora so as you say she can't have many years left. My hope is they bring in a couple of ships of a similar size, but have my doubts they will.

Had a couple of upgrades in the 16 cruises we have taken, but in honesty couldn't tell the difference. Just waiting to book an inside and get upgraded to a suite with butler and a couple of grand OBC. Oops, just woke up from my dream. Nowadays we usually pay the Select price, pick a cabin and don't request to have an upgrade because the cabin we have chosen is the one we want to be in and as I say I haven't seen a significant difference when supposedly upgraded and in honesty don't think there is.

Sounds like P&O are turning into a subsidiary of DVLA with their lengths of time to refund road tax and not paying the days left, only full months, then if you have to take out road tax for another vehicle even if you only have a few days left until the end of the month you have to pay for the whole month. When in the past I have had an excursion cancelled either because of lack of passengers wishing to take that particular one or through a port being missed altogether refunds have been almost immediate. Perhaps like the DVLA you will have to wait 4-6 weeks and then get paid by cheque ?

Oh where have you been ? I want you back for good.

I know it's several months away but I am concerned where packages are bought that staff are ill informed about how vouchers are used. We have on a few occasions purchased an Ultimate Package which basically allows you Continental Breakfast in bed with 1/2 bottle of Champagne. Flowers, a set of Champagne flutes, Speciality dining for two twice, Spa treatment of a facial or massage for myself and wife, Formal Photo Portrait in a frame, desserts in cabin twice, box of chocolates and last by not least P&O slippers and dressing gowns Whoopee. Problem was last time staff on the ship didn't seem to know much about how they were used. I booked a massage, my wife a facial. I went in for my massage, come out about an hour later and my wife was still sat in the waiting area. Another appointment was made, which was then cancelled and finally she received the facial. When we went for the speciality dining we basically had to explain that we kept the vouchers after the first time so as to book the second time. Add to this several flowers died after only a couple of days. They were replaced and the same thing happened again, replaced again. That was back in 2018 and I did on return complain to P&O and received £150 OBC for our next cruise. To make matters even more complicated the first cruise was cancelled due to Covid and the second we pulled out of due to a change of itinerary ( No US ports of call) and each time I had to explain about the OBC as we normally take the coach option and obviously the OBC was an extra.

I'd have probably been a Nitty Gritty ?

I'm sure your right with regards to the design of ships. Maximum cabin space with balconies. They can charge more, get more passengers aboard. Still think it's a shame though that those ships sprinting across the Atlantic to secure the Blue Riband were real Liners. Sadly I was to young and I wouldn't have had the readies anyway. Que Sera.

I do think it depends on what you are looking for on a cruise. Neither myself or wife are big drinkers and that would mean depending on shore or sailing days we may go to a bar if there's a football match I want to see and have one possibly two pints, my wife would maybe have a pina colada or cider or G&T. If it is a sunny day we would sit on deck, but not necessarily in direct sun. Back to the cabin late afternoon, have a drink in the cabin before going to a bar for a pre dinner drink. Sometimes we have a bottle of wine or we may take our drinks from the bar to the table. That would be it in most cases unless we went to a club with fellow passengers but if we went to the theatre we probably wouldn't have any more drinks. I/we don't find P&O boring in the least. Their cruises may not appeal to the more adventurous or those looking for climbing walls, dodgems or ice rinks. But I certainly wouldn't class myself and the missus as drinkers and sunbathers, neither of which we partake in to any extent.

I think some of the designers of ships these days hit their head on a nail ? Most of them are no longer beautiful sleek design ocean going liners, they are floating blocks of flats and all that's missing from some of the kitsch goings on is a compare saying " Hi Di Hi" we already have Virgin with "Sailors" and "Rock Stars" and that's only the passengers. Whilst not trying to be a spoil sport where has refinement and decorum gone. Not worried about singing " Rule Britannia" or flag waving, but I like serenity, nice food and drink, a good laugh and joke with fellow passengers whilst sometimes putting right the wrongs of the world. Good entertainment in the form of shows, singers, comedians and a sprinkling of Classical musicians. A good book and see some new and interesting places.

I found that a cruise I had booked was £1000 cheaper later in the year. So I phoned P&O and the answer was the same as yourself. The only way is to cancel and rebook, losing your deposit. Still worked out I saved £580 so went for it. From recollection in all my 15 cruises with P&O I only once had a refund as a cruise I had booked was cheaper. Prices I have found go up and down all the time. Cabins are available, then they are not, then they are again. This may be due to cancellations or P&O needing to get rid of certain grades of cabin. We have been upgraded a few times but in honesty can't tell the difference.

Me neither. In 17 cruises we have had two balconies and two outside. The rest have been inside cabins as we prefer to spend our money on other things rather than on a cabin where we spend little time. Sorry if you felt I singled out Cunard In all honest wasn't aware that several other lines had exclusive areas. I was aware you could book places like the "Retreat" although at £20 per head per person I'll pass on that thanks.

I would say in the main, yes. Although who knows what the future holds for P&O. Obviously they like many cruise lines will be more interested in new clients/passengers of younger years than an old fart like me and I must admit I love cruising but I do budget when onboard. For instance we take out the Ultimate Package which includes A facial or massage, 2 x specialist restaurant bookings, champagne flutes, formal photo's in a frame ( although don't know whether this will be available), Breakfast in cabin with 1/2 bottle of champagne and P&O dressing gown and slippers (Whoopee do). We also don't book many excursions as many places we have visited before or like when in New York we took a cab down the the Hudson and got a ferry across to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and then back and another cab to Macy's and it still cost 50% less than if we had done a P&O excursion and we weren't limited to time either. But then cruise lines are after passengers who like getting a few down their necks and to heck with the expense.

I really think it's an age thing and what you are looking for in a cruise. I'm not saying because anyone is of an older generation doesn't want to trip the light fantastic, but many are looking for other things. For instance we, that's me and the wife want relaxation, entertainment, drinks, eats, a bit of sightseeing, some shopping. Taking in local dining and culture. Do I won't zip lines, climbing walls, dodgems, ice rinks, flumes ? No. But I fully understand there are those that do, especially families with children. There being two reasons why we take cruises early or late in the year. Firstly neither of us have any desire to roast ourselves on a sunbed and secondly because there is less likelihood of the ship being overrun with children. We have both brought our kids up and have Grandchildren who we love, but we don't want them 24/7.

Think I'll try a rub down with a Granny then.

Seems totally absurd to me that an interconnecting cabin in not afforded the same facilities, besides who in their right minds expect children to dine in a different place to their parents. Reminds you of the Titanic where you had steerage class passengers and from what I am led to believe Cunard ships still have areas where depending on what class cabin you have will allow you to have access or not to certain areas.