paulatsea

2 minutes ago, paulatsea said:

My next P&O is a Christmas one - about £190 pppd - on Arcadia - but it’s a Christmas one so always more - when I have been browsing P&O this year I’ve never seen prices as good as you have mentioned - on Arcadia or Aurora - maybe the dates I looked at. Marella uk one last year was about £120 pppd as I remember - but this year Marella  in may 7 nights plus 3 nights hotel Croatia / Italy was about 180 pppd . 
 

Perhaps Ive been done !! ??

7 hours ago, wowzz said:

I've never found Marella to be that cheap, even taking the drinks package into account. Our next cruise on Arcadia (balcony cabin) is £127 pppd, and next year,  Azura (deluxe balcony cabin) including flights is £98 pppd.  Never found anything comparable on Marella.

My next P&O is a Christmas one - about £190 pppd - on Arcadia - but it’s a Christmas one so always more - when I have been browsing P&O this year I’ve never seen prices as good as you have mentioned - on Arcadia or Aurora - maybe the dates I looked at. Marella uk one last year was about £120 pppd as I remember - but this year Marella  in may 7 nights plus 3 nights hotel Croatia / Italy was about 180 pppd . 
 

1 hour ago, okavango said:

The reason your LFT was not checked was because its not a fit to fly test ,its a fit to embark the ship test which is why it was it was not checked till ship check in

I thought the test you had to do after 9pm day before was a fit to fly test ? As another test is done at the port prior to embarkation ?  

Is the LFT linked to your passport in some way ? Hence not being checked separately ? 

57 minutes ago, cinnamon said:

On the coach from airport. No one checked our LFT at all yet.  Spanish health form checked plus vaccination certificate straight after Passport control. We were bussed from aircraft so took an hour to clear us through. 
 

Weather glorious. 22, blue sky and sunny 

Good news ! So far so good ! 

24 minutes ago, Gettingwarmer said:

No adults only. Have often travelled on Princess and rarely had problems. If going to America avoid the Spring Break holidays and most people stay at home over Thanksgiving so ships are less full. 

Thank you 

1 minute ago, wowzz said:

No, but depending on the cruise and time of year, the number of children will be limited. Plus of course, the vaccination requirements for children is currently having an impact.

Thanks  😊 

5 minutes ago, alpha whiskey said:

We particularly like the Princess Plus option which includes WiFi, drinks, tips. As an optional add on at £30 pp a day, reckon it gives good value... for us anyway. 

 

Yeah that’s a good deal - very good . 

6 minutes ago, wowzz said:

The Princess Plus package at £30 pppd is a bargain ! 

Yes looks good - do princess do adults only do you know ? Anyone ?

15 minutes ago, Cruise Puss said:

 

We have already booked two cruises on Saga this year - one in April and one in August. Have heard they are keen on a more traditional cruising experience which we certainly prefer. I can also highly recommend Princess. We tried them last year and have already booked two more - one this year and one next.😊

Thanks for the Princess tip - will check it out.

5 minutes ago, alpha whiskey said:

Took a seacation on Princess in late summer. 

We were in a standard balcony and were offered an optional turndown service when our cabin steward gave us our welcome chat. We chose not to have a turndown. Perhaps P&O could adopt the same . Actually ask the customer what they would like? Everyone would be happy then ..... hopefully 🙃

Good idea 👍 

1 hour ago, Chickenbalti said:

On the last night of our holiday there was a problem in the Squid and Anchor with a group of people dancing and not wearing a mask, this wasn’t on the dance floor.

A guest sat in front of them shouted, put your masks on, to which the group replied **** off, which resulted in him jumping up to confront them. Security had to be called and the group were asked to leave. There’s always someone who what’s to spoil it for others.

Morons - I would have done the same. They should have been kicked off the ship - seriously .

I would avoid the Caribbean personally - for me it’s too far away if something goes wrong and they seem to have more changes in restrictions etc going on.

I would still try Europe though - I have booked for may and September - feel more comfortable knowing I’m nearer home - and also in Europe. 
 

horrible decision to have to make .

best wishes 

7 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Let's face it, P&O is not expensive.  In fact, it's probably one of the cheapest out there. 

We are on Saga later this year,  and expect a turn down service, but fare is double what we would pay on P&O. 

For balcony cabin ? I haven’t found it was cheap ? cheaper than saga but saga are all inclusive and very special -

I found Marella the best value so far - all inclusive - not quite the same standard as P&O - but very near it - and they still did a turn down last time - great service and the all inclusive drinks were good quality.

Yes - it’s the booking and not knowing which is so frustrating - I thought about doing last minute but it’s hard to get the cabins we want doing it that way - and it’s nice to have something to look forward to. 😔 

Yes agree - We only usually go on Arcadia or Aurora - as they are adults only - so in that way they are already different - so it could work having a premium service - maybe. Still enjoy it anyway but it’s those extras which make it special.

What a shame - it’s still in Madeira - watching it on live stream .

1 hour ago, Cruise Puss said:

As already mentioned, other cruise lines have not stopped doing it, so why on earth do P&O think they can.

 

Yet another cut back by P&O.  I can confirm that it is still being done in Suites however.

 

One of the lovely things about going on a cruise was that every grade of cabin had a turn down service - you don't get this in hotels other than 4/5 star.

 

Yet another reason to avoid P&O, I'm afraid.

I agree - I want first class service - for me it’s important and for the prices I pay P&O I expect it- it’s lovely to come back to a turned down room in the evening .

Going on saga hopefully in September - which I have heard is really good - so may switch to them.

Very interested to hear how it goes. Thanks for sharing this. I am due to go in may and am already starting to worry ! Especially about the fit to fly test that you have mentioned.

best wishes hope you have a good holiday.

18 hours ago, tring said:

 

We took my cousins who live in Southampton to the Wetherspoons there for a lunch a couple of years back.  They then took us on to a posh bar in The Harbour Hotel overlooking a marina area.   They somewhat upscaled us that day, but was a nice Wetherspoons as well and quite quiet as we arrived about 2pm.

 

Had not thought of stopping off there, but an option to consider if we need to, thanks.

I looked at that harbour hotel - looks great but was really expensive when I checked - nearly £200 for 1 night. 

2 hours ago, brian1 said:

We had the lift all to ourselves for half an hour cos we were stuck in it,lol.Got out just b4 the fire brigade turned up.

 Nightmare ! Not going there again.

14 minutes ago, Fionboard said:

Do not miss it. Can turn my bed down myself, do not need fresh towels every day (not very eco friendly?!) And hate milk chocolate. My steward had three uniforms!!

We like being pampered - you can always tell the steward that you don’t require it. 
I think it’s great !

5 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

Cunard have not stopped evening turndown service so cannot understand the logic of why P&O have stopped it. Personally the bean counters at P&O will be watching with a keen eye to see the reaction from guests and wouldnt be surprised if it never returned post pandemic.

That would be a shame - it’s those luxury bits that are so nice.

Also used

holiday inn next to the docks Southampton - that was ok but hard to get the lift downstairs to leave as not enough of them and very busy.

very convenient location.

grand harbour Southampton - ok - nice swimming pool. Very convenient location.

still looking for a better option with nice atmosphere , bar and restaurant but haven’t found it yet.

We stayed at the holiday inn Botley last summer prior to Iona cruise  - the whole ground floor was being used for asylum seekers / refugees.

The room and food and service were good so I would probably use again. Good price.

We have also stayed at the botley grange hotel a few times - but the last time was dreadful - really gone downhill and expensive.