paulatsea

3 hours ago, Chrisdriving said:

Booked another cruise on Arcadia for 2024 after the dry dock in November, chap who took the booking was adamant both Arcadia and Aurora have 10 years left with P and O due to their popularity with certain demographic of customer.

Cannot see it myself but would hope he is at least partly right in them both staying for a good while.

Both are having a huge amount spent on them in next refits for the benefit of P and O and it’s customers.

Long may they live !

Which cruise Chris ? Good price ?
I have been looking at some world cruise segments. 

e-sim would only be for mobile data on land at the various places you stop (or near enough to land for a signal).it won’t work at sea as you can only connect to maritime networks which are very expensive. If won’t connect to ships internet - it’s mobile data only.

I think you would be best to get a mobile package from your current supplier that includes all the countries you are visiting - e.g Vodafone allow you to use your uk data package allowance overseas depending on contract but you can get an extra one off package for n-days for countries not covered by your existing contract.

this is simpler and probably cheaper than an e-sim for just checking in back home.

ships internet packages that I have used are very poor and expensive.

I just wait until the next port of call and then use mobile data like you would in the uk.

In emergencies at sea if you need WiFi just get a pass for that day or part of that day.

5 minutes ago, andyS87 said:

That makes sense, thanks for explaining 

Thank you andyS87 - I hope you enjoy your holidays. Best wishes. 

2 hours ago, andyS87 said:

Tell your friend that I’ve recently booked a P&O cruise so was wondering about the dress code. Didn’t realise there were so many fellow cruisers who felt so strongly about how other people choose to dress, hence the question.

Dress code details are on the website.

16 hours ago, andyS87 said:

Why is everyone so emphatic about having to dress up on these nights and P&O taking a hard line with those who don’t?
 

I couldn’t care less what other people wear. When there’s no difference in the offerings in the restaurants on board it all seems rather pointless anyway.

You might not care - but others do - so perhaps consider what other passengers prefer.
A lot of people like a more formal atmosphere occasionally - some don’t -  but if you don’t want to adhere then go to a non formal restaurant/bar that night.

40 minutes ago, thornegirl said:

Onboard now, looking at my holiday app only 1 if the 4 bookings I’ve made is on there.  I’ve taken screenshots of my booking so will go down to reception after muster drill at 4pm. Not done one of those for years!  Had a lovely peninsular lunch with a couple of glasses of wine. In the crows nest having an elderflower fizz before we go to muster. 

Shambles ! Good luck at reception - be very interested to hear what they say. 

20 minutes ago, cruzadict said:

Hi Paul at sea, the food was delicious .  We didn't have a desert and the bill came to £40 for the 2 of us.

Thank you

4 minutes ago, cruzadict said:

We have just got off Aurora and couldn't book Sindhi prior to boarding but did it on app as soon as we boarded.  There was no cover charge, we just paid for the items we ordered.  Seems to change weekly 

Thanks - was it worth it ? Do you mind me asking how much you spent ?

Are the tables reasonably spaced for privacy (we will be a 2 if we make it !)

So my reservation made via myp&o might be overridden ?

Read somewhere else that it used to be a cover charge only , then changed to individual items , then cover charge which is removed from menu cost ! 

2 minutes ago, cruzadict said:

How can they take payment for Sindhu.  Thought each item was priced individually.

Maybe just the booking fee ? How does it normally work - booking fee and individual dishes ? I though it was just a cover charge that was extra and menu was included ?

10 minutes ago, thornegirl said:

Ive not had an email, but as the money has already gone out of my bank account I would think so.  

I’ve Booked !! Thanks for the tip . Email confirmation and it’s on my bookings.

This will be our first time in sindhu - heard it’s good. 

8 hours ago, thornegirl said:

I've just logged on to My P&O cruises to print off another luggage label and have noticed the dining booking for both Sindhu and the Beach House are available to book.  They have always been enquire onboard previously ,  The Glass House is still enquire onboard.  Lots of availability if anyone going on that cruise wanted to book now.  

 

I've booked a couple of dates as you get your Peninsular discount if you book prior to boarding.  

I’m on R317 - just had email saying cannot book in advance ! - but I also see Sindhu is bookable - do you think they will honour the booking ? As you have paid upfront I assume it’s yes. Interesting.

Thanks for posting - good news !

Just had 2 (duplicates) of these for my next cruise end of this month on Aurora . Ages 63 and 72.

2 minutes ago, DiLC said:

Thanks. Reread email and there’s a notice about support on board ship in case of emergency which wasn’t there before. Do it must be that. appreciate help 

Welcome - hope you enjoy the cruise.

54 minutes ago, DiLC said:

In may booked a first cruise with P and O for next July. Have received emails giving same information as on original bookings saying important information included but there’s no additional info. Got two of these and wonder if this common for them?

anyone know why?

thanks 

I have had this in the past - additional email contained info about not wearing fancy dress and I think something about behaviour.

Not easy to spot the difference.

It was just text towards the bottom of the email.

7 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Is that £1,200 per person or per couple? If it’s per couple then that does indeed compare very well to P&O given that it includes a drinks package. If it’s per person then, even with drinks included, that wouldn’t seem to be that much of a bargain, albeit I know that the P&O adult only ships can carry a hefty price premium.

Per person - yes I’m comparing to Aurora/Arcadia/Marella explorer 2 - all the adults only ships on balcony basis - I should have mentioned that !

Just had a look - never been on princess before - some very reasonable prices for 5/7 nights balcony with princess plus package -

£1200 ish for 7 nights sky princess 2024 from Southampton 

is this the normal type of rate ?

We usually only do adults only on p&o or Marella  - obviously depending on time of year - but outside school holidays are there many children on board and are they well behaved on cruises from Southampton  !! ?

Yes both prev celebrity ships

We have been on Marella Explorer 2 (adults only) several times so I can only speak for this ship - but I expect the others are very similar.

All inclusive with good brand included drinks.

Fantastic staff - really friendly and efficient. (Probably the best in our experience)

Well organised excursions.

Good MDR - easy to get table for 2 with nice food.

Relaxed atmosphere.

Adults only on explorer 2.

The only thing we don’t like is they are all fly cruises - if they went from the UK I would probably use Marella all the time.

go for it ! You won’t be disappointed.

1 hour ago, London-Calling said:

Thanks Paulatsea.

 

To he honest I've experienced pluming, air-con issues and worn furniture on lots of older ships, such as CMV, Olsen and Thomson. Unfortunately it's not unusual. I guess that the way these lines offer some great fares, is that they do not spend a fortune on refits.

 

In addition, sadly tables for two are rare on many ships.

 

The Saxophone issue was dealt with.

 

Ambassador do offer some great late fares, even on their balcony cabins.

 

Yes I will try Ambition as soon as I have the time and money. She actual passed us, as we were going up to Norway, she was coming back. Please see video below:

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you London-Calling - will watch both videos later.

15 hours ago, London-Calling said:

One Year On

 

I was fortunate to be onboard 'Ambience', the new Ambassador's cruise lines first ship, for her maiden cruise in May 2022. 

 

 

My original ship review was generally positive, but highlighted some serious issues.

 

 

13 months later, I have just returned from a second cruise onboard Ambience: a 17-night cruise to Norway’s North Cape and Spitsbergen.

 

It was an excellent itinerary of eight ports of call and eight days at sea, in between. Below are my opinions about the onboard experience, one year on.

 

 

June/July 2023: Ambience Cruise Review - HERE

 

 

 

Thanks very much - I have just read your excellent and thorough review - and will watch the YouTube video tonight with a glass of wine !

Its a shame the problems have not all been ironed out.

I prefer balcony cabins and these are expensive on ambassador (as there are less of them compared to other ships I suppose) which has put me off ambassador so far , along with the aircon , tatty furniture and lack of tables for 2 issues.

I cannot  believe someone would play a saxophone in their cabin - how incredibly stupid and selfish - was there any action taken about this ?

Glad you had a good holiday despite all the cabin moves and strange steward !

We went to Spitsbergen with Fred in 2017 - What an amazing place isn’t it ? Probably the most interesting cruise we have done. 

Do you plan to go on Ambition ?

On 6/30/2023 at 7:44 AM, Angel57 said:

My personal thoughts on my 7 day cruise on Aurora 22/6-29/6

 

Arrived at 1140 for 1230 boarding. Waited in a queue outside Ocean Terminal where people had times ranging between 1200 and 1400. We were not segregated and so it was a complete mess when time slot was called and there were a couple of stroppy stewards. However once inside the terminal building, embarkation was quick and efficient and if I had arrived at 1230 all would have been fine, but for once the roads were clear and no queue at CPS.

 

Cabin C181 (balcony) - very comfortable, quiet, new upholstery, excellent cabin steward. Only negative was the balcony is very tired and the patio doors externally are literally falling apart, altho the new balcony chairs are very comfortable.

 

MDR - only ate twice as menus did not inspire. No issues though with Freedom dining in getting a table either then or at breakfast. Parade of Chefs back on final night.

 

Sindhu - lovely. Booked to eat there for the first night on day of boarding. It was fully booked by day 2 for the whole cruise.

 

Beach House - Delicious food. I thought the £9.50 cover charge was fair, but to then change on top for certain dishes it made it a little costly (eg - it was an additional £7 or £7.50 for the steak). This again was mostly fully booked by day 2.

 

Glasshouse - no booking required. Always turned up around 6.15/6.30 and got a table. Very enjoyable.

 

Horizon buffet - only had lunch here twice. IMO it was all rather boring and samey.

 

I had no complaints about the quality of the food at dinner. The beef wellington in particular was fabulous and it just melted in the mouth.

 

We only went to two shows - Applause (excellent) and The Lavelles doing Motown (very well received but poor imo). The theatre was full by 8.25 for Applause - booking not being used.

 

A friend was poorly whilst on board and the medical team were beyond amazing. They could not be faulted.

 

Dress code was pretty well adhered to (altho there are always a few…..🙄🤣).

I witnessed a couple of instances in the Crows Nest (on formal nights) when the waiting staff discretely reminded passengers of the dress code and that they would not be served. I also saw a man in shorts be told at 5.30, when dress code was evening casual, that they would not be served after 6pm.

 

Very few irritating issues - altho we did have a nearly 2 hr wait for a tender over to St. Peter Port in Guernsey so gave up. No apology issued for the delay.

 

So, a great cruise on Aurora and the experience was closer to pre 2020 than I thought it would be. 

 

 

 

Thanks very much for your report - nice to know that it all seems pretty good and like it used to be.

I am on Aurora at the end of August and then again in December.

Very much looking forward to it.

Was your tender part of an organised tour and if so did you get a refund ?

Thanks

Yep - same for me.

This looks way better - thanks for the info.

I wish they had an App as well as the website.

Maybe one day…