paulatsea

Is this the maiden cruise you are going on ? Look forward to reports. Thanks

It was great - thanks - very rainy first few days then it got much better. Nice cruise.

FYI - We had to collect our luggage at Dubrovnik airport (very slow) and then take it to a truck to transfer to the ship. Going home the luggage goes straight to the aircraft from outside the cabin. Luggage labels and boarding passes are delivered to the cabin.

Have a great trip.

Yes - I agree and saves any hassle. Just pointing out that when this has been questioned or at checkin the correct rules have been followed so people with less than six but greater than 3 have been allowed on for EU cruises. This also came up on the Marella board- they have same 6 month t&c - Marella replied to someone and accepted that the 6 months was just a catch all but that 3 or more was valid and acceptable for U.K. passport to EU.

With regards to immigration rules they do and they will and they have done. They cannot make up their own immigration rules. It’s just lack of attention to detail on their part. You will have no problem if you phone them or when you check in.

That is correct

Wrong !

It is 3 months for EU for U.K. passports .That’s the rule. Cruise company’s do not have any right to overrule this. But many seem to have a 6 month stipulation probably as a catch all. If you phone them you will be accepted with 3 months validity on return date. Also EU passport holders only need validity until expiry date of passport on date of return even it’s the same day for example an EU passport holder travelling on P&O from U.K. to EU . Cruise companies do not make the immigration rules. Have had this issue with Marella and P&O previously and have been there and done it.

Class - that’s a nice touch.

If it wasn’t for the advice from people who replied to me here I would have blown the upgrade - and luckily the Saga staff did not action my request to go back to my original Cabin straight away - they waited until I phoned back again the next day and also reassured me about the lack of noise. You will love it ! Have a great time.

Crossing the gangway. Checking the cabin and balcony. First large G&T. Smiling staff. Being at sea again on an adventure - free !

Ok ! Doh !

Been told p&o now do this. Cruise cards in the cabin.

Book early 👍

Excellent 👌- great stuff. Bargain . Let us know what it’s like .

Agree - preferred boarding time option when booking would help - (not guaranteed obviously !)

It’s a special one off due to the technical problems causing the transatlantic cancellation .

Hi Selbourne - we had a private transfer for just us - I think it may depend on the distance but we are within the 75 mile range (I think it’s that) and also I think you can pay extra to have private without sharing but things might have changed. With p&o we have been on Iona once on the cruise only no stops trip which was effectively adults only due to vaccination requirements at the time and 1/2 full - just after cruises restarted. It was a good price so we thought we would try it. We had a good cruise but we didn’t like the ship size and layout. Apart from that we only go on Aurora and Arcadia. We like Aurora much better so usually go on her. The price we paid for saga was about £1700 pp for 7 days. We wanted to try it ( just once as a treat) as it’s too expensive normally for us but with the upgrade it turned out to be very reasonable ! The cruise had been postponed twice so by the time we went the price was reasonable given its all inclusive, 2 included excursions and private transfer(which was brilliant in a Mercedes E class with a good driver). The standard of the cabins and the ship generally are very high - noticeably better than what we are used to - the service everywhere was excellent as was the food and drinks. The deluxe balcony was fantastic - very big with walk in wardrobe, balcony doors and another side window. Very quiet at all times and we were near the lifts which we could not hear at all. Very well cleaned and serviced with turndown. The excursions were very good and well organised and we always had berths close the the port exit. We found the pre dinner entertainment very limited - we like to listen to some music etc while having a drink but there wasn’t anything that we found. The disembarkation at Dover was chaotic and badly organised. I don’t know if this was a one off. I would say it’s not worth double the Aurora price in my opinion as we have always had a very good experience with p&o on Aurora for a good price even taking into account drinks and excursions - we always go select balcony so always get parking and some OBC. It’s probably worth double Arcadia price if that makes sense ! If you cruise a lot it might be worth doing a 5 day one on Saga to see what you think as they don’t seem too exorbitant. I hope that helps. paul

I agree with Mollag - we went on Saga for the first time last summer and got an upgrade to a deluxe balcony out of the blue ! It was excellent. Cabin , service , quality and excursions were all top class. Private transfer to the ship and back. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Good luck - if we weren’t going away the week after we would definitely try and get on this revised QM2 one as well. Let us know if you make it .

Ok thanks - it’s been a few years since I have been on p&o so it’s obviously modernised.

Yes I agree and you are right - I can’t defend it- but I prefer to get sorted earlier and have lunch so 15:30 is unreasonable for me. Wish I could afford a suite. I would pay a premium for early check in though. I think the check in could be more efficient - Pre register credit cards and upload photos for cruise cards which could be sent out perhaps.

Thanks very much - ditto re EE. It’s civilised interesting and beautiful isn’t it. 👍

Sounds like they are now enforcing the check in times more robustly. We have always arrived as soon as it opens !! and have been prepared to wait or come back if required - but never had to - so far. We like to get settled and have lunch on board if we can. I think 15:30 is unreasonable so I would ignore and turn up when you want. Understand the logistics arguments etc about arriving as scheduled but I have found it evens itself out naturally with some who prefer later or do not arrive until later - but maybe just got lucky.