Teddy123

This would be a more sensible discussion if it were based on more than "it seems that" and "I am informed". There has been no evidence whatsoever that the claim about how often sheets are changed is true, but people just accept it and discuss it as if it is a fact!

I'm sure the government knew about the risk of increased prices and/or debit card discounts, but as good politicians, they knew you can never underestimate the intelligence of the public and realised the majority of the electorate would swallow the "we got rid of surcharges" line and give them credit for it.

If you want to find our WHICH nights are Black Tie, not HOW MANY, the only way is to wait until you are on board. P&O no longer publish this on the Cruise Personaliser or elsewhere.

Accepting that tips (by whatever name) only go to waiters and cabin stewards, would anybody who removes the auto tips and tips directly care to explain how they ensure every single waiter who would get a share of the auto tip also gets some directly - so that whether they have been serving for breakfast, lunch (perhaps in the buffet) or dinner, they still get their share. The logistics of ensuring nobody misses out, through no fault of their own, have always seemed very challenging to me - especially, but not only, for Freedom Dining - so I'd like to know how it's done.

But everything we wanted to do was very easy as has been on all the other cruises we have done throughout the world. Just needs a bit of research. If you enjoy being herded around in a bus with 50 other people and want to pay over the odds for the privilege, that's your prerogative. Enjoy.

In small places like Olden, Flam, Geiranger and Andalsnes the DIY options are very limited - and as I've pointed out, even in places like Stavanger some trips are only possible via the ship. As another example, since I went to Brinksdal 30 years ago (when the glacier was more spectacular than now), this time I chose to do the Oldevatnet lake cruise which I couldn't have booked locally. So most of the time it's not a question of "shall I go on the ship's tour or do the same thing myself?". If one wants to leave one's options open to see as much as possible, one sometimes has to take the ship's tour, especially in Norway.

Teddy123

Have no idea as not what we wanted to do, but the trips we did want to do we're much cheaper by arranging ourselves.

Fine, but a post that says "No need to book expensive P and O excursions as very easy to arrange everything with local operators" can easily be read as saying ALL trips offered by P&O can be arranged locally, which as I pointed out, is not the case.

Like which excursions?

Flor & Fjaere tropical gardens in Stavanger are only available as a visit in the morning via a cruise ship tour OR in the afternoon/evening with a meal. You cannot have a visit without a meal, or a visit that ends before 16.30, except through the ship.

A tour that goes from Flam to Gudvangen by boat then by coach back to Flam and up to the Stegastein lookout also seems impossible to arrange other than through the ship (other available tours don't include the lookout).

We went to Norway on Britannia in mid June. No need to book expensive P and O excursions as very easy to arrange everything with local operators online or take HOHO.

Depends what you want to do and where you are - some things can be arranged locally, but some great excursion would be IMPOSSIBLE to do other than through P&O.

Nothing like as wasteful as a cruise ship, I believe. But I can't continue this discussion because I'm just about to set sail again!!

I think any objective assessment of cruising would show the negative impact it has on the environment, through pollution and the colossal waste of food and energy on board. However, we all turn a blind eye and choose to gloss over it.

How often have you heard on a cruise ship that someone somewhere has been put off the ship for bad behaviour? It's s perennial and I generally find that hard to believe and have treated it as rumour unless I saw the culprit being marched off the ship.

I believe it when the captain comes on the PA and says it has been done - which has happened to me (ie I heard it, not I was put off!)

do I have to accept this move?

Yes - unless you said you didn't want an upgrade when booking.

I expect this thread will turn into the usual debate, so I will just give a simple answer to the question.

I always pay the "automatic tip" and unless it's a very unusual situation, I consider that to cover everything.

Thanks for all the comments. We spent four days in London so could not check in on board. No voucher on offer yet but they are refunding my ticket home that I bought originally as well as reimbursing me for the ticket bought yesterday. I am very satisfied, and the apologies were nice, too. My husband, who was not on this trip, and I may do another crossing as I enjoyed this one very much. Found the enrichment and entertainment almost as good as Crystal, our current favorite. Loved my princess grills stateroom and the general look of the ship. Food not perfect but quite good. Free drinks package was wonderful.(y) Cunard's airfare was well priced but I will triple check next time. With a BA printout of my itinerary, seat assignment and Reference number, we felt we were covered, but weren't.

Good that it's sorted and you are satisfied - even if it should never have happened. It would be nice if your husband sent a similar message to his 25,000 followers, to give credit where it's due.

Please do open it if you can - rather than shout round it and disturb neighbouring cabins, which has happened to us a couple of times.

We haven't yet been on the QV since her refit, but have been on the QM2 and always had decaff coffee - no problem. We are not coffee prima donnas and are not fussy about the brand - can't recall what it was, but the ordinary and decaff were the same. You may need to initially ask the steward for it.

Clearly a very stressful experience, but I'm confused how it's possible to have a "British Air[ways] print out" if no booking was made and no ticket bought. I always double check I have a definite booking reference for every flight I make, and ensure I know all about check in, no matter who has made the booking.

I too think that while you will have the freedom to eat (breakfast/lunch/dinner) any time the Grill restaurant is open, it will always be at the same table and the chances of flexibility are very small. How important such flexibility is to you, only you can decide.

I completely fail to see what the problem is. So long as you comply with the dress code at any given point in time and location does it matter? Live and let live, there are a variety of options to choose from because we are all different and the ships cater for all scenarios.

I don't think anybody HAS said there's a problem - IF people comply with the code. The problem comes when people can't be bothered to comply with the code or wish to stretch it to breakingpoint.

The evening dress codes principally apply to main public venues e.g. Cocktail Bars ... and Theatre ( although there are some who may disagree with the last one)

Cue for me to mention once again the American I saw in the QM2 theatre one evening: without a jacket, in a T shirt and wearing a Vote Trump baseball cap.

Walking back to one's cabin ( after 6pm) from the Pool Area, Spa ,Computer room or an add hock visit to the Purser's desk is when common sense kicks in. You'll offend no one, take no notice just continue on your way

I recently got back to my cabin on a formal night, got undressed then realised I needed to visit the Purser's Desk. I decided not to put my dinner suit, dress shirt, bow tie, etc back on and went down dressed casually - these things happen!

That is not to say we don't enjoy our Cunard cruises but definitely have more fun on P&O.... The worst thing about Cunard is the entertainment particularly the speakers and entertainment in lounges.

My enjoyment of cruises is not based on "having fun" (which is why I avoid American lines offering a "fun vacation"), but I dare say P&O does offer more fun than Cunard. I don't go to lounges with entertainers on any line so can't comment. Cunard speakers are much better than P&O, but do tend to be more "heavyweight" so may not appeal to all.

On the USA side of the pond - I decided to book the 8/12/17 QM2 sailing last week.

Just a small comment: in an international forum, it will help to be unambiguous over dates - I asume you mean 12th August, but many will read this as 8th December.

I would say Britannia has more tables for 2 (proportionally) than some P&O ships, so they are easier to get. Although you still probably need to queue before the MDR opens if you want one before 7.15/7.30.

Vegetarian food is the same as on other ships: at least one option on the main menu and a separate vegetarian menu (two different ones) to choose from as well. If you've seen menus (main and vegetarian) on other P&O ships, you'll recognise them on Britannia!

But talking about cruising is the next best thing to doing it!

I would like to suggest that respect is shown to those who have differing opinions.

If showing respect means not hurling abuse, and accepting that views differ, then of course.

However, if their opinion manifests itself by ignoring, or substantially bending, the published dress code because that's what they prefer - and thereby they negatively impact the ambiance that the code is clearly intended to create and which others are entitled to expect, having read the code - then I see no basis for respecting the "I've paid for it, I can do what I want" opinion.