BertieRulesOK

This is why I replied to MBs post so quickly above to balance out his rather... extreme(?)... account of dining on Arvia. I am also solo btw. Not sure why that would change anyone's experience? Anyhoos, I never waited more than 10 mins for a table using the app. Was I happy to share tables? Yes. If you want to get into dining quickly, sharing tables is the way to go. Was I looking at the various choices of dining and choosing the likely shortlist queue? Of course! Did I use the buffet or the Quays on the couple of nights that I wanted to do lots of activities? Yes, I was an adult and chose what was most important to me to do that evening. Quick eats, lots of entertainment. Did I miss an 8.30pm theatre show as I was still in a restaurant one evening? Yes... I simply went at 10.30pm instead. Did I miss dining entirely because one evening was back to back entertainment from 7-9pm? No, that evening I had looked ahead on my App and booked a fixed dining table at 5.45pm Could I get a table at 6.30-7pm? Most evenings. I simply waited for the second the wait list opened on the app and joined it. I was normally 2 or 3 in the queue. Was I alone, oh woe is me, a solo traveller, in a bar for hours waiting for a table? No. The wait was never that long. If you go solo, you kinda expect you may have to a drink alone...I take a book! There are solo meet ups all the time if this really is something you would not do. And finally... Finally... No one says you have to sit in a bar! I ordered most of my tables whilst getting ready in the cabin... enjoying the booze I brought on board myself! Did I get annoyed when my place in the electronic queue did not move and it went on for ages? Yes. I did not know what had happened. But I am not proud. I just asked a member of staff and they simply explained that can happen - you just need to refresh the webpage. And like magic, it worked. I have passed this tidbit onto many cruisers whenever I overhear some cursing. It's an annoying bug yes, but one which is quickly remedied if you are not too proud to ask for help. Sorry. Rant over. Just so much over exaggeration from those who do not like ships to use tech, which leads to unnecessary anxiety in new cruisers. I feel it is necessary to balance the discourse. The App is fine. It works. You'll have a great time. Please no panicking.

In answer to the original question, does having to prebook 14 days out put me off? No. I don't mind being organised in order to book what I want. Equally, it's a far fairer system then first come first served onboard which only benefits the few with loyalty status. Getting bookings for 710 (which you cannot pre-book) is a nightmare for this reason.

Never waited over 10 mins for a table and never, ever had to get physically queue. Also, Arvia has four included restaurants, not two. I'd far rather have choice and convenience then having to be faffed with queuing and buzzers. Bar humbug, technology, bar humbug, making me use a smartphone... Yadda Yadda yadda

I am thinking of using Bag&Go and have a couple of queries I hope you can assist with. First, do you need to pre-book and any advantage to doing so? Second, is there an opportunity to open your suitcase to repack some stuff, before you surrender it to the airport bag drop? Many thanks

It's one of the stages of the check-in process. Have a look on your MyP&O it should clearly show what parts of the check-in have not been completed. You need to complete all stages and then you can access you luggage labels. I am sure you DIL will be able to assist you if you are having problems.

Many encounter this issue with luggage labels not being available. Known fixes are (1) log in from a different device and/or browser - in particular P&O website is notorious for not showing correctly on mobiles; (2) ensure you have completed every stage of the booking, including uploading a photo; and (3) if you have issues when downloading them, they may be in your download folder even if the webpage seemed to crash during the process. Hope this helps.

Just make sure you are with a mobile provider with free roaming (or get a cheap SIM with it) and just use your data. Much easier than walking around trying to find WiFi.

There will be certain speciality restaurants and entertainment you can book before you get on the ship, notably the Limelight. This normally opens up 2 weeks before you cruise via the P&O personaliser webpage. Well worth being on at midnight to ensure you get what you want. Everything else will be first come first served on embarkation via the on-ship webpage (MyP&O), so make sure you are looking at this tootsuit after boarding. It is normally cheaper to pre-book restaurants too, so worth doing.

That's what I have received too. But as you have to pay for two people whether you are solo or not, it's less misleading to say what the total cost is (or per room in other words).

Yup. That's the £500 I have been quotes. The upgrade email started at £550... Hence my shock.

I could be wrong, but I am sure the wedding venue can also be used for other get together. It may be worth looking what they offer for your actual bday as they will be used to organising for large groups and I think it includes meals.

It'll depend on how long the cruise is for and what ship it is as some ships include alcohol and some don't.

I've been debating upgrading from inside to balcony on an upcoming 2 week cruise. It'll cost me around £500 to change this via P&O. The upgrade bidding starts at £550 per room. Ridiculous!

The extras were available on Ventura back in November. Everyone on my various shared tables thought it was a cheek that they were trying to charge for dishes which a couple of years ago, would have been on the normal MDR menu. Only saw one person try one and they were not impressed. Btw, it's the same dishes every night. The "specials" menu does not change as far as I saw.

I thought I would update this post, having now been on Ventura, for future reference. There is no swim current in the Oasis pool. It was apparently removed years ago, but the fact has not been publicised (hence the many confusing articles mentioning it online).

I think the real problem here is P&O not providing sufficient bottle refil points, especially on the older ships. Can't blame people for wanting filtered water. The stuff out the bathroom taps doesn't taste the best.

I get a bit bored in P&O MDR. There's only so much meat and three veg I can take, especially with the always there choices now making up a large amount of the menu. Specialty restaurants at least give some variety.

I have to say that I am quite tempted by the laundry bag 10 item wash. Get them to do it for me. We'll see how we go. Take the washing sheet though, just in case.

I tend to wear dresses, so 12 nights is likely 20ish dresses, with a change for the evening plus leggings. It's a huge amount of clothes. Hence washing.

I am on my first 12 day cruise so I am planning to do a clothes wash for the first time. Question: Are there good or bad times to do wash? Last thing I want is to be staking out the laundry room. Also are there any rules to queuing for machines? Eg, can you leave your basket to indicate next in queue (like you did back in uni halls?)…?

@molecrochip Thanks. Really good to know and glad the "broken" rumours might be misplaced!

I am a swimmer and really like to get some laps on whilst on a cruise. Loved the size of the adult only pool on the Britannia, was totally frustrated by the postage stamp pools and children per sq m on the Iona. I am going on Ventura for the first time and I am intrigued by the swim current in the Oasis/Endless pool. I am also concerned about the mentions online of it being broken. What are your guys experiences? Can you get a decent swim? Will I be able to get my swim on?

Sad to report that you are scr*wed as a single traveller on upgrades. You have to pay for two people even though there is only one of you. So it's completely unaffordable. Shame.

I've found that the people on this P&O forum are inclined to be grumpy and there is a bias of over reporting of issues with Freedom Dining. Yes, there have been one or two outlier cruises where something went wrong with the app - but the vast majority are fine and I wouldn't let tales from the moaners put you off. I've done both Iona and Britannia on FD now and had no issues. You simply keep an eye size of the queue on the app. There is barely any queue if you want to dine early or late. In the popular hours, 7-8pm-ish, you can simply enjoy a drink on your balcony or in a bar whilst you wait. You get used to it very soon. It's just not a good option for those who want to eat the moment they think about it or those who choose not to embrace modern technology and use the app. If you want a table quicker, you can always elect to share a table too.

I wish the hot tub rules were enforced. The amount of kids using them as swimming pools with no parents in sight is really bad. I don't like being kicked and splashed.