AlexMcSpot

We are travelling by Intercruise from Scotch Corner next weekend. Last September we used Eavesway to do the same journey for a cruise on Arcadia. We were picked up at 05:30 (the Intercruise was due 06:00) and we were in Southampton and off the coach at around 13:20. We were in our cabin 20 minutes later. The Eavesway coach drivers are all in touch with each other, any traffic issues are relayed to each driver and alternative avoiding routes are quickly plotted. I would assume Intercruise have the same system. It would be a rare occurrence for a coach to miss a ship. I an afraid disembarkation you are very much in the hands of the last coach passenger. We disembarked at just after 08:00 and the last straggler arrived 08:50, which we were told was very good. Our return home was not the most pleasant, we travelled back during one of the named storms and had to take multiple alternative diversions - we saw villages I didn't know existed. It was a long tiring day. The stragglers can also hold the coach up at rest/drop off stops, the driver would say 20 minute break, and somebody would casually stroll up 5 minutes after. Such is life.

What next - no tables!

I take that back, posted in error, sorry.

I thought the CPS frequently asked questions were very specific:-

No P&O have a contract with Intercruise, however Eavesway still offer their own Cruiselink service, which you have to book direct. We used Eavesway last year, travelling from the North East and they were superb. We are on an Intercruise next trip, so will be interesting to compare.

Same with Eavesway.

There is a web site call "Whats In Port" (not sure I am allowed to post a link) that has lot's of useful information about cruise ports. It does mention shuttle buses and also has links to maps for port locations. Not sure how up to date it is, but still useful information. Edit: I've found out it was updated July 2023

According to the My P&O Cruises web site, on our Mediterranean 14 day cruise, there will be two formal nights (one celebration, one black tie) one each week and on sea days. Just logon and scroll through Your Itinerary, although be aware these are not fixed and may change once on board.

We are booked on Arvia for the Mediterranean in April, deliberately after the school holidays so there are fewer children. We wanted to try one of the big cruise ships, so we can have knowledge for future cruises. Looking forward to the cruise and will no doubt find the quieter locations if we feel the need.

Just to clarify, I didn't want to suggest we were going to try and book both Zenith and Meridian for the same night, that would just confuse us. I just wanted to know that each was listed separetly. Again thanks for the replies, it's appreciated.

Excellent thank you for taking the time to answer. We like early dining and are planning to go on the web site and book as many days in advance as soon as dining becomes available. However plans do change, as we found on our last trip, and we wanted to be sure cancelling was available.

We have our second cruise booked on Arvia, a big difference to Arcadia, in April and have a couple query regards dining and in particular the main dining rooms. We are aware it is all freedom dining and have worked out that we can book for the 17:30 - 18:00 time slot in advance, on the web site and in the app. If we book in advance for a particular night and change our mind, can we cancel? Also we noted there is Meridian and Zenith MDR's, are you able to book for either of them? Any guidance would be appreciated.

I think the itinerary changes have just been announced by P&O and are are being sent out email to effected parties.

Also look on the P&O Arcadia FB group, there is a discussion about the full changes.

The point I was attempting to portray was a cut that required some butterfly stitches and a plaster cost £109 - imagine how much it would cost if it had been something that need more medical assistance, the price would rocket. That is why, in my humble opinion, travel insurance is a must.