Deeliteful

I still enjoy my cruises but not all with P&O, though I am doing my 3rd Norwegian Fjords cruise in June on Iona. I will report back. I usually travel solo but this cruise I am with a friend. Balcony cabin booked which for me is a must on the Fjords. Very much looking forward to it. The cruise after that is with RCI , Transatlantic in October on the Symphony. Bit worried about the size of that ship but will see whether it floats my boat or not! As another poster stated, I saw very little difference between Cunard and P&O but I wasn’t in the Queens grill! The only line I wouldn’t sail again is Fred Olsen.

My first couple of cruises were in an inside cabin, I got “upgraded” to an OV on my first RCI cruise, when I got a bonus at work I upgraded myself to a balcony. I have also sailed in the prom view cabins. I am happy to be cruising no matter which cabin I have but I prefer an inside to an OV, a balcony especially when I cruise to somewhere like Alaska or the Norwegian Fjords. Also as a solo cruiser mostly, the money does matter. I don’t necessarily sleep better in an inside but I definitely sleep for longer! Bottom line, any cabin that I can afford as long as I’m cruising will be just fine but I would put them in this order (I can’t afford a suite as a solo!) 1. Balcony pref midship or overlooking the wake 2. An inside, midship 3. An OV with window seat, midship 4. A prom view cabin

Well to answer the OP’s question (as opposed to arguing about entertainment!), I have cruised with RCI, Celebrity, Cunard, NCL, Azmara, Fred Olsen, Princess and P&O. P&O have a great product, good pricing, drinks very well priced, cruises priced well too even for solos. RCI is great too but the 18% gratuities do get to me! Though I’m happy with my 4 drinks per day as Diamond. I think you’ll enjoy it, I’ve never had a cruise I didn’t enjoy though I wouldn’t sail with Fred Olsen again. Enjoy! A cruise is what you make it, don’t sweat the small stuff! 😂

On my last cruise the ages ranged from 20-70+ at the solos get together. Mostly women, and we met up for a drink most evenings before dinner. The get togethers do vary depending on ship and itinerary of course.

I use the laundry service on every cruise and have never had any issues.

I was on the Jewel in October on a T/A from Barcelona to Port Canaveral. I loved the ship. Great staff, beautiful ship. Check out the reviews on here. Enjoy

My first cruise was on Oriana in 2000. I loved that ship and it started my cruise addiction! I sailed on my 32nd cruise in January. Not all of my cruises have been with P&O but my next one is - Fjords on Iona in June. I generally travel solo and don’t really mind how big the ship is, I will always meet people to chat to (if I want to!). Yes, some of the dining has changed but P&O offer really good value IMO especially compared to some of the US ships ( and I know they are part of Carnival but it is still very much a British vibe). The tips and drinks being a great example of good value. Enjoy whatever cruise you take.

Barcelona is one of my favourite cities and I have visited it quite a few times. try and get a hotel on Las Ramblas and do visit the market there. Sagrada and Park Guell are must dos. For something a little different after all the sight seeing, last year I took a sunset jazz cruise from the harbour. It cost pennies, is on a catamaran with a bar and great musicians. I highly recommend it. You can check it out on Trip Advisor or Viator.

Guess I’ll have to get walking the decks more often 😂🚶🏻‍♀️

Yes

Never had the UDP before but thought this looked like a good price for a 14 day Transatlantic cruise £304 (not sure in $). Thoughts please? TIA Pat

Thanks to @Sea DogI tried a Kraken Colada on my T/A in October and it was awesome, as was the 2nd and the 3rd!! Love a well made Bloody Mary, Margarita, Kir Royale, Champagne Cocktail……….. So many to choose. I do tend to have a “cruise drink” and have mainly them on any particular cruise. January’s on the Explorer was Kir Royale at night and Corona daytime. Cheers 🥂🥂🍸🍸 @Sea Dogenjoy your cruise on the Oasis x

If it was me the first 12 night Iceland and Scotland or the Fjords cruise, but I am from the UK so wouldn’t do a British Isles cruise. I am going. My 3rd Fjords cruise in June on P&O Iona. Just love the Fjords cruises, so relaxing and stunning scenery. Love the Jewel too, sailed on her in October T/A from Barcelona to Port Canaveral. Whichever you choose, enjoy.

Yes I know, I should probably have worded it that the prices currently showing for my TA cruise on Symphony in October are . ….

Had the key on my last two cruises as I am solo and buy the internet and wait for the right price. I am totally happy with leaving my carry on for someone to take to my room.

Current drinks package price on RCI is £58.46 per day which reflects buy one get 2nd at 50% off. I won’t be buying as a)I’m travelling solo and b) with my diamond vouchers I just buy a couple more drinks if I want them. As I’m on a 14 day cruise in October I certainly won’t be paying for a package. Have a P&O cruise in June, get 7.5% discount on anything I buy and the drinks are great prices anyway.

It is definitely a very American thing - tipping. In the UK it is generally 10% in restaurants or taxis or hairdressers. Personally I think 18% is way over the top. I remember buying a bottle of Champagne at a 4 or 5 star hotel in Vegas and tipping the waitress $10. My American friend was appalled! She thought I should have given her at least $25! My argument was that if I had asked for beer the bill would have been less but her work would have been the same. I pay the auto gratuities and tip as and when I feel it’s appropriate. On my last cruise I tipped $2 every now and then for my drinks (vouchers or paid), I did not tip my waiters as they weren’t great and I tipped my Cabin Steward $60 because he was great, Guess I’m becoming more American! 😂

NEGATIVES: I used the app when the debark alert came up and I booked a specific time to debark. For some reason they had us listed as self-assist so we had to go to Guest Services to make the change; the interaction was quick and painless. This also happened to our table mates. I requested a table for two; we were seated at a table for 10 and those at the table did not speak English; we requested a change and it was made quickly. I don’t see these as Negatives but as Positives. Mistakes were made and they were sorted and quickly, that’s really positive IMO. Mistakes happen, it’s how they are rectified that’s important.

Don’t use the ship to exchange, it’s always a very poor rate of exchange

I make lists, pack my cases a few days before. Open cases the day before travelling and add more stuff! last cruise, last month, I took 13 pairs of trousers for an 8 day cruise and forgot my swimsuit! 😱 I did get a new one onboard, thank goodness for my poker wins 😂

You could not get bored on an Alaskan cruise. I have been twice, once in June and then early September. The September one was better because we got to see bears catching salmon! I went on Celebrity from Vancouver. Stayed in the Pan Pacific which is right at the dock. I also went to Vancouver Island for 3 days pre-cruise and went on awesome whale and bear watching trips. Coming back down the Inside Passage, I ordered room service dinner as the views and whale watching from my aft balcony was too good to miss. Just fantastic.

She is there to be enhanced. I was on the last cruise before she went to Spain for the refit. great ship

Thanks for your review . You do realise this is Cruise Critic! 😱 Lovely to hear such a positive review for a change.

I get the Key if the price is right and I enjoy the early embarkation, lunch and breakfast prior to disembarking.

Kraken Colada - awesome!