mygo1999

Ok,going on first ever cruise to the Baltics in June.We decided to have a different kind of holiday this year,verrry different.The thing is we have never ever done a "package"holiday before,always gone independent for everthing.Are we going to find it a shock to the system?Even our friends are surprised with our plans.Will we be able to escape the hordes? Are there hordes? Ijust don't want to have made a mistake.Sorry for the ramble.think I'm just looking for reassurance.

I think you will enjoy it. If you are independent I would suggest arranging your own excursions in port or doing your own thing. We haven't done the Baltic's it's on our list, but reviews are good. You will be looked after but you can also do as much or as little as you want, so make it a cruise to remember.

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I see that the woman shoplifter on the mobility scooter, and the launderette fights are still prevelent on the Ventura according to a review of N603 on another site. I did miss the attempted murder though.

I went looking for the review. Just below it is another review which is completely opposite.

I have one observation about the bad review. He says he was in an inside cabin with two bunks screwed to the wall. Well I have been on Ventura and Azura with inside cabins, they are not bunks they are two single beds which can be made into a double and they are not screwed down. The only P&O ship I have been on with two bunks screwed to the wall is a P&O ferry.

I also used the launderette the only people I met were nice normal people like you normally meet on a cruise ship. I do not believe this review at all. FAKE!

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Your very welcome. Enjoy a pint on us.

 

(Retired RM )

I'm ex RN.

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I do believe you have to give a hand rowing. On some ships you have to help wind up the elastic band. :) :) :)

I forgot the washing up....

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Hi.

 

So going on ventura soon. Looking into the pool situation. As I can tell the oasis/endless pool is the adult only one. What I'm interested in knowing is, do you have to pay for this one I can tell from deck plans that the retreat is above and I know that is payable so thought I'd check.

 

Q1: Do you have to pay for use of that pool??

 

Q2: If no cost for the pool is there loungers around that can be used?

 

Thanks for the help :)

It is just behind the retreat which you have to pay but the pool is free to use. There aren't any loungers around it, has an area round it gym and spa. And a terraced seating area.

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I believe it's available across all the cruise lines under the Carnival umbrella. Certainly worth asking when you book.

I must really thank you for the mention. I rang and got it... :-)

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Fjords so not expecting shuttle bus charges.

We could request our dining time but not guaranteed but it could give us a chance to try freedom dining something we've never done before.

Any tips on freedom dining?

 

We normally have certain cabins in mind but as none of these were available we decided to leave everything to chance for a change. To be honest I'm looking forward to the surprises.

 

Will the embarkation time be influenced by the saver fare?

We have used freedom dining, we don't tend to eat early so normally went around 8pm, but we were quite willing to dine on a large table so we never had to wait. If you want to eat on a table for two you may have to wait.

We kind of like meeting different people at dinner, although sometimes it can be funny when you get.... how shall I say.....interesting people.

I forgot there is no difference when boarding.

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I believe it's available across all the cruise lines under the Carnival umberella. Certainly worth asking when you book.

Thanks for that. I just checked I need to call them tomorrow and I should get it for our cruise.

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We our shareholder and military and future cruise deposit obc. :D

 

..but I understand what you meant.

I have had military obc on Princess I didn't know P&O did it as well. I will have to look into it.

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Not a lot depending on where you are visiting. Shuttle buses are payable if P & O provide them. If the port provides them then they are not chargeable.

 

Your dining allocation will be in your cabin when you arrive. There will probably be a chance to change this if not suitable but that is not guaranteed.

 

Your cabin will be allocated approx 4 weeks before you cruise but it could be less than that. Keep checking your cruise personaliser.

 

I think that they are the only differences.

 

Sue

Only one other thing there is no on board spend.

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So, I've kind of caught the cruising bug and have our second booked for May.

 

We have a 3 year old daughter and our first short cruise was on Azura, and our next cruise is also on Azura. We'd been warned about the very large ships, but in our opinion, it was spot on and everything we'd imagined it would be.

 

I just wondered what people's opinions were of the other family friendly ships (both P&O and others)? I'd be nervous trying any other because I wouldn't want to be disappointed. However, I'm aware that Azura only has outdoor pools etc.

 

I'm keen to start looking at a warmer cruise (our next is to fjords) and feel that we should expand our experience beyond one ship, but clueless as to which would suit us and our daughter.

 

Any advice, opinion or experience welcome. :-D Thanks in advance. One day hopefully I'll be able to return the favour and answer other people's questions.....

If you like Azura then Ventura is a sister ship but it has differences the main one being the pool towards the stern ( just before the buffet restaurant ) is covered you still get the sun but it's warm. But there is no sea screen(the large video screen) like Azura has.

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Very quick question! Sailing tomorrow and would like to know if in the evenings the ship is warm enough in winter months to wear short sleeve dresses, thanx😀

Yes my wife wears short sleeve dresses but she takes a pashmina just in case.

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Thank you for the information. I've plenty of time to do some research.

Hope you both have a fantastic cruise. Bet you're really excited. I know I am :)

Yes we are, truly fed up of the cold, wet, windy with storms every four or five days. Can't wait to feel some warmth and wear summer clothes. While enjoying being pampered.

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Thanks ... so having a little wander about the town might be do-able then. That's great.

The Aquarium is well worth a visit.

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Have been checking out the prices for a Canaries cruise later this year and have found the prices have jumped up these last few days. Im not a seasoned cruiser and am wondering if they may come down again?

There isn't really a right answer to this. Cruise companies are like airlines if there is a cruise that is not selling well then they will drop the price, conversely if they have sold more cabins than they expected by a certain time they will put the price up. Also the price has to be at a certain level for a period of time before they can say £xxx off. When we plan a cruise I keep an eye on the price for a few cruises from quite early on. I book when I am happy with the price on offer. If you wait the price may come down again closer to the cruise.

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HI ... is the port close to the actual town of Genoa ? Our flight lands at 10:40am and I was thinking about having a wander round the town before we get on the ship as have never been to Genoa but only if the town is within walking distance from the port. Does anyone know what time the ship sets sail from Genoa? Thanks.:):)

It's in the middle of town and the airport is very close as well.

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Hello

We are flying out to Azura, in Novmber and just up graded to Premium Economy.

I understand that our baggage allowance has been increased to 28kg. When I checked the personalised it says no bag should exceed 23kg.

Can I assume this means we can take 2 bags then? One of 23kg and one of 5g. We also get 5kg of hand luggage?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated :)

Hi we are fly out on the 19th of March premium economy as well. I think it depends which airline. We are flying with Thomas Cook and we have 30kg checked allowance each, plus 10kg hand luggage allowance. Yes you can take more than one bag, we intend to take three. If you check on cruise personalizer, 'getting there and back'..... 'flights' it will tell you the airline and your allowances.

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If you arrive on Friday you get an overnight on board on Friday night. Then when the ship arrives back on Friday morning you fly back home. If you arrive on Saturday you get on the ship and the ship leaves but you fly back on Saturday as well so you get the overnight on board the Friday at the end of the cruise.

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Last year we did Royal Princess in June and Ventura in October . We traveled down from London at 11am (checkout) had a very good trip both times were at the terminal by 1pm and onboard by 1:30 pm in the buffet. Both times the check in was very slick. We expected having to wait because our check in time was 3:30 pm.

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Hi all,

We shall be joining the Azura on 12th Nov,our flight arrives into Barbados at 1600hrs. Our itinerary shows day 2 being at sea so we are assuming the ship will be docked in Bridgetown overnight on the day of our arrival. My question is,after joining the ship getting sorted,unpacked etc would we be able to wander back into Bridgetown for the evening and if so what time would we need to be back onboard?

Thank you.

We are joining Azura on the 19th March which is a Saturday. Some people are flying out on Friday to join the ship, they will be spending the night on board and can go ashore on Saturday. The ship doesn't sail until 5pm. So I suspect your cruise will be the same so you can go ashore after you have checked in and probably on Saturday as well.

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May be a silly question but does the cabins have tea cups & saucers or mugs for tea & coffee.

 

DD loves hot chocolate & is taking her own but it tastes better in a mug.

 

So does she need to bring her own mug for use in the cabin.

It was mugs on Azura and Ventura.

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If you do not already have flights booked, an alternative is London Gatwick Airport. Its a bit nearer to Southampton with rail links and they have expanded their US flights. Although classified as "London" it is very well South of the city and therefore closer to Southampton.

 

Regards John

Yes as you say geographical it is closer but by road it takes 1 hour 45 mins. However the train is easier. Some are one change and some are direct but the journey is still about 2 hours it is cheap though.

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Notice that Azura has an adults only pool. Since we are on her during the school holidays wondered if they charge for the use of this pool.

 

If so how much? is it daily or per cruise.

 

Thanks

The adult pool is towards the bow just behind 'The Retreat' which is an adult area that you have to pay for, but the adult pool is free. I can't remember how much the retreat was per day, I never saw anyone use it. But we used the adult pool.

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I have been looking at fjords cruises with P&O and have just found out about this travel insurance requirement. The one offered through the cruise line seems very straight forward but not available to me as an American. I can't find any companies here in the States offering the 2 million pounds coverage that they require ($1.5 million was as close as I could find). Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! This is a great forum, and I have learned a lot from you all.

We have annual travel insurance which is worldwide and covers cruising. P&O have never asked to see our documents but we carry them. On P&O's cruise personalizer they ask for the insurance company and the emergency contact number, they don't ask for the policy number or anything else........ so I don't have to spell it out do I, just make sure you have insurance that covers you.

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