ScotsTravelady

Hi, yes I have always found the pools are a bit on the small side on cruise ships. This is why I am hoping the Serenity pool might be a little bit better to stretch out in being adults only. As you say, it just means turning round a lot! :)

Afraid it's small

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well I'm going on ventura next year and I'm now worried about the buffet! Never has these problems on RCI and this sounds a nightmare [emoji54]

There's no difference in any ship buffet[emoji4] don't worry.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, you are right, a complaint is in order. Princess should stop recognising cruises for other cruise lines. Loyalty is about being loyal to that cruise line, not any Tom, dick or Harry, who after years with Another cruise line decides to claim all the perks for free! I don't understand your comment "in this respect I should recommend P&O as a good alternative".......to what???

A lot of Travel corporations match Loyalty. Indeed airlines & hotel groups do this all the time. American companies very much so. Example, I have a BA gold loyalty and numerous Airlines match that loyalty - not all part of the One World partnership. Similarly, I have earned top tier loyalty with a couple of large Hotel groups but, by simply asking ,every other major hotel group I have stayed with has provided me with same as they want to attract my business.

I know that may sound unfair to many, but Princess wants to attract and retain customers and if this is a way of doing so then they will. In all fairness to Princess, it's really easy to reach Elite. There's more high end loyalty passengers on a Princess cruise than there are low end. It's all about making a passenger think they are special. Last Princess cruise I was on a passenger tried to barge past a long queue shouting she was Elite - everyone in the queue was the same[emoji4]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think they should bring back priority baggage to cabins for the higher tiers and also still have the separate baggage are in Southampton. Fed up of P&O dumbing things down, especially the dress code.

The dumbing down dress code comes back to P&O wanting to attract new passengers, many who do not want to do formal. Personally, I have to be formal several times a week business entertaining & I have no desire to dress up while on holiday, so I don't. I also avoid 'formal areas' on formal nights as this suits me. I'm happy to chill in a less formal area then head back to my cabin. This way I do not offend those who think I'm being rude. I'm not a tramp, but just don't do formal. I'm far from unique and as long as I pay big bucks for our suite and have a big bill P&O will not bother. Even been told by the Captain to wear what I want. That's how it works - they are revenue driven. Even Cunard are dumbing down their dress-code as their strategy is to attract younger professionals who don't want formal every night.

I understand your point of view, but the cruising industry is changing fast and fighting hard to win new business and they know they will not attract younger passengers who will spend a lot if they impose strict dress codes. They need a unique selling point & I see them moving more towards country casual after hours.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've never had priority when checking in with baby & toddler grandchildren. Given many oldies travel Sept onwards those in wheelchairs will get priority. Double buggy could be a challenge as corridors will not be wide enough. You'll be fine in the MDR as long as the kids don't throw a strop, but if that happens you just remove them. Think someone's mentioned they do a children's tea in the buffet at 5pm. You will get some old and not so old buggers give you the evil eye and tut as they don't like kids, but don't stress out as they are the exception, most passengers will be fine and the staff usually love children. The same people tut and moan at us adults as well[emoji1]. Never apologise for a child wanting to be a child. Just don't let the 2 year old run about daft on decks unsupervised as bumping into chairs, stairs and tables and old people with walking sticks is not a good combination for the child or elderly person. One old lady on my last cruise in April broke her arm when a toddler tripped her up.! Children will love the cruise. Also as long as they're toilet trained you can take them in the pool (no swimmer nappies allowed and I've seen that enforced a few times now when passengers have complained). What I have seen a few times is someone take a small blow-up paddling pool to let their baby and toddler sit and splash in water. Not as daft as it sounds! Chill, it will be fine. People will love your babies and those that don't, well that's their loss.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Currently P&O drinks are very reasonable, so if a AI drinks package was ever introduced I expect it would be a similar cost of that offered by Celebrity, Princess or RCI. You would have to drink about 5-7 alcoholic drinks to break even. For many that's easy, for others not so much

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jeez - have used the buffet on RCCL so many times without issue, first trip coming up on P&O and I'm now thinking of avoiding the buffet for breakfast if it's full of some of the passenger types who've revealed themselves on this thread. Can anyone tell me what the MDR arrangements for breakfast are on Ventura? Is there a semi-formal option like on RCCL eg wait for a table but then it's buffet?

Don't worry, I just don't recognise most of what is posted here. I've been on RCI many times and found P&O to be just the same.

Enjoy your cruise

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Did you know that skin cancer occurs less frequently in naturists than in textiles? (people who wear swimming costumes). Fact.

I always get a balcony because I am a naturist. Sometimes I sunbathe topless on the top deck, mostly I sunbathe nude on my balcony...

I saw a lady do this recently on Azura, she was on one of the open balcony's and every one above her got an eyeful ever time the went outside. She was as naked as could be. Didn't hear anyone moan about it, but did hear a few whistles and some laughter.

Bottom line is that no-one bothered :)

Best for me is Barcelona or the Ocean Terminal at Southampton, England. Very friendly staff and well organised.

Worst - Miami, but I must admit I find most US cruise ports not that great. Everything seems so busy and rushed.

...maybe I'm just getting old and like a slower life:D

When are you arriving?

Hanover Street is very central and there is plenty of seating in George Square. I too would recommend and HoHo bus.

I'm Glaswegian so happy to help in answering any questions

I also agree that you should take the tram into St Andrew Square. It will cost you £5 each and tickets need to be purchased at ticket machine on the platform before you get on. The machines take cash and cards. This is much cheaper than a taxi and just as comfortable.

The bus station is opposite you when you get off and they will store your luggage at a reasonable cost. Don't use the train station for storing luggage, should anyone on your flight suggest as it's a rip off.

There are loads of places nearby for coffee / breakfast. You are also in the heart of the city with the Castle and Royal Mile nearby.

It is about 10 mins by taxi to the cruise terminal and I would suggest you just pick up a taxi on the street and do that as you may be weary after your flight. You can walk a couple of mins to a bus stop and get the no 22 that will take you down to the port. Buses are pretty good cheap in Edinburgh - tickets £1.50 each, exact change required and you pay the driver.

I've also just remembered to can catch a no 35 bus from the airport that will take you direct to Ocean Terminal, just nearby where you want to be. But i too cannot think of anywhere to leave your luggage.

let us know if you need further info

Really? BA is 45 mins for long and short haul at T5.

No, in Heathrow, check-in closes 45 mins before the flight, long haul flights also start to board at 45mins before flight. Three hours is still recommended. It I can be very difficult to get from check in at flight minus 45, through security and possibly a train and walk in time for your flight. In Heathrow you also must have gone through security by 35 mins before your flight or you will not be allowed to catch your flight. So, if you're held up at check-in, you quite possibly will miss your flight.

I've never had to book either, so news to me

Ive travelled extensively solo and as a European I can say that all ports are safe - no cruise line goes anywhere near any unsafe place in Europe. You may feel uncomfortable in some cities as the culture is vastly different to that of the USA, but they are safe places. Pick pockets are the only thing to be aware of in Barcelona and across Italy - not the locals but generally Roma. Greece is as safe a place as anywhere. You're just as liable to be subject to crime at home than in any of the port destinations. Enjoy & take in the wonderful history. You will gave a ball no matter where you go

Royal Caribbean doesn't tell you that the dining room table assignments are done using a lottery system except for those who need a specific table assignment.

 

The computer has a list of all guests and will randomly assign the guest to a table. All the Director of Dining has to do is press a key"Assign all unassigned tables" and voila all the tables have been assigned.

 

Another thing they don't tell you is your SeaPass Card has an RFID chip and your name appears on the screen so they can greet you by name even without purchasing anything. Notice how a crewmember from a year ago remembers you from the Serenade. Well what the see is your past cruising history and to make you special if they worked on X ship they would say "Welcome Back Mr. so and so" .

 

One other thing they don't tell you is the Elevators can be programmed using the RFID technology to say Welcome back Mr. so and so. But they don't use it in case someone gets scared. Just look on the back for the small barcode on each side. there is an RFID chip stored there and it can be read without scanning(:.

 

 

Another insider tip they don't tell you is if you want to book a future cruise just pick up your room phone and connect with the Loyalty Ambassador. You can be sitting in your PJ's planning your next cruise. If that doesn't work call down to Guest Services and they will patch your call to Miami for no additional charge.

 

If there is something you crave just tell your waiter or waitress and you may be surprised to find that item maybe not tonight but sometime down the road.

 

Which leads me to my next inside info. You know how they bring your Iced Tea and other beverages every time. They don't remember them. There is a secrete employee who is recording your preferences and uploading it to the computer. Your wait staff checks into their section and sees what you like. All your preferences are being silently recorded and used. In fact preferences from your last cruise are kept on file and shared with the sister ships.

 

Want to know one less reason not to use the ship's computer? Because its running Windows XP and as of today there will be security vulnerabilities.

wouldn't worry about XP on a cruise ship - only about 30% of the XP estate worldwide has been updated. Most large corporations and Financial institutions, and governments, including the Dutch and UK and US governments have paid Microsoft millions to extend support. Royal Caribbean have a strategic partnership with MS.

Maybe it's just that darn British humor (or is it humour :))

I never do get it! :confused:

Afraid he's being serious :o

Another don't like. For me it's too much "nationalist" and tacky. But then again I dislike all the flag waving stuff as well.

End of day though it doesn't really matter

I travel both long and short haul on Business every week and have found that most airlines will now charge you to guarantee a specific seat or get 2 seats together. It's a chance you take.

Just off The Spirit & Gio was the CD. All I can say is that someone ought to hide his microphone & tell him screaming doesn't make him sound any better.

I'm sure he does a good job and many like him, but we avoided anything with him around as he drove us nuts. One guy actually told him to shut up and let everyone enjoy the night. ouch!

Great review!! I'm on thus trip from Thursday & did the same last year. Smiled at your Morrocan trip with everyone kissing & touching your babies. It is the same across all of Africa& Asia and much of Southern Europe.

Tuscany next year would be lovely, although be prepared for it to be cool in the winter months.

Thanks fir taking the time to write your review

Thanks everyone.

In my case, I've pre-purhased for my two nieces who are travelling with us. It's their first cruise, they're excited and rather than say go chose something that costs $$ and I'll pick up the cost I'm giving them OBC.

Did a search, but could find an answer.......

Is repurchased OBC automatically added to your account or do you need to go to the customer service desk to get it applied?

We've bought quite a few OBCs, but not sure what we gave to do onboard as it's the first time repurchased

I agree!:)

Totally agree!

I'm on the Crown as we speak - my 77 year old mother said it's like an old folks home as there are few "younger" people. ! At this time of year in Europe the average age is "elderly", with many frail, but hats off to them as most are using walking sticks rather than taking to electric buggies to get around and they are having a great time in their own way.

I'm having a great time and End of day age is only a number. (I'm one of the young ones at 50).

A cruise is what you make of it, so just enjoy

That is the great thing about Southampton you can take your own drinks and nibbles just incase there isn't enough food on the ship !

It is nice to have these before dinner on the balcony with some music, we take wireless speakers with us, not too loud we don't want to disturb anyone

Actually we have never had a balcony on P and O unless you count the one on A deck but our travelling companions have so we use theirs

The thing is if you have speakers anywhere near the balcony you could be disturbing your fellow passengers either side of you. I've just come off a cruise where the next door cabin played music. Not loud, but it was clearly heard. It sometimes annoyed us, but we thought 'live and let live'. However, the people on the other side got fed up after a few days and complained to one of the crew. Result was the people who were using the speakers were warned to not use again near a open balcony door.

Perhaps a bit harsh, but other's may not want to disturbed or hear music they don't like when sitting quietly on their balcony as that's often the point of paying a premium.