remharri

Thank you all so much for all of the information. Especially the information regarding the shuttles. That's extremely helpful. 

2 minutes ago, Tommart said:

"Early Savers offer a reduced price and are made at the relevant grade with the cabin number allocated by P&O Cruises prior to departure. Dining preferences are not guaranteed. Shuttle buses in port are an additional cost for Early Savers and Savers."

 

Might be worth just checking what the difference is between the Early Saver and the Select Price.  Sometimes the difference is minimal, and sometimes it's actually higher for some odd reason.  There are also some additional perks worth having sometimes with Select.

For those that have cruised Norway on P&O - are there shuttles that they use there? Or is everything pretty accessible once you get off the ship?

Also, since it's "Freedom Dining" dining preferences shouldn't matter, correct?

11 minutes ago, tom_uk said:

 

Oh dear - some more differences between the US and the UK, I'm afraid.

 

First, yes prices can go down as well as up, but - and here's the thing - the price you eventually pay will be the price you initially agreed. P&O (or indeed any other UK-based cruise line) will not reduce *your* price should prices generally fall. Some people have been known to cancel a booking (as long they're outside the 'lose your deposit' threshold), pay the cancellation charge (yes, we have those), rebook at the current lower price and save money on it. But most don't bother - the general view is "we were happy with the price we agreed to pay when we agreed to pay it, so it doesn't matter that other people may have got cheaper prices". Indeed, most early bookers make a point of not checking the current price of the cruise they've booked! - they know they'll be happier if they don't look....

 

Just to complicate things, there can actually be multiple prices for the same cruise on the same ship. There's Select, Early Saver & Saver. The differences between them are real, and the best thing to advise you to do is to read the P&O Booking Terms and Conditions carefully.

 

I'm sorry if this seems to be less than encouraging.

These days I only notice NCL drastically cutting prices - and it's normally very last minute. I can't travel last minute, so I typically have the same mindset - I'm ok with the price when I booked. 

The price I was quoted was the Early Saver - looks like it's just a no thrills rate. Which is fine - I think I'll be ok with "no extras".

Thanks again for all this feedback - truly appreciate it. 

4 hours ago, SquishTheWhale said:

It is unusual for a final payment to be requested so far in advance, but that could be to do with the TA you are using. Keep in mind our T&Cs when booking are different than you may be used to, and so these might apply to your P&O cruise even though you are using a US agent. For instance, we can't cancel and rebook with no penalty if the fare drops. We can't retrospectively apply any offers that come out after booking. Having sailed on the US lines and frequented the forums I know this is normal practice for booking in the US! In the UK once you book that's it, unless you want to lose your deposit by cancelling and rebooking.

 

Tips are included with P&O and while you are welcome to tip extra it's not required or expected. I don't want to start a tipping debate here. Just know it's not the same tipping culture as the US so don't feel like you have to tip per drink or whatever.

 

Food will have a British slant but you will still see some American favourites. You will see a lot of Indian and curry dishes. There'll be some differences, for instance at breakfast our sausages are different to yours and baked beans are a staple! Bacon will usually be back bacon instead of streaky. Just going on the differences I have noticed when sailing US lines.

Do you know if P&O drops their prices frequently? I have a feeling that the Iona prices won't drop too much since it's a newer ship.

2 minutes ago, Presto2 said:

 

You seem like you're the sort of person who does their homework and just goes and has a great time wherever 🙂

Hope you enjoy IONA. We're not sure about her yet as she seems very big, but as we like Britannia and the larger Celebrity ships I am sure that we will give her a try one day. Look forward to reading your review in the future 🙂

Oh yes! I love to have a good time and try to make the best out of any situation. 

We love the larger Oasis class ships - so I'm sure we'll love this as well. 🙂

3 hours ago, SquishTheWhale said:

It is unusual for a final payment to be requested so far in advance, but that could be to do with the TA you are using. Keep in mind our T&Cs when booking are different than you may be used to, and so these might apply to your P&O cruise even though you are using a US agent. For instance, we can't cancel and rebook with no penalty if the fare drops. We can't retrospectively apply any offers that come out after booking. Having sailed on the US lines and frequented the forums I know this is normal practice for booking in the US! In the UK once you book that's it, unless you want to lose your deposit by cancelling and rebooking.

 

Tips are included with P&O and while you are welcome to tip extra it's not required or expected. I don't want to start a tipping debate here. Just know it's not the same tipping culture as the US so don't feel like you have to tip per drink or whatever.

 

Food will have a British slant but you will still see some American favourites. You will see a lot of Indian and curry dishes. There'll be some differences, for instance at breakfast our sausages are different to yours and baked beans are a staple! Bacon will usually be back bacon instead of streaky. Just going on the differences I have noticed when sailing US lines.

Thank you so much for all of this information. It looks like the TA had the final payment date wrong - it isn't due until March. From my research, the only way we can book is through 1 particular TA here in the states as they have a contract with P&O.

I love a good British breakfast, so nothing to worry about there as well as Indian food. Everyone loves a good curry! I'm getting pretty excited!  

1 hour ago, Highpeaklad said:

The formal nights are very formal on P&O you’ll need to bring a suit. 

I'll bring my cocktail dress - we hardly get dressed up anymore on cruises. But this would give us something to look forward to.

1 hour ago, tom_uk said:

Have a look at posts on YouTube by ‘Sean and Stef’. They are US-based cruise enthusiasts who recently did cruises on Ventura and Azura, and have posted interesting YouTube videos/review from the viewpoints of Americans of the first cruise (so far - the second one may still be coming). Interesting stuff!

Watching them now!

I got a quote finally from a TA - they are saying final payment for a July cruise 2020 is due December 6 2019. Is that normal for P&O to want their final payment over 7 months in advance?

5 minutes ago, jomf said:

We tend to think you Americans are pretty ok as well.

we've had great fun on our trips and there seems to be Americans involved at some point!

P & O would be a good fit for you I think.

Waiting on a travel agent here in the States to get back to me so we can book in dollars. 

It's a great price on the Iona to Norway compared to the other cruise lines. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

2 hours ago, besberry said:

I've met Americans (a few) on P&O.  It's much more British than the lines you mentioned.  The decor isn't as glitzy, more restrained.  I love Andersons on Aurora, like a gentlemans club.  The food is defintely British.  The drinks are wayyy cheaper and no 18% surcharge either.  Don't expect to get the range of cocktails that you get on American ships either.  Entertainment is geared to the UK market. 

My favourite line is RCCL with Celebrity and P&O in joint second.  Having said that, my favourite ship is Aurora.  I'll be on Iona next year too, but to the Med.

Thankfully I'm good with just beer. 🙂 But don't mind a nice frozen drink by the pool, however, I don't think we'll be at the pool very often in Norway. 

Thanks for much for the feedback. I'm thinking of just booking it and experiencing something new. I've visited the UK and you guys are an ok bunch to hang with. 😉

I'm sure this question has come up before. But I'm going to go ahead and ask again. 

How is it for Americans on board P&O. I'm looking at possibly booking the Iona for Norway next summer. It will be me (34) and my mother (60) and possibly my brother, his wife and his toddler. My brother and his family will be living in London for the next 3-4 years. 

Me and my mother have cruised a lot on NCL, RCCL and Carnival. So what are the differences that we might notice?

Hi all - I'm on Getaway in April and our excusions/entertainment bookings are about to open up. There is a show I've not heard of before - does anybody know what "Escape the Big Top" is? Thanks!

Like the others said, Escape room! Tons of fun as well....my team won when I was on the Epic back in October :D

To be fair, the person I was talking to was just back from a holiday, and admitted at the start that he was a bit rusty on the changes announced lately.

 

I was never expecting him to know about the Spirit next Summer, as it seems that nobody (outside maybe a couple of people in Miami) know that.

 

I think I'm just going to go with some alternatives now anyway.

I was trying to hold off as well to see what was going on with the Spirit, but hopped on that Getaway itinerary because of the studios since I'm a solo traveler. Really looking forward to this trip. It's an awesome one on a newish ship.

It is great to see this cruise become available. My only problem with this itinerary is that the airfares to Copenhagen appear to be more expensive than other northern european ports. Can anyone recommend a lower cost alternative to getting to Copenhagen?

I booked this cruise and checked airfare for different airports I can reach relatively easy. I found airfare to Copenhagen from Cincinnati for $430 RT on Wow Air, which is a budget airline and you have to pay for extras, but still not a bad price.

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They came out with 1 booking going to Norway and Iceland on the Getaway for May 2019. I booked and I’m excited!

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What getaway cruise are you booked on?

14 Day Copenhagen, Norway, Iceland, UK - May 24, 2019

Studios are great! I'm booked on one on the Bliss, Getaway and the Epic. It's amazing to travel alone and it's even more amazing NCL tries to help solos out. If you go on one of the biggest social media websites, you can search for some groups dedicated to us. We share deals and tips!

Hopefully they are correct, but I won’t hold my breath. :)

 

 

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I called because I've been waiting too, and they told me a few more months. ;p;p;p;p;pLOL

Of course- ours was too, which is why we did the excursion.... but it was thrilling to have the Orcas give us such an entertaining show! Now, if they offered a bear excursion, I'd pay double for that hahaha.... didn't get to see any bears on our trip :(

 

 

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That was my next search, best place to see bears!

Honestly, I would never waste money to go whale watching in Alaska again... our excursion wasn't very exciting, but on two separate occasions there were large pods of Orcas jumping and playing right next to the ship on sea days. INCREDIBLE.

 

 

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I'm going to take my chances. First Alaskan cruise. :D

Let us know his contact info. Thanks.

Do you have contact info. for Steve? Thanks!

Yes I do!

akhumpbacks @ gmail

I'm looking for people to join me on my cruise. Nov. 30th sailing on the Bliss! I'll have to share on my Roll Call.

Let me know if you decide to book.

I toured with Jayleen and anyone she recommends would be top notch. It’s a bonus that it’s her uncle! I see that you’ve already booked, but for anyone else looking for a tour, you will be very well taken care of!

 

 

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Haven't booked yet, but thinking I'll do it based off of these comments about Jayleen!

I've been out with Jayleen and her Uncle Steve. Steve is much better than Jayleen.

Steve is the guy! I'm going to confirm with him and I'll report back after my cruise and tour with him.

Do they have a website?

No website yet...he is just starting.

I'm still trying to decide on what to do! :confused::confused::confused:

:confused:

I also recommend Gastineau Guiding. Small groups with guaranteed access to a clear view of the whales. Excellent guides and we even got to help out with some data gathering for some university studies. It was pretty simple stuff but that was the beauty of it, as it was suitable for all ages.

 

 

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Can you only book through this company through the cruise line?

I highly recommend Gastineau Guiding. Their boats are the perfect answer for whale watching: as stable as the big boats, as roomy as the small boats, and the best windows for watching and photography anywhere (they swing in/up to the ceiling and pin out of the way).

Thank you for the recommendation I'll check them out!