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ozzysdad

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Posts posted by ozzysdad

  1. 21 hours ago, FangedRose said:

    Yes, I agree lovely coaches. But, last time they used Leon's coaches, equally nice.

     

    I have travelled with Eavesway twice. Once with Celebrity, once with P&O just prior to the falling out. Both times were problematic for varying reasons, trying to persuade passengers to agree to a different pick up point (weeks before sailing date when overnight hotel bookings had been made), breakdowns, being decanted into different minibuses, coffee and tea being promised but not available once on board, same with WiFi. The P&O transfer was just prior to Eavesway being dumped (declining to renew contract) and was harangued both ways by the driver telling us to book direct with Eavesway next time.

     

    I could go on but I'm boring myself now.

    Thank you very much for your information and input, you've been helpful.

  2. * update which may be some use to others*

     

    I called the Premier Inn which is the transfer pick up point and they allow cruise passengers who are staying overnight to use their carpark for the duration of the cruise, all that is required is a £20 payment which they then donate to Great Ormond Street hospital, with that information we will drive up the day before and leave the car there.

     

    Thanks to those who've been of help. For information a Premier Inn Plus room  is coming in at less than £50 for the night.

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  3. Good evening, I'm hoping somebody may be able to help. I'm looking at a cruise out of Southampton and taking advantage of the coach transfer so i'd appreciate any help with a couple of queries I have.

     

    Nearest pick up appears to be at Bolton football ground which is 20 miles away from me, can I leave my car there for 2 weeks? Are there even car park facilities in and around the stadium?.

     

    What time roughly on a Sunday would we be picked up and how long is the journey down?.

     

    What time will we get back there on a Sunday, I appreciate this may vary but a rough idea would be of help.

     

    If I think of anything else I'll let you know, TIA 🙂

  4. 1 hour ago, devonuk said:

    Has the HL process actually worked for you?

    Not for me, I rang them and they assured me it was all done but it wasn't showing up on the booking, fortunately my TA chased it up for me and it was all rectified within a few hours.

  5. Came back last week, every day was 20°C or above, touched 30 a couple of days, some cloud and the occasional shower, Madeira is always hit and miss as it has it's own micro climate but still shorts and t-shirt weather, year before in December had two weeks of blue sky around 25°C every day, generally you'll have good weather and we were lucky as it was about -10 at home, great time to travel in my opinion, quiet airport, very few children and near on guaranteed some winter sun, great value for money cruise in my opinion and love Azura, as for the pools they are not heated and were a little chilly but nice once you got on them, jacuzzis were heated though.

     

     

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  6. 1 minute ago, Host Sharon said:

    These are all valid points. I think one of the major problems though is that P&O are not being upfront about it when you book. People are booking cruises  based on what they read in the brochures and on the website and only finding out on board that some of the speciality restaurants are closed or that there is no longer afternoon tea in the  MDR or nightly turndown. That is why expectations are higher than reality.

    Fair points but I wouldn't allow any of that to spoil a holiday, it may be worth bearing in mind that brochures are printed years in advance, some of these staff now have multiple roles onboard and I'm thankful for the service they provide, I'd be disappointed if the speciality restaurants aren't open but I suspect this is done as a last resort and is really something P&O are loathe to do given the extra revenue they provide. 

     

    Is anything ever as good as it used to be? Probably not and having introduced friends to cruising over the past few years all are more than happy particularly when you compare them directly to beach holidays.

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  7. What needs remembering in all this is P&O like many are almost giving cruises away at the minute, you can cruise for peanuts now compared to when I took my first cruise in 2005, obviously this is going to be reflected in the levels of staffing and service you receive, it's not rocket science.

     

    Other factors to consider are they are being undercut by the likes of MSC whose base fares for Southampton cruises work out cheaper than staying in Southampton in a budget hotel, they are torn between a rock and a hard place trying to balance the price with the Silversea service many feel they should receive, I went on Ventura 12 months ago and really enjoyed it, value for money was outstanding and I couldn't find anything to complain about, was it P&O from a decade ago? - probably not but I'd paid half the money from a similar cruise in 2010, now if service and luxury is my bug bear there are plenty who'll allow me to pay for the privilege. 

     

    Problem I have now with those doing the reviews is they expect Butlins prices with Hilton service, that mindset invariably leaves you disappointed, anyway I'm off on Azura in a couple of weeks and have Arvia and Iona to look forward to next year all being well, I shall enjoy them the best I can whilst my health and legs allow me.

    • Like 7
  8. I love watching the YouTube vlogs, I find Jamie a little self absorbed at the best of times so no longer watch his content so will have to take others word for it, if he did experience poor service due to staff shortages that's a shame,  if it was on the back of using venues and boarding at peak times then that is easily avoided for a seasoned cruiser.

    • Like 2
  9. I changed a cruise only the start of this week which I booked months ago, moved an early saver guaranteed grade to a select fare, no regional flight charge, extra £780 obc and over £400 off the original asking price, no brainer really, went through an independent travel agent and they were inundated with customers wanting to do similar.

     

    I suppose P&O realised that having fluid pricing is pointless if the customer can chop and change if a better offer is released at a later date. I personally think  there will be little point booking early as there will be bargains to be had in the run up to departure date. I've got two booked with P&O one in 16 weeks and another next November but won't be commiting silly money on any others until all the uncertainty dies down.

  10. 1 minute ago, Britboys said:

    Wow, spirits at £10 a litre would definitely mean I wouldn't have to bother with Gibraltar...😀

    Fortunately we went out of Southampton so I managed to fit my full allowance in my case 🙂 

    • Like 1
  11. When I last went with P&O back end of last year alcohol was 4 x litres of branded for £40, tobacco was also very cheap at about £60 for 250grams which is substantially cheaper than in the UK, my gripe with onboard shopping is although they have some nice gents clothing it is invariably not available in the sizes I want as they hold so little stock.

    • Like 1
  12. On 7/30/2022 at 8:26 AM, devonuk said:

    Could I ask why you’ve already paid off £2k before the due date? Certainly something I’d never recommend unless of course a T&C of the TA. 

    Also, despite having used TA’s in the past I very rarely do now as it’s so much easier to make amendments direct and the savings by going with a TA are not necessarily as great as they once were.
    With regard to your current dilemma you can definitely cancel and rebook something and be quids in but you might lose your current cabin. I’ve certainly done this a few times in the past but only ever with direct bookings and mostly with Princess.  

    It was a silly move on my part really and a lesson learnt, I paid around 2000 off last month with a view to paying the same of this but there is absolutely nothing to be gained from doing that. I will pop in and speak to them in the morning and hopefully I'll be able to rebook minus my lost deposits.

     

    At the moment I must admit with P&O or any cruise line for that matter as they are making it almost impossible for me to have any confidence in them, there is little benefit from booking early and commiting a deposit as all the bargains seem to be appearing much nearer to sail date, my dad is getting some incredibly good deals in the last month or two before departure date, MSC in particular are giving cruises away but he's also had some very decent deals with Marella and Royal Caribbean. 

  13. Good evening, can I ask for some advice please, I booked Caribbean for December some time ago on an early saver with a local travel agent, I've just looked and the price is around 600 cheaper, not only that I can get over 500 obc on top of that, problem i have is I've paid 2000 off the holiday already, balance is due 11 August, can I cancel still? I know I'll lose £70pp deposit but will still be considerably better off.

     

    Will the travel agent transfer the 1840 to a new booking or refund me first?

  14. 6 minutes ago, Bobblehat71 said:

    IMHO I'd be off to the Caribbean for some December Sunshine. Doesn't matter how nice your room is if the sun ain't shining.😎

    To be fair I did the Canaries the same two weeks last year with Marella and it was lovely every day maybe we were just lucky? I think Canaries and Caribbean would have similar weather in December? 

     

    I must admit breakfast in Epicurean each day could well sway it, P&O suites seem to offer far much more than those on Marella.

  15. Guaranteed B2 suite on Azura, 2 week cruise out of Tenerife in December.

     

    Or..

     

    Guaranteed PC inside on Brittania, 2 week cruise out of Barbados in December.

     

    Two adults and one 16 year old, never stayed in a Suite with P&O are they worth it? Stayed in a Juniòr suite with Marella but these look superior, I've visited 90% of the ports on both itineraries although neither my partner or her son hasn't so they are leaning towards a 1st visit to the Caribbean, been on Azura several times but yet to travel on Brittania, all advice welcomed - thank you in advance.

     

    Incidentally they are the same price.

     

     

     

  16. Impulsively looking at cruising on the 8th April out of Southampton, cruise takes in Spain and France, could I ask what the current protocols are with regards for testing, I'm sure someone has posted details somewhere but I haven't got time to search, it may save me a trip to TA's if I need to jump through too many hoops, I'm triple vaccinated as is my partner and our 16 year old son is double jabbed, thanks in advance.

     

    As an aside what is the situation on board? When I travelled in October it was masks for moving around and social distancing in some of the venues, is this still the case or has there been some relaxation?.

  17. Well I have taken the plunge and booked a suite for a two week cruise (R406 Caladonia suite) on Azura, we opted for mid ship in the end as my OH isn't the best traveller, it looks in a fair location on the mid ship stairs and lifts, only snag may be being directly below lido deck but we shall give it a whirl, has anybody stayed in these mid ship suites on Riviera deck? there doesn't appear to be many Youtube cabin tours which is a shame but I like the look of the layout on Cruise Mapper, I think the sun on these suites will be minimal given the overhang covers all of the balcony but we will make the most of it. Thanks for all your advice.

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