TravelMadBrits

Hi everyone

Thanks for your replies and photos. Happy Sunday 😁

Hi all I have booked a conservatory mini suite on Arvia on deck 9, a few months ago. I booked what looked like an extended end room, however some newer deck plans now show deck 9 mid aft all the same. It’s room 9611 and that room to 9625 was sticking out but it looks like that has changed. I’m waiting for a call back from P&O. 
 

Has anyone been in any room from 9611 to 9625? Or can anyone see from deck 8 what it looks like please?  I’ve looked at videos and I think the deck plan I booked on (brochure to March 2023) is different.  I’m attaching before and after pics. 
 

many thanks 

I have read that there are plenty of taxis at the port but I’m a bit concerned that there are 4 of us with luggage - are there large enough taxis? 

does anyone know what larger taxi to airport charge is?
Has anyone recently experienced disembarking at Barcelona and getting at taxi - what the queue times were like? We will be getting off Wonder of the Seas. 

Thanks in advance…

Thanks for all your replies, much appreciated 😃

Can I ask if playmakers is included in Star Class? 
 

We sail in 3 weeks… just working out what to ask for lunch on embarkation day 🤓

Hi

Ive sailed out of Southampton a few times… luggage porters are all outside who will help direct you and yes there’s a star class sign but it may not stand out. Inside the first part of the terminal building are helpful staff members to advise you if you get stuck. And inside we have seen purple star class banners! Enjoy 😎

1 hour ago, irishgal432 said:

Currently  Izzy, Hannah, & Marla.  With only three days do your research and do your top things as there are so many options.

Thank you. We have had Marla before she’s great. We have had the survey… yes need a bit of a plan apart from food and drink! 

Happy Sunday 

Does anyone know who the current genies are on Wonder of the Seas please - we are on the 3 night sailing this October from Rome  - and can anyone share recent star class experience on Wonder? We have a lot to fill in 3 days!  
Thanks. 

33 minutes ago, Azamazingal said:

You must take your passport so they can check that it is you taking the test - not a covid free substitute.  I tested today and was okayed wearing a large hat and a face mask!

Great thank you 😊 

Hi

For UK cruisers that used Eurofins recently, did you take any ID like passport? I can’t find any info on this. Have our test tomorrow 8.30am for Monday’s sailing.  Really hoping they get the results processed quickly! 
 

6 hours ago, CaroleC said:

I asked our friends, they paid a total of $810 for their DP on the first day onboard ($540 + $270). This is for a 6 night sailing, so $67.50 pppd. Hope this helps, have a great cruise🥂

That’s helpful to know thank you 

9 hours ago, CaroleC said:

Terri, days 1-5 Daily Planners following, hope you can read them:-

 

 

 

 

Hi 

I can see on day 1 the deluxe drinks package offer… does anyone know if this is on all sailings and what the price is on board please?

we go on 25th oct sailing and have pre purchased which was on offer £47 pd I think. Thanks 

Thanks for all the updates, we are on Anthem on 25th October, hoping it’s not too busy! 
Is there anywhere you can dance? What’s Schooner bar like in an evening please? We have previously had some fab nights pre-Covid of course! 

No prob! Yes it was available we saw early on but didn’t take much notice as we decided not to bother due to the bar menus being very different at each venue and quite a few drinks we liked were over the £6.95 price, which you then had to pay the full price minus 20%. 
We saw the bottles of spirits to purchase for your room and these were in 1 litre bottles and really good prices. 

11 minutes ago, The Yorkshire Cruiser said:

I'm on the next Iona cruise and would be grateful for any help with the following:

 

- Disembarkation - what is the earliest time? I need to be off the ship ASAP and plan to carry my own luggage. Is it still possible to do this early?

 

- Onboard account - is it possible to pay part cash and part card? On Ventura I believe I registered my card, paid so much cash and then the rest was charged to the card. 

 

- Main Dining Rooms - with all four being Freedom Dining is there any difference between them (such as decor) or is it just a case of searching out the one with the shortest queue each evening? I imagine we'd like to give all four a try. Also, can we request larger tables or will we be kept as a two 'for Covid'?

 

 

Hi

just recently off - disembarkation and taking your own luggage off - you have to go to guest services and register to do so and ask for a time. I think the earliest was 6am. We got off at 7 and it was very quiet and very quick. From leaving our room, getting the lift and to the car took 15 minutes!

You can add cash any time on to your account at guest services. 
 

On the 11/9 sailing only 3 of the MDRs were open. We used Coral and Pearl and they had the same menu (we asked) and looked very similar, decor colour was different. 
 

I don’t think they were mixing groups of people if not travelled together, we didn’t ask for a larger table so someone else may know. 
 

Have a great time, Claudine 

34 minutes ago, CaroleC said:

Those of us on the 9th’s sailing only received our emails yesterday so it’s definitely too early for yours

Ok that’s great thank you 😊 

12 hours ago, Mike.S said:

We're due to sail on Anthem on the 15th October , not able to select a boarding time yet, are we alone in this or is Royal making us wait?

Hi. 
Due to sail on 25th October. Completed first part of check in with details but can’t select boarding time and no email info received for testing. 
No unlimited dining package that I can see and drinks package £54 each per day - just wondering is that similar to other sailing dates?

Here’s a pic from the front of the ship walking back along the promenade deck 8 and you can see how narrow the deck is with the balconies on the left. 

So I hope these come through… conservatory mini suite room 9515, which we loved. Below on deck 8 seating underneath which lit up at night. Noise wasn’t a problem and generally it was quite private unless we were hanging off the balcony!

5 hours ago, jake 26 said:

Agreed

It's cruising but not as we know it. Some very good information has come out, as you say, sufficient for us to opt out of the new giant ships, and probably move to another line.

I hope P&O make a success of their new direction to attract more families and younger clientele. They have given us some wonderful holidays and unforgettable memories from destinations worldwide.

Glad you’ve found the info helpful 😎

For us the attraction was timing (first cruise for 23 months & a staycation) and a new ship / new cabin type with the conservatory. Oh and a child free cruise!

If we were cruising regularly again I wouldn’t chose this ship again unless a 2-3 night to Bruges or similar. As for families - very young may be ok but I think for children 11+ they would be bored. My teen certainly would be. 
So glad we tried & the weather made a huge difference but there were things just not for us. 

19 hours ago, WestonOne said:

Because we had been warned about it getting booked up, we went up the the "Help Desk" within about half an hour of boarding - even before unpacking - and booked the Chef's Table, without a problem.  

I did ask some people how the menu differed in the MDRs but did not get a full answer.  I gather lobster was an option, but do not know if the whole "Chef's Table" menu was.

Thanks for sharing. In the MDR it was slightly different - no beef Wellington but beef fillet (or similar) and with plain roast potatoes and I’m sure there were slight variations on a starter and deserts that we had. Nothing major but I think your menu was more appealing, to me anyway. 
In the centrum there was a ‘help’ station someone sorting out app queries etc on most days. 

46 minutes ago, davecttr said:

Iona Atrium - I guess we won't see any Captains chats and introducing senior officers on formal nights. Apart from there being nowhere for a good chunk of 5200 people to stand and listen. The oval shaped holes in the atrium just do not have enough standing space along the rails. Disrupting the revenue earning space of the Keel & Cow and Glass House would not be good. so I guess it is an announcement from the bridge.

The captain announced that due to Covid measures he won’t be walking around with his senior officers and were keeping to their ‘bubble’ but he made daily 6pm announcements. 

10 hours ago, Issyalex said:

Where/what dock did you have to go for your pre boarding covid test? 

Hi

If driving I’m sure it was gate 12 - it is in an Information email from P&O which is quite long but tells you where to go if driving or being dropped off. 
For the drive in testing it felt like we were driving forever down a long road to nowhere but there are staff in jackets along the route waving you on. We and a few others were confused as to where to go afterwards. If you don’t leave the dock area back on to the main road and tempted to try and keep inside the docks area, you will get caught in another cruise line testing area (Celebrity we saw). 
It was a short drive to join the right gate to the Ocean terminal and signposted well. 
 

23 minutes ago, Technoman2 said:

Just out of interest how was getting on the the terminal drop off point on arrival at the port. It was a nightmare a couple o years ago with traffic because o the new IKEA that was built close by. 

We were concerned that it would be a nightmare because of the boat show, but it was absolutely fine.  A few minutes wait at the lights heading to the terminal - this was around 11.15am so not sure about later in the day but we were really pleased, no complaints and the drop off area looked fine too.

Sailed 11th September in a conservatory mini suite.

We have previously sailed with P&O a couple of times, otherwise lots on Royal so not new to cruising.

Parking - left it too late however managed on the morning due to a glitch in CPS system and they honoured it.  Valet parking, no issues, very good.

Testing - we had a boarding time of 11.45 so arrived at the drive in testing at 11.30, quite a few in front.  They started the testing at 11.45 and it was super quick.  We didn't realise you have to leave the gate area and go back along the main road and into the Ocean terminal. By the time we got to CPS parking our texts had come in so all good.

Embarcation - didn't take too long.  We were the first lot to board, this was about 12.50pm and they were checking that only the 11.45am people were going through.  So from when we started at the testing centre to getting on board was 1 hour 20 mins so not bad (we didn't think).  Rooms available at 1.30pm.

Conservatory Mini Suite - we had room 9515 with a corner balcony which we spent quite a bit of time on as weather amazing.  Champagne in fridge, The White Room toiletries gift set, chocolates.  Also had an invite for lunch for that day so we went - buffet style with complimentary drinks - all very nice and unexpected.  We used the conservatory mostly in the mornings and it was a lovely space.

The App - overall it was fine, only one day it didn't work.  Managed to booked the entertainment and a couple of restaurants when we first got on board.  The main dining rooms virtual queues open on the day - we didn't have an issue waiting any longer than 10 minutes and we ate at different times.  The good thing was 'my diary' which showed you everything you had booked for the day (my bookings didn't list in date order) and you can cancel anything easily.  Drinks menus for each bars was on there.  Also booked the internet just to use WhatsApp messaging - one day it was down but we got a refund after letting guest services know.  Really good to see what you have spent too.  

One thing we found strange - wanted a drink at The Glass House - plenty of tables free and was asked if we had booked a table - no - so then was asked to join the virtual queue.  We did that in front of the staff member and then he said OK I'll take you to your table... not sure the point but hey ho.

Restaurants - we booked Epicurean on day one.  It was ok - and was only half price which we hadn't seen mentioned but came through on the bill on app as half price.

We loved The Olive Grove - most things complimentary, the food was great and nice area.  The Beach House too we tried one evening - probably more of a lunch thing for  us and we found a bit strange as it was part of The Quays area but staff were great.  We missed Chefs Table on the 'celebration' night.  Couldn't find out where to book it and this apparently is only part of The Beach House, but we may not have looked in the right place.  The dining room we used was Coral - a couple of times it wasn't too exciting but the staff and food quality was excellent - tried for dinner and breakfast.  Tried The Glass House and that was very good.  The Quays was standard buffet with good choice.  We liked Horizon with the different areas and this was really quiet for breakfast (also used on last morning before leaving and it was still quiet).  

Husband is wheat intolerant and there is a fantastic choice for gluten free food - and if in the dining room they let you book the following evening food and you could decide if it was for you or not.

Pools - loved the infinity pools but it was busy, back to back sun loungers and a lot of people left their towels there (and other areas) for a very long time without going back.  Little hot tubs on the side were fun to try.  We didn't go much in the covered dome pool area, it was too nice to be inside.

Tried the tennis which was great.  

Bars overall excellent.  We didn't go for the drinks package as a lot of drinks we like were outside of the pricing and we thought not great to pay for the whole drink rather than the difference.  Shame your drinks choices are limited per bar ie you can't get a mojito at all the bars but that wasn't a big issue.

Covid felt very safe - probs safer than back home!  Mask wearing wasn't an issue, everything cleaned down - we saw teams in the early morning cleaning every sun bed.  We missed no dancing or singing - shame because the shows were great.  

Sonia the singer from the 80's was on board, Tucker the comedian was good, Ben McBean a former Royal Marine who lost his arm and leg in Afghanistan gave a very moving talk.

Anyway had a fab time, very relaxed and spoilt with the weather, not to mention 1 whale and a lot of dolphins!

Happy to try and answer any questions.

Claudine