kruzseeka

That information is excellent and, can I assume available for any sailing? I may have read the posts but can't see which sites you're using - or are you not allowed to post them? I'd be very grateful if you can especially since the Northern Lights info from earlier posts has certainly given me food for thought - I'd been labouring under a misapprehension with regard to those timings.

Oistins is somewhere we'd always had in mind to do but never got there. Looks fab! We too have had some great experiences in ports on two day calls with interesting/memorable evening excursions: Club Tropicana in Havana, Cotton Club in NYC, Ballet in St P, Palm Court Jazz Cafe New Orleans, French Quarter for a drink in Quebec. But it is very much dependent on the port having enough of interest to spend a second day there - and something different/memorable for the evening. I do agree though that one day is enough in many ports and then move on to see somewhere new.

I just feel rather disappointed in P&O in their lack of clarity. It's some time ago now since they stopped giving you definitive port times eg 8.00 am - 5.00pm which generated a lot of debate on here. I accept that all manner of events can disrupt that timing, which is perfectly reasonable, but a planned length of time in port is known to P&O (since they have to book a berth) and so it's a deliberate move on their part not to share. Most other cruise lines do and cruise timetable sites show that - but P&O stick to their vague 'early morning/afternoon' type descriptions. Why? Well perhaps to make it more difficult to plan independent excursions - vague timings could mean 2/3 hours difference in the longest and shortest time you could be in port and fit within those parameters. Now we're getting a vague description of 'overnight' and from the posts can see how that means different things in different circumstances and how it's easy to be misled/misinterpret that information. I've been alert to the port timings for a long time and try to pick up the actual times from individual port schedules but am grateful to the OP for highlighting this as it will make me careful to determine the difference between overnight and two days in port on any itineraries I may consider. I'd just assumed the Northern Light itineraries had two days in Tromso (though the sailing distance to the next port wouldn't support that). I hadn't thought that through. So thanks for the heads up. But still disappointed in P&O for the lack of clarity - it looks like deliberately being vague as has been suggested to encourage passengers to take ship's excursions rather than plan their own. Not very customer friendly!

Re the lifeboats we were recently on Aurora and were woken up each night by a very loud noise which sounded like high pressure valves being released (water or air?). There was no way we could have slept through it so we did complain to Reception. The Deck Manager came and then got back to us later. He walked us through the corridor area beneath our cabin and through the windows could see the lifeboats below our cabin with an array of gas canisters aligned between lifeboats. He had paced it all out and couldn't have been more thorough. He reported it to engineering and they fixed it! I'm sure it was an aberration as the rest of the cruise was absolutely fine - no noise from the lifeboat attachments or other issues at all. So I'm sure you'll be fine. If it were a common problem I'm sure we'd be reading about it. BUT should you hear a hissing noise (my OH likened it to a jet taking off 🤯 but in the middle of the night sounds do seem disproportionately loud when they wake you from a deep sleep!) then it may be something to ask them to check out! 😉 😁 Different ship though. Have a great cruise!

And I bet you that was on the Thompson board 😁. We had some fab cruises with them - great itineraries, port intensive, well organised fly/cruises often with their own reps/coaches in port and on board - fantastic entertainment (10 different production shows in 2 weeks, showteam doing late live cabarets, sail aways etc) and a Filipino crew like no other! Fab memories. Time moves on, products change but we really valued that introduction to cruising. We've been happy with P&O for many years now though not immune to the niggles which are often talked about on here. But it's an 'on balance' decision when selecting a cruise and we're just pleased we can still go!!!! Thanks for the good wishes - just got my fingers crossed they've cracked the problem of serving hot meals on Arcadia before we go! 😘

Thank you Kalos - so kind of you to think of me. Yes, still lurking - I read the board often and like everyone else really appreciate your musings, giving me many a smile! 🤗 I still post occasionally - mainly if I think I have anything to contribute to a discussion on other threads and also seeking advice/info from fellow travellers (having just booked an Arcadia cruise I'm a bit alarmed by some of what I'm reading about recent reviews about that.😲) I don't usually add to the general chat thread although I do enjoy reading how everyone is getting on and realize how much the support means to many of you. It's great that the network is there and so valued. Tbh I really don't think I have a lot to say - apart from testing the waters more recently with a couple of cruises, things are pretty quiet here. And as we don't eat out much no pics of sumptuous meals to add!!!!! 😂 We enjoy getting down to the beach hut (when its not pouring or blowing a hooley) so simple pleasures but there's quite a community down there so it keeps us going - always something to chat about! 😉 Best wishes to all. You take care Kalos - and keep well. 🤗

Flexplus would not accept a missed port that was know about before departure for whatever reason - 'operational' or otherwise. It only kicks in after the cruise has departed but would cover weather, mechanical or operational whether that is down to P&O or the port. We had a cabin confinement claim last year - 6 days for me and 5 for OH and that was paid @ £150 p.p/ day within days. Very easy and straight forward on scanning the letters of confirmation from P&O

Nationwide FlexPlus is £40 extra for cruise cover which pays £150 for a missed port (after departure). It's £156 p.a. and with a joint account covers both of you plus dependent children but i don't believe that would extend to your adult children. There is a £65 age extension for over 70s - one payment covers both policy holders but over 70s are subject to annual medical screening and may have an additional premium for medical issues. It is worldwide cover too and has AA breakdown included. You only need to open an account - it doesn't have to be your primary bank account or have regular deposits or DD coming out of it. May be one to consider.

If the port isn't close to the town there is usually a shuttle bus to take passengers to a more central point. This may be provided locally/by the port authority or P&O. They will be free if locally provided or as already mentioned free if it's a P&O shuttle and you've paid Select Fare. If you're on Saver Fare they will swipe your cruise card and that will be charged to your onboard account (£5 each way I think on our last trip). There is a local bus or perhaps it was a tram which ran on the road right in front of the port. It was very packed though. If there is shuttle service we always pitch to get off early. That's especially important in Dubrovnik as it get very busy.

Dubrovnik - the cable car ride is worth doing and there's a cafe at the top with fabulous views. Easy to DIY but would definitely recommend getting the shuttle bus from the port as early as you can as there can be long queues for the cable car. The shuttle drops you at Pile Gate one of the entrances to the city - walk left and skirt the city walls - the cable car isn't far along that road. When you come down you can enter the city by the harbour entrance and explore the city on foot and/or do the walls as already suggested. Split - Easy walk from the port into town. You can see where you need to go so not a problem. There's a lovely promenade with cafes around the harbour and Diocletian's Palace is extensive and interesting to explore. It's free and very atmospheric. Corfu - its a doable walk from the port into the Old Town which is lovely. Iirc there is a local bus from the port gates too. Perhaps you can research that online. You might be able to pick up a map if the tourist people are at the port (or download one before you go so you can see where the town is in relation to the port). We've also caught the local bus to Kanoni only a few Km out of town. https://www.greeka.com/ionian/corfu/sightseeing/corfu-kanoni-mouse-island/. You can visit the church and there are some elevated cafes with great views here too. They also overlook the planes coming in and out of the airport. Quite an interesting spot to visit. Zadar we haven't visited but it's easy nough to explore independently at the other destinations and if you haven't been before, plenty to explore without the need to do excursions. Hope you enjoy your first cruise.

We've been twice once on Aurora oand once on Arcadia. Both docked over-night in Manhattan. That's not to say things can't change but hopefully your original information holds true. Definitely the preferred berthing as it's an easy walk-off to access the main sights. Good luck that it is Manhattan.

We did the trip over the Atlantic Highway though I'm pretty sure it wasn't from Andalsnes. It's quite impressive in the way the road switch-backs and curves such that you get some interesting pics - at least from the photo stop en-route. It's quite difficult to get the shots you'd like whilst riding in the coach - whilst on the road you don't get the same effect as looking at it from a distance. And it doesn't last for long - it's only 5 miles long. I can't remember where else we went because I'm sure the trip couldn't just have been just the Atlantic Highway. On balance though I'd definitely do the Gondola in Andalsnes subject to weather. The views from on top are spectacular and there are some walks too although in the winter it may be restricted to the walkways. Theres a nice cafe on top too. Easy to DIY - about £40 p.p. and a short walk from the berth.

I've just looked it up. Looks fab - and a very reasonable price for a live event. Reykjavik is very walkable so you should be able to explore the venues in town quite easily during the day. We'd be in our element! Wish we were on your cruise too! Have a wonderful time. 🎶🎷🎶

Hope the shuttle works out for you. The Harpa is am amazing building - we had a good look around but sadly no jazz on when we had an overnight there - I'm so envious! Enjoy - it should be a fantastic experience.

Correct. We were tendered at Andalsnes on Wednesday. It did actually say on my booking confirmation 'possible tender' so not a last minute change. Rotterdam arrived about 10.00 - we had passengers leaving from before 8.00 for excursions. However tender operations had to be suspended whilst she came in to dock - which caused quite a delay mid morning for Aurora passengers. Fortunately we were able to get independent traveller tickets for the tender (after tour departures) and got on the last tender run before the hiatus. The gondola online says open from 10.00am but we were ashore by 9.25 to discover to our surprise that it had opened at 9.00 so we went straight up. Lovely and quiet first thing and so easy to do independently that I can't see any advantage in booking the ship trip. But very worthwhile trip if the visibility is good. if anyone is doing this cruise and going to Trondheim then it's also easy to do the Heritage Museum independently too. Only 10 minute bus ride from the centre close to the shuttle drop off at a fraction of the price. I can give details of anyone is interested but the Museum website gives details of how to get there.

For information: No update on the site. Still showing just one formal night. Another poster on the roll call followed up and has had a reply via email confirming what I was told on the phone (ie three). How long does it take for a simple correction to the site? I've tried emailing (up to 14 days to reply according to the automated response) then a contact email via My Account under 'Complaints' category - nothing else seemed to fit and I hoped that may elicit a more prompt response. But end of play Friday - Nada! Not impressed - nor do I think those passengers will be who have packed based on mis-information.

Yes I did assume a mistake had been made - too may inconsistencies. Nevertheless other cruisers who are not familiar with P&O/just assumed it's a change of policy/don't read these boards may not realise it was likely to be the wrong information and pack accordingly. At least now, if the information is up-dated fairly promptly, passengers will hopefully have the correct information prior to departure.

Well I decided to ring up. Very helpful agent. Confirmed what I was seeing on my Cruise Account and agreed it was very strange. She put me on hold and spoke to someone and came back with: one Celebration Night as appears on my itinerary but also two more Formal Nights and even gave me the dates (subject to change of course - as is always the case). I was going to suggest, but she added that she would pass it on to the appropriate dept to ask for it to be updated. As I pointed out, if quite a lot of passengers like us decided not to pack any formal wear for just 1 night, there would be some complaints once on board if they found out there were 3 dressy up nights. She'd already sussed that out so hopefully it will be corrected and passengers will be aware. Got to sort out some more clothes now! 😁

Odder and odder! Just checked our 14 night Britannia in Sept - 1 Celebration + 3 formal!

Yes, though as you indicate, things have changed! It just seems so inconsistent given a report that an October cruise of 10 nights on Ventura is showing 3! I would have thought Aurora (and Arcadia) might be the ships to hold on to formal nights longer than the rest of the fleet. My suspicion is that it's an error and we may have at least one more once on board but that will be too late for those who might not bother to pack formal attire for one night. It doesn't bother me much one way or another except for packing choices but I can't see the logic if it's correct. Time will tell!

Well I would certainly have thought a couple but when I log in to My Cruise account as you move through the itinerary from port to port only one night, the day after sailing, is a Celebration Night and all the rest are showing as Evening Casual. Now it could be wrong but definitely only one is shown.

Just an update. 12nt Aurora still showing on the cruise details as only 1 formal night - thought it might have been updated but not as yet and close to departure now. Quite surprised it's not 2 and it's not consistent with some of the info other posters report w.r.t to other ships/published info. Given the itinerary (Fjords) and adult only ship I would have thought the demographic would be more inclined towards formal nights. I'm not too bothered really except now questioning whether to bother packing formal wear for only one night. It will be very interesting to see the % uptake. I'll report back.

We wouldn't normally use a CC for cash withdrawals but have used our Clarity Card for cash (eg in Istanbul) when we only wanted a small amount or if visiting a number of countries rather than trying to guess how much of multiple currencies to take with us. Most places including cafes will take cards these days so we try to avoid cash if possible. We use our N/W account mainly for the travel insurance - not as our primary account.

Important correction: I've just been looking at getting a Nationwide credit card and whilst Winifred 22 is quite correct in saying there is no charge for transactions abroad it seems that now cash withdrawals do attract a charge. Apologies for the previous misinformation. Extract from N/W site: Cash withdrawals in a foreign currency outside the UK Non-sterling transaction fee n/a Cash fee 2.5% of the transaction amount (min £3.00) Also just checked the Halifax site to be sure I'm not giving more duff info! When it comes to money - best get it right!!!!! Halifax Clarity Credit Card No fees when you travel and one simple rate for the things you buy 0% fee to withdraw cash Interest charges apply and some ATM providers may charge a fee 0% fee for using your card abroad Interest charges will still apply.

Yes and that's another plus - also we were told it's as near perfect exchange rate (to Bank exchange rates) as you could hope for so much better than High Street travel money rates. Just have to bear in mind that cash withdrawals incur interest charges from the day of the transaction so we always settle up as soon as we're home and don't wait for the CC bill which can be several weeks later generating more interest charges.