PJ's

We are booked on the Aurora on 6 Dec 2017 and our excursions are now available to book. In fact one of the excursions in Amsterdam is now wait listed and another is limited availability!!!! :eek::eek:

Has anyone been on a wait list for an excursion and do P&O make available extra buses.

Did not think that they would be available yet as it is approx 7 months before the cruise.

When you board you will be directed to the complimentary lunch with drinks which will be either in one of the restaurants or one of the lounges. This consists of lots of small items, both hot and cold and then a delicious selection of puddings. The waiters will come round with drinks - fizz, red or white wine etc. If you want another drink just catch the eye of one of the wine waiters. Of course if you prefer you can go to the buffet for lunch but we love this complimentary lunch, a lovely way to start the cruise.

I thought the complimentary lunch was for full suite passengers and those on high levels of the peninsular club? If we are able to attend this then the cruise is looking better still!! :D:D

We were thinking of driving down on the day but if we can embark a 12.30pm we will have to leave home very early and as it is a mid week day (Wed) not sure if we want to risk it (traffic probs). We live in Leeds so it is quite a journey for us. I'm sure we will end up in Southampton again overnight but will keep our options open...no rush to book anything yet.;)

Embarkation time of 12.30pm is brilliant. Will the buffet be open for lunch at this time?

Usually we get a time of 3.30pm for embarkation....only once had a time of 2.00pm and not sure why.

I'm sure we will have a great cruise....things are looking better every day.:D:D

Thanks everyone for your replies. Pity about the breakfast but never mind we usually go to the MDR. Never realized how spacious the suites were...really looking forward to this cruise now.

We are travelling with friends who have also booked a mini suite. Am I right in thinking that the mini suites are all on deck B? As we have both booked a guaranteed CD grade we should be on the same deck but not necessarily near each other? According to our TA we can embark at 1.00pm but until we get our e-ticket not sure if this time is correct. Now only got to decide where to stay overnight....in Southampton (which is what we usually do) or to stay within an hour's drive of Southampton (maybe Winchester). Anyone have any suggestions? We have stayed in Southampton so many times in the last few years that we are thinking of something different.

I'm so looking forward to our cruise on Aurora in December - never been on her yet.

Got a good deal on a mini suite....so excited, never had a mini suite before. The best cabin we've had was a deluxe balcony on Azura. Not sure what 'perks' we get with a mini suite but I'm sure someone will know. I know we get the bathrobes and slippers, chocs, flowers, canopies daily. My husband seems to think that we can have breakfast in the Glass House? Is this correct?

Roll on........:):)

I watched it and really enjoyed it. Will be particularly interested in watching when she does a river cruise as this is what I would like to do sometime in the future.

Been on both Ventura and Britannia. I would choose Ventura because I like her promenade deck and also she has a covered pool area if you're in cooler parts and like a swim. Also her balcony cabins are larger (especially C deck). Did not like Britannia at all......mainly because no prom deck and balconies were much smaller and also the decor of the ship was not to my liking. Went on her to the caribbean in Jan 2016 and trying to get a sunbed on sea days was a nightmare. My very favourite ship is Azura which I love!!!!! :D:D

It's worth remembering that the free internet time for World Club members is per person, not per cabin.

That's right. We were on QM2 departing from Southampton on 19/11/16 and because we are gold members we each received 2 hours free internet. First time ever I've been able to check my emails whilst cruising. The signal was very good and we had no problems at all.

Hi everybody. Our departure was delayed due to "technical difficulties", according to Captain Well's announcement. Scuttlebutt has it that there was a plumbing problem affecting some passengers and crew quarters. Sorry, I have no further details.

 

Having a good time on board. Internet connection has been erratic - will post more later, but in the meantime, passengers boarding for the Holiday voyage will no doubt be impressed with the decorations. We watched the decorating team doing their magic today - very nice .

 

Cheers and best wishes from QM2 en route to St Kitts. -Salacia

There was certainly a plumbing problem when we disembarked QM2 on the 26th Nov. They had a water leak and no water to flush wc's in cabins nor the public ones. Also no water to wash hands. :eek:

We thoroughly enjoyed being on the QM2 and loved our few nights in New York before we flew back to the UK.:)

Hi there - we booked a GTY sheltered balcony BZ grade for our transatlantic crossing to NY on 19/11/16 and have received a BU grade (midships) which looks like the top grade for sheltered balconies. Quite pleased with this allocation as it is on deck 5 which is classed as low deck.

BD grades on QV look as though they are aft. The first time we sailed on QV we had an aft balcony cabin on deck 8 (8142) and there were no problems. I'm sure you will be fine but you probably will get a higher grade - we always have.

We were on Azura when she broke down in Norway (May 2015). They also had to fly an engineer out to repair her from Hamburg (I think) and we missed one port and returned back to Southampton a day later than scheduled.

We were given some onboard credit and also 20% refund off the cost of our original cruise price towards a future cruise with P&O.

Finally received our stateroom allocation. Booked a guarantee BZ grade sheltered balcony and received a BU midships on deck 5. Glad we are on a low deck.:D

Finally received our stateroom allocation. Booked a guarantee BZ grade sheltered balcony and received a BU midships on deck 5. Glad we are on a low deck.

We are also waiting for our stateroom allocation on QM2 - booked a sheltered balcony guarantee and we sail from Southampton on the 19 November (only 3 weeks away) Check every day, sometimes twice a day, but nothing yet.

Always wanted to embark QM2 for a transatlantic and we're staying in New York for a few days before flying back to the UK. Getting sooooo excited!!!!:):D

I have been researching the best ways of transferring from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal when we arrive in New York on QM2 on 26th Nov to our hotel in Manhattan and came across a company called My Sedan. As there will be 4 adults plus luggage their price seemed pretty good. Has anyone used this firm - I think they are based in Brooklyn. As we do not know what time we will eventually be able to transfer to the hotel (getting through USA Customs?) From their website it seems that after disembarking you have to go to a meeting point and may have to wait approx 15mins for your SUV which seems not unreasonable.

Maybe we should just get in the taxi queue although we will need 2 taxis as I understand they only take a maximum of 3 persons plus luggage?

Anyone ever used this company - any information would be appreciated.

We are sailing on the QM2 to New York departing the UK on 19 Nov 2016 and arriving in New York on 26th Nov. We have booked to stay 4 nights in a midtown hotel and wonder what is the best way after disembarking to get to our hotel. There are 4 adults in our party, plus luggage. Would we all fit into a taxi or would we be better pre-booking an SUV to meet us at the port? Any information would be appreciated.

Our party of 4 adults plus luggage will be disembarking the QM2 on 26 Nov 2016 and will require a transfer to our hotel in midtown NY. Can anyone advise if we will require 2 taxis or whether we could fit into 1 or would we be better pre-booking a SUV before we sail from the UK on the 19th Nov. Many thanks.

We have always wanted to do a TA to New York on QM2 and have finally booked our crossing from Southampton on 19/11/16, staying 4 nights in New York and then flying back home to the UK. We have booked a guaranteed sheltered balcony and really looking forward to the trip. Can't wait - hope the crossing is not toooooooo..... bad.:D:D

Deleted post - wrong ship. Saw Adonia in Cuba.

Never done a round trip cruise to the Caribbean from Southampton, only done fly cruises. I think the round trip ones are popular with those who do not like to fly. You may be lucky and saver fares will be out later in the year.

You don't say which cruise. If it is E701 Oceana, 35 nighter (4 Jan-8 Feb) or N702 Ventura, 28 nighter then early saver fares are available now on the P&O website but you may get a better price via a TA. Saver fares MAY come out later in the year.

In answer to your questions:

Casino - yes it is in sterling but I think you have to change sterling at the cashiers in the casino for tokens which you insert into the machines. Not sure if you want to play the tables what the procedure is. Some other CC members will know better than me. We have never played in the casino on board ship.

Dress code: There are now only 2 dress codes on Britannia. Formal and Evening Casual. There is no semi-formal on Britannia.

Bathrobes - Unfortunately you only get bathrobes if you are in a suite. Being in a balcony cabin does not get you bathrobes.

We were on Britannia in January 2016 and we did enjoy the experience of a larger ship albeit with a few things we were not happy with. Go with an open mind and I hope you have a great cruise.

We were in cabin F211 on the Britannia in the Caribbean in January this year and had no problems whatsoever with the position.It was pretty quiet and easy to just walk down the forward stairway to get to the restaurants and shops although we used the lifts to go higher up the ship (to pool & buffet etc).

We were in Norway last May and had a wonderful time, the best views ever. Have a great time..........:)

Thank you PJ, I am a Peninsular club member so I don't know why I don't get it! I can't have ticked "no mail" as I get other P&O mailings in the post - normally after I've already had them by email!

 

Could I ask who is Captain on Azura on 2nd Oct 2016?

Doesn't look like there is one!!!! Ha Ha. Only states that the Deputy Captain is Sam Twitchen from 3 Jly-2 Oct but no dates after that!! Strange..........

On having a second look at the schedule all the dates for 2016-2017 are not listed, perhaps they hadn't finalized the schedule before printing the mag.??

Sorry.................