PJ's

Black and white night has always been a formal night on the P&O cruises which we have been on.

We have recently returned from QV Baltic cruise which returned to Southampton on 23 May. We were booked on a saver fare and in our cabin on embarkation was our dining card stating that we had been given early seating?? which I wasn't expecting - we much prefer late seating. We joined the very, very long queue at the Britannia restaurant to see if we could change to second seating. They took our cabin number and reassured us that a new card showing our dining would be sent to our cabin the following morning and, sure enough, a card arrived showing our new table allocation for second seating. Very pleased!!!

We had a wonderful cruise especially the fireworks in Southampton to celebrate the 10yr anniversary of QM2 - what an experience.

Thanks for your prompt replies - I think I'll pass this time, do not want a view of a lifeboat for 12 days. At least I've got my cruise on QV to look forward to in a couple of weeks. :):)

I have been looking on the Cunard website and notice a cruise on QM2 in December 2014 to the Canary Islands for 12 days which is offered at the moment on an early saver fare. The grade of balcony cabins is DA & DC which are on deck 8 and specifies that they have an obstructed view (lifeboats). Does this mean that when you are on your balcony you will be looking at a lifeboat with no view of the sea? Having been on QV once before and getting ready to cruise on her again in a couple of weeks :) we have always looked forward to the day when we could embark QM2. Any info would be appreciated.

Norway isn't in the EU so duty free should be for sale.

Of course it is - silly me, so confusing now. You'll be able to buy cigarettes for use onboard but think that you have to collect spirits on the day before disembarkation (as we had to do) so won't be able to drink them in your cabin. You can order spirits via room service but these will not be at duty free prices or you can take a couple of bottles onboard with you for use in your cabin??

Spirits bought in the duty free shop are only available to be collected the day before disembarkation and therefore you will not be able to drink them in your cabin. You can still order a bottle of whisky via room service for use in your cabin and according to P&O FAQ the prices are: Glenfiddich £36, Johnnie Walker £36, Jack Daniels £32, Jamieson £26. You can always take a bottle onboard with you for cabin use.

Duty free cigarettes & spirits are only usually available if the ship calls at a non EU port/country. You can always take a bottle (or two) on the ship with you to use in your cabin. I think I am correct in saying that the prices for the cigarettes & spirits will be the same as in the UK.

Probably that is why most cruises have a stop at Gibraltar, Guernsey etc. so that they can sell at duty free prices.

Hi - we have been on two P&O cruises. One was booked as a getaway for the Caribbean in 2013 on Azura and the cabin assigned was on Riviera deck forward - no problems at all and at that time we could ask for our choice of sitting. The other cruise was in May 2013 (mini cruise) on Ventura when I booked two balcony cabins so we could take our daughter and her husband (she was celebrating her 40th birthday). I booked a vantage fare but must say that a month before departure the price had come down enormously. We got our choice of dining but shuttle buses were not required on this as we had to make our own way to Bruges and in Guernsey we just walked off the ship and did our own thing. Maybe I should have waited a bit longer before booking the mini cruise and I would have saved myself some money.

We always now book as late as possible even though I know we are not guaranteed our choice of dining/shuttle buses etc - this is not a deal breaker for me and as we are now retired we can more or less go on holiday when we want and have more of them if we pay a reasonable price. I've just booked a saver fare on Cunard for the Baltic and really looking forward to it. We have cruised with other lines before but do enjoy Cunard and P&O. At the end of the day everyone eats well, entertainment is the same for everyone but I know that some do want a particular cabin and that's ok but for us it is not essential.

We are 6 weeks out, got our etickets online today but still not got our rooms allocated from a guarantee cabin. Allison

We have also just received notification online that our etickets are ready to be printed but still have not got a cabin allocated - we booked a guarantee balcony and still have 6 weeks to go. Also noted that check in time is 1530 - seems a bit late to me. If we arrive at the terminal around 1200 will we be able to board??? :confused:

I was getting quite excited at the thought that P&O were finally doing eastern med fly cruises as I am looking to take my mum to cruise the Greek islands next year if possible. Looks like I'll have to look elsewhere.:(

We did a Christmas Markets cruise on Balmoral a couple of years ago and we also received a phone call asking us if we would like to upgrade to SS grade. Best thing we did - loved cruising the Kiel canal even though it was a bit nippy on the balcony - the canapés and all the other "extras" were brilliant. Really enjoyed ourselves. Have a lovely break.

Yes I noticed these new "Saver prices" as well. I wonder if these "Saver" prices will continue all year as sailing dates get closer?

Yes we were on that cruise in March 2013 back to Southampton. The weather was good up to the Azores and then got colder towards Southampton but it was a GREAT CRUISE!!!!

When we were on the Azura March 2013 I think the casino was only open when the ship was at sea. (eg after departing port and sea days). Do not think they are open when in port. I'm sure someone else will know for definite.

Just been browsing the Baltic cruises on P&O site and see that the early saver prices are back. Didn't think they'd be back until February!!!! We do want to go to Russia this year, probably May/June so will keep my eye on prices.;)