Big Foot

6 hours ago, P&O SUE said:

 

Thanks Joan, I always enjoy my holidays and have always had good cruises on Azura. She’s had some negative reviews recently so just thought I’d ask! Looks like I’ve nothing to worry about.

Hi Sue,

To give you an idea of the sort of things I have seen ....

Went in the Oasis pool this afternoon & there is a bit of the wooden plinth broken off underneath the statue.  Not great, but did it stop me from enjoying my swim ... no.  Also the ‘endless pool’ doesn’t seem to be working.  However, it wasn’t last year either so not sure if it’s broken & due to be fixed in the refit or if they simply don’t use it anymore?

Some of the carpets are a bit tried in places but given the amount of people who walk over them on a daily basis I’m not surprised!

There are a couple of seats in the ‘booths’ in the buffet restaurant which are torn & have got masking tape over them.  Again not great, but has it stopped my enjoying my breakfast ... no.

Not saying for one minute its got anything to do with the kids, but apparently last week there were 750 on board & this week only 5.

At present the self service wine machines in the buffet are out of order.  As I don’t drink this isn’t an issue for me, but appreciate it might be for some.  However, I do wonder if this has got anything to do with the new drinks packages?

The TV’s do need replacing / updating as the picture quality isn’t great, but then again (personally) I haven’t come away to watch TV.

Hope this gives you an idea of the type of ‘issues’ I’ve seen.

Joan

I guess it depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for faults / wear & tear then yes you will find them.  However, if you’re on board to have a holiday / relax haven’t seen anything that would prevent you from doing so. 

If you’re comparing P&O to the new TV cruise programme re Silver Sea then you’ll be disappointed.

The ship certainly isn’t falling apart!

Joan

2 hours ago, SummmerInKefalonia said:

Look to the weather forecast I think you will not be able to visit Santorini too. Have they given you the updated itinerary? On the 13th of September when you are scheduled to tender at Santorini there are gonna be very strong winds 50-55 km/h... 😞

We haven’t (yet) been advised that we won’t be visiting Santorini. It’ll be a shame if we can’t as we are looking forward to it, however, no one can control the weather & safety comes first.

Currently on board Azura & Captain has just announced that due to high winds, that are not expected to decrease, we will not be calling At Mykonos on Thursday as it’s not safe to tender ashore.

As such, P&O have secured a berth At Heraklion in Crete.

we are due to get details of Shore Excursions delivered to our cabin this evening, however, wondered if anyone has any recommendations?

Thank You.

Joan

3 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Pleased you are having a great time.

We just got off Ventura and the waiters were using iPads to take drink and food orders and I had to ask for receipts otherwise none were given.

They said this was a trial for Iona arrival.

Are they doing the same on Azura?

Thanks Graham.

Hello Graham,

They’ve been using iPads for drinks for a while on Azura & so far we have always been given a receipt & haven’t had to ask.

Joan

Hello,

i am currently on board Azura, having a wonderful time, food, staff, entertainment great.

if anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask & I will do my best to try and find the answers.

Joan 

17 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

Our butler on Aurora organised afternoon tea at 4pm every afternoon, no question or problem.  Only issue was to get him to cut down on the number of cakes he brought 

Hello,

That's good to know!

Thank you

Joan

Hello,

It means that the excursion is fully booked.

Depending on where & what the excursion is P&O might lay on extra coaches etc if demand warrants.  Alternatively, you might just have to wait & see if someone cancels, hence you’re on a waitlist.

if this happens you’ll receive an email & have a short period of time in which to confirm your booking.

Hope this helps.

joan

The Butler will definitely receive a tip.

My main concern is that we board on the Monday & Hubby's Birthday is the following day so no doubt he will be extremely busy on embarkation day.

It's a shame that P&O don't offer a concierge service whereby I could arrange this prior to embarkation.  Therefore, I think I will write a note & hand it to him & try and have a quiet word, without Hubby lingering.

Wow the toffee apples look amazing.

Thank you; that's good to know.

Hello,　

A question for those of you who have travelled in a suite. Have you ever asked your Butler to arrange 'afternoon tea'?　

We are travelling on Azura in September & it will be hubby's 50th Birthday on day 2 of the cruise, a sea day.　

I am organising a cake which I want to get delivered to the suite as opposed to the dining room, as he wouldn't enjoy that, and wondered if it was possible to arrange something else?　

I've looked at the platters / canapés etc. you can order, however, these are not really to our liking.　

I'm guessing I could just order off the room service menu, but wondered if I could get a few finger sandwiches etc.  Don't want too much as we're on first sitting for dinner, but wanted to try and do something special / different.

Any tips / advice greatly appreciated.　

Thank you.　

Joan

Thank you Jean.

Hello,　

DH & I have just booked the following tour on our forthcoming cruise.　

Best of Santorini　

Ref: JTR_001 　

The village of Oia is perched on top of Santorini’s caldera. Walk up the narrow, cobblestone lanes, passing the brilliantly whitewashed buildings and domed churches. There will be some free time to explore on your own. Coffee shops perched on the edge of the cliffs offer spectacular views of Fira and the volcano.

Next you’ll head to Panagia Episkopi Church is the oldest remaining Byzantine church on the island. Dating from the 11th century, it has withstood raids by pirates, earthquakes, volcano eruptions and a fire in 1915.

The rich volcanic soil in Santorini is particularly favourable to viniculture, and you will have a chance to enjoy a visit to one of the local wineries. The Assyritico grape, a rare white variety, is grown here and, after the tour, you are invited to sample several of the local wines and snacks.

Enjoy a traditional Greek lunch at a local tavern before travelling the island's highest point, the Mountain of Prophet Elijah, to admire the stunning views.

Your tour will end in Fira where you make your way back to the ship, using the cable car ticket provided.

Has anyone done this tour before or know what we can expect in terms of a 'traditional Greek lunch'?　

The reason for asking is that I am a very plain eater & am concerned that I may not eat the food.　

I am not worried about the cost of the tour, but don't want to waste food / feel like I am insulting the waiters / their culture etc if I don't eat anything.　

Maybe we could arrange to skip the meal & meet up with the rest of the tour party once they've eaten.　

We had considered trying to negotiate getting to Oia by ourselves, but as there are 3 cruise ships in the day we dock, we felt it safer to go with a P&O excursion.

Thank you.

Joan

16 minutes ago, fastnloose said:

We are 2 couples who have booked P&O full day excursion on seperate bookings. (They booked  before we decided to also do the excursion)  How can we ensure we travel together on same coach,so we can lunch together etc.    Thanks 

Hello,

Just arrange to meet up shoreside or go ashore together & head towards the same coach.  Tour buses aren’t allocated in advance.  I do this all the time when travelling with my Parents & we’ve always got on the same coach.

Joan

21 minutes ago, johnnyd57uk said:

Hi Joan,

 

Thank you so much for the additional pictures. They are fantastic. Havnt been on the Britannia so they've given me a real sense of the ship. I think my Son and his girlfriend will be impressed (their first cruise). Strangely everyone I spoke to on the Oriana before Christmas didnt have a good word to say about the Britannia for all sorts f reasons. I am reassured by your pictures.

 

As for the pictures of the room it looks very much like a standard size room to me. Very similar to the standard insides on the Ventura. As I paid extra for the pleasure I will be really miffed if it turns out to be the same size as my sons room.

Hello John,

 You’re welcome , glad I could help.

I haven’t stayed in an inside cabin on Britannia, however, did have one on Oriana a few years ago & that was small.  I think & hope you will be pleasantly surprised.

Britannia is a lovely ship & I’ve been on her 3 times.

As previously posted, people have their reasons for liking or not liking a particular ship.  As long as you go with an open mind & judge for yourself I’m sure you’ll have a great time. I can’t see any reasons, apart from rough seas, god forbid, that your Son & Girlfriend won’t enjoy themselves.

Have a great cruise.

Joan

1 hour ago, johnnyd57uk said:

Paid extra for a large inside cabin for a change on a forthcoming Britannia Cruise. Tickets have been issued and our Cabin is located in the B403-B431 group. Taking a look at the Cabin online it looks about the same size as a standard inside cabin (ie just about enough room to swing a cat). Anyone had any experience of these rooms. I feel like ive been had. I would put in a link to the cabin picture but not sure if its allowed.

 

Regards to All 

 

John

Hello John,

I not stayed in one in one of these cabins, however, I took the following photos when I did a ship tour a few years ago.

I was pleasantly surprised by their size & would be quite happy to stay in one.

Here’s some pictures of B428 & a link to the full album.

https://flickr.com/photos/63185733@N02/sets/72157652321818391

Hope this helps.

Joan

1 hour ago, docco said:

Five days into this cruise and none of the TV channels are working. They haven't worked since day one, and they're still using the excuse that it's satellite interference.

 

No hot water last night, bathroom lights flickering and can't be fixed, shower doesn't drain, front of drawer falling off - and this is in a suite costing a fair bit of money. 

 

Just heard the first and only apology for the failed TV service, and by the sound of it it could carry on for quite a while. All you get is excuses. No effective action.

 

On the strength of this cruise (the people looking after us in the suite are excellent, to be fair) and the Amsterdam fiasco we're now cancelling the three cruises we have booked, and that will be the last we see of P&O. 

 

Enough is enough, and it's now dropped to such a level that it's not worth travelling with if you want an unspoiled holiday.

We were on the 4 day “Amsterdam” Cruise & my Parents had problems with their toilet overflowing & then not flushing.

What suite are you in?

We are booked I. D737 in September for 19 nights 

joan

Here’s some photos for you.  The tours have just started to arrive back so the burger bar is looking a bit empty but don’t worry they are busy cooking more!

24 minutes ago, Vampiress88 said:

 

Any idea what stations these will be as we go in a month and this may be the best option for me with kids 

Hello,

i am currently sat on the open decks on Azura enjoy the sunshine in Ijmuiden, having just enjoyed a burger & chips with my parents.  Both the “stations” can be found mid ship on deck 15 either end of the (Coral?) pool.  The pizzeria is behind the pool whilst the burger bar is adjacent to the bar on this deck. 

Hope this helps.

joan

You should also be able to get “takeaway” food, burgers, hot dogs, pizza etc from the relevant stations on the open decks if you so desire.

Not 100% sure however, we did Freedom dining with our friend.

By registering your dietary requirements they are linked to your cabin number.  

When you enter the freedom dining restaurant you have to give your cabin number so presumably it will flag up on their systems.  They then know what table you will be seated at and will come to you with the menu.  When you eat the following night they can find you in the restaurant as you give your details over when ordering .

i have managed to find this on the P&O website 

https://carnivaluk.metafaq.com/resources/carnivaluk/life-on-board/veg-menu-sample.pdf

Hope this helps.

Joan

As long as you have made sure that your family members dietary requirements are noted on the booking then it should be straightforward.　

We cruised with some friends a couple of years ago, one of which was a vegetarian.　

Each night the Head Waiter or Maitre D would come to the table, with a separate vegetarian menu & take a note of their order for the following night. Whilst there seemed to be quite a few options to chose from there was only Menu A or Menu B which I believe they alternated, but I could be wrong on that. 　

With regards to the (V) dish on the main menu don't worry about that, I think it's just there for another choice.　

I too am a very fussy eater & in the words of Dame Maggie Smith in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel "If I can't pronounce it I'm not eating it". I don't mushrooms, anything spicy or lots of other things but I can always find something to eat. Don't forget if all else fails you can (or at least we could when we cruise last year) always order Chicken or Steak.　

Please let you your waiters know when ordering if you don't want something on your food or even if you want something different as they really want you to enjoy your meal. You can also order additional side dishes of extra veg or chips if you want.　

I know one night my friend really didn't touch her dinner. There was nothing wrong with the dinner, she was feeling sea sick & they were so worried she didn't enjoy it that they wanted to go and get her something else to try.　

I'm sure someone else will be along soon with more experience to re assure you.

Hope this helps.

Joan

There are plenty of phones around the ship in the public areas where you can call your or your family members cabin free of charge.  All you have to do is dial the deck number followed by the cabin number.  So for example if you were in cabin D628 on Azura, D deck is deck 9 so you would dial 9628. As previously posted you can then leave a message.  When you get back to the cabin you will see that you have an answer phone message.

Thank you; it seems Taormina is definitely the place to go, so thank you everyone who has recommended that.

Oia and Fira are also highly recommended so again I will look into those.

I'm so glad I asked this question as I may well have picked some tours & been disappointed that I missed out on some of the better places to visit.

Joan

Thank you everyone who has replied, it’s been very useful.

We have never visited any of these ports before so want to make the most of our time there.  It’s useful to know that it might be worthwhile going to what I would describe as ‘another place’ e.g. Taormina.

We most certainly won’t be going anywhere near the donkeys in Santorini that’s for sure.

Thankfully, despite both turning 50 this year (DH turns 50 on the 2nd day of the cruise) we are both active & mobile (well we hope to be at the start of the cruise anyway!) so walking shouldn’t be too much of an issue for us.

Joan