Somerset Cruiser

a) incorrect, many cruise lines publish times, even 2 years ahead. b) obviously c) how much are the penalties?

I spent much of Christmas, on Iona, wondering when it became a fancy dress party.

Which cruise?

Another well kept P&O secret revealed, I couldn't disturb reception so I rang room service to find out.

That's not so clever an answer as you think it is Jean, you can book dining before you board and pay for it with your OBC once on board. The same could apply to excursions if P&O permitted.m

We should demand the same, there is no good reason to hide this information. Of course it's subject to change but it is useful information that costs them nothing to provide.

The 710 club, Limelight club, the Dome, a spacious and light filled atrium and an unusual prom deck. Other than that just like Ventura.

I don't think any have portholes, but to be certain don't go forward of the forward staircase. I fact we book with a certain cruise club, they will know 😉

You assume that I assume, I don't 😁 I agree with the TA point, and possibly military. But the shareholders obc is a benefit which is worth more to some under this P&O policy.

As I said earlier, simple mathematics.

At the risk of being rude, did you actually read my post before replying?

It isn't churlish, it's simple mathematics. Two Carnival shareholders, one is entitled to 10% loyalty benefit discount the other isn't. Each receives £150 obc. One buys items that would have cost them £150, the other buys items that would have cost them £135. How is that a loyalty benefit? Also the pricing structure means that you are purchasing your spending money(obc) and without it the cost of the cruise would be lower. This obc is not a gift.

As I said, a long term bugbear.

Correct, and a long term bugbear of mine. In effect obc is worth less to someone in the Peninsular club than to someone who isn't. The discount is a loyalty benefit that you don't always get. BTW, Princess apply the discount even when you have obc.

You had to wait a whole hour for food?

The wine available in the Chef's Table is much the same as anywhere else on the ship, if you ask. Otherwise you are likely to only be offered the OS pairings.

You have to wait until you board, see you there 😉

Not me, I was only vaguely aware of who he is until I saw him on Iona. Having seen a great show and noted the amount raised for charity I then learned how successful and popular he is. Having an open mind I call it.

I don't wish to influence your opinion I just wanted to add some facts to the thread.

Overated? He's written 13 No 1 singles and 24 top 10, plus numerous recording successes.

On his previous appearance earlier this month it raised over £21,000. I thought he would turn up and sing a few songs with the usual theatre band, but it was himself and his 8 piece band doing a shortened version of his usual touring show. I'm not a fan but have to say it was very good.

You shouldn't be concerned, we're just back from Iona and didn't eat in there once, there are plenty of options.

We were surprised to see them going up 2 weeks ago, disembarked on Saturday. Have a great cruise, there's so much to enjoy on Iona. Top tip, don't miss Gareth Oliver.

Wow, you must have had some fantastic cruises, we disembarked Iona on Saturday, same cruise? We hardly queued at all, never for the theatre in 7 or 8 visits, nothing significant for the restaurants, always got a seat whichever venue we went too and I remarked how easy the lifts were to access. I thought the ship seemed really spacious. Not sure why you would expect a different menu in the main restaurants and buffet, haven't they always been the same? In addition you can have a different menu in the Olive Grove, The Quays or the Chef's Table with no charge. There are also at least 4 others to choose from, with a charge. Perhaps we were lucky or you are unlucky but that is a remarkably different experience.