Cathygh

I've been drinking Picpoul from the wine package and no problems so far🤞

We like to go early. We have learned from experience that if you wait too long then the tenders are suspended die to the weather so we miss the port. Or even if we get over then they are suspended when we want to come back. We have a few hours stranded shoreside in wind and rain

You need a ticket to get on the tender and you can't get a ticket until you have done the step test

I received this from a TA earlier which might shed light on things "it is very important that you confirm any mobility issues right from the outset as we are required to book an ‘Evacuation Chair’ for anyone who cannot manage stairs on their own, or a ‘One to One Assistance Guide’ for anyone who walks with the aid of a stick or requires any level of assistance when using stairs. These both need to be booked even if you are taking a carer as you could easily be parted during the cruise, and availability for such assistance is very limited, so adding this later may not be possible."

On Arcadia in August everyone was asked to do the tender test when they got their ticket. The loyalty cuise manager was in charge. It was the first time I had seen this on P&O, I had seen it on Cunard pre pandemic. On Cunard a customer kicked off big time as he had to collect his ticket in person and take the test. It was explained that someone had died when they fell between the ship and the tender, hence everyone had to take the test, no excuses. I can understand that some people would want to take the test in private, but at the end of the day all us should take the test, for own own safety.

That explains why the landlord of one of our local pubs was telling us he had just got the email about assistance for his next cruise, and didn't know why. Now we know!

Thank you, I'll book them

HI Can someone please remind me, if we book tours with P&O before the cruise is our loyalty discount applied? Thanks

I am just reseaching tours. I have found 2 great sites Caribbean Island Tours and Caribbean Excursions You Save They Benefit. I am trying to avoid beach based ones as DH doesn't do beaches, but I do want to find some Rum and Chocolate tours and would like to visit the Curacao Distillery.

I am sorry for your loss. Over on the unmentionable social media site there is page for P&O cruises for resale. It is possible to transfer the cruise to someone else who will then pay you the cost of your deposit and is then responsible for the cruise. P&O will facilitate this. If you are not on the aforementioned site a TA can act on your behalf.

Britannia on 17th November is also Christmas themed, I amatrying to source a T shirt as it will be too hot, I hope, for the jumpers

The laundry is quieter on port days. There is no queue as such. If a machine is free then take it. You need to be back to empty the machine as it finishes because if you don't someone will take it out and put it in a basket (or on the floor if they aren't being considerate). Same goes for the tumble dryer. Take laundry sheets or your powder as it's expensive to buy on board

The brown toast looks white but has litle flecks of brown in it, but you might need a magnifying glass to see them. The thick toast is too thick, the normal toast is too thin. P&O should just get a better slicing machine. The chunky chips on Iona were excellent, on Arcadia they were rubbish. I will see what they are like on Britannia next.

My son and DIL once went on the free blanket trip in Lanzarote, not realising they would be taken to a room for a heavy sales pitch for mattresses 🤣🤣 They thought it was a blanket tour of the island which went everywhere. We have actually done the blanket trip twice but knew what to expect. the guide was a real comedian, very funny. We were taken to a banana farm and the AloeVera farm. If you can stand the sales pitch it's a good way to spend a rainy day. Another favourite of mine is going to Teguise Market, I can't remember which day it is on. I also enjoyed a trip which focused on Cesar Manrique and what he did for the Island

I thought that when I first went to Lanzarote 30 years ago but it's grown on me. I love all the little white houses with bouganvillias and the work of Cesar Manrique. From Arrecife you can also get a local bus to Costa Teguise and I think Playa Blanca.

@Selbourne in Lanzarote you can turn left out of the port and walk to the Arrecife Gran, there's a great coffee shop on the top floor. It's a bit of a trek with a wheel chair though. The town is not a pretty tourist resort, it's the capital city and is more business/industrial stle but the shopping area is great

I'm on Britannia and I would call it a P&O upgrade. However I'm happy as I have moved from deck 8 forward (above the theatre) to deck 9 aft (cabins above and below).

I can confirm that complementary upgrades still exist. Just had my GF moved to GD and someone I know has been moved from HF to GF. But if I wanted a super deluxe I would have had to bid for it

Sorry I was wrong, it was Christopher Bourne. Wes is on Iona. I've been on both ships this year, both very different experiences but both had memorable captains

On the other ships Glass House is a wine bar/ tapas type place. On Arcadia they use one of the bars on deck 3 as a pop up, ie it's not permanent. I can't say about the lobster, I had duck which was wonderful.

Pop up Glass House on some sea days. I liked the Spinaker Bar. Our waiter- Arman - was excellent. He was moving to Freedom dining but I believe you can ask for a table in his area. The panoramic lifts. The Captain, Wesley Dunlop, was very friendly. Ocean Grill was excellent.

P&O have done that in the past but not on Arcadia when I was on in August. I asked about it and was told there was a technical problem.

I was on that cruise too. A good range of speakers but the best IMHO (the murder guy) clashed with the Art Talks. I do think there is a shortage of speakers as many have not returned since the pandemic. Some we know who haven't returned are fed up of staying in crew accommodation. If I had something I could talk about I would do it, it's a good gig and you get free bed and board, some free trips if you go as a helper on the tour. Pre pandemic P&O paid speakers but Cunard didn't. (According to friends who gave talks on both).

I did the tour on Arcadia in August, it was £75. We saw behind the scenes in the theatre, a dressing room,with the Headliners' Team Leader explaining how they do quick changes and have to launder and repair the costumes, and the sound and light area. Then the stores area, a kitchen and chat with head chef. We saw a crew only area at the front to the ship which houses the ropes and we could see the anchor. I liked that bit the best. There's no accounting for taste! We walked down to the crew area and saw their canteen. Then the engineering room - just computers. Then the bridge. If you haven't been in side the bridge it's very spacious. There was a look out and 3 officers on duty. Finally down to the Crow's nest for a sandwich and one drink. My only gripe is that the refreshments were stingy. Some officers came down to chat. I am glad I did it.

It should be available 72 hours before sailing