alpha whiskey

Or you could just jump on this bus.....

Was gutted that this show was cancelled on our last Arvia cruise due to illness/injury. Fingers crossed for Iona in the New Year🤞

It would just seem so sensible to let you choose your own arrival time, as other cruise lines do. We live reasonably local to Southampton and don't want an early boarding time as I plan to work an early morning shift on the day of our cruise. 12.30 would be of little use to us too, and we would be arriving much later.

Full P&O surveys received via email from cruises on Iona in January and Arvia in April. Also Feefo, which I don't complete.

First seen by us on Princess. Obviously now evolving across Carnival!

Based on our experiences, you won't be disappointed, although my soft spot does lie with Iona😉 We are certainly not in the first flush of youth either! 🤣😭

Oh yes please! 🙏 For all restaurants 😊 I did put something to that effect in the last survey. Deciding what to eat for lunch (whether going ashore or on a sea day) does have bearing depending what your evening choices are. At present you are unable to see MDR evening menus until after the lunch service. Post them in the app, on stateroom TV, or Horizon, I am not really fussy!

I don't really mind when the theatre opens it's doors and whether people choose to queue beforehand. However, I wish they would CLOSE the doors just before the performance is about to start. Nothing worse than people milling about looking for seats once the show has started.

I'll put good money down that they will do a one to one chat with you, and somehow I will live with the fact that they have probably just lost my phone number!! 🤣🤣

We didn't book onboard, but we got the same survey/email after booking Britannia earlier this month. We are definitely not special nor loyal to P&O as we mix up our cruise lines depending on who's offering what! We are a lowly Pacific tier, and definitely don't have a 'P' against our name 😭 I filled it in and sent it off, but didn't get anything back as a thank you!! 🤣 You might be more lucky though 😉 Do come back and let us know!

Not quite as slick as Iona, (great restaurant manager in Coral as you have previously pointed out 👍) Never a major problem on Arvia that I can remember. We probably used the MDR about 50%. Preferred Zenith over Meridian. Certainly never went hungry or had to change any plans. Always got a table for 2. Dined at about 6.15 (give or take) If asked to choose my favourite ship out of the 2, my vote would go to Iona, but would also jump back on Arvia in a heartbeat! 🤣😉

Just to add to these very well documented threads... We sailed on Iona in January and Arvia in April this year. Queuing and waiting did not impact on our holiday enjoyment. Longest ever wait was 20 mins for a shuttle bus. Have waited for buses much longer at home! We did reserve spaces at entertainment venues/dining prior to cruise and the 'app' worked well for 90% of the time. We are off on Britannia in a few weeks and will be very happy if we experience more of the same. Have a lovely time 😊

If Alesund is on your itinerary you may all enjoy (!) a walk up the 400 steps to Mount Aksla, depending on the weather and everyone's mobility. There are plenty of places to rest on the way up, and different viewpoints. The view at the top is just 'WOW' It will definitely be a different type of walk for your children...and you! As the ship docks you can see the steps winding up the side of the Mount ...and so the challenge begins! Link below might explain it a bit better than me! https://www.lifeinnorway.net/aksla-alesund-viewpoint/

Well jel! Wishing you safe travels and lots of fun.

And Good luck to them all! Young and enthusiastic at the start of their careers. We all started somewhere!

Would love to follow along on your Disney adventures if you are able to post. Have the best time ever 🌞

Really hope not. Let's hope they made it to the ship ok 🤞

This is a pretty good site to check things out....also gives you an idea of how many other ships will be in on the same day too! https://www.southamptonvts.co.uk//Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Cruise_Ship_Schedule/

I don't know if we were just lucky but we boarded Iona bang on time in January, (12.30) and dare I say little early on Arvia in April. Boarding time 1.45pm and were onboard at 1.30pm Didn't experience any real queues, and were just seated for a short while before going through security. Let's hope this past week has just been a blip and things will settle down again 🤞

Easy peasy... Of course you can take the train, but for a scenic route (!)we would favour the X4 bus from Portsmouth Hard bus station (right next door to Gunwharf) to Orchard Place in Southampton, which is just across the road from berth 46 dock gate 4. Alternatively the train is right there too. Portsmouth and Southampton are well connected .....until it comes to football!

It's been a while since we've visited the Historic dockyard in Portsmouth, but had a grand day out today. We learnt that in 1803 the sailors on HMS Victory were fed 5000 calories and had an allowance of a gallon of beer per day. With the greatest respect to our Lord Nelson and his crew, we will try very hard to keep this tradition alive every time we set sail 🤣🍻

You could also say it's having a choice. Do you not compare airlines? Luggage included/not included/ same with your seat selection and the list goes on with hotels, bed and breakfast, all inclusive , 3*, 4* 5*?? What will it be? Like I say, it's good to have choices and half the fun of booking a holiday 😃

Can understand there could be problems with lifts and passing in corridors but if kept and stored in a luggage /hold area on a low deck, this could be ideal and have minimal impact on anyone.

That would be even better still! Even if there was an nominal additional charge for using the facility. Will check with head office. Thank you.