Thejuggler

Many schools have complete autonomy on holiday dates so avoiding them completely isn't easy.  Private schools have far more holiday.

July and August are always out, Scotland finish late June. September and early October are probably quiet, mid November to early December and Jan-March if Easter is in April probably aren't months when families go cruising.

Of course the alternative is to choose an adult only ship or cruises less popular with families.

Grand class ships layout and accessibility are considered very poor and always have been, even with refits.

Madeira (and Portugal in general) prices show how expensive the UK has become.  In Faro last year I went in a bar for two 330ml bottles of Super Bock and took a €10 note. It cost me €2.60.  Coffees were never more than €1.50.

Manchester Airport latest offers email is giving 24% off lounge access and parking.

Norway is all about fjords cruising and over the years the routes have changed significantly, both due to ships getting larger and Norway clamping down on visitor numbers.

Flaam, Gerainger, Olden were the classic inland stops, but Olden seems to be the main port stop for P&O.  Of the three its the last I'd choose.

If its a one off trip look at doing a 14 day cruise so you can get to the North Cape.

I watched the programme and it is incredible how they are built, but that's only three years of the story and you can't tell much of three years in a short documentary.

A detailed look at all the design work leading to the first day of build would be interesting.

If considering a tuk tuk confirm the price before getting in.

Some advertise a price then reveal at the end if the trip it is per person.

Whilst you can walk, you go from sea level to hundreds of feet above in a mile or so.

Its a far easier downhill walk back!

New cruisers go for shiny new things as they have more to offer.

15 or so years ago when Ventura was launched as the the largest P&O ship that would have been the fun ship (outdoor circus school and trampolines anyone?) with the older now long retired ships offering something completely different,

Only you know what you booked.

You need a flex rate then you can book at the new price and cancel the original more expensive booking.

Flex most expensive can be cancelled and refunded

Standard mid price date can be changed but not cancelled or refunded

Non flex no refunds no changes.

There has been a live stream from Manchester Airport this morning, but its gone off air just minutes before it lands!

On 11/24/2023 at 5:09 PM, GOQ said:

Thanks for the replies.

 

I would probably just stick with what P&O offer in terms of flights and transfers. What airlines do P&O use , flying from which airports for Australia ?

P&O will act as an agent for the flights, so they will arrange flights which meet your requirements.  Departure and arrival airports, routing, seat class etc

 If you aren't London based and don't want to do a London connection Emirates are an obvious choice as they fly to Dubai from most major UK airports with connections via Dubai.

Have a play with Google flights and see what comes up.

A hotel the night before is less stressful.

It doesn't have to be in Southampton, I just look for the cheapest hotel (usually Premierinn) within no more than an hours drive from the port.

Parking depends which line you are sailing with.  For first trip I'd use the recommended company.

ABP is brilliant as the car is parked and left next to the ship.  CPS is a bit of a faff as its valet parking so you need to queue to hand over keys and then pick the car up from the terminal car park on the return.
 

I don't know if its still the case but when we cruised the waiters would remove the drinks menu from the table whether you ordered or not so they knew your table had been 'visited'.

3-3-3 is all economy layout and fine for a hop to the Med but not longhaul.  2-4-2 was the lower density option for the A330 and much more appealing.

 
Monarch had the same 3-3-3 on their A300s and it was purgatory on Goa flights, especially when coupled with a 28 inch pitch.

The only bonus was they had to refuel in the Middle East so you did get a break after 7 hours or so! 

Thats a crawfish, not a lobster.

We've been on three fjords cruises with P&O and Celebrity,  

Arrival has always been early morning, berthed by 8am (part of fjords cruising is getting up early to experience the fjord and arrival).  Back on board has always been around 5pm.

Port websites are often the most reliable source of arrival and departure times.

There are excursions to pulpit rock, or you can DIY from Stavanger.

Changed 'plane' could actually mean changed 'airline'.

All down to what repair is needed, is an op required to pin it?

My daughter has travelled and cruised with broken hand and cast. 

Looks like 15m wave estimate was slightly off.

21.1m at Le Conquet in north west France, thats 70 ft!

There is a chance it could be the lowest recorded pressure since the 50s.  Currently looking at low 960s, but could be low 950mb.  70-90mph winds down the Channel, 15m waves in the Bay of Biscay, not somewhere to be on a ship.

The jetstream is currently crazy,  I saw a screenshot earlier of two identical aircraft, both the same and both at 35,000 ft of the west coast of Ireland. One flying east was doing 600 knots, one flying west only 280kts.

Accepted the error, taken a refund or an alternative if offered.  We visited Krakow this summer and booked for Auschwitz.  It was cancelled the day before due to a shortage of guides.   Refund arrived within an hour.

One Vanderbilt was our choice of high level viewing in NY,  visited an hour before sunset so saw ESB all lit up from 98 storeys up in an open air bar and DJ  amazing experience.

Space per passenger is far more important than absolute size of ship,

OP needs to clarify what they are complaining about as its unclear.

Either.

£10 a day for a drinks package for a 6 month old is excessive.  Easy solution.  Don't buy it as its not needed.

OP has been lead to believe fhe £10 a day drinks package is compulsory for a 6 month old if other passengers on the booking buy a drinks pacakage.  Probably not the case (and FAQ states it isn't) but clarify with P&O and don't be surprised if its a website error, P&O are good at those,

No problem whatsoever.

At 6 months our daughter had flown to Tenerife, but for a land based holiday.

Life on ship is no different to staying in a hotel.
 

We found Alcantara to be a great location as Lisbon is a linear city along the river bank. 

Alcantara is half way between the old city and castle to the east and the Belem area to the west which has lots to see, including the Pasteis shop.

It is also very handy if you want to cross the river to the Christ the King statue.