lujaha

We are off in our caravan next Tuesday, just down to the South Coast.  We are self contained and will take all precautions when filling with water and emptying toilet.  We have not been in any shops yet, and will limit this to necessities, I think.  If there is a pub serving meals outdoors, we may do that, but will not go inside.  I think we will be ok, can't think of any other holiday that will be any safer.  We have however transferred our November cruise to same next year.  We have another end of January to decide on later.  I think all the restrictions that cruises must have to keep people safe will spoil most of the enjoyment we find in a cruise.  Hope and pray for a vaccine so we can once again experience a carefree cruise.

30 minutes ago, Adawn47 said:

Interestingly enough just to pick up on the  MDR food. We were on Aurora's Canary cruise the end of November last year on Freedom dining. We always have to wait because we want a table for two, and we had a couple of interesting conversations with the Maitre d'. Apparently he had been transferred from Britainnia for a few months to "help transform the MDR". We thought that the previous year on Aurora was fine although honestly we have had better. I have to say that the service and food were much improved from the previous year. He also wanted to know why most wanted two tops and unwilling to share. He said he'd worked for years on various lines and he only found this on P&O. I'd be interested to know if anyone else was on the same cruise and their opinion. 

I think we are sociable people and will chat on board with anyone, but prefer to eat on our own.  You wouldn't go to a restaurant and expect to have to share a table with strangers.  We have shared twice in many cruises, once at a dining room breakfast, and sat with the rudest man imaginable, and recently because we didn't want to wait as we wanted to see a show.  The people were nice enough but we felt a little awkward, there were 8 of us.  

7 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

I think our problem would be the price!  Saga cruises are way more expensive than P&O.  totally understand that you have booked it for a special birthday.  I have looked at them a couple of times and just won't pay that when I don't have to.

 

14 night cruise - £2841 pp

 

We have paid £1359 pp for a 19 night cruise.

 

Saga 19 night Med - £2832 - just doesn't compare.

Quite agree.  P&O isn't as luxurious as Saga. but it's not exactly roughing it, and compared to a land based holiday offers generally better food and certainly better evening entertainment.  All round good value.  You are well looked after by the cabin staff and staff in general around the ship greet you and are helpful, especially to disabled in the buffet etc.  Unlike other lines you can take a couple of litres of your favourite spirit for a drink in your cabin.  We avoided P&O for several years, but now after 2 cruises have 2 more booked.  

2 minutes ago, AndyMichelle said:

I know exactly what it means...

I have stayed in a C2, they are coloured pink on the deck plans, I think a DE is mid ship and costs more, often coloured grey... 😊

Andy 

Good one Andy.  I think the CEO, whoever he is, has opened a can of worms with his "Saturday night ITV audience".  To me he is saying this ship will attract a more downmarket passenger than the usual upmarket passengers on the other ships.  Not so.  I think it will attract a younger passenger, and as a 70 something myself, I don't think that will be a bad thing.  We had a great cruise on Oceana and met some lovely people, but a mix of ages would give a more diverse aspect to conversations with other passengers.  

35 minutes ago, wowzz said:

The CEO of P&O recently said that the new ships were designed to appeal to the ITV Saturday night audience, so, in marketing terms, I suppose he means C1s and C2s.

This is getting worse!  Just had to look up C1 and C2 and DE.  I presume P&O passengers are normally AB's.  We have just started cruising with P&O because it is cheap, and as pensioners we have to economize on holidays a bit more these days.  We like it well enough but upmarket it isn't.

Can someone explain the "Saturday evening ITV crowd".  I have just booked Iona for next year.  I don't like Paddy Mcguiness, but quite like Ant & Dec, so don't mind if they are on board!  

Has anyone seen the pics of the Virgin ship?  Outside cabin has some sort of sofa bed that converts at night.  Maybe the ship will appeal to younger clientelle, but can't see it appealing to your average cruiser.

Firstly, how can Saga passengers be any older than the Oceana cruise I've just been on?  We are in our early 70's and felt quite young at times!  They keep sending us brochures and the ships do look lovely.  But and it's a big but, they are so expensive.  At the end of the day, they are doing the same itineraries, but at luxury ship style prices.  Enjoy your special cruise next year and I look forward to reading all about it.

I think P&O is particularly difficult to book, regarding select fare, saver fare etc.  I couldn't make head or tail of it, what should I book?  The agent, not my usual one, explained it all very clearly to me and I decided select was for me.  Was glad I spoke to someone and not just booked online.

I was surprised on my first trip on P&O earlier this year to use a tray at the buffet.  The other 4 lines I have been on don't.  Thinking about it I don't recall using a tray on any other land based buffet either.  Cutlery is generally on the table.

On 11/9/2019 at 10:37 AM, snaefell said:

We have often encountered rude people in the buffet areas,no intentions of joining lines,adds to the problems of people not looking where they are going(or are they not going where they are looking?),added to kids running running around,can get very interesting to say the least!

P&O seem to have a different buffet system to all the others I've been on.  I got told off on the first visit on Aurora.  If I remember rightly I had got something on my plate and just wanted some veg to go with it.  People were queuing for the mains and there was no-one actually standing in front of the veg section.  So I just went to get some and was told off in no uncertain terms that I had to join the queue.  So I did and had to wait while everyone else got to the veg, and then I could at last get what I wanted.  

17 hours ago, john watson said:

Never get an actual bath until you are at least up to mini-suite level in my experience.  I  tend to use crystallised ginger from Holland and Barrett if you ever get problems.  Widows tend to be a lot bigger than the portholes of yesteryear.

 

Regards John

We had a bath in our outside cabin on Aurora.  I have now booked and it is a shower.  I know ginger is good for sickness.  I also found out that the cabin has a large sloping window.  Hopefully the Starlight closes at midnight.  Thanks for the replies folks.

Hi all you P&O experts!!  I have found a good value cruise on Oceana from Southampton in February next year.  Not much choice of cabins, one right at the bows, which I had earlier this year on Aurora and was seasick first time ever.  The only other choice is deck 8 at the aft.  The snag is it is above the Starlight lounge.  Has anyone had a cabin in this area?  It will be D740 or D743.  What was the noise like from the music below and what time does it go on to?  Would I be right in thinking these cabins (outside) have a very large window?  And lastly, are they shower or bath?  Thanks in advance for any help given.

28 minutes ago, Sailor Taylor said:

Probably a lapse of judgement in a fraction of a second by an elderly man.  Paid the ultimate price.  

 

And some of the replies in this thread.  SMH.  Reminds me why I don't like this particular board.  

Totally agree.

I know US customers seem to be able to cancel and rebook if there is a price increase in their cruise.  Reading the ads for cruises in The Mail I noticed a huge difference in the price we paid last March and now.  I contacted my lovely TA and after a lot of work on his part he managed to cancel the cruise and rebook with a saving of £400!!  There were some losses for us, including the £300 compensation from a previous cruise and different benefits with the new free at sea, which were of no importance anyway.   So if we hadn't lost the £300 it would have been £700 different in price.  As it is I am happy to save that amount.

16 hours ago, Newleno said:

Nice we love stewards like that, I hate my named being called while being half way down the hall because a  hard working room steward is told they have to use my name and ask me about my day.

Nooo, I do like a bit of interaction with the steward.  Makes you feel special, even if it is what they have been told to do, most seem to enjoy a little chat too, or at least in the past, and more especially on Norwegian than others I have been on.

Just reading this.  My 15 year old grandson has Aspergers and due to my daughter not wanting ever to go cruising, is highly unlikely to ever go on a cruise.  But hats off to NCL for knowing the problems with autism and making efforts to make life easier for those passengers.

Just back from a cruise with P&O.  No towel animals there.  Regulars said they hadn't had them for a while.  Must say I missed them, but do understand the impact all those extra towels to wash could have.  So looks like I will be disappointed on my next cruise on the Encore!

1 hour ago, lexussteve2016 said:

Also 2 weeks for us, Barbados by any chance?

Exact opposite - Norway Arctic Circle!!  Will need a soak in a nice hot bath after being outside in those temperatures.

38 minutes ago, lexussteve2016 said:

Thank you for all the responses, as advised I rang P & O today and explained that we booked the cruise knowing the cabin grade had a bath. ( Really fantastic telephone response time!).

The CSA left me on hold for a minute and came back with cabin B414 which is an upgraded DC to DA cabin which has been confirmed by email, just hoping the luggage tags also get changed.

Really good customer service, an upgrade still and now two happy people.

Now where’s my plastic duck 😀

 

Well done you!  Oh the luxury of having a bath, even though it might be on the small side, in your cabin.  We booked an outside with bath on Aurora and were asked whether we would accept an upgrade, bearing in mind that could be a cabin without a bath.  I said no!  I didn't know such a thing existed unless you at least had a mini suite.  Never been on p&o before,  but one plus in their favour.  Two weeks to go for us.  Happy cruising.

Yes, I looked into booking privately, but couldn't, so booked with P&O.  Will sort out any other tours en route.  Not long to go now!

1 hour ago, Britboys said:

I really am not being remotely judgmental here but this post does highlight how important it is for everyone to research their holiday/cruise well before deciding to book.  All cruise lines are not the same.  I hope you have a really wonderful time.

We have friends who go on P&O so I knew it was more formal than the others I have been on.  The only thing I didn't realise was the restriction on bars and public places.  The itinerary and price were the things we chose the cruise for and we literally got the last cabin available.  The next day they took the cruise off.  Would I have not booked if I had known the above?  Well, I would have still gone ahead, so excited, it sounds amazing.  I think we will have an amazing time.  

1 hour ago, tartanexile81 said:

Don't worry if you haven't got a dress anyway but if you're still looking there are lots of amazing sales online. Try Roman Originals or Quiz or Debenhams, and I'm sure other people could recommend different ones. Just order a few to try on and make sure it includes free returns. 

Thanks.  Nothing I liked on line.  At a difficult age for long dresses, don't want to look like "mutton".  Lots of tight fitting ones, not suitable for my figure.  Not to mention the amount we have just spent on thermals, boots etc. for the cold.  So unless I see something in Malta, when we go in a couple of weeks, I'm going to stick with what I am comfortable in.

Thanks to all for your replies.  Hubby has a tux, but not  a dark suit.  I am going to the shops later and will have a last look for dresses.  If not I will not worry.  Going on Aurora northern lights cruise.  Super excited, never been anywhere like this before.  Busy buying thermals etc.

Just booked our first P&O cruise having done lots with Norwegian mainly, and Royal Caribbean and Princess.  I did not realise that the dress code on P&O is enforced in so many places, apart from the usual main restaurants as per the other cruises we have been on.  My husband has his tux, but usually ends up taking it off after dinner, and he isn't to happy that he will have to wear it in the bars as well!  For me I don't have dresses (well none that fit these days) and my "dressy" outfit would be black trousers, some with a bit of sparkle, and sparkly tops, of which I have several.  I went shopping yesterday and find that none of the shops have any evening wear, although they were of course full of it before Xmas.  But I didn't know we were going on the cruise then.  Cruise is 27th Feb.  I will continue to try and get a dress or 2, but if not will I stand out for not wearing a dress?