majortom10

On Cunard they have Butlers for all Queens Grill suites and also a concierge service for both Queens and Princess Grill. Perhaps this is the way forward P&O are thinking.

Having just returned from Iona where we used virtual queuing for majority of the time except for evenings in Epicurean and Sindhu we had no issues or waits for a table in MDR. For me having not yet cruised on Arvia, due in September, the major issue is the mistake made in only having 2 MDRs compared to 4 on Iona. This issue will not be resolved until this is changed.

My advice is give Wavelength aiss it is an hour of your life you will not get back.

Or equally say that what alcohol you purchase on P&O at a cost of £150 would cost you $250 on Princess and Cunard.

Bergen and Flam are definitely not tenders and you can walk on and off the ship. Depending on where the ship docks in Bergen you might need a shuttle bus to get into city centre. Definitely not required in Flamm as you dock right in the middle of the town.

Yes we are looking forward to our cruise on Arvia in September after our most favourite ship QM2 in May. We thought the specialty dining and choice on Iona was good and had excellent meals in Epicurean, Sindhu and Olive Grove but was somewhat disappointed with Beach House. I wonder if Iona, like all ships, varies in quality of food served depending on who the Executive Chef is. Normally I agree when having 4-5 course dinner that you don't need or require massive portions but on our recent cruise in March like I said no problem with quality but portion size was very poor and looked lost some evenings on the plate for main course. Hope you both are well and continue to enjoy cruising whoever it may be with. We are back on our usual Canaries cruise in the Grills on Cunard in November.

We used virtual queuing on Iona on our recent cruise in March and thought it was excellent. Booked place on leaving cabin and 99% of time table was ready before reaching restaurant. Far better than standing in a queue and to be given a pager if there wasn't a table ready.

I wasn't happy with the butler in our only Q6 cruise and it was about 2.5hrs before he even came to see us when we embarked. The cabin steward, if my memory serves me right, visited us twice to see if butler had been to see us and when we said no he didn't look very happy. Sorry but if I was paying the prices they now ask for a Q1-Q2 I certainly would expect better service and would have not been happy. Also with a maitre d' who couldn't cut a duck in two tableside without it ending up on the floor and with no apology. Sorry it was more like a Monty Python programme than a supposedly first class White Star service.

Which is non existent if you have OBC.

Just book pre cruise and pay and request table for 4. You will then have to make arrangements with friends to pay you back their half. If you both book separately then I don't think you can link booking and get a table for 4 you will just get 2 tables for 2 and not together.

MDR reservations are not a problem as if you join virtual queue on webpage just one of you does it and it asks size of table and you just put in 4. If just turning up at MDR just all turn up together and request a table for 4.

Food is very subjective but having done over 30 cruises with P&O since 2000 we were disappointed with the food served in MDR on our recent Iona cruise. No issue with quality just small portion size and very repetitive menu with poor choice.

Also I think there is a lot of difference on what those in Q1-Q2 get from their butler than what those get in Q5-Q6.

No thanks not worth it IMO.

We all have differing views and opinions and whatever anyone says there is not a right way or a wrong way. All I can say is we have only ever stayed in QG once and the butler was totally non existent and a waste of money. The cabin steward was more useful and did more for us.

And not to be called all the names under the sun if it is different than US. Sorry but there is no justification to be automatically charged nearly £400 for a couple on a 14 nt holiday.

That is the main difference between US and UK is here we have a far minimum higher wage whatever the job. So there is no need to rely on gratuities that is why it is not as widespread or common in the UK.

Yes we are with Nationwide and on our recent cruise missed a port due to winds. P&O gave everyone a letter for their insurance companies. Phoned Nationwide on the Tuesday to make claim and was confirmed and accepted by Thursday, without sending letter of proof, and £300 was in our bank account by following Monday. Excellent service.

Bet they love you certainly wouldn't renew without checking different companies for quotations as there can be a large difference in policy cost.

We have had inside cabins next to atrium view cabins and to be honest we don't think it is worth the extra money a the view is nothing spectacular.

But not everyone is responding on this thread to post #730 but on general as thread title states. I certainly wasn't responding to #730

Just tell the check in staff you are Caribbean and have priority boarding and there will not be a problem.

30 pages of responses on a thread titled " Food and Dining on P&O ships" think we will get answers about all ships on all current ships.

Well we have just returned from Iona and in general liked the ship and didn't encounter any of the problems you had, in fact the service was very good.

Used virtual booking on the App for dinner in MDR on Iona recently. Excellent as joined virtual queue as leaving cabin by time we got to restaurant our table was ready.