majortom10

Always use MDR for breakfast and did so on our recent cruise on Iona. No problem getting a table or service and very good and varied choice on the menu and a relaxed way to start the day.

We have booked 10021 this morning for a cruise in 2025 to the Canaries.

No idea about itineraries for Summer 25 and no idea where to look.

There is also Keel & Cow available for breakfast with some supplements.

Only a recent thing where you got OBC or less OBC and free parking. In the past you had a choice of parking, coach travel and obc and were not combinable.

I think what burnsva is asking is if anything is provided free of charge in the mini bar as it is in QG. Mini bars are not full of items to purchase just left empty.

Try Parking4Cruises.

Somewhat confused my understanding is choice of early or late sitting or open dining which I thought was anytime the restaurant was open. Don't understand open sitting early or late sitting.

Nothing only bottled water

We prefer to eat when it suits us and not Cunard and can vary on a day to day basis. If not in PG we would always go for Open as not bothered about using same table or waiter.

Yes you do know who is appearing in Limelight Club 14 days before you cruise. There is no Captains Table it is Chefs Table and you can book this in advance some day it is good others not so. Personally prefer. Formal nights in MDR and not a part of buffet restaurant.

You cannot purchase excursions pre cruise with OBC but you can once onboard if they are still available and they might be dearer.

I was amazed on my recent cruise on Iona how busy the casino was in the evenings. Not just machines but the tables as well, we passed through either on our way to the theatre or on leaving. Never seen a casino as busy on a P&O ship in over 23yrs. Before anyone says it is the younger market P&O are aiming for majority on both machines and tables were 50/60s and older.

If I had an older car I wouldn't worry but I have new car and want to park it with security and not open to public access.

Perhaps so if booking direct but when you book a package holiday with majority of tour operators they operate the same way as cruise lines in wanting a deposit when bookings and balance 12+ weeks before cruise.

What happens if you get travel delay, lost luggage, personal belongings or money or theft. That is also covered in travel insurance in the UK. Do you not insure for these purposes in US and travel and hope and pray these things don't happen.

Don't all holiday companies have customers deposits well in advance and earn interest on sum. They also demand full payment of holiday 12+ weeks in advance as per booking conditions. Cruise companies are no different than any holiday company.

I have often considered using a hotel with parking but never done it basically because in majority, if not all, the cars are left in hotel car park with no security and access to the general public.

If you have cruised as long as you have you should know that it has been well documented on the media and TV. Always remember watching a C4 programme where bosses worked on the shop floor and he worked with waiter on deck serving drinks. He told him he got paid $1 a day plus an amount from every drink he sold. So the more he sold theore he made but the boss seemed to be very embarrassed and how hard the waiter had to work.

Yes that is in the hype and publicity put out by Cunard so you feel guilty that if you dont pay gratuities they get poor wages. It is Cunard(Carnival) and senior management who should feel guilty in paying slave labour wages in 21st century. It is about time that gratuities was included in cruise fare.

Officially it states on Horizon newspaper delivered to cabin every evening detailing activities for the next day. It also states on front page the dress code for the day formal or evening casual and quiet clearly states no shorts allowed in the evening. Having said that last week on Iona on most evening casual evenings we sawen walking around all areas of the ship and in bats and theatres. Surprisingly not all were young cruiser's some were elderly gentlemen. Dark denim jeans were acceptable most areas of the ship.

Returned from Iona last week and had excellent service throughout the ship and was pleasantly surprised and really liked Iona.

People with alcohol problems.

I have been cruising for over 25yrs and on all the cruise lines there has always been Friend's of Dorothy' meetings and I don't see the problem of meeting fellow cruiser's at arranged meetings. Not being gay I don't really see the problem likewise with the meetings for 'Friends of Bill W'.

I think a lot of people who have not cruised recently since COVID if they go with an open mind might be surprised. Yes P&O has declined in quality over the last few years but so have Princess and Cunard who we have been cruising with all 3 since 1997. Prices now are far cheaper and competitive than they used to be and something has to give. We would all like cruise lines to be as good as they were 25 yrs ago but with today's pricing but that isn't going to happen. With regards to my recent cruise on Iona my first with P&O I went with a lot of trepidation but with an open mind. Yes the food in MDR was disappointing not so much in quality as portion size but as far as everything else she was a lovely ship. Never felt crowded and you could always get a seat or sunbed at anytime of the day and facilities and food venue choice was excellent and not all at extra cost. Would never have second thought about cruising on her again if the price was right. A balcony cabin midships with sea views and as much food as anyone can eat and full entertainment for less than £100pppn is excellent value for money.