lebreos

just make sure to speak to the kids staff about night nursery - first it was first come first served then last trip we could use it it changed to book in night before - first night book in when boarding. we had cot bottle warmer and steriser but make sure you book it with your TA or PandO beforehand. Dont be afraid to ask cabin steward for stuff as they are very helpful, but a lot busier these days.

Well I have to admit that P&O cruises alcohol pricing is fairly reasonable and we dont get charged service fee on every transaction either. However we do buy a wine package as we have a bottle during dinner between us. so 10-20% saving buying each bottle, the drinks packages - we dont bother we would have to drink 8 or so minimum everyday to make it worth it and we only drink in the evening normally so not worth it for us.

dont get me started on P&O menus descriptions -5 years or so a pet hate and quite a few sarcastic feedback forms about their custard - double cream - creamy - cornish to name a few... when it was all the same made from powder and water.... I have noticed they are starting to get more artistic with describing their custard again..

On arvia this year it was busy, only 1 laundrette per floor!!!. plus the default setting for a wash was 2hrs30 unless you knew how to get to the quicker washes going though the menus - helpful people soon spread that message... better signage would have helped. The first sea day after our first port all the machines on serval floors were full by 0805 so i was told. we had a civilised que most of the time trying to take the stress out of it for everyone. we take pods for the machines in a plastic take away container. probably ended up doing about 6 washes lol..Some peeps take wash sheets and or dryer sheets too.

before covid we had 2 very different experiences in Ventura MDR for fixed dining. The first occasion we were a party of 7 including my son, and both sets of parents... so 6 of us on table of 8 as son was always in nursery by 2nd sitting. Our waiters were awful and the food generally cold by the time it reached us. we were always promptly at the table as a group yet never served consistently. we had to involve the manager after 3 days where extra supervision and microwaving of hot food before it reached us ensued. service became acceptable.... Daytime service we went to the other restaurant where at least the service was better but the food was still below what we had had previously. The second occasion around 11 months later same ship same second sitting this time just myself and wife on the table again only 6 each night - service good - food was excellent on the ship throughout. the head chef did cooking demonstrations and the restaurant staff were great especially as i was regularly checking in with night nursery during the evening meal. So probably a change of crew gave a massive difference in the dining experience.

as above yes - my now 8 year old never gets hold of his.... when he does i will bear in mind the spending blocks.. wife mistakenly tried to buy alcohol with it on a recent cruise - waiter said no..... lol

think its only been applicable to select fare for awhile now - i had no problem applying Military to cruise I'm about to go on via TA but Ive not used a blue light card benefit. I couldnt apply to a staycation cruise as wife booked a saver fare last minute - 4 weeks from cruise due to it being a saver fare - however the cheaper price more than offset the small obc.

Recently couldnt combine a welcome back on board offer for a 2025 cruise with the military OBC but Military was better, but will be able to add shareholders later as long as rules dont change. About to go on a cruise and both applied to it plus the normal offer obc.

Ive worn and seen lots of peeps in formal in the Caribbean, done 2 down there one on Ventura 1 on Britannia. Aircon inside was working ok. P&O dress code still says dark jacket and tie, as no Black and white themed formal nights at the moment as far as I know.

on Ventura last year they were 68 chefs down on required - no glass house - no epicurean, sindu on 1/2 covers. I saw the executive chef in the buffet and asked him why they were shut...so straight from a guy who should know. They also hadn't fully staffed the kids club either at that point. Wouldnt surprise me if they were still short of staff apparently Virgin cruises have tempted staff away from other lines to join them. Other massive ships have come into the market recently - no Idea if offset by older smaller ships they scrapped during covid.

Is tipping still not included on princess? is there a tax on top of every drink too?

think someone else had a similar problem with share owners OBC - they had a special rate via a travel agent selling a cruise cheaply and couldn't get share owners OBC added either.

If you can get the kids into the Kids club, get them kids dinner at 5pm and then your own when it suits is an option..

They are 99% of the time sea days 2 on Arvia and Iona on 14nts - 4 on the rest of the fleet

Also Penguin parking - hand over keys - car stays in the compound - not far from ikea and they shuttle bus you to and from ship.

love ventura, been on her with my boy at 6months old - 2 yrs and 6yrs old - not the newest ship obviously but i think she is fine.

before - august 2021 - was booked with about 1 month to go and didnt know the 21 day limit and so didnt get it in in time

Last time on a last minute booked cruise - one of the staycations - they refused the obc due to too close to sailing..

Hargreaves Lansdowne - are a little more pessimistic with the recession struggle with sales and cost pressures still on the cruise lines. Plus the large debt Carnival have built up - will take a while to pay it back, but cant see the price of the shares going down much if at all short or medium term. As long as they weather the storm then the company should be in a reasonable place with all the cost cutting they have done, and bigger ships.

Sent mine off Thursday - got a reply Monday.

Hi There, last cruise we did on Ventura 2022, Slippers and dressing gowns are included for use on the cruise - not to take away. A half bottle of champagne on arrival, think fruit? and canopies delivered during the cruise. Possibly an earlier boarding time if your not high up on tier level.

Well that seems to be penny pinching to the extreme, so if the OBC for being a shareholder is earned and the military OBC is earned they are basically saying we are giving too much away in freebies so lets reduce them...and discriminate against those who qualify for both

sea day talks with guest speakers are still going on. I have enjoyed 95% of these over the years. Not seen a behind the scenes tours lately, dont know if bridge tour and meal is going on either these days..

recently added to cruise upgrade to nationwide policy - to include the missed ports cover. Didnt cost a lot and then wife went on Iona shortly after with my son and MIL, 1 missed port so £300 back paid very simply.... so cant complain with them.

been awhile - son is now 8, as under 2 you use the facilities but one of you has to be with them. Over 2 you get to book them into the club. You may be able to use 2-4 but they may have counted you in lower age group only. Night nursery is great, they give you a bleeper. You need to book steriliser, bottle warmer, cot with them before you go as you cant take your own if they are needed. Just make sure its added to the booking. the baby food was quite good too cant remember the brand though. Nappies we used our own bags, and went in the bins.