Cristaltips

In the MDR I often go for the vegetarian choice. Just order off the normal menu. No problem. Can recommend the spicy cauliflower and lentil pie!:)

For me, I prefer Arcadia. I’ve done two long cruises on Aurora and think Arcadia flows better. The “pub” on Aurora is far too small as the casino takes up so much space. The Glass House is underused as it seems to be on the way to nowhere. That may change when it becomes adult only after a refit. We'll see. Each to his own. At the end of the day, I just love cruising and am happy to go on any ship to anywhere if the price is right!,

Personally, I think the prices on the smaller ships tend to be higher accross the board and any “bargains” tend to be found on the bigger ships

I know that CPS is quite pricy but for convenience and peace of mind, I think it is worth the extra that you pay. Dropped of outside the terminal and collecting from a short walk away (100ish metres) could not be better.

Another vote for CPS for all the above reasons. Used them many times and SO convenient. Yes, you leave them your keys but we always remove our house keys from the ring. It is only a car and is insured if anything should go wrong

Where did you get your board from. We looked but either couldn't find one or they were expensive, so bought a rigid plastic chopping board. It does the job.

I got mine on Amazon

Depends who is cheaper. Usually TAs offer cheaper deals but I've recently booked direct with Celebrity and HAL and saved hundreds.

 

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I would ask for a quote from a specialist cruise travel agent then compare it on P & O's website and see who gives the best deal. If you know what cabin you want, you can totally compare like for like and book with the cheapest.

When we went on our first cruise we had to buy some new cases. As we were travelling to Southampton by coach I checked their website to see what we were allowed to take. They stipulated sizes for the cases, most of the cases we looked at were just a tad bit bigger than what they said we could take. So we ended up buying lots of smaller cases. We also got one of those suit bags that is more like a case.

We took so many clothes that most of them came back unworn and what we did wear we washed and wore again.

I did buy a few packing cubes, but they seem as if they take up so much room, that so far they have only been used to store the clothes while at home.There have however been some good points mentioned on here for using them.

So far we have gone down the rolling route, then folding the last few at the top of the case. I don't know whether we have just cut down so much on the clothes we take or whether rolling them takes up less room, but the cases haven't been full and we have taken two less. At least it gives us more room to bring things we have bought back home.

I am going to add an extra small bag into the case, so that we can use it on disembarkation day (clothes off the previous night, nightwear and toiletries). I thought that if I put a tag on it, when we get to the bus it can go in with the cases. I also thought of a bag, as it can hang over the handle and rest on top of one of the cases. I have read somewhere though, I think it was in our personalised book that you have to use locked cases. Has anyone travelling on a coach ever put a bag in with the cases.

We’ve put holdalls in with the cases on the coach with no problem

If you listen to the announcements you will note that they request that, "when you hear the emergency signal you should collect your LJs and proceed to your muster station," not be there when the signal sounds. In real life you won't be warned about the time the ship hits the Iceberg!;)

And in real life, the lifeboats won’t wait for latecomers!!!:')

Packing cubes all the way! His and hers, then split into two cases so we both have some of everything. Takes a bit longer to pack but far less creased as the items don’t move in the case. Added fact is you can just place in drawers when you get there without unpacking them and use items directly from cubes. I love them.

We have annual travel insurance with Aviva and even though it doesnt cover you for missed ports or confined to cabin which you can get with some insurance companies at extra cost ours covers for all other aspects of cruise holidays. We are both in our late 50s wife suffers with high blood pressure and I suffer from enlarged Prostate and we paid less than £100 for worldwide annual cover.

We’ve always found them good and reasonably priced. We had to cancel a cruise last October as our 5 year old granddaughter had pneumonia and we needed to be available to help with the other child. They were brilliant and we had a full refund of cruise, hotel and parking within 3 weeks.

Another newbie here. What do you consider latecomers. Those who arrive at muster at the last minute or those deliberately go over the time told to meet. Sure I'm not alone in hating stuffy overcrowded rooms so would like to go as late as possible without inconveniencing others.

I would consider anyone who isn’t in the room at the time specified to be late. Eg If it’s due to start at 4.00, you should be in your seat ready to start at that time. By the way, the rooms may be overcrowded but certainly not stuffy due to air conditioning.

Trouble is that you still have to wait for all the latecomers before they start.

I find that really annoying. It’s bad enough having to do muster drill ( I know it’s essential and God forbid if we ever had to put it into practice) but to have to wait for latecomers really cheeses me off. It’s really inconsiderate to those already there.

I have never heard of them until I read your post so I googled them. Amazon site came up with

Amazon.co.uk: rum runner

 

www.amazon.co.uk › Search › rum runner

Product Features... events - They make the perfect rum runners and are ideal for smuggling ...

 

 

it has never occurred to me that people would go to these lengths.

OMG, I’m amazed and realise what a sheltered life I’ve led!! Who’d have thought the lengths some people will go to to get drink aboard!,

I’m pleased that you have sorted your day out. You'll have a lovely cruise, I’m sure. Enjoy your special day and your chocolates from the captain 🤞( unless they’ve stopped them by then) !

Years ago, for a small fee, you could go inside the casino to have a look. It was very ornate and quite interesting. Of course, these things change and it may no longer be an option. Sure a bit of internet research will provide the current state of affairs!

Some of the more enjoyable occasions pertaining to the purchase and consumption of cocktails was when the line designated a "Two 4 One" pricing period, usually pre dinner. The line would make no less profit by virtue of the increase in sale volume as the lounge would soon fill with passengers to take advantage of the pricing. But the result was the jovial atmosphere which added to the evening and cruise. Unfortunately I have not seen this social enhancing offer of late with passengers now achieving their own economies in their cabin.

Remember when they used to have the “cocktail of the day” at a reduced price? That’s stopped now, they’re the same price whether daily special or not.

Take a good book just in case!!!

 

Tip: enter a few quizzes - free bottle of house wine if you win!!

Have you tried the free wine you win on quizzes? It tastes like drain cleaner!!!

If you e mail shareholderbenefits@carnivalgroup.com, they willl sort it for you.

If it’s the first time, they'll want a copy of your share certificate but after that it’s easy as they’ll have the details on file. They email you back to tell you they’ve applied it to your account.

Seems a bit creepy to me.

I think that's brilliant service. Unfortunately, I don’t suppose he’d have time to do that now. He well deserved his extra tip in my opinion.

I did say the nightwear issue was trivial. (The folding and putting of previously worn clothing into a drawer is a disturbing thought.)

 

The provision of lemons (and ice if wanted) has always been part of a stewards duties. Therefore I downgraded his score.

I’d rather put my nightwear in the empty bedside drawer than have it handled by the cabin steward. Each to his own.

I cannot believe that the non-folding of nightwear and absence of lemons would warrant deducting points from the cabin steward's score. ( I always fold my own nightwear and put it in the drawer!)

John Bertram was Cruise Director up to March. Not sure if he’s still on. Certainly didn’t see him about, he had a very good hiding place and was conspicuous by his absence. Entertainment was generally pretty poor unless you like bridge or quizzing.

As long as the CS does his job properly we will always give them a 10.

 

 

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I’ve given a 10 in the past when it hasn’t really been deserved because I’m afraid that he wont get his bonus,he works hard, away from home for long time blah blah blah. We found an odd shoe when putting cases away under the bed on our last cruise which proves he hadn’t been there. Gave shoe to him to deal with rather than hand into reception and cause him grief and still gave him a 10 at the end of the cruise.

If someone does not have a computer or book online they usually go to a travel agent or book directly with P and O over the phone. They will be offered a booklet containing all the details of excursions and their luggage tags about 5 weeks before departure. P and O will make sure that they have covered all bases to take people's money for excursions. ;p

You won’t get the brochure now if you’ve booked any saver fare. They reserve that for select fares now. If saver fare booked, it will all have to be done online including luggage tags. Another cost saving exercise.