Cloudyrain

We have cruised before, but not with Princess. How is the kids club? Is it difficult to get slots? We have been with other companies where we had to set an alarm to book slots for the day, and if we were a few minutes over all the spaces were booked up. Also, how have people found the kids club have been for their autistic children? Our son has had mixed experiences, but generally he does like to go as long as he isn’t “forced” to participate in games etc. Thank you in advance 😊

We have used Parkside Meet and Greet (booked via Holiday Extras) and CPS: both take the keys and park the car off site. Both have worked very well and we have been very happy. We have also used a hotel and parked the car in their carpark (the Leonardo), and used a taxi-transfer (also through Holiday Extras) so no one has your keys. However I don’t really like this method as we have a wheelchair and refrigerator medication etc, and the added need for a taxi transfer adds another layer of disembarkation day stress.

We were on the Iona in April and June with dairy and egg allergies and had no problems in the MDR or specialty dining venues. The buffet was a disaster zone sometimes, but that was more due to people putting utensils in the wrong place, or moving the signs around. We also found the buffet staff were occasionally unsure or lacked knowledge with regards to allergies and alternatives (being offered gluten and lactose free options, which were not suitable for egg or milk allergies).

My son has always been a bit hit and miss with kids club, and never slept in the night nursery. we tend to take him for dinner with us in the MDR and request early dining. We then go to bars with music on and sit at the back where he can dance along to the music, or play on his iPad etc. we also take him in to the theatre with some ear defenders occasionally, but usually go in and stand at the back, or get seats right at the back at the end so we can easily leave if he causes a disturbance. on the Britannia specifically we often sat in a bar in the atrium area so we could enjoy the music/atmosphere etc, and he could play his games/colouring etc. I also found a buggy with a hood and snuz shade worked best for us in evenings as it meant we could go where we wanted and our son could either be snuggled up watching something or even occasionally fall asleep.

(ETA: this reply is regarding embarkation, emergency need, not the tender assessment of stepping over the lines). As far as I’m aware (and in our case it was) it was purely a “desk top exercise” to assess assistance requirements. You complete the special assistance form and tick that you don’t need assistance in an emergency (etc) and the office assess the form and are therefore able to confirm who would or wouldn’t need assistance in the event of an emergency. if people turn up at port clearly in need of more assistance than they have indicated they need they are taken off to one side and the case is considered separately. my son is a part-time wheelchair user: he can walk, and wouldn’t need any assistance in an emergency or to get on or off the gangway/tender. Also I am his 1-2-1, and therefore he is able to travel. the email regarding assistance is now sent to all passengers (multiple times) and isn’t related to people having previously asked for assistance as their system doesn’t retain those details (apparently). tender assessment used to be done visually without people knowing when they were lining up to get on, where staff tried to identify those who wouldn’t be able to access it safely. They now make sure you can specifically walk over lines (or so my friend experienced).

The bottles don’t need to be unopened 😊 You can take an open bottle. For the sake of two bottles I would put them in hand luggage: use a small wheelie bag/case so save carrying the weight if it’s a problem. I wouldn’t be decanting them and risking the suitcase contents, regardless of how well they are wrapped.

I would call them, or speak to your TA; it usually means that there isn’t availability in a specific category. I had this last time I booked direct, and it was sorted straight away. I just upped the category (an extra £50, but it was a better category of cabin so it was worth it) and I was able to pick my cabin and dining.

At home we change the hand/face towel daily, but not the bath towel - mine barely gets wet, maybe I shake off like a dog coming out of the river or something and I just haven’t noticed 😂 I can’t believe anyone actually wants their towels changing twice a day, and if they have an accident or something I am sure housekeeping will provide extra if the pool towel kiosk is closed. As for beds, I wouldn’t expect them to change sheets more than once a week: again unless there is a particular problem/accident.

We were on a school holiday Iona cruise and we’re fine booking on board (or just turning up). The only thing that was “sold out” was the Limelight, but even then we were able to get the odd slot if you checked where people had cancelled. For 710 you need to book when they are released onboard as it’s popular and difficult to get a booking: but they do have a waitlist if you go 20 minutes before it starts.

We didn’t experience noise in the Superior Deluxe on the Britannia: they are great rooms, plus there is a curtain separating the bedroom and lounge which is handy if one of you wants a nap or wants to go to bed earlier etc. We got champagne, robes, slippers, chocolate, fruit, and appetisers on celebration night: although I don’t know if the latter two have stopped now as we didn’t get those on our recent Ventura SD.

They can check you in on the phone: as long as (as the others responses have mentioned,) that you have 3 months left from the 10 year issue date, not including any extra months you may have carried over.

I think that’s what made it noticeable: we were on the Iona a few months ago and the options for films were great. Especially good because it meant I could stay up and watch a film while my son slept: on the positive side I read lots of books this holiday 😂

Final thoughts Films: there was a lack of films on board. I know it was only 4 days, and most people don’t cruise to watch films; but I quite like a film, and considering it’s not an option on the room TV it’s a bit of a shame there aren’t more showings in public areas. The first time we went many years ago they used to show things in the Theatre in the afternoon, and in a bar in the evening, and this seems to have stopped. Cabins: they aren’t modern but they are comfy and clean. They don’t do turn down anymore, or biscuits, but it isn’t a massive detriment. Drinks: service is brilliant, prices are good, and the quality and options were great. I never feel the need to have the drinks package on p&o, but the new system seems a little over complicated for those who do have it. Food: some food is great, other food is awful, but I don’t think this is anything new! The design of the buffet is terrible, and sometimes the options are poor, but it’s generally ok. Kids club: this was brilliant. There were always slots available, and the staff were wonderful. Public areas: clean, tidy, and well maintained. Arcade: hidden under the theatre and not very well advertised this is a great space for kids and teens. There are some awful grabber machines, but the rest are 50p to £1.50 and provide decent VFM (well, compared to arcades in the UK!). Overall we had a lovely holiday, at a great price, and I would definitely book this particular cruise again, and the Ventura.

Disembarkation: there were slight delays this morning as the gangway didn’t attach. I take responsibility for this as the same problem happened when we were on the Iona the other month, so I clearly am at fault…. We had assistance organised, but it was very busy due to the delay in getting the gangways attached. As such I spoke with the assistance team and they advised that if we could manage without a pusher I could wait out of the way near the accessible gangway and go off with them from there. As it was the accessible gangway was open and not moving so we were able to get off easily from there. I say “easily” - it was a struggle but better than waiting in the busy/noisy bar. The return was via Mayflower terminal, and our car was ideally located and off we went before 9am. I will post a few general comments below 🙂

Final day - Sea Day: considering everyone was onboard today it wasn’t over-crowded. The shops were busy, and the Exchange/Casino were lively, but not over-noisy. The night-time did seem the most busy/lively of the whole trip, but there were still plenty of great seats available in places like the Metropolis and Glasshouse. Tamarind was very lively and busy but even there had some seats. The MDR was the quietest I had seen so far, and it was Lamb again - although probably the worst quality of the lamb all trip. The Buffet was manageable throughout the day, but the lasagne in the evening (which I had because of the rubbish MDR lamb) was pretty diabolical: and I have very low stay when it comes to pasta so it must have been bad. One thing I will add is that the MDR meal was pretty big tonight with a good amount of veg.

Sail-away from Amsterdam: the views of the city and the lights at midnight as we sailed away were lovely. I highly recommend getting a good seat and soaking in the last of the atmosphere from the City.

As I understand it the “ban” was incorrectly reported, and they have no plans on banning cruise ships at present - as per someone working at the Port I spoke to whilst there. We had chosen early dining, but those on freedom dining were either seated or provided with a pager as I understand it. They were also booking regular tables for some groups.

If you have assistance booked they will take you to the muster station then up to your cabin (or a bar/restaurant if you prefer)

If anyone has any specific questions about the 4-day trip or the Ventura I am happy to help if I can: I was quite apprehensive after hearing comments about it being a “booze cruise” but that’s not at all my experience so far. Either I’ve missed that or have low standards 😂

Celebration night meal: I’m not a foodie so it was just a main and dessert tonight. I chose the lamb-beef and sorbet. Although I don’t eat lamb my son does so we did swapsies and I had his beef. It was a nice simple well cooked meal. The sorbet was just lemon sorbet but was nice and not too bitter. Service was good and swift, and there were some nice frocks and suits about. I did pop in to the buffet and it was quite busy in there at the food stations, but there was seating available, especially further back towards the terrace pool bar. There seems to be quite a lot of entertainment on tonight that I would like, but I’m just enjoying the relative peace of the twinkling lights reflecting on the water for now.

I have the Celebration Night menu from today on the Ventura. I will take a photo of tomorrow’s MDR menu for you too 😊

Lunch: we were seated and served immediately at lunch in the MDR. The food was tasty, and the service was good and quick. I’ve experienced some really slow lunches in the past so this was great. I had the lasagna which was massive for me, and the “more-like-sponge” brownie that seems to appear on every P&O ship. The raspberry sorbet was lovely that came with it though, so definitely worth it. The ship is quiet today and there was plenty of space around the pools and drinks waiters about. I think people are making the most of the nice weather. Tonight is Formal Night (which differs from the pre-cruise planner that suggested it was last night) so I will try and report back on the food this evening before we sail away and I lose my data! I have added a photo of the menu though as I know people love a menu 😂

Amsterdam: this is my first visit here and I actually found it more difficult than I usually do to navigate due to the canals/construction work/solo-pushing the wheelchair. There are plus points in that it’s a “flat” city, but there are is a lot of pavement “clutter” in some areas (or litter in others, I have never seen so much litter in a city). However, it’s also beautiful and eclectic and I did really like it. It’s a 10-15 minute walk for the physically mobile in to the city-proper (although I did spy a shortcut involving stairs that I would have explored if I had the chance). There is loads to see and do here, and the weather was generally kind (and improving as our time has gone on). We chose Micropia which is a microbe museum in the grounds of the Zoo but not actually in the Zoo and is very reasonably priced and accessible. It’s also got varied displays and a good 60-90 minutes worth of entertainment. It was about a 45 minute slow wandering walk past the Maritime museum, park, locks, back streets etc, and a clear 30 minutes walk if you didn’t dilly-dally. It’s wasn’t busy and made a change: an especially good place to visit if you like jars of poo, viruses, or fungus! I would definitely come back to Amsterdam, preferably with a babysitter so I haven’t got to battle bicycles!

Room Service Breakfast: This is a great option for those who don’t want to battle the buffet, or dress for breakfast in the MDR. The muffins are normal-sized, the croissants are doll-sized (so ordering both does not make you gluttonous). The juice is the same as in the machines, and the apple juice is a lot more palatable than the pineapple. I have added the menus on here - and a terrible photo of our breakfast. The Alpro vanilla dessert is the “soya yogurt” option, and is more like custard (which is a good or bad thing depending on your perspective I suppose!)

I have found that other than Epicurian, both the Beach House and Sindu have been bookable onboard. We are only on a 4 day trip, but there were still slots for tonight free this morning when I looked for tonight. However, if you want Epicurean, or a specific date/time then look again a few weeks before you travel.