welshy74

From what saw online it looks a good ship.  Wasn’t it refurbished in 2020?  
Anyway, this cruise is all about the itinerary and less the ship 

Hello 

I have just booked a cruise on Pacific Explorer in March 2025 (Singapore to Perth) , and its the first time sailing P&O Australia (first time even visiting Australia).   We are coming from Wales and regularly cruise with P&O UK, but I cannot seems to see if  P&O Peninsula club is recognised on P&O Australia.  Will I get the benefits and points?

Hello

has anyone experience managing a group of people, particularly dining arrangements?  We are a party of 21 people so far, sailing on Iona in July for my 50th birthday.  I’ve sailed Iona previously but that was solo so this is VERY different.  Has anyone done this? Any advice for dining together, show reservations etc.  do bars allow to block off space so all the group can sit together (only required on night of my birthday )

I think it all depends on the line and where you cruise out off, right?  No issues in Europe but we are steering clear of the US this year, and sadly won’t be returning for some time.  

I’m only Pacific and got 1215.. not complaining though.  My folks got 1245 and they are non tiered.  Last time I sailed Britannia I was in a suite and had 1200 embarkation 

4 hours ago, cruise saint said:

To be fair if your not a suite passenger or top tier then you won't really be on at lunch time - more likely 2pm onwards.

My Embarkation time is 1215 so guessing I will be on by 1330 the latest. 

Hello

Please can you let me know what dining, other than the buffet, is available for lunch on embarkation day.  We are not top tier or suite guests. 

I am thinking of buying 100 shares but does anyone know if the benefits can apply to cruises already booked, or will it only apply for cruises I booked after the date I buy the shares?  

First difference - the price!!   I've done RC quite a bit but the prices started to increase above my budget.   As the on board currency is USD, and pound is very weak (Thanks Brexit! )  the drinks prices are extremely high.. plus them being an American ship you also get the added 18% gratuity.  P+O onboard currency is the pound and drinks are not overly expensive.  You can also take 1lt on per person.  So if you are a drinker, then P+O is certainly better value. 

Secondly the type of cruise.  RCL is all singing all dancing where as P&O is a little more subdued and a bit more formal.  They still have formal nights where black tie is expected.  

Iona is a beautiful ship and P&O has really grown on me.  It does not have all the 'wow' of RCL Oasis class but more in line with Princess.  

Food - I have had bad food on RCL and P&O but personally I prefer P&O.  

I've sailed RCL, NCL, Carnival, Celebrity, Princess, MSC, Fred, Cunard and P&O  and they all have their unique plus points, but P&O are good value for money.  Celebrity and RCL are my favourites (if money was no object) and NCL/Cunard are at the bottom of my list.  

Thing is, we all have different views ! 

3 hours ago, terrierjohn said:

There have been a number of posts, here and on the one we cant mention, which do seem to indicate that many of these cabins are quite  good, these are higher than the prom deck and dont feel overlooked,  and the balcony doors have a coating to create privacy glass.

Having sailed Iona, I can confirm these are not for me. 

Just now, wowzz said:

But that is the risk you take. You get a great price,  but that comes with a potential downside. 

Yeh I get that, but I just don’t get how deck 8 cabins can be sold as balcony.  Its a shame as the select fare on Arvia is so out of my budget.  

I have always done saver and never had a bad cabin, but that was before Arvia and Iona came along and the risk of getting a deck 8 promenade cabin really puts me off.  If I pay for a balcony I expect a balcony, but P&O class those awful deck 8 cabins in the same grade.  I want to sit and watch the sea, not masses of people walking past. 

Iona is much bigger so more cabins to sell.  I think its unlikely that Ventura will drop in price once it increases.  The price structure works on occupancy levels so unless they get a lot of cancelation then the price is unlikely to drop. 

3 hours ago, reece.twiggwhite said:

Morning All,

 

I just thought I would throw in my two cents worth into the thread.

 

I have seen this topic for a while and have actively not clicked into it, mainly because I didn't want to face what I thought would be countless posts in the negative. And whilst I am really happy to see that the comments for the majority have been positive, the mindset I had of not wanting to read the thread just cements why meet ups like these are important. 

 

The meet ups are not there to single any other people out, they are not there to make us feel special and they are most definitely not there for us to flaunt our sexuality as one poster put it. 

 

My husband and I have been together for 10 years, he proposed on Azura and we had our honey moon on Azura. However we have most definitely seen and been recipient to instances whilst on p&o cruises during our time we them.

 

• Men in Brodies shouting and asking "where are you two ladies drinking this evening then!"
• Ship photographer asking "who is the lady in the relationship"
• NUMEROUS conversations that start "I'm not homophobic BUT......"

 

Yes, these occurrences are few when taken into consideration the amount of time we have spent cruising, but these are things that hurt and get remembered. We don't like sharing tables at dinner or lunch because you have to mentally prepare yourself EVERY time as to what way a conversation can go based on people's prejudices and it is tiring. People think you only have to "come out" once, but you don't, you have to do it time and time again and every reaction is different. We do not hold hands on the ship, we don't show any public displays of affection (that one is mainly because I don't like anyone doing that lol)

 

What I am trying to say is if that meeting, on a cruise, gives like minded people (and i am not just talking about LGBTQ+ Meetings, there are the single cruises, the crafting meet ups, the bridge meet ups) a chance to connect and potentially make friends with other people, whilst in a  "safe place" what does it actually matter to someone who has no need/desire to go. It doesn't, but just because YOU don't see a need for it, doesn't mean there isn't one. Just because YOU don't fall in the "category" that it appeals to, doesn't mean it shouldn't happen for other people. I don't want to play bridge, but just because I don't, I don't think they should get rid of the meet ups and their card playing should be done behind closed doors, I don't have a problem with cards, some of my best friends play cards, i just don't want them flaunted in my face....see how silly it sounds....

 

I do want to say though, the majority of people on cruises that we have met have had no issue whatsoever and it isn't even mentioned other than we are married. And in general people are lovely and kind and caring, (which this topic has shown) but it is always the bad apples that spoil it for everyone, in every walk of life.

 

Sorry, i'm done now, well done if you read it all lol

 

 

absolutely spot on and so well put.  👏

1 hour ago, jeanlyon said:

It might be nothing to do with anybody on the ship.  More likely to be a yacht or similar.

The snorkelling fatality was indeed a Britannia passenger.  
the capsized vessel was apparently an overcrowded boat.  

4 hours ago, Goosebear Mum said:

 

Very sad, but I’m not convinced the 2nd paragraph ought to be posted here yet, in case non involved relatives start to worry. How do we know all relatives have been informed? Could you modify? 

It’s all over the news! 

Some passengers on the 7th April Britannia sailing are also getting moved for exactly the same reason.  

It seems Britannia, originally scheduled to dock in Antigua, is now assisting a search and rescue operation for a capsized vessel.    Anyone on Britannia right now that can give an update?

Also, they sadly lost a male passenger in a snorkelling accident yesterday.   Very sad end to her 22/23 Caribbean season. 

7 minutes ago, bobstheboy said:

As a former RN sailor in the 60's I well remember some shipmates who we knew were gay but were very careful. One Petty Officer was seen in a bar, by an officer, kissing a man. He was arrested on his return to the ship, flown back to UK. Court Martial followed and he was reduced to the ranks, lost any pension rights, sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and dishonorably discharged. The officer who reported him was rightly ostracized, unfortunately once he had reported it to the Commander, it was inevitable what happened.

 

Nice to see the totally different attitude in todays Navy.

That is awful!   Sadly some people would love to see such rules returned.   😢 We really do have a rotten past in this country. 

8 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

I suppose I am against bible thumping gatherings, but I fully understand why AA would want to have meetings while on holiday, singles get togethers also seem to be a sensible idea for those travelling alone. I suppose I do understand why  Lgbt+ want to have get togethers, especially whilst prejudice is rife, but I happen to think that the high profile "Gay Pride" events do not really help the LGBT community to fully integrate.

Honestly the gay pride event on Celebrity was fantastic!!  So many people joined the party and we made so many new friends.  I think people appreciated it was different and something they have never experienced on a cruise ship before.. like one big carnival.  You would have been more than welcome to join in..  have a drink.. a good laugh and just be part of something.  It did not take over the ship, so it was not forced on people.  I think it was the opposite to what you said, It helped people integrate with us and vice versa.  

I cannot see P&O doing it though.. Celebrity is a lot more LGBT focused.  

Live and let live, John.  There is nothing wrong with groups and gatherings, whatever the subject.  

Maybe you and my boyf can start a group - Town fans at sea!!  I can imagine it will be a bit depressing at the moment though.  😂

7 minutes ago, Adawn47 said:

I do understand your point of view, even if you think an old bird like me can't, but can I put my spin on some of the wording of some posts. 

Homosexuality is not new, and even us oldies that you think don't understand have had friends and/or relatives that were gay. The difference being that until 1967 it was a criminal offence, punishable by imprisonment, and was something that couldn't be spoken of openly. I know I can't expect you to really understand as you were born into a different society, but please don't equate some posts as homophobic. In this 'cancel culture' it can be very difficult to find the right words that won't offend someone no matter how hard you try. I know think I'm jumping in too, as you hinted earlier, but don't assume that because of my age I have not lived and don't understand, because believe me I have, and I do.

I shall now leave this thread as I obviously don't 'fit' into your box.

Avril

I think that was very nicely put, and I certainly do not discredit your generation.. I also think you presume I am younger than I actually am.. hahah.. I will take that! 🙂 

I did not like your last sentence, I thought it was unnecessary and you clearly missed my point. 

I do see your point but I think sometimes a line gets crossed and one poster in particular crossed that line (in my opinion) and not for the first time on the P&O board either. Question is, where is that line?  The line is different for all of us.   One post was clearly there to ignite by using terms like 'woke brigade'  as if woke is a negative term, which I do not think it is if you understand the true meaning and not what the daily mail has twisted it into.  

Free speech and basic human decency sometimes go against each other.   How you choose to use your right to free speech is what makes you the better person. 

1 minute ago, Selbourne said:

Whilst I don’t agree with some of the views expressed by others, I respect their right to express them. I have a real problem with the ‘cancel culture’ these days, where if anybody says anything that is seen to be ‘non PC’ they are ostracised. 

the tip is.. don't be non PC, especially if the subject does not have anything to do with you.  There are things I do not agree with and views that might not be seen as PC, but I would not hijack a post in order to view them.   Its also not cancel culture to remove a post if its seen as hate speech, homophobic, racist etc.  

No one is perfect, but this debate needn't happen if two people had not jumped in to unnecessarily raise views that would clearly ignite a debate. 

Just now, Adawn47 said:

I think you misunderstood me, I was referring to your post😉

Avril

I know!  read between the lines

Just now, Adawn47 said:

This thread, started with a genuine question, has now been reduced to denigrating certain posts and/or posters. All posts should be respected. I am surprised this thead is still up. Others have been removed for far less.

Avril

Yes its sad that it was hijacked by a small few who have nothing to do with the actual subject.  The post should not be taken down as its a good reference for the future but certain posts from a TerrierJohn and GSPG need to go.