FluffyFiFi

Yes it is for the entire cruise. I did it on Arvia’s transatlantic in October and it was worth every penny. Really comfortable, unlimited wine, beer, Pepsi, mineral water. Nice food mornings and afternoon as well as afternoon tea. It’s a great oasis of calm and as it’s open until 8pm we often went up for a coffee after dinner.

I’m not too fussed about afternoon tea as that wasn’t that great with things coming out in strange order, such as cakes arriving before sandwiches and then tea cakes but no butter. 
 

I personally really like Iona and am looking forward to going on Arvia later this year.  It seems unfair that these two ships will not be hosting the cocktail parties for Caribbean and above guests. This is one of the perks of the loyalty program and I have always enjoyed them in the past - especially when they did the raffle for the champagne and it was also nice hearing and meeting those who had done the most nights onboard.

I hope they will start these again as these should be available on all ships across the fleet.

I’ve had four cabins on deck 4, all with lovely windows. I’ve been forward and mid and really like these cabins, it’s lovely being so close to the water and you either have a window seat or a wide window ledge so you can sit and watch the sea. I prefer these cabins to a balcony, especially if it’s a colder cruise.

I’m sailing on her before this, on her maiden transatlantic, and have to say I’m anxious that my cruise will be on a ship that hasn’t had the traditional blessing that comes with a naming ceremony. 

I have cruised on all the fleet and Iona several times and have Arvia booked in January. Personally I think Iona is a spectacular ship and is our favourite. I recently cruised on Arcadia and in comparison we were disappointed with the crew who we found surly. The lack of dining venues, choice of entertainment, dated cabin with only one plug, no night light and no usb charging point. 
 

I can see the pros and cons for all sizes of ships but it seems some people have already made up their minds before they have even boarded.  
 

Cruising is changing as technology, clientele and world issues impact on the experience. In my mind it’s still the best way to explore amazing destinations whilst the familiarity of our floating home provides comfort.
 

I have done both window seat and window ledge on Iona and both are great. The window ledge is large enough to lay on (use seat cushions). It’s a great place to sit and watch the waves or read a book. It’s also great if one in the cabin is an early riser as you can sit there with the curtains closed and not disturb anyone else in the cabin. I love these cabins and would be happy to have these over a balcony, especially for colder cruises.

Recently we got to the heady heights of Caribbean, the early embarkation, welcome onboard lunch and 1/2 bottle of champagne is really nice. On our next cruise we should experience our first loyalty lunch which I’m not so sure about as we aren’t really into the mixing with others who just want to talk about how many cruises/how well they know the Captain/how large their cabin/moan how things have changed etc. Hopefully it will be a pleasant experience. 

We went up a loyalty tier mid cruise and as soon as we had completed that cruise it meant we could use our 10% discount on booking shore excursions for the next cruise. We had already booked some trips at 7.5% but cancelled and rebooked to get the extra off.

It will be a shame if they get rid of the cocktail party, we’ve only done a couple but enjoyed the talk from the Captain and hearing about the people who had traveled the most nights. It was always fun seeing how many glasses of fizz we could have and also enjoyed the canapés. We also thought the tombola for a bottle of champagne was fun. We are on Azura next month so will I was hoping they might be back.  They still advertise this as one of the perks of loyalty so it seems wrong they have stopped it.

I went on Iona and we had loyalty lunch in Pearl restaurant, our daughter and her boyfriend were allowed to join us as well and they were in a different cabin. We didn’t expect them to be allowed in but very pleased they were. It was a great start to our Fjord cruise and as her boyfriend hadn’t been on a cruise before he was blown away with it - think the free flowing beers helped with that!

I’ve had both a window seat and a window alcove on Iona. Both are excellent and I would probably go for the window cabins over a balcony. I’ve had three window cabins on deck four and find it a great position as it’s usually the same deck they use for the gangway so getting on and off is easy. It’s also lovely being so close to the water. I have had a few balconies on Iona too which are great but can be a bit noisy with wind and can rattle a bit too - nothing to bad but the seaview cabins are quieter. The alcove in the window is a large window sill that you can sit on, I used the cushions on the sofa and spent a lot of time reading my book as it was so cosy.

Just wondering if anyone knows if P&O have started doing the cocktail party on cruises of 8 nights+ for those on Mediterranean tier and upwards? Last few cruises we got a voucher for a glass of fizzy wine but it’s not quite the same thing. 

8 hours ago, ferretktf said:

I am also following this very closely as I am on this voyage.

P&O update their requirements weekly - next one due on 9th March (published 10th March).

There is a SLIM chance they will change, but I think it unlikely for a couple of reasons.

1. The current LFT test, while clinician supervised so meeting Babados requirements, does not produce a QR-Code / Certificate. Instead the testing partners just place a sticker on your passport.  The sticker is not enough to satisfy Barbados, so P&O would have to ask them to provide certification - presumably at an additional cost to P&O
2. With this being the last Barbados cruise, will P&O really change their process for just one Cruise with (allegedly) just 500 passengers, or will they just let it remain.

 

I think you are right as it’s easier for them to leave it as it is, it’s a shame as it’s so expensive.

I’m on the transatlantic going from Barbados, several days at sea and first port Gran Canaria followed by Cadiz and final destination Malta. Despite only having a few hours in Barbados P&O are insisting we need the three day PCR test and certificate. Does anyone think they will change this as the tests are really expensive and now unnecessary following Barbados and our own Foreign Office advice? 

I was disappointed on Iona that the cocktail party didn’t happen as it was always fun and nice to hear from the Captain how many people were on the different levels and general chat about the cruise as well the champagne tombola and the canapés. The higher tiers had their lunch so I would have thought a few drinks and nibbles in the Live Lounge could have gone ahead. We did get a voucher for one drink instead but not really the same. Seems a bit mean as I like the extra touches and it took so long to get to Mediterranean level.

Iona deck 14 and 12.45 for 11th September. Will aim to get to the CPS testing site at 12.30. Slightly worried the traffic will be bad due to the football and the boat show as well as four ships in that day.

Has anyone had their accounts updated yet. I’m missing two staycation cruises (70 points) and my account still isn’t showing my past or future cruises. I’ve emailed them but after three weeks there still hasn’t been a response. My 4 night cruise on 4th July was added without a problem but since then I can no longer see any future cruises and my points haven’t changed for two cruises in August.

I think P&O do a great job of appealing to people from all walks of life. You can enjoy your holiday in the way you prefer, so karaoke in the pub, buffet or Epicurean, Crows Nest and Retreat. Class doesn’t come into it, manners and respect for our fellow passengers and crew is what is important. Personally I found Cunard to be full of rude and obnoxious people who thought it was okay to talk down to the staff. I treat people as I would like to be treated and that is with kindness and respect. Having a tattoo or being overweight does not alter the worth of a person.

Entertainment opened up for the 5th August cruise, Mr Tickerton’s Circus and Sound of the Underground from Headliners. We saw Sound of the Underground when we went on 4th July but will probably watch it again. There is also a comedian, Rudi West, hopefully better than the last comedian onboard as we didn’t find him funny at all (Tom Bins).

It won’t let us book music venues or speakers but films are available, although nothing I want to see.

I’ve had my extra onboard credit rejected as I booked a staycation cruise whilst onboard and they were offering 15% discount. 
“Unfortunately I am unable to apply your shareholder discount to this cruise. As you have a promotion of an on board booking discount applied to your booking already, the share holder benefit is not combinable with this”.

This doesn’t seem very fair as we are still shareholders and the discount was a benefit for everyone, I could understand it if they had offered this discount only to shareholders.

If you plan on doing more cruising I would suggest doing some research into the best travel agents or whether it’s better  going direct with P&O. If you book another cruise whilst onboard the booking will go back to the one you have used now which might not be what you want. I’ve found having a good agent saves me money (discount) and I can message or email her and she sorts out any issues. Some like dealing direct with P&O for peace of mind and no issues with payment. I hope you have a fantastic cruise.

I know worse things can and do happen but to find out your cruise is cancelled 4 days before is awful. We were going as a family of four (2 grown up children) we had to organise work and holidays to get the time off together and as it is so close to the end of the year we still have to take it. We booked a year ago at a brilliant price so no chance being able to get anything else this weekend at a similar price. Also have bought clothes, shoes and accessories. My daughter and I also had our nails and hair done. 

For the last three launch dates I have booked a Select cabin as with the past passenger discount and onboard credit it has been cheaper than the saver fare.  The Cruises I have booked have always gone up considerably so if I know there is a certain cruise I want to do than this has worked out the best practice. I also want freedom dining and worry about the cabin location being under the gym, buffet or sundecks so the peace of mind in knowing where my cabin will be is worthwhile. I took a chance on booking a saver on Britannia in January as it was too good a bargain but the anxiety of where we would be was awful and I don’t think I would do it again, although our cabin was perfectly fine and we got freedom dining.

I am on this cruise and another at Christmas and although disappointed in the change it seems Carnival are making a stand which I support. A cruise ship is bringing a lot of money into each place it visits, I know we usually spend around £50/100 in a port. The cruise ship has to pay berthing charges and provides jobs for people in the port.

From what I understand Amsterdam have increased their port charges and implemented a cruise passenger tax. Even €8 per person is still a lot when multiplied by all passengers and if they start at 8 it will soon increase and other ports will look at Amsterdam and think they should do the same. Before long it will become increasingly expensive and this will be passed on to the passengers.

No other tourist sector was levied with this tourist tax which is unfair, especially considering the amount of money each ship brings in. This stance by the cruise lines might make Amsterdam reconsider and hopefully put other ports off doing the same thing.  

The new port will probably be interesting in its own right and as there are free shuttle buses into Amsterdam I look at it as a free excursion. The shuttle buses work very well in Zebrugge and we often prefer just getting into Blankenberge than going all the way into Brugge.

I read it was a good 20 minute walk into the centre of Amsterdam from the ship so an extra 20 minutes to be dropped right in the centre is ok by me. I was also worried that our Christmas cruise into Amsterdam might not happen if there are strong winds so at least I know we will definitely get in.

Brilliant list Fluffyfifi, very similar to mine except for the toothbrush suction containers, very useful, where would I get those from?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-PCS-Smile-Face-Toothbrush-Cover-Holder-with-Suction-Cup-Bath-G8C5/323301198861?epid=1351299052&hash=item4b4640cc0d:g:OA0AAOSwE-xbImgp

Hope this helps.

Fiona

I have lots of things that are useful for us, although others might not think so! Here is my list:-

Antibacterial wipes for the aeroplane- tray, armrest and tv control/screen as I worry someone might have had travel sickness on the plane before me.

A can of the Dettol spray for the cabin, I use it on the a/c vent and the cabin surfaces. It also stays in the bathroom and gets rid of unwanted smells.

Large sunbed clips for beach towels.

Toothbrush covers with suction cups that attach our toothbrushes to the mirror and are out of the way.

A hanging organiser with multiple pockets which I hang in the wardrobe, it’s ideal for sunglasses, tweezers, lip balm, hairbrush etc.

A magnetic backed digital clock which goes on the wall - mobile phones don’t update at sea and we don’t always wear a watch.

The battery operated tea lights for the bathroom at night as well a small torch to keep by the bed.

A tin of our favourite coffee as we aren’t fond of the sachets in the cabin.

Basic first aid kit, indigestion tablets, pain killers, antihistamines and bug spray if going to the tropics.

Wall magnets, useful for putting paperwork on the wall.

We take a map of the area we are cruising in and put it on the wall so we can plot our course.

Binoculars - great for looking at passing islands or other ships when in port.

Strong magnetic hooks which go on the wall and I hang costume jewellery on as well as hats.

Lanyards for cruise card - tried not using them but soon got fed up looking for my cruise card every time I wanted to open the cabin door or get a drink. They also get hung on a wall hook.

A lightweight beach bag or backpack as handy for taking towels, books and sun cream when on the ship or going ashore.

Laminated copies of our passport page as useful to carry and means we can leave our passports in the safe (unless we are told we have to take passports with us as some places do)

We also store the ships phone number in our phones and take a photograph of the port agent details when we go ashore.

Reading glasses (and a spare pair)

Peanuts - we enjoy a drink on the balcony and a few peanuts are nice.

I have just ordered some reusable stainless steel drinking straws as I don’t want to use the plastic ones, not tried it before but will see if it works out.

Charging cables for phone and iPad - have never needed the four way gang extension but there are only the two of us in the cabin.

Ziplock bags for putting phone in on the beach. Also useful for bottles that might leak and wet swimwear.

Some sweets as P&O don’t seem to provide them anymore.

Some cheap fridge magnets which go on the outside of the cabin door - easy to spot your cabin when walking back as they all look alike.

A few cans of soft drinks and tonic water.

Local currency as the exchange rate is poor on the ship - also small denominations as useful for tipping.

Wet wipes for when out and about and unable to wash hands.

Non of this is essential but works for us, most stuff I get from EBay or the £1 stores. Our next cruise is to the Caribbean and I am getting a cooling towel but have no idea if it works but will give it a go.

My husband thinks I am mad but admits it does make things easier - although the maps are all down to him but he is a sailor so enjoys plotting our course. We always joke how the Captain has done a good job.