Al_W

I had the ribs and they were amazing last night on Britannia

So we booked select on azura in Jan. Was happy with the price then but now don’t feel it’s value for money. People have booked since on saver less than half the price we paid. Maybe they feel differently? We are going to cancel our next PO cruise based on this experience, we had a £6500 cruise booked to Caribbean next year.

On Britannia, 7 days into a 14 night cruise. We are freedom dining. MDR food is not special at all, very standard and not feeling very special even on the celebration nights. Getting bored with the options already which seem very bland and similar. The amuse bouche on celebration nights never arrived even though it says in the menu. If you ask to get it when your starters arrive. Mixed service we had terrible service one night spoke to the manager and asked what is going on and was told he’s new. Then asked the waiter and he said it’s his 18th year on a cruise ship! We have had to wait up to and over an hour for a table. One evening we joined at 7.30 both queue over 100 and didn’t start eating until 8.45. Freedom dining is not working as well on this one as it had on our other cruises. If you join earlier it’s a bit quicker but I’ve never seen a queues less than around 50 when we like to eat. 1st visit to epicurean on any po cruise. Food was better than MDR but I thought it would be better for the price. I had the tiger prawns for my main though and that was amazing, other courses weren’t that special. One of us had the lamb and it was terrible, complained and was offered a replacement. Beach house was nice last night for £9.50 plus extras. Better than MDR. Limelight was nice, better than MDR but no welcome cocktail anymore on arrival. Buffet not really noticing any issue with no trays other than a couple of people carrying too much and dropping something. Food is not as good as before, definitely feels budget and more about quantity over quality. We are going to try Glass House one evening. PO food doesn’t feel special anymore unless you want to pay for it.

We are on Britannia at the moment and don’t like the current drinks package as we like double spirit, glasses of champagne rather than Prosecco and large glasses of a decent wine. We don’t drink 15 drinks but like to choose what we drink. Previous cruises we have spent less than the drinks package price, so for us we get decent drinks at less than the package price. This cruise is different half way through the 14 night and we are both spending a lot more, over the £45 and we don’t drink a lot. Prices have definitely gone up. So if it included the drinks prices we like then for us we would be better off on this.

https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/arvia/dining if you scroll down this page it states in a little circle whether dress code is required or not.

We are on Britannia next week the only option we had to book for dining was limelight, we booked for friends as well, you just select the table size required, no names or stateroom numbers required. Shame we can’t book anything else, it’s my hubbies birthday and really wanted to book the epicurean, just hoping all the slots aren’t taken before we board. On Azura in January it was fully booked all week.

Thanks @Ardennais 🤩

Thanks all, not planning on sitting in watching films on tv in the room but was wondering if there is anything recent showing in the cinema.

If anyone has just been in Britannia what film are they showing? We have a number of days at sea so wondering if any will take my attention, are they new ones?

Thanks or the advice, good to know, we will aim to arrive as close to our time as possible so we don’t have to wait around too long.

We really can’t wait to see him, great to hear he puts on a good show.

14 days and very excited, looking forward to 2 weeks of relaxation and seeing some new amazing places in the Baltic. I’m also really looking forward to being back on Britannia again. @Scorpio41 enjoy your Baltic cruise too!

So the acts for 12/5 Baltic cruise on Britannia have been announced... Ray Quinn (xfactor runner up & dancing on ice) is £28 pp and Kevin Simm (Popstars runner up, voice winner and now lead in Wet Wet Wet) is £20 pp. 2 good acts for us to see... but I am sure not to many people's tastes... so please don't shoot the messenger.

Thanks that’s really useful so will aim to arrive just before allocated time to sort parking, and have a relaxing morning at home.

Interesting this morning my po says my boarding time is to be confirmed, have they been listening to me 🤔😆

That’s a shame we used to like getting there early and getting a card, that system always worked for us. Another one of the Covid things that has stuck unfortunately 🫤

Yep we are on Britannia again in May. if we have a good run and arrive a little earlier might give it a go but seems they are getting quite strict and don’t fancy hanging around too long in the terminal.

Thanks MB ah well we will stick with our time then and have a lazy morning. Good luck with getting yours sorted, you have a greater need than us.

Just wondering if anyone can help, we have been allocated 3.15pm for boarding in Southampton, which for us seems quite late, we have never been allocated such a late time, normally we are allocated a time in early afternoon so we can get on and have late lunch. Has anyone been allocated a late board time and either managed to get it changed or arrived early and got on with no problem? Just wondering if we will be sat around waiting until 3.15 in the terminal if we arrive an hour or so early?

Sorry to hear you had had trouble setting up Freetrade, I can’t remember having any issues like this when I went through the process to set up an account and buy my shares, hopefully one of the many other providers will be better for you. I have found this email on the app for setting up accounts you could use hello@freetrade.io

Mine are with Freetrade, not paid any fees, emailed my monthly statement showing my carnival shares and new booking confirmation with extra obc was sent back following day. On my third cruise with the additional obc. Bought mine when it was about £8 but still happy 😀

We are on Britannia in May… I’ve noticed My PO says we can start to book dinner at the end of April, but most venues say enquire on board. Only limelight says “coming soon” so I presume we will have the same issue. Out of interest who is in limelight on your cruise, we might go one evening, enjoyed it on our last Britannia cruise? Really hope you enjoy your cruise and manage to enjoy some speciality restaurants.

Hope you have a great time @scottish ed and really enjoy your first cruise. Once you start it can be very addictive! On our last cruise on Azura in the canaries my hubby asked to go to one of the unhosted meet ups in the Planet bar at about 5pm. He hadn’t been before so wanted to experience one. There was about 15 people of mixed ages, on the day we went we met some nice people who we could then smile and say hi to when bumping into them during the vacation. Met one guy who lives in a town quite close and we have kept in touch since. We also got chatting to other gay guys we hadn’t seen at the meet up, who we saw in the numerous bars, most people are very friendly and after a smile and hello you will know if they want to chat or be left alone. Most love a good chat and are very welcoming. I find the cruises very friendly and accepting, we generally don’t hold hands walking around the ship but see some guys doing this and I always give them a big warm smile. Hope this helps 🏳️‍🌈

This relates to a 14 night Baltic itinerary leaving on 12 May 2023 @Selbourne

Just received an email regarding our Baltic cruise on Britannia in May. We are booked in a standard obstructed balcony… here are the starting offer prices for info: suite from £760 per person deluxe from £400pp sofa balcony £160pp balcony £90pp obstructed balcony with sofa £40pp We are quite happy to stay where we are as we have picked the specific obstructed balcony due to the lack of obstructions. Not tempted by any of those prices, looks like the overall prices we would have paid when we booked if we factor that in. Although some might like it though.