Meka3256

On 4/22/2019 at 9:13 PM, Ali-W said:

We will interesting to see if they can do a dairy/lacto free version as butter/cream is usually a key ingredient In an afternoon tea.  

 

Everywhere seems to differ to how they manage gluten and lacto free. An example is we had planned to go to Betty’s last time we visited York.  But Betty’s view butter as an essential ingredient to all their cakes and the only option would have been fruit salad

That's really frustrating about Betty's - given the rise in Veganism I'm surprised dairy free is still lagging so far behind gluten free 

On 4/18/2019 at 7:01 PM, Ali-W said:

Would be interesting to know what people think of the dairy free option ( if there’s one ) 

I emailed customer services and asked if they did dietary requirements.  I also specifically asked if the menu was similar.  This is the response I got:

We do indeed cater for gluten free in Eric Lanlard's Afternoon tea in the Epicurean. The gluten free options will be similar to what is offered on the standard option. 

Unfortunately, I do not have any examples as menu's change. Hopefully my personal experience can give a little insight. I recently have taken my family onboard for Eric Lanlard's Afternoon Tea and my mum is allergic to shellfish, so instead of the crab tart that was on the standard menu, they gave a salmon tart instead. I know this isn't the same thing but they do try to make it as similar as possible. If they are unable to do this, there may be one or two things that are slightly different. 

They do explain the menu when you are onboard and you can request to see these before you actually book once onboard. 

I hope this information has helped to answer your enquiry and we look forward to welcoming you on board soon.

Has anyone who is gluten free (or has another food allergy) paid for Eric Lanlard's Afternoon Tea at the Epicurean on Ventura?  What happens - do you get the same sort of menu but just without gluten containing ingredients?

The non-fee afternoon tea does have gluten free options, but often the choice is limited (although delicious).  So I was wondering what happens when you pay

If anyone hasn't eaten in this specific restaurant, but has paid for afternoon tea and has a food allergy I'd be grateful to hear about your experiences as well

On 4/11/2019 at 1:39 PM, Britboys said:

In general, 1st sitting attracts 'maturer' people and 2nd sitting 'younger' people.  

This is very true about age range based on dining time.  I'm in my 30s and ALWAYS go for 830 sitting. 

I go with set times, as I'd rather develop a good relationship that do small talk every night with freedom dining.  I also think it's less daunting if you're new to cruising or travelling solo - but of course, this is all down to personal preference

Some already mentioned, but my positives are:

UK plugs

Value for money - not 5 star but it is a good experience given what you pay

Decent solo supplement in most cases

Cinema (or films shown)

Food is good 

UK departure

I think it has a good range of entertainment - something for all ages

Cocktail of the day

Decent drinks prices

Food availablity I think is some of the best - sometimes I want to have lunch at 3pm for example.  

Afternoon tea 

I travel solo all the time, cruising and land based.  I'm single and do have the occasional holiday with my (married) sister, but otherwise I prefer to travel alone.

I like cruising as meal times you can eat with others, but (unless you want companions), you can visit ports alone.

Everyone on this post seems to be really positive about the solo experience, so I just wanted to add my positive experiences also.

To the op - I'm not overly convinced it matters who you travel with solo.  If you are confident, it's easy to find others to spend time with.  If you find it more difficult connecting, then those with solo meets etc.  probably do make more sense.  I get the idea that you are on the former category though, so I'm sure you'll have an amazing time!!!!!

I'm so glad I found this post - I thought I was the only one who hated these nights, and the sailway parties etc.  I just assumed it was my age (30s) and that all older people enjoyed it for nostalgia or something (sorry).

On 4/2/2019 at 9:26 PM, john watson said:

P&O singles daily get togethers are generally programmed as a "solo cruisers" event.   I have been to a large number of these over the years,  sometimes when I have been sailing alone and other times when sailing with my daughter as a single parent.  There is often an older age group in attendance but other times a younger set, twenties/thirties seems to be present.  It all depends on the mix and how they gel.  On one cruise a group of younger solos met daily for the coffee and they would disembark as a group to go round the port shops.  Sadly I could not go and leave daughter on board alone.  Approaching Christmas a lot of married ladies might be found sailing alone leaving husbands at home. No reason why you don't attend on your own with daughter and see how it goes.  I have known twin sisters turn up, no-one really excludes people.  It is not a dating type set up. It is more of a getting to know a few contacts who you might meet and have a chat with later and they might be able to advise on things being programmed you don't know about.  Highlighting your programme for "mustn't miss" items etc. is worth doing, particularly where the activities are requiring mixing and have been officially organised.

 

Mixing is also done through things like Trivia Quizzes where people flocculate on the day at the time into teams of six or eight whatever the maximum size is as opposed to staying in pairs or couples.  She could probably meet a few people there and pal up if you initially go as a group then leave without her if things go well.  Once these loose teams are formed quite often they like to return each day as an established team.  Some teams are never going to win but they don't care!  P&O also do a men against the women series with team captains which is interesting.  Trivia etc. is often followed by Bingo.

 

Regards John

Agree with everything on here - I've done 5 cruises, and 4 were solo.  Always found people to chat to, and spend time with if needed.  I would say your daughter might need to have an open mind about the age range, but sometimes there are younger people around.  I'm currently 36, and am always one of the younger ones.

Also I would add that meeting people at meal times is really good.  So if she feels a bit awkward, having a meal to talk about can take away the pressure of thinking of small talk topics

16 hours ago, jocap said:

 

We use the baggagehandling company for our cases- P&O suggest them- expensive, but we have several changes of trains, so it makes life easier.

Anything you need to know, just ask.

I have actually thought about the baggage handling company - I will look into this, as I will weigh up driving and paying for parking, or using the train.  

It's been a few years since I've travelled with P&O - what drinks packages do they have?  Is it just the alcohol one?  I don't drink a lot - usually a cocktail of the day is my limit so alcohol drinks packages not worth it for me.  I just can't remember if they do a soft drink package or not.

Thanks all for your tips - all really helpful!

My plan is to get a house sitter - I have a cat so he would appreciate being fed while I am away!  Insurance is also on my list for this weekend. 

In terms of the Caribbean being boring - I've heard similar before, although I think underwhelming was the phrase used.  It is my first trip there, and to me the Caribbean should be on all travel bucket lists.  It might be I don't love it, but worst case scenario is that I get some winter sun, AND get to spend a couple of days in New Orleans.  Also TBH Miami is not a place I would ever plan to visit, so a day there is going to be interesting.

Thanks for the laundry tips - CC seems to have to have lots of discussions about laundry (as well as toilets).  I actually do laundry if I go for 2 weeks.  I try to only take 1 case, and laundry is only a couple of hours of a day so I don't feel it ruins my holiday at all.  I'd rather take less, and use the laundry than take 2 suitcases.  But it is all personal preference, and for 35 days I might take 2 suitcases, especially as winter and summer clothes need to be taken.

I do also need to do some serious port research - I prefer usually to do stuff on my own so do need to figure out what I want to do in each port.  To me the itinerary is really good, as most ports have a sea day between them.  So can tire myself out on a port day, and recover while at sea.

Thanks for tip about the films - I've been on Arcadia twice and really like that they have a cinema.  Ventura doesn't, so nice to know they do still show films.

Hi all,

I've just booked a 35 day cruise for January/February 2021 - a long time away, but I am a planner!  I am going with P&O Ventura and will visit the Caribbean and New Orleans.  I've wanted to got to the Caribbean for ages, and when I saw New Orleans was now on the itinerary I jumped on it.

Given it is such a long time on holiday, are there any tips people can share?  This will be my 6th cruise, so I have a good understanding generally of what to expect.  However it's by far the longest I've ever done on a cruise - previously everything was a week or 2.  Is there anything to be aware of when spending 35 days on a ship?

Best experience I had was CMV, as lots of others also solo. But I also did P&O once as a solo, and got a great deal with a balcony cabin. Really liked it, but everyone time I've looked since the prices for solo occupancy have been higher than I've been willing to pay.

All pretty much have same get together's, and similar for solo travelers. I think it just comes down to whether you want a room designed for a solo, or are happier paying for for single occupancy in a standard room. I prefer the latter, as although budget is important to me I prefer having a bigger space.

In case this is important to you, I suspect companies that have solo rooms have a higher number of solos onboard i.e. not many want to pay large single supplements for a 'normal' room

Hi all,

My first Fred Olsen cruise in January (Madeira and Canary Islands) There are a couple of excursions I want to do, but when I tried to book online it wanted to charge me straight away. With CMV it just went on your onboard account, which I preferred as it meant it was just part of my holiday spending money.

If I book onboard, I appreciate I run the risk of the excursion having sold out. However can anyone tell me if the price does increase? Is it cheaper to book in advance, and so worth me paying the credit charge surplus?

Thanks