Megabear2

We left Barbados Saturday at around 11.00pm sailing full speed and arrived Curacao at around 11.00am - we had been told that was the aim and it was almost perfectly timed. We were given an extension until all onboard at 10.00pm which was much appreciated. Personally we took the Ultimate Island trip with P&O specifically because they take you to the far side of the island to swim with wild turtles. We have taken this trip several times before and the turtles did not disappoint with a good 30 or so putting in an appearance. This tour took in a trip to the caves - guess who managed to get very wet - and a trip to a beach and viewing of the flamingos. Previously the beach was easily accessible for two hours with a lounger and umbrella. This was cut back to an hour at the beach with no seat or umbrella and lunch had become a paper bag with some horrendous looking wrap and an apple. The six hours also became five despite being sold as six but as the beach was not what we expected we were quite glad. Today Bonaire. This is the big one for me and part of the reason I booked this itinerary. We are off on a sailing catamaran under sail not engines to go to the reef for diving and snorkeling. Fingers crossed as conditions are perfect. Update on the clientele. Dress code on formal night about 85% adhered to. I must be getting old because some of the girls/ladies dresses left not a lot to the imagination. I can report an astonishing amount of flesh on display but can confirm big efforts clearly made. Most of the gents and boys were smart - lots of DJs and a few smart suits. The popular choice last night seemed to be slacks and polo shirts. Of course there were a few on both nights who looked out of place but overall nothing not within the "rules". AS someone who likes seadays these seem to be off limits if you aren't out at 6.00am for your sunbed! Although a port day yesterday I found 20 people at 5.45am hovering with towels around the main pool watching the deck being washed and waiting like vultures for the first sunbeds to launch. Having returned 15 minutes later after picking up some teabags on my way back from my stroll the crowd had grown to around double the size! I assume they were anxious as we weren't docking until 11.00am although whether they actually stayed at the pool all day is questionable. For the first time ever we had a large queue to get off the ship so.figured.modt we're off at that point. ENtertainment has so far been very good. No complaints there. The gingerbread houses and village appeared this morning and a wonderful display of cakes. I will post later with photos. overall things are good. Noticeably most people are commenting on the shortage of staff but everyone is working at top speed and service is friendly and efficient. As ever everyone is lovely. More officers visible and working to help ease pressure points. Oh yes ... Photographers back on formal night and the gallery is open and operational. We have had no queues for breakfast or dinner although have noticed them around 8.00 for breakfast but nothing untoward. We also have great service at all bars except on deck on the seaday. I'm told we are 3,300 souls. Off now to take.my.boat so will catch up later.

Hello one and all!!!! Sorry for the lack of updates but things here have been very difficult for many. Our three hour delay ended up being 4 1/2 as on arrival the steps wouldn't attach. Long delay and arrived on-board at 9.20pm Barbados time. We were however the lucky ones. People on Manchester flight 4 1/2 hours on-board before departure as no baggage handlers and then deicing problems. Glasgow never even made it! We arrived to several hundred brought back here overnight as their plane didn't arrive. Earlier Gatwick flight had some Spanish airline providing an old A330 with no entertainment, premium economy and apparently drinks! Total mayhem. Sadly yesterday faired not much better. The dreadful Gatwick plane apparently used and to compound lots of damaged luggage. Second Manchester flight delayed- those leaving here went off at 9.30pm. We sailed 10.30 ish, now foot down to Curacao where we should arrive around 10.00am tomorrow but apparently staying later to give us same time. First impressions on the ship: she's definitely struggling in some areas on deck with drink service. There's not a seat to be found in virtually all areas and most are resorting to queuing at the bar to order and take away drinks themselves. Not tried it myself but spent 30.minutes enjoying my ice cream watching the queue. Officers were manning the bar to help but.not a particularly sight around the pool so I'm afraid we departed. Wasn't helped by the world cup being on and bar staff diverted to help with sales of buckets of beer in the theatre. There has been lots of aggravated people mainly due to the trauma of getting here but it's calming this afternoon. Points to note, the app won't work on any of our phones or tablets. After camping with reception day 1 and with IT today they've given up and told us to go manual! Working well for us - I'm still "special" apparently! I just tell them what I want and I get it even if it says not available! I have my Epicurean bookings including Christmas day - no one knows if it's a special menu or not mind and we won't be told until 22nd - also my Limelight bookings have been confirmed with front row tables. Dress code, hmmm. Traditionalist will not I fear be happy. Started well at breakfast yesterday as guy sent away for wearing a vest. However Meridian last night absolutely full of shorts, trainers and track trousers. I'm guessing these may be the new arrivals and because of all the anguish slack was cut, but we shall see tonight as it's first formal. My OH has noted in his opinion the clientele is very different. Certainly lots more younger people drinking.earlier. Quite a scene in the theatre when Argentina scored as a group leapt up and removed their shirts to run up and down- I don't even see that at Chelsea on a Saturday but then we've forgotten how to score so maybe that's why! Had a nice day at the beach - Carlisle Bay - yesterday and it was much need to relax and unwind after the travel problems. Nathan Jones in the theatre was excellent. We had reservation but no one checked them just said take any seat. Tonight we have first headliner show, again we were booked but didn't want the 10.30 so my nice lady on reception moved me to 8.30 no hassle. I'm inclined to believe there are many on here not intetested in the main theatre more the lounges and bars. We are a bit disappointed with our cabin. It is just above the lifeboat gantry and one seat offers a view of that. It isn't the original choice but the air con didn't work in that so I'll make do with the view. We are sailing very fast to make up the time. Overall not bad but definitely nowhere as good as previous Christmas cruises. It's early days but there are some silly annoyances - you now pay to ice a gingerbread house for instance. Our can steward apologised for no free water and having to deliver our ice at 1.00pm - still okay for the G&T at 6.00pm though. If you don't want to join the gunfight for sunbed it's fine but as someone whose done this Christmas cruise on both Britannia and Azura many times I can confirm the new clientele definitely have a vastly different experience in mind with roasting in the sun and drinking as soon as the bar opens. Not a complaint as it's each to his own just something of a surprise. We are happy enough, the weather's great, the food has been good and it's nice to be back.

Thankfully straight to the ship. Gate has just been announced do 13.20 seems to be on.

BIG NEWS!!!! I'm an auntie a month early. My niece has just had a baby girl, her first. Very excited at our early Christmas present but sadly none of us are in the UK to greet her as most of the family are on Aurora currently chasing the northern lights and we are sat in Gatwick!

A very good morning to you all from a still bitterly cold Gatwick. As promised I'll try to let you know how the Great Adventure goes and will try to drop in here with updates. We had a comfortable night in the Hampton by Hilton which is attached to the North Terminal and thankfully it means we won't have to face the current minus 4 degrees outside just needing to wander 100 yards and up the escalator to check in. P&O sent a last minute what to do at check in email overnight but I've just checked for updates on the departure boards and unfortunately that big old 787 isn't going to roll any time soon! The earlier flight at 10.25 flight is on time but our 11.20 flight is delayed until 13.20. Bit of a disappointment there - ironically we were originally on the 10.25 but because we upgraded to PE were moved to the later flight. Luckily we can keep the room at the hotel so plan on checking in and wandering back here for an hour or two rather than facing the "dark side" for extra time. Sadly it looks like Epicurean Christmas dinner is going to be in doubt as everyone else will be there before us. I shall return with updates!

Will do. I think its 3 days before as others have said. Will try to update every day if possible, we bought the supposed super wifi but previous experience says the best reception is one specific table in Horizon buffet the crew use to call home No doubt someone will be enjoying a leisurely full English every time I head there!

I just love that song and it always gets me excited before a flight. Sorry to haunt you ... however how about that big ole 707 set to go ... another all time favourite? After several G&Ts over our early airport lunch its always time to name that tune! Do you recognise that one too? Hope TUI have upgraded to something more modern though the 707 had much more legroom.

Hello from a frozen Gatwick. Tomorrow's flight is I believe 11.00am - I checked it as an alternative when I added by PE but in the event there were two remaining seats on Gatwick flight. If I recall last time I used Birmingham TUI to Barbados in 2019 it was also around 11.00. I think there is currently only one Birmingham flight but two Manchester and two Gatwick.

Britannia hotels have just been officially named the worst in the UK for the tenth year running!! https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2022/nov/09/britannia-named-worst-uk-hotel-chain-for-tenth-year-in-a-row I think I'd rather take the bus or long walk.

Unless you are on J301, N302 and R301 there is no test requirements. I assume you are unvaccinated and that is your reason for looking elsewhere?

That's interesting as when I asked TUI last year they said no because it was a charter. Can you recall their charges please? Mind you we are packed for Friday split over three cases weighing 17kg, 10kg and 18kg respectively so perhaps I wouldn't need it after all.

I'm fascinated you call Allure and Azura old. These vessels cost multi millions of pounds with at least 20 year life expectancy and it always amuses me that they are discussed as if they are cars that are part exchanged every 3 or 4 years. As it happens I've sailed Allure and Azura and as a starting point think its would be an impossible task to actually compare them even when they were brand new. I can't comment on the maintenance situation but having watched the P&O fleet bobbing around the cold northern hemisphere of Torbay, Weymouth etc clearly that took a heavy toll on overall condition which no doubt is still being caught up on. P&O most certainly should ensure the ship is clean. Very disappointed you have found that not to be the case. You will hopefully love Celebrity Beyond. The Edge class ships are beautiful and modern. Having sailed Edge herself in June this year I am booked with much anticipation on Beyond for 2024. However I'm also booked on Britannia, Queen Anne and Queen Mary so 7 years old, brand spanking new and 18 years old as at today. All different and the better for it. I hope things improve for you.

Well all my bags are packed and although the taxi's not yet blowing his horn we are off to Gatwick bright and early tomorrow morning to fly to Britannia on Friday. Now that the health questionnaire matter is out of the way I am thinking of booking the Iona cruise in March that I've been tracking for some time. Not having booked onboard for some time would there be benefits in me doing this? I have a FCC of around £1,000 left in my account and the select single occupancy balcony aft at the moment is coming in around £1400 with £60 OBC. I assume I would pay the remaining £400 onboard via my credit card - assumedly it wouldn't interfere with my onboard account and would be a separate transaction? I'm not really sure if booking onboard has any major benefits for a trip like this just in case of any extra discounts or OBC offers sprout in the New Year. I cannot recall if there are ever offers after Christmas either! The other question is are the very low deposits still offered onboard? I've deliberately not booked Christmas Caribbean for 2024 as there was a rumour Queen Victoria may be going to the Caribbean in 2024 winter. However my OH is badgering me to put a deposit on Britannia or Arvia just in case it isn't going to happen or be around Christmas. Currently I'm looking at a deposit of about £400 for what we would book, not a great deal in the scheme of things but still not something I'd really want to throw away if QV does come up as an option. I seem to recall September time someone saying there was a £50 deposit option if booked onboard or did I imagine it? Any help or opinions greatly received.

Indeed but P&O and Cunard share offices and staff whereas Princess are a separate organisation in the UK with their own team.

There is no option to buy extra luggage with the charters, I have asked many times. We are flying premium economy this year and next with the 28kg each. The difference in price is £50 each. However if you want to guarantee your seats you together you have to pay for the privilege. This year it was £78pp for both ways. Our total for flights Extras on Friday coming is £954. We are aware that next year is £449 each but the bookable seat price has not been set yet.

Cunard have also renamed all of the cruises to this region as Northern Europe and Scandinavia. The recently released 2024 cruises on Queen Anne also have this title. It appears to be a Carnival wide decision on name, although to date no Cunard cruise has been cancelled.

Yes you are right. As you know we are on that sailing too. I was told no booking for the speciality restaurants until onboard. Very disappointed as for first time in none Christmas trips unable to book the seasonal special Christmas/Boxing Day Epicurean dinner. I'm told it is pot luck and first come first served.

When did you get asked to fill this in? The questionnaire is no more from cruises departing from 9 December - I have 8 members of my family currently on Aurora and no form was required. I fly to join Britannia on Friday and none for that either although I'm told we will be asked questions at the airport in the same way as used to happen before the pandemic.

Yes, I've never had that happen before. This morning the saver fare told me I'd get cabin number 14729 however this afternoon my choice are reduced to forward or midforward/midaft. Cabin 14729 is still available but only on a select fare. A quick look at forward shows a whole swave of deck 8 forward cabins and one deck 9 ... I don't think a saver is a good idea on that particular cruise at present if you want to avoid deck 8. The plan shows a lot less availability than at 10.30 this morning so assumedly thr cut price bargain is attractive to a lot of people - oceanview is sold out.

Interestingly in the case of the cruise mentioned in January if a mock saver booking is made a cabin allocation is made so you can see where it is.

And that's exactly what I meant. I worked my entire life with those supposedly better than me who were quite frankly on occasion vile individuals who got away with bad behaviour because they had money and a supposedly better position in life. I am the working person you describe and I was sticking up for Butlins not belittling it or my ilk. I'm very proud of my roots. I originally come from a town recently described by someone as a toilet whilst on a cruise this summer. Yes, I'm nostalgic about my own experiences but I certainly am not looking down on anyone and on this occasion you appear to be misunderstanding me entirely. The post which I replied to suggested that smoking, swearing etc were more prevalent than before which is of course total nonsense. My point was memory is a strange thing and going back down the nostalgia route sadly always leads to disappointment.

Society changed, so did we as we got older and experienced different things in life. Back then for instance smoking was the norm, we accepted it and very few complained about it. Working people have always uttered expletives, we just choose to pretend to be horrified yet tune in to films and television laden with far worse. The difference now is there are larger numbers who have done so much better due to education opportunities and more routes out of the lower end of society through the 80's and 90's and as a consequence we tend to be embarrassed more than offended by Butlins and it's like. I recall the excitement of my first class mate going for a week's package holiday to Benidorm when I was 6 and her having to present a report to the class on their return. All thirty children sat their wide eyed looking at photo slides of paper mache donkeys, oversized sombreros and our classmate grinning from ear to ear by a swimming pool surrounded by palm trees. I doubt any child of today would get excited if their class mate showed them photographs of being at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro now let alone a family beach holiday! My family couldn't afford a holiday to Butlins but I was once treated to a day ticket at the Clacton one by an aging aunt. I still treasure that memory and it has equal value to me as my world cruise.

This offer was on one or two specific cruises and was on sale for an extremely limited period. It was toward the end of the offering of very large OBC promotion. The itinerary meant taking a big risk on weather so the cruise was not selling well. Roughly the same sailing on 4/3/2023 currently offers single occupancy balcony at £1419 with £60 OBC and this looks a possible cruise for the sort of price slashing Fionboard enjoyed - I recall she sailed on the cruise she refers to.

We are currently back to select fares for these cruises being around £800 to £1,000 dearer than the saver fares. The OBC is also back to "normal" levels - around £60 for 7 days and £120 for 14. Depending on how urgently the OP wants to book it might be an option to wait until after Christmas as the offers/fares may well drop. Personally I am tracking a couple of March cruises and the prices are beginning to move downwards already. Quite considerable drops are occurring on late February cruises and it seems to be happening week by week.

Bit like "Mickey Mouse" watches! Multi billion dollar entity based on one man's encounter with a mouse when he was down on his luck. If Mickey Mouse is a sign of something cheap and nasty I'll take it any day ....