mrsgoggins

I think this must be every parent’s worst nightmare, losing a child, no matter how old. I was so sorry to read your post and I hope you have lots of good memories to comfort you in the future. Sincere condolences.

I have Josy, in May, and like you, I was on Sky Princess last year (and will be on her again shortly), and we were on Celebrity Equinox at the start of the year, so our taste in cruise lines appears similar. Our Ventura cruise to Spain and Portugal in May was enjoyable and the ship appeared fine to me, which is as well because we are on her for 35 nights next year. DH particularly likes the pool (he's in it by 7 am!) as it's the deepest of the ships we use. We had a lot of OBC on this cruise and so ate in Epicurean 4 times, Beach House twice and Sindhu once. Loved the Epicurean experience especially. I cannot comment on the bars since I'm a non-drinker and don't use them. We always requested a table for two on the 3 occasions we used the MDR for dinner and twice we were allocated the banquette seating where the neighbouring tables are only inches away, which I dislike, as my DH has very poor hearing and so if I spoke very softly he would never hear, so we eat and leave! We had been on Iona previously and I only recall being given proper tables for 2 each time. I think that's my only gripe. The cabins are dated and the TVs small but that wasn't an issue for us. Otherwise, it was a good cruise. Oh, and as I currently have an 11 am embarkation time for Sky Princess and an 11.30-noon embarkation time with Celebrity Silhouette in my near future, the P&O system of allocating boarding times (ours was 3.30 pm) was an irritation, which has been slugged out on another thread 😁.

Exactly what I do, but I was still surprised at the prices quoted for all the PIs in the Southampton area for next June. The cheapest convenient one was the airport at £108, flexible. Last week I booked a few nights at Fort William PI (flexible rate) for September when the price without breakfast, was £200+ on some nights 😱. I wonder how Fort William would be in December instead 😄.

I only spotted this latest yesterday morning - so a few other things I had planned remain undone, but it was worth it! Loving it, so thank you both. Germany and Italy are our favourite countries also, and if you did travelogues of those trips, I’d pull up a chair and settle down with a brew! Especially enjoyed the cat photo, your family visit and I’m pleased you had good weather for much of the holiday. Happy planning for your next adventure.

Seeing you post this made me count my cruises and it’s a similar number. I assure you I have seen this happen often - plate piling that is - but even more, I have seen groups depart from tables laden with barely-touched food and desserts - and it’s normally right in my sight line 😳. I should probably add that most of my cruises have been with American-based cruise lines; the majority sailing out of Florida or Europe with international passengers. I can’t say I have witnessed this on P&O (I don’t actually go looking 😉), but they make it possible for you to avoid the buffet if you choose, by opening a MDR at lunchtime, unlike the American lines. We do use the buffet on P&O on the odd occasion (back late from an excursion, afternoon tea etc) and have been surprised that staff with hand sanitisers are not positioned at the entrance to the buffet, as on other lines.

Thanks for this 👍. We’re doing a 35-night Ventura cruise next year and so that was a good saving.

Thank you for your interesting feedback on what sounded like a really fascinating cruise. After sailing on Iona this year (okay, just not for us) we booked a Cunard cruise for next year, so your observations were particularly welcome. Hope you had a decent journey back - the older I get, the more I dislike overnight flights, and I've done dozens and dozens. I'm doing a TA (Celebrity) in October and expect my overnight flight back from Florida to be my last; intending to fly over in future and then do a TA sail back. That's the plan ...... unless a bargain comes up 😉!

Yes, they definitely did that on Ventura last month, when we ate in Epicurean 4 times and experienced it ourselves (and the ham carving table-side) each time these items were on the menu.

😁 Yes, I just looked it up and realised how the confusion happened. Doubt I'll be making Elite on Princess but you never know 😉

Definitely Celebrity. I'm pretty sure that Princess is Captain's Circle, where we are platinum I believe, but no longer offers anything I value; although it used to before the changes.

I've sailed with Celebrity, Princess and P&O with each of them within the last 18 months and they are my three 'go to' lines, but in that order. Celebrity's loyalty scheme works well for me, particularly as I don't care for alcohol and speciality beverages are included once you reach Elite+ along with internet minutes and laundry. DH does make use of the Elite's drinks between 5-7. My only reservation about Celebrity is that from next year it is Apex to be in Southampton for the summer season and I am not keen, preferring the S class. I could find pluses for each of them but destinations and prices would also come into the equation, as well as my personal preferences for the older ships - probably won't sail again on Celebrity Apex or P&O's Iona (or Arvia, but I haven't sailed on her). I am more likely to sail with P&O before the American ships arrive. However, we have never had a bad cruise on any of them and have bookings with each in the future.

We were on Ventura last month and did not witness, nor hear of any problems with freedom dining. However, we eat early and did use the App for our table for two, so my reply may be of little use to you. Additionally, we only ate in the MDR three nights out of the ten. We did eat in the MDR for lunch on most days and tended to walk up, but if we saw a long queue on approach (such as when the theatre emptied after a guest speaker), I joined the queue on the App and was seated immediately rather than join the 'walk up' line.

We sailed on Iona this year and didn't love the ship and won't be back, despite enjoying the cruise overall. No major complaints and a lot to like, but not for us. We liked 711, Limelight and were easy users of the App. We don't care for dressing up (but comply when needed) and are not interested in ballroom dancing. Generally however, we felt the cruise did not match what we wanted for what we paid. It is oft quoted on these boards that P&O can make a profit if these ships sail at 60% full. I assume this figure is not based on filling the ship with those who pay in the region of £50+ per night or the bargain headline fares that are currently advertised. I have said previously that on my Iona cruise we met may passengers who were keen to tell us what a bargain it was. And good for them ..... really; no sour grapes here. We have a very healthy travel budget but I love a bargain as much as the next person. Some were paying the £50 pppn as mentioned. We were paying £193 pppn in a nice, but unremarkable, mid ship deluxe balcony plus extra for internet (£10 per day approx) and speciality dining. Not a particularly cheap cruise, booked on release with little OBC. Our decision of course, but one we are unlikely to make again on either Iona or her sister ship. My question/supposition would be do they need those of us who are prepared to pay these amounts to make a profit on these big ships? Aren't the ones with the funds to shell out on full fares, in cabins more than just a place to sleep more likely to be older? IMHO, P&O really do need to be very mindful of the older cruiser on these large ships too. I think Fionboard makes a very valid point.

After first hearing of Wordle and Querdle on here, my friend introduced me to Sqaredle and just this week, Blossom. I'm hooked and they are taking over my life 😁.

What a bargain indeed! We've been NT members all of our married life so just imagine how much that would have saved us, although we do now benefit from the oldies/5+ years of membership cheaper rates.

My husband would often work out in Northern Italy and I would go out with him when I could, at all times of the year, and stay in Bardolino, next door to Garda, which is handy for the motorway network and hence, his job. We have seen snow in Bardolino and walked in the main street, towards the church, when we were the only people around. I used the buses quite a bit when I was by myself during the day and know all of the resorts around the lake very well. These days - pre-pandemic and post retirement - we would go out at least once a year to our favourite lakeside hotel in Bardolino (where many of the staff have been there for the 20+ years of our history with it) either at the start or the end of the season, booking directly with the hotel. I can recommend April (before the TUI season begins) when the lakeside is in full bloom with tulips - the planting provided by Sigurta gardens, which I can highly recommend. I am now off to work out when we can next go ...... after your reminders of how much I love it 💐. Happy to note that you and MB share my affection for the area. Cruising is a good and relatively easy way to see nice places, but still happy to travel under our own steam while we still can 🤞

I’m impressed. I only got it on the 4th line …… but the thought process to get it ….. 🤭?

Like you, we are computer literate and able to sort out issues that arise, I also fall into the 'not for me camp' when it comes to the 2 new ships based on our 2 (okay) weeks on Iona in the Canaries in March, despite there being much I did like. Also like you, we met people who loved the ship and had travelled on her before, and also those who said 'never again' - and they were not always those who could not manage the technology or missed ballroom dancing! Essentially, if I were interested in the cheap last minute fares - on my cruise I heard 'this is costing me £50 a day; I can eat more than that' in addition to the 'cheaper than staying at home' comments - I too would probably would have thought it was great. But as we paid a full, not insignificant fare, with little OBC (booked early as per the advice on this site at that time) I would choose to spend my money elsewhere; Lake Garda is one of my 'go to' places due a return visit. We are very fortunate people. I have Cunard booked in the future, a first for us, along with Celebrity, Princess and also Ventura. We may try Britannia at some time. I think you have done a splendid job of highlighting your cruise, with its pitfalls at the start, and I thank you very much. Safe travels home 🙂

I’d love to see some pics 👍. I bet your girls are so excited! I’ll be there myself in November and might even go into a park if DH can be persuaded. Have a ball and I hope the weather is kind to you.

I have just checked my records for our deluxe Iona mid-ship balcony to the Canaries in March; it was £137.50 pppn on a 14 night cruise. Oh and I purchased the basic internet package around £10 a day from memory. We often shared tables at lunchtime and met any number of people who had booked last minute bargains at great rates and were keen to give details ('cheaper than staying at home' was oft quoted), and I was genuinely pleased for them. But - and here's the rub, it would definitely affect the way I book with P&O in the future (if I do that is, but I currently have 2 already booked). As I previously posted, one of my January Celebrity cruises came in at £155 pppn, including drinks package, internet and gratuities. P&O included parking and gratuities. I know which gave us better value for money. Caveat emptor.

I am surprised at this because I had crepes Suzette on Iona in March - brought to the table ready made, and then again on Ventura recently, where they were made table side very skilfully. Also the server assured me, confidently, that this service was once again being rolled out fleetwide and was now happening on Iona! Guess it’s in progress, but heaven only knows why 🤷‍♀️

Tiny TV in our balcony cabin on Ventura, C deck last week. I commented (negatively) about this on the feedback form, especially as we are due to spend 35 nights on her next year.

I salute you in your efforts to give people full information of your cruise; warts and all. It takes time and effort to post in such detail, and yours are obviously considered posts. I often intend to post more about my experiences (this year 2 x Celebrity, Iona and Ventura so far) but then the desire evaporates as it takes such a time to avoid giving offence when you recognise that others' experiences are likely to be very different to yours. The point you made so eloquently in a previous posts and something of which you are clearly mindful. I note you are still posting on other threads, which I was pleased to see, and like others, do hope that you will be able to return to this thread and continue to give us the benefit of your experiences. Well done for getting a taxi for the old ladies in Palma and for a fulsome report on what an ordeal that whole boarding process was.

On last week’s Ventura cruise Valerie Singleton was one of the guest speakers and she was one of the best ever! I believe she’s about 86 - but I’d never had guessed had she not told us - and very smart, interesting, funny and utterly charming. Needless to say she had a good audience for her first talk, but by the second, word had obviously got round and there was only the odd seat in the theatre to be had. And as the subject heading is ‘food and dining’ so as not to upset a couple of regulars re subject ‘drift’ 😉, I will add that when Valerie asked on her final talk, ‘how many of you have I shared a table with?’ lots of hands went up.

Totally agree re Tesco and eggs. I like Maran or Burford browns for eating (as opposed to baking) and so many times I order only to find them out of stock later in the week. I regularly tick for a substitute and have had all sorts, but sometimes I have to resort to visiting Lidl or elsewhere. I dislike shopping but sometimes it's necessary.