Breaking News P&O is safe!

[Ilovecake]

I thought OV was a good product, they did get a 2nd ship so something was right, we enjoyed our cruise on OV 1 & they had great itineries, different Caribbean places & the Greek islands too. It was a surprise to me when they said they were stopping them. I am sure they will replace the brand with another ship & I reckon it will be Ventura, makes sense, new ship, holds as many people as the two old ones near enough.

 

Let's hope so - and I agree it should be rebranded to avoid confusion. They must be worried or why are they having future cruise talks on board. They never used to - but having read the other thread, they are causing even more confusion by saying Ventura and Oceana are suitable for informal cruising, you don't have to dress up.... but they don't say that if you don't you are barred from certain areas of the ship...

[Johnthed0g]

Let's hope so - and I agree it should be rebranded to avoid confusion. They must be worried or why are they having future cruise talks on board. They never used to - but having read the other thread, they are causing even more confusion by saying Ventura and Oceana are suitable for informal cruising, you don't have to dress up.... but they don't say that if you don't you are barred from certain areas of the ship...

Well I can't read the post on P&O not allowed on there, but they do advertise those ships as informal, even on TV, that is wrong & misleading. As far as rules go they should either uphold them or ditch them

[daiB]

The OP stated this in the first post on this thread:-

 

 

I come from the OV site with wonderful news from the P&O cruise specialist on the latest OV cruise, in that he/she stated "that the current dress codes" would remain in place on future P&O voyages".

It would appear that P&O's current marketing team are so keen to ensure that nobody from the OV customer base "taints" their fleet, that there were suggestion boxes on OV pointing passengers towards NCL and Thomson ships.

 

On the P&O site someone has posted this:-

 

 

We have just returned from an Ocean Village cruise on the ship we went to a future cruise talk.After explaining this years cruises they went on to talk about what next they went through the P&O fleet then came to Ventura and Oceana and said these ships would be the Ocean Village alternative mentioning the casual attire and eat when you like.

After the talk I went and asked about the formal nights and was told that you did not have to dress up even to go into the restuarants even if other people were dressed up and was told the formal nights will go anyway soon.

 

 

As they used to say in the old west, "Someone speak with forked tongue"

 

I suspect this was done by P&O staff who like to set rumours going and it is not unusual to send two conflicting ones ones out and stand back.

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

:cool:

 

 

 

Dai

[sailorgirl33]

Well Geecee1 all I can say is that we are land holiday people and we have stayed at Escape at the Gap in Barbados twice. First time my husband and I had a week there to see what it was like. We enjoyed it so much we took our sons and their girlfriends and friends of ours who all had a brilliant time, I am sure you will enjoy it.

Regarding cruising and OV1 My husband and I have never cruised and wanted to try a cruise where having been out sight seeing or on the beach all day we could come back to the ship relax , shower and dress casual and smart without having to put on our best bib and tuck!! Having spent several landbase holidays on different Islands in the Carribean, we know how tiring it can be in all that heat as well as sightseeing to have to dress up. We have stayed at the Almond where smart casual is expected and no requests for DJ's etc,this is what we enjoyed. We looked at different brochures and pros and cons and decided to try OV1 which we booked for Christmas and New Year in the Carribean.

What can I say about the ship was that they made our cruise very enjoyable and relaxing, the food was very good as well as trying out the Bistro and Laluna. Entertainement was plenty and you had a choice, ship was spotless and the staff were outstanding considering the long hours they work and always a smile on their faces. I can understand why so many people are unhappy with OV1 going and as I have not cruised on any other ship I cannot make a comparison on other ships. Although I did pack LBD and people were all dressed up and smart on Christmas eve/Day as well as New Years eve. I liked the idea of tipping was included in your price as the add ons at the end of your trip can work out to be quite expensive, we were advised that we could tip individuals if we wish to do so, (We did to several ov staff for making our cruise so special)

I must admit if I was to go on another cruise I would like to go casual, after working hard all year we would rather a ship that was as relaxed as OV1 and not having to dress up in DJ etc and formal evenings.

Reading through all these forums it looks like it is not going to be easy and having read through the comments of P & O people it looks like I would rather not mix with these people as it appears to me they must spend half the evening looking down their noses at other people!!! How friendly is that?? After all we all come into this world the same way and leave the same way!!!

Looks like the will be bringing in the likes of the Titanic soon, 1st class, 2nd class and third class!!

I am sure there is a ship out there somewhere, but in no rush, will just keep reading up on these ships that are becoming available and will carry on with the landbase holidays for now.

Bon Voyage

[Johnthed0g]

Dai...I am convinced there are mischief makers on P&O Community & I wouldnt be at all surprised if admin were involved.

[Johnthed0g]

Sailorgirl, I quite agree with most of what you say, except the snob part, some ships have dress codes that are advised before anyone sets foot on the ship, I think if you book up knowing or should be knowing the terms you should respect them. There are ships with different classes, Cunard for one. You complied with the dress code at Almond resorts, a lot moan about that I can assure you! As for EATG in BDS as long as people are not expecting a desert island paradise in a quiet location & nobody says that it is then it's OK.

[sailorgirl33]

John I understand you have dress codes and so do I. I was trying to put across that when you have worked hard all year round and looking forward to a well earned break, the last thing you need to be worrying about is your wardrobe for the so called formal evenings. Thats why I mentioned OV1 was enjoyable and relaxing. I just don't like the idea myself of dressing up in best bib and tuck whilst on a vacation and hoping there will be other ships that can match the OV for total relaxation.

As for EATG it may be a 3* but the hotel was clean, the food was excellent, entertainment and right on the beach with plenty of activities. I chose it as being nr plenty of resaraunts and night life my sons would enjoy and not be restricted to a hotel. Also paying for 6 adults did stretch my budget but a affordable holiday for all to enjoy. Do bear in mind that 50% of the people staying at EATG whilst we stayed there were from cruise ships who do a cruise and stay and let their hair down whilst ashore!!.

I am hoping for a ship in the future that will match OV and not worry about the so called formal dress. I live in Southampton and had many opportunities to go on Cunard and the other ships that use Southampton and am sure there will be other ships out there that will not be so formal as cunard and P & O in the near future.

[sheeper370]

 

... if P&O want to re-brand one of their ships as an informal product, they need to place it under the umbrella of a name other than P&O to avoid confusion.

 

I thought OV was a good product, they did get a 2nd ship so something was right, we enjoyed our cruise on OV 1 & they had great itineries, different Caribbean places & the Greek islands too. It was a surprise to me when they said they were stopping them. I am sure they will replace the brand with another ship & I reckon it will be Ventura, makes sense, new ship, holds as many people as the two old ones near enough.

 

Let's hope so - and I agree it should be rebranded to avoid confusion. They must be worried or why are they having future cruise talks on board. They never used to - but having read the other thread, they are causing even more confusion by saying Ventura and Oceana are suitable for informal cruising, you don't have to dress up.... but they don't say that if you don't you are barred from certain areas of the ship...

 

All voices of reason!!

 

P&O know there is a casual market out there. By my reckoning I am paying approximately 50% more than I would with P&O to cruise my last two OV cruises this year - they know that there there is a product they can sell successfully; a brand they can capitalise on.

 

I can understand how they wanted to ditch the oncosts involved in marketing a separate brand involving just two ships, ageing ones at that. And I can follow the login in incorporating them into the burgeoning P&O (Australia) market - they dovetail into the existing fleet.

 

But why confuse and frustrate both their existing loyal P&O'ers by now seeming to market P&O as "casual in places" and deny their loyal OV'ers by taking away the ships and then try and hoodwink them into thinking that life on a couple of P&O ships will be just as relaxed as OV when it patently isn't going to be with threats that formal nights will be enforced all through the ships?

 

Result:

 

Existing P&O cruisers are upset and confused.

Existing OV cruisers are upset and bereft of a product.

 

Even the P&O staff are confused.

 

Why not take up the suggestions of existing P&O and OV customers and apply some subtle rebranding? Dedicate the two P&O vessels concerned as informal under the P&O flag and everyone will know what they are getting for their money.

 

Splash an extra designating logo on the bow - it doesn't even need to be pink!

 

How much would it cost to add paint one extra word after "P&O" on the superstructure?

 

P&O lite? Nah, undermines the main brand.

P&O easy? legal problems.

P&O Casual? Nah - it would need the main brand to be called "Formal"

 

P&O Village - now there's a thought!

[Johnthed0g]

How about P&O-Ocean aka POO!!

How would it work with dining do you think? don't know about Ventura but as I recall Oceana has quite a large self service area, but two waiter served restaurants, how would the mainly buffet style diners on OV take to that? OV has two self serve & two special but small other restaurants.

[sheeper370]

How about P&O-Ocean aka POO!!

How would it work with dining do you think? don't know about Ventura but as I recall Oceana has quite a large self service area, but two waiter served restaurants, how would the mainly buffet style diners on OV take to that? OV has two self serve & two special but small other restaurants.

 

One or two ships badged as P&O but with a difference from the traditional P&O ships would allow for the casual cruising/casual dining format, thus allowing for the line to capitalise on the fashionable "celebrity chef" concept, and to keep James Martin's involvement.

 

That way P&O keep the business which otherwise will be going to Thomson and others - their ready made ex-Ocean Village clients would be even more loyal too, being more than happy to keep their British badged informal cruising.

 

They'd have to install a couple of bike sheds though...

 

:D

[Johnthed0g]

As I asked though how would dining work, basically all self serve on OV.

[MattyBarlow]

Just saw this on another cruise site:-

 

This is what James Cusick, the purser on Arcadia wrote on his blog a couple of days ago.

 

Needless to say it was a superb evening all around the ship with the glamour and sophistication of the first formal evening of our Round World Cruise. The dressing up is something our passengers demand - this is why they come on P&O Cruises;)

 

 

Thats fair enough but P&O are not marketing Arcadia to OV'ers. And Cusick is bound to say that!

[MattyBarlow]

Craig,

 

As I said earlier in this thread we are on holiday and we have made a choice to go with a cruise line which has strict rules on dress code. That is what we have paid for and that is what we expect. We do not expect the cruise line to change the rules after we have booked.

 

Dai

 

 

Well it's obviously not strict is it!

[Johnthed0g]

I enjoy the James Cusick blog but when he was posting what appeared to be in conflict with ''Capt Pugwash'' I did begin to wonder if we get the ''company line'' from James...

I wish P&O would just make it clear about what is expected & allowed with dress code, it isn't just P&O, all lines seem the same, say one thing do another, leaving the customer confused & those who wish to disrupt the dress code with a way to do it.

[geecee1]

I always have a laugh when I see people, especially marketing people who think they know better than P&O. I know where I would put my money.:D

 

Delboy, have the decency to mention me by name and ,please read what I have said re the Cruise market.

I am also glad that you find sound marketing principles amusing.

I have stated, but you obviously haven't read, that P&O's current strategy of investing in their core product with the two smaller ships is the right policy to adopt.

What I have also said is that, at some stage in the future ,this demand will probably peak. To maintain market share and fill the new ships they will have to attract a new generation of cruisers such as my thirtysomething daughters and their partners. What they spend on holidays puts my modest cruise expenditure to shame.

If I was Ms Marlow, I would be looking at ways to develop a product that is attractive to them and their like.

An alternative policy, they could shrink the size of the fleet by natural wastage and focus on the niche market that is"Formal Cruising", again , something that I would not deem to criticize.

Where I take issue with them is their policy of advertising ships as "informal", their words not mine, whilst rigidly sticking to the 4 formal nights per 14 day cruise.

It seems to me, listening to the reviews on Ventura, that she is a ship well capable of accommodating both our needs. All I ask is a little bit of tolerance from the Formal Brigade towards those of us that choose to dress casually on those occasions.I do not want to dine in the MDR or attend the Gala night/Black and White Ball,all I ask that I have a reasonable amount of freedom to move about the vessel, whilst respecting other people's wishes.

[geecee1]

Craig,

 

As I said earlier in this thread we are on holiday and we have made a choice to go with a cruise line which has strict rules on dress code. That is what we have paid for and that is what we expect. We do not expect the cruise line to change the rules after we have booked.

 

There are enough people to fill 6 ships who want this type of holiday. We do not want the rules relaxed.

 

If you do not want formal dining then find a cruise line which suits you. Why should those who want formal evenings have to come to any compromise?

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

 

Dai

 

Dai,if there is sufficient demand to fill six ships with those that demand formal cruising why was there massive discounting on Ventura Craribbean voyages in Nov/Dec 09. My TA had 14 night cruises, inside cabin, flying from Doncaster priced at £1099 per person, some 30% below OV.

Please read what I have written below regarding Ventura being large enough to cater for all of us,who just want a holiday.

I would be happy enough to enjoy a drink with you any time, any place.I regret that you would not be able to reciprocate on board a P&O if I was incorrectly dressed.

What you are implying is that anything other than the strict enforcement of the dress code would spoil your holiday.

[geecee1]

Well Geecee1 all I can say is that we are land holiday people and we have stayed at Escape at the Gap in Barbados twice. First time my husband and I had a week there to see what it was like. We enjoyed it so much we took our sons and their girlfriends and friends of ours who all had a brilliant time, I am sure you will enjoy it.

Regarding cruising and OV1 My husband and I have never cruised and wanted to try a cruise where having been out sight seeing or on the beach all day we could come back to the ship relax , shower and dress casual and smart without having to put on our best bib and tuck!! Having spent several landbase holidays on different Islands in the Carribean, we know how tiring it can be in all that heat as well as sightseeing to have to dress up. We have stayed at the Almond where smart casual is expected and no requests for DJ's etc,this is what we enjoyed. We looked at different brochures and pros and cons and decided to try OV1 which we booked for Christmas and New Year in the Carribean.

What can I say about the ship was that they made our cruise very enjoyable and relaxing, the food was very good as well as trying out the Bistro and Laluna. Entertainement was plenty and you had a choice, ship was spotless and the staff were outstanding considering the long hours they work and always a smile on their faces. I can understand why so many people are unhappy with OV1 going and as I have not cruised on any other ship I cannot make a comparison on other ships. Although I did pack LBD and people were all dressed up and smart on Christmas eve/Day as well as New Years eve. I liked the idea of tipping was included in your price as the add ons at the end of your trip can work out to be quite expensive, we were advised that we could tip individuals if we wish to do so, (We did to several ov staff for making our cruise so special)

I must admit if I was to go on another cruise I would like to go casual, after working hard all year we would rather a ship that was as relaxed as OV1 and not having to dress up in DJ etc and formal evenings.

Reading through all these forums it looks like it is not going to be easy and having read through the comments of P & O people it looks like I would rather not mix with these people as it appears to me they must spend half the evening looking down their noses at other people!!! How friendly is that?? After all we all come into this world the same way and leave the same way!!!

Looks like the will be bringing in the likes of the Titanic soon, 1st class, 2nd class and third class!!

I am sure there is a ship out there somewhere, but in no rush, will just keep reading up on these ships that are becoming available and will carry on with the landbase holidays for now.

Bon Voyage

 

Thanks, sailorgirl. Glad you enjoyed OV. We go to Escape at the Gap on Sunday 27th for two weeks. Your comments were very much appreciated.

Will let you know how we got on.

To read some the posts on this forum you would think that any lowering of dress codes will lead to the end of the world as we know it.

What saddens me is the intolerant tone of the posters( a minority, I hope) and their inability to indulge in any reasonable debate.

If , as , some of them claim, that they speak for the majority of P&O customers, it would put me off going on P&O for life.

[geecee1]

I am afraid that you get this on all ships. It is not a Ventura problem. You will note I have never claimed 100% cruisers dressed as per the code.

 

However I does tend to be the men who do not conform. The ladies all look stunning.

 

Usually someone will post a question like, will I fit in if I do not have a suit. As we have seen you may not be refused entry but you would feel out of place as everyone else will be dressed as per the code.

 

The majority of cruisers like to fit in.

 

Some of the comments on here would appear to say its all right not to wear formal. However I would imagine you would have to be very brave to go into a dining room for a formal night dressed casually.

 

 

 

:):)Happy Cruisin

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

 

Dai

 

Dai, my wife likes my latest fragrance, "ONLY THE BRAVE" by Diesel, so I must remember to pack it if we decide to risk Ventura next year.

[geecee1]

You are starting to sound a little bitter now, P&O dress codes are nothing more than theme nights, some are observed some are not. Formal is usually observed by most, but as I say if you dined in the self serve every night it would be no different to OV.

 

 

 

 

Sorry, John. I must learn to control my "wind up" tendencies, but some of the posters on this site leave me lost for words.

[daiB]

Dai, my wife likes my latest fragrance, "ONLY THE BRAVE" by Diesel, so I must remember to pack it if we decide to risk Ventura next year.

 

No doubt you would be up to the task:rolleyes:

 

However you also say:-

 

Dai, if there is sufficient demand to fill six ships with those that demand formal cruising why was there massive discounting on Ventura Craribbean voyages in Nov/Dec 09. My TA had 14 night cruises, inside cabin, flying from Doncaster priced at £1099 per person, some 30% below OV.

 

Sorry but this is not massive discounting. These are only just below standard P&O prices. I was going to give you examples for this winter season, but they are all full. See P&O website today.

 

So I looked at next winter ad the first one I came across was prices from £1200. ie P&O prices less the 10% you always get from TA's.

 

The £1100 you quote will be the filling of the last few places or the filling of places where someone has backed out at the last moment and for which they have already paid the deposit.

 

So all the words written about the crises regarding Ventura are somewhat off the mark as I have known for some time.

 

P&O's pricing is a mystry to most people with starting discounts of 45% on all ships.

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

:cool:

 

 

 

Dai

[geecee1]

No doubt you would be up to the task:rolleyes:

 

However you also say:-

 

Dai, if there is sufficient demand to fill six ships with those that demand formal cruising why was there massive discounting on Ventura Craribbean voyages in Nov/Dec 09. My TA had 14 night cruises, inside cabin, flying from Doncaster priced at £1099 per person, some 30% below OV.

 

Sorry but this is not massive discounting. These are only just below standard P&O prices. I was going to give you examples for this winter season, but they are all full. See P&O website today.

 

So I looked at next winter ad the first one I came across was prices from £1200. ie P&O prices less the 10% you always get from TA's.

 

The £1100 you quote will be the filling of the last few places or the filling of places where someone has backed out at the last moment and for which they have already paid the deposit.

 

So all the words written about the crises regarding Ventura are somewhat off the mark as I have known for some time.

 

P&O's pricing is a mystry to most people with starting discounts of 45% on all ships.

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

:cool:

 

 

 

Dai

 

Confusing the punters with a myriad of prices is something I have seen alot of during my career. Most holiday companies are world class at it.

[LibraLass41]

"I must admit if I was to go on another cruise I would like to go casual, after working hard all year we would rather a ship that was as relaxed as OV1 and not having to dress up in DJ etc and formal evenings." SAILORGIRL.

 

 

You really are making too much of 4 formal nights out of 14 nights onboard.....a nice dress and your sorted..accept it. Working hard all year? Whats that got to do with anything? Many of us do that to afford a cruise - see it as a chance wear something special and enjoy the gala menu that comes with a formal night, its not that difficult to play along - honest;) Its not often in this day and age you can wear a nice dress or smart top and black evening trousers....

[geecee1]

"I must admit if I was to go on another cruise I would like to go casual, after working hard all year we would rather a ship that was as relaxed as OV1 and not having to dress up in DJ etc and formal evenings." SAILORGIRL.

 

 

You really are making too much of 4 formal nights out of 14 nights onboard.....a nice dress and your sorted..accept it. Working hard all year? Whats that got to do with anything? Many of us do that to afford a cruise - see it as a chance wear something special and enjoy the gala menu that comes with a formal night, its not that difficult to play along - honest;) Its not often in this day and age you can wear a nice dress or smart top and black evening trousers....

 

Sue,many hardworking people, my girls and partners all, are in formal attire 48 weeks per year,including black tie dinners. They have incomes that make my nose bleed but the boys in particular would never take suit on holiday. American lines seem happy to accommodate the likes of us, but we like the British ships, sterling, tipping policy etc.

We regale them with our OV experiences, but, and they may, like us look towards a more "informal " ship such as Ventura.

We do not want to change you or the ships, want a happy medium so that we can all enjoy our holiday

[Johnthed0g]

I don't think that many cruisers attend a great amount of black tie dinners, unless you are on the P&O community site! I suspect it is mainly men who object, but the way I see it the only difference for a woman between casual & formal is dragging a dress on, for a cruise with four formals two dresses would do.

[Beckyfaye-2008]

I am happy for Carol Marlowe, P&O or Carnival Group to carry on marketing their ships the way they feel is best. They obviously have an expertise in how to maximise cabin occupancy on their ships, which for them is what its all about. Although I have a knowledge of maximising room occupancy in a hotel, having worked as a manager and auditor of a 192 bedroom 4* Hotel, Golf, Country Club and Spar. I would not dream of trying to tell those in another section of the Leisure & Holiday industry, how to try and run their business.:eek:

My philosophy on choosing a holiday is simple, I pick up a brochure on the type of holiday I am looking for, I read what it says, if I like it, I book, if I don't like it, I don't book. If I book,then I abide by the rules, if there are any. Simples.:D