Preregistering/Booking For September 2021

[Cathygh]

Speaking of itineraries, I wish they would do US ports and Far East in the summer, then I wouldn't have to "jump ship" to other lines to see those parts of the world. The other lines are more expensive. It's really annoying that Cunard for example sell many if the same wines as P&O at a vastly inflated price and then charge 15% service charge on top

[daiB]

1 hour ago, Cathygh said:

Speaking of itineraries, I wish they would do US ports and Far East in the summer, then I wouldn't have to "jump ship" to other lines to see those parts of the world. The other lines are more expensive. It's really annoying that Cunard for example sell many if the same wines as P&O at a vastly inflated price and then charge 15% service charge on top

Because of what I said before, P&O’s core business is Ex U.K. year round and Caribbean/World Cruising in the winter. Because of the competition out they I cannot see the point of offering cruses outside of that general plan. Sticking to what you do best is generally the thing to do in a large market place.

 

The political problems in North Africa, the Middle East and Russia/Ukraine make the problem of finding new itineraries even more difficult.

[Britboys]

On 9/14/2019 at 10:39 PM, terrierjohn said:

As Dai says P&O are Carnivals main cruise line for Southampton sailings. Whilst having one ship doing fly cruises for UK passengers is obviously acceptable, I suspect allocating any more to fly cruises is only going to have a negative impact on Princess, which is Carnival's main fly cruise line for med cruises.

I think the other issue is aircraft/airport capacity.  With the larger ships carrying more than 3000, that is a lot of pax to fly ex-UK into almost any airport.  P&O have it sorted in the Caribbean where they usually have start dates spread over two consecutive days, which wouldn't work on 7-day Med itinerary cruises.  With Princess, their pax come from all over Europe plus the USA, which will spread the load.  Marella ships generally carry no more than 2000 pax and as has been said in this thread, they have their own resources being part of TUI.

[Britboys]

2 hours ago, janny444 said:

The latest P&O Cruises collection is coming soon, and with more new holidays to choose from you will soon be soaking up the thrill of travel that’s filled with exploration, laughter and good times. From sailing away on a well-earned weekend break to embarking on a journey to iconic destinations, it’s not long until you can take your first look at all of the amazing holidays on offer.   To make sure you get the pick of the bunch, here are some key dates for your diary:     Register your interest:   8am Monday 14 October to 4pm Sunday 20 October 2019   Add the date to your calendar   GOOGLE     APPLE ICAL OUTLOOK     YAHOO   On sale exclusively for Caribbean, Baltic and Ligurian tier members of our P&O Cruises Peninsular Club:   8am Monday 21 October to 8pm Tuesday 22 October 2019   Add the date to your calendar   GOOGLE     APPLE ICAL OUTLOOK     YAHOO   On general sale from:   8am Wednesday 23 October 2019   Add the date to your calendar   GOOGLE     APPLE ICAL OUTLOOK     YAHOO

 

Thanks for posting this information.  I'm already committed to a 39-night cruise with P&O early in 2021 so they probably won't be getting any more of my money for that year! 😄

[janny444]

Unless the prices are just too good to refuse!! 😁

[janny444]

On 9/15/2019 at 11:05 AM, daiB said:

I find that using a mobility scooter I like the certainty of ports which are familiar. It helps to know we’re you are going and the accessibility. We love Cadiz as we know our way around and the restaurants we like. We must have been there 10 times but if we went for a stay of a week we would have more time there than when we have been by cruise.

 

BTW Andy we have dipped our toes in Princess and we are doing the same with Morella next summer. The latter is from the Tyne. Taxi from home 😎

daiB.....would you mind telling me when Marella depart from Newcastle next year....I have looked and looked but can't seem to find their cruises from Newcastle for 2020.

 

[Britboys]

14 minutes ago, janny444 said:

Unless the prices are just too good to refuse!! 😁

Very unlikely as a solo cruiser!  But also, if I can afford another short cruise in 2021, I would prefer to try a different line as I enjoy trying new ships.  Also, I am only really interested in Aurora and Arcadia with P&O now and the majority of their cruises tend to be 16 nights or more these days, which makes a good deal even less likely 😁

[terrierjohn]

57 minutes ago, Britboys said:

I think the other issue is aircraft/airport capacity.  With the larger ships carrying more than 3000, that is a lot of pax to fly ex-UK into almost any airport.  P&O have it sorted in the Caribbean where they usually have start dates spread over two consecutive days, which wouldn't work on 7-day Med itinerary cruises.  With Princess, their pax come from all over Europe plus the USA, which will spread the load.  Marella ships generally carry no more than 2000 pax and as has been said in this thread, they have their own resources being part of TUI.

Since there has been comment that Azura will take over the Med fly cruises in 2021 and previously Ventura did them, then I don't think there is any problem with aircraft availability or airport capacities.

[daiB]

12 minutes ago, janny444 said:

daiB.....would you mind telling me when Marella depart from Newcastle next year....I have looked and looked but can't seem to find their cruises from Newcastle for 2020.

 

Janny,

 

Explorer 2 is sailing from the Tyne next July and August. If you go on their website and you should find it. My usual TA site does not list their sailings at all but do take the bookings. They have 7 night Fjords and 14 night Baltic cruises. They are not cheap however. The lead price is now around £130 pppn but includes tips and drinks package.

 

We of course make savings on travel, hotel and car parking which offsets the high prices.

[Britboys]

22 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

Since there has been comment that Azura will take over the Med fly cruises in 2021 and previously Ventura did them, then I don't think there is any problem with aircraft availability or airport capacities.

I'd forgotten about Ventura and missed the comment about Azura.  It will be interesting to see how that goes.  I wonder if they have decided to use Azura (rather than Oceana) because they have a question mark over Oceana after the arrival of the new ship in 2022?

[SarahHben]

When it says 'register your interest' what does that actually mean and how does it work?

[daiB]

 

40 minutes ago, Britboys said:

I'd forgotten about Ventura and missed the comment about Azura.  It will be interesting to see how that goes.  I wonder if they have decided to use Azura (rather than Oceana) because they have a question mark over Oceana after the arrival of the new ship in 2022?

 

I have heard that they needed more capacity with the cruises from Malta. It certainly would take Venice out of the equation as I suspect ships of Azura would not be accepted there by then. 

[SummmerInKefalonia]

1 hour ago, terrierjohn said:

Since there has been comment that Azura will take over the Med fly cruises in 2021 and previously Ventura did them, then I don't think there is any problem with aircraft availability or airport capacities.

Oceana will do them in 2020 and Azura in 2021. Not Ventura.

[terrierjohn]

5 minutes ago, SummmerInKefalonia said:

Oceana will do them in 2020 and Azura in 2021. Not Ventura.

Quite right, but I was pointing out that Ventura had done them before Oceana, therefore aircraft availability and airport capacity should not be an issue.

[jeanlyon]

2 hours ago, SarahHben said:

When it says 'register your interest' what does that actually mean and how does it work?

You pre-register and tell them what grade of cabin you want.  After that it's pot luck.  I prefer to use a Travel Agent and then I get what cabin I want.  I also get extra discount from the TA

Edited September 16, 2019 by jeanlyon

[Gettingwarmer]

3 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

You pre-register and tell them what grade of cabin you want.  After that it's pot luck.  I prefer to use a Travel Agent and then I get what cabin I want.  I also get extra discount from the TA

Is your Travel Agent High Street or online?

[Rupert2251]

Lol they need to get their act together and get the preview brochure out otherwise no one will be able to register anything. Now that is a piece of marketing I am looking forward to 😁

[SarahHben]

1 hour ago, jeanlyon said:

You pre-register and tell them what grade of cabin you want.  After that it's pot luck.  I prefer to use a Travel Agent and then I get what cabin I want.  I also get extra discount from the TA

Thank you. So is it actually committing yourself to definitely booking and paying a deposit at pre-registration time?

[eddie11]

Yes.  It is a commitment.

The benefit is that the price advertised will be held - most cruises rise in price as soon as they go on sale

The drawback is that you pay your deposit but you are only guaranteed the grade of cabin, not the actual cabin number.  You can state a preference, or give a list of 4 or 5 which suit.  

 

[SarahHben]

16 minutes ago, eddie11 said:

Yes.  It is a commitment.

The benefit is that the price advertised will be held - most cruises rise in price as soon as they go on sale

The drawback is that you pay your deposit but you are only guaranteed the grade of cabin, not the actual cabin number.  You can state a preference, or give a list of 4 or 5 which suit.  

 

Ah ok, thank you Eddie.

[majortom10]

Dont understand why anyone would pre register directly with P&O when you cannot give them a choice of cabins only available cabin grade and they then book you in any cabin of their choice within that cabin grade. With my cruise specialist TA I always give them 4 or 5 cabins I would be happy with and they have never let me down on maiden cruises when I have pre registered and have always been cheaper than direct with P&O.

[eddie11]

I agree

It’s a confusing affair direct with P&O.

Nice & simple with a TA

[jeanlyon]

My TAs is standing ready to book when I tell him what cruise and what deck and cabin.  He's great.

[molecrochip]

8 hours ago, daiB said:

 

 

I have heard that they needed more capacity with the cruises from Malta. It certainly would take Venice out of the equation as I suspect ships of Azura would not be accepted there by then. 

Azura will call at Trieste instead. Expected to be early morning to late evening so they might run Venice trips by coach as they do for Rome/Paris.

[jeanlyon]

Trieste is a lovely city in it's own right.  was there on Oriana a while back.