The First Thing an American will notice about P&O is…

[amajaa]

1 hour ago, Tapi said:

I actually came across a YouTube video of a sail away party as you describe. I was truly looking forward to it! However, I also came across a news article stating that these parties were discontinued in early 2020 right before the pandemic started and replaced with something else, citing different reasons. Would you know if that’s the case and if so, if it’s a permanent change? 

 

I know they stopped giving out the flags as detrimental to the environment. Also some people apparently thought the Great British Sailaway ( there used to be one near the end of each cruise with patriotic songs for each country in the UK, allsorts of other music as well ) wasn't PC , goodness knows why,  other countries celebrate their own nation.  The other sailaways were just a band on the top deck singing songs and probably still are, we didn't normally bother with those . 

Edited January 19, 2022 by amajaa

[amajaa]

When is it you are sailing, as it's the Queen's Jubilee Year this year. She will have been on the throne 70 years in a few weeks on 6th February. 

 

The Jubilee Celebration Weekend is going to be at the beginning of June. We will be having a street party in our street. The last one we had was for Harry and Megan's wedding. All those Union Jack flags we had collected from many GB Sailaways certainly came in useful. 

[Fionboard]

1 hour ago, Tapi said:

Thanks for the information. Concerning tipping, I’m accustomed to automatic tipping for cabin and restaurant staff on US based sailings. I read on the P&O website that “tipping is not required”. Does that apply to cabin and wait staff, and do they mean “not required but appreciated or expected”? I know that this can be a hot topic, at least on the US cruise line boards so I want to get it right on P&O.
 

“Less of a hard sell” will be a welcome change. It seems like here it’s becoming worse and worse. On our last cruise from Miami (back in September) we were bombarded as soon as we entered the ship within the first 2 minutes by at least 5-6 staff members, blocking our way, and holding signs for drink packages, specialty restaurants, spa treatments, etc. Not an enjoyable way to being our vacation. 

Tipping is much appreciated by the crew.

[Fionboard]

Much quieter!!!

[Bazrat]

21 minutes ago, amajaa said:

 

I know they stopped giving out the flags as detrimental to the environment. Also some people apparently thought the Great British Sailaway ( there used to be one near the end of each cruise with patriotic songs for each country in the UK, allsorts of other music as well ) wasn't PC , goodness knows why,  other countries celebrate their own nation.  The other sailaways were just a band on the top deck singing songs and probably still are, we didn't normally bother with those . 

Be careful there was a big debate on here about the sail aways, some of the more seasoned cruisers didn't like them

[Interestedcruisefan]

The casino is a lot quieter

[Interestedcruisefan]

British older teenagers try to buy alcohol

 

 

[Gettingwarmer]

3 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

British older teenagers try to buy alcohol

 

 

Over 18’s are allowed to buy alcohol. Under 18’s would be unable to due to their cruise card. 

[Interestedcruisefan]

14 minutes ago, Fionboard said:

 

 

16 minutes ago, Gettingwarmer said:

Over 18’s are allowed to buy alcohol. Under 18’s would be unable to due to their cruise card. 

Let me rephrase 

 

Some older British teenagers on P and O show an appetite for drinking alcohol as part of the cruise. As its more attainable with UK drinking laws

 

Don't see it like that on the US cruises where older teenagers don't see it's really possible and don't seem inclined to have a go

 

Was very noticeable for us when we've had older teenagers on both US and UK cruises about what the older teenagers got upto

 

Felt much happier on the US ships in that respect 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 19, 2022 by Interestedcruisefan

[cruising.mark.uk]

14 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

 

 

 

Some older British teenagers on P and O show an appetite for drinking alcohol as part of the cruise. As its more attainable with UK drinking laws

 

 

 

 

 

So, what you are saying is that people who are of legal drinking age like to have a drink on a cruise.  Bet you never see that on a US line........

[Tapi]

2 hours ago, Host Sharon said:

Tips are included but as you suggest, a little extra for your cabin steward will be appreciated. Whether you also tip your waiters will depend if you are on fixed time (Club) dining or freedom. I am afraid you will still be bombarded by people selling drink packages etc, but they also understand a polite 'no thanks.' Enjoy. The Fjords are stunning. 

Thank you Host Sharon. truly looking forward to the Norwegian Fjords! 

[Tapi]

48 minutes ago, amajaa said:

When is it you are sailing, as it's the Queen's Jubilee Year this year. She will have been on the throne 70 years in a few weeks on 6th February. 

 

The Jubilee Celebration Weekend is going to be at the beginning of June. We will be having a street party in our street. The last one we had was for Harry and Megan's wedding. All those Union Jack flags we had collected from many GB Sailaways certainly came in useful. 

We don’t sail until 2023. So we have over a year to plan, which will be well utilized. We’re planning on spending a few days in London pre-cruise, so I have some planning to do, not only for our ports of call, but for our pre-cruise stay. 😀

[Interestedcruisefan]

9 minutes ago, cruising.mark.uk said:

So, what you are saying is that people who are of legal drinking age like to have a drink on a cruise.  Bet you never see that on a US line........

No I'm saying (many) older teenagers on UK cruises (not all) put a big emphasis on getting alcohol as part of their nights on board the cruise

 

Same as they do as part of their nights out in the UK

 

That includes 18 year olds, 19 year olds, 17 year olds and even younger 

 

And you just don't see that on the US cruises amongst the teenagers as getting alcohol at those ages is out of their reach and so out of their mindset as a result

 

The difference in approach from the older teenagers on the different cruises was very very noticeable

 

We much preferred US cruises in that respect

 

The OP in this case will not be impacted as his kids are much younger. They would find it an eye opener if they were nearer 18 for sure in amongst British kids of that age 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 19, 2022 by Interestedcruisefan

[Tapi]

47 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

The casino is a lot quieter

We’re not casino people. Normally, the only time I set foot in a casino is trying to go from point A to point B, and walking through the casino happens to be the quickest way to get there. I did notice looking at the deck plans that, on Britannia, the casino is very small at least compared to many US based ships.

 

This does bring up a question. Is smoking allowed in casinos on P&O?

Edited January 19, 2022 by Tapi

[terrierjohn]

2 hours ago, Tapi said:

Thanks for the information. Concerning tipping, I’m accustomed to automatic tipping for cabin and restaurant staff on US based sailings. I read on the P&O website that “tipping is not required”. Does that apply to cabin and wait staff, and do they mean “not required but appreciated or expected”? I know that this can be a hot topic, at least on the US cruise line boards so I want to get it right on P&O.

The auto tip gratuities were absorbed into the cruise fare by P&O 3 or 4 years ago, however many people do still tip stewards and waiters at the end of the cruise, but it is entirely up to the passenger.

As regards smoking it is not allowed indoors anywhere on board  not even on your own balcony. There designated out door areas where smoking is permitted.

Edited January 19, 2022 by terrierjohn

[Interestedcruisefan]

11 minutes ago, Tapi said:

We’re not casino people. Normally, the only time I set foot in a casino is trying to go from point A to point B, and walking through the casino happens to be the quickest way to get there. I did notice looking at the deck plans that, on Britannia, the casino is very small at least compared to many US based ships.

 

This does bring up a question. Is smoking allowed in casinos on P&O?

No smoking anywhere inside the ship

 

There are dedicated smoking areas outside only on P and O

Edited January 19, 2022 by Interestedcruisefan

[Tapi]

Just now, Interestedcruisefan said:

No

 

There are dedicated smoking areas outside only on P and O

Thank you. That’s wonderful. 

[Cathygh]

Make sure you have you bring a plug adaptor. The currency in Norway is the krone but euros and credit cards are accepted. 

Edited January 19, 2022 by Cathygh

[Presto2]

If you are walking down the corridor you may find that others keep to the left not the right as this is the side of the road we drive on ... they're not being awkward.

 

Compared to Celebrity ---

 

No one will tell you to 'Have a nice day'

No crispy bacon like on the US lines (sadly)

The drinks are way cheaper

No hard sell

No gratuities expected (but always appreciated)

Mainly people from the UK - very few people from other countries

Formal nights are great

The specialist restaurants are WAY cheaper and just as good

The TV programmes will be from the UK / UK tastes

Drink measures are smaller - a measure is half of a US measure when it comes to brandy etc so you may want to order a double. (I ordered a double brandy on Celebrity and it knocked me out 😉 )

 

Britannia is a beautiful ship and you'll have a great time

 

🙂

 

 

 

Edited January 19, 2022 by Presto2

[amajaa]

The thing we noticed about some US lines was the smoking in the casinos . It was awful the smell went right through that deck. 

 

I haven't noticed any diffence in the behaviour of UK 18 and 19 year olds to US of the same age. So they are allowed to drink in the UK and Europe but we have never seen any of them abusing this any more than late teens messing around on US ships. 

[ozzysdad]

16 year olds are allowed alcohol in the restaurants with their evening meal.

[Snow Hill]

9 hours ago, Ardennais said:

True enough.

 

To our friends from the USA, please remember that UK and England don’t mean the same thing, 

I had a US Citizen ask me on a forum I administer where in England is Wales, having Welsh Ancestry I was tempted to say what part of Canada is the US in, but I didn’t, I sent him an image of U.K. with Wales clearly marked as a separate country.

[Ardennais]

17 minutes ago, Snow Hill said:

I had a US Citizen ask me on a forum I administer where in England is Wales, having Welsh Ancestry I was tempted to say what part of Canada is the US in, but I didn’t, I sent him an image of U.K. with Wales clearly marked as a separate country.

Ardderchog!

[majortom10]

11 hours ago, davecttr said:

On formal nights some venues will require formal wear for entry. P&O is not as formal as Cunard though so don't worry about it. (incoming, duck) 😉

Very little difference between dress code on Cunard and P&O now.

[Cathygh]

10 hours ago, Snow Hill said:

I had a US Citizen ask me on a forum I administer where in England is Wales, having Welsh Ancestry I was tempted to say what part of Canada is the US in, but I didn’t, I sent him an image of U.K. with Wales clearly marked as a separate country.

Oh yes and Scotland and Northern Ireland are different countries too. Along with England and and Wales they make up the United Kingdom or would it be correct to say Great Britain or the British Isles? 😕

I was once asked by an American how come they speak English in England....

Edited January 20, 2022 by Cathygh