First P&O Sailing - Is it usually like this?

[Selbourne]

41 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Time to face up to cruising being more expensive and a different experience to  in the past. Time has moved on and the new generation of cruisers seem to be happy with a product some of us think is now inferior.  We cannot turn back the clock no matter how much we may want to.  It's simply an inter generational thing.  

 

Television and mobile telephones are an example in a way. Those of us raised with only terrestrial television services tend to watch more traditional programmes on a TV screen even when we have access to hundreds of Internet based streaming services whereas younger people think nothing of carrying around phones and ipads laden with downloaded entertainment. We continually debate how we don't want to be forced to carry a telephone everywhere and consider it almost an affront to us that the cruise lines want us to do that.  Younger people are the opposite and think that if they can't access everything they need at the touch of a button on their screen the product isn't worth having.

 

There has to be room for both sets in the market but we have to faceup to the fact that the new cruisers are different and clearly set dining times, dressing formally etc will just not sell to the new mainstream and the traditionalists are now considered the minority.  Unfortunately for us traditionalists now need to look to move away to the specialist market for the experience they seek and this comes with the bigger price ticket of a Saga or whoever. We may have had our time in the sun and need to move over to make room for the next generation of cruisers who expect and want different things.

 

The Curt Cobain generation "Here we are now, entertain us" has duly arrived on cruise ships around the world as they are growing older and moving on to other things. This generation and it's children and grandchildren have been raised not to "make do" but to expect everything they do to be an "experience".  The cruise lines know this hence the bigger ships with more thrills and little formality onboard.

 

For my part I love it but many don't and may feel they are being squeezed out.

Wise words. However, the more traditional experience that many of us enjoyed ‘in the old days’ is not just the sole preserve of the premium lines such as Saga. I received a brochure from Ambassador Cruises yesterday (yes, they actually produce brochures - boy, do I miss the days when P&O published those, I give up with their dire website and never ‘browse’ it) and had a cover to cover read last night. 1,400 passengers, aimed at the over 50’s market (their words), fixed dining (that’s a shame - we like Freedom), two select dining restaurants (one Asian Fusion, one grill) and, above all, the most fantastic and interesting itineraries that completely blow P&O out of the water if, like us, you’ve done all the regular P&O ports to death. Unfortunately they currently only sail from Tilbury (not good for us) but will eventually go from Bristol (very convenient). Prices are much more in the P&O market than Saga. Worth a look me thinks. 

[Megabear2]

11 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

a brochure from Ambassador Cruises yesterday (yes, they actually produce brochures - boy, do I miss the days when P&O published those

In fairness P&O do produce a very nice paper brochure delivered by post if you ask for it or adjust your account settings to receive postal communications.  My Auntie greeted me Wednesday excitedly waving the latest edition which had arrived the day before.

 

I would confirm it's very thick and on high quality paper as well!

 

The problem is it isn't sent automatically if you don't have only post as your communication method and most of us do have some form of internet or email communication with P&O.

[purplesea]

19 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Wise words. However, the more traditional experience that many of us enjoyed ‘in the old days’ is not just the sole preserve of the premium lines such as Saga. I received a brochure from Ambassador Cruises yesterday (yes, they actually produce brochures - boy, do I miss the days when P&O published those, I give up with their dire website and never ‘browse’ it) and had a cover to cover read last night. 1,400 passengers, aimed at the over 50’s market (their words), fixed dining (that’s a shame - we like Freedom), two select dining restaurants (one Asian Fusion, one grill) and, above all, the most fantastic and interesting itineraries that completely blow P&O out of the water if, like us, you’ve done all the regular P&O ports to death. Unfortunately they currently only sail from Tilbury (not good for us) but will eventually go from Bristol (very convenient). Prices are much more in the P&O market than Saga. Worth a look me thinks. 

We too have been looking at Ambassador, but Tilbury is not good for us either. Bristol is better for us or even Falmouth, as some of their cruise are supposed to be departing from there.

[Fionboard]

9 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

In fairness P&O do produce a very nice paper brochure delivered by post if you ask for it or adjust your account settings to receive postal communications.  My Auntie greeted me Wednesday excitedly waving the latest edition which had arrived the day before.

 

I would confirm it's very thick and on high quality paper as well!

 

The problem is it isn't sent automatically if you don't have only post as your communication method and most of us do have some form of internet or email communication with P&O.

Latest brochure was in cabins on Ventura last month. Boarding her again today, covid allowing of course!

[paulatsea]

1 minute ago, Fionboard said:

Latest brochure was in cabins on Ventura last month. Boarding her again today, covid allowing of course!

Have a great holiday shipmate !

[yorkshirephil]

6 minutes ago, purplesea said:

We too have been looking at Ambassador, but Tilbury is not good for us either. Bristol is better for us or even Falmouth, as some of their cruise are supposed to be departing from there.

I think once Ambassador get their second ship they will revert to the many ports that CMV cruised from. Liverpool and Newcastle are much easier for us. 

[Selbourne]

19 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

In fairness P&O do produce a very nice paper brochure delivered by post if you ask for it or adjust your account settings to receive postal communications.  My Auntie greeted me Wednesday excitedly waving the latest edition which had arrived the day before.

 

I would confirm it's very thick and on high quality paper as well!

 

The problem is it isn't sent automatically if you don't have only post as your communication method and most of us do have some form of internet or email communication with P&O.

That’s interesting. The only ‘brochures’ that I get from P&O are more like summary pamphlets that merely list the cruises. No deck plans or anything. I wonder if you can get a proper brochure if you still have email communications as well? I’m not sure that I can be bothered to tackle the P&O website to see if that’s possible, especially as we aren’t inclined to make any more bookings beyond the few that we have!

[Fionboard]

P&O website easy to use and you can order a brochure, no problem.

[Selbourne]

13 minutes ago, Fionboard said:

P&O website easy to use and you can order a brochure, no problem.

Thanks for nudging me for being idle 😂 I googled P&O Cruises brochure so found the order form straight away rather than having to navigate the website 👍

[zap99]

19 hours ago, Rosroz said:

I think P and O are rubbish , and they are expensive for what you get, when people talk about the wonderful service and fabulous food, I think to myself are they really talking about P and O ! 
If you want a great cruise then sail with the lines that cater mainly for Americans then you will see what good food and service truly are., and for what you pay it’s a far far superior experience.

Yes I know there will be many, many people who will disagree but this is my opinion, I’ve got over 40 cruises under my belt and this is my experience 

I agree with you.......... It's your opinion🤔

[zap99]

2 hours ago, purplesea said:

We too have been looking at Ambassador, but Tilbury is not good for us either. Bristol is better for us or even Falmouth, as some of their cruise are supposed to be departing from there.

Many folk are praising the Ambassador offering. It will be interesting to look at some reviews........ once they complete a cruise, or two.

[zap99]

2 hours ago, Fionboard said:

P&O website easy to use and you can order a brochure, no problem.

I love holiday brochures. Our only high st travel agent is also a leading holiday operator, so tend to only stock their own offerings. I find that once I see a holiday company that interests me, most will send you a nice glossy brochure at the click of a button. I get the P&O brochures automatically.

[indiana123]

12 hours ago, zap99 said:

Many folk are praising the Ambassador offering. It will be interesting to look at some reviews........ once they complete a cruise, or two.

 

 

We are on it next Sunday, hopefully, and will report back.

 

It's first cruise ends in the morning then it's going northwards for a week, and we get on on it's return.  I am looking forward to seeing reviews of it's maiden.

[paulatsea]

8 hours ago, indiana123 said:

 

 

We are on it next Sunday, hopefully, and will report back.

 

It's first cruise ends in the morning then it's going northwards for a week, and we get on on it's return.  I am looking forward to seeing reviews of it's maiden.

Some updates on this thread ( if you haven’t already seen) - Ambassador Cruise Lines "Ambience" (Ex-CMV)

 

look forward to hearing about it  - hope it goes well for you.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2780468-ambassador-cruise-lines-ambience-ex-cmv/page/3/#comment-63073448

 

Edited April 24, 2022 by paulatsea

[Rupert2251]

22 hours ago, Selbourne said:

Thanks for nudging me for being idle 😂 I googled P&O Cruises brochure so found the order form straight away rather than having to navigate the website 👍

The only brochure I can see available to order is for cruises upto March 2024 not summer onwards. We usually have them sent automatically but like you have only received the pamphlet from our TA.

[gsmt47471015]

23 hours ago, purplesea said:

We too have been looking at Ambassador, but Tilbury is not good for us either. Bristol is better for us or even Falmouth, as some of their cruise are supposed to be departing from there.

One day a miracle will happen and people in the north ,IE north of Watford, will be able to board a cruise ship without having either an overnight stay pre cruise or an almighty long drive on the day, and of course the same on the way home. Tilbury does not tick this box

[Harry Peterson]

5 minutes ago, gsmt47471015 said:

One day a miracle will happen and people in the north ,IE north of Watford, will be able to board a cruise ship without having either an overnight stay pre cruise or an almighty long drive on the day, and of course the same on the way home. Tilbury does not tick this box

Couldn’t agree more. Hull’s still proposing to build a cruise terminal, and I hope it goes ahead.

[purplesea]

3 minutes ago, gsmt47471015 said:

One day a miracle will happen and people in the north ,IE north of Watford, will be able to board a cruise ship without having either an overnight stay pre cruise or an almighty long drive on the day, and of course the same on the way home. Tilbury does not tick this box

It's not just folk in the north, we are out on a limb down here, with only one main road and rail line into and out of the county and our nearest motorway 2 hours away. 

[jeanlyon]

42 minutes ago, purplesea said:

It's not just folk in the north, we are out on a limb down here, with only one main road and rail line into and out of the county and our nearest motorway 2 hours away. 

Agree.  We are in the South West too, so it's about a 3 hour drive and we take the southerly route avoiding motorways.

 

Tilbury would be doable for us with an overnight beforehand.  The only thing I don't like is, as someone else said, they are not covered by ABTA, holding a client account for the money instead.  I think P&O have had it as far as we are concerned.

[Megabear2]

1 hour ago, Rupert2251 said:

The only brochure I can see available to order is for cruises upto March 2024 not summer onwards. We usually have them sent automatically but like you have only received the pamphlet from our TA.

It covers the entire period from April 2022 to March 2024.  My Auntie booked two  cruises for July and October from hers last week.

[gsmt47471015]

36 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

Agree.  We are in the South West too, so it's about a 3 hour drive and we take the southerly route avoiding motorways.

 

Tilbury would be doable for us with an overnight beforehand.  The only thing I don't like is, as someone else said, they are not covered by ABTA, holding a client account for the money instead.  I think P&O have had it as far as we are concerned.

Six hours plus for us without any stops, nearest motorway 1.5 hours away  same carry on with flying , when TC were still operating flights the aircraft and crew were all based at Manchester yet there was still a £50pp supplement added and these still exist with the current crop of carriers, levelling up , I don't think so😡😡😡

[Rupert2251]

43 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

It covers the entire period from April 2022 to March 2024.  My Auntie booked two  cruises for July and October from hers last week.

But where is the brochure for Summer 2024 cruises which are now on sale? 

[delgirl]

On 4/23/2022 at 9:08 AM, Selbourne said:

That’s interesting. The only ‘brochures’ that I get from P&O are more like summary pamphlets that merely list the cruises. No deck plans or anything. I wonder if you can get a proper brochure if you still have email communications as well? I’m not sure that I can be bothered to tackle the P&O website to see if that’s possible, especially as we aren’t inclined to make any more bookings beyond the few that we have!

I had a pando brochure last month with deck plans and everything and I didn't even order one 🙃 

[zap99]

58 minutes ago, gsmt47471015 said:

Six hours plus for us without any stops, nearest motorway 1.5 hours away  same carry on with flying , when TC were still operating flights the aircraft and crew were all based at Manchester yet there was still a £50pp supplement added and these still exist with the current crop of carriers, levelling up , I don't think so😡😡😡

Sorry, I'm a bit confused. You live a long way from Southampton, an airport, or a motorway. Who's choice was that.🤔

[Guest ccpm]

1 hour ago, zap99 said:

Sorry, I'm a bit confused. You live a long way from Southampton, an airport, or a motorway. Who's choice was that.🤔

To tell you the truth Zap99 I find myself in that position its a 5 hr journey from Holt to Southampton. I moved here as i love the area but there are so many things I never considered - one of which is the distance before I hit a decent road and the impact on travel to the port or indeed an airport. Another was the tourists here and associated problems for residents. I should have thought more but I got caught up in the need a fresh start, where to go that I like that I just failed to give it all enough thought. My focus was yes I like it there - what to buy, price etc etc. Its liveable with now but next time I will be more aware but I had moved once in 46 years and that was here.