It's not always the ship.

[Cruisemeister2002]

Thinking about our cruises we have had going back as far as 2002 when we first cruised on Victoria (Formerly Sea Princess, formerly Kungsholm) I honestly believe that in most cases it's not the ship that makes your holiday it's the people you meet and in some cases remain in touch with. The people on cruise ships are like liquorice Allsorts, some you get on with, some you don't. I have been lucky enough to say that out of sixteen cruises there has only ever been one person I didn't particularly like. Obviously as they say it takes all sorts to make a World and boy have we been privileged to bump into them. Some with a great sense of humour, such as one who left our table and proceeded to go around to various tables and asked their opinion of the food. To one who wore a large bib at dinner and apparently was prone to telling the Captain how to dock the ship. Ladies who every night tried to outdo each other with where they were going to dine on the ship and many a argument in the laundry. On the plus side going with a couple into New York and taking a picture of them holding these huge pretzels aloft, a lovely couple. But sadly the chap died a few years ago, but we still send a Christmas card to his wife. I expect some may say differently, but I see myself as generally getting on with most people. Some I laugh at (although not in a malicious way) and some I laugh with. I can honestly say that in the main I love cruising and everything that goes with it and long may it continue. Even if I do feel as a senior citizen I am to a certain extent being squeezed out of the P&O market. We shall see ? 

[Britboys]

1 hour ago, Cruisemeister2002 said:

Thinking about our cruises we have had going back as far as 2002 when we first cruised on Victoria (Formerly Sea Princess, formerly Kungsholm) I honestly believe that in most cases it's not the ship that makes your holiday it's the people you meet and in some cases remain in touch with. The people on cruise ships are like liquorice Allsorts, some you get on with, some you don't. I have been lucky enough to say that out of sixteen cruises there has only ever been one person I didn't particularly like. Obviously as they say it takes all sorts to make a World and boy have we been privileged to bump into them. Some with a great sense of humour, such as one who left our table and proceeded to go around to various tables and asked their opinion of the food. To one who wore a large bib at dinner and apparently was prone to telling the Captain how to dock the ship. Ladies who every night tried to outdo each other with where they were going to dine on the ship and many a argument in the laundry. On the plus side going with a couple into New York and taking a picture of them holding these huge pretzels aloft, a lovely couple. But sadly the chap died a few years ago, but we still send a Christmas card to his wife. I expect some may say differently, but I see myself as generally getting on with most people. Some I laugh at (although not in a malicious way) and some I laugh with. I can honestly say that in the main I love cruising and everything that goes with it and long may it continue. Even if I do feel as a senior citizen I am to a certain extent being squeezed out of the P&O market. We shall see ? 

Absolutely you can meet good and bad on ships of all sizes. For some it is the itinerary that matters and for others the ship is the most important factor. For me it is the latter and I know that once the two small ships have left the fleet, P&O holds little to no interest for me. We are all different and like different things for different reasons.

[DamianG]

Before we became parents we always shared tables and we have as many fond memories of our newly met travelling companions as we do of the cruises themselves. The number of lovely travelling companions we met far outweighs those that (shall we say) were difficult to get on with.
As a quick example, on one Oriana cruise when we went to dinner on the first evening we were greeted by a lady who had taken it upon herself to organise the whole table so that we were seated lady-gentleman-lady etc. Then on the second evening she insisted that we all rotate. This may make her sound like an overbearing individual but it wasn’t the case at all, and we had a series of fabulous evenings where no-one ever excused themselves or left early (often we were amongst the last to leave the MDR). To top it all she arranged for us all to visit the Gary Rhodes restaurant to celebrate her birthday and insisted on paying for everything, including all the drinks. Such a generous and fun lady, ably supported by her partner who was an equally lovely person with a wonderful sense of humour. 
We still enjoy our cruises but these days we’re on the huge ships during school holidays and socialising with and getting to know other passengers is the one thing that we miss the most.
 

[Ranchi]

Couldn’t agree more with the sentiments of the original poster. When you are travelling ‘by rail’ it doesn’t matter what’s behind you and (with the exception of poly tunnels & wind turbines on nearby Spanish hillsides) the views are the pretty much as they have been for centuries and your imagination can scroll back though history. 
We have met so many fascinating people. One who stands out was on a cruise where a Dubrovnik stop was rescheduled to Valletta. As we approached Grand Harbour I was standing next to an elderly gentleman who told me he had delivered fighter planes off a carrier into Malta during the war. He admitted to being terrified as most of the pilots  had not taken off from that type of carrier before. 
We usually opt for a table of six or eight ( though have been more cautious in our recent bookings.) We have almost always been lucky with the table mixes although rectangular tables for eight are not conducive to conversation. One year we had a late booking and were allocated an oval table for 10…a little daunting but it was one of the best groupings we have ever had. We moved seats each evening and although the to extreme ends of the oval struggled to communicate with each other everyone else managed fine. 
The small routines also make such a difference. Although now retired, it was always quite stressful getting to the ship and I always knew I was on holiday on the first morning out when the sun went from astern to port beam; we had rounded Ushant and were on our way! (I used to get up earlier in those days & ships probably went a little faster as well.)

Edited May 6, 2022 by Ranchi

[AndyMichelle]

We are very fortunate to have had exceptional table companions from all walks of life who, mostly, we still stay in contact with today. 

We did share a table for afternoon tea with an obnoxious man who was constantly rude to the waiters, swearing at them and thought it was funny to call them all Gungadin!!! 

When we finished eating, I gave him a piece of my mind and then he seemed to avoid us for the rest of the cruise. 

Other than that, we have encountered some amazingly interesting characters. 

Andy 

[yorkshirephil]

Agree with what has been said, for us the ship is quite a way down the pecking order when we book.

[jeanlyon]

I' m with Andrew.  It's the ship and the itinerary for us.  We have met some lovely people, but also some awful ones.  But that's not a problem.  I like a ship to look like a ship and not a huge apartment building.  That's my choice.  Also I have found that the smaller ships do better itineraries.

[Cruisemeister2002]

On 5/6/2022 at 5:20 PM, AndyMichelle said:

We are very fortunate to have had exceptional table companions from all walks of life who, mostly, we still stay in contact with today. 

We did share a table for afternoon tea with an obnoxious man who was constantly rude to the waiters, swearing at them and thought it was funny to call them all Gungadin!!! 

When we finished eating, I gave him a piece of my mind and then he seemed to avoid us for the rest of the cruise. 

Other than that, we have encountered some amazingly interesting characters. 

Andy 

Good for you. No one, but no one should treat staff like lackies. They deserve to be treated the same way as you would wish to be treated. I have only had one instance where our cabin steward was less than perfect. We had ordered a breakfast in our cabin as it was my wife's birthday. Whilst it wasn't the Stewards fault, he feel ill but didn't pass on our request for the breakfast which was done via the card system where you tick what you want. On the day the breakfast was supposed to be delivered it failed to turn up and by about 9.30 a.m. I phone to enquire where it was and was told they were unaware of the request and that they could deliver said breakfast at 11 a.m. I turned this down and put in a complaint to the reception desk. We had the breakfast on another day, but as I said to reception the moment had gone. The Steward dually returned to his duty a day or two later. At the end of the cruise we had packed and the cases taken. The Steward turned up and asked for the slippers and bathrobes to be returned. I told him they were packed and had gone. I have never know these to have to be returned before or after.  

I don't make unnecessary complaints as another incident shows. I asked for a couple of drinks in one of the bars. The waiter brought over the drinks and we found that my wife's glass was chipped. We called the waiter over and he replaced the drink and seemed very grateful we hadn't made a big fuss over it.

[Cruisemeister2002]

On 5/6/2022 at 6:49 PM, jeanlyon said:

I' m with Andrew.  It's the ship and the itinerary for us.  We have met some lovely people, but also some awful ones.  But that's not a problem.  I like a ship to look like a ship and not a huge apartment building.  That's my choice.  Also I have found that the smaller ships do better itineraries.

I'm not saying the itinerary doesn't matter as I recently cancelled a cruise due to itinerary changes. Also I am like yourself in that I do prefer the smaller ships. No bigger than 2000 ish passengers. having said all that we are on Ventura early next year, this is the same cruise we were supposed to be on in February this year and should the itinerary be changed again I will rebook to another cruise. We are also giving Iona a go in September. We shall no doubt find out whether we can be happy on a ship that size or not. I do believe that who you are tabled with does to a certain extent make or break your time onboard. But there's always the option to request a change of table. 

[Britboys]

1 hour ago, Cruisemeister2002 said:

I'm not saying the itinerary doesn't matter as I recently cancelled a cruise due to itinerary changes. Also I am like yourself in that I do prefer the smaller ships. No bigger than 2000 ish passengers. having said all that we are on Ventura early next year, this is the same cruise we were supposed to be on in February this year and should the itinerary be changed again I will rebook to another cruise. We are also giving Iona a go in September. We shall no doubt find out whether we can be happy on a ship that size or not. I do believe that who you are tabled with does to a certain extent make or break your time onboard. But there's always the option to request a change of table. 

Well at least you won't have to worry too much about tablemates on Iona as you'll have different ones every evening...

[yorkshirephil]

1 hour ago, Britboys said:

Well at least you won't have to worry too much about tablemates on Iona as you'll have different ones every evening...

Unless you get on really well with some of your table companions and agree to meet up and share a table on other evenings, as we have done in the past. Sometimes you just click with people and sometimes not, all part of the joy of cruising, under normal circumstances of course.

[jeanlyon]

Yes we changed to Freedom Dining and never looked back. 

[Cruisemeister2002]

2 hours ago, Britboys said:

Well at least you won't have to worry too much about tablemates on Iona as you'll have different ones every evening...

Yeah, must admit I forgot that Iona is Freedom Dining. Can't say I am that keen, prefer Club Dining. But as has been said can always asked if people want to continue meeting up at the same time, same table. The only downside is that it would be difficult to then tell them you don't wish to meet up again having been on the same table for a few nights. Why I say this is because with Club you meet your table the first night and after a few nights get to know them as well as you can given the time. Then you could if you wished change tables. Not that there are many we don't get on with. But there's always a chance. Generally we have always gone for second sitting 8.30 p.m. as it sits right with us. If it's a shore day, go on an excursion or do our own thing, back to the ship and to a bar for a drink. Back to the cabin, maybe 40 winks, have a shower and a drink in the cabin. Get dressed for the evening and go to a bar for a before diner drink and then to the MDR. Leave MDR at 10.15 and to a show or a cabaret.

[wowzz]

10 hours ago, Cruisemeister2002 said:

The Steward turned up and asked for the slippers and bathrobes to be returned. I told him they were packed and had gone. I have never know these to have to be returned before or after.  

So, you stole the bath robes ?

[Josy1953]

I can't imagine why anyone would want to take old bathrobes, we have usually had freshly laundered but not new bathrobes in our cabins.  I prefer to take our own light cotton ones with us.

[lincslady]

I was surprised when I read about taking the bathrobes - on other lines you get a card saying if you want to purchase one let them know.  The slippers on P and O are presumably  the disposable ones you can take if you want to - and in fact some of them will wash and wear quite a few times at home.

 

And yes, the robes you get will be clean but unlikely to be new!

[Fionboard]

P&O bathrobes are too thick and warm. I use mine at home in winter only. I have lovely cotton Celebrity one I use in Summer and for cruising.

[Windsurfboy]

12 hours ago, wowzz said:

So, you stole the bath robes ?

 

We can rely on Wowzz , to be too the point as normal, no beating around the bush, say it as it is. That's why he's such good fun.

[wowzz]

57 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

We can rely on Wowzz , to be too the point as normal, no beating around the bush, say it as it is. That's why he's such good fun.

Thank you. I think that is a compliment  !

[lincslady]

And it was nothing but the truth.

[Cruisemeister2002]

16 hours ago, wowzz said:

So, you stole the bath robes ?

Yeah.  Unfortunately couldn't get the pictures in the suitcase and hadn't got a screwdriver so the tele had to remain on the wall also. The bathrobes were actually part of a package which we bought prior to boarding, so they were not previously used one's. Just for info.

[wowzz]

19 minutes ago, Cruisemeister2002 said:

Yeah.  Unfortunately couldn't get the pictures in the suitcase and hadn't got a screwdriver so the tele had to remain on the wall also. The bathrobes were actually part of a package which we bought prior to boarding, so they were not previously used one's. Just for info.

Thanks for the clarification.

[Cruisemeister2002]

6 hours ago, Josy1953 said:

I can't imagine why anyone would want to take old bathrobes, we have usually had freshly laundered but not new bathrobes in our cabins.  I prefer to take our own light cotton ones with us.

Just to clarify. They weren't old bathrobes and the cabin Steward was a bit miffed as I had complained about not receiving the breakfast in our cabin which I had ordered. He went ill for a few days and forgot to pass on the card which I had given him indicating what we required for the breakfast. We don't normally take breakfast in our cabin, but I regularly pay for what they call the Ultimate Package which I think is a good deal as you get two speciality restaurant nights, a facial or massage for me and the wife, formal framed photo's, flowers in the cabin, champagne, champagne flutes, chocolates and a breakfast in your cabin, bathrobes and slippers. The breakfast was on the day of my wife's birthday as well, so a bit annoyed as we had to have it another day.

[Fionboard]

Breakfast orders are placed outside your cabin door before retiring.  I do not think they are anything to do with steward, rather room service.  Do not blame him.

[terrierjohn]

Just now, Fionboard said:

Breakfast orders are placed outside your cabin door before retiring.  I do not think they are anything to do with steward, rather room service.  Do not blame him.

I thought wowzz said the breakfast was the special luxury breakfast that costs an arm and a leg, not the common one that you book on the hanging card?