Help needed - new to P & O

[JAN2321]

We have cruised with either Princess or Celebrity in the past but are looking at a cruise on Arvia (new out at the end of 2022) sister ship to Iona.  I have quite a few questions so will list them in the hope that some of you kind cruisers will be able to help me with some of them.

 

1. We will be in a full suite - what extras do suite passengers get?

2. Which aft corner suite is best (are there different sizes of balcony depending on deck) as there is on both Princess and Celebrity

3. Do suite passengers have a different dining room or area or get priority dining options

4. How does P& O compare to Princess or Celebrity on food 

5. Is it straightforward to book online and choose your own suite number

6. What is the dress code - and does everyone adhere to this - formal nights etc

 

Many thanks for any help

 

 

[majortom10]

You do not get a different dining room for lunch and dinner you eat and have the same food as everyone else. The only advantage of a suite is you have breakfast in Epicurean restaurant.

Personally think you will find food is better on Princess/Celebrity but that is personal taste.

Would never book online direct with P&O always use a specialist cruise TA you always get a cheaper price.

Edited November 24, 2022 by majortom10

[kalos]

If you like to book direct ,then be sure to get quotes from a cruise specialist who 

is offering a cheaper price .We have done this and got the same price booking direct

using price promise .  https://www.pocruises.com/why-choose-us/price-promise

[majortom10]

With P&O very poor reputation of not answering phone calls or if they do being on hold for considerable amounts of time would never consider booking direct.

[elmsliebev]

we booked direct via the phone about a month ago and they priced matched the offer I'd seen on a TA website. The person I spoke was very helpful and advised on cabin location too. 

[jeanlyon]

1 hour ago, elmsliebev said:

we booked direct via the phone about a month ago and they priced matched the offer I'd seen on a TA website. The person I spoke was very helpful and advised on cabin location too. 

Yes because the TA discount is usually given AFTER you have booked.  They quote the same price as P&O, and the discount comes off later.  That's what ours does.

[devonuk]

16 hours ago, jeanlyon said:

Yes because the TA discount is usually given AFTER you have booked.  They quote the same price as P&O, and the discount comes off later.  That's what ours does.

I now only book direct as 2 bad experiences of getting my money back from TA’s left a bitter taste 😬

Getting refunds direct from the Cruise line itself (Princess and P&O ) was a much speedier and simpler process. I now, when appropriate, book direct and request a price promise refund to match TA’s quotes on a like for like basis. 

 

[terrierjohn]

30 minutes ago, devonuk said:

I now only book direct as 2 bad experiences of getting my money back from TA’s left a bitter taste 😬

Getting refunds direct from the Cruise line itself (Princess and P&O ) was a much speedier and simpler process. I now, when appropriate, book direct and request a price promise refund to match TA’s quotes on a like for like basis. 

 

 But as Jean says, most TAs give you their discount after their original, normally P&Os base price, quote.

[Host Sharon]

Jan 2321 asked We have cruised with either Princess or Celebrity in the past but are looking at a cruise on Arvia (new out at the end of 2022) sister ship to Iona.  I have quite a few questions so will list them in the hope that some of you kind cruisers will be able to help me with some of them.

 

1. We will be in a full suite - what extras do suite passengers get?

2. Which aft corner suite is best (are there different sizes of balcony depending on deck) as there is on both Princess and Celebrity

3. Do suite passengers have a different dining room or area or get priority dining options

4. How does P& O compare to Princess or Celebrity on food 

It is different - more British in style, ie.more vegetables, less meat

5. Is it straightforward to book online and choose your own suite number

Yes but shop around for best price and/or extras

6. What is the dress code - and does everyone adhere to this - formal nights etc

Yes there is a dress code with, on average, one formal night per week,although the buffet is casual at all times. Arvia has one formal/celebration night per cruise. How well it os adhered to varies. You can get more information at https://www.pocruises.com/what-to-wear

 

Many thanks for any help

 

 

[devonuk]

2 hours ago, Host Sharon said:

Yes there is a dress code with, on average, one formal night per week,although the buffet is casual at all times. Arvia has one formal/celebration night per cruise. How well it os adhered to varies. You can get more information

There lies my conundrum…

Doing a TA Arvia cruise to the Caribbean for a 2 week cruise on Jan 6th. Now do I take my tux, shirt, cummerbund, bow tie, medals and shoes for 1 night. Or not bother at all due to the weight restrictions on the flight back? Perhaps I would for 2 nights (or more on some ships) but I won’t bother for 1 night 🙁

For me a further erosion on what cruising is about. 

Edited November 26, 2022 by devonuk
Error

[terrierjohn]

22 minutes ago, devonuk said:

There lies my conundrum…

Doing a TA Arvia cruise to the Caribbean for a 2 week cruise on Jan 6th. Now do I take my tux, shirt, cummerbund, bow tie, medals and shoes for 1 night. Or not bother at all due to the weight restrictions on the flight back? Perhaps I would for 2 nights (or more on some ships) but I won’t bother for 1 night 🙁

For me a further erosion on what cruising is about. 

One formal night per cruise is news to me, I assumed Arvia would have one per week just like Iona.

[majortom10]

1 hour ago, terrierjohn said:

One formal night per cruise is news to me, I assumed Arvia would have one per week just like Iona.

It does state on P&Os website under Dress Code that on both Iona and Arvia 7-13 nts there is one black tie evening and 14 nts two black tie evenings.

[devonuk]

1 hour ago, terrierjohn said:

One formal night per cruise is news to me, I assumed Arvia would have one per week just like Iona.

It was disappointing news to me too 🤷‍♂️ 🙏

[majortom10]

2 hours ago, devonuk said:

It was disappointing news to me too 🤷‍♂️ 🙏

It all depends on length of cruise unless P&O have changed their mind and not updated website which states what my post said earlier.

[Bazrat]

5 hours ago, devonuk said:

There lies my conundrum…

Doing a TA Arvia cruise to the Caribbean for a 2 week cruise on Jan 6th. Now do I take my tux, shirt, cummerbund, bow tie, medals and shoes for 1 night. Or not bother at all due to the weight restrictions on the flight back? Perhaps I would for 2 nights (or more on some ships) but I won’t bother for 1 night 🙁

For me a further erosion on what cruising is about. 

We did the four formal nights on this year's TA on Britannia and enjoyed them will not bother on next year's TA on Arvia, for us it is not an erosion but moving with the times and trying to keep up with the younger generation.

[Happy afloat]

50 minutes ago, Bazrat said:

We did the four formal nights on this year's TA on Britannia and enjoyed them will not bother on next year's TA on Arvia, for us it is not an erosion but moving with the times and trying to keep up with the younger generation.

Just back from two weeks on the Iona. Both the formal nights were very well attended and the dress code followed by the vast majority on board, including the younger generations. Children included. Ships officers notable for their absence.

[Bazrat]

22 hours ago, Happy afloat said:

Just back from two weeks on the Iona. Both the formal nights were very well attended and the dress code followed by the vast majority on board, including the younger generations. Children included. Ships officers notable for their absence.

Was it a fly cruise 

 

[Happy afloat]

3 minutes ago, Bazrat said:

Was it a fly cruise 

 

No, Southampton round trip.

[Bazrat]

36 minutes ago, Happy afloat said:

No, Southampton round trip.

That makes a difference no weight limit for flights, my point would it be worth it to pack a DJ just for two nights.

[elmsliebev]

On 11/25/2022 at 4:18 PM, jeanlyon said:

Yes because the TA discount is usually given AFTER you have booked.  They quote the same price as P&O, and the discount comes off later.  That's what ours does.

the TA  was less than P&O and that was the price I asked for, which was given. Maybe I'd have got even more off, who knows! It was a good price anyway.