Live On Board Arvia K316

[DamianG]

10 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Disappointing the infinity pool is still an issue.

Do you know which cabins/decks were affected?

Hi Graham, hard to be definite but I’d guess the 4 central aft cabins on decks 14, 12 & 11 suffered the waterfall the most.

[grapau27]

7 minutes ago, DamianG said:

Hi Graham, hard to be definite but I’d guess the 4 central aft cabins on decks 14, 12 & 11 suffered the waterfall the most.

Thank you Damian.

Sounds exactly like Iona last March.

It is disappointing this is still happening and P&O not finding a solution.

Graham.

Edited August 17, 2023 by grapau27

[Helenk1234]

2 hours ago, DamianG said:

My pasta main versus Kyle's. Which would you pick, style or substance? 

 

 

 

Love reading your posts (usually whilst sitting in the Sunset bar with a glass or 2 of Sauvignon). You are the Simon Calder of this cruise. Love you pictures of Cadiz. We liked that stop as well. I too am not really impressed with the main restaurant food. With only 1 starter, 1 main and 1 dessert as chefs recommation of the day which isn't usually enthralling we end up on the other dishes that are repeated so many times they are getting very repetitive. I can't believe I would ever hear my husband say "Not steak again" as many times as I have. And if my sister had been with us it would have worse. She has a dairy allergy and I think she would have ended up with the same vegan dish every single day.

[DamianG]

1 hour ago, Helenk1234 said:

Love reading your posts (usually whilst sitting in the Sunset bar with a glass or 2 of Sauvignon). You are the Simon Calder of this cruise. Love you pictures of Cadiz. We liked that stop as well. I too am not really impressed with the main restaurant food. With only 1 starter, 1 main and 1 dessert as chefs recommation of the day which isn't usually enthralling we end up on the other dishes that are repeated so many times they are getting very repetitive. I can't believe I would ever hear my husband say "Not steak again" as many times as I have. And if my sister had been with us it would have worse. She has a dairy allergy and I think she would have ended up with the same vegan dish every single day.

I am trying to get through the entire cruise without choosing the “always available” beef steak or chicken though I nearly folded today. 
 

Most of my frustration comes from knowing how it used to be before P&O’s cutbacks (which started before COVID 19 or Brexit) and though there is always the old argument about cruising being cheaper than ever in real terms (taking into account inflation) that is not the case for us sailing in the main UK summer holidays. 

[DamianG]

12 hours ago, GSPG said:

Seems they don’t want to ‘upset’ people by challenging them. The same with sun beds, all the talk about removing items if the bed hasn’t been used for an hour or so just isn’t followed up.

The management just don’t want altercations and causing scenes.

 

Like children, there are always people who push the boundaries, give them an inch and they’ll take a mile.

 

While many of our upbringings from proper parenting did see us ‘conditioned’ to respect, be decent and understand rules, I see it some adults were taught to abide by their ‘own rules’.

 

While it’s difficult for management to confront those who don’t respect rules on ships, I suspect those who do follow the rules set will respect the company more for ‘calling these people out’.

This will lead to more respect between others. Examples need to be set.

 

Why should they get away with it.

Interesting this, I too thought they don’t want to upset people and get into altercations but it has occurred to me that maybe it runs a bit deeper than that and it is more a case of “Can’t afford to”?
 

Maybe the message from the top is let passengers largely dress how they want, as they have to fill these floating monoliths (or at least fill as many berths as possible) every 2 weeks (or thereabouts)? 
 

I commented that it is usually gentlemen not dressed in accordance with the guideline in the Horizon, whether that is by wearing a t-shirt (or is that smart enough on some days, not sure), jeans (black jeans just look like chinos so is that okay or does anything qualify as smart?), football shirts (I’ve seen one in the MDR at dinner and a few around the ship in the evening), shorts (MDR, Crow’s Nest, everywhere in fact) & trainers (see previous comments about shorts). 
 

Ladies are invariably dressed smartly in general, with the only exception being the teenager we saw in the 6th Street Diner in the evening wearing a Lycra sports crop top & Lycra shorts. Call me a grumpy old fuddy duddy but just as I was thinking I wouldn’t let my daughter go to dinner dressed like that her dad walked through in his polo shirt, shorts and trainers. At least he was wearing a collared shirt! (And before anyone says anything the 6th Street Diner is a MDR on this ship).
 

As reported there are supposedly circa 3800 “new to P&O” clients on this cruise alone so the last thing the corporation wants to do is alienate a load of potential repeat customers by upsetting them with restrictions such as dress codes. 
 

P&O has in the past been good at being a cruise line that can accommodate different passenger requirements (e.g., those that like to dress up can, those that prefer not to have alternative venue options on board) but on this cruise those previously distinct lines have been just rolled into one. In all honestly I really don’t know why they even bother to post the evening dress code in the Horizon every day. 
 

 

Edited August 17, 2023 by DamianG

[CarlaMarie]

4 hours ago, DamianG said:

My pasta main versus Kyle's. Which would you pick, style or substance? 

 

 

 

 

Your main looks very small and again not presented as well as it could be. Kyle's looks far more appealing!

 

[DamianG]

On a lighter note here are a few photos of our lunch in Cadiz today. For the first dish Google Translate helpfully translated the Spanish word Salmorejo into the English equivalent “Salmorejo” (thanks a bunch Google). It turned out to be a very liquified cheese sauce on top of our cured ham tosta. The other dish is usually better known as Huevas Estrellados (or the more dull English “potato, eggs & chorizo”). As always the local vino went down extremely well. 
 

 

 

Edited August 17, 2023 by DamianG

[TigerB]

I've just caught up, after a couple of days away; as alway, informative, interesting, and light hearted.

Nearly two weeks already? Times flies, as they say.

We too liked Cadiz, and look forward to returning.

I hope you have a steady sailing back to Southampton. I'll be interested to hear about disembarkation, which was a nightmare when on Arvia in April, but a breeze when on Iona in in June, with bought having a similar amount of passengers onboard.

[P&O SUE]

I can’t believe your two weeks is nearly over already, thanks again for your fab write ups!

[GSPG]

41 minutes ago, P&O SUE said:

I can’t believe your two weeks is nearly over already, thanks again for your fab write ups!

Yes it seems bonkers how quickly time seems to go now. One week seemed to be nothing, now 2 weeks feels little different.

[CarlaMarie]

17 hours ago, DamianG said:

Interesting this, I too thought they don’t want to upset people and get into altercations but it has occurred to me that maybe it runs a bit deeper than that and it is more a case of “Can’t afford to”?
 

Maybe the message from the top is let passengers largely dress how they want, as they have to fill these floating monoliths (or at least fill as many berths as possible) every 2 weeks (or thereabouts)? 
 

I commented that it is usually gentlemen not dressed in accordance with the guideline in the Horizon, whether that is by wearing a t-shirt (or is that smart enough on some days, not sure), jeans (black jeans just look like chinos so is that okay or does anything qualify as smart?), football shirts (I’ve seen one in the MDR at dinner and a few around the ship in the evening), shorts (MDR, Crow’s Nest, everywhere in fact) & trainers (see previous comments about shorts). 
 

Ladies are invariably dressed smartly in general, with the only exception being the teenager we saw in the 6th Street Diner in the evening wearing a Lycra sports crop top & Lycra shorts. Call me a grumpy old fuddy duddy but just as I was thinking I wouldn’t let my daughter go to dinner dressed like that her dad walked through in his polo shirt, shorts and trainers. At least he was wearing a collared shirt! (And before anyone says anything the 6th Street Diner is a MDR on this ship).
 

As reported there are supposedly circa 3800 “new to P&O” clients on this cruise alone so the last thing the corporation wants to do is alienate a load of potential repeat customers by upsetting them with restrictions such as dress codes. 
 

P&O has in the past been good at being a cruise line that can accommodate different passenger requirements (e.g., those that like to dress up can, those that prefer not to have alternative venue options on board) but on this cruise those previously distinct lines have been just rolled into one. In all honestly I really don’t know why they even bother to post the evening dress code in the Horizon every day. 
 

 

 

You are probably right that they cannot afford to upset anyone, they need the new cruisers. However it could test the loyalty of the regular cruisers even further, and I guess they have lost alot already with the current high numbers of first timers on each cruise.

[DamianG]

17th August

 

No noise disturbance overnight and I would probably have slept in but for setting the alarm clock with the intention of maximising our day in Michelle’s favourite port Cadiz. We had another Quays breakfast where we bumped into mum and sister who let us know that they wouldn’t be joining us for our day out as they were planning to go shopping. After breakfast we were quickly ready then I delayed us from getting off the ship as I had to return to the cabin to get my hat (the one person in our party who really needed a hat more than most but the only one without anything in our bag). We therefore missed meeting Michelle’s parents at the gangway (it was always a loose arrangement anyway) and just expected to see them quayside. There was a minor panic by Michelle when she realised that there were in fact 2 gangways but we were quickly able to view both from a distance after exiting the terminal and could not see her parents anywhere. All we could do was make our way to the bus stop only to find that they were already ahead of us stood waiting to cross the road.

 

We were too slow to catch the bus already there but there was another parked up behind it so we weren’t hanging around too long. We were using Linea 1 to get to Residencia near Hospital Universitario and the fare was still just €1.10 per person (unchanged since our last visit 5 years ago). The bus didn’t have a display announcing the stops so we counted 7 then got off at the right place (I did ask the lady sat next to me if that stop was Residencia and she said “No” only to be corrected by 2 other passengers!). Once we alighted it was just a 5 minute stroll to Playa de la Victoria (the beach) which we think is a lot nicer than the one nearest the cruise terminal (La Caleta). It was only 10:40am and this time we had the pick of several sun beds with parasols. Kyle headed straight into the sea with Michelle and this time I quickly joined them. It was freezing cold and a bit rocky to start with but we soon found a spot with sand underfoot where the water was up to my chest (plenty deep enough for me). I was looking around and taking it all in so I didn’t notice the big wave coming our way and about to crash into us. I kept my balance but water went on my sunglasses, sun hat, in my ear, and a little in my mouth (just a bit thankfully). Yet again Kyle swallowed some sea water which made him wretch again and bail out not long after. We all returned to the sun beds then after sorting out my sunglasses and swapping hats we all went back in. Kyle said that he much preferred the other beach (Alicante) and the water was certainly warmer there being from the Mediterranean (compared to the Atlantic in Cadiz). Michelle and Kyle soon went back leaving the extremely rare occurrence that I spent the longest time in the water. Once I’d been in and out a few times it didn’t feel so cold and I enjoyed just looking up and down the beach and taking it all in. In that moment I decided that Cadiz was probably my favourite port too.

 

At 11:45am we decided to pack up as we wanted to get to our favourite restaurant La Marea before it got busy. As we were getting our things together the sunbed hire guy arrived and though we offered to pay he said it was okay as we were going. That was a bonus and saved us 2 x €19. As always it took a while to dust off all the sand and get changed, and Kyle probably left around half a bottle’s worth of talcum powder scattered around as he was trying to dry his legs. We got to La Marea (www.lamarea.es on the promenade just a few minutes from our sunbeds) just after 12pm and could see that it had been refurbished, looking a lot smarter than the last time we were there. No customers were seated yet so we didn’t anticipate any problems until the manager had a long conversation with someone asking before us who looked a bit annoyed. The manager must have thought we were part of the same group so whilst talking to the gentleman he was also looking at us as well but my Spanish wasn’t good enough to translate every word spoken at speed. We suspected that it was fully booked and when we called the manager back to ask he confirmed that every table was pre-booked for lunch. This was a big disappointment for Michelle and myself though I am pleased to see the place clearly thriving. Next time we’ll have to be more decisive (not just us but anyone travelling with us as well) and pre-book.

 

We looked at the restaurant next door but it looked a little pricey (La Marea isn’t cheap but we know what we are getting for our money there) and I was put off by the variety on the menu which included Sushi, other Japanese dishes, and Mexican food alongside the more usual Spanish fare. We therefore kept walking and eventually just decided to return to the port area. We missed one bus whilst trying to cross the busy road then another waiting for Michelle’s parents to catch up. We then had a bit of a wait and when the next bus finally arrived it was full but the driver allowed us to get on and stand. Typically as we pulled out another bus was right behind us. Fortunately it’s only a short ride (around 12 minutes) and we were soon back in port.

 

We didn’t want to get back on the ship yet so we quickly made a new plan to visit a particular shop (before it closed for siesta at 2pm) to try find Kyle’s collectables then have some drinks and tapas somewhere. Google maps did us proud directing us through the maze of narrow streets and alleys in under 10 minutes. I cannot imagine that we would have found the place so easily with a paper map. Kyle picked some unique items and though they were expensive we let him buy them (we had saved a fortune on lunch after all). I had €43.08 left on my Travelex card and the cost was €49.98 so I was particularly proud of myself for being able to ask the checkout guy if I could use up the balance on my card and pay the rest in cash (all in Spanish). Kyle was super happy and announced that this was his best port of the cruise so it was all worth it.

 

From there we consulted our new favourite app Google maps to look for somewhere to eat. We’d walked past loads of places but there looked to be a few places dotted around Plaza Candelabria just 2 minutes away so we headed that way. In my head I pictured a pretty square surrounded with outdoor tables and parasols. What we got was a building site with men actually working along with a busy mini tipper going back and forth. We decided to walk round the square anyway and found that only half the square was being revamped. On the other side we passed Bar Zapata just as a waitress was setting up tables outside. It wasn’t the prettiest looking bar but we decided to sit down anyway and were really glad that we did. We chose a Spanish cured ham tosta with “salmorejo” which Google couldn’t translate into English. It turned out to be a very liquified cheese sauce (reminiscent of those individually wrapped orange colour cheese slices from supermarkets, “plastic cheese” as we call it) and it was quite different from anything we’ve had before. We also chose potatoes and chorizo (spicy version) generally known Huevas Estrellados and they were really good. Quite salty and no fancy presentation but good enough for us to clear a large portion. With vino for us and a Coca Cola for Kyle our bill was just €24.80.

 

Despite us not being able to see the port because of all the surrounding buildings Google maps told us it was just a 2 minute walk away and so it was. We were soon through security and back on board around 3:30pm. Kyle telephoned his aunty to arrange some more hot tub time and after we’d escorted him to the promenade deck for the meet up we returned to the cabin so that I could finish my write-up of the previous day. Once that was done I went to get us some drinks and when I walked into the Keel and Cow the waiter taking orders remembered me which I appreciated.

 

All aboard time was 4:30pm but as often happens there were a few stragglers, with the last calls for them being 4:47pm. I went back to the Keel and Cow (taking my glasses back as usual) and this time the bar man looked at me, smiled, and said “2 more Gavi?”. He had them ready on the bar before the waiter had even caught up with me to process the order. It certainly beats “pint of lager?”. Kyle has got a bit fed up of having Pepsi or Lemonade on his drinks package so I asked how long it would be before I could order a soft drink under my name using the Classic Drinks Package. I was honest about getting it for my son to have and the bar manager just said that it would be okay and handed over a bottled diet coca cola to me. The waiter asked how he should process the order on his tablet and the reply was to use the code “manager approved”.  Fantastic service from 2 real gentlemen.

 

Mum was sat waiting for my sister so I invited her to our balcony for the last sail away. Michelle also knocked on her mum and dad’s cabin door and they joined us as well so it was good to have them all with us as we sailed out of Cadiz. It was absolutely scorching hot and there was a good crowd in the Sunset Bar with the music playing just below us as usual. We also spotted our new Rovrum friend making short work of a pint of John Smiths. There was a big sail away event in the Sky Dome at the same time but I wouldn’t have missed the aft view of leaving port for anything. Once we passed the last bit of harbour wall our pilot disembarked then got straight onto a container ship to guide that one in, something I’ve never seen before despite all the ports we’ve been in and out of over the years.

 

Later on we met in the Glass House for pre-dinner drinks. The Meridian booking showed in my diary section of the My Holiday webpage so we had no worries about our dining arrangement. Once seated in the Meridian we were surrounded by the usual passengers on the nearby tables, including baseball hat man (same baseball hat, different t-shirt, still not quite big enough). This time he was laughing and joking with the manager that he’d been giving stick to a few days earlier. Thank goodness.

 

Oswin was soon on hand and asked us about our day. We asked if he’d had any time off and he confirmed that he did but didn’t go ashore and just had a good nap instead. I don’t blame him. Michelle and I both had Plum Tomato and Mozzarella Salad to start, very nice and just enough. Her dad had Grilled Sardines with Buttered Toast and Tomato Sauce (aka sardines on toast with ketchup). I would have liked a photo but he quickly demolished it. We also had Tortilla Soup which was like a peppery version of the “always available” tomato soup and we both really enjoyed it. Michelle had Beer-Marinated Roast Chicken which she said had a well-balanced spicy sauce (Jalapeno and Tomato Salsa) which was like a chipotle but not overpowering like some can be.

 

Several of us, including myself, chose Pork Rack, which was in actual fact a gigantic pork chop the size of a small axe (albeit a blunt one that wouldn’t pass muster on TV’s “Forged in Fire”). Normandy Potatoes (seemed like Dauphinoise to me) which were good and roasted root vegetables again (which I didn’t eat, again). Are roasted root vegetables the new P&O staple? I’d rather go back to green beans myself. It was a huge main course which several on our table couldn’t finish and a massive contrast to my pasta dish yesterday which had way more sauce than actual pasta. As if we didn’t have enough on our plates Oswin got myself and Kyle bowls of chips which we (the table as a whole) couldn’t finish. Kyle got his favourite penne pomodoro without asking.

 

For dessert I chose White Wine Syllabub which was all cream and no texture. Given everything else we’d had that wasn’t a bad thing. My rubbish palate couldn’t taste the white wine but I really enjoyed it. Michelle had sticky toffee pudding which she enjoyed. Kyle diversified by having a scoop of mint choc chip ice cream (as well as his usual vanilla) to accompany his standard 2 chocolate brownies.

 

After dinner Michelle and I weren’t sure what was on in the Club Lounge. We were sure we’d seen it set up for a 70’s night when passing through earlier but the Horizon said the music would be Club Anthems (i.e., more recent pop music). According to the digital display it was the 70’s night which we would really have enjoyed but there seemed little enthusiasm for it amongst everyone else so we ended up in the nearest venue again (you guessed it, Andersons) where the cards came out as usual. This time we stayed a bit later and there were no signs of restless teenagers in the corridor. One of the comments on Cruise Critic mentioned repetitiveness and I’m certainly feeling that with our post dinner choices but trying to please everyone just doesn’t always work out.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 18, 2023 by DamianG

[grapau27]

11 minutes ago, DamianG said:

17th August

 

No noise disturbance overnight and I would probably have slept in but for setting the alarm clock with the intention of maximising our day in Michelle’s favourite port Cadiz. We had another Quays breakfast where we bumped into mum and sister who let us know that they wouldn’t be joining us for our day out as they were planning to go shopping. After breakfast we were quickly ready then I delayed us from getting off the ship as I had to return to the cabin to get my hat (the one person in our party who really needed a hat more than most but the only one without anything in our bag). We therefore missed meeting Michelle’s parents at the gangway (it was always a loose arrangement anyway) and just expected to see them quayside. There was a minor panic by Michelle when she realised that there were in fact 2 gangways but we were quickly able to view both from a distance after exiting the terminal and could not see her parents anywhere. All we could do was make our way to the bus stop only to find that they were already ahead of us stood waiting to cross the road.

 

We were too slow to catch the bus already there but there was another parked up behind it so we weren’t hanging around too long. We were using Linea 1 to get to Residencia near Hospital Universitario and the fare was still just €1.10 per person (unchanged since our last visit 5 years ago). The bus didn’t have a display announcing the stops so we counted 7 then got off at the right place (I did ask the lady sat next to me if that stop was Residencia and she said “No” only to be corrected by 2 other passengers!). Once we alighted it was just a 5 minute stroll to Playa de la Victoria (the beach) which we think is a lot nicer than the one nearest the cruise terminal (La Caleta). It was only 10:40am and this time we had the pick of several sun beds with parasols. Kyle headed straight into the sea with Michelle and this time I quickly joined them. It was freezing cold and a bit rocky to start with but we soon found a spot with sand underfoot where the water was up to my chest (plenty deep enough for me). I was looking around and taking it all in so I didn’t notice the big wave coming our way and about to crash into us. I kept my balance but water went on my sunglasses, sun hat, in my ear, and a little in my mouth (just a bit thankfully). Yet again Kyle swallowed some sea water which made him wretch again and bail out not long after. We all returned to the sun beds then after sorting out my sunglasses and swapping hats we all went back in. Kyle said that he much preferred the other beach (Alicante) and the water was certainly warmer there being from the Mediterranean (compared to the Atlantic in Cadiz). Michelle and Kyle soon went back leaving the extremely rare occurrence that I spent the longest time in the water. Once I’d been in and out a few times it didn’t feel so cold and I enjoyed just looking up and down the beach and taking it all in. In that moment I decided that Cadiz was probably my favourite port too.

 

At 11:45am we decided to pack up as we wanted to get to our favourite restaurant La Marea before it got busy. As we were getting our things together the sunbed hire guy arrived and though we offered to pay he said it was okay as we were going. That was a bonus and saved us 2 x €19. As always it took a while to dust off all the sand and get changed, and Kyle probably left around half a bottle’s worth of talcum powder scattered around as he was trying to dry his legs. We got to La Marea (lamarea.es on the promenade just a few minutes from our sunbeds) just after 12pm and could see that it had been refurbished, looking a lot smarter than the last time we were there. No customers were seated yet so we didn’t anticipate any problems until the manager had a long conversation with someone asking before us who looked a bit annoyed. The manager must have thought we were part of the same group so whilst talking to the gentleman he was also looking at us as well but my Spanish wasn’t good enough to translate every word spoken at speed. We suspected that it was fully booked and when we called the manager back to ask he confirmed that every table was pre-booked for lunch. This was a big disappointment for Michelle and myself though I am pleased to see the place clearly thriving. Next time we’ll have to be more decisive (not just us but anyone travelling with us as well) and pre-book.

 

We looked at the restaurant next door but it looked a little pricey (La Marea isn’t cheap but we know what we are getting for our money there) and I was put off by the variety on the menu which included Sushi, other Japanese dishes, and Mexican food alongside the more usual Spanish fare. We therefore kept walking and eventually just decided to return to the port area. We missed one bus whilst trying to cross the busy road then another waiting for Michelle’s parents to catch up. We then had a bit of a wait and when the next bus finally arrived it was full but the driver allowed us to get on and stand. Typically as we pulled out another bus was right behind us. Fortunately it’s only a short ride (around 12 minutes) and we were soon back in port.

 

We didn’t want to get back on the ship yet so we quickly made a new plan to visit a particular shop (before it closed for siesta at 2pm) to try find Kyle’s collectables then have some drinks and tapas somewhere. Google maps did us proud directing us through the maze of narrow streets and alleys in under 10 minutes. I cannot imagine that we would have found the place so easily with a paper map. Kyle picked some unique items and though they were expensive we let him buy them (we had saved a fortune on lunch after all). I had €43.08 left on my Travelex card and the cost was €49.98 so I was particularly proud of myself for being able to ask the checkout guy if I could use up the balance on my card and pay the rest in cash (all in Spanish). Kyle was super happy and announced that this was his best port of the cruise so it was all worth it.

 

From there we consulted our new favourite app Google maps to look for somewhere to eat. We’d walked past loads of places but there looked to be a few places dotted around Plaza Candelabria just 2 minutes away so we headed that way. In my head I pictured a pretty square surrounded with outdoor tables and parasols. What we got was a building site with men actually working along with a busy mini tipper going back and forth. We decided to walk round the square anyway and found that only half the square was being revamped. On the other side we passed Bar Zapata just as a waitress was setting up tables outside. It wasn’t the prettiest looking bar but we decided to sit down anyway and were really glad that we did. We chose a Spanish cured ham tosta with “salmorejo” which Google couldn’t translate into English. It turned out to be a very liquified cheese sauce (reminiscent of those individually wrapped orange colour cheese slices from supermarkets, “plastic cheese” as we call it) and it was quite different from anything we’ve had before. We also chose potatoes and chorizo (spicy version) generally known Huevas Estrellados and they were really good. Quite salty and no fancy presentation but good enough for us to clear a large portion. With vino for us and a Coca Cola for Kyle our bill was just €24.80.

 

Despite us not being able to see the port because of all the surrounding buildings Google maps told us it was just a 2 minute walk away and so it was. We were soon through security and back on board around 3:30pm. Kyle telephoned his aunty to arrange some more hot tub time and after we’d escorted him to the promenade deck for the meet up we returned to the cabin so that I could finish my write-up of the previous day. Once that was done I went to get us some drinks and when I walked into the Keel and Cow the waiter taking orders remembered me which I appreciated.

 

All aboard time was 4:30pm but as often happens there were a few stragglers, with the last calls for them being 4:47pm. I went back to the Keel and Cow (taking my glasses back as usual) and this time the bar man looked at me, smiled, and said “2 more Gavi?”. He had them ready on the bar before the waiter had even caught up with me to process the order. It certainly beats “pint of lager?”. Kyle has got a bit fed up of having Pepsi or Lemonade on his drinks package so I asked how long it would be before I could order a soft drink under my name using the Classic Drinks Package. I was honest about getting it for my son to have and the bar manager just said that it would be okay and handed over a bottled diet coca cola to me. The waiter asked how he should process the order on his tablet and the reply was to use the code “manager approved”.  Fantastic service from 2 real gentlemen.

 

Mum was sat waiting for my sister so I invited her to our balcony for the last sail away. Michelle also knocked on her mum and dad’s cabin door and they joined us as well so it was good to have them all with us as we sailed out of Cadiz. It was absolutely scorching hot and there was a good crowd in the Sunset Bar with the music playing just below us as usual. We also spotted our new Rovrum friend making short work of a pint of John Smiths. There was a big sail away event in the Sky Dome at the same time but I wouldn’t have missed the aft view of leaving port for anything. Once we passed the last bit of harbour wall our pilot disembarked then got straight onto a container ship to guide that one in, something I’ve never seen before despite all the ports we’ve been in and out of over the years.

 

Later on we met in the Glass House for pre-dinner drinks. The Meridian booking showed in my diary section of the My Holiday webpage so we had no worries about our dining arrangement. Once seated in the Meridian we were surrounded by the usual passengers on the nearby tables, including baseball hat man (same baseball hat, different t-shirt, still not quite big enough). This time he was laughing and joking with the manager that he’d been giving stick to a few days earlier. Thank goodness.

 

Oswin was soon on hand and asked us about our day. We asked if he’d had any time off and he confirmed that he did but didn’t go ashore and just had a good nap instead. I don’t blame him. Michelle and I both had Plum Tomato and Mozzarella Salad to start, very nice and just enough. Her dad had Grilled Sardines with Buttered Toast and Tomato Sauce (aka sardines on toast with ketchup). I would have liked a photo but he quickly demolished it. We also had Tortilla Soup which was like a peppery version of the “always available” tomato soup and we both really enjoyed it. Michelle had Beer-Marinated Roast Chicken which she said had a well-balanced spicy sauce (Jalapeno and Tomato Salsa) which was like a chipotle but not overpowering like some can be.

 

Several of us, including myself, chose Pork Rack, which was in actual fact a gigantic pork chop the size of a small axe (albeit a blunt one that wouldn’t pass muster on TV’s “Forged in Fire”). Normandy Potatoes (seemed like Dauphinoise to me) which were good and roasted root vegetables again (which I didn’t eat, again). Are roasted root vegetables the new P&O staple? I’d rather go back to green beans myself. It was a huge main course which several on our table couldn’t finish and a massive contrast to my pasta dish yesterday which had way more sauce than actual pasta. As if we didn’t have enough on our plates Oswin got myself and Kyle bowls of chips which we (the table as a whole) couldn’t finish. Kyle got his favourite penne pomodoro without asking.

 

For dessert I chose White Wine Syllabub which was all cream and no texture. Given everything else we’d had that wasn’t a bad thing. My rubbish palate couldn’t taste the white wine but I really enjoyed it. Michelle had sticky toffee pudding which she enjoyed. Kyle diversified by having a scoop of mint choc chip ice cream (as well as his usual vanilla) to accompany his standard 2 chocolate brownies.

 

After dinner Michelle and I weren’t sure what was on in the Club Lounge. We were sure we’d seen it set up for a 70’s night when passing through earlier but the Horizon said the music would be Club Anthems (i.e., more recent pop music). According to the digital display it was the 70’s night which we would really have enjoyed but there seemed little enthusiasm for it amongst everyone else so we ended up in the nearest venue again (you guessed it, Andersons) where the cards came out as usual. This time we stayed a bit later and there were no signs of restless teenagers in the corridor. One of the comments on Cruise Critic mentioned repetitiveness and I’m certainly feeling that with our post dinner choices but trying to please everyone just doesn’t always work out.

 

 

 

 

Super days review Damian.

 

 

[bobstheboy]

The always on steak is getting smaller. 5 oz ?  I will be ordering two.

[DamianG]

Playa de la Victoria

 

 

 

Edited August 18, 2023 by DamianG

[DamianG]

Tortilla Soup, Pork Rack and White Wine Syllabub.

 

 

 

Edited August 18, 2023 by DamianG

[DamianG]

For @Presto2

 

[DamianG]

This ship appeared in our wake, reeled us in and is now performing a slow motion overtake. Maybe I shouldn't grumble about P&O so much as I'm having serious doubts about our booking with MSC for 2024.

 

Edited August 18, 2023 by DamianG

[DamianG]

I noticed a few cabin door decorations today. Please don't let this thread go off on a tangent talking about a certain tropical fruit (aka Ananas Comosus). 😉 🍍

 

 

Edited August 18, 2023 by DamianG

[DamianG]

Today’s P&O offering in The Quays to steer passengers away from the MDRs on formal night is Tex Mex. So I skipped lunch. 
 

Don’t let the man get you down…

 

 

Edited August 18, 2023 by DamianG

[showingdiva]

1 hour ago, DamianG said:

This ship appeared in our wake, reeled us in and is now performing a slow motion overtake. Maybe I shouldn't grumble about P&O so much as I'm having serious doubts about our booking with MSC for 2024.

 

 

 

Have no fear.   She's clean and beautiful.    No pagers or queues just to eat.    Hola! tacos are amazing and your son will be in pasta heaven.

 

 

[Eglesbrech]

28 minutes ago, showingdiva said:

 

 

Have no fear.   She's clean and beautiful.    No pagers or queues just to eat.    Hola! tacos are amazing and your son will be in pasta heaven.

 

 

And fresh made on the ship mozzarella for the pizza.

[Presto2]

2 hours ago, DamianG said:

For @Presto2

 

Sorry, I just love it !!!!!

Once returned to my happy place I will forward a photo of my lucky ducks 😉

(PS Yes I am sane .. well sort of ....)

[Helenk1234]

3 hours ago, DamianG said:

This ship appeared in our wake, reeled us in and is now performing a slow motion overtake. Maybe I shouldn't grumble about P&O so much as I'm having serious doubts about our booking with MSC for 2024.

 

Never fear. We loved MSC (went on Red Sea cruise in January). Just don't play bingo!! Suppose it depends on where you are cruising but by the time they have read out every number in 8 languages you are nearly home before the game has finished!!! On a positive note drinks selection far superior especially with a premium drinks package. We thought P&O deluxe drinks package was not worth the extra payment and stuck to the classic but hubby likes wheatbeers which are commonly available on other cruises lines but not here.

[TigerB]

17 hours ago, DamianG said:

 

 

The crustacean one being a warning of course, rather than an invitation.🤭