Aurora R407 April 24

[Bill Y]

As this is only our second P&O cruise since the pandemic although we used to sail with them regularly before so I thought that I would share my experiences, of how I found this cruise although we sailed on Ventura last year we have not sailed on Aurora since 2018.

 

As this was an early saver we did not qualify for CPS parking. So tried Parking4Cruises as all the places that we used to use have become very expensive since the pandemic.

 

We applied for our shareholder benefits and found this had been outsourced to “Stockperks” but that was not a problem despite not using apps.

Forgot about the ability to book speciality restaurants two weeks before but looked ten days before and there was still good availability not that it was something we were interested in.

 

A year ago it was still said that early savers were given second choice of dinning in the MDR after select fare. Although we were asked our preference by our TA when booking in Jan 23 it’s not available as an option on “myP&O” so asked TA to confirm the request and was told that we had to make the request on board now.

 

Less than 48 hours before embarkation received an email direct from P&O asking us to delay boarding by 90 mins due stepping up disinfection measures due to illness on previous cruise,  and the embarkation lunch would now be held at a later date TBC.

 

Had a slight wobble with parking4cruises, as we did not know how much time to allow for the handover of the car and assumed that Aurora would have a lot of priority boarders. So tried to ring them two days beforehand, left a message on answering machine and the following day sent an email, assumed that they were not staffed as there were no ships in port. However still could not contact them on embarkation day, no text message asking us to reply when we were half and hour away. We were relieved when arriving at the short term car park to find they were still in business. There was only one car in front of us but there were cars backing up behind us. There were queues outside Mayflower and a holding pen for early arrivals but there was a notice “priority boarding” the man there checked our boarding passes and allowed us to enter via that route. Check in was immediate and we were called to board, as we approached the entrance to security everything came to a grinding halt and we were asked to take seat. I think people were getting miffed as they kept announcing for Caribbean and above to board then when they tied being told to take a seat. Half an hour after arriving at Mayflower we were on board never had such a delay going through security, we appreciate on a 19 night on Aurora there will be a lot of priority boarders but it must have only got worse once coaches etc started arriving.

 

Asked reception about dining requests and were told that there was a podium outside Meridian that would staffed from three PM, When we visited this podium was told that they already had our request and had allocated appropriately. So much for P&O telling TA that we now had to make request once on board.

 

We had hoped that since this was a longer cruise that one of the two port presenters would be on board. Explorers said that port presentations were no longer made, we know from CC that there was a presenter on the 65 night cruise. We asked the loyalty manager about booking a cruise that had a presenter on it, they confirmed that there were two port presenters but all they could suggest was asking Explorers about their deployment despite us saying it was a major consideration in booking another cruise. Needless to say we missed the port information being presented to us as a talk and it left a gap in the sea day activities. The activities often clashed, there appeared to be little thought given to when films and talks would be scheduled, we had to watch a film in two segments in order to have lunch at a reasonable time.

 

After a few days we checked my on board account and found an extra debit of twenty odd pounds charged to DW. When I reported to reception that DW’s cruise card appeared to have been compromised as she had not even used it apart from opening the cabin door, the initial response was to contact the spa as that was where the charge came from and it was managed separately. They were told that it was our P&O account that had an unauthorised charge and the Spa was their concessionaire not ours, and how can a change be made without a card being presented or anything signed. A phone call was made then the phone was handed to me and a man presumably from the spa said we would be refunded when asked about the timeline and was told up to seven working days. I asked reception for me to see a senior manager, one could not be produced, a credit card was mentioned and I said that no credit card was involved, it was my P&O on board account that been compromised and how could this happen without visiting the spa or my wife’s cruise card being presented. More phone calls were made and I was told it would be sorted. I was still concerned how the system could allow this to happen as if we had not checked the account until the end of the cruise we probably would not have spotted it. Despite using the analogy of going to the casino asking for some chips then saying charge it to cabin x the situation was beyond their comprehension or they were acting dumb. I felt sorry for the reception staff as they appeared fearful of escalating my complaint upwards, I will not comment further until I have taken it up with P&O.

 

We had not been on Aurora since 2018 and thought the condition of her to be good despite there being a few chairs whose arms had seen better days, The captain said that he had reviewed her lifespan upwards in the last year it now being seven years (famous last words). Aurora was earning P&O money but he had heard from on high that no more small ships would be built.

 

The food in the MDR was adequate I suppose, no lobsters apart from sunbathers were seen outside the speciality restaurants. We had second seating which was quiet along with the second theatre performance, gone it appears to be necessary to turn up early to get a seat, whether performances have gone out of fashion in favour of quizzes or other bar entertainment I can’t remember so many quizzes so late. It may be that people retired early, as despite being mid-seventies we felt like the youngsters on board. Drinks menus were not displayed on tables but could be produced, the selections of cocktails was very poor and mostly resolved around gin, asked about classic ones not on the menu and were told they may be available if the bar had the ingredients. We had forgotten about the embarkation lunch and it appeared as a disembarkation lunch two days before Southampton.

 

It was a good cruise the weather was a bit variable, cold on Mount Etna which a port presentation would have warned us about, luckily we had big coats taken for rain but essential for near freezing winds. Novovirus reared its head after a few days and after a week hand washing was enforced in the buffet and the library was often closed. We and our dining companions did not succumb, but we did not eat in the buffet. The disembarkation went smoothly and we collected our car from Parking4cruises.

Edited May 20 by Bill Y

[Selbourne]

Thank you for sharing your experiences, which seem to chime with ours from the 65 nighter (other than we were lucky enough to have a port presenter as you mention). It’s a great shame that the MDR food remains as just ‘adequate’, which I guess would sum up how we felt about it. It’s a particular shame, because Iona, Britannia and Ventura were all much better in that respect, yet Aurora carries a price premium over those ships. 
 

I take what the Captains say about how long the ships have left with a massive pinch of salt. The current Captain has told P&O that he wishes to see out his career on Aurora, and he doesn’t want to work on any other ship now, so he probably won’t be told anything until a decision is made, as he would be directly affected. We know from at least the last 3 ships to leave the P&O fleet that a decision to sell can come out of the blue and result in a lot of cancelled cruises. That being said, the cruise market is in an entirely different place post Covid and I can’t see ships like Aurora being in much demand going forward, so as long as she can turn a profit for P&O I can see her soldiering on for some years to come. 
 

Much as we love Aurora and have many fond memories of numerous cruises on her, we left in March feeling that she is now well past her best and P&O will need to up their game if they wish to continue asking the very high prices that they charge to cruise on her. Either that or they will have to fill the ship by offering bargain late Savers, as we benefitted from with the 65 nighter. We had a great experience, but we wouldn’t have felt that it was value for money had we paid the Select fare.

[Selbourne]

Forgot to say, I’m glad to hear that you got on OK with Parking4Cruises as we are using them again this week, having had a bad experience with CPS in January. CPS lack of staff, and letting those who arrived after us get checked in before us (as we were in holding lanes that were full), contributed in making it the worst embarkation experience that we have had. Sadly, our priority boarding counted for absolutely nothing and it took us 90 minutes from arrival until we were on the ship, and then it didn’t get any better as fhe priority boarders lunch was a rubbish buffet with yet more queues!

[gsmt47471015]

There are only two port presenters left and they are only on the world cruise and the 65 night cruises ( or 75 night ) ,Speaking to one of them it would appear that its only a matter of time before they too are gone, regarding the condition of Aurora I agree that things will need to be updated if the high prices are to be justified , although it is our favourite both it and Arcadia need some serious money spending on them to bring them up to a standard that warrants the high prices ( personal opinion )

[jeanlyon]

Sorry to hear some of this.  The embarkation buffet last October was really good with copious quantities of wine if you wanted it.  Also, the comment about being on board 30 minutes after arrival at Mayflower seemed very good to me?

 

The food in the MDr was pretty boring and I'm just glad I don't cruise for the food.  I didn't go hungry, but on a couple of occasions, I had 2 starters as roast this and that is not up my street.

[Waju]

Great review of your cruise Bill Y, thank you!

[July morning]

Good review, glad you enjoyed it  😁

[Ardennais]

Thank you so much for the review. We have very fond memories of several cruises on Aurora - our favourite until Iona! 
 

Our next cruise is with Princess and I’ve booked Parking4Cruises for the very first time. We’ve always had extremely efficient service from CPS but as parking wasn’t included, I decided to go for the P4C based on price. I’m a bit nervous about it, but hope it will be OK! 

[terrierjohn]

8 hours ago, Ardennais said:

Thank you so much for the review. We have very fond memories of several cruises on Aurora - our favourite until Iona! 
 

Our next cruise is with Princess and I’ve booked Parking4Cruises for the very first time. We’ve always had extremely efficient service from CPS but as parking wasn’t included, I decided to go for the P4C based on price. I’m a bit nervous about it, but hope it will be OK! 

I am sure it will be, our recent Princess  cruise should have returned to Ocean terminal but was changed mid cruise to Mayflower, and P4C were there waiting for us.

 

[FangedRose]

19 hours ago, Bill Y said:

I can’t remember so many quizzes so late. It may be that people retired early, as despite being mid-seventies we felt like the youngsters on board.

As I am in my mid 60s I very much echo your sentiments! On my table two tablemates (out of six) were in their 90s. One other went to bed after (first sitting) dinner, another went after the show. We all commented on the number of wheelchairs, rollators and walking sticks on this cruise compared to previous cruises on Aurora. So maybe not surprising that the Silent Disco was empty, on my previous Aurora Cruise it had been packed. Granted, that was during school holidays and had a cohort of school employees wishing a child free break.

 

There are signs that Aurora is being "neglected". Games equipment not being replaced when necessary. No recognisable guest entertainers (though the ones we had were excellent), despite them being on the other ships etc.

 

I have two more cruises booked on Aurora and tbh I doubt I'll be booking any more. I have realised that I sailed on Aurora a lot because of the length of cruises (to me the distance I need to travel to Southampton makes anything less than 14 days not worth it, and the hassle of airports put me off flying) I have a btb booked on Britannia which I am looking forward to and I think that is the best option for me. Longer cruises mean people "pace" themselves and shorter cruises could be more lively because of fomo.

 

On the other hand The Headliners were one of the best I've ever seen!

[Bill Y]

On 5/20/2024 at 8:22 PM, Bill Y said:

As this is only our second P&O cruise since the pandemic although we used to sail with them regularly before so I thought that I would share my experiences, of how I found this cruise although we sailed on Ventura last year we have not sailed on Aurora since 2018.

 

As this was an early saver we did not qualify for CPS parking. So tried Parking4Cruises as all the places that we used to use have become very expensive since the pandemic.

 

We applied for our shareholder benefits and found this had been outsourced to “Stockperks” but that was not a problem despite not using apps.

Forgot about the ability to book speciality restaurants two weeks before but looked ten days before and there was still good availability not that it was something we were interested in.

 

A year ago it was still said that early savers were given second choice of dinning in the MDR after select fare. Although we were asked our preference by our TA when booking in Jan 23 it’s not available as an option on “myP&O” so asked TA to confirm the request and was told that we had to make the request on board now.

 

Less than 48 hours before embarkation received an email direct from P&O asking us to delay boarding by 90 mins due stepping up disinfection measures due to illness on previous cruise,  and the embarkation lunch would now be held at a later date TBC.

 

Had a slight wobble with parking4cruises, as we did not know how much time to allow for the handover of the car and assumed that Aurora would have a lot of priority boarders. So tried to ring them two days beforehand, left a message on answering machine and the following day sent an email, assumed that they were not staffed as there were no ships in port. However still could not contact them on embarkation day, no text message asking us to reply when we were half and hour away. We were relieved when arriving at the short term car park to find they were still in business. There was only one car in front of us but there were cars backing up behind us. There were queues outside Mayflower and a holding pen for early arrivals but there was a notice “priority boarding” the man there checked our boarding passes and allowed us to enter via that route. Check in was immediate and we were called to board, as we approached the entrance to security everything came to a grinding halt and we were asked to take seat. I think people were getting miffed as they kept announcing for Caribbean and above to board then when they tied being told to take a seat. Half an hour after arriving at Mayflower we were on board never had such a delay going through security, we appreciate on a 19 night on Aurora there will be a lot of priority boarders but it must have only got worse once coaches etc started arriving.

 

Asked reception about dining requests and were told that there was a podium outside Meridian that would staffed from three PM, When we visited this podium was told that they already had our request and had allocated appropriately. So much for P&O telling TA that we now had to make request once on board.

 

We had hoped that since this was a longer cruise that one of the two port presenters would be on board. Explorers said that port presentations were no longer made, we know from CC that there was a presenter on the 65 night cruise. We asked the loyalty manager about booking a cruise that had a presenter on it, they confirmed that there were two port presenters but all they could suggest was asking Explorers about their deployment despite us saying it was a major consideration in booking another cruise. Needless to say we missed the port information being presented to us as a talk and it left a gap in the sea day activities. The activities often clashed, there appeared to be little thought given to when films and talks would be scheduled, we had to watch a film in two segments in order to have lunch at a reasonable time.

 

After a few days we checked my on board account and found an extra debit of twenty odd pounds charged to DW. When I reported to reception that DW’s cruise card appeared to have been compromised as she had not even used it apart from opening the cabin door, the initial response was to contact the spa as that was where the charge came from and it was managed separately. They were told that it was our P&O account that had an unauthorised charge and the Spa was their concessionaire not ours, and how can a change be made without a card being presented or anything signed. A phone call was made then the phone was handed to me and a man presumably from the spa said we would be refunded when asked about the timeline and was told up to seven working days. I asked reception for me to see a senior manager, one could not be produced, a credit card was mentioned and I said that no credit card was involved, it was my P&O on board account that been compromised and how could this happen without visiting the spa or my wife’s cruise card being presented. More phone calls were made and I was told it would be sorted. I was still concerned how the system could allow this to happen as if we had not checked the account until the end of the cruise we probably would not have spotted it. Despite using the analogy of going to the casino asking for some chips then saying charge it to cabin x the situation was beyond their comprehension or they were acting dumb. I felt sorry for the reception staff as they appeared fearful of escalating my complaint upwards, I will not comment further until I have taken it up with P&O.

 

We had not been on Aurora since 2018 and thought the condition of her to be good despite there being a few chairs whose arms had seen better days, The captain said that he had reviewed her lifespan upwards in the last year it now being seven years (famous last words). Aurora was earning P&O money but he had heard from on high that no more small ships would be built.

 

The food in the MDR was adequate I suppose, no lobsters apart from sunbathers were seen outside the speciality restaurants. We had second seating which was quiet along with the second theatre performance, gone it appears to be necessary to turn up early to get a seat, whether performances have gone out of fashion in favour of quizzes or other bar entertainment I can’t remember so many quizzes so late. It may be that people retired early, as despite being mid-seventies we felt like the youngsters on board. Drinks menus were not displayed on tables but could be produced, the selections of cocktails was very poor and mostly resolved around gin, asked about classic ones not on the menu and were told they may be available if the bar had the ingredients. We had forgotten about the embarkation lunch and it appeared as a disembarkation lunch two days before Southampton.

 

It was a good cruise the weather was a bit variable, cold on Mount Etna which a port presentation would have warned us about, luckily we had big coats taken for rain but essential for near freezing winds. Novovirus reared its head after a few days and after a week hand washing was enforced in the buffet and the library was often closed. We and our dining companions did not succumb, but we did not eat in the buffet. The disembarkation went smoothly and we collected our car from Parking4cruises.

Forgot to mention that there were no photographers on board this sailing, don’t know if they have them on shorter cruises where people aren't photographed out. We have not bought any photos for years and quite frankly find the photographers intrusive. But the photo gallery is now an unused, dead and boring area and could do with livening up, maybe an extension to the art gallery?

[zap99]

7 minutes ago, Bill Y said:

Forgot to mention that there were no photographers on board this sailing, don’t know if they have them on shorter cruises where people aren't photographed out. We have not bought any photos for years and quite frankly find the photographers intrusive. But the photo gallery is now an unused, dead and boring area and could do with livening up, maybe an extension to the art gallery?

We find the art galleries very entertaining.  walking past art that is printed to order in some industrial area.....how much ?. Check the Internet for the proper price.

[smj777]

Do hope the library reopens - we rely on it to save carrying lots of books on board.

 

[Thedonkeycentrehalf]

We had photographers on Britannia and talking to them, they move between ships as they are not many of them.

 

The main issue for me is the pricing.  If they were not so stupidly overpriced then more people would buy the photos which would justify having the photographers.  It’s as if they are deliberately trying to wind down the demand.

[tring]

On 5/24/2024 at 5:54 PM, smj777 said:

Do hope the library reopens - we rely on it to save carrying lots of books on board.

 

 

We were on that cruise.  The library was not totally closed, but only open when there was a member of staff there.  The opening hours are printed on the loose, leaflet from the daily Horizon, in the "Discover more onboard" section.  Just looked at the Horizon for 13th May and opening hours were given as 9am to Noon and 4pm to 6pm, along with a request to use the drop box to return library books.  I think that was much the same each day, but cannot be totally sure of that.

 

Edited May 26 by tring

[tring]

On 5/24/2024 at 1:37 PM, Bill Y said:

Forgot to mention that there were no photographers on board this sailing, don’t know if they have them on shorter cruises where people aren't photographed out. We have not bought any photos for years and quite frankly find the photographers intrusive. But the photo gallery is now an unused, dead and boring area and could do with livening up, maybe an extension to the art gallery?

 

No photographers at all on Aurora or Arcadia now.

 

[Northeastcruiser007]

I am on Aurora right now. There are photographers. One came round Sindhu yesterday.

[tring]

16 minutes ago, Northeastcruiser007 said:

I am on Aurora right now. There are photographers. One came round Sindhu yesterday.

 

Interesting, there had not been any since COVID as far as I knew, so sounds like some have just come onboard very recently.

 

[Northeastcruiser007]

On 5/26/2024 at 4:45 PM, tring said:

 

Interesting, there had not been any since COVID as far as I knew, so sounds like some have just come onboard very recently.

 

It is very low key. Haven't seen any in the main restaurant, for example. I think there are just two photographers. The emphasis seems to be more on photoshoots, if you see what I mean.

[DamianG]

On 5/21/2024 at 12:18 AM, Ardennais said:

Thank you so much for the review. We have very fond memories of several cruises on Aurora - our favourite until Iona! 
 

Our next cruise is with Princess and I’ve booked Parking4Cruises for the very first time. We’ve always had extremely efficient service from CPS but as parking wasn’t included, I decided to go for the P4C based on price. I’m a bit nervous about it, but hope it will be OK! 

 

We've used P4C 5 times without a single problem. We too abandoned CPS after waiting an hour to hand over the keys before boarding Britannia in 2015. On that occasion there were cars being processed before us which had clearly arrived after us (whilst we were in a holding lane).