Jump to content

Absolute beginner.


Vejay
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hello. I've finally persuaded 'She who must be obeyed' that we need to try a cruise. I was planning for February 2016 which I know is cutting it short, but that coincides with a special occasion.

 

At this time of year the Carribean seems to be a good choice and I found a P&O cruise on the Azura which seemed to fit the bill. The problem is that a considerable amount of reviews I've read are very negative about P&O and the Azura.

 

Can anyone share their experiences with me about P&O and other cruise lines.

 

Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome, and I'm sure you both will enjoy your cruise. :)

 

Can you tell us why P&O "fits the bill"? Sincerely just curious. The major cruise lines sail to the Caribbean in February and it is a popular destination. Would you be willing to fly to Florida to pick up the cruise? How many nights are you interested in?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Karen. Thanks for your response. The reason for saying that P&O fitted the bill was that the cruise suited my celebration date in February and berthed at the islands that we would like to visit. In my minds eye I had envisaged around a 14 day cruise. We would need to fly to Barbados for this one so flying to Florida wouldn't be a problem. Karen, as the title suggests we are complete beginners at cruising so appreciate any advice.

 

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Karen. Thanks for your response. The reason for saying that P&O fitted the bill was that the cruise suited my celebration date in February and berthed at the islands that we would like to visit. In my minds eye I had envisaged around a 14 day cruise. We would need to fly to Barbados for this one so flying to Florida wouldn't be a problem. Karen, as the title suggests we are complete beginners at cruising so appreciate any advice.

 

Thanks

 

For your first cruise experience, and exposure to the Caribbean, have you considered a back to back on Oasis of the Seas? That way you could spend 7 days in the eastern, and 7 days in the western (14 days total) ... might even be able to stay in the same stateroom for both ... sails out of Florida (Fort Lauderdale) usually ... beautiful ship

Edited by Slopoke15
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It can be tough reading cruise reviews. I like to read recent reviews and I like to pay attention to the details and to common themes.

 

Someone stating that everything was excellent or everything was awful really doesn't tell me anything. I like detail so I can decide whether that item would be of any importance to me. For instance, we never go to the spa so someone writing about poor service in the spa would not interest me.

 

Because some people have trouble expressing themselves, I also look for common themes. If I read 3 or 4 reviews and all mention poor service - that's a red flag for me. There may be different incidents that lead to poor service, but it is safe to assume that there may be a problem onboard.

 

Just remember though - a ship is quite large and 10 different people sailing on the same ship will all have a very different experience.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Slopeke. No, I hadn't considered that, simply because I hadn't come across it. To be quite honest, my head is hurting trying to absorb what would be best for us, which is precisely the reason for my original post. Thank you so much for the suggestion, I will take a look.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It can be tough reading cruise reviews. I like to read recent reviews and I like to pay attention to the details and to common themes.

 

Someone stating that everything was excellent or everything was awful really doesn't tell me anything. I like detail so I can decide whether that item would be of any importance to me. For instance, we never go to the spa so someone writing about poor service in the spa would not interest me.

 

Because some people have trouble expressing themselves, I also look for common themes. If I read 3 or 4 reviews and all mention poor service - that's a red flag for me. There may be different incidents that lead to poor service, but it is safe to assume that there may be a problem onboard.

 

Just remember though - a ship is quite large and 10 different people sailing on the same ship will all have a very different experience.

 

Hi CBR. Couldn't agree with you more. I take reviews with a pinch of salt, but where a recurring detrimental theme is apparent as it is with P&O I have concerns.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Since you are from the UK, I think you should try Azura for your first cruise. There will be a lot of 'firsts' with the cruise, but with P&O-UK catering to you folks, there would be a lot of comforting touches. Chances are your flights to Barbados would be charters, so something else you would not need to worry about.

There is a board here for P&O-UK and you might voice your concerns there. EM

Edited by Essiesmom
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've never been on the Azura, but I've travelled frequently with P&O and will frequently do so again. It is significantly different from most American lines, however, in many small ways - not so much on the flow riders and movies under the stars, as a rule; more and smaller public rooms. As a rule, not speaking specifically about Azura.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Going on our first P and O cruise on Azura to Caribbean from Barbados. Friends have travelled on the Azura and loved her. I like you will make up my own mind. She gets great reviews and feedback an the Cruise Lovers group on FB I'm a member of. I'm sure we will both enjoy her! [emoji1]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Since you are from the UK, I think you should try Azura for your first cruise. There will be a lot of 'firsts' with the cruise, but with P&O-UK catering to you folks, there would be a lot of comforting touches. Chances are your flights to Barbados would be charters, so something else you would not need to worry about.

There is a board here for P&O-UK and you might voice your concerns there. EM

 

Hi Essiemom.' P&O-UK catering to us folks? ' Not sure how to interpret that. Elaborate please.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

P&O's Azura makes a great deal of sense, for a number of reasons.

 

You will fly from your regional airport direct to Barbados, in the company of other Azura passengers on a chartered aircraft.

In Barbados your aircraft will taxi to the perimeter road, & you transfer direct from aircraft to bus for the drive to the ship. No airport formalities, no luggage carousel, you don't even go into the terminal.

After you've checked in your luggage at your UK airport, you'll not see it again until it's delivered to your cabin door.

Transfers couldn't be quicker, easier or more hassle-free.:)

BUT If you cruise out of Florida on a US ship, you will need a US ESTA (effectively a visa),& go through the usual airport zoo formalities - with fingers crossed whether there's a long slow line at immigration or a delay at the carousel.

(Some P&O passengers are put on scheduled BA flights to Barbados. Although that sounds much more grand, you have to go through usual airport formalities. So this is one example of a charter flight being infinitely better than a scheduled flight.)

 

Flights back to the UK are mostly overnight.

You leave your checked baggage outside your cabin on the last evening & you will next see it back at your UK airport.

On the last day, you have the run of the ship (other than your cabin) until your flight transfer is called mid-afternoon. You can use the pools, bars, restaurants etc, or you can spend the morning ashore.

If your flight is delayed, your transfer is put back to suit - so you spend that extra time on the ship, not in an airport lounge.

BUT - if you cruise back to Florida you & your luggage will have to leave the ship around 9am, to make way for those on the next cruise. Of course that's an opportunity to explore Miami or wherever, but you'll have to store your luggage somewhere.

 

Direct to Barbados means fewer sea days & more ports.

 

On their Caribbean itineraries, P&O's Azura & Ventura stay in port on the Friday evening - half the changeover of passengers is on the Friday & half on the Saturday. This gives everyone a full day & evening in Barbados - either at the start of their cruise or at the end.

 

Because P&O charter aircraft, I doubt you'll find equivalent value with flights to Florida, transfers & a cruise on a US ship.

 

On-board prices are significantly lower than on US ships, & there's no service charge for drinks. For example a bottle of wine on P&O costs about £16, whereas on a US ship it's something over £20 including the service charge.

Daily service charge on US ships is around $13 (£8.50) pppd, on P&O it's under £4.

 

You can take aboard from any port (or airport duty-free etc) any drinks (alcoholic or soft drinks) for consumption in your cabin.

On a US ship you are typically limited to just two bottles of wine & at your embarkation port only. And some don't even permit you to take your own soft drinks aboard.

 

Ship's currency on P&O is sterling, on US ships of course it's US dollars. Although you don't use cash on a ship (everything is charged to your card), you'll have conversion charges/rates on a non-sterling ship.

 

There are other differences between Brit & US ships, some might be considered a minor advantage or disadvantage, depending on your tastes.

P&O dining of course is geared to Brit tastes, but US tastes aren't vastly different (other than bacon burnt to a crisp ;)). P&O crew are much more reserved than those on US ships. US ships tend to be more glitzy, P&O are rather bland by comparison.

 

Reviews.

If you concentrate on negative reviews you'll never take a cruise on ANY ship. Or stay at ANY hotel, or eat at ANY restaurant.

Azura gets industry average scores from passengers. That includes the impossible-to-please and the easily-pleased. Ignore the top & bottom 10% and go by the 80% in the middle.

As cbr663's comment, take note of only recurring themes. For example, if one person complains that the ship is too hot & stuffy, that person has a problem. If a lot of reviews mention it, then it's the ship that has the problem.

It's a bit of a standing joke that P&O passengers are a bunch of moaning minnies. Only some of them of course ;). But they still come back for more :rolleyes:

 

All first cruises are great, and the Caribbean is made for cruising.

A P&O cruise in the Caribbean is an ideal first cruise. :)

 

JB :)

Edited by John Bull
Link to comment
Share on other sites

JB. Thank you for such an informative reply. Much appreciated.

 

@Essiesmom. Thanks for your observations and critique.

 

A couple of other matters, to add to your confusion :D:

 

For a first cruise, book through a cruise-specialist travel agent.

We're not permitted to quote specific T/A names on Cruise Critic, but the word "cruise" will appear in their titles so dial "cruise agents UK" into google.

P & O of course are biased, will only tell you the good things, & will want you to book P & O.

High Street "all-sorts" travel agents don't know their stuff about cruising, and can give poor - and sometimes totally inaccurate - advice.

But a cruise specialist can give you background info & advice - things like cabin location, dining choices, and general ship routines.

So use the phone, not the computer.

Phone a few, barter for price and freebies (on-board spending money, upgrades, etc.). In the process, you'll figure which is going to be the most helpful agency, so go back to that one & get them to match the best deal you've been offered.

 

Be aware that cruise prices are always quoted per person, but "free on-board spending money" is always quoted per cabin.

 

This isn't a late time to book, there should be plenty of availability.

P & O offer two prices. If you want to choose a specific cabin & dining time you'll pay the "Advantage" price. The "Early-saver" price is much lower, but you'll be given a cabin "guarantee", which means you'll get a cabin of at least the standard that you booked ( & might be given a free upgrade) but can't choose its location. And your evening dining time is allocated, rather than chosen by you. Apart from any significant free on-board spending money, any other advantages of an "advantage" price are very trivial.

Which you choose depends on your own balance of cost vs choice, for a first cruise you won't really appreciate the differences so probably cheapest is best.

 

This is a little risky, but ...........

A late booking can save many hundreds of pounds.

Cruise lines obviously want best prices, but they also don't want to sail with empty cabins. There are almost-always excellent late deals on established itineraries like the Caribbean.

Feb. is in term time, so you should get an excellent late deal - about 6 weeks out is the best compromise between price & availability, perhaps earlier for regional flights.

A decent cruise-specialist T/A can monitor cruise booking levels and let you know when bookings are approaching capacity.

I think all late bookings are limited to "guarantee".

You probably want to play safe & book soon - but be aware that prices are likely to drop significantly later. So don't allow others probably getting a cheaper deal to spoil your holiday - you've had the peace of mind that you've got the cruise you want on the date you want.

For other cruises involving flights (eg via Florida), any late-booked cruise savings will be wiped out by higher late-booked airfares. Doesn't apply to P&O fly-cruises because flight availability matches cabin availability, but you may be limited on your choice of regional UK airports.

 

JB :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh John. My head is really hurting now.:) Seriously though, thank you very much.

 

Aww, yes. A lot of very good information here.

 

I also think you should get a travel agent (not online, but what we call brick and mortar) who can help you. That's what they do, it's their job, they know the business.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh John. My head is really hurting now.:) .

 

Always ready to oblige. :D

 

BTW, don't go booking ship's excursions for the ports of call.

At least, not yet.

For a first cruise, activity excursions - like zip-lining or river-tubing - are best booked through the cruise line because they're difficult or impossible to arrange on-the-day. But simple sight-seeing by road can be done better & more fun and at about a quarter of ship's prices by sharing minibuses available at the ports. Drivers at the port are friendly & trustworthy, they know their island & they know the importance of back-on-board time. Agree a price (US dollars) before you get in, pay when you get back.

US dollars are the only currency you'll need for anything at any of the ports.

 

You can find info about the islands on Cruise Critic's Ports of Call section.

And communicate with others on your cruise via Cruise Critic's RollCall for your chosen cruise.

 

But mebbe leave all that until the paracetemol has done its work :D

 

JB :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi, Vejay, and welcome! :)

We enjoy trying different ships and different lines, but always return to P&O in between. Yes, we've seen the poor reviews, and raised our eyebrows in wonder.... If someone has had a fantastic time on a more lively ship, then P&O can feel a little more sedate, and at times like being in the UK....which is what many dislike.

I was at the naming ceremony of Azura, and a forum friend with me then has since remarked that the ship doesn't feel "foreign enough" for her annual holiday- she prefers a mix of passengers, and to feel that she's holidaying abroad.

I've also seen criticisms of the food...nursery food is often mentioned, but I've also seen folk choosing to have shepherd's pie, fish and chips and mushy peas rather than the offered French/Indian etc choices. There's a large range of food including guest evenings in the buffet (you don't have to eat in the main dining room every night), where one evening will offer Italian, or Indian, Caribbean etc.

Décor...yes, sister ships Azura and Ventura are quite muted, if tasteful, and not an ideal choice for one loving glitz. Nor are there all the fun things such as water slides.

For your first cruise, you'll love any ship, and you'll also find enough edible food around to please...enjoy planning, and enjoy your first cruise! :cool:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Jo. Thanks for that. I am so tempted to go out and book it now, but I'm conscious of JB's advice to leave it until six weeks before.

I can't advise on that- we do it both ways. This past year we've taken cruises on both Aurora and Ventura with only a week to go...yes, it's cheap, but we miss out on board credit, free parking/coach, and had to take whatever cabin was available. Loved every minute of both, though! :cool:

For a more important cruise, we like to make sure of everything...so our next cruise, which is 28 days on Ventura from the UK to the Carib and back, we made sure we had the exact cabin in the right spot, the right coach trip down, and a good amount of OBC. We know that the price will go down considerably once the pay day has passed, but we have chosen what we need instead of the leavings....:D

I'm for both! ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Jo. Thanks for that. I am so tempted to go out and book it now, but I'm conscious of JB's advice to leave it until six weeks before.

 

Just to clarify, I've put up late booking as a money-saving option to consider, rather than definitive advice.

 

For example, a couple of years back we cruised the Caribbean on Azura. Late deal, balcony cabin, broadly the same cruise as you're considering including flights from Gatwick. We paid a lot less than others who'd booked early had paid for an inside cabin. Some late-bookers paid even less than us!!

But it wasn't a must-do itinerary (we'd been to all the ports before) and we didn't have fixed holiday dates (we're retired). If that offer hadn't come up, or if we'd jumped too late, no problem - another bargain will appear.

 

It's what we usually do - but not always.

 

Last winter we took a Thomson fly-cruise which included Columbia, Panama, & Cuba - amongst a total of six ports that either I or my partner hadn't visited. A must-do, with a choice of four dates. Watched & waited for prices to drop. They didn't. They hovered at about the same price for several months. Watched cabin categories sell-out. When the ship sold-out for two of those dates, we jumped. At about the starting price. That was about 3 months out. Prices did drop close to the date, but we were happy that we'd guaranteed a cruise that we wanted.

 

So you can see that Jo & I are singing from the same song-sheet.

Late bargain or a guarantee of exactly what you want?

No definitive advice - there are pros & cons, and personal circumstances for you to consider.

 

Yes, I'm pretty confident that there'll be bargains to be had this coming winter, on Azura or Ventura or both, especially if you can be flexible on date. It's been that way for a number of winters.

But no guarantees.

Hence my comment that "You probably want to play safe & book soon - but be aware that prices are likely to drop significantly later. So don't allow others probably getting a cheaper deal to spoil your holiday - you've had the peace of mind that you've got the cruise you want on the date you want".

One matter I'm less confident about is airports for late bookings. You don't quote your location, but of course some airport choices will sell-out before others. If you live up-North you won't thank me for saving you money if the only available late-booked flights are from Gatwick.

You won't get an entirely-straight answer about late booking from cruise agents, because they'll want a sale before you change your mind or go to another agent, and because they can't guarantee price-drops either.

But do broach the subject with them & see what they say.

 

JB :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...