P&O 'U' turn - port times

I had been watching a thread on P&O regarding some significant reduction in port times which their passengers were up in arms about.

Our friends recently experienced this too - on their Adriatic trip they were notified on board of reduced stops at some ports. They were very disappointed. Imagine then when they get home to receive a letter informing them of shortened stops on their up-coming Black Sea itinerary in September. Disappointed doesn't cover it. Hopping mad is more accurate! As they said they'd booked a cruise with the published port times - not some reduced version!

Well, it seems as though P&O have taken note - see below. This refers to an American itinerary but presumably the message has got home!

P&o do a 'u' turn on port times

Following intense criticism and complaints from passengers, P&O have issued the following statement to passengers on Aurora to USA and Canada

Having conducted a further review of the recent changes we implemented on your cruise and the impact that this may have had on your holiday, we are pleased to inform you that we have reinstated the port times as previously scheduled. Aurora will now depart from Portland, Halifax in the early evening while Quebec returns to an evening departure. Other port time changes are detailed on this notification. We apologise if our previous itinerary review caused you any concern or inconvenience. May we take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful holiday on board Aurora.

IMHO they 'tried it on' with passengers and it has backfired big time. They have had to reinstate the original port times right across the fleet! They will have to think up some other way to get more money off the passengers:eek:

Well I just hope Thomson see the wisdom of taking onboard their customers views and are prepared to review some of their recent unpopular changes. P&O are listening when they have clearly dropped a clanger. Is Thomson?

P.S. And if Thomson start reducing port calls (i.e. more sea days) or times in port I'm definitely 'off'. It's the single most distinctive advantage they have over their competitors imo and their itineraries the reason we keep returning.

I had been watching a thread on P&O regarding some significant reduction in port times which their passengers were up in arms about.

 

Our friends recently experienced this too - on their Adriatic trip they were notified on board of reduced stops at some ports. They were very disappointed. Imagine then when they get home to receive a letter informing them of shortened stops on their up-coming Black Sea itinerary in September. Disappointed doesn't cover it. Hopping mad is more accurate! As they said they'd booked a cruise with the published port times - not some reduced version!

 

Well, it seems as though P&O have taken note - see below. This refers to an American itinerary but presumably the message has got home!

 

P&o do a 'u' turn on port times

Following intense criticism and complaints from passengers, P&O have issued the following statement to passengers on Aurora to USA and Canada

 

 

Having conducted a further review of the recent changes we implemented on your cruise and the impact that this may have had on your holiday, we are pleased to inform you that we have reinstated the port times as previously scheduled. Aurora will now depart from Portland, Halifax in the early evening while Quebec returns to an evening departure. Other port time changes are detailed on this notification. We apologise if our previous itinerary review caused you any concern or inconvenience. May we take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful holiday on board Aurora.

 

IMHO they 'tried it on' with passengers and it has backfired big time. They have had to reinstate the original port times right across the fleet! They will have to think up some other way to get more money off the passengers:eek:

 

 

Well I just hope Thomson see the wisdom of taking onboard their customers views and are prepared to review some of their recent unpopular changes. P&O are listening when they have clearly dropped a clanger. Is Thomson?

 

 

P.S. And if Thomson start reducing port calls (i.e. more sea days) or times in port I'm definitely 'off'. It's the single most distinctive advantage they have over their competitors imo and their itineraries the reason we keep returning.

When researching our Caribbean cruise I was surprised to see how many sea days the other cruise companies had. It was very much a plus point for me that there are only 2 sea days and 2 (I think) tender ports on Thomson in a fortnight.

Interesting - I was having a discussion the other day with a friend just back from the QM2 with Cunard & she was told whilst onboard that the port fees are getting ridiculous money for the cruise lines to pay - clearly the cruise lines are trying to avoid paying so much by adding in extra sea days or cutting down times in port. Ultimately though if these ports continue to do this, the passenger will pay the price as the cruise prices will increase ??!!! :rolleyes::(:(

I am very surprised that there has been no comment from the team about this.

Can someone from the team please speak to us and feedback to the boss about the AI changes to soft drinks.

I am very surprised that there has been no comment from the team about this.

 

Can someone from the team please speak to us and feedback to the boss about the AI changes to soft drinks.

Eleanor - you've put this on the wrong thread ;) x

Eleanor - you've put this on the wrong thread ;) x

No worries :D

I was actually taking a bit of leeway with what Kruzseeka said here, Jules :)

"Well I just hope Thomson see the wisdom of taking onboard their customers views and are prepared to review some of their recent unpopular changes. P&O are listening when they have clearly dropped a clanger."

No worries :D

 

I was actually taking a bit of leeway with what Kruzseeka said here, Jules :)

 

"Well I just hope Thomson see the wisdom of taking onboard their customers views and are prepared to review some of their recent unpopular changes. P&O are listening when they have clearly dropped a clanger."

Oops! Sorry - my mistake ;).

Yes - good to see that some cruise lines are listening to passengers ;)

P.S. And if Thomson start reducing port calls (i.e. more sea days) or times in port I'm definitely 'off'. It's the single most distinctive advantage they have over their competitors imo and their itineraries the reason we keep returning.

Interesting - I was having a discussion the other day with a friend just back from the QM2 with Cunard & she was told whilst onboard that the port fees are getting ridiculous money for the cruise lines to pay - clearly the cruise lines are trying to avoid paying so much by adding in extra sea days or cutting down times in port. Ultimately though if these ports continue to do this, the passenger will pay the price as the cruise prices will increase ??!!! :rolleyes::(:(

I agree Kruzseeka, plus the availability of local airports.

Jules, will it be pay more or see less?

A comparison for a Caribbean b2b itinerary between Thomson Dream and Crown Princess: almost the same price

Crown Princess - Newcastle to Paris to Fort Lauderdale

5 Sea days, 8 ports but Princess Cays twice so 7 different ports

Most ports 7 - 9 hours in port, tender ports not mentioned

Thomson Dream - Newcastle direct to Barbados

2 Sea days, 11 ports

1 port 7 hours, rest 10 or 11 hours, 3 tender ports.

Guess which one we chose, although Crown Princess a much better, newer ship!!

P.S. And if Thomson start reducing port calls (i.e. more sea days) or times in port I'm definitely 'off'. It's the single most distinctive advantage they have over their competitors imo and their itineraries the reason we keep returning.

Interesting - I was having a discussion the other day with a friend just back from the QM2 with Cunard & she was told whilst onboard that the port fees are getting ridiculous money for the cruise lines to pay - clearly the cruise lines are trying to avoid paying so much by adding in extra sea days or cutting down times in port. Ultimately though if these ports continue to do this, the passenger will pay the price as the cruise prices will increase ??!!! :rolleyes::(:(

I agree Kruzseeka, plus the availability of local airports.

Jules, will it be pay more or see less?

A comparison for a Caribbean b2b itinerary between Thomson Dream and Crown Princess: almost the same price

Crown Princess - Newcastle to Paris to Fort Lauderdale

5 Sea days, 8 ports but Princess Cays twice so 7 different ports

Most ports 7 - 9 hours in port, tender ports not mentioned

Thomson Dream - Newcastle direct to Barbados

2 Sea days, 11 ports

1 port 7 hours, rest 10 or 11 hours, 3 tender ports.

Guess which one we chose, although Crown Princess a much better, newer ship!!

Sorry, have tried, but don't know how to get rid of duplicated post! :confused::(:(

Yes Little Nell, I was making an oblique reference to the AI issue. I think they really need to think hard about this - any savings may well result in such a loss of goodwill (i.e. customers) that they will find it costs them more in the long run.

And yes I do agree with you Jules and Jakanne - Thomson really do well on the number of port days and the time in port. It really is a huge bonus and something I would want to give them credit for. As you say, other companies don't stack up in comparison. Perhaps that's how they manage to fund their new ships! I must say given the choice, I'm happy to sail with Thomson and have more places to visit and for longer on a given cruise, albeit in older ships. I just hope they retain this approach.

But with increasing prices, there will no doubt be an increase in cruise costs in time. It perhaps explains why Thomson's price points are where they are. We sometimes moan that they don't seem to be so competitive when you look at the flashy ships of their competitors - but if we want a high proportion of port days and longer berthing times then I suppose you can see where the extra costs are coming from. :rolleyes:

This business of port fees is something to keep an eye on. One advantage Thomson has though is that because the ships are small they often visit ports that the bigger ships cannot get into. Because most ships these days are pretty big it might mean that whilst is is a seller's market at places like Venice and Barcelona it is more of a buyer's market in places like Koper.

This business of port fees is something to keep an eye on. One advantage Thomson has though is that because the ships are small they often visit ports that the bigger ships cannot get into. Because most ships these days are pretty big it might mean that whilst is is a seller's market at places like Venice and Barcelona it is more of a buyer's market in places like Koper.

Let's hope so! ;)

Agree about the port days.

Looking at both Thomson transatlantic cruises and comparing to other cruiselines, no-one can touch Thomson for their itineraries.

Guess which one we chose, although Crown Princess a much better, newer ship!!

Crown Princess is a nice ship :rolleyes::rolleyes: but take your own coffee, theirs is dire! Problem with going with US lines is that you go from Fort Lauderdale, which involves an overnight stay in a hotel plus buying a US visa (ESTA)

P&O go from Barbados, like Thomson, but a friend of ours went on Ventura last year to the Caribbean and had 4 sea days in a fortnight :(

Crown Princess is a nice ship :rolleyes::rolleyes: but take your own coffee, theirs is dire! Problem with going with US lines is that you go from Fort Lauderdale, which involves an overnight stay in a hotel plus buying a US visa (ESTA)

 

P&O go from Barbados, like Thomson, but a friend of ours went on Ventura last year to the Caribbean and had 4 sea days in a fortnight :(

Ventura was on our list too, but more expensive, 4 sea days and 9 port days but from Manchester and one or two grumbles on the reviews.

We had 2 sea days Jan 13 on Dream in the Caribbean, but Latin Gems and Tropical Treasures give us 3 in Jan 14. Don't care as we have 3 new islands to visit, and I love the Dream.

Crown Princess is a nice ship :rolleyes::rolleyes: but take your own coffee, theirs is dire! Problem with going with US lines is that you go from Fort Lauderdale, which involves an overnight stay in a hotel plus buying a US visa (ESTA)

:(

And probably full of loud Americans??

And probably full of loud Americans??

Well it was when we went round Britain on the Crown, Julie :rolleyes: But we did enjoy it :)

Well it was when we went round Britain on the Crown, Julie :rolleyes: But we did enjoy it :)

Probably not so many the departing from Britain but I bet there are a lot if you leave ex-US ;)

Probably not so many the departing from Britain but I bet there are a lot if you leave ex-US ;)

Also, if the roll call for our fjords cruise, is anything to go by, the ratio is 2-1 Americans to Brits.

I cant be sure as I am not a regular p&o'er/costa'er/etc but I do think the bigger ships can afford more sea days and less time in port as the ships are really floating gin palaces and there’s plenty to keep yourself occupied

not much to do daytimes on thoms during port days and especially on turnaround days

thoms try their best on itineraries like the transatlantic where there are lots of sea days but if the weather is poor you really are kicking around the bars/restaurants all day

agreed thoms can get into some ports that some of the other ships cant, and also fare a little better in bad weather making last minute itinerary changes easier

also thoms have their own airline.... seamless travel to join ships is the biggest draw for me

I have also noticed the extra sea day on latin gems (dutch gems)....hopes this isn’t going to be new a trend for thoms

I guess we cant have it all....v interesting observation kruzsee, that the high ratio of sea days on other lines could be helping to fund their new ships?

I cant be sure as I am not a regular p&o'er/costa'er/etc but I do think the bigger ships can afford more sea days and less time in port as the ships are really floating gin palaces and there’s plenty to keep yourself occupied

 

not much to do daytimes on thoms during port days and especially on turnaround days

 

thoms try their best on itineraries like the transatlantic where there are lots of sea days but if the weather is poor you really are kicking around the bars/restaurants all day

 

agreed thoms can get into some ports that some of the other ships cant, and also fare a little better in bad weather making last minute itinerary changes easier

 

also thoms have their own airline.... seamless travel to join ships is the biggest draw for me

 

I have also noticed the extra sea day on latin gems (dutch gems)....hopes this isn’t going to be new a trend for thoms

 

I guess we cant have it all....v interesting observation kruzsee, that the high ratio of sea days on other lines could be helping to fund their new ships?

I think you are right geo especially reference the big ships with lots of 'attractions' - perhaps especially relevant for families and children. But I must say we found the atmosphere on the Aurora was very restrained to say the least and the sail-aways just made us laugh although that may not be typical of P&O in general (I guess the Azura and Ventura would have a different vibe). I reckon Thomson could do a cracking job on a ship the likes of Aurora - not too much bigger but a little more space/choice of areas plus nice cinema. Thomson's product, entertainment and up-beat atmosphere would have made such a difference.

Yes I notice the extra day on the Latin Gems. By including Bonaire in the itinerary though the logisitics would make it impossible to get back to Barbados otherwise. Perhaps this has been prompted to an extent by the complaints about Margarita Island (although we had a super day there on our last visit - did a Thomson transfer to the beach.) I reckon the problem for them here is the absence of a suitable mid-way port from the ABC islands and Barbados - hence the reliance on M.I. in the past. So if they want to include Aruba/Bonaire/Curacao on an itinerary they either do two plus a mid-way (MI?) or do all three then need an extra sea day to return to base.

I think they're on a hiding to nothing on this one and trust that the change has been made for the right reasons - try to find somewhere more acceptable than MI and/or to give their customers a new island on the itinerary. The downside being forced into two sea days in the week.

Hopefully it's not the cost-cutting exercise as just seen on P&O and the beginning of a slide into more port days because despite my other concerns about some trends this is one thing imo where Thomson stand head and shoulders above their competitors - but then we're big port-intensive fans and not everyone is. So once again, horses for courses! ;)

P.S. We were once talking to an American couple who were frequent cruisers and they claimed the reason for short port stays had much to do with getting under way so they could open the casinos, start the auctions and get you spending on board - so not just less berthing fees, savings on fuel comsumption but get the punters on board to separate them from as much cash as possible. Seems very cynical but it is a business I suppose so we have to expect that they are trying to make their money somewhere - on a personal level we just have to decide what economies are a step too far for us and take our custom elsewhere if necessary.

Sea Days are a definite win win for the cruise lines, no port fees and a captive audience to pay for drinks. Probably less fuel burn too, as they can chug along a a steady pace.

We noticed the P&O (think it was Aurora) pulled into Dubrovnik after us, and by the time we had got back to the Majesty around 3ish she was gone:eek:, I wondered why they had shuttle buses running into town, I would hope they would be free and not chargeable.

The last Caribbean on the Dream we did was based on the lack of sea days, P&O were a similar price, but the sea days swung it for us.

It's nice to get into some of the smaller, lesser known ports, I loved Koper and Sibenik.

Geo has a good point about Thomson having their own airline, some of the other lines have some good cruise only deals going from places like Venice, Rome, and Barcelona, but you try getting a cheap flight from a regional airport that all fits in, and then factoring in the transfers, maybe an extra night in a hotel. Sometimes Thomson headline prices seem expensive, but when you have worked it all out and consider the convenience you get, they are not such a bad deal.

P.S. We were once talking to an American couple who were frequent cruisers and they claimed the reason for short port stays had much to do with getting under way so they could open the casinos, start the auctions and get you spending on board - so not just less berthing fees, savings on fuel comsumption but get the punters on board to separate them from as much cash as possible. Seems very cynical but it is a business I suppose so we have to expect that they are trying to make their money somewhere - on a personal level we just have to decide what economies are a step too far for us and take our custom elsewhere if necessary.

I don't think that's a cynical view at all Kruz, it's all about the bottom line..... I always remember a friend of mine, she said of her first cruise on an RCI ship. "They have a hoover in your pocket as soon as you step onboard"

However I think Thomson's decision about the extra sea day is more about logistics and complaints about MI.