Suite Questions

We are splashing out on a Suite next year (Britannia), which will be our first time (the last 2 cruises, on Ventura and Azura were in Superior Deluxe Balcony Cabins).

I have read the P&O FAQ's and searched these forums, both of which have been extremely informative. However, there are a few outstanding questions that I was hoping that previous P&O Suite passengers may be able to answer for me?

1) is it true that your Butler can get you reservations in the Select dining restaurants when they are claiming to be full? Seems like a daft question, but we have always found the fine dining restaurants in particular to be half empty, even when claiming to be 'fully booked'.

2) Are there any laundry privileges associated with being in a Suite? P&O state that the Butler provides 'laundry services'. What does this entail? I guess it's too much to expect that your Butler will do all your washing and ironing for you, but do you get any discount on the (very expensive) P&O laundry tariff?

3) P&O state that your Butler can provide full restaurant dining in your cabin. How practical is this? Does the food arrive in a timely manner and is it still hot by the time it gets to you?

4) What's the earliest check-in time for passengers entitled to priority boarding?

5) Is it true that Suite passengers get priority embarkation passes for tenders (we had a nightmare trying to get off Ventura last year)?

6) One post had a brief mention of a 'Priority Concierge Service' for Suite passengers, available prior to the cruise. Is this true and if so, what does it entail? Are there any other pre-cruise benefits?

For us, the biggest benefits we are looking forward to (other than the larger cabin size) are priority boarding and use of the fine dining restaurant for breakfast, but are there any other Suite benefits that are not stated in the P&O blurb that Suite regulars can share with us? We have shared our cruise experience (on 6 P&O cruises across 4 ships to date) with several newbies and we have always had feedback that their cruises were considerably enhanced by having prior insight to many things that usually take people multiple cruises to discover, so I'm hoping that others will be kind enough to do the same for me!

Thanks in anticipation.

We are splashing out on a Suite next year (Britannia), which will be our first time (the last 2 cruises, on Ventura and Azura were in Superior Deluxe Balcony Cabins).

 

I have read the P&O FAQ's and searched these forums, both of which have been extremely informative. However, there are a few outstanding questions that I was hoping that previous P&O Suite passengers may be able to answer for me?

 

1) is it true that your Butler can get you reservations in the Select dining restaurants when they are claiming to be full? Seems like a daft question, but we have always found the fine dining restaurants in particular to be half empty, even when claiming to be 'fully booked'.

 

2) Are there any laundry privileges associated with being in a Suite? P&O state that the Butler provides 'laundry services'. What does this entail? I guess it's too much to expect that your Butler will do all your washing and ironing for you, but do you get any discount on the (very expensive) P&O laundry tariff?

 

3) P&O state that your Butler can provide full restaurant dining in your cabin. How practical is this? Does the food arrive in a timely manner and is it still hot by the time it gets to you?

 

4) What's the earliest check-in time for passengers entitled to priority boarding?

 

5) Is it true that Suite passengers get priority embarkation passes for tenders (we had a nightmare trying to get off Ventura last year)?

 

6) One post had a brief mention of a 'Priority Concierge Service' for Suite passengers, available prior to the cruise. Is this true and if so, what does it entail? Are there any other pre-cruise benefits?

 

For us, the biggest benefits we are looking forward to (other than the larger cabin size) are priority boarding and use of the fine dining restaurant for breakfast, but are there any other Suite benefits that are not stated in the P&O blurb that Suite regulars can share with us? We have shared our cruise experience (on 6 P&O cruises across 4 ships to date) with several newbies and we have always had feedback that their cruises were considerably enhanced by having prior insight to many things that usually take people multiple cruises to discover, so I'm hoping that others will be kind enough to do the same for me!

 

Thanks in anticipation.

Answer to questions

1 Sometime we have been squeezed in.

2. Butler will only take laundry to be washed/ironed and return laundry to you. Only discount you will receive is if you send your washing on a day that has a special offer on reduced rates. Or if you are on the top tiers that allow 1/2 price laundry. Butler will not iron or wash any clothing for you.

3. Yes full dinner an be served so can breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and evening meal. Food is normally fine ,however if you start with soup it will be delivered along with any other starter and main meal. Butler will serve you starter and main meal together then leave you for about 15 min return remove dishes and serve you desert and any tea/coffee. Depends upon how hot you like your food. We had a butler who new that I liked really hot food so he did serve food really hot in fact he also served our starter then returned with hot soup and then returned with main meal delicious. Depends upon your butler.

4. As we don't normally ever arrive till about 4pm I don't know.

5. YES Priority boarding only available when you require to use a tender.

6. Have never heard of this on P&O 'Priority Concierge Service' maybe I have missed something out . Only thing I can think of is that when you embark ship you are directed to specific bar or restaurant for suite guest and top tier level guests to have lunch or drinks and nibbles. Wherever you are direct to your butler will come and introduce himself to you and escort you to your suite.

Be specific and clear to your butler what you actually expect from him.

If you wish afternoon tea to be served at say 4pm every day in your suite, you have to let them know ,only need to tell him once and tea will be served every day at the time you have instructed it to be delivered. The butler will do anything you ask within reason:D

They are very good and if you require to host a private party he will arrange every detail for you. Don't be afraid to ask for whatever you want, he doesn't know what you want you require to tell him.

I am also on Britannia next year and again in a suite.

May I ask please what deck are you on ? What cruise are you going on ?

You might be my next door neighbour:)

Unfortunately once you get the taste for a suite you don't want anything else.

Believe me. :) Anything else you require to know just ask.

We usually have a suite so I'll tell you what I've found.

Q1 No, we tried to book at the last minute on a cruise 2 years ago, and we were told by our Butler that the restaurant was full. Things may have changed, we had no trouble booking at the last minute on our last cruise. I thought it was because the restaurant wasn't full. Who knows?

Q2 The only thing our butler did was to bring our laundry to us. He doesn't actually do it. We've never asked him to iron our clothes even though that's supposed to be one of their duties.There is no discount because you are in a suite.

Q3 We have often eaten in our suite. The food was usually hot. He brings each course individually, generally asking how long before he returns with the next course.

Q4 You can check in as soon as the check in desk is open. Just say you are in a suite and you will be directed to the check in desk for suite passengers.

Q5 Yes you get priority embarkation passes for tenders.

Q6 I remember there was a Concierge Service when we first started cruising, but I thought that had been stopped. Any queries we have now,we usually contact our Personal Cruise Specialist.

I hope this helps.:)

'Helen Henry' - thanks for the comprehensive reply. We are doing a 2 week Med cruise next summer. We won't be neighbours as we have gone for a suite at the front of the ship and we have also booked the one and only adjacent cabin as a treat for our grown up daughters.

As well as our intolerance of smoking (see separate thread!), we don't like having the noise of young children in adjoining cabins. Having researched deck plans to death on previous cruises, we had always booked cabins that only allowed double (adult) occupancy either side. On our last Azura cruise the plan failed as the retired couple in the next cabin turned out to be grandparents, with their daughters and young grandchildren staying in nearby inside cabins. Needless to say, the Superior Deluxe Balcony Cabin booked by the Grandma and Grandad became the social hub of the 8 party members and effectively a crèche for the kids who were running up and down and crashing and banging around.

Next year there will be no cabin adjacent to us other than the additional one we booked for our daughters, although we don't know what's in the 'blank' space next to us in the front of the ship.

We are aware that the balcony will be much smaller than those at the rear of the ship, but the cabin itself is slightly bigger. P&O square footage quoted doesn't split space between balcony & cabin and we would rather have a slightly larger cabin as we don't use the balcony as much as most people do.

Unlike most people, we also really like being at the front of the ship. We have found that mid-ship cabins suffer from the thunderous noise of kids running along corridors at all hours and my wife doesn't like the roar of the wake at the rear of the ship (and I prefer to see where we are going, not where we have been). You also get no noise from public areas (pools etc) at the front. We have never found the slight additional movement to be problematic, in fact we rather like it. We find that we sleep like babies on a cruise!

Many thanks to those of you who have responded so far - please keep your Suite experiences coming! We are fairly experienced P&O cruisers but the whole Suite thing is new to us.

I am watching this thread with interest.

We were due to go to the Caribbean a while ago but due to a medical emergency we could not. P and O were fantastic, as were the Insurance Company who promised to insure me if we booked another cruise (rather than pay out a hefty sum).

We did a short recuperation cruise and now, a year later, we are on Adonia in November. To use up the money we had to have a Penthouse Suite:rolleyes:. I am looking forward to it but want to get as much information on it as possible.

I can't imagine ever having another butler... so might as well force myself to enjoy it!!!;);)

'Helen Henry' - thanks for the comprehensive reply. We are doing a 2 week Med cruise next summer. We won't be neighbours as we have gone for a suite at the front of the ship and we have also booked the one and only adjacent cabin as a treat for our grown up daughters.

 

As well as our intolerance of smoking (see separate thread!), we don't like having the noise of young children in adjoining cabins. Having researched deck plans to death on previous cruises, we had always booked cabins that only allowed double (adult) occupancy either side. On our last Azura cruise the plan failed as the retired couple in the next cabin turned out to be grandparents, with their daughters and young grandchildren staying in nearby inside cabins. Needless to say, the Superior Deluxe Balcony Cabin booked by the Grandma and Grandad became the social hub of the 8 party members and effectively a crèche for the kids who were running up and down and crashing and banging around.

 

Next year there will be no cabin adjacent to us other than the additional one we booked for our daughters, although we don't know what's in the 'blank' space next to us in the front of the ship.

 

We are aware that the balcony will be much smaller than those at the rear of the ship, but the cabin itself is slightly bigger. P&O square footage quoted doesn't split space between balcony & cabin and we would rather have a slightly larger cabin as we don't use the balcony as much as most people do.

 

Unlike most people, we also really like being at the front of the ship. We have found that mid-ship cabins suffer from the thunderous noise of kids running along corridors at all hours and my wife doesn't like the roar of the wake at the rear of the ship (and I prefer to see where we are going, not where we have been). You also get no noise from public areas (pools etc) at the front. We have never found the slight additional movement to be problematic, in fact we rather like it. We find that we sleep like babies on a cruise!

 

Many thanks to those of you who have responded so far - please keep your Suite experiences coming! We are fairly experienced P&O cruisers but the whole Suite thing is new to us.

Hello again,

We are on Britannia for 29days Oct- Nov 2015 B2B so we definitely will not even be on the same deck let alone the same cruise. Again our suite is Aft of ship B.Deck because we prefer Aft. I think some of the best suites are on the following ships.

Oriana B Deck Mid we never had any noise from anyone passing along the corridor then again when we sailed in this suite we were on leg of world cruise and I don't even think we ever saw any children. No speciality restaurant for breakfast. Breakfast served in suite just lovely. Maybe now speciality restaurant available for breakfast. Don' know.

My favourites are :

Ventura A 750 and C 748 Deck Aft. Breakfast in The White Room

Azura A 750 and C 748 Deck Aft. Breakfast in Seventeen

Aurora, Forward B/C Deck same suite,(Piano Suite) however no speciality restaurant to have breakfast in. Well it did not have when we were last on board may have now. However it did not matter as breakfast served by butler excellent

Arcadia, B Deck Mid did not like this suite at all, just like a square box as far as I am concerned. Again no specific restaurant designated for breakfast guests in suites. Might have changed. Don't know. The last time I sailed on Arcadia it did not have the additional balconies at the back so it was quite a few years ago. Things change all the time.

Oceana, I just love C.Deck Orion suite AND Deck A Oronsay suite.

If you have ever been in a Mini suite on Oceana, I think you will find that this Minii Suite will have the same dimensions as the Suites on Britannia except for Aft Port and Aft Starboard corner suites they are all much larger than the normal suites on B Deck Aft B724 B723 centre, and Mid Ship port and starboard. No idea about the dimensions of your suite.

Remember the above is only my thoughts on these suites because I have stayed in them apart from Britannia. No doubt someone else who comes along will have other contributions to make. It is good to get others thoughts on the suites. As you can see I do like AFT Suites.

As far as Britannia goes speciality restaurant for guests in suites is the “Epicurean” on Lido Deck 16 will be allocated for the exclusive use of suite passengers for breakfast. Dying to try it.

:)

I am watching this thread with interest.

 

We were due to go to the Caribbean a while ago but due to a medical emergency we could not. P and O were fantastic, as were the Insurance Company who promised to insure me if we booked another cruise (rather than pay out a hefty sum).

 

We did a short recuperation cruise and now, a year later, we are on Adonia in November. To use up the money we had to have a Penthouse Suite:rolleyes:. I am looking forward to it but want to get as much information on it as possible.

 

I can't imagine ever having another butler... so might as well force myself to enjoy it!!!;);)

Sorry I have not been on the Adonia so I can't help you.

I do so hope you enjoy your cruise and I know you will enjoy your suite. I do believe that the Penthouse Suite on Adonia is lovely. Just spoil yourself you both deserve it. Happy cruising

As far as Britannia goes speciality restaurant for guests in suites is the “Epicurean” on Lido Deck 16 will be allocated for the exclusive use of suite passengers for breakfast. Dying to try it.

Thanks again. All very interesting, especially about the size of corner suites, as the deck plans would rather indicate that almost all of the 'additional' space versus other suites is down to the balcony which, as I said earlier, doesn't bother us.

We haven't had a mini-suite before. The best we've had previously is Superior Deluxe on both Azura and Ventura.

As for Suite passengers having access to 'Epicurean' for breakfast, I have seen that referred to on these forums but has P&O actually confirmed it? I have seen nothing official about it, although I think it would be difficult for them not to do it when the facility is offered on the previous two ships that have entered service with P&O. It's one of the things we are most looking forward to, so I am extremely keen to have this confirmed 'officially'.

Thanks again. All very interesting, especially about the size of corner suites, as the deck plans would rather indicate that almost all of the 'additional' space versus other suites is down to the balcony which, as I said earlier, doesn't bother us.

 

We haven't had a mini-suite before. The best we've had previously is Superior Deluxe on both Azura and Ventura.

 

As for Suite passengers having access to 'Epicurean' for breakfast, I have seen that referred to on these forums but has P&O actually confirmed it? I have seen nothing official about it, although I think it would be difficult for them not to do it when the facility is offered on the previous two ships that have entered service with P&O. It's one of the things we are most looking forward to, so I am extremely keen to have this confirmed 'officially'.

Yes it is official. I personally e-mailed P&O and requested this information and received an e-mail back confirming that it would be the 'Epicurean' I also

e-mailed The Britannia Project See Below:

Extract from my e-mail to The Britannia Project as follows.

To:

<questions@tich.co>

Cc:

Sent:

Fri, 18 Jul 2014 11:51:42 +0100

Subject:

Suite Guests, Designated restaurant for breakfast

Name: Patricia

Email: 0000000000000000000000000

Subject: Suite Guests, Designated restaurant for breakfast

Message:

Will guests travelling in suites on Britannia be allocated a restaurant specifically designated for suite guests only to take breakfast in, just like P&O provide on Azura, Restaurant Seventeen and Ventura, Restaurant The White Room.

E-Mail received back 18th July 2014

Extract from e-mail I received on 18th July 2014 confirming that it would be

' Epicurean'

Hi Patricia,

The Fine Dining Restaurant on Britannia is to be called the “Epicurean”.

Like “The White Room” on the Ventura and “Restaurant Seventeen” on the Azura, the “Epicurean” on Britannia will also be allocated for the exclusive use of suit passengers for breakfast.

Best Regards

Britannia Project Admin Office.

Regarding corner suites, sizes and prices on Britannia compared with all other B4 grade suites. I am presently liaising with C.Edgington regarding my complaint and have been since April 2014. Too lengthy to go into on here.

Many thanks. That's great news. The 'bun fight' in the buffets for breakfast (in particular, walking around for ages trying to find a table) isn't the best start to the day and we don't like sharing a table in the main restaurants when we are still half asleep! Having a table of our own with no hassle in the fine dining restaurant was a major factor in deciding to take the plunge with a suite and I am extremely grateful to you for sharing your confirmation that this will extend to Britannia.

I'm sure you are correct that once we have tried a suite we won't want anything else. Our first cruise (1996) was booked as an inside cabin on Oriana and we were upgraded to an outside (no balcony). We liked having a window and decided that we had to have that type of cabin on the next few (so there's method in the upgrade logic). This type of cabin was fine when the kids were small (they loved the bunk arrangement) and we used them twice on Oriana and twice on Oceana, but as they got older we found them too cramped with insufficient privacy.

Next came the Superior Deluxe Balcony cabins. Oldest offspring wasn't coming at that stage and youngest enjoyed the sofa bed, although the lack of a privacy curtain is a design flaw in my opinion. Having been hooked on the extra space (more so than the balcony, as we were often bothered by cigarette smoke from elsewhere), we decided that nothing less would do.

Having discovered some of the Suite privileges, we decided that this was now the new goal and have taken the plunge on Britannia. Booking the adjacent balcony cabin for the adult kids has also given us a 'noise buffer' and thankfully the non-smoking balcony ruling has been the icing on the cake, so we are really looking forward to it, although true happiness will come when we are able to go on the 'adult only' ships! At that stage (possibly next time) it will be just the two of us and Suites therefore become a lot more affordable!

Priority tender embarkation will also be appreciated as we had to wait 90 minutes to get off Ventura last time.

Hello again,

 

We are on Britannia for 29days Oct- Nov 2015 B2B so we definitely will not even be on the same deck let alone the same cruise. Again our suite is Aft of ship B.Deck because we prefer Aft. I think some of the best suites are on the following ships.

 

Oriana B Deck Mid we never had any noise from anyone passing along the corridor then again when we sailed in this suite we were on leg of world cruise and I don't even think we ever saw any children. No speciality restaurant for breakfast. Breakfast served in suite just lovely. Maybe now speciality restaurant available for breakfast. Don' know.

 

My favourites are :

Ventura A 750 and C 748 Deck Aft. Breakfast in The White Room

Azura A 750 and C 748 Deck Aft. Breakfast in Seventeen

Hi Helen Henry

I hope you don't mind me hijacking this post but I've been searching for information on the aft suites A750 and 751 Azura and I see you like these suites :) I know there is no beam running through but haven't been able to find out it if the balcony is exposed as there is no cabin above or if there is an overhang from the pool area above? Appreciate your help. Thanks :)

Sent from my Hudl HT7S3 using Forums mobile app

For those who are purchasing Butlins at sea and then trying to upgrade and buy themselves out of the undesirable parts of the cruise such as tender queues, buffet breakfast, children/noise etc would a better option not be to try a line like Silversea, where the perks that you like are all included as standard oh and the laundry is completely free!

For those who are purchasing Butlins at sea and then trying to upgrade and buy themselves out of the undesirable parts of the cruise such as tender queues, buffet breakfast, children/noise etc would a better option not be to try a line like Silversea, where the perks that you like are all included as standard oh and the laundry is completely free!

Hello richleeds, thankyou for your advice, we have researched silverseas, crystal and other similar lines but they do not have the itinerary for the dates we need, or they involve a US departure and we like the no hassle flights and boarding that we get with P&O. We've had a great time on Azura the past 2 years but have not tried the suites in mention, hence the question :)

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Forums mobile app

For those who are purchasing Butlins at sea and then trying to upgrade and buy themselves out of the undesirable parts of the cruise such as tender queues, buffet breakfast, children/noise etc would a better option not be to try a line like Silversea, where the perks that you like are all included as standard oh and the laundry is completely free!

Richleeds, As another poster has said, yes there are other lines out there. I am always looking at them. However the overwhelming majority do not go from the UK. We do not wish to fly cruise, due to all the hassle and weight limits. I think one of them I looked at had one ex uk cruise, round the uk, that I could have done a lot cheaper on other lines.

We have managed to get up to mini suites so far..not sure I would want the jump to full suite. We love the extra space, and peace and quiet. For various reasons we spend time in out cabin.

I know when I open the cabin door I am the same as everyone else.

You get the likes of Silversea etc to do more ex uk cruises and I will jump at them.

Richleeds, As another poster has said, yes there are other lines out there. I am always looking at them. However the overwhelming majority do not go from the UK. We do not wish to fly cruise, due to all the hassle and weight limits. I think one of them I looked at had one ex uk cruise, round the uk, that I could have done a lot cheaper on other lines.

 

We have managed to get up to mini suites so far..not sure I would want the jump to full suite. We love the extra space, and peace and quiet. For various reasons we spend time in out cabin.

 

I know when I open the cabin door I am the same as everyone else.

 

You get the likes of Silversea etc to do more ex uk cruises and I will jump at them.

You have hit the nail on the head. Silversea/Regent/Crystal/Seabourn all look excellent only they do very few UK to UK sailings. We get the brochures from all these companies sent but it is so frustrating as there are no suitable cruises.

The other thing which puts me off is that these cruises are very port intensive, often having no sea days at all.

P&O just ticks the boxes, they have cruises 12 month a year UK to UK. If it were not for the hassle of flying, especially with the mobility scooter we would have tried all of these lines by now.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

:)

Hi Helen Henry

I hope you don't mind me hijacking this post but I've been searching for information on the aft suites A750 and 751 Azura and I see you like these suites :) I know there is no beam running through but haven't been able to find out it if the balcony is exposed as there is no cabin above or if there is an overhang from the pool area above? Appreciate your help. Thanks :)

 

 

Sent from my Hudl HT7S3 using Forums mobile app

HAPPY NEW YEAR Everyone.

Hello Gymbod

The balcony in both A750 and A751 on Azura and Ventura are great, big in length and very broad. Both balconies are very private and no one from pool area above can look down onto your balcony. There is plenty of space for you to sit in full sun or sit in the shade if you can find a bit of shade. :) Very little overhang from the pool area above. You do not hear any movement from above like people walking about or sun beds being moved. The slight overhang(it is very slight) can be very useful, if it is too sunny you can always move back or move around the balcony to suit yourself. In the event that it rains you can still sit on your balcony and you would never know that it was raining you don't get wet.

In the morning in the Caribbean, sun completely covers the balcony and lovely to sit and have breakfast or balcony (but remember you always have The White Room to take breakfast in) if it is too sunny or hot for you. When we return to ship about 4.45pm we then have afternoon tea on balcony and the sun is still fully on the balcony.

We returned from 28 days Transatlantic-Caribbean in November 2014 and had the same suite A750 it was lovely and so was the balcony.:D

I am sure that you would certainly enjoy either of the two suits.

Anything else I can assist you with please just ask.

Hello Gymbod

 

The balcony in both A750 and A751 on Azura and Ventura are great, big in length and very broad. Both balconies are very private and no one from pool area above can look down onto your balcony. There is plenty of space for you to sit in full sun or sit in the shade if you can find a bit of shade. Very little overhang from the pool area above. You do not hear any movement from above like people walking about or sun beds being moved. The slight overhang(it is very slight) can be very useful, if it is too sunny you can always move back or move around the balcony to suit yourself. In the event that it rains you can still sit on your balcony and you would never know that it was raining you don't get wet.

 

In the morning in the Caribbean, sun completely covers the balcony and lovely to sit and have breakfast or balcony (but remember you always have The White Room to take breakfast in) if it is too sunny or hot for you. When we return to ship about 4.45pm we then have afternoon tea on balcony and the sun is still fully on the balcony.

 

We returned from 28 days Transatlantic-Caribbean in November 2014 and had the same suite A750 it was lovely and so was the balcony.

 

I am sure that you would certainly enjoy either of the two suits.

 

Anything else I can assist you with please just ask.

Ah thanks very much for your reply, that has settled it for me and will be booking this as soon as possible. I was just a bit worried it would be completely unprotected from the sun or could be viewed from above or that there may be an overhang like the mid ships:)

We were in D736 over Xmas and this was a lovely suite (the beams weren't an issue as were to the side and being on the end was nice. It was too hot to sit on the balcony when the sun was facing in the afternoon but not complaining, it was a fantastic cruise with great weather, we would have the cabin again but when I saw that the A decks were still available I thought we'd give them a try :D Thanks again x

We had money to use up over a cancelled cruise due to an emergency. We had a penthouse. Very nice, but there are drawbacks.

We had 36 hours of very rough weather. We could not edge our way round like you can in normal cabins. Stuck in a chair or on settee for ages.Shorter time but the same thing coming back.

Glass table top, with all contents ie coffee pot, wine bottle fruit etc shot 6 ft across the room. If one of us had been in its line we would have no legs now.

We enjoyed the experience but would not do it again. We just felt that when on holiday the suite was just too big and unnecessary.

We are really glad we did it but really feel that a mini suite is the way to go. We really enjoyed the mini suite more than the suite, but then again we are all different.

We had money to use up over a cancelled cruise due to an emergency. We had a penthouse. Very nice, but there are drawbacks.

 

We had 36 hours of very rough weather. We could not edge our way round like you can in normal cabins. Stuck in a chair or on settee for ages.Shorter time but the same thing coming back.

 

Glass table top, with all contents ie coffee pot, wine bottle fruit etc shot 6 ft across the room. If one of us had been in its line we would have no legs now.

 

We enjoyed the experience but would not do it again. We just felt that when on holiday the suite was just too big and unnecessary.

 

We are really glad we did it but really feel that a mini suite is the way to go. We really enjoyed the mini suite more than the suite, but then again we are all different.

Maybe your post explains why suite only lines like Silversea do not offer many, if any, ex UK sailings. Edging your way around a suite in bad weather does not sound ideal and the sort of clients on premium lines are more likely to be regular flyers/travellers so would rather fly out to the ship with a near guarantee of calm waters and good weather rather than have an inflexible attitude of if it doesnt depart from the UK - I'm not going.

Maybe your post explains why suite only lines like Silversea do not offer many, if any, ex UK sailings. Edging your way around a suite in bad weather does not sound ideal and the sort of clients on premium lines are more likely to be regular flyers/travellers so would rather fly out to the ship with a near guarantee of calm waters and good weather rather than have an inflexible attitude of if it doesnt depart from the UK - I'm not going.

oh dear Richleeds you really have it in for people who do not like flying ,don't you?

I have flown all over the world in the past. However as flying has got more problematical ( getting to the airport hours before take off, to allow time for security) ,the weight limits etc. We have come to the conclusion that a 1-1/2 journey to a port-queue for a short while , then you are on holiday, is how we prefer to go.

I suppose any cruise I choose to go on will not be graced by your presence, so every cloud etc.

If we have bad weather forecast I put anything breakable or hurtable onto the floor (heavy objects/bottles of drink etc). No real effort ,then I can walk around ok.

oh dear Richleeds you really have it in for people who do not like flying ,don't you?

I have flown all over the world in the past. However as flying has got more problematical ( getting to the airport hours before take off, to allow time for security) ,the weight limits etc. We have come to the conclusion that a 1-1/2 journey to a port-queue for a short while , then you are on holiday, is how we prefer to go.

I suppose any cruise I choose to go on will not be graced by your presence, so every cloud etc.

If we have bad weather forecast I put anything breakable or hurtable onto the floor (heavy objects/bottles of drink etc). No real effort ,then I can walk around ok.

Do you know what English Lady, I just don't want people to miss out. I genuinely think its such a shame if cruisers miss out on destinations, itineraries, trying new lines, new ships, new ports, new cultures etc etc if they steadfastly wont fly.

There is such an amazing world out there to see and for the pain of a few hours at the airport and a flight - I think its well worth it.

Hi Helen Henry

I hope you don't mind me hijacking this post but I've been searching for information on the aft suites A750 and 751 Azura and I see you like these suites :) I know there is no beam running through but haven't been able to find out it if the balcony is exposed as there is no cabin above or if there is an overhang from the pool area above? Appreciate your help. Thanks :)

 

 

Sent from my Hudl HT7S3 using Forums mobile app

Hello Gymbod,

I have stayed in Suite A750 on Azura. It was lovely & we would have no hesitation in booking it again.

Hopefully (!) I have attached a photo showing the balcony.

Joan

Hello Gymbod,

 

I have stayed in Suite A750 on Azura. It was lovely & we would have no hesitation in booking it again.

 

Hopefully (!) I have attached a photo showing the balcony.

 

Joan

Hi Joan

Thanks for this info :D I can't see the photo on my tablet but I will check on a proper computer tomorrow to see if I have more luck :)

Karen

Sent from my Hudl HT7S3 using Forums mobile app

Do you know what English Lady, I just don't want people to miss out. I genuinely think its such a shame if cruisers miss out on destinations, itineraries, trying new lines, new ships, new ports, new cultures etc etc if they steadfastly wont fly.

 

There is such an amazing world out there to see and for the pain of a few hours at the airport and a flight - I think its well worth it.

Well said Rich. It seems from these forums that P&O's core customer favours Southampton and the accompanying Bay of Biscay and 2/3 dead days with potentially unpleasant weather. To be fair, if we lived close to Soton we would maybe give it a try but for us we like to fly off to wherever the cruise departs from and feel "on holiday" straightaway.

Having said all that, if I had dramatically decreased mobility, I may feel differently. Off skiing on Saturday - while we still can!

Well said Rich. It seems from these forums that P&O's core customer favours Southampton and the accompanying Bay of Biscay and 2/3 dead days with potentially unpleasant weather. To be fair, if we lived close to Soton we would maybe give it a try but for us we like to fly off to wherever the cruise departs from and feel "on holiday" straightaway.

Having said all that, if I had dramatically decreased mobility, I may feel differently. Off skiing on Saturday - while we still can!

We have sailed from Southampton and would do again but it's all part of mixing it up and keeping it fresh with new experiences.

It's like the people who moan about the same B&B they go to every year in Blackpool - but then continue to book it!

But if we did get 2 or 3 days bad weather then like you we would see these as wasted days.

If I was scooter bound that would make me MORE determined to get out there and see things that perhaps someone scooter bound 30 years ago could have only dreamed of.

Either through disability awareness programmes and campaigning or enforced legislation, airlines and airports are now fantastic at working with those passengers who may need extra assistance pre departure or onboard - and quite right too.

Enjoy your skiing!