Selbourne

So the space on just one passenger deck could be the top of the lift shaft (motors etc)?

There is space for it to be a service lift from that deck down, as there is white space at every level below it, but why a service lift would just go up as far as that deck is beyond me! I always avoid white spaces on the assumption that they will be a source of noise of some sort or other, but the bigger balcony is obviously tempting.

I’ve deliberately not engaged much with this debate as it doesn’t affect us. We never take alcohol on board (either at embarkation or in port), we don’t drink in our cabin or on our balcony and we feel that on board drinks prices are reasonable. They are certainly no more expensive than any pubs we use and to complain that you can buy them cheaper in supermarkets is daft IMHO. The only fair comparison is against pubs and hotels. The choice of drinks can be quite limited in some of the bars, and indeed from room service so, even though prices are reasonable, I do have sympathy with those who enjoy a particular tipple and the only way to achieve that is to take a bottle with them. As for the motivation for this change, I’m inclined to fall on the side of trying to drive up on board spend rather than to deter drunkenness. If it was the latter, then offering drinks packages runs contrary to that objective. Whilst many of us feel that the drinks packages are over priced (even before the possible increase) and wouldn’t drink anywhere near enough in any given day (especially on port days) to make them even remotely viable, those whose prime motivation is to get drunk every day will certainly buy them and won’t be taking bottles on board when they are getting their booze ‘free’ with their drinks packages. O.K. they might have pre-dinner drinks in their cabin but one bottle, out of their entire holiday consumption with a drinks package, will be a minimal contributor. Those who are motivated by drinking to excess won’t be remotely deterred by the policy change. As well as access to drinks packages, the new policy would be dead easy to dodge by ‘smuggling’ bottles on board within suitcases. Let’s be realistic, they won’t be caught by doing this and there’s no consequence if they were. The sole risk is a bottle smashing if it wasn’t wrapped adequately. Whilst it’s not something I would do (for reasons stated) if a bottle of something special that you can’t buy on board was a deal breaker, even for moderate to light drinkers, then I’m sure that most people would do the same rather than ditch the cruise line.

Thanks. You posted that info as I posted my question about that! On the basis that we avoid buffets we will aim for the Golden Lion (assuming that it will be open). I just hope that we can get in, as I should imagine that it’s where those ‘in the know’ head! Am I correct in thinking that the food in the Golden Lion is included in the fare (free)?

Thanks. Does the Britannia restaurant open for lunch on embarkation day, or is everyone other than grills passengers expected to use the buffet?

I very much doubt that they can and strongly suspect that if a passenger does this they smile appreciatively and put the bottle back into stock. Even if they wanted the bottle (unlikely I should imagine) I doubt they would risk taking it back to their cabin. They would be terrified that it could be perceived that they had stolen it from the stocks that they distribute, which would result in instant dismissal. They would have no receipt for it or definitive proof that it had been gifted to them.

Indeed. We could still hear it when we got back to our cabin 2 decks above!

Thanks. As long as it’s a sit down restaurant lunch that will be fine. We avoid buffets like the plague! We have a 12.45pm embarkation so hopefully will be on board in time.

It was in the atrium when we were on Iona and it rather spoilt the show in the 710 club, as we could hear all the ‘silent’ disco participants singing at full pelt over the performers we were watching.

Delighted to hear that you had a great cruise and yes, those late breakfast times in the MDR are fantastic. I wish they’d do that on the other P&O ships (or at least some way towards it). 9am cut off on port days and 9.30am on sea days still seems to prevail on most ships, which we find a rush. Interesting that you ignored the app and just walked up and were seated immediately. Makes a mockery of the app!

When we were in PG on QM2 we had embarkation lunch in the PG restaurant. We are BC on QA and were rather hoping to have lunch in the BC restaurant as soon as we embark. Do you think that’s unlikely?

Thank you for taking us along with you. I enjoyed reading your first instalment. Have a fabulous cruise. We like Ventura.

We disliked the promenade deck on P&Os Iona, as it felt disconnected from the ocean being surrounded by a tall glass screen (as you usually get on the top decks) and was mostly uncovered so could only be used in dry weather, but I’d swap the Iona promenade deck for what I’ve seen so far of the version on Queen Anne! I’m relieved that we have a balcony!

I’d be very interested to see the a’la carte additions for Britannia Club and whether they remain the same for the entire cruise (as they did when we tried PG on QM2) or vary by day. If the food is as good in the standard Britannia restaurant as it sounds on the menus then we have a lot to look forward to.

Do I take it from this comment that you are dining in Britannia Club? If so, aside from the restaurant size, how are you finding the food and service (we are booked in BC on QA for two cruises). Thanks.