cheshire

That’s luck not planning. You don’t plan not to sell 50 seats in case the plane has a technical issue. So far we haven’t heard if people were moved to a Virgin flight or put off to today. Think I would go home and come back today if I had been given an option. Both Maleth aircraft have technical issues. The Bridgetown flight isn’t due into Manchester until 15:00 then it has to fly to Antigua as the Manchester aircraft is still out of service. That’s going to delay Arvia slightly tonight.

The late changes to flights indicate poor planning from p&O management. Arvia was ordered in 2018 with its Caribbean programme in mind. It’s pretty easy to calculate the number of aircraft seats required to fill the cabins onboard with slight variances being made up with ad hoc scheduled flights. The fact Maleth were selected only a few months ago indicates a degree of poor planning. Tui haven’t increased their long haul fleet so they have had known capacity. I could go on but this is nothing new in tour operation. Hopefully it’s a one off

Very much aware of that. Tui actually had a 787 at Manchester for 14 hours sitting waiting as a back up. the point is the choice of Maleth as an operator had a certain degree of risk. This has been shown

Not sure of your point there. But Again Only one in the A330 on the uk register which is why the aircraft was stuck in Barbados. Virgin and BA have more frequent services and a larger long haul fleet to offer more reliability but their flights cost more. You decide.

The Tui issues last year were due to the fact that because of covid planned maintenance of the aircraft had been delayed. When they they went to Abu Dhabi and Singapore for major maintenance ahead of the busy long haul flying season several issues were identified on a number of aircraft that meant they were delayed in maintenance. This had a cumulative impact on flight schedules pre Christmas that they finally got back in track with. Tui have reduced the number of uk airports too on Barbados in an attempt to give more resilience in the event of issues.

Well the back up plan of using the Gatwick aircraft failed as its scheduled to fly on a Saturday do not enough time. the aircraft they substituted had 50 fewer seats. That won’t work in January or over Christmas I’m sure. the aircraft had been in Manchester for four days sitting there going nowhere. Its well known aircraft need to be used. Perhaps the preparations for the Barbados flight should have started earlier to identify the issue affecting the aircraft. what maintenance agreements are in place at Manchester. I could go on but I think you have the idea. I was briefly involved in running an airline once. The fist days of winter always found out a few issues. Costly ones too

Well It was almost inevitable it would happen sooner or later but Fridays Maleth Manchester flight was delayed almost 12 hours. The 09:30 finally departed at 21:01. Initially a replacement aircraft was going to come from Gatwick. This was put back three times before Maleth finally positioned a replacement aircraft in from France around 7pm. The replacement aircraft actually had 50 fewer seats than that scheduled to operate so I hope they all got on. let’s hope it’s a one off and lessons will be learned should their be a recurrence this winter. Passengers will arrive in Bridgetown 02:00 local time. Passengers leaving Barbados aren’t expected to leave before 03:30. That’s a long day for everybody. passengers on Aer Lingus meanwhile have been stuck for two days in Barbados after one of their aircraft had an issue.

Is this with fixed dining in MDR? We are on Britannia and will hopefully be in epicurean etc and get freedom dining?

Does anyone know which nights are the celebration nights in Britannia in the Caribbean series 2023/24 14 cruises.

We are travelling with friends on Britannia in February. Earlier this year in Arvia we simply booked a table in epicurean etc for the two of us. This time we are travelling with friends under their own booking reference. Can we make a table reservation in epicurean ahead of sailing for your or do we both have to book a table for two and discuss onboard?

Booked this morning. No problem. Travelling with friends on the 24th Feb from Manchester. Got the seats we wanted in PE but can’t be bothered with a midnight log in.

Casino always has a lot of cash used rather than charged to an account I noticed. .

Standards I guess. Like I said.

People making out in the hot tubs shorts and casual attire in MDR Horizon glorified bun fight Brodies at night like a Wetherspoons club lounge looked like a holiday camp resort. make sure you have your beach towels out by 7am no more afternoon tea positives crows nest bar Epicurean limelight club 710 Andersons keel & cow I’m sure many will like it but the difference in cabins is little. We had a deluxe balcony. Nice but not worth it.

P&O have identified the market they want. Good luck to them. We met more people who wouldn’t return than would even friends who were just back last week. Overall consensus was a lack of refinement and cut backs in areas we find attract us to a cruise. It’s a party ship. Many first timers will like it I’m sure.

Having been on Arvia it’s evident they want 30 somethings with designer stubble and CK clothing. No refinement onboard in many areas. Poor food in MDR. Epicurean was superb but you need to book before you go. Go again? Not unless it’s a last minute heavily discounted offer which is what they have filled the ship with this year and I can’t see that improving next year.

How would you have felt though when you were younger and had afternoon tea or for that matter if Epicurean was withdrawn? Tases and desires change with age. A head banging night club isn’t for me either.

It’s not down to age it was the outlook, behaviour and attitude of some onboard that I and in fact many younger couples also didn’t approve of.

The food and service is excellent. There are menus online and I have a few photos.

Yes. But please no casual jeans, trainers and t shirt..

I strongly suggest you book before onboard. We booked three nights and loved it. The menu changes every seven days or so. Don’t wait until onboard. Many did and couldn’t get in

Just back from Arvia. Would we go again? No! Like many regular cruisers some of the new market P&o are attracting are not people I wish to associate with. epicurean saved us from walking off. MDR food was average at best. Celebration night was oddly the worst food. Excellent breakfasts. Service was generally very good indeed in all departments. Brodies and club lounge after dark were simply avoided but in sea days those that frequented those venues were up by 6:30 reserving loungers. smoking area on deck 18 was a no go area. overall p&o need to re assess which market they are in.

Good to see alas too late for me. Arvia and Iona seem to be the future. They’re not cruise ships they are simply floating resorts fir the all inclusive brigade. Very well appointed and many many good things but sadly No character. You’re a number. keep pushing ex butlins entertainers in club lounge but for me on a sea day afternoon tea was our thing. We did to eat in Epicurean three times as celebration night food was a disgrace. nice ships shame about the behaviour of some onboard.

There is a bookcase for effectively display purposes only. I did notice a book exchange table that as soon as a book was there it was gone. Such a shame as a library on a fly cruise would be so useful. Books are on sale on the shop with a number of varied titles and themes.

So far I’ve avoided covid and in fact all bugs for some years. Sadly caught a stinker of a cold on Arvia and certainly not alone so I think the covid testing is a good idea. I suggest anyone takes Lemsips onboard. We are relieved we did!