cheshire

1 minute ago, carlanthony24 said:

They would have made sure they have enough seats. No one would have been left behind.

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. 

2 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

It had far less risk than having no operator at all, resulting in major operating losses in this seasons Caribbean fly cruise programme.

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 
 

8 minutes ago, zap99 said:

Just making the point that Aircraft/ships/coaches etc break. Not many airlines have spares..just in case.

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 

10 minutes ago, zap99 said:

They could gave got one from Air Lingus.  Oh !  You mentioned them as well.🤣

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.  

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

There is a worldwide shortage of aircraft due to delays in deliveries.  On several occasions last year there were very long delays for P&O passengers, these being TUI flights. I believe one Christmas flight from Manchester had a 12 hour delay last year so delays of this length have occurred.  One Glasgow flight failed to arrive in Barbados on the Friday at the same time and the passengers were returned overnight to the ship.  Unfortunately it happens.  Maleth are going to unfortunately be a little more open to a long delay if an aircraft goes technical, purely down to them having less aircraft to call upon at short notice.  However they did thankfully source the aircraft and passengers did make it to Barbados.  The real gamble on all these flights whatever operator is the Saturday flights getting into the Caribbean in reasonable time as the ship's schedule will be impacted.  A couple of years back Britannia waited a day extra in Barbados for late aircraft arrivals which led to the loss of the first port of call.  To their credit P&O laid on excursions, and gave everyone some OBC by way of compensation.  

 

Travelling a long distance to join a ship is a risk and passengers need to accept that.

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. 

3 hours ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

What lessons can be learnt exactly?

 

This kind of thing happens all the time with all airlines doesn't it?

 

Planes have issues that cause another plane to be needed on occasion?

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.  

10 hours ago, mercury7289 said:

We have had the Commodores package on most of our cruises, it includes the wine that we would normally drink at restaurants when we go out out. On the first night, we choose the first bottle and also the second bottle for the ensuring evening. When we arrive at my table the wine is already there, so its all about convenience for us. No wine and food matching, we drink what we like. We also only order whilst on board

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. . 

On 3/29/2023 at 10:19 PM, Interestedcruisefan said:

My question back would be why did you go to the places you didn't find refined? You've listed numerous places you enjoyed. So why even worry about the places that you didn't like?  Brodies was just somewhere I walked through to get to places I preferred. The Club House I went in once to watch Ukebox play their second evening. Was nice enough atmosphere in there on that night. Apart from that those places made zero difference to my cruise at all as I never used them.

 

Never even looked at what people were doing in the hot tubs to be able to comment. Never went in MDR. I don't find the meals interesting enough in there to spend too much time waiting to be served

 

Epicurean twice including booking whilst I was on the ship. 

 

Also genuine question. I love food on holidays. But how was it ever possible to be on a cruise and eat breakfast, lunch and dinner plus find any appetite for afternoon tea as well? 

 

And which cruises have you been on where the best sunbeds don't get taken early?

 

I can't believe there are any where it doesn't happen tbh?

 

No matter what the price and however refined the passengers. The best sunbeds wherever you go on holiday get taken early. Simple as that. 

 

Am I wrong?

Standards I guess. Like I said. 

22 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

What exactly do you mean by lack of refinement?

 

 

 

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. 

On 2/5/2023 at 4:37 PM, Jennizor said:

I have to agree with you Jean. As we have got older (69&72), our appetites have lessened. In times gone by I would have enjoyed afternoon tea and then ate a full dinner but not now. We don’t use Epicurean either as there is just too much and I hate waste. Like you, we love the Crows Nest and are quite happy to be there away from the cocktail parties which can get very busy and noisy.

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.  

2 hours ago, Sonyar said:

We got home Sunday morning and really enjoyed our cruise.

We loved the diner, Olive Grove, 710 Club, Skywalk course and mini golf. The entertainment was mostly excellent. 

The food in Green & Co was wonderful, we ate there three times.

It was nice to see a lot more younger people on board. I'm late 50s and the only moaning/arguing I witnessed was folk my age or older.

We met some great people and will definitely book Arvia again.

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. 

1 minute ago, jeanlyon said:

Is it really £30 pp?  And what is so good about it to cost that much.

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

18 minutes ago, Ardennais said:

What’s the dress code for the Epicurean on non-formal nights? Smart casual? 

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!