Captain Quoits

Just looked at your wine list post, that Penfolds 28 isn’t included on the deluxe package as there’s no D next to it. Looks like the most expensive large glass of red on the deluxe is Wirra Wirra Church Block at £12-95, that’s a decent drop in itself

I’m a bit confused in regards to whether Beach House is included with the cruise fare on Iona or whether there’s the £7-50 cover charge like on the other ships. I’ve seen vlogs and reviews saying it’s included and others mentioning the cover charge. Love the beach house and have used it on both Azura and Ventura, the curry goat is exquisite 

No water slides, high ropes, climbing walls etc, much smaller casinos and the fact it will be full of Brits will mean it’s a quieter and more relaxing experience, no spring breakers on P&O.

Hope you and your family have a fantastic time.

When we stopped there a couple of years ago we walked up  the beach past Margaritaville and set ourselves up at Jacks Shack further up the beach. The whole stretch of beach is gorgeous but it’s quieter up by Jacks, the Jerk Chicken there is awesome and ocean is beautiful 

It is a very relaxing couple of hours which takes in the north and east side of the island, scenery and views are great and the drinks flow on board. Really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it. If doing  it on a cruise and looking to book it as an organised excursion I’d book early as it is usually one of the most popular trips, certainly has been with P&O 

Just returned from a 3 day mini cruise around southern England and wanted to share a few of my views. This was our 7th cruise and first with MSC having been with P&O in the Caribbean 4 times and done Celebrity and Marella in the Med.

First cruise from Southampton and during COVID times. Embarkation took well over 2 hrs due to huge queues and the temperature check, showing your documents and COVID test and after all the fuss about travel insurance this wasn’t even asked for during this process.

The ship certainly has the wow factor and was stunning although very rarely saw staff with the vacuums or dusters out so carpets looked a bit scruffy in places.

 The aqua park was great fun and my wife did the Himalayan rope bridge which looked terrifying. So much to do both day and night on board and children and teens will love it.

Our cabin was the nicest we’ve had at sea, balcony cabin on deck 12 midship and certainly nicer than previous balconies we’ve had.

Think my biggest bugbear was the constant long queues for a drink in every single bar within the ship. Don’t know if this was due to a lack of staff, the fact it was all inclusive or whether minimum staff were deployed in bars to stop the Brits drinking the ship dry, maybe a combo of all three but it certainly seemed to be a talking point on board. Believe that we sailed on two thirds capacity which is just over 4000.

Food was good although not the best we’ve ever had on cruises and would have liked a bigger choice of menu in the main dining rooms. Never got to eat in the speciality restaurants as these were booked up in no time at all given the fact they all ran with reduced capacities.

Hoping to cruise again soon and certainly would give MSC another go, preferably in the wall to wall sunshine of the Caribbean rather than England but even here we did actually see some sunshine this cruise.

Jason

This time last year, Azura in the Caribbean. Cannot wait to holiday again

Thanks guys, looking for free Wifi ashore it is then

In relation to the 24 hr internet package available on P&O ships, is that say 7am one day until 7am the following day or is is valid until you've used 24hrs worth over the duration of the cruise. Am asking as if it was he latter option I'd go for it but wouldn't do it daily

I'd air on the side of caution and take your own hairdryer if you've room. Me and Mrs have just returned from cruise on Discovery 2 and she wasn't impressed with the hairdryer as the cord was very short which impedes movement when trying to dry hair and you have to keep your finger on the button which made it hurt in no time at all. Lovely ship though, enjoy your cruise

The answer is no and as well there is no laundrette for passengers to use.They will confiscate any iron which you attempt to bring on board. They say this is to prevent accidents from the use of irons, but I think the real reason is obvious...it's so you have to use the on board laundry to get these little jobs done!!

 

Peter and Jenny

Thanks for that, useful info to know and a bit naughty of them IMO then

Just booked our first Thomson cruise on Discovery 2 leaving Malaga Sunday week and was wondering if there is iron and ironing board in cabin or available elsewhere on the ship

Amanda

If the P&O escape to JVD excursion is still the same as when we went in Dec 2012 then where you land is the opposite end of the beach to Soggy Dollar. It's not a massive beach and has about 4 or 5 beach bars. Once landing if you walk to the right for no more than a few minutes you'll be at the Soggy Dollar. One Love bar is also cool and is between where you land and Soggy Dollar.

Hope you are able to make it and enjoy it like we did.

Jase

Cracking review and photos, really enjoyed reading it

I'd stick and go on the organised trip with P&O rather than risking the ferry as the ship will be long gone without you if not back on time whereas you'll be covered on a P&O trip. Did the organised trip a couple of years ago and loved it. Think you get about 2 1/2 hours there which will be plenty. Make sure you try the Soggy Dollar Bar which is at he opposite end of the beach to where you land, it's ace😀. Enjoy

It's the only place to be on Friday evenings with locals coming from all over the island along with visitors. Everyone mingles and its a really friendly place. The smell from the various food vendors is great and there is a big stage where the locals and the more drunk tourists do a dance off. Really enjoyed our evening there and would go again

We've done the JVD trip back in 2012 and loved it. You land at the other end of the beach from the Soggy Dollar bar at a bar called Oceans 7 I think. The beach is incredible, it's called White Bay for a reason ! and there are a number of beach bars. Make sure you try the pInkillers and of course Pussers rum. Enjoy!

On certain cruises, they are offering complimentary drinks for all new bookings.

 

They are only available on 2 x TA's and one January 4 day trip.

 

Certain drinks are offered, including wine by the glass, and if you are in Grills, house champagne is also included.

 

Doesn't sound all that good as it is so limited.

 

Stewart

Personally I think it looks a good deal as everything up to 9 dollars included which includes lots of cocktails, a selection of wines by the glass, most spirits which are almost a UK double, soft drinks and beers.

With Cunard now dipping their toe in the drinks package market, is it now just P&O of the major lines that does not do a drinks package? It's surely got to happen hasn't it ? If not I can see loyal customers switching elsewhere. I had a drinks package on Celebrity last year and it worked out as good value given that almost everything was included, without you feeling as though you had to drink to excess just for the sake of it. C'mon P&O keep up.

Try the P and O website as the life on board section has full list and prices of drinks

Captain Quoits.

 

same thing has just happened to our friends yesterday, however they telephoned P&O direct and insisted that they be returned to their original cabin which they selected and booked in Nov 2013. Fortunately they managed to get their original cabin back. Hope you manage to get yours back also.

Thank you, all sorted now, travel agent fixed it and we are back where we originally booked which most importantly is where we want to be.

Have sailed twice in caribbean with P&O with third to come next month and once with Celebrity in the Med on the gorgeous Silhouette. Both have their pluses over the other, food on Celebrity was incredible and buffet was best I've ever been in on any holiday. Drinks must cheaper with P&O, we had premium package with celebrity and while great value given what you can indulge in but not cheap. Younger crowd on Celebrity and more lively and lots of different nationalities which is nice. Biggest difference for me is the getting to and from the ships themselves. P&O are a well oiled machine in caribbean with you not passing through customs in Barbados and getting on a bus literally just by the plane whilst you say bye to your cases at UK airport then next time you see them is when they arrive at your cabin. Different with Celebrity as have to lug them through overseas airport and to a coach then on way home we were dumped at Venice airport about 8 hours before flight home.

Celebrity have the wow factor but P&O are trusted brand for Brits who like certain things certain ways. Will no doubt sail both again but some may be disappointed going from Celebrity to P&O whereas not so much going the other way

Just received paperwork confirming upgrade for our Ventura cruise on 22nd November. We booked our original cabin on the day the cruise went on sale and picked a GC balcony, B757 which is Aft. We thought being right at the back in a quiet area would be well cool.

We've now been shifted to a GA cabin, R321 which is midship, higher up and has a sheltered balcony. Last time we sailed on Ventura we were on Lido deck in a forward balcony and both me and other half felt dizzy the entire fortnight presumably due to the height?

We feel very lucky just to be able to go on this cruise but is this really an upgrade or is it a case of its not selling as we get nearer to sailing ? Is our originally booked cabin now an upgrade for someone else?

Our travel agent is on the case as we speak!

Come off the ship and follow the hoards walking into town, go past the little area of pastel coloured wooden shops then cross the main road and Pussers is just up the road. Easy to find and well worth going to, try a painkiller cocktail or good old Pussers rum, yummy!

Hi, in Barbados have you tried Carlisle bay which is walkable from the cruise terminal and is home to great beach bars called the Boatyard and Harbour lights. The beach is what you'd expect in Barbados with powder white soft sands and amazingly blue water. Dover beach further down the South Coast of Barbados is much the same as are the South coast beaches in general.

St Lucia is much different in that the island is volcanic so the beaches aren't the white ones you expect to see in the region. Reduit beach up near Rodney bay is a nice beach but will be jam packed with passengers from the cruise ships. Last time I was on cruise stopping at St Lucia me and my other half got taxi up to Sandals Grande up by Pidgeon Point and payed 100 US dollars each for day pass. Lovely beach and you are able to make use of the great facilities, food and drink Sandals has to offer.

Whatever you do, enjoy

Jase