DS_Dean

Dont get me wrong I am all for technology and think that the My Holiday app both pre cruise one and the on board one are great ideas. They just need to ensure it works. I was on Azura in the Summer and the app seemed to work ok then, but the November cruise on Iona it was terrible. I do think there are specific things about the way its been done that will make it hard work. For instance when you connect on Android you'll get a "This network cannot provide internet". Unless you explicitly choose the option to stay connected Android seems to prefer to disconnect it after a while. I think the app would work better if they gave everyone free internet access albeit at a low speed, then devices would connect easier and would avoid devices having the "This network cannot provide internet" issue. Then P&O should offer an actual WiFi ultimate package that genuinely increases the speed for those who want more premium WiFi. I only have one cruise example where I tried the ultimate WiFi upgrade and it did nothing, has anyone else tried it, did it actually increase the speed?

Seems no surprise the issues are partly (mostly?) down to IT. Carnival UK seem to always be in perpetual IT disaster. The old P&O Cruises "My Booking" web app was always a mess, slow and broken. Then they released a new "My Holiday" web app that looks shinier but again seems to be broken most of the the time. Giving you a countdown when entertainment/dining can be booked only for the day to come and when you try it just spits back error messages. On board the My Holiday app is equally as bad. On Iona recently it was terrible, so slow, and it went down more than once for more than an hour, causing on board chaos as people queuing outside venues and staff not knowing what to do. The ship has WiFi access points everywhere but if you have the app open and move around the ship it cant keep you logged in. So you can be thinking you are in a queue but if you refresh you are just sent back to login page.... despite the web page telling you to 'stay on the page'. If you do though you'll have no idea if you are logged in or if it has logged you out and stopped refreshing. On Azura earlier in the year the on board My Holiday app seemed to work better, so quite surprised to see it being some how worse on Iona a few weeks ago as a newer ship. Then theres the WiFi. They offer two packages one for slower speeds and then another "ultimate" package which promises faster speeds and streaming. However.. if you start on the basic and upgrade mid cruise to ultimate... the WiFi speed is exactly the same (ie. very slow). P&O then says "ah it is subject to satellite signal". However it never improved over any of the remaining five days I used it. Anecdotally I have heard from people who work at Carnival House in Southampton that internally the IT is a disaster also. They should just get some expert, outside help, or something to help overhaul everything they are doing IT wise and bring it up to an acceptable working standard.

I was on this cruise and while I didnt have any issues for reception whenever I walked past reception it seemed to always be rammed with people. In the Club House on the last night when they asked if people had a good cruise the audience seemed split between Yes and No, so do agree that some people had issues. Highlights for me were the "Noise Next Door" act in Headliners Theatre, Zoe Hearn and the Limelight Club and the food in the Keel and Cow. All of these were excellent. Some negatives - Food in the Beach House was quite basic. The My Holiday app was hit and miss, often not loading. On one night it was down for about 1.5hrs and staff did not know how to manage queues. The app advertised food in Glass House but actually the menu was not available, so it was pointless joining that queue. Also the acts in the Sky Dome... the sound quality was terrible. Think they could do with a Sound Engineer in that venue!

It is a bit strange, they make it out that you can prebook things like Beach House, Sindhu and what not but when you add it to basket it doesnt work. It didnt work on our Azura summer cruise and doesnt work on our Iona winter break cruise now. I assumed it was just the IT not working, being P&O and all. But maybe it is unavailable on purpose.

Maybe it's all down to you! Have a great cruise!

For info:

It seems like the rules are changing on Azura today to match P&O policy. Masks recommended only but not mandatory. Just as we are leaving. So gutted we had to endure masks and now as we leave it goes back to mask free. Good news for you @MX-Drew!

Ah. We flew from London Gatwick, our plane was entirely P&O from what cabin crew said so maybe a bit different.

We had to wear masks on TUI flight to Malta cabin crew said TUI removed masks a while ago and they only enforce them at P&O's request. I assume we won't have to wear them on the way back, hopefully!

Yes we have found exactly the same today in Italy. P&O Horizon saying masks needed indoors in Italy but our tour guide confirmed it is not the case. I think there are some staff on here in some senior positions who just do not have correct understanding of protocols. P&O Azura is mask obsessed. Be it announcements and text in Horizon / shore experiences. Just not sure where it is coming from. If it is just from the Captain we will avoid ships where Luca is captain. But I am not sure.

Asthma I think. However whatever it was, senior officer found it acceptable, overriding Manhatten staff.

I think this is pretty much normal. P&O operates a more Ryanair esque customer service experience.

It definitely caused confusion. At one point there were several staff involved. It wasn't until senior officer (white uniform) came down that it was defused. Then she was allowed to continue without a mask.

We were in Manhatten yesterday and someone went to dance without a mask but was told off by staff. She got up again and staff ganged up on her and eventually senior officer came down to take her to the side. A fellow passenger recorded a video of of it. Turns out the lady had medical exemption but P&O staff saying no exemptions. I think it was sorted out fine when senior officer came down as she was allowed to continue without a mask thereafter. All very confusing on board with staff not really understanding. Hard to blame them as captain comms, Horizon, P&O written down policy are all different.

The captain said this on his announcement on protocols that masks are needed when indoors except when eating or drinking. Even when sitting. However this is contrary to Horizon which just says you need to wear them indoors when moving around the ship. Which is what about 90% plus of people are doing. Captain announcements are not very coherent. It is fine to take masks off when you are sat down, thank goodness.

Indeed. And of course that it is not the advertised policy on P&O's own website.

No we didn't have to have any on board testing for the second week. The only test we have done is pre departure, fit to fly.

Just walked up atrium stairs and some passengers raised voices near reception about ludicrous mask policy. Fresh set of passengers joining today so I suppose reception will have to deal with a whole new set of agitated people!

We expressed our displeasure at reception about masks and closed facilities. The duty manager called us in our cabin to discuss but had no explanation. He said he would forward our concerns to head office.

We are on Azura 2 week cruise (Malta) and there is no further test needed since initial boarding.

Hard to say.. we think maybe it is at 70% passenger occupancy. But that is just our guess. Might also be worth noting that there is no conditioner supplied. So don't forget to bring your own!

Yes. The sun is shining and we have had very nice days out in port. No issues with food and wine! I am posting about the issues.. ultimately we are still having a good time. The mask wearing.. still bothers me alot. The adherence to mask policy has increased alot since pressure from captain announcements to wear them. The great weather and ports are making up for it. We have not been into MDR yet and will update when we do.

On the bright side the food we have had in both Epicurean and Glass House has been amazing.

We decided to stay on Azura today to enjoy Aqua Pool in Spa area but it's been closed all day. Asked staff when it will open but they don't know 😞 In main pool area they no longer do pool side snacks like sandwiches / wraps. Ice cream area still closed. I asked and there's no plan to re open it.

Face mask wearing has been mixed on board. Captain just had to broadcast into all Cabins having a moan about guests not wearing them. They are apparently required sitting down as well, so only exclusion is when actually having a drink or food. Passengers who are not wearing them are aggrieved because advertised mask policy before booking is not the reality on board. Think P&O need to do better. Some people don't want to be here with all this full on mask wearing. Me included, albeit I am wearing mask per guidance although I did not realise until now it is required when sitting down.