Dixiebelle13

Made a note of those, thanks!

One of my favs SoupPlease... that and Brancott ;-)

Thanks all - and good idea about picking some up at the airport. £15 isn't bad but as others have mentioned it's still twice the price of buying on shore. I'd guessed choice might be limited in the Caribbean though so I might pack everything first and if I have some spare room/weight! I'm not a wine connoisseur (or I wouldn't be talking about bringing a bag lol) but I only like dry wines and if it's all sweet stuff I'll be snookered :-)

Putting aside the recent post about P&O's alcohol policy, does anybody know if it's possible to purchase wine in most of the Caribbean ports? We're doing a fly cruise in Jan 2018 (starting in Barbados) and we do like a glass while getting ready on an evening. I'm debating whether to take a box with me (or a bag as I've seen in our local supermarket - lighter!) but if I can buy a bottle for a reasonable price at the ports I won't bother... :wine-glass:

Well I read the subject and thought this is something we need to know about as my husband has no suit or jacket, and we are booked on our first P & O cruise on Aurora at the end of October. It has been an interesting 6 pages to read I must admit. I did worry that he would not be allowed in a bar for a drink but now feel happy that there will be places we can choose to eat and drink in on the black tie formal nights. He is OK with smart casual in his good trousers, white shirt and dickie bow tie so we can now look forward to our cruise with no worries about having nowhere to go. Thank you folks.

 

Gill

Gill, your husband only needs a jacket and he's dressed for formal night and you can go where you like! He doesn't need a dickie bow etc for smart casual, unless that's what he's comfortable in of course! :)

I've booked a tour in Dominica with Bumpiing Tours - they've been highly recommended on this forum and on others. We've taking the Roseau Valley Treasures tour which is 5/6 hours and includes several attractions for $55 each which I think is very reasonable. There are other tours available, all detailed on their website :-)

Thanks both, really want to try it - so will I not be able to book until we board then? Is it something I can do straight away by visiting the customer service desk?

Currently working my way through all reading material available on P & O's website in preparation for our cruise next January lol. Been looking at some sample menus and noticed one for a tasting menu at the Glass House - however, can't seem to find anything to tell me what the supplement is? Does anybody know if they still offer this - presumably it will be on certain nights only? - and if so how much if costs? Thanks!

Mossies mainly operate around twilight onwards. If you take Quinine it modifies your natural scent and makes you less attractive to them. It is contained in Indian Tonic Water but not Tonic Water and Irn Bru. Small Schweppes Indian Tonic Water cans are sold at on board bars for £1. It also helps with night cramps by the way.

 

Regards John

And gives you an excuse for a gin or two! :D

Hmmm... my husband was in the British Army but left about 25 years ago. I suppose it might be worth asking, who do I get in touch with? Not sure how he'd prove it though!

Thanks all - and Plumduff68 and Manilow fan see you on board! 👍

Sailing on Britannia for a Caribbean cruise departing 6 January 2018. Was hoping we might have a couple of later evening departures in a few of the ports, so we could perhaps have an evening meal and a few drinks on shore on occasion. I've read posts/reviews of cruises with the same itinerary so I know it's a possibility, but looking at the cruise personaliser all our ports are showing 'early evening' departure. Is that definitely the case, or is it just too early for the info to be on there? Thanks!

I'm looking forward to it and the Epicurean is on my list, we're actually sailing on Britannia but I'm reading all the threads with interest. Of course everybody is entitled to their opinion and I understand that people have niggles and not everything can be perfect, but I expected a P&O forum to be largely utilised by people who rate the brand and I seem to read more negative comments than good! It's quite disheartening really! Ah well...

I still find it hard to believe it's comparable with 2 for a tenner, although I'll stand corrected after I've been if it is the case. In the meantime, if you know anywhere I can get lobster (plus a starter and a dessert) for a fiver please can I have directions? :-)

2 for £10, really? I've looked at some of the sample menus and they don't look to be on the lines of burger & frozen chips and microwave chilli and rice, which is all I'd expect on a 2 for £10 offer in our local... ;-)

I've all on conversing with my husband at breakfast, never mind a table full of strangers, but reading the tips with interest ;-) It'll be buffet or room service for me as I don't eat much for breakfast anyway.

I am reasonably new to the forum and not sure if I have spoken to Alan, but by the sounds of it he was very helpful and other posters have enjoyed chatting with him. I'm very sorry for your loss Claire and I'm sure everybody will be happy to hear from you. There are also some great on-line bereavement support forums you could join if you think it would help to chat in a similar way to others who know what you're going through. Take care and look after yourself x

Agree about Gibraltar... been a couple of times (2nd time to accompany other holiday-mates or wouldn't have bothered!) and is it just me or do they also seem to get English weather?!!

If you've got to call there, I think you've dropped on doing it first... it's out of the way and you can stock up on essentials you'd usually have to take from home (i.e booze ;-))

Don't get me wrong, it's not a horrible place... just too much like being in any-town at home!

Thanks all for the advice :-)

We've booked a Caribbean cruise on Britannia for January 18, departing from Barbados. Obviously too early to see flight details/airline yet, but does anybody know if we'll get the opportunity to upgrade to extra legroom seats? Not really bothered about booking Premium, but husband is quite tall and would likely be quite uncomfortable with standard legroom for that amount of time. We flew to Mexico with Thomas Cook a couple of years ago and he struggled so we upgraded on the way back (and seems a possibility we could be flying with them for the cruise).

Thanks everybody for the replies... I understand we can just get a taxi to the beach but was thinking more of the excursions that combine something else with a trip to a beach included. I'd want to know which beach before I could decide if it was an attractive option. I'd be a little wary of booking a tour with a private company as on my last Caribbean cruise we had 2 schedule changes.

Hi all, finally booked a Caribbean cruise on Britannia for January next year. Thanks to everybody that answered my request for advice on booking - I eventually took the plunge and booked through an agent and happy with my decision.

I realise it's a year away but starting to do some research. My last Caribbean cruise was also my first cruise and I felt I was unprepared and didn't get the most out what the ports of call had to offer. Visiting quite a few different ones this time around too which is great.

Had a look at some of the excursions P&O offer and quite a few incorporate a visit to 'a beach'. When the trips become available to book, does anybody know if they will specify which beach?

Thanks everybody - I guess I'll get a few prices and see what the difference is to booking direct. The ones I've looked at online don't seem to offer me a choice of particular cabin (only the grade) so might have to ring a few.

Thanks everybody for the quick responses, I will be doing some ringing around in the New Year! I hear you Mike but I'm not sure I can hang on that long... :-)

Hi all - looking to book for the Caribbean in November/December 2017 on Brittania. I've been on one cruise before some years ago (Ventura) and booked directly with P&O. However, I remember a few people onboard advising me that I'd get a better deal with an agent. I've started looking but most agents' websites just seem to give a predicted 'enquire now' price so finding it hard to compare. I can't book for a couple of weeks (need to firm dates with work) so no point enquiring just yet... I just wondered what others' experiences are and whether it's worth me making enquiries with a few companies or just going straight to P&O.

Thanks in advance.