MX-Drew

And that was a genuine question, I wanted to know if anything stops someone taking a pool towel to their cabin.

Is there anything stopping you taking to the cabin from the pool deck?

Sorry, maybe @molecrochipknows.

@DS_Deanthanks for the information. You say drinks have gone up slightly, are there many cocktails and gin and tonic available under £6.95 limit? Hope you're still enjoying the cruise.

So Carnival can't help organise the certificates or get crew elsewhere? Also if it is a certificate issue why blame airlines? I don't believe a word to be honest. To be brutally honest I would be happier to be bumped from the cruise rather than be sold a cruise that does not give the experience I paid for. This will be my second cruise this year with P&O and the first on Iona left a very bad taste in my mouth and if this does the same it will be good bye to P&O and possibly cruising altogether.

@DS_Dean Are you onboard now? If so what is like getting served for drinks at the bars? Do you think the drinks prices for gin & tonic and cocktails etc changed much?

P&O manage to fly thousands of passengers in and out every week but can't fly crew once every six months! Pull the other one!

Or insist on a PCR test for chicken pox on young children who have a very real risk of having it.

Is anyone else getting tired of the Covid excuse? It seems to me, cutting crew numbers to make more profit to try and claw back money lost over the pandemic. This is not the cruise sold to me, my son and his wife and it is their first time cruising. They were looking forward to a meal in the Sindhu as it is their favorite type of food and have seen pictures of the meals my wife and I have had there. What is particularly disappointing is that P&O do not have the courtesy to let this before you go. Just today I have received an email suggesting I book speciality restaurants etc. This is what it says! (my underline). "Book dining experiences now Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, a romantic dinner or just because you want to treat yourself, you can book a special meal in one of our speciality dining venues. Each ship has its own unique selection, so, will you embark on a flavour-filled adventure with contemporary Indian dishes at Sindhu? Or perhaps you’ll tuck into hearty dishes and comfort-food favourites from around the world in The Beach House." I feel I have been overcharged and will be underwhelmed and disappointed with this cruise. I feel a case of Covid coming on and we will try again next year.

I believe so, molecrochip mention recently about there being tests available at Southampton for those who couldn't get one.

That's what I like, a nice positive mental attitude. 🤣

Probably not due to small print in their T&Cs but you might be able to claim from your travel insurance under third party failed to deliver. That aside if you are going from Southampton I think you would qualify for a P&O test at the port.

I don't know if this is a staffing issue that had got worse by February on Iona but we didn't have extra vegetables in the MDR and forget the chocolate, we didn't even get offered a coffee. I'm really starting to think P&O should be either giving a discount on these sub (pre covid) standard cruises or cancel altogether. After all my Son and his wife have saved hard for the last three years to pay for this cruise (their first) and I feel they will come away thinking what is all the hype, we would have been treated better in a resort.

So would I as I didn’t think much more could have been missed from Iona when I was on it in February. Just a few things we missed that have been on Britannia, no wine waiter, entertainment very minimal at best, no evening turn down service and never saw our cabin steward all cruise and last but not least very poor buffet with no drinks available other than tea or coffee.

I haven’t sailed on Azura before but have been on other ships, P&O & others. Our last cruise was on Iona and we thought there were too many cutbacks. The cruise before with Marella was better in our opinion.

Thank you for for that information. Was it possible to get single items cleaned and pressed?

@Sam34jolly thanks for the update information. It is just as I expected.

When doing the checkin today I noticed that it doesn’t matter what type of flight you arrive on to Malta, you have to pickup your luggage yourself from the carousel.

Ah and there is my point, both ship's atriums made a mark. You remember them where as Iona's is bland beyond belief especially after all the hype from P&O about what a wonderful atrium Iona would have. Also to answer davecttr's point about "Iona's 'atrium' being filled with useful stuff like the Glass House and Keel and Cow rather than empty space." That's the problem without a focal point it is just empty space. Britannia still has the Glass House (not open to all and sundry to wander past as you're eating) and many other places to eat and drink. Don't get me wrong, I like Iona but I felt the atrium was missing the wow factor.

Totally agree, it's P&O ships etc but P&O should not say it is a requirement to enter Malta when that is not the case. By doing that they are causing confusion, for example I could rightly believe I could have a week on Malta then do the cruise as a cruise only so in that case I would rightly think I could turn up at the ship with my granddaughter without a PCR test as it was not required for my one week land based holiday. P&O do not say it is required to board the ship (She would have done the required LTF tests).

Me too. I wonder if terrierjohn has pointless decorations like wallpaper and paint in his home?🤣🤣

On Malta’s PLF it states the same regardless of travel type and P&O specifically states “required for entry to Malta”. I have suggested via my TA that P&O look at this again.

I couldn't agree more with this review. I would also like to add that in my view the atrium has no wow factor at all to the point my wife said the railings on the stairs looked industrial. Where is the centre piece in the atrium?

@molecrochip as the title but the information on the government website says under 6 year olds do not require this. "Children and young people Children aged 6 to 11 can travel if they are accompanying their vaccinated parents/legal guardian and must show evidence of a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, dated within 72 hours before arrival. Children under 6 do not need a test. Children aged 5-11 may use their vaccination certificate, if applicable, to travel instead of a PCR test." Why are P&O forcing parents to pay for unneeded expensive PCR tests? I suggest they need to review the information asap.

Where are you sailing from? It it is from anywhere other than Malta a PCR is not required, sorry for the misinformation. Did you not get an email from P&O saying what you need?