Windsurfboy

Completely agree When we first started cruising OK less than 10 years ago, our P&O suite was £6.8k and a similiar sized Cunard QG later that year was £8k. Now on Arvia, rear suite is only £6.5k (ok a bargain early booking) , but our Cunard is now £14k. Our next cruise is Cunard and there should be no Covid excuses. Similiary our last cruise which was Saga twice the price of P&O the service also beat our expectations and we have high expectations parallel to their high prices Clearly something's got to give, you get what you pay for. If we want the service of 10 years ago , should be paying £10k not £6.5k So on Arvia in 2024, ship will be beautiful but more crowded, but don't expect same base level of service. Expect to have to pay for speciality restaurants to get Saga, or Cunard QG level of food.

True but as the OP had been allowed to use one last year on Q.V. it not unreasonable to assume same rules still apply to sister ship. As a regular Cunarder do you check every rule or just assume same as last time.

Never been on such a big ship as Iona / Arvia , but corner suites have a huge balcony , so thought no fight for sun bed . They are really good value . My plan was to eat most of the time in epicurean, Sindhu and the new Japanese restaurant on Arvia. Reading about these being closedon Iona and the queues at MDR, Butler in room will be similiarly be our backstop. Hopefully by 2024 it will be sorted, as not ssme atmosphere as restaurants.

It's 12742 and 12745 that are in the middle , directly under it on Iona

I was given this time once in QG , turned up at 12.35 ie 10 minutes early, to find all QG boarded ages ago and stuck at back of huge queue for security. No priority security lane. Ignore it and get there at just before 12.00 noon

Used qured twice had good service, why not stick to them as you know the technology works on your pc/tablet /phone

I think I'm being to sound like an old f**t on the Cunard board. In my opinion there are venues such as the pubs , the canteen oops sorry the buffet, even the new American diner, which should be anything goes . Pubs and diners ņ in UK have no dress code. However when it comes to nice restaurants in elegant rooms with smart waiters serving you food at well set out tables with table cloths , nice wine glasses etc etc. Then why not look smart. Why the competition to be as casual as possible. What's difficult about packing a nice shirt and some smart trousers. If the future of P&O cruising is the can't be bothered crowd then after next cruise , it will be the S's for me , Saga , Silversea and Seabourn

Terms ike smart casual are meaningless and impossible to enforce . Must say simply " collared shirt with perhaps addition of no polo shirts if they want to , and long trousers " for men.

I presume as your balcony was unusable you will be claiming the difference between balcony and a sea view plus extra for your inconvenience and disappointment. Please let everyon know how you get on

I think it's overstating it that only cruise ships have dress codes. Many premium resort hotels enforce a smart casual code, and would refuse entry for anyone in a Tee shirt and shorts at night. You also have special black tie nights at many hotels (e.g new year) where a black tie dress code is strictly enforced. But you are right that it's only the cruise industry where dress codes can be found at all "levels" , from entry to premium. But there are also cruise lines without a formal dress code at all levels. You can have an entry level line with black tie nights or one without. Similarly you can have a premium line costing many times P&O which are casual, or premium lines with black tie nights. So you pays your money and takes your choice.

It's funny how companies think passengers will panic if told the truth. Could they imagine people launching lifeboats themselves. 20 odd years ago, on a BA flight to Europe, captain announced we had to land unexpectedly at Frankfurt due to technical difficulties. I asked the cabin crew who I knew well from many flights, was it because we only had one engine, as we were flying crabwise. Said yes but not supposed to tell anyone. We were followed down the runway by what looked like every fire engine in Germany.

Reading the article definition of popular is how many visits on CC web site. So bigger ships are at top , more passengers. Visits can be praise or complaints Some ships like Saga with a very loyal clientele have very few online cruise critic active passengers. So basically meaninglessness

People like PG on Qm2.

It is clearly an unfair contract. P&O are making money. Unless someone takes them to court , fees of £205 for under £5000, £455 under £10000 claim in small claims court. P&O will continue with this crazy unfair system. For all future cruises the answers to all questions is No , No , No ,No .... They won't let you be honest, honesty is yes but.... They don't listen to the but. So just say NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

The difference between P&O and Saga is more then Wi-Fi, insurance , travel , drinks. Service is at another level. As it should be for extra money. However both offer a good cruising experience and in their own ways are good value. But you don't get showers on your balcony on Saga.

Aurora certainly looks nicer than Iona, but still has a lot of balconies and not a sleek as the generation before , which I think looked the most elegant from the outside. I was very happy with my cabin on Aurora and loved the ambience inside ship. It was our first cruise and got us hooked. Only negative for me is Sindhu, would prefer epicurean or ocean grill as premier restaurant. So far my cruises have be Aurora, Cunard Vistas and new Saga ships. Ariva will be an experiment, may be a step to far , but give everything a go once

The trouble with politics, too many people treat people with opposite views as almost enemies. It's a form of cancel culture that's been going on for years. Conversations with someone with the complete opposite views to you can be enlightening and enjoyable. They are two types of political discussion, one about social and economic ideas. The other party politics, which is to be avoided.

I can't work out if we agree or disagree . Anyway I feel a good conversation edges on a debate , even if you all fundamentally agree , it refines your thinking. But not every night, and not till you get the feel of the person.

Nothing wrong with political discussion as long as people are open minded, not of the modern type to "cancel" someone who disagrees. It can be more stimulating than small talk. That's why it may be better to stick to safe subjects for the first few days.

Luckily most passengers spend far more time inside or looking out from the ship than looking at it from on shore. The best looking ships were the old ones with no balconies, smaller windows and sleek lines. Nice to look at but it's nicer to sail on modern ship. We are on Arvia in June 2024, I hope spray doesn't reach corner suites. Looking at pictures shouldn't unless force 8 gale.

Same question what was P&Is response to complaints

Agree Stupidity is the reason it was introduced and the reason why they persist . As someone said a stupid question deserves a stupid answer . However the sensible answer is No, No, No ..........

There might be no law, but you can be given a caution.

Be careful or you could be accused of some sort of offence for upsetting them. Luckily always had charming table companions, sad to part company.

Not if you tick NO on the nonsensical form, and wear a mask if you have a slight runny nose