LondonLad60

I was on Aurora over Christmas in 2019. There were two sittings on Christmas Day (and on New Year's Eve) at 18:30 and 20:30. As I remember, we were asked for our preferred time and table size, but it was stressed that while every effort would be made to accommodate our requests,they could not be guaranteed. As it happens we got our time (18:30) and a table for two on both evenings. Again, as far as I remember, Sindhu on Aurora was open on Christmas evening, serving its usual menu. Can't help regarding the buffet. Of course, this was in the pre-covid days when pre-booking of restaurants, apps and virtual queues were all things for the future. Things may well be different now.

Hope this helps.

18 hours ago, Windsurfboy said:

I think it's the whole ship is filling in survey at same time. Stupidly you can't go home and fill in at you leisure. 

Deleted by poster

I was on SoA in Jan/Feb earlier this year, and there was a outbreak of a "gastro-intestinal illness". The usual restrictions were put in place. On the evening of Thurs Feb 1st the captain announced that ALL restrictions had been lifted - except they hadn't. On Friday 2nd the books hadn't been replaced in the library, and the bridge classes couldn't take place, despite the fact that they would only be talks with no actual card play or touching of bidding boxes. If the guest speaker could give a talk in the Playhouse (while restrictions were in place), then why couldn't the bridge instructor give a talk in the Card Room once restrictions had been lifted? I asked this on the post cruise online questionnaire. No response was forthcoming.

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Having just moved into the Gold tier of the Britannia Club, my wife and I qualify for free laundry. Does anyone know if you can send garments just to be ironed or pressed as opposed to being given the full laundry treatment?

Thanks in advance for any info. 

SoA's visit to St Kilda didn't go down too well in certain quarters:

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24328334.images-cruise-ship-visiting-st-kilda-spark-outrage-online/

  https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24329621.cruise-ship-firm-responds-outrage-st-kilda-visit/

2 hours ago, DamianG said:

I’ve just searched online and found an email address loyalty@pocruises.com

 

The information could be out of date though. 

That looks like the email address I used.

16 minutes ago, Libby3723 said:

I've been trying to view My cruise history for a few weeks now and I'm unable to get on that page? I've messaged P&O to see is there's a problem they replied that they're unaware of any problem but they'll pass it on to their Customer database team and will let me know if they receive further information about this problem, so just wondering if anybody else has experienced this lately or is it just me?  I've changed my password and I've registered my husband but still cant view "My account " cruises history etc. 

.

15 minutes ago, Libby3723 said:

I've been trying to view My cruise history for a few weeks now and I'm unable to get on that page? I've messaged P&O to see is there's a problem they replied that they're unaware of any problem but they'll pass it on to their Customer database team and will let me know if they receive further information about this problem, so just wondering if anybody else has experienced this lately or is it just me?  I've changed my password and I've registered my husband but still cant view "My account " cruises history etc. 

I had the same problem a few months ago, and I went around in ever decreasing circles before it was resolved. I too was told there was no problem with the system (when there clearly was), I took the steps you mentioned (still no joy) and it took several emails to the Loyalty team before it was sorted. Unfortunately I don't have their email address any more, so all I can do is wish you luck. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.. 

1 hour ago, Bloodaxe said:

 

This list is not correct, we were on the May 23rd Norway cruise and expecting to have Captain Jason but he was already on leave, it was Captain Kim Tanner.

IMHO I think you got the better end of the deal there...

2 minutes ago, Brummijam said:

 

I quite agree that's true for anyone that lives any distance from the ports, but I am fortunate in that I live well within 75 miles of Portsmouth (and Southampton when Saga used that port) and about 100 miles from Dover, so for a private car to Dover, to me it is worth he extra cost

22 minutes ago, Brummijam said:

Included return chauffeur service

A chauffeur will pick you up from home and take you to the port at Dover or Portsmouth.

2024 cruises: A private chauffeur if you live up to 75 miles of the port each way or a shared chauffeur service up to 300 miles.

2025 cruises: A private chauffeur if you live up to 75 miles of the port each way or a shared chauffeur service nationwide

 

As a previous poster has said everything is always negotiable. Worst possible scenario is you end up paying for the few extra miles.

22 minutes ago, Brummijam said:

Having seen photos and read comments on previous threads regarding this subject I would always opt for paying the extra for a private car.

 

" It is only if people decide to ignore their disembarkation time and try to leave when it suits them that the system breaks down. Again as Devon b&b has said, if you don't like the P&O system/product, then you can always vote with your feet and cruise elsewhere."

Exactly. The last time I was on Arcadia, (autumn 2019) disembarkation was shambolic. My wife and I are in the Ligurian tier of the peninsula club, which (supposedly) gave us priority disembarkation. We got to our allocated venue just before the allocated time, and there were numerous passengers congregating in lift areas and corridors despite having been asked not to in a letter that had been sent to all cabins a few days previously. Whilst waiting in the venue I heard at least two couples boasting that they never go to their allocated venue - they simply wait near the exit and as soon as people start leaving they join in. Judging by the near stampede that ensued when disembarkation started there must have been many other passengers with the same mindset. That wasn't the main reason that my wife and I turned our backs on P&O; it was just one on a list of contributing factors.

28 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

As said above , very strict rules on information about this type of thing, doubt if more than a handful in head office are privy to these negotiations.  Not even Captains will be in the loop.

I was on P&O's Oriana when rumours were flying around about her being sold. At a Peninsular Club lunch the senior officer (I think it was the deputy captain) was asked if he knew anything. He straight batted the question back with the standard reply, "We are not aware of any plans to sell Oriana". A lady on the table said, "This ship has been sold". She was asked, do you mean it's up for sale? She said, "No, it has been sold - and that's all I'm saying". Within a week or so, the sale was announced...

"Throughout the cruise there were many passenger coughing and sneezing, mainly over me I seems. After I started to get through the Norovirus symptoms got these as well, a cough, sore throat and runny nose."

In 26 cruises with P&O and 8 with Saga there have only been two cruises where I have returned home without a cough and/or a cold. These two cruises were of three nights and five nights duration, which suggests to me that there was insufficient time for such coughs and colds to circulate and take hold.

21 minutes ago, Josy1953 said:

Is it mainly families on board to Christmas cruises ? 

3 hours ago, P&O SUE said:

Only had a short cruise on both of these ships but I wanted to go back on them both, lovely memories.

After Adonia went, Oriana became my favourite ship. It wasn't perfect by any means - there again, what ship is? For example, with only one deck of balcony cabins anyone wanting a balcony had to make sure they booked early, and the noise and vibration from the propulsion system has been well documented in other threads. I hadn't cruised on Aurora at that point, so I can't compare Oriana with her, but Oriana ticked more boxes for my wife and I than Arcadia and Oceana did. Just my 2p's worth.

A white DJ will be absolutely fine. Hope you enjoy your first cruise.

We've only had a driver call us once. We had a pickup time of 11:05, and he called at 10:10 to say he would be outside at 10:30, as there had been an accident at the M25 - M20 junction and traffic was building up, so he was allowing extra time. We left home at 10:40, got to the port at 12:25 (the accident had cleared) and were on board at 12:40.

twotravellersLondon above mentioned Morrisons. We've found Morrisons to be the cheapest place in Gibraltar for duty free booze. 

3 minutes ago, Glenndale said:

Off topic again, Cunard are releasing 2026 itineraries early next month.

Unlike Saga their suites do tend to sell out quickly.

In the meantime Saga haven't yet released the summer 2025 itineraries 🤷‍♀️

I asked the Saga World lady on SoA earlier this month when these cruises would be released, and she said early March.

17 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

I know this is going off piste, not linked to orginal post.

 

But on Saga the only reason for a suite is space,  no meaningful benefits  compared to other cabins. Primarily because the benefits in any Saga Cabin are so good,  what more could you want.  In all cabins can order any drink in your room.

 

Perhaps this is one reason suites on Saga aren't the first to sell out unlike many other lines. 

From comments on previous threads, it would seem that suite passengers stand more chance of getting into the speciality restaurants...

17 hours ago, Whiteduck1 said:

I'm really looking forward to this cruise... Hopefully I'll see you on board.. 😊

If I see you, I promise I'll buy you a drink 😉🍷

My apologies; it is indeed Kefalonia. Thanks for spotting that.

3 hours ago, david05 said:

I think you mean the Keffallonnia, not Malta and it just says "Conservative attire is required for the visit to the Monastery" and what that means in practice I have no idea but shorts may not be acceptable. I would suggest you ask at the shore excursion desk once you are on board.

My wife and I have just booked shore excursions for the above cruise. One we have booked for Malta is St Andrews Monastery & Wine Tasting. The description made mention of a dress code for the Monastery. Does anyone have any idea what this dress code would be? Would a short sleeved T-shirt and knee length shorts be acceptable for me? For my wife, would a knee length skirt, shorts or dress be acceptable provided her shoulders are covered? I ask, because having booked the excursion I can't go back into it to check.

Any advice will be appreciated.