FamilyCruiserUK

Interesting that people enjoy companies reusing ship names... But would people go on a cruise if the ship was named after a disaster? Such as Titanic, concordia? Or like i feel, they should not be reused and left a memorial name.

Yeah those lads attitudes not my cup of tea, Emma has done some good informative blogs without filming everwhere and anyone.

Totally agree, if you walked up and down a beach with camera out people would rightly stop and ask question as to why and report you. Yet these influences/bloggers feel they can do what they want. We are now in a society where people get their phones out and film everything for social media "likes".

Ha i wouldnt go go-karting far, but certainly what should family friendly kids ships have. A bigger pool to start, not the small ones like arvia and iona, the inside pool area is poorly designed and closed late afternoons to set up for the evening shows. Waterslides is the new must have for children as well. We just come of MSC world Europa and the pool area and waterslides a massive hit. Even had adult only pools at the back and they were slightly bigger than arvias pools. Even MSC Virtuosa had much better pools then Arvia and Iona, and they are roughly same size ship. But yeah norway although gorgeous is not really a summer holiday destination, kids want sunshine and beaches and then parents can also chill whilst kids go play nicely.

Totally agree i dont mind people taking photos and that and showing their friends and family the ship but bloggers who usually get the cruise free or sponsored to go and then spend the whole time filming is annoying. Also you have no idea who they are and what they could be filming for their "bloggs"......

The last two summers across here in europe esp the med have been very hot. Check the weather forecast leading up to your cruise, normally the 14 day forecast is pretty accurate. Remember you are in Europe we walk almost everywhere in our cities, the cities are old and therefore the pavements or sometimes esp in greece and parts of italy are cobble stones, dirt tracks or gravel, so wear comfortable shoes, id go with trainers ( sneekers). Remember to bring hats as well. Electrical items have been covered. Bring euros used both in italy and greece, tipping is not really expected tbh, but as always can donif you want. As for maps i always use google maps its free and easy to use. Also gives you directions. Finally do not forget your bug spray, we do get mosquitos and other little annoying flys in europe so best ro be prepared.

I totally agree, and thats why P&O need to diversify more for both the adult only smaller.ship and the family markets who demand more. P&O have had relatively limited competition esp sailings from Southampton but that is changing with NCL,MSC and Royal. I hope they do build modern adult only ships, or even maybe have adult only cruises certain times of the year on Iona and Arvia. 🤔

My daughter suggested Mystery of the seas......which sounds kinda alluring. Lengend....not so much IMO

Nothing much floated my boat tbh. Except prices, but i want more then a cheap cruise, for a cheap cruise id go MSC. I do enjoy P&O to a degree but apart from the price and some specialist resturants the ships are not that exciting for families. I know my daughter (10) has strong feelings on this, she wants more than what P&O have or offer. Slides and bigger pools for example. I enjoyed Arvia but found her a little unsure of her place, not fully family but not fully adult with small standing room only pools. P&O can easily corner the family market if they just push the boat out a bit more with future family ship designs. So much promise but again played it too safe with Arvia and Iona.

Yeah totally agree with you and that's my point. Like you said you cant have fresh cooked food in the mdrs or buffet so you have to expect a lower quality food.

Having been on royal (Oasis), p & o (Arvia) and MSC (world Europa) within the last 12 months i can honestly say the food across all three have been hit and miss. MSC best pizza by far, worst buffet and expensive specialty restaurants. P & O best steak by far, but best food overall for price, but choice is limited at times. Royal best buffet by far and included food, but expensive specialist resturants. Alot is simply down to the way its been cooked. Most is mass produced in the kitchens and warmed up including the food in MDRs. It is subjective and i get he frustrations of the OP, but thats across the board on all companies really.

Totally agree princess is way more expensive then P&O cruises.

Topping up the wages of staff via a graturite, for a multi billion USD company is surely supporting the company in paying a crap wage to their employees....🤔🤷 In effect your suporting royals business model of paying low wages and not a fair wage to start with.

Didnt see any made to order station on world Europa last week. Like been posted before the pizza is fab.

Just measured our world europa ones from two weeks ago. The height of the luggage tag when folded as suggested by MSC( along the dotted lines) is 7cm wide and 13 cm high. We used the royal tag holder and had to squeeze it in. 👍