Leomins

The payout for missed ports is still £150. The Aviva policy document is online but doesn’t confirm the cost of the upgrade.

Yes, me. I haven’t received an email but when I look at my booking, the MDRs say no need to book. Sindhu and Beach House say book now but when I click, it say’s coming soon’. I have managed to book the Norwegian tasting menu.

We saw a West End singer whose name escapes me shamefully. He was only £25, we were charged £20. So with the loyalty discount on top, it was a bargain night out. That was in January, hopefully it hasn’t changed since then.

I got 20% off limelight by pre-booking, as well as loyalty discount. It’s not obvious there’s a discount, same as the drink packages but they are cheaper than booking on board. The limelight prices vary depending on the act, some are dearer than others.

On Arvia in January, Olive Grove served the MDR menu on formal night. We went to the Chefs Table one formal night and the MDR on the other, we preferred the MDR. We had two meals in the Olive Grove on other nights which we enjoyed.

Yes standards have dropped but isn’t this just life in general? I used to get a three course meal included with every short haul flight and never imagined having to pay for a suitcase. Beefeater restaurants used to include a roll and butter and either ice cream or cheese and biscuits with the main course. I think every company has trimmed their services to the basics and then it’s up to the individual if they wish to add the extras like speciality restaurants. I can’t see P&O going back to their golden era now. If they had one ship which included all the extra niceties like the pillow chocolates etc, would you all prefer it and be happy to pay the extra fare? I’m not sure if I would, although it would depend on the itinerary.

My only cruises post Covid have been on Iona and Arvia where there is no dining preference as it’s all Freedom. Previously I was able to state a dining preference in the Cruise Personaliser. I’ve definitely done this on an Early Saver but I can’t remember if it was available on a Saver (late) fare. The facility wasn’t available immediately, but appeared some time before the sailing. It was somewhere within the area where you can change your bed setup. I remember clicking on the dining and it taking me to a link where my preference was recorded, always with the caveat it can’t be guaranteed. Our preference was always freedom first (if available) or second sitting. Most times we got one of those.

We were on Arvia for 2 weeks in January. The first formal night we went to the MDR and had Tiger’s menu 1 above. The second formal night we went to the Chef’s Table and had the beef wellington. The people next to us said they had been to Chef's Table both weeks and the menu had been the same both weeks. Overall, the service was better in the MDR, more relaxed.

Our schools aren’t breaking up until Thursday March 28th so that might help.

I was on Arvia from Jan 19 to Feb 2 and there were very few. However I don’t use the sky dome or Brodies, there may have been a few more there.

They appear on your cruise personaliser, in the itinerary. I think I only saw it about 4 weeks before. When the dining is available for booking (about 15 days before), the night Chefs Table is available also confirms that is the formal night. The bookable entertainment also appears about 14/15 days before.

Yes, only one a week

I particularly struggled when choosing a dessert. I’d get excited to see cheesecake or chocolate only to see in the small print they are vegan or low sugar. I don’t want to eat lots of artificial sweeteners and having sampled a vegan chocolate mousse, never again! I want dairy desserts, my choice is also not helped as I don’t like the traditional school dinner puddings either. Dessert used to be my favourite part of the meal.

Cor blimey guvnor, and there woz me finking it was all them Norvners wot was making my ears bleed!

Staysure have just had some very bad press where it is alleged they caused the death of a man in Cape Verde as they wouldn’t authorise a medical ambulance to Gran Canaria for a week. At that point, it was too late.

You can prebook restaurant tables for more people than those on your booking. You can only book theatre seats for the number on your booking so your friends would also need to book. This isn’t a problem as you are just booking random seats and you pick your actual seats when you arrive. On our recent Caribbean cruise we found all the pools very busy but as we don’t sunbathe all day, we used to like to go about 3 or 3.30 ad people were leaving and there were beds to be had. The swim up bar was full at 9.30 with people drinking but much quieter in the afternoon, they’d all run out of steam by then 😂 There is also an adult only pool at the front if there are lots of children on board.

The Limelight Club also has a nice vibe from 10.30pm after the main show has finished. No booking required, they have a band in there and a small dance floor. Book all theatre shows and speciality restaurants as soon as they’re available, about 15 days before sailing. If you like to eat 5.30-6.30, book the MDR at this point also. If you like to eat later, you can just join the queue on the app and you’ll soon learn at what point to join the queue. We never had an issue getting in. On sea days, if you have a lie-in, the 6th Street Diner does brunch from 10-2 so no need to rush to the MDR for breakfast.

But isn’t it like the US ESTA? Electronically linked to your passport so you don’t have to show it, but you won’t get in without it?

You can only complete it 72 hours before embarking. P&O send you a link in an email.

I got an instant email from Barbados immigration when I completed mine about 3 weeks ago.

There is a 10% discount off the drinks packages when booked in advance, compared to booked on board.

The two restaurants on Arvia which are MDRs on Iona, are both free restaurants, Olive Grove (Mediterranean) and an American diner. Where the Olive Grove is on Iona, Arvia has a paid for restaurant which serves vegan food and sushi. I preferred the greater choice of eateries on Arvia but there isn’t much difference between the two.

Well the offer ends on the 19th so you’re lucky it’s not 19% 😂

If anyone has a cruise coming up, you can currently get 28% off WiFi and 14% off selected excursions, gifts and spa treatments. The excursion discount is only valid on cruise departures up until 31/3/24 but I think the other offers are for all booked cruises. Offer ends 19th Feb.

Last week the Boatyard was $35 each including 1 welcome drink, use of the inflatable slide and a boat trip for snorkelling. As we knew we wouldn’t use all that, we went next door to Live Lobster and paid $15 dollars for 2 sunbeds, 1 umbrella, 3 drinks between us (rum punch or soft), free WiFi and the use of some lovely toilets.