Red Leicester

I do have a bugbear with things being pre-booked way ahead of the cruise meaning some don't even get a look in. Even more annoying when people book and don't turn up. I did 14 nights on Iona plus one extra for Storm Arwyn and it was that last day we managed to book the Olive Grove as we weren't expected to be on. Fully booked bar that. Best meal on board though in my opinion, though I'm no foodie. Yet walk up to any pre-booked venue on the night and they can maybe slot you in due to no-shows. I agree with the put your deposit down and be prepared to lose it if you no-show*. This isn't cruise specific either, had similar things at Center Parcs when things sell out, excursions if you book you holiday relatively late, could argue the bookers fault for leaving it late, Tesco slots for Christmas Eve (never had one) and any form of Xbox One X / Playstation 5. * - obvious exceptions for emergencies etc etc

I do agree that around 98% of all people I meet are indeed lovely. It's the 2% that cause you 99% of your grief, if you choose to take it as grief. Water off a ducks back to me, wearing specs in an early 90s Nottingham comprehensive sorted that one and I just leave people to their chuntering! I would say 98% / 2% is similar to life in general. I don't smoke though so can't join in with the gossip!

If it helps then certainly the balcony next to mine on C-deck has their barrier open to the one further along to double the balcony size on the Baltic B222 cruise a couple of weeks back. No idea why, never saw them out there. But the barrier was defo open for sure.

On our recent cruise to Copenhagen I really wanted to get the train over the Oresund bridge to Malmo. I had an afternoon to do it but we just docked that little bit too far out with half hour bus shuttle and I'd also read about passport checks etc on the train itself. I also considered the risk of delays, train failures, signal failures, fatalities etc and decided against it. When I ventured out in the afternoon I didn't take my passport so I didn't feel tempted. I poked my head into the station and a look at the departure boards showed some cancellations. Would I have been okay? We'll never know! I do know had anything gone wrong I'd had got a lot of grief. Had we done an overnight stay in port I'd have been over it. Risk vs reward. The risk for this was just too much. The reward? The bridge isn't going anywhere and I've been told I can go back on my own to do it.

Seen many in the buffet in black tie and the Beach House. No issues observed from formal / non formal parties.

I know how these sorts of forums work. I used to post on another to do with railways and that's the same. People asked questions, I posted fact, got told it was wrong by eight people who then fought with themselves. I never answered. Had they asked how I knew it was as I'd actually done the work they were asking about. I gave up posting. Unfortunately some of us are new to cruising and new to this forum, there will always be new people and always asking some of the same questions and some may have new opinions or thoughts. Dress code is an interesting one as it doesn't bother me but seems to really get to some people. What I wear doesn't change what my food, drink or holiday is like but does with others and I'm curious as to why.

Not debating, discussing! I am genuinely interested. We are all different and individual. And I haven't assumed anything about age of anyone on here, nor how many cruises etc.

I'm no cruise ship designer. I've done Oriana, Arcadia, Iona and Britannia. Many reasons I pick P&O. It suits my needs, expectations and has holidays to places I want to tick off. Fellow passengers (in the main) are my kind of people and I can keep myself to myself. And I can wear what I want.

New designs! You get my point though I hope.

A fairer compromise would be to have at least one eating and drinking venue that is black tie and one that isn't. Front of the ship black tie, back of the ship isn't that sort of thing. No mans land in the middle where those who want to mix can. Those who don't like to see non-formal can avoid non-formal areas.

I can live with the steward invading my room just once in the day and fresh towels as and when.

I still don't understand turndown!

I think as soon as you have to pack something for just once it becomes a what's-the-point. Why I stopped packing the suit altogether.

I wouldn't consider wine waiters and turn downs basic necessities, are they really? Similar to someone complaining there was no pillow concierge on board a non P&O ship. I don't think the latter was said in jest either. May be my upbringing but I didn't really understand what turn down gave me other than a chocolate and someone invading my cabin.

I'd rather take a call than miss the boat. If the ship had sailed bang on time with two missing there'd be complaints too about not having some contingency. P&O are damned is they do and damned if they don't sometimes. I am genuinely amazed that 4000 people get off a ship for eight hours and 4000 make it back on time after time after time. That said would I know if someone missed it other than the tannoys.

Only boring and worn-out if you've been through it before, and I and others haven't and it has been fascinating reading and getting different views. So thank you to everyone's inputs. It's been balanced. If you go back 50 / 60 years though, or even longer what we wear during the day would have been unspeakable back then. Shirt and ties would have ruled during the day I reckon. I don't see many wishing for those days to come back. Or do they...

Ah gotcha. I went by the Daily Horizon which put a little *** by those venues that were black tie only. That was as live as it got. Though confusingly the same *** on the restaurant list meant Genuine Costa Coffee is served here on the bar list. ** on the bar list was black tie only. Or something like that. They didn't quite marry up.

Examples?

Times change whether we like it or not. Chatting with my dad his view of cruising was stuck in the 1970s, not helped by the fact he's never been on one, along with his views on management. "It's not how I'd have managed that". Well no dad, you retired in 1999 and things, styles and technology move on, new generations take over. Some for the better, some not so. I've been in work roles where retention was a huge issue due to a senior manager not adopting their management style. I went on a vintage bus a few weeks back, a huge sign at the front said "No Spitting". I have never seen that on any normal buses I have been on, and I'd wager I've been on many many more buses than most. Society moves on, tastes change, expectations change so we don't need this any more. And thankfully in that case! Like a poster above I'm 44 and life has become more relaxed. When I started going out in the 90s you did need smart trousers and shoes to get in anywhere on a Friday or Saturday evening. Now you don't. I was expected (though never forced) to wear a tie to work when I started, I haven't done for a decade now. You can even wear tailored shorts to work. There are some things I don't like about today, social media being one (sure there's an irony in posting this). I'm sure when I retire and continue to cruise there will be changes from a younger generation I don't like, it could even be shorts allowed after hours. If that's what businesses must do to remain afloat they will make the change. I've (hopefully) got a good 30+ years cruising left in me and that is potentially a lot of revenue for P&O, they will need to adapt, slowly, to ensure they keep me coming back long term. And then in 30 years they will be adapting for the next generation.

The small minority is getting bigger though. I get dress code comes up but some of us are new to this forum and there are always new cruisers too.

Rebel! I don't really do the shows so couldn't comment but the clientele outside were done up. The Atrium bars did surprise me it wasn't barred. I wonder whether a near capacity ship would have made a difference. I think in summary we can conclude if you don't want to do formal attire you don't have to, it's not unusual, though you'll still be in the minority, and there are plenty of places to go.

As apart from formal nights P&O suits my needs and expectations. I don't want a huge party ship nor a floating shopping centre. They offer the package for me going to places I want to go and I can dodge formal night. Same way as I love my job and it matches my needs and expectations except on Mondays at 11:00. Doesn't mean I'm going to ditch my career as there's one part I don't particularly agree with.

I think they are here for a few years yet. It’s amazing how much room I saved not taking all the formal stuff though.

Given the rather garish bright patterned waistcoat that I saw sat next to me one evening I’d argue maybe some aspects of those in formal attire has got out of hand!

I did. It's coded as "Celebration Night gives you the option...". I read that as it doesn't mandate. It goes on to state many locations may be out of bounds if you don't. For the three cruises I have done I did dress up but found I didn't have to so did less and less. I don't go on holiday for formality like that, it stresses me out and was my only real worry about cruising with P&O. I don't partake, my choice, I avoid everywhere except the Buffet and Brodies. I accept my movements and choices will be restricted. Interestingly it does also state the Glass House on Britannia was out of bounds but I don't recall that. Only ate there one on a normal night so couldn't say 100% for certain. It didn't state as such in Horizon from memory but I could be wrong. I'd have expected that to be black tie. The Beach House was actively promoting "You don't need black tie if you fancy dining here tonight"