Merry25

I read your all your posts on your recent cruise on Iona with great interest as we're going (first cruise!) next year, it was fabulously reassuring and I loved all the detail you went into. (congrats on the new shirts ha ha). I was really pleased to see that you enjoyed the MDR so much, as that's mostly where we intend to eat in the evenings. So thank you! I kind of agree with your thoughts on you offering a different/balanced perspective. However I think most new cruisers tend to be on the FB groups so won't be scared away by the people voicing their opinions here on how terrible it's all become. I'm kind of in the middle as I'm a new cruiser but my age (mid 60's) means I won't be happy to accept the unacceptable. Not that I'm expecting anything unacceptable... The only thing that I find worrying on the FB groups is everyone chatting about the drinks packages and how easily they can drink their money's worth every night! Hope it won't be full of rowdy drunks!! if so, we will retreat to our balcony.

I'm ready to duck under the parapet for this one (geddit 😂) BUT... Okay you might not like the idea of people hiding ducks on board the ship but does it *really* matter? Can't you just turn a blind eye to it if you don't like it? If some people want to have what they perceive as a bit of fun why can't they? Why on earth does something so relatively harmless bother everyone so much?? And why pick them up if you're not interested, why not leave them wherever they are for someone who is? Personally I would rather people hid some ducks on board than got raucously inebriated or blew cigarette smoke in my face, or were loud and rude... I am quite taken aback by this negativity and judgement. Surely there are worse things to complain about that actually impact you?

No offence taken, and I'm all for supporting local business and economies. I was just commenting on someone else's post, agreeing that P & O probably prefers passengers who buy many drinks and excursions - which isn't going to be us. 😁

Whilst I agree fully with your comments, I thibnk you have totally misunderstood my remarks. I was merely saying that P & O will probably not be pleased with us or making much more money, because we won't be drinking a lot on board, nor booking excursions with them. We will of course go ashore and spend in the local businesses (I love shopping too!).

Iona - to the fjords!

I've been very lucky with this forum, able to research and ask questions before booking. I'm sure we will enjoy ourselves, I'm very excited and have already logged in twice (TODAY!!) - just to see everything is there and note how many days away embarkation is. 😂 So, whilst I am a tad envious of many of you with so many cruises under your belt and wonderful ports visited, I'm also happy because everything is new and exciting to me, I feel like a kid at Christmas! As for your last point - I'm already looking at other destinations so I'm pretty sure you're right regarding the addiction comment.

Oh well they're not going to like us either, same age, 2 drinks a week is pushing it and I don't think we'll be booking any tours, happy just to wander around a bit on our own. 😁

Sorry!! 😂 Thank you, I'm sure we will. Sometimes a bit of the negativity on here is a bit worrying - but as we've never cruised before we are not full of expectations. I just want to see the sea and the fjords and have someone else cook the dinner. 😁

Was that this morning? We started our booking online this morning (direct with P & O) and then had to ring to check something during the process. Only waited a few minutes and the young girl couldn't have been more helpful. We decided to book direct as it's our very first cruise and it seemed the safer option. I'm now very excited to have a P &O account!! 😂

I realise that but there is an article on here about best TA's. Not trying to get you in trouble.

Is it someone recommended on here?

I think I'd read a few things like that on this forum which made me a bit wary about using a TA. The only advantages that I can see are that we might get a better deal and I was told there would always be the same person available to answer our questions, though that might just be them trying to sell their services....

Hi All, We're ready to book our cruise to the Fjords next year on Iona. We will be booking select as we want a specific cabin (having done loads of research!) Could you please let me the know the pros and cons of booking with P & O vs a TA?

Phew - that was lucky. I bet he was annoyed at having to come back. 😂 Still no excuse for not offering an apology. Some people....

Are you a pirate? 😂