S1971

So being a larger person with not an instantly recognisable underlying health condition. I don't necessarily need wider doors as I am mobile, but I would need a bigger shower area and seating facilities given normal toilet and showers on cruiselines are smaller than average. Does a wheelchair user need the cabin more than me, and if so how would P&O manage that without discriminating?

Yes agreed, it can seem expensive as all inclusive cruising doesn't necessarily work for everyone.

Other than cruiselines requesting a full medical history from ones registered GP, I can't see anyway they can fully regulate adapted cabins for those in most need and in all honesty it would be discriminatory to do so. As has already been said, if you want the cabin if your choice book it as soon as reasonably possible, the problem then goes away. You simply can't expect to get a cabin at your leisure, it's no different for me, if I want a cabin of my choice I ensure that by booking early.

Indeed there are better deals out there with other lines, this is just my opinion, but other lines have lowered their standards to get a more competitive base price, P&O in particular are far from their best. Marella, I agree have raised their prices but not overly significantly in my opinion and they do now have a better fleet, compared to 10yrs ago, albeit still with somewhat older ships. The real benefit of Marella for me is, I live 3 miles from my local airport, all inclusive works for us, port intensive, but we are fortunate enough that we do not need assistance and can understand why it no longer works for you. I wish you well for your upcoming travels, whoever it be with, it's on a ship the best way the travel.

Comparing cruiselines and prices is very subjective, it comes down to individual opinions. Yes, some will say Celebrity are a step up with its newer ships etc, etc but having sailed both lines I'm not totally convinced they are that far apart, but that's just me. For me Marella have upped their game somewhat in recent years and the overall experience is a good one, in general the MDR, buffet and other food areas are good overall, entertainment excellent, crew are the best I've ever experienced. The other stand out things for me are port intensive cruises, all inclusive drink packages, flights from local airports etc, which you don't always get with other lines. Either way, whoever you choose just go and enjoy it, one things for certain, you'll be hooked on cruising afterwards.

Ah right, it's just that I checked for April/May 2025 from Edinburgh as per opening post, nothing for April only May and no itinerary starting from Dubrovnik only Corfu on Explorer.

I can't see the cruise you mention, Eastern med cruises start in Corfu and visit Dubrovnik prior to disembarking back in Corfu, is it the Adriatic Explorer below? ITINERARY DAY 1 Corfu Town, Corfu Departs: 23:00 DAY 2 at sea... DAY 3 Koper, Slovenia Time in port: 09:00 - 19:00 DAY 4 Zadar, Croatia Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00 DAY 5 Split, Croatia Time in port: 08:00 - 17:00 DAY 6 Kotor, Montenegro Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00 DAY 7 Dubrovnik, Croatia Time in port: 08:00 - 16:00 Corfu. No inclusive wifi either, can't say I've ever seen this as part of any cruise. What's Included Edinburgh - Corfu 1 x inside cabin(other cabin types available) All Inclusive cruise Transfers All Tips and Charges ATOL Protection

It reads exactly as it sounds. "Within (5) days prior to embarkation" can only be days 5 down to 0 or embarkation, therefore Kim followed the T&C's as she's had confirmed by MSC. "5 days prior to embarkation" is totally different that's from time of booking down to 5 days before embarkation. MSC's cruise countdown has no relevance, it is just that a countdown not tied to any T&C's.

I think that's always been Thomson, Tui and now Marella's selling point for me, I've never expected new tower blocks at sea, if anything even the newer additions are getting to the stage where they are becoming too big and modern, I loved Destiny, Celebration, Majesty and Dream etc, good size with their faults if course, but most of all the crew are simply the best I've ever encountered, across several cruiselines. Explorer next for me, not sailed on it previously so looking forward to comparing to others.

100% agree, that's what I believe it to be. It's a clever play on words and very much open the interpretation.

That's the way I read it. "Within 5 days of embarkation" suggests to me that it's days 5 to 0 leading up to boarding, it makes no sense otherwise.

Perhaps @MsTabbyKats can answer that as I have no in depth knowledge of their T&C's, the 5 day rule makes no sense to me either.

At least your sister has recovered that's the main thing. The sour taste will linger for a while, but get your insurance settlement and invest it elsewhere and enjoy 🙂

I stand firmly with Kim on this, but regardless of right or wrong MSC's treatment regarding this totally shocking. If as you claim that on day 0- 4 prior to boarding MSC will not refund or offer FCC, then that will simply encourage people to board the ship knowing full well that they've got Covid, Norovirus etc, etc. It's good to know that they take into full consideration all the other guests onboard. Knowing the hassle Kim's just had, would I board, you bet I would selfish as that may be and I'd not be the only one either.

We are not going to agree on this so it's pointless going back and forth.

Your email is all is the proof you need, others opinions are just that opinions.

The voice of reason Selbourne.

How can it be clear? "We acknowledge that you followed the proper procedures and contacted us within the required timeframe due to your illness, and we appreciate your diligence in doing so" Do you not see this as an acknowledgement the Kim followed the rules? It seems pretty clear to me.

If it is not on the set menu then that's not a 6 course meal, you're just asking for additions As I remember the menus were set something like below. Appetizer Salad Soup Main Dessert Cheese board Coffee I'm not disputing that you are getting 6 courses, I am just saying it is not standard as it was years ago, the quality is nowhere near the same either, but that reflects in todays prices.

Hi KP1 Given you have appeared to have followed the T&C's and MSC are still refusing to refund does it not raise the question with insurance. I'm by no means an expert here, but in the circumstances would the insurer not question MSC prior to them paying out, the obligation is surely with MSC given they've admitted you followed the T&C's. As a insurer I certainly wouldn't pay out under these circumstances. Good luck.

6/7 courses is not something I can say I've experienced recently, dinner menus simply show starter, main and dessert, celebration night an extra course maybe but it's certainly not the norm, certainly no "always available" steak for instance so menus not the same and ingredients are of a lower standard or certainly not as much choice. Two starters and an extra dessert isn't the same, if I remember correctly it wasn't exactly welcomed when possibly Selbourne or another poster requested an extra earlier in the blog. Traditional 6/7 courses went long ago in my experience.

The current level of meals IMHO reflects the price reductions over the past few years, the MDR now effectively serves an average three course meal, where as it used to be six courses and where steak "always available" it's now fried chicken etc, etc. It's actually cheaper to cruise today than it was in the past, so you have to link the quality against price, P&O simply can't offer high quality produce at lower cost. There is no getting away from it, additional quality come at a cost for example the additional charge restaurants, that's how P&O are evolving along with other similar brands. Just my opinion and appreciate others will see it differently.

Hi AchileLauro. I think you make the point I was making, some will find the food enjoyable and some won't, as has been said many times it's a very subjective when it comes to food. I agree standards have somewhat declined, but prices have certainly reflected that, all in all for me I'd rather pay a lower fee than to have six course, silver service meals back as it was in the past. Traditional British lines such as P&O and Cunard simply had to change as the market just isn't strong enough to continually support the old style of cruising, hence the reason more families are cruising as it is now more than affordable.

Hi gadabout60. In fairness, Selbourne has said that food is very subjective and those are just their thoughts, other less travelled folk may have nothing else to compare too, and to be honest cruise food is still very good compared to the buffet in many land based hotels. I also remember several years ago when there were no speciality restaurants onboard and the MDR was the only restaurant, but the price was much higher than it is today therefore something has to give and that will be food quality, unless of course you pay the additional charge. I think P&O have changed a lot over the past few years and to compete are now having to cater for mass market clientele, hence the reason for a drop in standards and some might say clientele!!!

What an absolutely brilliant blog Selbourne and thanks again for the time and commitment you've put in to keep us entertained. It's very refreshing to read a truly honest and open account of the voyage, both good, bad and indifferent. Safe journey home, and if I may be really cheeky, please, please give us a live blog once onboard Cunard later in the year, but appreciate it's a lot of work, so either way thanks again 👏