enjoysailing

12 hours ago, posford said:

Makes me wonder how they will police this change.

So will the Southampton security people, I believe will not.

Will the ship have their own scanners? Don’t think so.

Good luck with getting 5000+ passengers on board scanning them all on the new ships.

P&O, please don’t cheese off even more passengers, you have put off enough already.

I am probably called 'old school' whereas when informed something cannot be taken on board ship, I don't take it, nor try to find ways to 'sneak' it on. P&O have had a policy different to other cruise lines that people have got used to over the years. They are a business and have decided to get in line with other major cruise lines in not allowing spirits to be carried on. They can make the rules, and whether we agree or not, they have the right to change them. I am sure the scanners are used more for finding real restricted items such as electrical equipment, weapons, and drugs.

I agree the drinks menus have become restrictive, and although I moan inwardly I still find something to drink. I like a pre-dinner tipple in my cabin. But bottles can be ordered to the cabin, so not a complete dealbreaker, in my opinion.   

The mention of staff leading you to tables on FO was referring to in the buffet - not main dining. This is from #77.

"they even show you to your table in the buffet that’s laid out with cutlery and table clothes,,,then the person who showed you to your table gets you your tea or coffee,,,,little things that makes a difference."

I agree that would be nice. Just nice to find a table sometimes 🫤

22 minutes ago, david63 said:

You mean like having to use communal "facilities" instead of all cabins now having en-suite bathrooms!

Gosh, communal facilities sounds more like a 1960's B&B than a luxury cruise!!

What I miss is being able to sit comfortably, inside or on deck, and have drink waiters passing by regularly offering to take orders. Having to queue to get a drink is not what I want to go cruising for. Even 'Spoons' has an App to order straight to the table. In fact it puts me off having a beverage package as I don't want to feel I am missing out as I can't get served.

I agree things have changed over the years. I started cruising in 1996 and have sailed regularly since then on 6 different cruise lines. I have seen the whole cruising experience become less of an 'Experience'. 

I usually read or watch reviews before going on a new ship to try to assess what to expect. What I notice is that the 4 or 5 star reviews usually begin with - Really loved this, couldn't find fault, it was my first cruise, can't wait for my next .......

The 2 and 3 star reviews, or the more critical ones are written by more seasoned cruisers that have something to compare it to. I think that says it all. 

But P&O will be doing okay as they want lots of new, younger, cruisers and families and the lower prices are helping to fill their ships.

I know there will be things that disappoint me, but it will cost me less too. I prefer the cruises of old, especially for the food choices which I really miss. But if I knew no different I would probably say it's fine. I totally agree that Vegetarian / vegan choices have reduced the menu down for the 95% that like to eat meat. That is totally disproportionate and it was much better to offer a separate menu and go back to the number of choices available on the regular menu.

Times change...

5 hours ago, purplesea said:

We had difficulty getting served drinks on Azura in January. 

It was never a problem a few years ago, there was always a server or two walking by offering to get drinks. It seems the norm to queue at bars now.

Just wondering - is it easier to get served if not on a package, but charging to your account? 🤪🤔🤫

So sorry your partner is unwell and you had to miss the cruise. I hope they recover soon.

I understand your frustration about being unable to cancel the pre-booked excursions - especially when you know P&O will probably not be out of pocket due to having the opportunity to re-sell them. It seems wrong that if you were onboard you would be able to cancel with 48 hours notice, less a small cancellation fee, but cannot do so from home. I hope you can get funds back through Travel Insurance.

20 hours ago, ScotchBoy said:

In May 2017, seem to recall that we had to collect our luggage post-flight, and take it to the transfer coach. I recall grumbling "We don't have to do this in Barbados," etc.....

 

Also, I had a very unpleasant experience with the port staff at that time, who wouldn't let me take one of my checked-in bags onto the ship, as it contained a manicure scissors (I kid you not!). They told me that they would break into the case unless I handed over the scissors, as it was a "security risk". I protested, but it was no use. I gave them the tiny pair of scissors. The following morning I went to the purser's desk armed with the fairly vicious corkscrew that was in my cabin, courtesy of P&O, and retrieved the scissors. Such a fuss over nothing. 

That is so ridiculous to hold you up at boarding for manicure scissors. P&O's own guidance allows scissors or blades less of than 4" or 10.16 cm. in length. I am so glad you got them back - I would hate to lose my well travelled scissors from my manicure set.

On 2/24/2024 at 12:24 PM, debgreg said:

I think I am getting convinced to upgrade, from some posts I have read. It is £9 a day to upgrade on the website at the minute, does anyone know how much it is onboard ? 
also can anyone answer, the do they have lime cordial question 😊

Thanks 

Concerning the lime cordial query. There was a blog on this board recently that mentioned lime cordial several times, sadly I cannot remember the title of the thread. But the gist of it was that P&O were charging a ridiculous amount of money for a measure of lime in a glass of soda. It was so outrageous that they met with the manager who agreed they were being charged the wrong amount and produced a 'chitty' to take with them to show the bar staff what the charge should be any time they ordered lime and soda. Someone else may be able to guide you to the thread.

So, it does prove that it is available on board P&O ships - but it may cost a lot. But I assume it will be included in your drinks package, but watch out anyone not on the package !!! 🤯

I also enjoy 0% lager and wish there was a better choice on board. I think P&O are missing an opportunity here. I will definitely contact them to suggest they get on board with what local pubs have begun to realise - that they are popular. It is still a way to make money, so why not offer a better choice.

Was the answer to the original question that yes you can take unlimited amount on board ship on embarkation?

4 hours ago, cuatbar58 said:

i can’t help thinking the people who can’t wait to get on are the same people who put towels on beds at 6am.

 

i hope nobody thinks of charging us extra for an early embarkation.

 - Or for sunbeds!!!!

8 hours ago, cuatbar58 said:

I honestly can’t see how being able to book your embarkation time would change anything. It would just mean the people  who can log in the quickest can get on early to avoid spending anything on food or drinks while waiting in Southampton. There will still be people arriving early even if they pick their own time. I have just printed my boarding pass there was no embarkation time just a time to arrive at the terminal they are trying to make it simple for us old folks.

Not everyone wants an early boarding time. If travelling on the day, a time of 3 or 4 pm may suit many. They could choose a time that they know they can arrive at comfortably, freeing up some earlier slots that are given to people that cannot get there in time. It really does seem to work on Celebrity.

This comes up every few months. There are many cruise lines out there. Why not choose the one that suits you? Rather than travel on those that are not what you want and then suggest they should change to suit you!! It is lovely to have a cruise line that still offers formal nights, so hopefully P&O will retain them for those that enjoy them, and not be persuaded to reduce the standards. 

1 hour ago, Harry Peterson said:

Once upon a time, some years ago, most of the mainstream cruise lines had formal dining.  P&O was just one of many, and it fitted in quite nicely with the level of service and food on offer.  No problems at all with that.

 

But, and it's a very big 'but', cruising on P&O has moved very much away from those halcyon (but admittedly much more expensive) days.  Arguably, others such as Cunard, haven't shifted their demographic as much as P&O has. Formal dress covered over some of those changes for a few years - presentation is everything - but there comes a point when the mutton dressed as lamb just remains looking like mutton.

 

My knowledge of other cruise lines is limited, but I have known P&O pretty well and it's a very different product from the one it was even a few years ago.  Much younger clientele, much less formal, and formal dress just doesn't work any more.

I understand the dumbing down of the formality aspect to supposedly suit a younger demographic. I agree with a previous commenter that the name and description given to the Formal night by P&O as 'Black Tie' is where it comes unstuck as that does not fit the accompanied photo and description.

I am confused by the mutton dressed as lamb comment, that well known saying is to do with age rather than 'poshness'. 

9 minutes ago, laslomas said:

P&O should definitely rename it to something else if that photo is how they see it. 'Black Tie' is an actual dress code that has requirements. It was actually created in the Victorian era as a more relaxed evening dress not requiring a tail coat for dinner. If anyone receives an invite to an event with the dress code as 'Black Tie' it does not mean turn up as the gentleman shown in the photo above!!

 

I am not saying you cannot go to dinner on a P&O ship dressed like that - but just don't call it 'Black Tie'.

Yes, that's definitely not Black Tie in the P&O photo. The tie surely is part of it?? I just searched for definitions of black tie dress code and the tie can be any colour but not white. It seems that is another dress code (tail coats and floor length ball gowns). Makes interesting reading. 

2 hours ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

A quick stat search shows:

 

By 2025 - 95 per cent of UK population aged 16 plus will have a smartphone

 

Only 83 per cent of UK population approx will have a passport

 

Only 52 per cent of UK population holidayed abroad in 2023

 

 

I don't know where you get your stats from, but we are only 2 days into 2024 so the percentage of population using a smartphone as of end of 2023 would be more use. 

A quick search found this:

Mobile phone user statistics show that as of 2023, 98% of all adults aged 16-24 in the UK have a smartphone. Among the older age groups, 86% of those aged 55-64 owned a smartphone device compared to 80% aged 65 and above.

Who knows what is right, but I personally know 2 people in my small group of friends, aged in their 70's, that do not have a smartphone. I also can't see them deciding to get one.

Freedom dining worked perfectly well when it was first introduced on previous cruise lines I have sailed on. It only started to go wrong when the ability to make reservations was introduced. This took away the spontaneity and it became the problem it seems to be now. You seem to have decided it is because the numbers involved are so much more on the newer ships. But surely the number of crew for serving, and the size of the kitchens to deal with the preparation and cooking should have increased too. 

2 hours ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

Don't know why it's unfair?

 

I'm saying app only cruises and then other cruises where there's no app

 

A choice people make in advance with full knowledge of what type of cruise they are joining

 

Only time the apps not used is in the event it's faulty. I've not faced that yet.

 

On the ships where it's app only bookings then just allocate more staff to show people how to use the app. If people still try to do walk ups make them use the app when they get to front of walk up - they will soon learn

 

Make it clear and make it a selling point 

 

Stating people will know in advance what type of cruise they are joining is a bit of a joke. Remember it is the phone that is 'smart' not the operator!!

So many seem to book a cruise and then go to social media to ask the basic questions they should have researched beforehand. Such as - dress code, can I wear shorts in MDR, can I smoke on my balcony, tipping?

2 hours ago, Vampiress88 said:

 

in terms of letting my kids go around the cruise ship on their own then we kind of do. They are always both together. Always have a time limit and I always know the route. The problem I have is that there feels like there is much more danger now around us and I am far more protective over what they are allowed to do that me or my husband was growing up. I have to give them some independence at some time so try to start off small. 
so what we do is have a race- kids like to use the stairs to the floor we need and we like to use the lift. Usually see who wins. They will also go to get the menu for the main dining room whilst we are sat in Brodies. They do not deviate (they are not allowed off that floor etc) and if they are not back within a certain time we go find them. 
If I don’t let them do these small things I will never let go. 
 

last cruise we didn’t actually have any issues with parents, other than 8&11 year old in the pool and the parents were sat at the windows with the back to them. My two are just as competent swimmers as they were but I couldn’t leave them in the pool without watching them. 
 

I understand the need to give a bit of independence, what age are the children that you allow to wander the ship? I am not judging, but interested. When mine were young we hadn't started cruising. But now some of the larger ships are like small villages I am not sure how I feel about it. 

As for not keeping eyes on youngsters in the pool, that is something I could never do. I have had years of never being able to relax by pools and even more so at beaches as I need to see them at all times. Not many pages got read in my books. 😕

Out of interest, is there any rule as to the age that children can be left to wander around ships on their own, unaccompanied by adults? 

56 minutes ago, Grimsby Mariner said:

P&O seem to have done away with dress codes almost entirely. Though that is probably because of the standard of cruiser they are now happy to attract. So on normal nights on Arvia recently tee shirts, polo shirts, shorts and tracksuits were de rigeur. Even saw a football shirt one night.

 

At least on formal nights everyone in the MDR's was smart, jackets and ties are required with shirt and trousers though not necessarily black tie. Still some idiots who sit in the Atrium in shorts and tee shirts gawping at everybody though whilst claiming their free champagne. Well it is a booze cruise after all!

The dress code is well explained on the website and is much less formal than a few years ago. But it definitely states on non-formal evenings, there is an Evening Casual dress code including - no tracksuits, football shirts or trainers. I don't think that is too much to ask. I do not understand why people book a cruise without doing any research at all. If I am spending hundreds or thousands of pounds on anything, an item, or a holiday, I check to make sure it meets my needs before purchase. There are many casual cruise lines available, so why choose one that is not as casual as you like. 

36 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

The one that you highlighted. The article was dated 5th March 2023 referring to the 3 year World Cruise departing Istanbul on 1st November 2023. It was cancelled for the reasons I mentioned. They are trying again for a departure next year but still don’t have the ship!

 

https://www.lifeatseacruises.com

Maybe they could lease one from a little known Maltese Cargo ship company!!! 😀

30 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

Yes I agree the idea of self disembarkation was for those that one to leave the ship before 7-30am and before normal disembarkation. Unfortunately many think that self disembarkation means that they can leave whatever time they want which creates problems.

I have noticed this on different ships. People trying to disembark with full-size cases clog up the lifts making it more difficult for those following the rules to make their way off. It would be an idea to state that after the self-disembarkation time frame they will need to wait to be among the last off. I expect it would make no difference to the entitles people that think the rules do not apply to them. 🤔 

Should say, maybe a balcony cabin would give a bit of space to spread out.

2 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

I've been in an Arvia inside cabin ... no way can I see 4 young working people making that work!  Maybe a suite but absolutely not on any P&O, or for that matter any mainstream line unless at suite level.

10 minutes ago, zap99 said:

A 4 berth touring caravan ,or tent is smaller than a standard cabin. Lots of folk have brilliant holidays and even make do without the services of Geeves.

I know I would never enjoy, or even manage with more than 2 adults in a cabin. I understand when adding a child or two is different to extra adults. How can it be any way comfortable? Storage space would be a problem, time in the bathroom would be a struggle. I would feel really sorry for the steward trying to do their job in a cluttered cabin. It shouldn't be like camping or caravanning. I have done both of those, and holidays were good, but I wouldn't want to camp on a cruise. 

3 hours ago, lincslady said:

Being on an effectively all British ship makes a big difference.  I have cruised more on the sort of US lines which attract passengers from all over the world, although usually probably 50% US, and there are so many different points of view of everything on board that age seems to be the least important part of the 'vibe'.   It is, I have found,  much more interesting to have chats with Canadians, Australians and people from European countries than your fellow citizens, and somehow the things which we Brits. usually complain about do not seem important.  I do have to  say, though, that a cruise on say Carnival or NCL  in the Caribbean, where virtually all the passengers are from the US, is not my cup of tea at all.

I expect the age of fellow passengers would make quite a difference to the overall ambience of a cruise, but also believe the nationality is a big thing too. I have sailed various cruise lines out of USA and European ports as well as Southampton for 25+ years. On all of them there has been a good mix of nationalities. Sailing from the States probably 60-70% are passengers from North America. I love the chat and uncovering cultural differences. 

I have booked my first P&O cruise. Until I started exploring the itineraries and reading social media posts I hadn't expected them to be totally Brits on board. Or possibly a few people from elsewhere. I am really intrigued to see how it will differ from my previous cruises. I wonder if there are many cruisers who have only ever sailed with P&O and know no different. 

10 hours ago, daiB said:

The reason for the shortage is also given. These shortages are not apparent in other ships

I have re-read the initial post and still stand by my post that you are commenting on. My comment was that P&O should not book more passengers that the crew can deal with. According to the P&O Brochure there are 1250 crew to 3100 guests. So if the crew are fewer they should adjust their expectations when taking bookings.

Surely it is better to give guests a good all round experience that will create good reviews and future bookings rather than taking on more than can be serviced well and they will have a less than good experience.