sandancer

Have to agree with Selbourne here. When we disembarked Iona the Limelight Club was packed and we saw a lot of people who had been out and about without any mobility aids but now needed a wheelchair and pusher. Being of a skeptical nature I couldn’t help wondering if this was partly because the pushers were helping to find the luggage and then taking the passenger + escort out of the terminal. One group had 3 wheelchairs and 3 pushers with one walking stick between them. I am well aware that not all disabilities are visible, my DH has both visible and hidden, so we are very understanding but there is a limit. We would be very happy to go back to the days when we didn’t need help, we didn’t appreciate at the time how much more difficult things are for guests with a mobility/medical problem. As for the lifts grrrrr!!

May depend on the airport but at Newcastle we were able to check our luggage in after 4.30 the evening before our scheduled flight to Malta to join Azura. 

You also get 20% discount in Sindhu for booking in advance. So when you get the bill check to make sure your £10 deposit pp has come off + 20% off. 
Never had to query this as they know you booked before boarding. 

Can’t recommend the Chefs Table. We enjoyed it on our NYE cruise but on our latest cruise it was like school dinners. There are so many better options on Iona, as Harry pointed out, the MDR is a much better option or if you want to splash out book the Epicurean. You’ll need to be sharpish though and book as soon as it’s available 2 weeks beforehand. As for the hairdryers, I found it no different to my hairdryer at home. I remember the days when the dryer was in the bathroom, they were usually hopeless. I used to say that my DH could blow on my hair and it would dry more quickly. 

 Much has been said recently about P&O attracting young families to the 2 big ships.  Here is an interesting twist. On our recent Iona cruise there was a young family, four of them in an inside cabin down the corridor from us. On Celebration night they all appeared in full bridal finery. Turned out the wedding had been just prior to the cruise and they were going to have their wedding photographs taken on the ship. Given the serious cost of a professional wedding photographer I had to admire their initiative. I expect it was no more to take the cruise than pay for it at home and had a honeymoon thrown in. 

I didn’t. Not important enough for me to make it an issue. We had a fairly serious medical problem so more pressing problems. I take this opportunity to commend the excellent medical staff on Iona. Couldn’t fault the service. 

Unfortunately not John. Our cabin attendant told us that she was not allowed to give us either unless we were in a suite. I can live without a face cloth and I bought some body lotion at our first port. 

We recently cruised on Iona (I think we got off as you got on John). There were a lot of young families onboard. In fact I said it was the first cruise where there were as many buggies as wheelchairs. For the OP, if not having a turn down at night, no body lotion, no facecloths and reduced portions at meal times, no trays in the buffet and paying a delivery charge for room service matters to you then you might not find P&O suits you now. 

14 hours ago, Snaxmuppet said:

Yet another reason our cruise in November will be our last with Princess. Having said that, not sure if any of the other lines are any better. Maybe time to stop cruising perhaps... we will see how we feel later in the year after out April Norway trip on Sky.

Funny enough we just said exactly the same about P&O. 

Why can’t people just follow the rules. They are there for a reason and that is to keep everyone safe. 

22 hours ago, Selbourne said:

Yes, I would think so too, especially given how far out cruises are sold and if the change is effective from April.

 

The extract you have posted makes it clear that the need for an accessible cabin would only apply to a manual wheelchair user if they need to use it to move around within the cabin. If this is not the case (which I believe may be @sandancer situation) then an accessible cabin is not required. That would not be a policy change as far as I know.
 

Might be worth a repeat visit to the future cruise desk with the extract from the website, stressing that the wheelchair is not needed within the cabin. 

So I decided to go back and double check but as today is the last day there were around 15 people in front of us I abandoned the idea. Better get on with the packing. 

Right now on Iona I have not seen either a buggy or a wheelchair left outside the cabin. However when we were on in January someone 3 doors down from us left an electric wheelchair outside all the time. 

If it is only a folding wheelchair then you should be fine. If, like us you also have a rollator which is the same size as the wheelchair then a de luxe cabin is the least size we can manage comfortably. 
We were refused by the P&O agent to book anything other than an adapted cabin. Perhaps some training is in order. 

Our very efficient travel agent has replied and is sure the agent is incorrect. Not going to bother now with another new booking. As long as we are able to carry on with our existing bookings we will be satisfied. We will want something in

writing from P&O confirming that we will not be refused boarding. 
The agent swears this is not an action taken by P&O but a new maritime law. 

Exactly my thoughts. I asked her why this has never been brought up before as we have completed assistance forms for all 3 cruises. I thought maybe it only applied to motorised wheelchairs but my husband was sitting right in front of her in his folding wheelchair. We told her that he can move around the cabin without the chair. The chair or rollator (we bring both) are essential for moving around the ship. 

Just been told by the future cruise desk on Iona that if you are bringing a wheelchair with you, you can only book an adapted cabin in future. I explained that we have a further 3 cruises booked and her response was to tell us to contact our TA as we would be refused boarding. Apparently it’s now Maritime Law and comes into force this April. We are stunned to say the least. Anyone else heard anything about this.? 

Yes, the tea was lovely. Definitely one for the memory box. 
The taxi was the only one waiting outside of the ship. We’ve been to Funchal several times and have never had any reason to complain so maybe a little complacent. 

On 3/4/2024 at 8:53 AM, ThomasBarrow said:

Has anyone travelled from North England or South Scotland to Southampton on the coach with intercruises? What was it like and how long did it take? Do you get stops? Is there plenty of leg room and is it comfortable?

Travelled twice with Intercruises from Washington Services (nearest to Newcastle). Left at 5.30am with 2 45min breaks. No other pick ups. Arrived Southampton 1pm. Leg room depends on the coach. So far have had 3 different coaches. 

It was highway robbery Jean. It was pouring rain and we had the wheelchair - he just took advantage.  

Today we took a taxi from Iona to Reid’s Palace. The driver charged us €20 which we thought was a bit steep. I asked the concierge if that was right and he was appalled. He called a taxi for us after tea and it was €6.80 back to the ship. Our fault for not checking but I somehow didn’t expect to be overcharged in Funchal. Don’t know why. So, buyer beware, if you get a taxi here, ask in advance or make sure it’s on the meter. 

On Iona at the moment. The Horizon newsletter has info on contacting the ship:

Tel 44(0)2380 655000

option 3

then

option 1

Credit card required 

We sent the cheese back at the Chefs Table. It was disgraceful. Our lovely waiter Marcus went to the buffet and made up a replacement with decent cheese. 

We’re on Tiger. Had a little luggage panic as we boarded at 12.45 and bags arrived with us by 17.15. We’ve got a lovely aft de luxe balcony. Off to the Beach House now for steak and prawns. Unfortunately there is no chance of me continuing with your blog. I don’t have the flair for it like you. I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts and you made the anticipation of the cruise way better than usual. Thanks again. 

  My holding is through Hargreaves Lansdown and they apply (if requested) direct to Carnival. I wonder if they will continue if they now have to deal with Stockperks. Next cruise not until August so I’ll call nearer the time to ask. Maybe someone might also deal throuGh HL and know the answer. 

Can’t wait.