kruzseeka

Just gone into My Account - excursions coming up for all ports. Had a quick look last night after reading your post and yes, couldn't pull up the itinerary - same with other Aurora cruises to Norway although I got brief views of the itinerary page underneath the scrolling symbol then it seemed to disappear and skip to Bookings. Got to go out but will investigate further and report back later. Yes hopefully just a Blip!

Sorry to hear that the Lofoten Islands has been replaced on your itinerary - we have really enjoyed our visits there having taken excursions through beautiful scenery to Nusfjord which is charming. However on the plus side, we love Andalnes as a destination too - I know you've been before but perhaps not since they opened a new cable car this year. If you haven't taken the trip up to the mountain overlooking Andalnes it's definitely worth doing. Spectacular views and some walks and cafe at the top. The entrance is very close to the pier and I'd suggest if you wanted to do the trip to get off early and go up there first. We met some people off the ship who had done that and said how quiet it was. We'd done our favourite walk up the river side and crossed over the foot bridge to the campsite for a coffee then returned so it was afternoon when we got back to the centre. We only went up the cable car on a whim but my goodness how glad we were. Fabulous views - one of our favourite memories of that trip. But it was busy. So hopefully next time we go, we'll do the cable car first. Anyway hope you enjoy your return visit to Andalsnes but in the meantime asvyoubsay, we must count ou blessings. Keep warm, safe and well everyone.

Can't comment on Iona but like the fact that you can always somewhere to sit the evening on Arcadia - nice lounges and not the bun fight we found on Azura to find a seat in the entertainment areas (other than the theatre). Agreed a bit more dated - has a sedate feel if that's the right word. But am posting really to say how much we love the Lofoten Islands. We've been twice to Leknes - not sure there is much in Leknes (just been on Google Earth to remind myself and the pier is a step out of the town) but on both occasions we went on the trip to Nusfjord which was spectacular - the journey there was so beautiful - even once in the rain! From Google Earth it's a little way off from Leknes (I can't see a bridge so perhaps there was a tunnel but can't remember) but do remember being blown away by the scenery. Nusfjord is a small fishing village now mainly holiday accommodation but very picturesque. I would recommend the trip as I think you'd get a much better impression of Lofoten than by staying in Leknes. We look out for Leknes on itineraries considering it a real plus and would look forward to going again but would repeat the trip to Nusfjord .

I should have said too that it lasts for hours. We had no idea because we didn't see the sail-in because we arrived early morning so didn't realise just how long it took to sail up the Mississippi from the Gulf to New Orleans - apparently about 100 miles. Even when it was dark the effect of the moonlight shining on the water between the Levees was unforgettable.

Be sure to spend some time at the stern watching the sail away tomorrow especially if you're likely to get a sunset. We'd booked the Beach House (can't remenber which ship) but it was aft so had a fabulous meal soaking up the scene. One of our favourite cruising memories. Magical. Enjoy.

I have no beef about not having my loyalty discount applied to my obc spending on board. Any obc to me is a bonus and allows me to 'buy' drinks, excursions etc on board until it is all spent. It varies in amount and with share holder benefit too, on some trips, has amounted to basically an all inclusive cruise - in fact we sometimes mop up any left over on some duty frees. However, I don't kid myself. We pay extra for 'Select' mainly to secure a cabin location which suits. To an extent that 'buys' my obc (sometimes worth a lot more than other times). And no doubt the obc offered reflects a business model designed to sell cruises and make a profit. Comparing prices in pubs etc isn't a consideration in my book. We're a captive audience on board - the prices are what they are and you either decide to pay the price or do without. However I think the prices are very reasonable compared with what we'd pay in our local pubs/restaurants. But certainly the obc is worth a lot more to me than it costs P&O. One of the wines we often buy on board is about £24 but i can buy that at the supermarket for £8 (or £6 if I wait for a 25% off offer). Clearly P&O will be buying that for much less than £6. So there is a big mark-up for them. However they have all the on-costs, staff wages etc. so clearly have to make a profit just like a restaurant on land - they don't offer wines at the price of the supermarket down the road. Me buying a bottle of wine may cost them, say, £4 but saves me £24. As others have pointed out they also lose the profit they would have made if I'd bought it and not used obc. So to me, I'm very grateful for any obc I receive and consider it a bonus. If I don't get my loyalty discount that just means I haven't had to buy anything on board! No complaints there!

Correct

No I believe your 10% discount is applicable to anything you buy pre cruise (for which you can't use OBC) but once on board you only qualify for your loyalty discount once you have spent all your OBC.

Sorry, dont follow. I'd expect it to be applied after the balance is paid. Do you mean the benefit was applied after only paying the deposit, or after balance paid.

Gosh - if that's the case I'll apply for mine. But it flies in the face of P&O's statement as quoted in post #135 Another example of the left and right hand - or confusing admin systems??

That may be the answer. They will apply the benefit after full payment irrespective of how far ahead that is? This could be more common at the moment as people had FCC to spend therefore effectively paid for their cruise at the time of booking. But for most bookings, especially going forward with fewer and fewer FCC bookings, where only a deposit is paid, I assume the 90 day stipulation will still apply.

I don't doubt at all what you're saying but I am surprised as I always thought you had to hold the shares when full payment is due. Otherwise how do they know whether you will sell the shares in the meantime?

Yes. I always, apply as soon as we make full payment i.e. 12 weeks before sailing. Gives time for follow up. Glad you're sorted now though. (Like others I do a copy from my on-line account, print it, redact personal details then send as an attachment by email.)

Including their own promoted insurers! Disgraceful.

That sounds like a bargain. What a pity you aren't able to take advantage of it.

Just done a mock booking on a cruise promoted in the sale which we booked a month ago. £164 more for same grade cabin (for two) and still a good price - but not cheaper!

It was the ticket office where we asked about a taxi the first time but I think one time we just walked to the gate - the ticket office is just inside - and saw a taxi dropping someone off and he was happy to take us back. Another occasion we asked the taxi which took us up to come back a couple of hours later but it's hard to judge how long you need to be there. There is a garden to look around too and as I mentioned a small cafe/coffee bar (nothing special when we were there, but a chance to get a drink). I hope you enjoy it - I'm sure you'll find it really interesting. I was in awe of the imagination involved. What a creative mind!

We have really enjoyed visiting the Manrique Fundacion from Arrecife. It's only about three miles from the port where you can pick up a taxi. Manrique's artistic influence is very much a feature of Lanzarote and the Fundacion was his home fashioned from five lava bubbles which he excavated, connected via tunnels, furnished and decorated in the most imaginative way. One bubble even has a palm tree growing out through a hole in the top of a bubble. A ground level building has a window complete with lava flow passing through it and looking across towards Timanfaya. It's all so eclectic. It's all full of his work - even down to the labels for the loos! We've been several times and I find it fascinating - we shall go again on our next visit. There is a small cafe for a coffee and they will ring for a taxi for you when you're ready to leave. Might be worth considering for a half day - certainly would be something very different if you want a variety of experiences during your cruise. https://www.shutterstock.com/search/fundacion-cesar-manrique

For many years prior to recent events, we always carried Boots anti viral foam with us on board. Although conscientious about hand washing and sanitizing on entering the MDR after pulling out chairs and handling the menu we would use the foam again before eating. Perhaps OTT for some but seemed to be a small thing to do to reduce the odds even if only slightly. We each have to take whatever precautions we see fit to ease our minds but nothing is more certain that some on board are a liability and like others we do our best to avoid situations where lax attitudes are rife.

I was appalled a few days ago to see an item on our local news. It was a clothes swap scheme to help people who were struggling. Great idea, working well. Until they interviewed a lady who was excited to have found a sparkly top. The reporter asked when she would wear it - without a moment's hestitation 'on a cruise' she replied. I just couldn't help but feel there must have been much more worthy recipients.

True - but our-pay out this year was 40x the premium for two of us. Of course we could have not bothered with the extra cover but it has gone half way towards paying for our next cruise and hopefully will allow us to visit the ports we missed this year. But as you say, personal choice. My concern though is that people who may wish to take advantage of this additional level of cover but are unaware that the standard travel insurance may not be providing it. And they, therefore, are not in a position to make an informed choice.

And with standard travel insurance, cruise cover, if available, will be generally be an up-grade i.e. an extra cost. I wonder how many people are cruising with insurance perhaps not realising cruise cover (cabin confinement, missed ports) isn't necessarily a given. We tend to be more aware because we read the forum but we have friends who use the same travel insurers as us but until very recently they hadn't bothered with the additional cruise cover - our experience of being confined to cabin on our last cruise and getting a payout certainly opened their eyes. They have bought it now!

The Lido in Santa Cruz is great - think the girls would love it. You can walk from the port. Turn left along the main road and look for the Concert Hall (shades of the Sydney Opera House - you can't miss it). The Lido is just past the Concert Hall (nice cafe round the back for drinks etc - it looks over towards the Lido.). https://parquemaritimosantacruz.es/ It was incredibly cheap when we last went. Have a good day whatever you decide to do. P.S. Sorry the link comes over in Spanish - can't see a way to change it or send the English version. So perhaps do a search yourself and select English from the start. Here's another link https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g187482-d4028343-Reviews-Parque_Maritimo_Cesar_Manrique-Santa_Cruz_de_Tenerife_Tenerife_Canary_Islands.html Here is a pic of the Concert Hall - the view is of the back - those windows open up and that's the cafe. You can just see a little bit of the Lido on the left of the pic. https://arquitecturaviva.com/works/auditorio-de-tenerife-9

We always ask for just one egg please - no problem. Hopefully if already plated up, the second egg doesn't go to waste, but I do agree being given more food than you can manage is off-putting and wasteful.

Thanks for that clarification.