Flo71

I am booking a port intensive cruise as the price and dates fit. But I will miss sea days - will there be any activities onboard on port days?

Thanks

Just show your card. No need for tumblers. On the Royal you cannot get the milkshakes. Another reason this was our least favorite ship.

Why can't you have milkshakes on the Royal, I am about to book and am thinking about buying the soda & more package for my daughter and I. My daughter likes apple juice and milkshakes, plus it mentions hot chocolate.

I have the option of E303/08/12 or a BZ gty on Marina/Lido deck. Would appreciate opinions on which is the best to choose. I know they are listed as obstructed and the Emerald deck will be life boat obstructed.

Both are same price.

Thanks

Anyone stayed in these or know what the view will be like? I know it will be a life boat just wondering if by any chance one is in between rather than smack behind.

Thanks

Can't help re the disabled questions but hubby and I went on Arcadia for the first time last summer and loved the ship. Cabin good, food good, ship looked good - what's not to like.:D

There are 4 menus that are used and are decided by P&O on the evening in question and you dont know in advance so you cannot choose between menus on the night.

As long as there are a couple of choices I'm sure I'd find something to suit.

Thank you for the menu, much appreciated.

Think I probably already no the answer but was hoping maybe some people have had luck in finding good deals at late notice. Not bothered about ship or ports just as long as it sails from Southampton. Probably going to be my 14 year old and me so just a cabin for 2 needed but on a family ship.

Could someone post a link to the sample menu please, I am struggling to find it. Thank you.

Think we were possibly just on the wrong ship for us with Celebrity, may try something like the Eclipse in the future. We had a great deal on the cruise and everything bar the food in the buffet and some nights the MDR was good.

Hello to all.

Hubby and I are going on our 1st ever cruise next month on the Britannia. I'm sure I'll soon be hooked on cruising and have asked hubby to think about the next one :D Imagine my surprise when he said he had reservations about this! He thinks that with over 3,000 passengers on board we may struggle to find a seat in bars, at shows, and in restaurants (we're on freedom dining) and can see us sitting in our room! This scenario has never even crossed my mind. With having no other ship to compare and as it's all new to us, surely that wont be the case ?

 

Also, if I do manage to persuade him, I'd love to go on a smaller ship just to compare the differences and experience of that. Can you recommend a small ship which you have been on? We are in our late 50's (ouch that hurt typing that :D)

 

I'd appreciate your advice (then I can hopefully put his mind at rest and go in search of another cruise!)

Thanks in advance

Susan

My husband and I are almost mid forties, we love cruising :D. We sailed on the Ventura when she was new and everyone was talking about how awful she was going to be and it was a fabulous cruise and a fabulous ship. We have also sailed on the Arcadia which is considered mid size and is an adult only ship - we loved this too, more than we expected. Would cruise on either again in a heartbeat.

Could people confirm which Celebrity ship they are describing when they say the buffet is another level to P&O. I am not doubting them and would reconsider sailing with Celebrity on the Eclipse if this is the ship they are talking about but on the Infinity food in the buffet was really poor, choice was very limited, hours of service for different sections were limited and the choice that was available wasn't good quality. The Arcadia in comparison on our next cruise was much better food wise. We aren't even fussy lol, enjoyed Carnival offerings when we went with them. Just were shocked at the good quality of service on the Infinity but poor food choice.

The reason that us 'traditionalists' get a little fractious about this is because our choice is ever more restricted - unlike those that like the more casual style. Having regularly cruised with P&O since 1997, the product is so very different now. And just for the record, I am mid-fifties and like to have fun :). I just happen to like the ambience the more formal style brings.

Cruising is evolving to survive, I am almost mid 40s, I don't mind the odd formal evening but the semi formal is just ridiculous in this day and age. No reason why what someone is wearing impacts on others holiday. I love the fact that P&O is finally moving with the times.

We tried the Celebrity ship infinity summer 2013. The ship was showing some signs of wear, we had some plumbing issues with our toilet too but nothing too awful. We had a free drinks package and although we drink very little alcohol we did enjoy the soft drinks and coffees. The coffee shop was definitely a plus with Celebrity. I thought on the whole their service was fautless, preferred the shows to P&O. But for us I have to say the big downside was the food, we enjoyed a couple of meals in the MDR but the buffet was very disappointing everyday. Not a patch on P&O food in my opinion.

So although at some point we may try celebrity again (but on one of their newer ships that has a wider range of eating venues) our best fit cruiseline wise is P&O.

Really pleased to hear this, loved the Arcadia last summer. We only did a short cruise on her so didn't have the pain of semi-formal, nice to know now on a longer cruise it won't be an issue either. Well done P&O.:)

Because some of us like the formality. There are plenty of casual cruise lines to choose from if that is your preference.

Well P&O is one of them now, perhaps those wanting more formal should look elsewhere if P&O no longer suits them.

The Arcadia is a lovely ship and on our recentish short break we didn't dress formally on the formal night, in fact we didn't eat in the MDR for the whole cruise. We ate in the buffet or room service, we found the buffet excellent at all meal times and never felt we were missing. Had it been a longer cruise we may have done the odd night in the MDR but we never felt out of place in casual evening on any evening including the formal.

I'm not that worried about missing a port, perfectly happy on the ship :D but probably not so happy if it was very choppy.

Just disappointed that this is the only time that DH could get off when I'm off. Hard time to get a reasonably priced holiday. I love ex-uk cruises not sure I can stand the thought of flying for such a short break.

We are very limited this year with husband's work holidays and can only get a few days away from work st the same time over New Year. Not long enough for any of the longer cruises so was looking at the short break to Amsterdam but am worried it will be very rough sailing.

Anyone been this time of year who could give their opinion please?

I am live onboard Arcadia now, first time on this ship, and must say am pleased with her. Our balcony cabin is nice, bigger balcony than celebrity infinity and food in buffet for lunch much better than infinity. Ship looks good in the public areas that we have been in.

Apologies if this is a little garbled struggling on my phone.

Last cruise was with celebrity where you withdraw money from your cruise account or use cash, can't remember the arrangements when last on P&O. Do you charge your cruise card at the tables or take out cash at the casino cashier desk?

Also have read the slots can charge your cruise card so does this mean they are cashless or can you use cash in them too?

Thank you x

Lovely! Thanks all, just wish it was a longer cruise.

I meant afternoon tea, hope that didn't confuse too many. ;)

Shame not on first night but I wasn't really expecting it to be.

Haven't tried the high tea in the main restaurant on p&o before, had it in the buffet on Ventura. Just wondered if they will run it on first afternoon on the 3 night Arcadia cruise or will I have to be patient and wait till 2nd afternoon?

If anyone could help with more info it would be great. Seems a good balcony cabin midship deck c. I assume the balcony is a normal one and not a metal fronted or obstructed.

Only a 3 night cruise but excited.