kevinyork

Having sailed P&O 5 times, we like the sailaways. They are there to watch or participate in if you wish. If you dont then there are many other areas you can go to to watch the sailaway. On RCI and Celebrity you would hardly know you were leaving port as the decks were disserted apart from the sunset bar on Eclipse. The sailaways on P&O that are the most devisive are the Great British Sailaways, often when leaving Gibraltar. They are the most enthusiastic ones but the Entertainment team do a great hob.

I dont undestand those that say they are embarrasing and should be stopped. Simply walk a few hundred yards fore or aft and let everyone else enjoy their cruise. Everyones cruise is different.

Martini in Martini Bar only = $12.00 = larger size = Premium Package

 

Martini in "regular" bar = $6.50 - $7.00 = smaller size = Classic Package

Wont the Martini bar offer a smaller martini to Classic Package passengers still? They did on Eclipse in July.

My apologies if this question seems a bit dumb, but I was wondering of it is possible to book a P&O cruise (USA Citizen) directly from the P&O website? I tried doing a phantom booking but it kept reading my address as being in GB. This is even after I clicked on the manual address button.

 

I've been cruising Princess since 2008 but was thinking of trying something new as Princess has become a little stale as of late.....:):):)

 

Bob

Im possibly going out on a limb here but having had 5 P&O cruises I would imagine very few US cruisers would be happy with P&O. The whole ship, entertainment and food is created for an almost wholly British clientelle. On our 5 cruises weve never encountered an American passenger (and just a couple of Aussies on a Baltic cruise). Having experienced Celebrity and RCI, both of whom I consider have a superior product to P&O, Im not really sure P&O is for US cruisers. You certainly would be in a minority and perhaps the only US passengers on board.

Our neighbours are very experienced cruisers and progressed from P&O to Princess and consider princess superior despite many of their ships being from the same structural design. As an example P&O Azura and Ventura are based on the Princess Grand Class of ships however P&O added an extra deck so they have 400 more passengers than their Princess sister ships.

Dont want to sound negative but also dont want you spending your cruise dollars on something that may not be for you.

But the other lines are doing the same thing. Out of pan into the fire.

Dai. P&O suffered bad customer relations due to the Vantage ( Price Promise ) fares. They introduced the Select Fares with the ability to choose cabin and dining asignment now they appear to be offering extra OBC for cruises on Select fares. Where next. Is tis not now back to fluid pricing the same as all cruise lines!

Are the LGBT Gatherings posted in the daily activities newsletter or on some bulletin board near Guest Services? This is my first time on Celebrity and had read they don't post LGBT events in the events schedule officially.

No they dont. They are on the board by Guest Relations.

We've been thinking about taking a Caribbean cruise on board Azura but some of the reviews have put us off. Does anyone have some positive things to say about this ship?

 

We did the Caribbean on Ventura 3 years ago and enjoyed it but again there are so many poor reviews on it now that we don't think we'd travel on her again.

 

Is it just these ships or P & O in general who have gone downhill?

 

Having been on Celebrity recently for a special occasion we found them far superior to P & O, however not keen on flying into a US port to board for their Caribbean itineraries.

Been on Azura and Ventura, a total of five times between them. Have also been on Celebrity this year. Whilst Celebrity is now my favourite I would go on Azura or Ventura again if the price was right as we've had enjoyable trips on both. (Ventura and Azura however have 71% from reviews on this site whilst Celebrity Eclipse has 89%....quite a difference).

Try and take a broader look at reviews as its easy to let the bad ones influence you. The fly cruise prices for post christmas look pretty inviting and as you say a direct flight is so much easier.

The problem is that all cruise lines sell off their unsold cabins for less than the book price. In the US they will price match. However this will only happen outside the 3 to 4 month final payment date. Once that is past they reduce the prices to sell them. I have seen discounts of up to 85% offered on a US site.

No the problem is P&O have messed about with their price structures. Vantage, Getaway, Select.....which leaves passenger feeling miffed. P&O have not just reduced prices after final payment dates, they have done so many months in advance. The US lines dont have different names for their fares, they are fluid dependant on demand.

Curious if anyone knows if with the canapés if they take into account allergy requests. I've already put in my allergy requests...and put some strong wording in in regards to fruit (no citrus in the room) as I've heard Concerige class gets fruit.

 

I'm not stressed out about the canapés - it's just an extra but would I be better to just ask for cheese to be brought daily?

Im curious too. OH is veggie and wont eat anything unless it is definately veggie friendly.

Okay, I know that one wasn't directed at me but I've never thought of the signatures as bragging. Actually, I only put mine in the signature because those are some of my most cherished memories. The first cruises I took were with my aging grandparents and I miss them every day. Cruises helped us be together on vacation nearly worry-free. The next few have been markers of holiday between times of incredibly intense workloads at school and work with my mom, who's also my best friend that I don't get to see often enough.

 

Sometimes, I get private messages about specifics about the cruise destinations, ships, cruise lines, seasons, and ports based on my signature. Also, I've actually had my memory jogged about some people I've met on board when reminded that I'd met them based on their signatures.

 

I'd like to hear from everyone on this. If it looks like bragging, surely I want to reword it. I'm not a braggart. For the record, I don't have Elite or Diamond or Platinum or whatever...

Not a problem here. I have my (few) cruises in my signature but since I use the ipad app signatures dont show anyway. Signatures with previous cruises help people understand your choices and experiences, Dont worry you are not a braggart. (never heard braggart before....sounds like someone from The Hobbit :-) )

As a fellow well-seasoned traveller and cruiser about to take his first Celebrity cruise, I totally understand your concern. If I see one more post starting with "I'm an Elite Plus blah-blah-blah" or another whine about being screwed out of a status level because of the stupid conversion system, I'm going to spit! I've never experienced such status awareness elsewhere.

 

That being said, DW and I will shower with whatever soap is provided, buy our own drinks while the Elites worry about what price range of drinks their tickets can be used for during their cocktail hour, and will thoroughly enjoy our days ashore, even if we aren't the first off the ship.

 

You aren't the first to express these concerns, and probably won't be the last, but I agree with the other who have responded to you so far: relax and enjoy.

 

Bonne chance et amusez-vous bien! :)

Well said.

I agree re the brunch. Very little that could not be enjoyed in the buffet. Presentation was different but it was a bit of a scrum on Eclipse this July. Wont rush to the brunch next time.

Worst was that they had big sides of salmon but unfortunately they were not cooked and were very very raw. When I mentioned it to the server they said they always serve salmon pink. This wasnt pink it was still breathing.

Would be interested in comparisons with the upcoming P&O version of the Royal Princess called Brttannia.

I thought Britannia looked uninspiring in terms of unique selling points but the design looks very modern. Note, the overhanging walkway has gone from the British version.

Any parents we have met on Ventura have said their kids were very well looked after and entertained. Re the high volume of port days, you might want to be selective on which you explore or not.

There do not seem to be many wines by the glass that are covered within the Classic Drink Package. Any comments please ?

There is one less than there was on Eclipse in July as they have put the price up of the one I drank each night which is disappointing.

I am sorry that folks have had this disappointment. We're going on Saturday and have freedom dining by choice. I was wondering what this means by having to book for Christmas and New Year's day? Anyone (including Host Sharon) please enlighten me? Why would we need to book for these days when we already have freedom dining, unless something else is happening these days?

Thanks for any info.

 

Hope all enjoy the cruise.:)

We were Freedom dining on Ventura at Christmas a couple of years back. We had to queue a few days before Xmas day to select our dining time as Freedom wasnt operating on Christmas day.

The decor looks excellent. Very contemporary. It still doesnt have any unique selling points (apart from being new and big) and I worry about the limited space on deck given the higher passenger numbers.

But, for the right price I would give her a go.

If you do get stuck with Freedom you will have to be up early on the first day. A friend currently on Azura emailed to say her husband joined the queue to book for Christmas and New Year's day at 7am and was 30th in the queue!

Oh I remember that queue on Ventura a couple of Christmas' ago. They said it was from 7am and people started queuing at 6. There were two lines, one to be on the first sitting and one to be on the second. We wanted second and I was at the front within seconds. Seemed everyone wanted early sitting. I suppose thats closer to when people might have Christmas dinner at home.

Kevin, I started a new thread today as we have also booked for the first time in the US and saved about £600 + $400 OBC. I have been told by my agent in the US that even though he has added the 123go, he cannot guarantee it as Celebrity might pull it once they see we are from the UK. Did your TA confirm you would def get the perks? Thanks

Hi,

Yes I was very specific in asking if the 123 promo would still fully apply with us being in the UK. Its all appeared on the Celebrity invoice and agents confirmation. The agent deals with lots of UK residents and has never experienced an issue.

Also the Celebrity terms and conditions for the promo make no mention of any restriction.

Well done on your saving!

Kev.

If you get rid of the cheap people you can get rid of the cruise line. If P&O don't innovate they will go the way of the dinosaurs.

 

for all those who lament the old ways cruise with Cunard, Carnival won't mind as it is one of their brands.

 

now that's interesting, a year or so ago the traditionalists were suggesting that casual cruisers should use a different cruise line. Obviously P&O did not agree and now here we are with me suggesting that traditionalists should try another cruise line. Us casual likers must have won the argument :)

 

ps - I will be taking formal wear on my next cruise, the burden I have to bear to cruise on a british ambience ship. i might not wear it though.

Ooh, you rebel ;-)

If this trivial thing is what stops people from taking a particular cruise line, so be it. (I suspect that this post is in jest of the OP).

 

We had a similar instance, but then recalled that many of the mass market jewelry stores won't do anything either. I had a Seiko that I took to all the jewlers in a mall, none would even open it up. Then again, I twice had it serviced at the mail in place, and both times if failed, again. No more Seiko for me.

 

There are retail stores, repair stores, and some that have both.

 

As for leaving a watch at home- since you know the battery last a long time (more than a week), you can always have the battery changed before you leave..... Unless the watch is broken, it's likely to last a whole cruise- even if that's a B2B2B with a trans Atlantic in the middle.

Of course its in jest. A cruise line can only do so much to please its clientelle.

Have to say that there is a consistent theme about P&O offering poor customer service on these boards. The best performing retailer currently is Amazon who's customer service is superb. That says a lot. Ive also dealt with Apple customer service and been embarrassed by the way they strive to resolve an issue. Many of the issues that people complain about would cost P&O nothing to resolve yet they dig their heals in and risk losing future cruise business from that customer.

Cruise lines need to make their customers feel valued.

Is there a reason to use a USA TA vs an Uk TA?

Im in the UK and used a US agent a few weeks back for the first time. They had the 123 Go promo of course but also were throwing in $300 obc. They had a bulk rate on a C3 concierge that worked out £800 pp less than the cheapest price through a UK agent with no OBC.

thanks Scriv, can you advise the email for David Dingle..happy to give anything a try. :)

david.dingle@carnivalukgroup.com

Sorry if this has been noted in another thread... Anyone else notice a couple of minor changes to the drink packages? Classic: Beers now up to $6, 15% discount on bottled wines. Premium: max drink/wine limit increased to $13, bottled wine discount decreased to 20%.

I wonder if the price limits being increased is to accommodate an increase in the price per the menu for some beers and wines?

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Saw the title of this thread...wasnt sure. Read the content.......cannot believe it. Its a ship! They didnt have the specific watch battery your watch needed! Disgraceful. Dont book RCI again in disgust!