kathsmum

Simple answer to the wine at dinner is to order by phone well before dinner. It's always already on the table.

This was not the case on Azura on its last 2 cruises - no wine waiters to get it. We found a wine that we particularly liked in the Glass House and used to buy it and take it down to the MDR - it was a screw top so no need for any waiters - perhaps that is the way forward!!:(

I was looking who will be the captain for our cruise in May on Azura and noticed that Neil Turnbull is scheduled to captain Azura from 17/04/15 to 20/06/15. He must have recovered from his illness.

Captain Turnbull Joined Azura whilst we were in the Caribbean and will be taking over from Robert Camby after the refit, although both are on board during this time.

We were on Azura in January and some of the drinks waiters were using ipads, others just old fashioned pen and paper, in either case the same person who took the order delivered the drinks . Worked fine!

We have just come off Azura. Wine waiters in MDR no more - the waiters are expected to take orders for both food and wine, and most nights it was chaos, sometimes the wine arrived with dessert. Even when pre-ordered on the TV, it was not always there when required. In the bars the ipads seemed to break down so often that the orders were written down on the little drinks mats. On deck the ipads seemed to work ok until I asked for a large white wine with just a dash of soda and got a spritzer - small wine, lots of soda - no correct button to press? On previous cruises we have had great fun chatting to the waiters and wine waiters and met many of them several times - no more - it was as if they have been instructed not to interact with the customer.:(

We came off Azura on Friday after 4 weeks on board and the TA. The cabins are merely being deep cleaned but, carpets are being replaced in public areas. The main purpose of the refit is to scrub the bottom and reseal with a deterrent. The perfume and beauty shop is also being re-modelled (possibly moved - I can't remember what was said).

I don't generally moan about changes that take place but I feel I should warn about the fact that wine waiters have been removed from the MDR's and the waiters are expected to take orders for, and serve the wine using I-pad type machines. It caused utter chaos in the dining rooms with neither job being done satisfactorily. Many people complained on the mid-cruise questionnaire. After my comments I got a phone call from the restaurant manager informing me that this was going to improve the service - NOT. Apparently it is being trialled on Azura for 12 months and then WHO KNOWS. Waiters were also taking orders for the bar in the self service restaurant, but only the one with the I-pad could do it, as was the case in the couple of bars that we used.

then there are the ones who reserve two in the shade and two in the sun! Oh yes, I've seen that more than once.

Yes on that Azura cruise 6/7th Match, security had to become involved because someone had done this and be came very aggressive when a couple of their sunbeds were taken on their return. It should be up to p&o to patrol the decks not the passengers who may be subjected to a threat of violence.

My husband and I always wear black and white on that particular formal evening because that's what we like to do, but not everyone does, and that's OK. On normal formal nights we have found over the last few years that the gentlemen are becoming more colourful with some very fancy waistcoats. Some friends of Dorothy can go to great lengths with the fanciness of their attire, and good luck to them it all adds to the jollity of the evening.

We did our first cruise in 1995 for our 25th wedding anniversary - last leg of the world cruise on Canberra. Oriana was in Southampton to be named by the Queen. Have been on Oriana 16 times since and she remains our favourite ship. We are now having to get used to the bigger ships, but we're getting there and perhaps will do Britannia next year.

As you can see from my post I am not currently on board. I simply meant the local gym in my home town, which I refered to as "here". :p

My comment was a query for the person who first started this thread as the impression I got was that he had just got off a P&O ship as the comment was posted on a P&O forum. Friends who travel with NCL (a ship he'd just travelled on) say that they have not seen this comment on that forum, just makes you wonder why.:confused::confused::(

Hmmmm, interesting. And which P&O ship is currently being blessed with your presence?

You didn't mention the excellent quality of the meals or the free coffee and tea in the lounges.

Wouldn't want to "over egg" it, but we think it's great, having stayed there many times. Also forgot to mention the swimming pool and fitness centre......it's not our thing. Hopefully will be enjoying their facilities in August for a 25 nighter.:D

PS. I should add re tipping - we have always had exemplary service from our waiters and cabin steward - we always gave beyond the recommended rate if warranted and continue to do so now that it is added to our on board charge.

Overall, complaints against the cabin steward and waiting staff are rare.

 

In all likelihood you will receive an excellent service from them.

 

Believe it or not, we were once on a cruise where one of our table companions complained that the cabin steward did not fold a point on the toilet paper after servicing the bathroom. He was actually a great guy and we still keep in touch via his wife.:confused:

If staying the night before we particularly like DeVere New place which is about a 25 min drive outside S'ton. It is £199 for D/B&B. We book a taxi as part of the package for 11.30 and it takes us to the drop off point. On return we ring the cab firm and they txt back the colour, make and Reg. The driver txt's us when he is there - usually within 5 mins and takes us back to the hotel. It's a nice start to our holiday. We have used them for much longer cruises in the past and they have not charged extra for the parking as some of the other hotels do.

I agree completely, Josy

I also agree with Josy.

We will be cruising on Azura in two weeks time doing a back-to-back. We booked a select price so that we could stay in the chosen cabin for both cruises. We like second sitting which we have been allocated, but the table size (8) has not been confirmed. Doing B/B we got 10% off the cost of each cruise + a further 5% for a promotion they were running at the time, and extra OBC. Very happy with what we paid. Friends of ours have booked a cruise for August and would like us to accompany them, however I am waiting for the results of treatment which I will not have till after our cruise so cannot book, as I would not be able to get insurance. Assuming the result is positive we will wait until the saver fares come out and take whatever we are given just being happy to be on a cruise. I wouldn't care where the cabin is - I'm a good traveller, or the dining time (we never eat with our friends when travelling together anyway). You pays YOUR money and makes YOUR choice.

We're going on Ventura from Southampton end of April. My dad is taking us down from West Yorkshire and he's confident about setting off at 10am for a 2pm arrival as he says the cabins won't be ready before then anyway. He says the ships preparing for departure from Southampton will always take longer to be prepared due to the fact they have a full ship of cabins to clean.

Sorry, but I'm beginning to think this is a wind up. Surely nobody could be that stupid!!

He says the ships preparing for departure from Southampton will always take longer to be prepared due to the fact they have a full ship of cabins to clean.[/quote]

Why... when they sail from S'ton all the time. They always have a full ship of cabins to clean.

The cabins might not be ready till 2.00 o'clock, but you are still allowed to board. You will have got rid of all your cases and can explore the ship at leisure - have a drink -a bite to eat - sit on a deck chair (weather permitting), Relax your on holiday.

If you do manage to arrive as he plans you will hit all the coaches arriving - so ages waiting in line to check-in as they have priority.

The only late arrivals they accommodate, are the coaches.

Have fun!!:confused::confused:

...and if you have buy it in advance, you get another extra 20 minutes, and no activation fee, as long as you activate your package on the first day. So, if you buy 100 minutes in advance, you will actually get 140 minutes.

I have searched cruise personaliser and although I am able to purchase excursions, spa and restaurants, I haven't been able to find how can pre-purchase internet. How do you do it please? Thanks.

At the moment I am looking at a particular cruise, if I book by the end of February I will get extra OBC which added to the normal OBC would mean that the cruise would end up costing me just £10 more to go select with the choices guaranteed. This is for an inside cabin. A friend who has just booked a mini-suite on this cruise has got £3000.00 OBC (per cabin not each).

Welcome again Shopaholics. One of the reasons I'm a fan of P&O and sailing from S'ton is that our son lives in Worthing and it is an opportunity to visit him and then have a leisurely drive to join the ship on the morning of sailing, (apart from the bit around Arundel).

What about a different pair of heels for each outfit, more outfits than nights on the cruise "just in case", different bags/clutches, hair straighteners and God knows whatever else I lug around on my OH's behalf?

 

What a nice man you really are?? I can see why your OH really, really, REALLY loves you!! Another reason I like sailing from S'ton - my shoes have the their own suitcase!!!

Yes, welcome to this CC forum; although I'm surprised that you have not been shot down in flames by some people for admitting in your first post on here that..... YOU ARE A FAN OF P&O!!!!!!!

Like yourself we fancied a change but went to Brewers Bay which was nice.

The last twice we were in Tortola we tried to get to Brewers but none of those trucks/buses were interested so we ended up on CGB.

What about Premium Economy, do you get more comfort for your extra bucks?

Has anyone flown on this recently? What was your experience?

Yes! if you are going to Cane Garden Bay it will be wise to get off the ship early as this popular beach soon gets crowded'

On this occasion have booked a ships tour to Jost Van Dyke as we have been to Cane Garden Bay several times and fancied a change. I've realised that you are on this cruise too - might bump into you.

Thanks for the useful information as we will be there in about 4 weeks time. Pity one has to get through some stupid posts first.