Thejuggler

The port guide is very handy, but I notice no mention of the Seawalk in Gerainger. I wonder if P&O will ever use it?

But, unlike P & O and Cunard, as far as I am aware other Cruise Lines have not had a disastrous Fare Policy with a Price Promise that was anything but, and an MD leaving the Company.

 

Therefore one would have thought that both P & O, and Cunard, would have ensured that their new Fare Policy would be designed, and implemented, to ensure that Customers would not be unnecessarily antagonised.

 

It has taken long for that thought to be proven wrong.

Exactly the point, don't shout a message to all if you know it is weapon grade bull.

We found 3 formals over 14 nights an ideal number.

I'd even reduce it to one on 7 night trips and go big on the Captains night. Make it so special that not doing it would make you feel as though you had missed out.

As we experienced on Grand Princess with double freedom capacity two main issues which are cause for complaints are removed. You never have to wait for a table and if P&O can be bothered to rearrnge the rooms more tables for 2-4 can be provided.

We had a table for four every night for a week and never had to queue.

On Eclipse one particular waiting team were brilliant with our daughter and there was never a problem getting a seat in their section when we asked. Celebrity do enable you to book a time with freedom too which is handy if you are in a large group and want to book the same time every night.

During our trip in August we purchased some items in Iceland and were given tax refund forms. Unlike Norway no one comes on board to refund and there was nowhere handy to get an instant refund as we weren't going near a tax refund office.

As advised by the shops we filled in the forms and posted them in the box in the port shop and forgot about it.

Today, 4 months after posting we have had the refund, £25 for the Christmas drinks!

So if you do go none EU and spend money don't forget the tax forms, they do pay out eventually.

"Familiarity breeds contempt" applies to a number of people who moan. You can never have your first cruise twice, so after the first comparisons start to be made.

My parents go to the same place almost every year, they always come back saying they enjoyed it, bit its not as good as it used to be, but they keep going!

If you get to the point of not enjoying something give it a break and do something else, then go back with fresh eyes. We went on Ventura two years running, second year wasn't as good as things changed. We then went on Princess, same type of ship, different again, this year we were on Celebrity, preferred the experience over P & O and Princess, but if a cruise comes along we fancy and it is with P&O we will have no problem going with them again.

My advice is to go and enjoy the well earned break.

To be fair Celebrity also dictate when you can eat as you can only have freedom dining if you pay gratuities up front with your booking and this is regardless of when you book and how much you pay.

2000 on ship and only 106 on a charter flight. I hope this was a one off, because that isn't sustainable.

I have just been flicking channels and one of the channels was selling cruises. There were some amazing deals with trips in different areas at £50-70 a night, including as has been mentioned the P&O Caribbean departures.

Is that the one which says 7 nights £499, flights, transfers and two nights for an extra £399?

That £900 in my world.

National Express buses go from Leeds bus station which is a long walk from the rail station, 5 minutes in a taxi. You can't park long term at Wetherby services.

In Copenhagen large ships dock a few minutes walk from the Little Mermaid. Copenhagen isn't that large and over a day we wandered around most of the city, its flat and easy to navigate.

We did a full circuit seeing the Mermaid, star fortress, Nyboder naval housing, Hans Christian Andersen house, main shopping streets, the round tower, main square, City hall, Tivoli, Calrbserg brewery, waterside, Royal Palace (and we did see the Queen) and then back to the ship.

Whilst a crows nest bar is nothing new, by not having them Ventura and Azura have quite rightly attracted criticism. Nothing better on sea days than having a good wide aspect view. The one on Eclipse meant we saw loads of dolphins and killer whales whilst on the trip to Iceland. Grand Priness is even worse as it has no bars with a bow or stern view.

Dump the cabin case and buy a rucksack.

I agree, but some posters seem to think because P&O don't strip out the 15% as a seperate charge they don't impose a tip on drinks.

I have never succumbed to drinks packages, on any cruise line. I refuse to be sold wines that are - to all intents and purposes - bin ends. In respect of soft drinks, my top choice is water every time. And I hate that 'US' lines add 15% to every beverage order - why is that?? You get what you pay for every time. Recently discovered The Glass House on P&O Azura - what a gem! Ate there 5 times on recent cruise. If you buy cheap, are you at risk of sacrificing quality?

You can add 15% so you are aware you are paying it, (US lines and Cunard) as this is how US bars work. When you buy a drink you also tip the bar staff. Alternatively you can have prices which include the 15%, P&O and Celebrity on European trips.

Either way you are still paying 15% on every drink.

Don't tell those on the cruises ex Southampton in the next few weeks that the trips are now selling for £40 a night.

Could be an employee who has access to them. P&O may be interested!

I have yet to find cider on any cruise ship. Apple concentrate with added alcohol should be called just that.

Always used CPS and found it just fine although I usually leave my spare car keys with them and keep my main ones (just in case!). Also, unless you return to a different terminal, the cars are not shunted around, just parked and left. Most of the drivers seem to be mature sensible people.

 

They are expensive but very convenient, and often free when I book the cruise.

 

When I used a cruise and stay package at the Hilton, I still had to leave my keys with them.

The cars are shunted around. They are driven from drop off to a holding area and parked very close together, they are then moved into the car park for pick up.

You can drop off outside the terminal with ABP if you have disabled passengers. We saw someone doing so.

And if they hadn't sold out and fares were now £100 for two weeks you wouldn't get anything either.

Thats a rare blip. CPS do a fine job and I have no concerns leaving my keys....,,,,why would you? Its way easier than parking for a RCI or Celebrity Cruise.

In what way is it 'way easier'?

We have used CPS three times, but the ABP car parking arrangements as used by RCI and Celebrity is a much better service. Park car, leave it and its where you left it when you return. Its also a good deal cheaper.

Our last CPS experience lead to a wait of almost 2 hours to drop the car off due to system problems and staff shortages.

Hello Cruisers!

 

I have read (too) much now about the ins and outs of fares but have a question!

It seems that Getaway passengers (I have booked 10 of these for Christmas!) don't get transfers included at the port. Can anyone tell me please does this refer to a trip to say, the town centre or is it for when the ship is far from the port entrance and therefore a bus is required just to leave the port?

I know many of the port entrances are within easy walking distance but I also remembered somewhere in the Middle East taking a lengthy ride just to get to the port exit!

 

Thank you in anticipation!

A perfect demonstration as to why as soon as there are differentials in service details such as this should be available before booking.

If P&O now expect some passengers to pay for shuttle buses they should state in the brochures at which ports this will apply so passengers can assess how much of a benefit this is when paying full price.

Both Princess amd Celebrity charge. In 10 different ports with them the only one where a charge was made was Reykjavik and even then the city centre was within walking distance.

At other ports the buses were provided by the local tourist authority so were free anyway and at others no buses were necessary.