jymmer

We used to book the airport lounge and sometimes we were there a good two hours and then on some occasions half an hour so we now just turn up if we have over an hour to wait, my husband has a pass with the bank but has to pay for me. If you manage to get on the first few buses leaving the ship no probs but there can sometimes be a back log through security at the airport, so the bus drivers get messages to pull over at the lay bys close to the airport then signalled when 'all clear...ish!'

We book a day cabin on our last day for about £40/£60.....we leave our hand luggage and travel clothes there and if we don't have to disembark until 3 or after we go to the beach, otherwise we just have a look around port and then back to ship for last bit of sun. If the day cabins is something you would be interested in they are advertised in the Horizon magazine during 2nd wk of cruise.

From what I remember re the yellow fever jabs is, it is not only for your protection but some country's will not allow you in to theirs if you have been to country's that has yellow fever. Also but don't quote me!! An exemption certificate from your GP stating the reason you cannot have the YF injection is sufficient, have you spoken to P&O? We had to show our certificate but I can't remember at what port......sorry.

We were on the same trip as Molly ......hi Molly!......with Gil, brilliant trip, when we asked Gil about YF he said there hadn't been a case in years, so I do think it is the country's you are going to after.

Have a fab cruise.....

Booked ours yesterday and our flight is 8th jan, no email from P&O I just checked daily from past experience, I wasn't happy when I saw the configuration 3/3/3......so booked the emergency exit row, have since found out I think we are on the Dreamliner judging by the lay out.

I hope you get your seats sorted soon, would it be worth having a chat with your TA to see if they can sort it?

Hi Hooked Cruiser.

Can you pay on the day for the airport lounge and can you remember how much it was roughly Thank you. We are also going on the farewell to Barbados trip at the end of our xmas Cruise [emoji1]

Yes you can Karen, my husband is a member through his bank account and he just pays for me, I have pre booked it in UK and it was £15, but it is better if you pay on day as depends on how long a wait you have for flight and you can decide if it is worth it, plenty of beverages and snacks in a relaxed environment.

We also got the ferry to Ponte du Bout then just followed the other passengers to the beach, infact we went to a hotel to the left of the beach where you could hire sunbeds as there weren't any on the beach, we had a lovely lunch at the harbour side, plenty of choice of restaurants and boutiques and gift shops also there were a few gift stalls on the harbour walls, check the return times for the ferry I think they were every half hour, currency was american dollars and euro.

So sorry for your disappointment, did you book through P&O or a TA keep onto them not that I know what they can/will do. We are on this cruise too so I shall look out for you.....good luck

I paid £35 on Azura in Feb I have mid length hair it took about half an hour, was really pleased with it but do have to think was it worth it for a few hours. Then again it does make you feel that bit extra special,I usually wear my dress to the appointment then go straight down to bar to meet my husband. On this last cruise I booked it before we went as we were boarding on the 2nd day on Azura so wanted to get in before all appointments were taken.

Melissa

We are also on this cruise flying from Gatwick, we would of liked premium seating but was told at the time of booking that they were all taken, so wonder why there isn't any on this flight at all?! We are also on 'stand by' for 2nd seating! I have been looking into the yellow fever jab and will be having it sooner rather than later as apparently there has been a shortage also looks like we will have to go up to Cardiff for it as none of the local surgeries do it by us.

First time for us on the Adonia.

Melissa

Hi,

Your husband and son will be fine in a suit for formal night and your daughters dress sounds lovely and not over the top.... now what about yours?!!

Shorts are fine around the ship as day wear.

We love the Azura and hope you enjoy your first cruise on her

Jenni,

 

TC told me the same thing about the 7 day manifest list. I tried to book it on the 7th day but failed after holding on forever and talking to several people.

 

When I couldn't get a result with TC, I rang PO and was told that I couldn't book outside the 3-5 day period (as stated on the PO website). When I rang in the 3-5 day window it was very easy.

 

My advice is to be patient and follow PO's instructions from their website as the frustration of attempting to get it done early is painful and in my case was unsuccessful.

I originally was only phoning to 'enquire' about the extra luggage allowance and when I spoke to tomson the 2nd time they said I could book it then (weirdly like a hard sell saying that if I left it until checkin it would cost more)

It just cracks me up how we have to go from one department to another or that one member of staff can help more than another....

Jenni,

OMG Did not expect this to be such a pain!! I phoned Tomson Airways on 08712314787 just to enquire about purchasing the excess baggage, selected option 4 was asked for ref number and the only one I have is our P&O one which she wasn't interested in I said it was for a cruise, still no success, so I rang our TA and they said they would phone P&O and phone me back, which they did with all the info I already have.....my husband said try Tomson again so I did and got in before she did stating this was for a cruise and this is the only ref number I have she said that is fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So even though cruise is more than 3/5 days away I was able to still book excess @ 10kg return for £70. I now have the e.mail confirmation!! yay.

It is split up as 5kg per person, return and what I am going to do is put the bulky items into a holdall to weigh in at 10kg!

The info they wanted was which airport, flight number and departure times, both way.

Goodluck and patience!

Melissa

Hi, we are flying out on the 8th Feb I am 'expecting' to be using the extra allowance! I shall let you know on here if I do and how it went, re applying for it etc

Melissa

Has P&O lost my trust? In a word, no.

 

The whole vantage vs getaway issue hasn't worried me at all. We like the look of a cruise, we check the price and if we like the price, we book the cruise.

 

I make the decision on price based on whether I feel it's good value. If it was good value for me then, I ignore the price from that point onwards. Life's to short to constantly monitor prices to see how much extra I've paid. I've got enough stress in my life without looking for more!

 

As for shore times, we're generally early off and early back. Only once would I have liked a bit more time (in Dubrovnik) but there would still have been more than a days worth of things to do so even with more time ashore, I would have done all I wanted.

 

I really enjoy the shore days but really, for me, a cruise is about the sea days.

 

We had an amazing, relaxing time on our last cruise, enjoyed some fantastic food and wine and made friends for life.

 

So no. I haven't lost any trust in P&O whatsoever and am very happy with them.

 

But thanks for asking!

Wow Winkster, I totally ditto everything you have just said!

Melissa

Hey sunluva7,

Bring your shorts in August but not as many as you would for Caribbean! We tend to wear shorts/ capris and jumpers!! Weather here awful at moment lets hope we get some proper summer in August for you and everyone else!!

The evenings can be cold also, which I hate as love sitting out side in the evening with a glass of wine (or 2)!!

Mel

Hi Emily,

I too am loving reading your review, and can't wait for next installment! It is really interesting to see through your eyes (and excitement) of how it is for you to see the UK, I am the same as you when I go to the US, which I love!! either cruising or land holidays, I thought the comment when you got to the other side of airport and went to the shop and handed over £2 was so funny, are bless!!

Yes I know what you mean by get used to saying 'toilet' I however have got used to saying bathroom or rest room and sometimes say over here now!!

We are cruising end of Sept, New England, with 3 nights in New York prior, this is one cruise I have always wanted to do and am as excited as you were when you came to the UK!! I too am doing loads of research on each Port and weather....................layer layer and layers haha.

I think you were lucky with the weather, or had you just missed our 'heat wave'? the weather here at the moment is awful ..... winds and rain, can't plan anything with bl**dy British weather!!

Looking for to your next installment xx

Mel

Ah thanks everyone, those egg crates look 'mad'! Are they that comfortable I can see me buying one of those!! Iv got a topper on my bed at home nothing like that though! When we went to Canada prior our Alaska cruise the beds in the hotels were amazing, so comfortable, I had a look under sheet and there was a thick mattress topper on them.

Melissa

Hi,

Could someone please enlighten me to what are egg crates? I assume they are something to do with the beds, are they mattress toppers? Also are the beds uncomfortable with out them?

Many Thanks

Melissa