Scratchrat

3 hours ago, majortom10 said:

Evening Casual

Stylish resort or leisurewear is ideal for Evening Casual nights, for example casual separates or dresses for ladies and open-neck polo shirts and casual long trousers (not shorts or 3/4 length trousers) for men. A jacket and smart trousers can be worn but are not compulsory. T-shirts are also acceptable but should not have any offensive symbols or language on them. Smart dark denim is also fine, but not trainers, football shirts or tracksuits. Please see below examples/ideas.

 

Black Tie

Black Tie nights foster a rather special atmosphere on-board and we know that our guests adore dressing up and it has long been a part of the P&O Cruises experience, adding a touch of glamour and a real sense of occasion to evenings at sea. Seeing an entire ship full of people transformed into their finery is quite something to behold. Ladies wear glamorous evening wear including cocktail dresses, ball gowns or even smart trouser suits. For men, dinner jackets or tuxedos are the norm, but a dark lounge or business suit and tie can be worn as an alternative. You can also wear formal national dress and military uniform.

 

Has this changed as when I looked at the website, they didn't mention T-shirts being okay.

2 hours ago, Vampiress88 said:

even though I’ve read this on p&o a million times i still forget what to wear and what’s acceptable. 
I find it a tad difficult as all the “examples” on the website is not to my 30s age range but more to 50-60s. 
 

I do hope p&o update it a little for Iona maybe

See this is exactly me.

I'm not "low brow" but I don't own any polo shirts and smart trousers.Not many people in their 30's generally do. When was the last time I even saw a polo shirt? 😛

I wear T-shirts and Jeans with trainers but they are always smart and nice, nothing scruffy. 

I'm in a very good job and so is my partner, but we just don't dress that way. I understand though that we chose to sail with P&O and so if they have a dress code, we will abide by it 🙂 Not expecting them to change the rules just for us.

I do think the dress code is more aimed at the older generation but then again, I'm sure most of the passengers are of that age and there is nothing wrong with that at all!

Just now, Addict said:

Oh definitely.  We never use the pools on ships so that's fine with us.  And I will welcome crew serving our food.  Not even that bothered about the ports as we've done them all before several times.  So if the ship sails, we're good to go! 🙂

 

It's as much fun as we make it 🙂

4 minutes ago, KnowTheScore said:

 

 

Super helpful reply, thanks so much!

Now just to hope we sail and I can enjoy everything!

Just now, Vampiress88 said:

me and hubby basically dress as if we were going out. Dinner concert etc 

he worse just as you describe dark jeans, not his ripped ones, t-shirt and it has a checkered shirt that goes over it but he wears it with these boot/shoe things. 
I just wore a nice top with black trousers and heels. 
 

for the formal though we try. I wear a dress which I don’t particularly like and he wears a suit. 
looks good on photos. 

That's perfect 🙂

I just don't like wearing buttoned up shirts. I don't have the figure for them 😛

4 minutes ago, zap99 said:

Giving up now and trying to find a cruise site rather than same old,same old bash anybody.com😠

Not all of us are like that.

Let's try and get back on track eh?

Iona is looking beautiful! Just watched a video of her sailing into Rotterdam and damn shes a pretty one 😄

14 minutes ago, Addict said:

It is a lovely dream, however we are on 14 Nov, and still not confident even that will sail.  If P&O have already cancelled 15 Oct, and they suddenly create another cruise to fill those dates, I'm sure that won't be a good PR move either.  There would be uproar.  How would you feel if someone cancelled your cruise, then let it sail a day later with a whole lot of new passengers? I'd be amazed if they do this.

Be positive ❤️

I'm booked for December and I'm confident we will sail. 

My advice is to expect to sail but to not expect it to be the same. There WILL be social distancing to a degree, there will be more hand sanitisers, less self serve food without individual packaging, there will be less people allowed to swim at the same time, etc.

But it beats being stuck at home 😄

Just now, Adawn47 said:

We've never done a fly cruise because my husband refuses to to fly now. Hence the cruising. Its so much easier as you never see your cases until their in your cabin, and no luggage weight to worry about either. So much easier. 

Avril 

I can see that!

My in-laws always fly to the US then get a transatlantic cruise home 🙂

Just now, jeanlyon said:

Have to say I definitely don't cruise for the food.  It's fine, but quite often I look at the menu and don't fancy anything.  It's all roast beef, roast lamb, duck.  I would so like something like a lasagne and I do love their Indian food, just wish it was on the menu more often.  I like things with a sauce and they are few and far between.

I'm the same as you there Jean, I hate "dry" food. I don't eat crisps unless it's the kind with dips, I don't do dry breakfast bars or anything like that. 

Pasta, curry, mexican food with lots of salsa, yes please 😄

3 minutes ago, Adawn47 said:

Unfortunately I don't have pictures of the food. I'm too busy eating it😉.   With the odd exception, P&O crew are amazing and willing to help whenever they can. We've always had wonderful service and are constantly surprised when our drink orders are remembered. 

Avril

So lovely to hear this Avril 🙂

I'm super excited to go, never sailed from the UK before so it's so convenient, it's crazy to think Im able to just drive to the ship this time as we usually sail out of Orlando or the Med!

So for example, on a normal cruise night (not elegant/gala), could I wear a plain black t-shirt with an unbuttoned shirt over the top, with dark jeans? (my normal dinner outfit)

23 minutes ago, Adawn47 said:

I have tried one or two dishes that looked interesting, from the various courses, occasionally. Some I've liked, but others that I didn't like were changed for me with no problem. I've also asked for one vegetable substituted for another, providing it's already on the menu with another dish or extra if it's a particular one I like, sugar snap peas for instance😋. Nothing's too much trouble, you just have to ask. I find it's not what you say, but how you say it, and with a smile.

This brings to mind a young man and his parents who were  sat at a table near us in the MDR. He refused to eat his dinner unless he had 6 chips on a plate next to him. His parents told the waiter he was autistic. Every evening without fail the waiter had 6 chips on a plate waiting for him when he came to dinner. That's service you don't always find.

Avril 

Wow, that's something else 🙂 

One thing I always love about cruising with Carnival and I hope P&O too is that you do really seem to get to know the team! Even doing anytime dining and sitting in different areas each night, people would remember you, say hi, it makes a difference.

Thanks so much to everyone who has helped answer my questions, I feel confident the food will be great, now to just focus on what awaits!

Anyone got good food pics? 😄

New Zealand reopening fully tonight due to no active cases! That's good!

3 minutes ago, zap99 said:

We have only been on Britannia ( lots of other ships/lines ). We just dress as per that nights theme and have never had a single tut, but would expect a few if we went into the MDR on formal night in flip flops. Australians call them thongs. That may get a tut,or two😁

To be clear, on Carnival, "Cruise Casual" for most dinners are no shorts or anything offensive so for me I used to wear nice jeans, a t-shirt and nice trainers but I am aware this is not acceptable dress for P&O.

Elegant night on Carnival seems to be the same attire as the P&O Gala night though.

My other half is just sad they can't wear a hoodie 24/7 haha.

Just now, No pager thank you said:

Marco Pierre White.  If you like strong, bold flavours and unusual meals then give it a go.  Have a look at the menu on the day to decide.

 

However many people choose to dodge the gala dinners and book either Sindhu, Beach House, or the Epicurean for example. 

 

From observation, I do find the speciality restaurants to be busier when Marco is on the menu in the main dining room.  A couple of the speciality restaurants are "endorsed" by him, but not the above three.

Ah, thankyou! Would have taken me ages to work out that acronym!

I love trying new things, I don't really do fish/steak at home so I usually do those on cruises. The food on P&O looks exceptional. 

My biggest worry about P&O so far has been etiquette. I'm all for rules and dressing up nicely but nothing is worse than the feeling of being watched/judged and tutted at, so I truly hope people exaggerate when they say this happens in the restaurants and bars, I want to relax and enjoy my meals rather than be scrutinised for outfit and/or menu choices haha!

Just now, Josy1953 said:

Sindhu is very good, we always eat there at least once each week that we are on board.  We usually check what is on the MDR menu and if it is a M-PW menu we go and book Sindhu as soon as we leave breakfast.

Forgive me, what's a M-PW menu?

2 minutes ago, pete14 said:

The menu is posted outside the MDR every day. As far as main courses go, there are several to choose from. Steak, chicken and salmon are usually available in addition to the other mains that are different every day. I am a fussy eater but rarely do I have a problem. 
 

The speciality restaurants are good for a treat. Epicurean and Sindhu menus are online and do not change daily. Usually menu A for 4 nights, then menu B for the next 4 and so on. They are less flexible over variations.

Not a problem at all. When I say my partner is a fussy eater, I don't mean they will complain or be unhappy with the offerings. They are well aware of the fact they are the problem not the menu 😉

They will always make do with something and enjoy it, I was simply checking if we would be breaking some kind of social faux pas by asking for multiple main courses or replacing them completely as we have done on Carnival. (sometimes ordering a double portion of kids menu items instead hah!)

We're not awkward people or anything and never complain 🙂 We wouldn't want the culture of the ship to bend to our tastes! I loooove the look of the menus personally.

3 minutes ago, Eddie99 said:

I find searching the P&O website to be a nightmare since its most recent *improvement*

 

So, Uncle Google has kindly given me this, which appears to be pretty much up to date

All your ships, all your venues, all your menus

 

https://ask.completecruisesolution.com/help/ext/PO/life-on-board/example_menu

 

I find it hard to accept that some people seem to complain about *all* the food.  I wonder what they eat at home.  Surely, surely, among everything listed, there is something for the most and least adventurous?  
 

Well my partner was vegetarian until recently and even since then will not eat any meat on the bone, is only really a fan of chicken or turkey. 

The veggie options are often fine and look tasty though, just on occasion there's menus where they think ALL the starters sound amazing but not any of the main courses, so they would want to just have the starters all as a tapas 😛

11 minutes ago, mercury7289 said:

Where can we find these articles that you are referring to?

 

Sounds like they might make interested reading

Oh I didn't bookmark them, I'll try and find it this afternoon.

Not in any way suggesting they are right, just that it's a view likely to be taken by those financially invested in getting things back to normal.

Just now, Harry Peterson said:

Basically, whatever you ask for from the MDR menus will be provided, very readily, along with a few standards which aren’t necessarily shown but are always available. Very much a case of mix and match if that suits you best.

 

I enjoy the food on P&O, and have always found the portion sizes ample, but if you feel that’s not the case they’ll always provide more on request.

 

I can only speak for The Epicurean so far as speciality restaurants are concerned, but it’s really excellent. Very high standard of food and service indeed for a real treat. Well up there with many a Michelin starred UK restaurant.

That's great to hear!

It's less about the portion sizes and more that if a menu has no main course that my partner likes the sound of, would they be able to have a selection of starters instead?

2 minutes ago, zap99 said:

Sindhu, epicurian, glass house. You can often get same-day bookings.

Sindhu looks incredible! I am definitely booking there 😄

1 minute ago, wowzz said:

Can't see that myself. Too many pinch points - buffets, bars, lifts etc. However, if the number of passengers were halved, then perhaps you would have a point.

I think capacity has already been cut behind the scenes tbh.

Buffets I expect to be socially distanced and not self service as per norovirus rules.

So as some of you know, I've only ever cruised with Carnival before now and only just booked my first ever P&O Cruise.

I am sure there are differences between how things work on different ships and brands and my partner keeps asking me questions about the food so I suggested I'd ask them here!

My partner is rather fussy with food and will often not want any of the options for one or more of the courses. If they were to ask for 3x starters instead of a main course for example, would this be doable/normal to ask?

Are you restricted to 1 starter, 1 soup, 1 main, 1 dessert or could someone have 2 main courses if they couldnt choose? (Ignore the gluttony aspect for now!)

I don't know about you all but I like to treat the MDR as my little experiment. I am a creature of habit in restaurants at home, I want to try new things but I don't like paying for things I end up disliking, so on a cruise, I use the MDR to try new things, on the understanding that if I don't like it, I haven't lost anything and I've tried it! Does anyone else do this?

Do people find the specialty restaurants worth the cost? We tend to do specialties once or twice a cruise on Carnival as a treat, usually when we're not too fussed on the MDR menu.

On that note, do they advertise the MDR menu/s in advance?

Thanks all 🙂 Let's start getting hungry in this thread 😄

14 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

I think P&O will want to gather as much publicity as they can from a restart of cruising, and what better way than to have a new ship as one of the first.

You have a very good point!

"Iona launches our brand into the new era of cruising!" or some other kind of marketing wizardry.

Just now, terrierjohn said:

I believe Iona's MDRs will have specific signature dishes, but in the main the menus will be identical.

Ooooh exciting 😄