john watson

This would suggest to me that P&O are trying very hard to fill their ships. This might not be going down very well with some older passengers. The problem seems to me is trying to get greater numbers to book cruises in larger and larger ships whereas it might get harder to fill an adult only megaship year round. Regards John

In that case you need a dedicated ship or ships. The problem then being from a cruise lines perspective is ensuring financial viability. If it is then fine but my experience is that the older group tend to dislike the mega ships. I am thinking that over time it will get more awkward. Regards John

True but are we not wanting to minimalise the number of children on board not eradicate their presence? The school holidays also vary regionally and by UK country. Regards John

Micealangelo did some absolutely brilliant works and is generally agreed, not just in Italy but throughout the world as the finest turtle. Regards John

I suggest that if you want to run an adult only cruise it would make sense to be during school holidays. During term time very minimal number of children will be on board anyway. Regards John

I think it is synonymous with roll neck sweater. The term "mock" seems a bit superflous as it would never be the genuine creature about one's neck. Regards John

I think it is of no importance whether people perceive you as first time cruisers. It is helpful on your first cruise to work out how to navigate the ship. Often there are three sets of stairs; forward, mid-ships and aft. Then the decks are just like floors on a building. Everything takes place on the ship in relation to these. Once you can keep track of these you can get anywhere rapidly walking directly to where you need to go. Regards John

I have never found the late night buffet a noisy environment. Regards John

Quite likely HAL first. I think she would suit Cunard even now if extensively refitted for passengers that want to sail transatlantic in both directions. US passengers can stay a few days in UK while QM2 does the short trip to Europe, Southampton to Hamburg return. UK passengers only have a few hours in New York. A smaller ship running five to seven days later on a shuttle basis might be viable.This happened years ago with transatlantic liners. Regards John

It is very rare to have a second change this close to sail date. 8106 has suites on the deck below, ideal and a Lido Buffet Restaurant above. This is not an open deck part of the ship (which can be noisy when the loungers are being set out or stowed) you have an inside restaurant above you. That is acceptable as it is not a music venue or other noisy place. The big bonus is the much improved balcony with a clear sea view. Regards John

As has already been mentioned cruise ships have a normal lifespan. Grand Princess was the biggest cruise ship in the world, hence the name I think. Two Grand class ships have left Princess Cruise Line and moved to P&O Australia, Golden Princess and Star Princess. Carnival Corporation has a major influence in what happens across the brands. Arcadia was originally built for Cunard and was switched to P&O late in the building process. If Carnival allocates another new build big ship to P&O (UK), a decision may have to be made. The main problem in my opinion is selling off decent ships for a good price to a rival operator outside Carnival. On the other hand the various Carnival brands might want a smaller ship. One hopes a good outcome results in the evolution of P&O. Things change over the years and so do passengers. Regards John

Yes, a number of cruise lines offer a dedicated area in the buffet at a set time for afternoon tea. This is mainly for parents who wish to feed the children then put then into the Childrens Clubs. Parents can more easily dine in the Main Dining Rooms without children. Regards John

Terminal 28 is main one through 2024. Regards John

Worst case scenario is the travel agency does not exist and is selling cruises to many people. Pay in full or on a monthly basis. They would know the date on which to disappear. This has happened to me but not with travel. They can send reassuring emails to clients right up to embarkation day. Then you find out the situation at the cruise terminal in Italy after a long flight. Losing all the money and needing a return flight to USA. On the other hand it may be an excellent deal where you pay monthly and the travel agent pays your account in time to the cruise line. Regards John

A travel agent could pay the cruiseline on the due dates but allow its own clients to pay on a more gradual basis as an incentive to book through them. The passenger may have misunderstood about how and when payments will be taken from his account. Either this is a genuine booking lodged with Princess or it is not. When you suggest he might get an email from Princess regarding his booking being cancelled, this is unlikely. If it is a bogus booking Princess might know nothing about it. They might not have his genuine email address. The passenger should have a booking refereence e.g. NB6VCE and be able to log in and check if he's been upgraded, twin beds, etc. etc. It is more likely he will be refused boarding at Civitaveccia Regards John

Yes, the Island Princess is sailing a world cruise in the opposite direction to the general repositioning ships. It might be legitimate. Having said that if you wanted to set up a dubious travel agency you would sensibly sell cruises that agreed with actual sailings. Have they logged into the Princess website to look at checking in, excursions and all the other things you need to do? Regards John

On Princess there are crew stairs and on a couple of occasions to attend the emergency muster we were ushered down the aforementioned stairs. Unfortunately it has gone on line now and the opportunity is no longer available. Regards John

One could have just replied "Sorry old love, I am new to this. Do you know if their is a specialist term for the pointy part" Regards John

Yes, Startedwithout a mouse current group is 8 to 12 years. I was working from memory apologies for that. I might add that self-signing priveleges tend to be cancelled on port days with a lock in and children taken to lunch etc. if required. Regards John

Signing in and out is by any adult the parents have nominated e.g. grandmother, aunts etc. The ID is now generally your medallion which shows the encaptured photo on their monitor. Some age groups are allowed to self sign in/out and parents can authorise/deny this facility. When the club reaches the final hour and additional hour can be enjoyed in the club but a small fee applies as does being late collecting after closing time. The age at sailing is the relevant age and strict adherence is normally applied so 8 and 9 years old children might end up in separate groups. Regards John

In theory a dubious car parking operation could take your car at the terminal and simply park it in a street somewhere. When you return and phone the company up they could collect your car and bring it to the terminal Just parking four cars a week could bring in £1600.00 a month. Regards John

I see your point at 0800 the roads are free. Regards John

It seems a very long trek to pick up a dog in Devon if you live in Kent. Regards John

Very true but this information needs to be revealed. The spotty lanyard successfully keeps the disability hidden but then not having a lanyard would achieve the same aim. Regards John

To put it bluntly Zap I am beginning to think you are not part of the problem. Lol John