Megabear2

That's where we differ. I would not like joining a queue at 6.00pm to wait an hour and a half or more. I'd like a proper estimate, ie if I knew the time for dinner was limited to 90 minutes I could make an informed decision. I booked all my dining on Arvia the second it was released as I'm happy to eat early. However it's nothing to do with not living in the good old days but I do think of others having difficulties and do not like to witness obvious distress that some were being caused by not being able to get into restaurants. If there's 5,200 onboard the majority can't book in advance.

I think that the original question was not about the app more about lack of availability of bookings after release? My good friend ICF loves the app and appears to believe I will not/do not use it. Whilst true I generally avoid it on P&O ships, I'm quite happy to use it. The difference is that Arvia and Iona are awash with things you have to book whereas Britannia and down are not. My one and only experience on Arvia told me that booking before departure was essential to get into any pay restaurant, the diner or Olive Grove as using the app could well mean a wait of an hour or more. I appreciate things may have changed and Iona could be different. You need to remember I'm often travelling solo so would not want to sit in a bar for an hour or more wondering if I'm going to get called. On one occasion I put myself in the queue for the Glass House for dinner and after 1 hour 20 minutes hot the message the queue was full, I'd been no.8 in the queue. The result was I had to go elsewhere to eat but what a chronic waste of my time sitting around in the Atrium waiting for Godot. I used the app both on Arvia and Britannia for breakfast and it was fine, however it became apparent on Britannia that the turn up queue- separate entrance - gained more or less immediate access compared to app bookings so we abandoned use of the app. I'm actually not averse to the app.

Yes I have taken mine out. It actually lay behind the top one rather than directly beneath so if I hadn't done so my long hanging space was 10 hangers in two narrow wardrobes. This is how mine look now. I've put the removed hanger up so you can see the width. On missing things I gave a strange one! My under the sink shelf contains an unopened box of tissues, however I cannot find anywhere in the room or bathroom where a tissue dispenser can be found. I'm tempted to open the new box and see where it travels to!

As you know Selbourne like yourself I'm extremely obsessive about noise! I can honestly say in this regard that this is one of the quietest cabins on any ship I've had. A very muffled door across the corridor yesterday evening is the only thing I've noticed. I'd be very happy to pick this room again.

He was talking about that experience and telling the story of how he had to learn to play the songs in less than 24 hours!

Day 2 has whistled by! The weather unfortunately did not play the game. It was damp and slippery underfoot if you were brave enough to venture out. Some brave crew members were out on deck 3 with buckets and ladders this afternoon though. It was interesting to see how the ship coped with so much effectively off limits. Seating seemed to be plentiful, as a resident in the cheap seats this is important to me but Queen Anne scored well with me. The entertainment was varied and full. For my part after breakfast I had a full diary until 6.00pm. I tend to eat early, as the dining room opens. This was 8.00am today. A pleasant experience at a table for 6 at the window directly looking at the wake was provided for six solo travellers. The food was varied and hot and the company good. Interestingly of the six four had the previous night had the same experience as me being told they must dine alone upstairs on the 3rd deck. Clearly this is some sort of planned policy evolving for the anytime dining singles. Sadly everyone of the people who fell victim to this idea were unhappy about the situation. After breakfast I attended the port talks on Belfast and Greenock. Although a welcome piece and informative I did feel the presentation lacked any passion as it was read direct from the IPad with little true enthusiasm. Interesting to have the talks at all as all my recent cruises on other lines had offered nothing. Following on at 11.00am was Midge Ure. As there was only 15 minutes between the presentations many remained for this, the theatre was not cleared in between. This was an outstanding presentation to a full house. He was amusing and highly informative with a really good presentation style - well in my humble opinion! Following this I thought I'd try the pub for a light bite lunch and a beer. My choice of the ham balls (?) was excellent just enough to curb the hunger. The service here was once again very good. I have a few comments on the issue of service in other venues for solo lady travellers but will expand elsewhere. At 1.00pm it was time to register for archery in the Bright Lights. I arrived at 12.55pm to find the venue full standing room only. Clearly this is going to be very popular with everyone channelling their inner Robin Hood! Anyway my registration has taken me to the brave new world at 11.00am on 30th May so it's going to be interesting! I did nearly 30 years ago try archery when on holiday in Mauritius. I didn't hit the target once in the three weeks of trying although I can claim the dubious honour of my arrow going under the board and spearing a poor unfortunate crab who had the misfortune to be sideling by ... none of which augur well! After signing up to try not to be a one woman hit squad I tested the swimming pool up in the pavilion which was extremely pleasant and then a quick ice cream - the health coach will not be pleased - before heading to the theatre for the early performance of Brief Encounter. What a fabulous hour that was, such a well produced and entertaining show I'd recommend it as a do not miss. Just time after this to pop in the shop to splash the cash on a few Queen Anne teddies and a sweatshirt for people back home and then back to prepare for the Black & White Ball. I did say preparing ... well it all went a bit astray when after the titivating I went to put on my glamorous black and white sequin dress to suffer a very serious malfunction when the zip broke! Big panic, what else do I have in black and white? Well actually nothing, what really? No, not a thing! I love colour, the brighter more outlandish the better so a quick sprint through revealed absolutely nothing except some black trousers. What to do? Well Cindererlla cast caution to thecwind and wore a black and vivid pink full sequin dress to the ball and to he'll with it! And guess what, despite her reservations it was just fine. The new table for dinner awaited at 8.30 so with trepidation I wandered in. So much nicer, a table seating eight a really nice mix of people, such a relief. Dinner itself was excellent, I'm not one gorfood photos, sorry I normally forget and eat before I think I should gave taken one. However I can say the escargot , venison and lemon souffle were excellent, perfectly cooked, the correct temperature and with great presentation and service. After dinner a quick look into the Queen's Room to watch the dancing accompanied by a large g&t and then back to the room via a jot chocolate. Thankfully the fight with the lifts did not occur tonight but tomorrow in Scarlett O'Hara's words is another day and the fight will begin again! On retturn to the room I have my paperwork to complete for the naming ceremony. We have to decide if we wish to ge ashore and hand the form back by the 28th for our lanyard to be produced. It will be interesting to see how many choose the option as most people I've spoken to seem to be planning to stay onboard. Anyway bed calls, I hope I've not bored you too much with my waffling!

If I go to a land based restaurant I'm given an approximate wait time, if I take a pager I'm given an approximate wait time, if I'm visiting WDW or Thorpe Park I'm given an approximate wait time. Why do you think it's impossible to do that via a proper app? I'm currently on Queen Anne and I'm using the app which is identical to P&O's. I'm not against the idea of the app but it isn't sophisticated enough, others do it better. Not everyone wants to go and sit in a bar they might prefer to do something else while waiting. A rough estimate of time would be helpful in that decision. There are those who have joined the app queues never to get called - plenty of reports of that here on the board. You had the queues on Princess and have experienced what a very large number of us had on Arvia. We didn't make it up, it happened no more than we expressed surprise at your experience. If it's improved great but the P&O reviews tend to indicate they are not there yet. I'm not against the app at all but in some respects it's useless because there are walk ups too. We had it on Britannia, two separate queues yet app users had no idea when of if they'd get in - breakfast could be mayhem!

Arvia has two main dining rooms plus Olive Grove and the diner, unless someone has changed somei don't know about? I use the technology in fact I'm using it on another line as we speak but frankly technology that's a half way house and doesn't tell me how long they queue I'm joining is is probably as good as a chocolate teapot. What's actually the point of this post please? If you're telling me something is different 11 months ago about how the dining room set up is fine but otherwise I'm rather at a loss

Arvia has a known problem with "normal" dining as she only has two main dining rooms. It would appear also that many older and wiser P&O guests do not use the main dining rooms as they cannot queue, dislike the app booking and in some cases consider the food inferior. As a result they book out the paid for dining immediately it opens. This only seems to happen on the two bigger ships but has crept in to some extent on Britannia. Personally I disliked having to book every single thing and it felt like I was staying in an American resort hotel.or WDW where I needed a spreadsheet to control my day! There is little chance to amend or change a booking either as quite simply there is little or in most cases no availability once onboard. It is interesting reading the Feefo comments forms how many express their disappointment they couldn't even get one speciality restaurant booking.

Hello sunshine lovers. Here in the North Sea there's no hint of a ray or two! At noon we were 29 miles off Great Yarmouth. It is grey, misty with drizzle and 13 degrees ... Had a good morning at Insight Lecture with the highly talented Mr Ure and port presentations for Belfast and Glasgow. These presentations are the one thing I wish P&O would offer more of, it's really nice to get an insight to what we will fund on disembarking along the way. We are having a CCF get together at 2.00pm, looking forward to putting some names to faces hopefully including Selbourne and Lady S. For now the pub calls me for a Peroni and a ploughmans. Hope everything feeling better today. Take care everyone.

Because if someone writes something back to me with question marks after every point it reads that way to me. It makes me personally feel challenged and I find it unnecessary. I apologise if it was a misunderstanding. Returning to the original point, I understand that each event will be looked at on a case by case basis in respect to royal attendance. If indeed it is to be a Royal family member I doubt very much that it would fall into the cancellation category. Only time will tell.

Wardrobes for the insides are equally strange. As a solo traveller I have managed okay but truthfully I think we would struggle if my husband was with me. My cabin offers me less wardrobe and storage than my Queen Mary 2 single cabin. Two of the wardrobes have five hangers and are extremely narrow. I have two long sequin dresses in one and despite the five hangers only room for one more lightweight evening jacket. The area under the safe is very low down too and my trousers touch the floor. Shoe storage is virtually impossible as my clothes cover them. Impossible operating grab and go - evening shoes under dresses etc and day wear under the trousers. I would struggle with the storage on a long cruise yet had no problems at all on a world voyage in the solo on QM2.

https://www.royal.uk/media-centre/future-engagements The sarcasm is a little uncalled for. I merely mentioned that this document had15 pages of engagements prior to the announcement, now it is curtailed. I don't doubt there are plenty of other things going on, it was simply an observation with an attempt at humour regarding carrying a spare.

Actual boarding was very quick and efficient. Arrived about 1.40pm just as the coaches came in. Straight into the terminal and into priority line and onboard by 2.05pm. Very good, can't say the same for what came next! Sent to muster station A which was apparently the theatre but actually was the waiting area for the forward lifts. Massive queue with no one doing anything. After about 10 minutes a guy came along and said he wasn't scanning anyone at present due to the lifts being overloaded. This was deck 2. I asked if he could check me in and I'd use the stairs, he was reluctant but agreed - I think he thought I was going to go one or two floors and chance my arm on the lift! Walking up every landing was like a battlefield with luggage everywhere. Apparently the front and rear lifts were off limits to guests for luggage handling. I've never seen anything like it on any ship let alone a Cunard one. As I said earlier my luggage (3 bags) arrived simultaneously with me so I was unaware of the problems going on. I used the stairs most of the afternoon but I did notice there was still luggage on decks 5 and 6 when I went down at 6.30pm.

Having just retired after watching the theatre show by Julian Smith and a swift nightcap in the Golden Lion, I think that overall it's been an excellent start to the voyage. Not sure if I've just been lucky but apart from the dinner hiccup service has been good in all the places I've tried and everyone has been happy to help. The most important thing to me is my room which is really convenient for the stairs and lift and is extremely quiet (that was my big worry before boarding. So far the view from the cheap seats has been excellent!

The Royal Diary has shrunk to only 4 pages with the Princess Royal and the Duke of Gloucester apparently the only ones left with engagements...

Dinner unfortunately was a challenge! I arrived at 7.30 which was my given first night time. There was a big debate about how I'd be fitted in! I was told that sharing would "cause odd numbers" and they would prefer me to dine alone on a two top. I wasn't too keen as the table they wanted to give me was completely isolated with no one near to even have a passing acknowledgement to so I asked if I could have another table. That didn't go very well, the man got very grumpy but eventually I was shown to a table for 6 where I sat for 10 minutes to be joined by 2 Canadian ladies who'd asked for a two top and been told no. We started our meal and just as soup was served two chaps were sent to join us. It turned out fine but I felt very uncomfortable about this not being able to book a sharing table - the app denies me every day. On my way out I spoke to the MD who told me that there's not going to be any change so I'd probably be alone for the two weeks. Very miserable sounding. Long story short, went to pursers office to buy my Internet and got chatting to the guy on the desk who was checking my diamond lunch reservation. He asked if I'd prefer 8.30 fixed dining on a big table and has arranged this from tomorrow. I'm much happier about that just couldn't understand why the MD couldn't have helped out. Anyway all sorted now! Strangely though the 8.30 is meant to have had no availability at all so I was very lucky as 5.30 was way too early for me. The food was very good as was service of the same. However no one arrived to take drinks orders despite the chaps asking so it was a dry dinner.

Oh dear, I'm so sorry. I really like my cabin, for an inside its really well designed... mind you storage is completely full and I've dismantled a bar to make room for my longer dresses. I'm in my way to dinner, they gave me "freedom". Enjoy yours.

They have just announced an apology for slow luggage delivery on the current voyage. All of mine was delivered in minutes of my getting to the room but the landings were still stacked high at 5.45pm.

I hope you both soon feel better.

Well I'm on, no dramas. Very quick boarding due to my priority which always help. I arrived as the coaches came in. I can confirm no one queued outside, leave luggage and in to check in. Quite a few in there due to the coach but everyone was given a seat - just like the good old days! Dropped off 1.30pm onboard by 1.50pm. Interesting lift situation, I'll say no more but I've walked the stairs every time so far, good news for the health coach! The main thing is so far I love it! Great inside room, much better than I expected, quiet and very convenient and we'll laid out. The sun is out, the g&it's are VERY strong and we are just getting underway. The adventures begin!

As is normal protocols due to the election being called the King has cancelled a large number of the Family's events so if it is one of them there's a risk it could be not happening. Not sure if they carry a spare(!) but at least Mr Bocelli is a bit special ... guess we will find out soon!!

Congratulations on your win. I'm so sorry to hear your sister is unwell. I hope that all goes well with her scan today and things are quickly resolved to make her better. Life has been very unkind to you in recent times and surely some better times are long overdue. Sending you all best wishes and prayers for healing for your sister and strength for your family. Take care.

Well it's finally here .... today's the day - happy dance!!! Mind you, do you think they know I'm coming .... https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/flood-chaos-hits-edinburgh-areas-32880570.amp More heavy rain the forecast for Monday too! Now who thinks I'd better quickly pack my beautiful yellow wellies?

Well that's me done and fingers crossed ready for anything the British weather and Cunard throw at me. Two suitcases now hold a huge variety along with copious posh frocks, a ballgown (just in case!) and numerous varieties of trousers, tops and sweaters. I'm pretty sure one's going to turn up with the telltale heavy sticker on it though but if that's the worst it will be fine. Just watched the last episode of The Fortune Hotel which has been a good escape for the past two weeks - i loved the Rhum Runner in episode one almost like being back in Grenada myself. Anyway that's it. I'm polished, scrubbed, waxed and softened and heading for bed. My friend is collecting me at 1.00pm for my 2.00pm boarding - there must be hundreds of high level CWC members onboard as that is with priority boarding. Weather looking decent for departure too so I'll make sure I get my sailaway cocktail in. Have a good night all and enjoy the bank holiday whatever your plans are.