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All booked up until Oct 19.


daiB
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So you've booked with Princess? I'm confused

Any ship like Oceana will interest us.

Where is she now and what is she called?

 

 

If you do a wikipedia search for "Sun Class Ships" you can find all the sisters of Oceana but it's a small class of three.

 

A similar wikipedia search for "Renaissance - 'R' Class Ships" will reveal where all the Adonia sisters are. This is a bigger family with no less than eight sisters all very similar, which might surprise some people.

 

Regards John

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Just had our Aurora April 2019 Med cruise confirmed, our TA said she managed to secure the last available accessible balcony for us.

First time on Aurora for us, I do hope she lives up to some of the hype on here and that we don't miss the extent of bars and entertainment venues we are used to on her big sisters.

 

Very interesting. We are booked on that cruise John and, having received confirmation today of our allocated accessible balcony cabin, are pleased that we received our first choice - thanks to our P&O Personal Cruise Specialist who nabbed it for us at 8am.

 

We did our first Aurora cruise in May and absolutely loved both the ship and the passenger profile. The accessible balcony cabins on Aurora are excellent. They are very large with spacious wet rooms and, although not stated, have sofas as well. They are far superior to the ones on Arcadia. The only slight negatives were the rubbish TV's (which I am hoping will be replaced by then) and the automatic cabin doors, which stay open too long, meaning that you are 'on show' for a bit when you enter the cabin and have to loiter in the corridor when leaving to wait for them to close.

 

I'm not a fan of most of the entertainment on P&O ships, but we had a fantastic classical violinist and pianist (Harmony Duo) who gave recitals of both classical and contemporary music in the Playhouse on at least 4 nights. The Headliners Theatre group were good dancers but appalling singers, but left after our cruise and, as we know, they chop and change anyway. Overall, we found the entertainment on offer to be better than on our 3 Britannia cruises.

 

Food and service in the main Freedom dining room was faultless throughout. The Beach House was excellent but Sindhu poor, mostly due to the ambiance (it's an extension of the coffee shop during the day and is noisy being adjacent to the small and congested atrium). We missed not having an Epicurean, but we loved the Glasshouse, which is not well used so is always easy to get a seat.

 

The ship isn't as accessible in public areas for wheelchair users as the newer ones, but we didn't have too many issues and worked around them.

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If you do a wikipedia search for "Sun Class Ships" you can find all the sisters of Oceana but it's a small class of three.

 

A similar wikipedia search for "Renaissance - 'R' Class Ships" will reveal where all the Adonia sisters are. This is a bigger family with no less than eight sisters all very similar, which might surprise some people.

 

Regards John

 

Princess often base a Renaissance ship in Dover for the summer, however from my experience make sure you are sat down when looking up prices.

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Princess often base a Renaissance ship in Dover for the summer, however from my experience make sure you are sat down when looking up prices.

 

Made me laugh. We have been looking for a special cruise for 2019 and have checked out Viking, Oceania, Regent to name a few. Sitting down when we saw the prices didn't help :D:D:eek:

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Very interesting. We are booked on that cruise John and, having received confirmation today of our allocated accessible balcony cabin, are pleased that we received our first choice - thanks to our P&O Personal Cruise Specialist who nabbed it for us at 8am.

 

We did our first Aurora cruise in May and absolutely loved both the ship and the passenger profile. The accessible balcony cabins on Aurora are excellent. They are very large with spacious wet rooms and, although not stated, have sofas as well. They are far superior to the ones on Arcadia. The only slight negatives were the rubbish TV's (which I am hoping will be replaced by then) and the automatic cabin doors, which stay open too long, meaning that you are 'on show' for a bit when you enter the cabin and have to loiter in the corridor when leaving to wait for them to close.

 

I'm not a fan of most of the entertainment on P&O ships, but we had a fantastic classical violinist and pianist (Harmony Duo) who gave recitals of both classical and contemporary music in the Playhouse on at least 4 nights. The Headliners Theatre group were good dancers but appalling singers, but left after our cruise and, as we know, they chop and change anyway. Overall, we found the entertainment on offer to be better than on our 3 Britannia cruises.

 

Food and service in the main Freedom dining room was faultless throughout. The Beach House was excellent but Sindhu poor, mostly due to the ambiance (it's an extension of the coffee shop during the day and is noisy being adjacent to the small and congested atrium). We missed not having an Epicurean, but we loved the Glasshouse, which is not well used so is always easy to get a seat.

 

The ship isn't as accessible in public areas for wheelchair users as the newer ones, but we didn't have too many issues and worked around them.

Interesting info Selbourne I was going to ask you if you have any other photos of the cabin, I have already seen one of yours on-line, or to find out a bit more of the cabin configuration, as my wife can only use her left side.

Our cabin is 154 on A deck, which I think will be the same layout as C152 which you had in May, from the photo I assume the bathroom is on the right as you enter, and the bed head is also on the right, I think yours was set up as a double, from memory where do think the right hand bed would be if set up as a twin, would it be right up against the bathroom dividing wall or not?

I had gathered that Aurora was probably not as easy to get around as Azura/Ventura/Britannia, but we thought we ought to give it a try, although this cruise has at least 2 tender ports, that's assuming Cueta is not tendered, because my wife cannot step into a tender. It also has Rome where we no longer go ashore so we are likely to be on board more than ashore.

Perhaps one of us needs to set up a roll call thread so we can chat amongst ourselves!

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Interesting info Selbourne I was going to ask you if you have any other photos of the cabin, I have already seen one of yours on-line, or to find out a bit more of the cabin configuration, as my wife can only use her left side.

Our cabin is 154 on A deck, which I think will be the same layout as C152 which you had in May, from the photo I assume the bathroom is on the right as you enter, and the bed head is also on the right, I think yours was set up as a double, from memory where do think the right hand bed would be if set up as a twin, would it be right up against the bathroom dividing wall or not?

I had gathered that Aurora was probably not as easy to get around as Azura/Ventura/Britannia, but we thought we ought to give it a try, although this cruise has at least 2 tender ports, that's assuming Cueta is not tendered, because my wife cannot step into a tender. It also has Rome where we no longer go ashore so we are likely to be on board more than ashore.

Perhaps one of us needs to set up a roll call thread so we can chat amongst ourselves!

 

Hi John. I should think that A154 is identical to C152 but by luck we are staying in A154 in March, so I will be able to confirm for you and am very happy to check on any specific questions you have then. I do have more photos of C152 but had real problems trying to post them when I wrote my review, hence why only one is shown.

 

Yes, the bathroom is on the right, with the door at a slight angle on the corner. There is a slight ramp up to the bathroom door that rises up from all sides. The bed was also on the right, and when set up as a double had two chests of drawers each side. I can see from my other photos that each chest of drawers is free standing, so I should think that when set up as a twin the configuration would be one chest of drawers, single bed, two chests of drawers between the beds, single bed, chest of drawers. In that configuration, I would say that there would still be around 2 foot between the bed and the bathroom wall, but if it was an issue I would think you could ask the steward to reposition one of the two chests of drawers that would be between the beds, narrowing the gap between the beds and providing more room by the bathroom.

 

My wife is also unable to use tenders nowadays so will also have to stay on board at Sorrento and Propriano, which is a shame as they are both new ports for us, as is Ceuta but we are scheduled to be alongside there.

 

You won't have too many issues with the wheelchair. The main issues are that you can't go the length of deck 8 as there are steps (we learnt that the first time we tried and then used other floors thereafter), none of the doors out on to the promenade deck are automated and the theatre and Playhouse are poorly configured, in that although they have reserved disabled seats at the end of several rows, only one row is step free, allowing the wheelchair user to sit alongside their companion. We found that these were always the first seats that disabled guests sat in, even if they were able to use steps. One or two would move when they saw the wheelchair but most didn't budge. Beyond that, we had no other issues with the wheelchair and my wife absolutely loved the ship, as did I. Although it was our first cruise on Aurora in May, we now have four more cruises booked on her, which tells you all you need to know!

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I'm booking onboard at the end of the month, I need to check how long the opening prices are held for. Glad you are all sorted Dai!

 

 

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Says on the email received today, you need to book by 30 November 2017 to get the extra discounts.

Mandy

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I'm booking onboard at the end of the month, I need to check how long the opening prices are held for. Glad you are all sorted Dai!

 

 

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It will be a gamble the discounts applicable will be held until November but cruise prices will not and fluid pricing might kick in for popular cruises. You might find by waiting you get the obc for booking onboard but the actual cruise price might have increased more so negates the advantage of waiting for obc only you can decide whether to book now or wait.

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Princess often base a Renaissance ship in Dover for the summer, however from my experience make sure you are sat down when looking up prices.

 

Yes, I have booked one of these ex-Dover round trip cruises. I got in on a sale deal, however I realise that Princess, sales are of the DFS sofa type.

 

 

Regards John

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Is that R906? We are hoping to book onboard Azura next week.It will be the first time we have tried Aurora too and like the choice of entertainment etc on the larger ships.However we have sailed on Arcadia which I understand is a similar size to Aurora and were very happy on our 2 cruises on her.Interesting itinerary with I think the only opportunity to visit Malta without going on a fly cruise

Ann, the price for a balcony cabin has already increased by £100pp from the prices available from pre registration. I hope they don't escalate further before your next cruise.

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Ann, the price for a balcony cabin has already increased by £100pp from the prices available from pre registration. I hope they don't escalate further before your next cruise.

 

Yes, I realise thats the risk we have to take.However we sail on saturday and will probably book an inside cabin and so far the price hasn t increased.Not keen on booking before then as my niece got engaged yesterday and has said she hopes to get married in 2019, just not sure when! I don t mind losing the £50 deposit incase the dates clashed but wouldn t want to lose 15%

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Yes, I realise thats the risk we have to take.However we sail on saturday and will probably book an inside cabin and so far the price hasn t increased.Not keen on booking before then as my niece got engaged yesterday and has said she hopes to get married in 2019, just not sure when! I don t mind losing the £50 deposit incase the dates clashed but wouldn t want to lose 15%

Sorry to disappoint you Ann but although the headline price is shown as £1399pp, when you attempt a booking the cheapest inside cabins are now £1499. But I agree the lower deposit might in your case be worth the extra price.

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Sorry to disappoint you Ann but although the headline price is shown as £1399pp, when you attempt a booking the cheapest inside cabins are now £1499. But I agree the lower deposit might in your case be worth the extra price.

 

Thats disappointing.However I am not surprised as the Itinerary is interesting and hubby definitately wants to visit Malta without having to fly! I will have to console myself with the fact that if it has gone up a little in a week it will have risen dramatically this time next year so will still have a bargain! :)

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Sorry to disappoint you Ann but although the headline price is shown as £1399pp, when you attempt a booking the cheapest inside cabins are now £1499. But I agree the lower deposit might in your case be worth the extra price.

 

Now that I've booked, I have to say that the opening prices for this cruise did seem very cheap. I know it's not school holidays, but the itinerary is the most interesting 'no fly' Med Cruise for some years, yet the price we have paid is the lowest per person per night that we have had in the last 10 years and is significantly lower than other similar length cruises in 2019. As a result of all of this, I suspect that there has been a rush of bookings for this cruise and prices will start to rise.

 

As a further point of interest, of the five future cruises we have booked, all but one was booked during the pre registration period. Every single one of them is now more expensive, one by an eye watering 50%.

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Now that I've booked, I have to say that the opening prices for this cruise did seem very cheap. I know it's not school holidays, but the itinerary is the most interesting 'no fly' Med Cruise for some years, yet the price we have paid is the lowest per person per night that we have had in the last 10 years and is significantly lower than other similar length cruises in 2019. As a result of all of this, I suspect that there has been a rush of bookings for this cruise and prices will start to rise.

 

 

 

As a further point of interest, of the five future cruises we have booked, all but one was booked during the pre registration period. Every single one of them is now more expensive, one by an eye watering 50%.

 

 

 

Same for us. All gone up. Except for our Princess cruise which went down by £1000.

 

As we have to book a suite some of the increases are substantial.

 

 

 

 

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Same for us. All gone up. Except for our Princess cruise which went down by £1000.

 

As we have to book a suite some of the increases are substantial.

 

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And, to be fair, I know that you have been saying this for quite a while Dai. As we need an accessible balcony cabin or Suite we have no choice but to book as soon as they go on sale (especially in the case of the former), so it's reassuring to know that there is a financial benefit in having to book so early!

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Same for us. All gone up. Except for our Princess cruise which went down by £1000.

 

As we have to book a suite some of the increases are substantial.

 

 

 

 

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Out of interest Dai, did you receive a reduction from Princess? We had 2 price reductions on our 2014 cruise and Princess reduced our price twice, after I asked of course.

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Out of interest Dai, did you receive a reduction from Princess? We had 2 price reductions on our 2014 cruise and Princess reduced our price twice, after I asked of course.

 

 

 

Certainly did what a nice company. Not as good as it would seem as we lost the all in drinks package.

 

However if we had had the package we would never have used it all. Overall a win win.

 

Yes Princess changed their rules, for us Brits, to fit in with what happens in the US

 

 

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..........

 

As a further point of interest, of the five future cruises we have booked, all but one was booked during the pre registration period. Every single one of them is now more expensive, one by an eye watering 50%.

 

Selbourne, that made me think about mine. I also have five booked in pre-reg with P&O and prices have gone up by:

 

12%, 107%, 26%, 27% and 50% which in cash terms comes to over £10,000 more.

 

I book as a solo traveller and the 107% rise is partially due to the single supplement increasing from 60% to 80%. All prices are based on select fares but even the early or late saver prices are still higher where available.

 

I don't need an adapted cabin but I have my preferred locations and these always sell out fast. Stern cabins on Arcadia and C deck cabins on Azura/Ventura.

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We booked a round trip to Canada in Sept 2019 yesterday and were already short of choice for an accessible cabin. Arcadia is my least favourite of the PandO ships but is the only one doing the itinerary we wanted. Nearly went for 30 days on Aurora that goes to New York and Boston instead but we both want to visit Quebec :)

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It's nice to have things booked to look forward to. We have 2 non P&O cruises , November to Antarctica and Cunard home from Singapore, then Aurora to USA and Canada then Aurora again to the Baltic. Blimey. Goodness we are a lucky generation to be able to do these. I wouldn't have believed it when I was playing in the East End bomb sites as a nipper.

 

 

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Certainly did what a nice company. Not as good as it would seem as we lost the all in drinks package.

 

However if we had had the package we would never have used it all. Overall a win win.

 

Yes Princess changed their rules, for us Brits, to fit in with what happens in the US

 

 

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Hi dai. Sadly we are disappointed by what Oceana is doing in August 2019. We are looking for a special cruise for our 25th anniversary and her itinerary that week doesn't inspire us!! We're tempted to try Princess. Don't suppose you have any idea when their schedules are out for 2019? We asked on their site and no one seems to have a clue. Thanks .... any rumour will help ;-)

 

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