BanburyBlue Posted April 17, 2018 #1 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Hi, We're off on a P&O cruise, embarking on the 2 May (Aurora). I've just received an email saying " We are embarking on a new era in shopping on P&O Cruises, as we transition our retail shops on a select number of ships. In order to prepare for this change, we will need to close the shops during this cruise in readiness of the arrival of our new products. The on board shops will be fully open until 10 May and will then have a phased closure where all shops will be closed by the last day of this cruise. After the shops have closed, selected sundry items will be available for purchase at the Reception Desk". Surely this can't be right? So since we booked the cruise in January, the daily cabin charge has increased, the bringing on board alcohol policy has changed, and now we're being told that the shops will be closed half through our cruise. Surely this is not right - not happy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wowzz Posted April 17, 2018 #2 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Hi, We're off on a P&O cruise, embarking on the 2 May (Aurora). I've just received an email saying " We are embarking on a new era in shopping on P&O Cruises, as we transition our retail shops on a select number of ships. In order to prepare for this change, we will need to close the shops during this cruise in readiness of the arrival of our new products. The on board shops will be fully open until 10 May and will then have a phased closure where all shops will be closed by the last day of this cruise. After the shops have closed, selected sundry items will be available for purchase at the Reception Desk". Surely this can't be right? So since we booked the cruise in January, the daily cabin charge has increased, the bringing on board alcohol policy has changed, and now we're being told that the shops will be closed half through our cruise. Surely this is not right - not happy!! Never understood why anyone wants to buy the overpriced goods in the on board shops in the first place! However, all the shops will be open at the start of the cruise, so if you desperately need to buy a tea towel you just need to "Buy Early!" to misquote Fred Pontin. Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanburyBlue Posted April 17, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Never understood why anyone wants to buy the overpriced goods in the on board shops in the first place! However, all the shops will be open at the start of the cruise, so if you desperately need to buy a tea towel you just need to "Buy Early!" to misquote Fred Pontin. Sent from my SM-T580 using Forums mobile app To be honest, that's not really the point.... - Sometimes it's nice just to have a browse in the evening. - I don't always know what i'd like to buy on day 1 of my cruise. - It's a way of using up 'unused' onboard spend. The point is that P&O are removing an advertised facility 2 weeks before the cruise start - a facility (that for whatever reason) some people like and enjoy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandylennon Posted April 17, 2018 #4 Share Posted April 17, 2018 You may get a good bargain if they are trying to get rid of old stock. Not many shops on Aurora anyway, got a good price on a handbag last year though. Suprised they could not wait unfit the refit when it becomes adult only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooked-cruiser Posted April 17, 2018 #5 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Means that if you have any OBC left you need to spend it in the shops a day earlier instead of the last day !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the english lady Posted April 17, 2018 #6 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Its not Harding Bothers doing the shops after the changeover..its the same company who do the airports..so its not just stock changing.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Eglesbrech Posted April 17, 2018 #7 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Yes over the last couple of years P&O have frequently changed the goalpost after people have booked, it’s becoming a bit of a bad habit with them. While the onboard shops are not a large part of my holidays I understand that if it is something that the OP and other people enjoy then closing them with little to no notice is annoying. I felt the same way when they started charging for all room service items, again introduced after people had booked and paid for their holidays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janny444 Posted April 17, 2018 #8 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Hi....I think P&O started to alter the goalposts after people had booked when they stopped Silver Service in the MDRs. Since then it has been a slight cutback here...a slight cutback three....each one not a big issue but collectively have an overall impact on the cruise. On our last cruise last week....no boiled sweets in cabins & no " nibbles" with our pre dinner drinks were the cutbacks... from our last cruise with P&O in Sep 2017. It has now got to the stage where we are thinking what will have been cutback on our next cruise with P&O in April 2109. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted April 17, 2018 #9 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Could someone provide us with a list of the changes / cutbacks over the last few years that have changed P&O for the worse? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janny444 Posted April 17, 2018 #10 Share Posted April 17, 2018 As I stated previously individually each one not such as a big issue Silver Service in MDRs No bath robes....even though they were the thin waffle type No boiled sweets in cabins No Free Galley tour On Sea days no exhibition of the different departments on the ship....meeting the engineers & officers and being able to ask them questions ...that used to be really good and very interesting No " nibbles"...nuts/crisps etc with pre dinner drinks No port lectures in Main theatre Afternoon tea in MDR was a real poor do last week....not the usual choice ....served the scones first....then some time later came with a couple of choices of sandwiches...then some toasted teacakes and then disappeared....no asking if you would like any more until we were ready for leaving then they came with a few cheese and onion pies. A selection of cakes were already on the tables. These are the ones that spring to mind initially..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daiB Posted April 17, 2018 #11 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Sorry a number of the above have been available on our last cruises Sent from my SM-G930F using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawberry field Posted April 17, 2018 #12 Share Posted April 17, 2018 They tell me the new ship comes with rowlocks so we can take turns with the oars. Only a joke P&O I know it would save fuel and costs but that would be a step too far even for you ..........hopefully:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janny444 Posted April 17, 2018 #13 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Sorry a number of the above have been available on our last cruises Sent from my SM-G930F using Forums mobile app Have they....perhaps only on the Azura have had the cutbacks....trying the Ventura next year so hopefully will be able to enjoy them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daiB Posted April 17, 2018 #14 Share Posted April 17, 2018 In the past 6 month we have had the department exhibition, port talks and nibbles on the bar Sent from my SM-G930F using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Eglesbrech Posted April 17, 2018 #15 Share Posted April 17, 2018 And to continue where Janny left off Charges for room service menu now, previously complimentary No hot savoury Much less choice on the cheese board No proper hot chocolate No chocolate buffet More limited cabin toiletries No special midnight buffet with the carved fruits, veg and ice sculptures Change to the loyalty club meaning passengers who had certain perks had them taken away eg invitation to club party. And going back further, no steamers (which were fun), no champagne tower and no decent sparkle at the captains party - the stuff they serve now is undrinkable. On their own none of them are major but collectively the product has been dumbed down - but then so has the price. People only notice or care about the ones that they found useful / enjoyed so the others slip under the radar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Eglesbrech Posted April 17, 2018 #16 Share Posted April 17, 2018 In the past 6 month we have had the department exhibition, port talks and nibbles on the bar Sent from my SM-G930F using Forums mobile app We had nibbles in the bar on Aurora but no sweets for example which I know you have had Dai on another ship. There appears to be a lack of consistency across the fleet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janny444 Posted April 17, 2018 #17 Share Posted April 17, 2018 I used to erally enjoy the department exhibitions & the port talks in the main theatre.....not quite the same watching it on the cabin TV....bar nibbles too are enjoyable .. so as I said will look forward to going on the Ventura to enjoy them again. Just can't understand why only some of the ships have these things and others don't....no consistency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted April 17, 2018 #18 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Overall it does seem to be a rather a lot of minor cutbacks, which do add up. As I understand it Silver Service went years ago and plates are ready to serve in the MDR. I suspect it won't be long before they remove the biscuits and pillow chocolates. They'll also start charging for galley and backstage tours and then have a "Chef's Table" at £75 a head to bring it in line with the rest of the US Carnival brands. How long before the kettles are removed and the free bottle of water is stopped? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janny444 Posted April 17, 2018 #19 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Yes Silver Service went in 2013.....we were on the Ventura when they were just introducing the ready plated meals...so about 4 & half years ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snaefell Posted April 17, 2018 #20 Share Posted April 17, 2018 We really fancied the 'Backstage Tour' on Britannia recently but seeing the £75pp price tag soon cooled our enthusiasm. One thing we did find though,& quite by accident,was that there was hot chocolate available at the Horizon Buffet,not actually obvious but tucked away behind the scenes in a big pot,no signs or anything,almost like they wanted to keep it for themselves! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john watson Posted April 17, 2018 #21 Share Posted April 17, 2018 If a cruise line changes anything, whatever time it chooses to do so there will be some people who booked before and others after a decision has been made. Shops might be changing on board but rest assured in the interim a lot of charities will be filling the spaces left vacant selling second hand stuff through the gallant efforts of the volunteers who give their time freely and do not expect to be paid. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanburyBlue Posted April 17, 2018 Author #22 Share Posted April 17, 2018 If a cruise line changes anything, whatever time it chooses to do so there will be some people who booked before and others after a decision has been made. Shops might be changing on board but rest assured in the interim a lot of charities will be filling the spaces left vacant selling second hand stuff through the gallant efforts of the volunteers who give their time freely and do not expect to be paid. Regards John Sorry - confused? don't understand your post? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majortom10 Posted April 17, 2018 #23 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Hi....I think P&O started to alter the goalposts after people had booked when they stopped Silver Service in the MDRs. Since then it has been a slight cutback here...a slight cutback three....each one not a big issue but collectively have an overall impact on the cruise. On our last cruise last week....no boiled sweets in cabins & no " nibbles" with our pre dinner drinks were the cutbacks... from our last cruise with P&O in Sep 2017. It has now got to the stage where we are thinking what will have been cutback on our next cruise with P&O in April 2109. P&O have not done real silver service since mid 1990s it was just a pretend imitiation and if you were on a table for 8 and had manners and waited for everyone to receive their vegetables if you were first served then by the time you started your vegetables were cold. The plated service, like nearly all if not all cruise lines, currently is far superior and you are served quicker with hot meals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanburyBlue Posted April 17, 2018 Author #24 Share Posted April 17, 2018 P&O have not done real silver service since mid 1990s it was just a pretend imitiation and if you were on a table for 8 and had manners and waited for everyone to receive their vegetables if you were first served then by the time you started your vegetables were cold. The plated service, like nearly all if not all cruise lines, currently is far superior and you are served quicker with hot meals. Interesting isn't it - we are fairly new to cruising and have never had the silver service, so don't miss it. Agree to current method seem to work well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daiB Posted April 17, 2018 #25 Share Posted April 17, 2018 I used to erally enjoy the department exhibitions & the port talks in the main theatre.....not quite the same watching it on the cabin TV....bar nibbles too are enjoyable .. so as I said will look forward to going on the Ventura to enjoy them again. Just can't understand why only some of the ships have these things and others don't....no consistency. Certainly had them in the Crows Nest and Red bar or the Blue bar whichever one is on Ventura. Not in the glass house and not on the first few days. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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