PO Cruises are now too expensive

[terrierjohn]

Saga automatically credit you if they offer a cruise at a lower price than the price you paid.

 

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Probably Saga can afford this because their prices start much higher anyway.

However that's not to say that they are not good value, never sailed with them although we have done two Saga touring holidays in South America, and they were 2 of the best holidays we have ever had.

[terrierjohn]

 

If you check my post TJ, it asked why so many anti-P&Oers flock to this board. It is a forum and as such you will get a range of answers. However my comment referred to the fact that there are some people on this site (and it's fair to say it's not only on the P&O boards that this happens) who only post negatively. There are also people who wear rose-coloured spectacles and only post positively. On the other hand there are people like you (and me?) who give more balanced answers. I was referring to people who continue to cruise with P&O but haven't a good word to say about the line

We must arrange to meet up on Ventura in February TE, when we can enjoy winding up dinner companions about all topics P&O. ;)

 

PS Totally the wrong place for this comment but after about 2 years of having to edit my signature using some sort of complex computer code, suddenly today its reverted back to being able to update in standard text, and a missing option on the update screen (change editor mode) has mysteriously reappeared. If for nothing else I am now happy with the new format)

Edited March 1, 2017 by terrierjohn
Suddenly found editor mode!!!!!

[tartanexile81]

We must arrange to meet up on Ventura in February TE, when we can enjoy winding up dinner companions about all topics P&O. ;)

 

 

That sounds like fun. Mind you I'm a very quiet, shy sort of person :halo:

 

Nearer the time, we'll have to sort out a meet and greet anyway. We did one this year, combined with people from Faceache and we had a really big turnout.

[Solent Richard]

 

 

Yes I have pondered that myself. It seems to really upset some people when they are doing well.

 

People complain when they sell off cruise cheaply and then, when the prices go up they are complaining again.

 

It's all a mystery

 

 

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Would love to know the answer to that too. It's like the people you meet onboard over dinner who tell you how awful the ship and itinerary are, then tell you about all the cruises they've been on / have booked on P&O

 

 

Spot on chaps.

 

I joined a table on the January Oceana cruise and that just about sums it up.

 

Having a moan while on her 20th Oceana cruise.

[ChrisPBacon]

I trust I'm not being lumped in with those who only post negatively. I've already said that my cruise was great and in fact, the service and the food was as good as ever. I think the new executive chef is doing a better job than the previous one. But this IS a forum. This is where we should discuss these things and get them off our chests. Just because someone is on here complaining about an aspect of their cruise, doesn't mean that they are anti-P&O or are just here to rubbish.

 

We pay a lot of money, whatever your views on pricing are :-). We pay for the cruise, the food and we pay auto-grats for all those who serve us in the bars and restaurants. So we expect the cruise line to deliver good service and keep the standards high. So you may not come back from a cruise and sing the praises of any of this, unless it was extra special. It's what we expect. But if something was wrong or out of place, then you'll come on here and discuss it.

[Solent Richard]

 

 

I could equally ask why just because this is a P&O thread all posts should be complimentary, and any criticisms are met with vitriolic comments?

Just like Dai I prefer to cruise with P&O because I want UK departures, and they have far more cruises than anyone else. But they are not the best and I would like ro see them improve so that their service begins to match that of Celebrity, which is my favourite cruise line.

This is why I make some of the observations that I do, and if more of their customers were prepared to offer constructive criticism based on their experiences with other lines, then maybe the P & O management would have an incentive to improve.

 

 

Good morning John.

 

Criticism is fine, I have no issue with that as long as it is balanced, fair and open to challenge.

 

However, the comments I was referring to were from members who claimed to have abandoned P&O as a cruise line but still persist in their billows attacks.

 

A bit like the Brexit Remoaners really.

[tartanexile81]

 

Spot on chaps.

 

I joined a table on the January Oceana cruise and that just about sums it up.

 

Having a moan while on her 20th Oceana cruise.

 

:'):'). Think we met them last year

[ChrisPBacon]

 

 

Good morning John.

 

Criticism is fine, I have no issue with that as long as it is balanced, fair and open to challenge.

 

However, the comments I was referring to were from members who claimed to have abandoned P&O as a cruise line but still persist in their billows attacks.

 

A bit like the Brexit Remoaners really.

 

 

P&O really need to up their game in the customer service areas, and I mean on land, rather than on board. My relative on the same cruise as me bought some drinks shortly before we left for our flight back from the Caribbean. So it was after his bill was settled. What he's been charged was higher than the receipt he got. It wasn't a fortune, but on principle, he thought it worthwhile to call them. After 20 minutes of waiting, he just hung up.

 

Before our cruise, Amber Cove was swapped for Grand Turk. If anyone doesn't use their cruise personaliser, they wouldn't have known because P&O didn't inform anyone. I emailed them (knowing what the phone line is like) to ask why, but I got no response. We found out from elsewhere that there was a naturist cruise going in there, so we were swapped. It didn't spoil our cruise and we know that they have every right to change the itinerary, but they should be letting people know about such a change.

 

Maybe if P&O improved in this area, people would talk to them rather than vent on here?

 

Does this post mean I'm moaning again? :-)

[ChrisPBacon]

 

 

 

 

Spot on chaps.

 

I joined a table on the January Oceana cruise and that just about sums it up.

 

Having a moan while on her 20th Oceana cruise.

 

 

On this last cruise in the Caribbean, a couple told us about someone they were talking to in a bar onboard. Now I said above that the food was great. But it was a highlight of the cruise for us. i thought it was better than ever in the MDR. The conversation they had was this woman saying how awful the food was in the MDR. That she'd not been able to eat a thing it was inedible.

 

Now i know that an opinion on food is subjective, but I've no idea where she got this from. The food was fantastic and the portions were good.

[majortom10]

 

 

P&O really need to up their game in the customer service areas, and I mean on land, rather than on board. My relative on the same cruise as me bought some drinks shortly before we left for our flight back from the Caribbean. So it was after his bill was settled. What he's been charged was higher than the receipt he got. It wasn't a fortune, but on principle, he thought it worthwhile to call them. After 20 minutes of waiting, he just hung up.

 

Before our cruise, Amber Cove was swapped for Grand Turk. If anyone doesn't use their cruise personaliser, they wouldn't have known because P&O didn't inform anyone. I emailed them (knowing what the phone line is like) to ask why, but I got no response. We found out from elsewhere that there was a naturist cruise going in there, so we were swapped. It didn't spoil our cruise and we know that they have 9Customer Services every right to change the itinerary, but they should be letting people know about such a change.

 

Maybe if P&O improved in this area, people would talk to them rather than vent on here?

 

Does this post mean I'm moaning again? :-)

 

 

I agree completely and have said for a number of years that they are like 2 different companies at sea no problem but Head Office i.e. Customer Services in Southampton are awful at best and are doing no credit to the company.

[mickey89]

 

 

On this last cruise in the Caribbean, a couple told us about someone they were talking to in a bar onboard. Now I said above that the food was great. But it was a highlight of the cruise for us. i thought it was better than ever in the MDR. The conversation they had was this woman saying how awful the food was in the MDR. That she'd not been able to eat a thing it was inedible.

 

Now i know that an opinion on food is subjective, but I've no idea where she got this from. The food was fantastic and the portions were good.

 

The MDR food last December aboard Britannia was disgraceful. We tried it twice and gave up and ate in the Beach House, Sindu and the Epicurean for the rest of the cruise. The Epicurean aboard Britannia was also very disappointing with a rather limited menu - if you wanted Steak then both of you had to choose, otherwise tough luck.

[the english lady]

ChrisPBacon, ref the select fares without the cabin choice..it is not on some or all cruises. It is being offered on some grades on popular cruises.

People are given the choice of paying more for a better grade of cabin that is not sold out or going guarantee for the grade they do want. As it is possible that as the reason guarantee is being offered is because all the cabins in that grade have been sold..you will likely be upgraded.

Pando could just say, I'm sorry that grade is sold out..Nobody is forcing people to pay any fare for any cruise.If people think it is too expensive they can say no.

[Florry]

 

 

I agree completely and have said for a number of years that they are like 2 different companies at sea no problem but Head Office i.e. Customer Services in Southampton are awful at best and are doing no credit to the company.

 

 

I like many aspects of P&O, the convenience, British onboard culture etc. but I have to agree with this.

I think the customer service received onboard is fantastic as far as the cabin staff, restaurant and bar staff are concerned. I also think that staff on reception do their utmost to provide an excellent service.

For me the issue is that when a passenger has a problem (a genuine one rather than moaners) they end up suffering the internal complexities of P&O as an organisation. An example of this is that reception staff have to follow set processes even if it's inappropriate to a particular customer's circumstance, the customer then ends up incredibly frustrated and days of the cruise are spoiled trying to sort something out. There needs to be more autonomy for staff to use their initiative to resolve something based on individual cases.

The other issue is the disconnect between what happens onboard and shoreside. It is possibly the most frustrating customer experience you can have, if you have to take something up with head office post cruise (such as lost property).

As for the short staffed phone lines, it's about as bad as it can get.

Thankfully in 20 cruises I've only had to endure this 3 times - but they were annoying enough for me to recall them all! On the plus side the fantastic service and empathy from staff onboard realigns the balance.

 

 

 

 

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[griffster]

in reply to chris, ref the one about aldi/ m/s. we shop at aldi, and yes we also can afford to shop at marks/spencer but we chose not to we are quite happy with the food we buy at aldi, never had a problem, and yes we are cruising with p/o azura to the caribbean in dec. also sailed on ventura last year. no problems. also we could afford to sail with celebrity etc. but we are not snobs and we spend our money as we wish. if we can get a bargain we will.

[john watson]

When one says "P&O cruises are now too expensive" or anything is "too expensive"; I wonder if the prospective purchaser can no longer afford them or are we to infer that the said cruises are no longer good value for money.

 

If you look at the cruise market and what is available to the UK market ex-UK, it seems to me that you can go down market and get a product where the experience is in my view of a lower quality. Dining not as good and entertainment a bit more basic as the waiters are the cast. Alternatively you can go up market and get a US line which has a lot of whistles and bells of a boutique line. End of the day it's horses for courses, you pays your money and takes your choice. If you want to stick with a particular line such as P&O, it makes sense to wait and bag a bargain as and when they occur. If you are not that keen on a line for whatever reason then why book?

 

Regards John

[Vitalsign]

Have any of you compared Tui Discovery ships (Thomson) for the Caribbean- these are ex Royal Caribbean ships and sail from Montego Bay and Barbados next winter. They have far more balcony cabins than Thomson smaller older ships and are standard all inclusive (drinks) Thomson ships have a very relaxed way of cruising, have open dining and the entertainment voted by this site is 5 star. You can have fine dining for a small supplement and most itineries have only one sea day a week. You can fly by Dreamliner from a number of regional airports and they allow you to choose your cabin (albeit by phone currently).

 

Thomson Spirit Oct 2005 Repo Palma to Sharm el Sheikh

Thomson Celebration Jan 2007 Red Sea Magic

Ocean Village Feb 2008 West Caribbean & Central America BtoB

Ocean Village Aug 2008 Eastern Med

Ocean Village 2 Feb 2009 Eastern Caribbean BtoB

Ocean Village Mar 2010 Eastern Caribbean BtoB

Thomson Dream Feb 2011 Eastern Caribbean & Cuba BtoB

Thomson Celebration Aug 2011 Eastern Med

Thomson Celebration Apr 2012 Red Sea Magic

Thomson Celebration Apr/May 2012 Repo Sharm el Sheikh to Marmaris

Thomson Dream Feb 2013 Eastern Caribbean BtoB

Thomson Majesty Nov/Dec 2014 Colourful Coasts Canaries

Thomson Dream Jan/Feb 2015 West Caribbean Panama & Cuba BtoB

Thomson Dream Apr 2015 Transatlantic Sunset

Thomson Majesty June 2015 Hellenic Classics

Thomson Celebration Sept 2015 Adriatic Affair

Thomson Dream Jan 2016 Mayan Treasures/Cuban Revolution

Thomson Dream April 2016 Atlantic Adventure

Thomson Dream June 2016 Iconic Islands/Adriatic Explorer

Thomson Celebration Jan 2017 Cities of Gold

Thomson Dream April2017 Atlantic Daydream

Thomson Majesty Sept2017 Med Medley/Treasures of Med

[mercury7289]

You might be right?

We all pick, what is most important.

P&O, for no fly, for us.

So no comparison.

[Vitalsign]

That's fine if you don't want to fly.

I prefer to get to where I'm going quickly especially in winter so prefer to fly. We do do the TA however but always in April when the ship comes back to Europe with a shorter flight home and 23 hour days over the Atlantic.

This summer Celebration will be sailing from Newcastle to Iceland/Norwegian Ffiords/Baltic with an overnight in St Petersburg and next summer due to high demand this year I believe Discovery will take over these itineries sailing from Newcastle and/or Harwich.

[mercury7289]

Great,that works for you and your happy.

 

As a carer my choices are somewhat different, ease, is foremost.

 

Arrive at about my allotted time in Southampton,straight on board.

 

Flying less luggage allowance

 

Arrival time at airport used to be 2 hours before take off,when we were able. I have a wheelchair and carry bags to contend with, no fun for two hours. Also I park at the ship,luggage is taken,help to embark. As I said ease for us.

[Vitalsign]

Yes I can understand that - it suits you best - but it's a long journey for us to Southampton

Have looked at fly cruises in the Med with P&O but usually 2 sea days, no all inclusive drinks package, no included gratuities (we always tip but where we get good service) and can't choose your cabin. Not bothered about a balcony as prefer to socialise on deck and as long as we can see out through a large window are happy. My husband is very familiar with the P&O ships as he used to be involved with the Christmas decorations and spent time on some of the fleet but preferred the smaller proper Ocean going liners. We loved Ocean Village which were part of P&O and were ex P&O ships.

I'm sure we'll do one of their cruises soon 😎🚢🍷🐬

[ChrisPBacon]

Back to the Aldi and M&S comment. The language that you use and comparison to dung, clearly implies that you are indeed an Aldi shopper .... and that is exactly the type we prefer not to have on P&O Cruises, so sorry this is snobby ....but I'm a M&S/ Waitrose girl myself - as are a lot of others. Nothing to do with money darling or the ability to pay - just class! x

 

 

Nice try at a fishing trip, but you're too obvious. I'd say 5/10, but keep trying. You'll get the hang of it soon enough.

[ChrisPBacon]

When one says "P&O cruises are now too expensive" or anything is "too expensive"; I wonder if the prospective purchaser can no longer afford them or are we to infer that the said cruises are no longer good value for money.

 

If you look at the cruise market and what is available to the UK market ex-UK, it seems to me that you can go down market and get a product where the experience is in my view of a lower quality. Dining not as good and entertainment a bit more basic as the waiters are the cast. Alternatively you can go up market and get a US line which has a lot of whistles and bells of a boutique line. End of the day it's horses for courses, you pays your money and takes your choice. If you want to stick with a particular line such as P&O, it makes sense to wait and bag a bargain as and when they occur. If you are not that keen on a line for whatever reason then why book?

 

Regards John

 

 

It's not a question of affording it for me. I can. But that shouldn't mean I just lap up every price increase that P&O send my way. They are providing a service and if any other provider, be it a supermarket, restaurant etc. raised prices by the margins that P&O are doing, then I'm going to question the value.

 

A 20% increase next year, for much the same cruise. Yes, I know we don't have to pay it and we can go elsewhere, but as paying, loyal customers, we have every right to question it on here. This forum isn't just about praising. It gives a chance to critique all aspects of the cruise, including the price.

[ChrisPBacon]

Have any of you compared Tui Discovery ships (Thomson) for the Caribbean- these are ex Royal Caribbean ships and sail from Montego Bay and Barbados next winter. They have far more balcony cabins than Thomson smaller older ships and are standard all inclusive (drinks) Thomson ships have a very relaxed way of cruising, have open dining and the entertainment voted by this site is 5 star. You can have fine dining for a small supplement and most itineries have only one sea day a week. You can fly by Dreamliner from a number of regional airports and they allow you to choose your cabin (albeit by phone currently).

 

 

I've heard good things about Thomson cruises. Those I've spoken to, who have taken one have nothing but praise for them.

[ChrisPBacon]

in reply to chris, ref the one about aldi/ m/s. we shop at aldi, and yes we also can afford to shop at marks/spencer but we chose not to we are quite happy with the food we buy at aldi, never had a problem, and yes we are cruising with p/o azura to the caribbean in dec. also sailed on ventura last year. no problems. also we could afford to sail with celebrity etc. but we are not snobs and we spend our money as we wish. if we can get a bargain we will.

 

I wouldn't worry about those using the shopping analogy. Anyone who feels the need to brag on a forum about where they shop, really isn't posh or upmarket. They are the sort of people who go on a day trip to London and buy a souvenir from Harrods, just to walk around with a Harrods plastic bag! 😂😂😂

[john watson]

It's not a question of affording it for me. I can. But that shouldn't mean I just lap up every price increase that P&O send my way. They are providing a service and if any other provider, be it a supermarket, restaurant etc. raised prices by the margins that P&O are doing, then I'm going to question the value.

 

A 20% increase next year, for much the same cruise. Yes, I know we don't have to pay it and we can go elsewhere, but as paying, loyal customers, we have every right to question it on here. This forum isn't just about praising. It gives a chance to critique all aspects of the cruise, including the price.

 

 

There has always been problems with P&O, and probably many other cruise lines, of trying to be fair and give good deals to early bookers and people who go for last minute deals at bargain prices. Five or ten years ago their advertising always suggested that early bird savers were the best fare deal you could get and people booked up thinking this was correct. Over the years it became more and more obvious that this was not true and late deals were the cheapest so savvy people booked later on in greater numbers until that proportion of bookers was sizeable..

 

I am wondering if the cruise line has simply adopted a different pricing strategy, in light of selling out most cruises. If you start your prices at 20% above last year and sell sufficient cruises, it will put you in a much stronger position of being able to resist cut throat bargain prices nearer to sailing day and you may achieve more overall revenue at 95% capacity than last year ram jam full after lots of last minute bargain break deals were booked on.

 

Another thing is that lots of ladies of the household book "the cruise" and if you inflate the original price; let's call this the manufacturers RRP, then later on you can discount your holidays to 20% off and you have got back to nearer the proper price. If you sell below this price you could well be looking at a 40% discount. If this discount came in mid sales season you could easily sell out by then. Ask the wife, "Would you book a cruise at a 40% discount saving a colossal £1500?" I think I should likely hear "Oh yes, we can get a new kitchen done with that sort of money!"

 

Regards John