P&O Cruisers - What are things like where YOU are?

[gadabout60]

For me I don’t want the gimmicks but Celebrity offers more class than P&O but no unnecessary gimmicks. They will be my first choice when I cruise again

[wowzz]

9 minutes ago, gadabout60 said:

For me I don’t want the gimmicks but Celebrity offers more class than P&O but no unnecessary gimmicks. They will be my first choice when I cruise again

I agree that Celebrity offers more class, but that comes at a price! As a poor pensioner,  I am "time rich, cash poor" , so opt for less class but more time at sea!  

[peteukmcr]

1 hour ago, wowzz said:

Just shows we have similar tastes!

I just don't understand why people want to go on a cruise, and then want to pretend they are in a park, or a circus, or an amusement park. And as for having  a balcony overlooking a public space- just why?

Having said that, if that is what some people want to do, so be it. As is well known, the last cruise I booked is on Azura in March 23, because the price outweighed my reservations about the size of the ship. However, the next cruise I book, for summer 2023 will be on Saga. No gimmicks, and I will feel that I am actually at sea.       

Because maybe when it’s pitch black and you can’t see anything from your balcony cabin facing the sea at night but if you are facing ‘Central Park’ can enjoy listening to a string quartet from the comfort of your balcony, or watch an aquatic show in the Aqua Theatre. 

 

Edited May 17, 2021 by peteukmcr

[Peanut006]

6 hours ago, peteukmcr said:

Because maybe when it’s pitch black and you can’t see anything from your balcony cabin facing the sea at night but if you are facing ‘Central Park’ can enjoy listening to a string quartet from the comfort of your balcony, or watch an aquatic show in the Aqua Theatre. 

 

I just love sitting in Central Park, great photo.

Michelle

[grapau27]

8 hours ago, wowzz said:

But is that important on a cruise ship? Couldn't you just go to a circus?

Graham - not a pop at you - you have cruised enough to make your own decisions,  but I just don't understand why people need to be entertained in this way, apart, of course, from inflating fares!

Before Covid19 cruise ships were sailing full and most cruiselines were  incorporating new things on their new ships to attract passengers.

Flow riders(surfing),dodgem cars, bowling alleys, casinos,mini golf, various simulators,state of the art gyms,North Star viewing platform,moving restaurants at sea,ice rinks and the list goes on.

You can still lie in the sun or sit in the shade with a book if you want.

 

[grapau27]

7 hours ago, peteukmcr said:

Because maybe when it’s pitch black and you can’t see anything from your balcony cabin facing the sea at night but if you are facing ‘Central Park’ can enjoy listening to a string quartet from the comfort of your balcony, or watch an aquatic show in the Aqua Theatre. 

 

Nice picture of Central Park.

[Dermotsgirl]

7 hours ago, peteukmcr said:

Because maybe when it’s pitch black and you can’t see anything from your balcony cabin facing the sea at night but if you are facing ‘Central Park’ can enjoy listening to a string quartet from the comfort of your balcony, or watch an aquatic show in the Aqua Theatre. 

 

Good for people watching too, I would imagine 👍

[grapau27]

1 minute ago, Dermotsgirl said:

Good for people watching too, I would imagine 👍

There are a number of speciality restaurants with outdoor seating on Central Park too.

[peteukmcr]

1 minute ago, grapau27 said:

Nice picture of Central Park.

Great photo and it is a favourite spot for the cruise line photographers on formal night. 

[Dermotsgirl]

2 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

There are a number of speciality restaurants with outdoor seating on Central Park too.

It sounds great.

 

[brian1]

12 hours ago, Presto2 said:

 

Yip, the same here. 

 

Anyway off to watch our Jane again now ...... some people don't like her but she always makes us smile

She was great last week,she lost her voice halfway thru.

[brian1]

11 hours ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

They are fantastic, in fact all the shows we went too were fab, ice skating, diving, and cats as well. 

WHAT! they throw cats off highboards,disgraceful.

[Beckett]

Wow. Those pictures of Central Park look amazing - and Pauline looks as elegant as ever Graham. I haven't sailed on any of these lines. I've been a Cunard, Princess, but mostly P&O girl, all my cruising life. So it will be an interesting comparison to sail on MSC's Virtuosa in August with my two teens. I believe Virtuosa also has a lot of bells and whistles which the girls, I'm sure, will love. 

 

I originally booked this MSC cruise because they were offering a really good BLC discount for all passengers. Since then P&O have joined the party and are also offering a 50% discount - so I've booked Iona in September - just for me.

 

Next year the whole family is back on Ventura to the Med. I did look at other lines at the time of booking but price was prohibitive for a family of 5 and Ventura was still affordable for us. I am however so grateful for the BLC discount as I will get 14 days on two cruise lines - an amazing and unexpected gift. 

 

Have a good day everyone. Best wishes to all. Jane.x

[peteukmcr]

17 minutes ago, brian1 said:

She was great last week,she lost her voice halfway thru.

Only 2 more episodes to go and that's it for Jane. Susan Calman is taking over. Just wondered if Jane made the decision to stop making these programs as her partner Ed (who died very recently) was ill?

[Peanut006]

27 minutes ago, peteukmcr said:

Great photo and it is a favourite spot for the cruise line photographers on formal night. 

All these pictures of Central Park make we want to book a cruise on an Oasis class ship again!! 
Don’t get me wrong, I like the other ships as well. Celebrity for their food and Martini Bar, MSC for glitz and glamour, P & O for seamless travel when flying and formal nights, Royal for entertainment options. On Princess next year for first time... 
Michelle

[mrsgoggins]

4 minutes ago, peteukmcr said:

Only 2 more episodes to go and that's it for Jane. Susan Calman is taking over. Just wondered if Jane made the decision to stop making these programs as her partner Ed (who died very recently) was ill?

 

Oh I didn't know that Ed had died.  How sad.  I like Jane McDonald and she does make me laugh even though you can see the quips and facial expressions coming.  However, I like Susan Calman too and love her style of presentation so look forward to seeing what they managed to film with her before the lock-down.  

[grapau27]

50 minutes ago, Peanut006 said:

I just love sitting in Central Park, great photo.

Michelle

In 2016 when we were on Harmony out of Barcelona  we were sitting in Central Park drinking our free loyalty Champagne and one of the live singers was an original member of Gerry and the Pacemakers.

He was thrilled when we said we knew him and we asked him to sing Ferry across the Mersey and soon there was a large crowd and he then sang.

You will never walk alone and other favourites.

Graham.

[wowzz]

7 hours ago, peteukmcr said:

Because maybe when it’s pitch black and you can’t see anything from your balcony cabin facing the sea at night but if you are facing ‘Central Park’ can enjoy listening to a string quartet from the comfort of your balcony

But that's what we enjoy! We want to sit on the balcony and enjoy the sound of the sea, watch the moonlight on the water, not hearing music or people.  

I totally understand why people might enjoy Central Park, but it's not the sort of cruising that we enjoy. Might as well go and stay in a multi storey hotel!

[bobstheboy]

Good morning, all these photos of cruise ships are cruel, I want to sail on one !

 

Strange day yesterday weather wise, awful heavy rain up until 3pm, then the clouds disappeared, the sun came out and we sat on the patio fro an hour, typical British weather. Hope for more sunshine today, garden tidy up and relax on the patio.

 

Stay safe

 

 

[grapau27]

44 minutes ago, Dermotsgirl said:

It sounds great.

 

It is.

The Royal Caribbean Oasis class is our favourite.

[Peanut006]

3 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

It is.

The Royal Caribbean Oasis class is our favourite.

Ours too 

[grapau27]

26 minutes ago, Beckett said:

Wow. Those pictures of Central Park look amazing - and Pauline looks as elegant as ever Graham. I haven't sailed on any of these lines. I've been a Cunard, Princess, but mostly P&O girl, all my cruising life. So it will be an interesting comparison to sail on MSC's Virtuosa in August with my two teens. I believe Virtuosa also has a lot of bells and whistles which the girls, I'm sure, will love. 

 

I originally booked this MSC cruise because they were offering a really good BLC discount for all passengers. Since then P&O have joined the party and are also offering a 50% discount - so I've booked Iona in September - just for me.

 

Next year the whole family is back on Ventura to the Med. I did look at other lines at the time of booking but price was prohibitive for a family of 5 and Ventura was still affordable for us. I am however so grateful for the BLC discount as I will get 14 days on two cruise lines - an amazing and unexpected gift. 

 

Have a good day everyone. Best wishes to all. Jane.x

Thanks Jane.

Sounds like you have some wonderful cruises booked.

Graham x.

[grapau27]

For the next 2 years we have booked.

Britannia

Azura 

Anthem 

Independence 

Oasis 

 

[peteukmcr]

12 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

For the next 2 years we have booked.

Britannia

Azura 

Anthem 

Independence 

Oasis 

 

Up to May 2023 we have booked

MSC Virtuosa (June 2021)
Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady (Aug 2021)

Jewel (Oct 2021)
Ovation (March 2022 - but we are likely to cancel that due to ongoing restrictions in entering Australia)

Marella Discovery 2 (old Legend of the Seas)

NCL Epic (June 2022)
Carnival Mardi Gras (October 2022)

NCL Prima (May 2023)

 

Need to fit Iona in somewhere!

Edited May 18, 2021 by peteukmcr

[Beckett]

16 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Thanks Jane.

Sounds like you have some wonderful cruises booked.

Graham x.

I have Graham - and I'm really looking forward to them all. I'm a very lucky girl to have so much to be thankful for. At the surgery, everyone is really flagging now and I am trying to persuade all the staff to take a break - even if it's just a week at home. They've all done such a wonderful job managing the Covid vaccine bookings, marshalling at the hub, and being open to public. Although the vaccinators get all the acclaim for doing such a great job, and they have, it's the behind the scenes guys and girls who have held it all together. Have a good day Graham. Best wishes to you and Pauline. Jane.x