P&O update and the future as seen by Paul Ludlow

[Megabear2]

11 minutes ago, Bill Y said:

Unfortunately these more interesting itineraries that are normally offered on smaller ships tend to hold their prices. The bargain basement fares are normally on the repetitive itineraries that are churned out at an industrial rate, pile them high sell them cheap comes to mind.

As Picsa observed the new cruisers on the cheapy cruise this year knew no better.  Tye way things are with service issues a very large number of those loyal small ship supporters appear to be saying not this time mate either.  

 

Could be totally different in future with one lot unhappy with service and the others too poor to sail

[zap99]

13 minutes ago, Bill Y said:

Unfortunately these more interesting itineraries that are normally offered on smaller ships tend to hold their prices. The bargain basement fares are normally on the repetitive itineraries that are churned out at an industrial rate, pile them high sell them cheap comes to mind.

Perhaps some folk like to enjoy their cruise holidays at a good price. If they haven't been to those destinations, it is not repetitive to them. Some may find that the little old ships are a bit elitist and avoid them.

[picsa]

2 hours ago, bee-ess said:

it seems that the choice has disappeared, right from the lack of choice in the buffet to lack of entertainment in the bars.

The most absurd example of the lack choice was on my last cruise.
 

My wife wanted an Aperol Spritz but it wasn’t on the drinks menu in the Planet Bar, but we could see the bar had all the ingredients and after all the Planet Bar is promoted as a bar that specialises in cocktails.

 

”No” said the waiter, “we can’t do it because it isn’t on the till menu so we can’t charge for it”.

 

A polite discussion with the bar manager did get them to agree to make it and ring it through as an equivalent drink, but really, should it be this hard to give P&O money.

[jeanlyon]

Did he make any mention of moving away from smaller ships?  I guess not.

[Megabear2]

7 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

Did he make any mention of moving away from smaller ships?  I guess not.

No. He was talking about how successful it had been and how foresees steeper prices on all ships. I don't think it was the sort of forum where he would discuss his fleet.

[Adawn47]

We have an Aurora 16 night cruise to the Canaries booked for December 2023. It was booked last Feb after several cancelled cruises. We got a good deal for a select fare balcony, but if things continue down the path that P&O seems to be taking then it will be our final cruise with them.

I totally understand the need for fares to increase, but they also need to understand that I/we won't pay more for an inferior product.

Avril

[paulatsea]

10 minutes ago, Adawn47 said:

We have an Aurora 16 night cruise to the Canaries booked for December 2023. It was booked last Feb after several cancelled cruises. We got a good deal for a select fare balcony, but if things continue down the path that P&O seems to be taking then it will be our final cruise with them.

I totally understand the need for fares to increase, but they also need to understand that I/we won't pay more for an inferior product.

Avril

I booked that one as well.

Good price select balcony and OBC and parking.

Also booked Aurora 7 days in September.
If it’s poor then may cancel the December one and go with Marella instead - or maybe Ambassador.

Hoping things will improve by then - assuming Aurora still going.

[jeanlyon]

I shall make a decision about our October 23 cruise just before balance is due.  Not going if things are still this bad.

[Adawn47]

17 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

I shall make a decision about our October 23 cruise just before balance is due.  Not going if things are still this bad.

I agree Jean. I'll keep reading all the reviews on P&O forum until the balance is due and decide one way or the other then. It's worth losing the deposit rather than have a disappointng cruise or maybe come back with something I never went with.

Avril

[FamilyCruiserUK]

I think his remarks of fly cruises not doing well would be obvious. The chaos of the airports, lost baggage, missed flights did not help. Also people didnt know what was going on with pre cruise testing as it was changing all the time. Many i doubt would book a pre flight hotel, airport parking, pre cruise stay with the knowledge of needing a test 24-48 hrs before the cruise. The risk for some was too much so stayed closer to home. As for the future, well we shall see.......

[Purdey16]

8 hours ago, Adawn47 said:

We have an Aurora 16 night cruise to the Canaries booked for December 2023. It was booked last Feb after several cancelled cruises. We got a good deal for a select fare balcony, but if things continue down the path that P&O seems to be taking then it will be our final cruise with them.

I totally understand the need for fares to increase, but they also need to understand that I/we won't pay more for an inferior product.

Avril

We are on this one too Avril , be nice to meet up and have coffee/ tea or something stronger 😉

[Adawn47]

10 hours ago, Purdey16 said:

We are on this one too Avril , be nice to meet up and have coffee/ tea or something stronger 😉

I shall look forward to it Sandra😊 Another reason to hope P&O improve their product, and that Aurora is still in the fleet. It's been a long time since our last cruise, November 2019.

Avril