Arvia K308 - All aboard

[Cruise_Rookie_2010]

11 hours ago, daiB said:

I think the restrictions and high price of the drinks package are quite deliberate. British holidaymakers do not have a good reputation with regard to booze. I like to drink but there is no way I would spend enough to justify a package even if my wife drank the same amount as me, which she doesn’t. I know what we spent on booze on the last 2 cruises and it was no where near the price of the package. And I could drink exactly what I want.

I don't see the cost of the package as the issue, what stops most people purchasing it is the drinks themselves are such reasonable prices on-board, so you need to drink a lot to get the value. By comparison, we're on Celebrity Apex in Oct and they're asking £109 pppn for the drinks package, makes P&O's offer look like a bargain.

[P&O SUE]

On 4/16/2023 at 7:27 PM, TigerB said:

We've just had our first meal of the cruise; in Green & Co, which we really like.

Excellent meal, really well presented and full of both contrasting and complimentary flavours.

I won't yet, but if folk want me to post pics, just vote. Before we left, one of our daughters said, "Dad, if you post food photos on the WhatsApp group I'm blocking you".🤭

 

Had this tasty little cockertail though...

Yes please for photos ☺️

[P&O SUE]

8 hours ago, Britboys said:

Blimey - I take it that is Britannia that she is making look small...😱

It is indeed!

[TigerB]

In La Coruna just now. It is lovely, blue sky, sun out, no wind. What a nice little town. Just a short walk to a bay on the Atlantic side.

Capt Canby promised 25°C this afternoon; I can imagine there will be a few at reception later to complain if it doesn't hit that!🤔

 

Pleasant sailing so far; I took my Stugeron but don't think I really needed to, as the journey across the western edge of the Bay of Biscay was relatively smooth.

 

The ship may be full but, as it was in January, it really doesn't feel like it; there are plenty of places to escape the crowds. Judging by a few overhead comments, there appear to be a few new to P&O on here, and a few brand new cruisers. There are fair few kids onboard, but nothing like the 1000 quoted as being on the Easter cruise. Most of them are primary school age and younger. I've only seen one or two that appear to be secondary school age.

 

The main differences between January and now:

- they now charge for Altitude; £7.50 for adults, and £2 for young children.

- crew appear to be more into the swing of it; service once in a venue is generally quick.

- the body lotion and conditioner are no longer in the box under the bed, not for us anyway. Emily, our cabin steward, supplied both and asked that we leave them behind so they can be cleaned and refilled. Fair enough! There may be a few maiden aunts around the country not getting them for Christmas this year, though.🤭

- no shortage of towels like there was at the start of our last cruise.

 

There are still queues at the MDRs at peak times; that didn't affect us last time as we booked our preferred dining two weeks ahead. This time, with not booking the cruise until last Saturday, we have found that our preferred dining time of 18:30 was not available; so, we knew we would be joining virtual queues. Yesterday the My Holiday app (for all the pedants, P&O refer to it as an app in Horizon) was down for a good few hours. We joined the walk up queue at Zenith at 18:20 last night, and there were about twenty ahead of us. As soon as it turned 18:30 I joined the virtual queue, at position no. 18. One of the hosts came along the queue to say there were only sharing tables available. If anyone wanted a private table, regardless of whether they were in the virtual queue or had a pager, the wait time could be up to an hour. We went to near the Glass House for a drink, and in thirty minutes we had only moved two places. I sacked it off and joined the Glass House queue. We were seated within five minutes.

I think the pinch point for the MDRs must be for the couple of hours after 18:30 because, at 20:00 I joined the Zenith queue again to test it; I was at position 77.  55 minutes later, when I came off it, I was at position 17. So, that is a lot quicker than the two places I moved before in half an hour.  Granted, it wasn't laboratory conditions, and it could have been because folk were sacking it off.

 

Anyway, that's it for now; going off again for a couple of hours. I'll drop in again later.

[TigerB]

On 4/16/2023 at 10:40 PM, Interestedcruisefan said:

Please post photos!!!

 

17 hours ago, P&O SUE said:

Yes please for photos ☺️

 

Green & Co on our first night...

 

 

 

 

 

[TigerB]

On 4/16/2023 at 9:43 PM, sandancer said:

Why would that idiot woman believe that a waitress serving in a bar would know why her cabin was not ready?

 

Yes, I know! No doubt because she felt so entitled that she didn't care. All me me me!

[TigerB]

On 4/16/2023 at 10:47 PM, Technoman2 said:

We are on it from 30th for 2 weeks so please keep us posted with any tips and photos Tiger B.

Have a great cruise and i hope the sun shines for you and the sea is calm.

 

👍

Same itinerary?

[TigerB]

On 4/17/2023 at 12:27 PM, Cruise_Rookie_2010 said:

Was sorely tempted by the pricing on the med cruise Arvia is currently on, it dropped to under £600 for an inside guarantee. Having just disembarked the T/A from Barbados it would have been lovely to get back on-board, just enough time in-between to get the washing done and re-pack.

 

We booked last Saturday and paid £649 each for an accessible inside cabin, and quite roomy it is too! I couldn't believe that so close to sailing they had five accessible cabins left. The ones that were about 40 sq/ft smaller were £599.

It mattered not that it was a saver rate as, of the three in our grade, all would have been fine, and we still have £400 OBC 👍

[TigerB]

 

11 minutes ago, TigerB said:

 

We booked last Saturday and paid £649 each for an accessible inside cabin, and quite roomy it is too! I couldn't believe that so close to sailing they had five accessible cabins left. The ones that were about 40 sq/ft smaller were £599.

It mattered not that it was a saver rate as, of the three in our grade, all would have been fine, and we still have £400 OBC 👍

 

Our cabin (not too shabby)...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're on deck 15 mid-forward, so ideal for running up the stairs for the odd cake from the buffet 😉

 

 

Edited April 18, 2023 by TigerB

[Technoman2]

1 hour ago, TigerB said:

 

👍

Same itinerary?

Yes , as far as Im aware TB, the room looks great by the way we are also on deck 15.

[TigerB]

Last post before I lose my signal...

Just sat down in Epicurean; the view from our table....

 

BTW - if anyone is interested, I asked our waiter for the proportions for the marmite butter....

 

...80% unsalted butter

20% marmite 

[sandancer]

It’s worth going to Epicurean just for the Marmite butter. Oh and the whole lobster. 

[happy v]

7 minutes ago, sandancer said:

It’s worth going to Epicurean just for the Marmite butter. Oh and the whole lobster. 

I hate it. We asked for more proper butter 

[Harry Peterson]

Just now, happy v said:

I hate it. We asked for more proper butter 

It's a very Marmite thing, Marmite.......

[sandancer]

Yep, love it or hate it. I’m sure there are items that you would love. I hate honey. 

[TigerB]

On 4/18/2023 at 6:54 PM, TigerB said:

Last post before I lose my signal...

Just sat down in Epicurean; the view from our table....

 

BTW - if anyone is interested, I asked our waiter for the proportions for the marmite butter....

 

...80% unsalted butter

20% marmite 

 

We had a lovely meal in Epicurean; never had a bad one in there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Interestedcruisefan]

Epicurean delivers fabulous value for a high end meal on a cruise ship

 

Seriously good portion sizes and you can pick as many sides as you want

 

Credit where it's due

 

They always have top quality waiting staff in there as well

[Harry Peterson]

34 minutes ago, TigerB said:

 

We had a lovely meal in Epicurean; never had a bad one in there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We had a lovely meal in Epicurean; never had a bad one in there.”

 

Couldn’t agree more. My sentiments exactly, and I remember those dishes, along with the impeccable service, very well. One of the real high spots of P&O for us.

[TigerB]

After our meal though I went to the toilets opposite. It stunk of cigarette fumes and someone; someone had been smoking in the cubicle. The cigarette had been stubbed out on the inside of the toilet bowl and the ash was floating on the water.

Lazy &:selfish! 😡  The smoking area is only one flight of stairs away!

[TigerB]

Wednesday night was the first formal night, and we chose to eat at Chef's Table for the first sitting - 18:00. I put to the back of my mind all the comments on these boards about it, both for and against, and went in with an open mind.

So here's my review and verdict:

When we came out of the lift (midship) on deck 16, there was a queue of folk stretching back through the double doors to the Sky Dome area. It was spread out as such that it was awkward for my wife to manoeuvre her wheelchair. Luckily, a couple allowed us into the queue ahead of them.
We were greeted by the restaurant host about fifteen feet from where the Beach House desk is sited. Perhaps someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that when they started it was only using the Beach House part of Horizon. It appears that they are also using part of the port side too; from what I could tell, folk that wanted to share tables were being directed to that side.
After verifying that we wanted a private table, we were taken in and shown to a bank of three tables for two, with a gap of less than two inches between the tables. So, it would have just been like sharing a table for six. We refused it.  Even if we did want to sit there, it was no good for my wife's wheelchair, as whoever sat next to her wouldn't have much room. We were redirected to a more suitable table, which had at least two feet between it and the two tables for four either side.

Our waiter took our food order and suggested that we may wish to order dessert, to speed things along. It was about five minutes before the wine waiter came to us.
I seem to recall that a lot of complaints on these boards concerned the slow service and food not being very hot, due in the main to very few staff. They appear to have rectified that by drafting in loads of staff, and the service of food was very quick, lightning quick in fact. It's a pity the drinks service didn't match it. Our two glasses of wine arrived after our main courses had been placed on the table. The table next to us had their free fizz, and it arrived after they had finished their main courses. Now, one of the things about the menu is that each course has a wine pairing. If you followed that for every course, you would be having your main course wine with your coffee.
The food: no different to what we have had on celebration nights in the MDR. There may have been a couple of tweeks, but I didn't have a look at the MDR menu earlier, so couldn't say what they were. 

The ambience: it didn't feel like we were eating in the Horizon/Beach House other than being able to see the servery, where all the food was being played up, from our table. There were certainly no 'buffet interlopers' walking through. But sadly, despite the tables being well dressed, the whole experience had a canteen feel to it, and it felt very rushed. In part, it felt a bit like one of those work Christmas meals at a venue that seats about a hundred folk; when the meal service starts, a load of waiters descend like locusts to get everyone fed before the cabaret starts. And before you know it, you've filled your belly without having a chance to savour the flavours.
Another by-product of the rushed service is, unlike when you are in the MDR with your familiar waiting team and have no problem asking for an extra portion, it just didn't feel like that was appropriate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Verdict: seen it, done it, (not) bought the t-shirt...... definitely won't do it again.

[Selbourne]

28 minutes ago, TigerB said:

Wednesday night was the first formal night, and we chose to eat at Chef's Table for the first sitting - 18:00. I put to the back of my mind all the comments on these boards about it, both for and against, and went in with an open mind.

So here's my review and verdict:

When we came out of the lift (midship) on deck 16, there was a queue of folk stretching back through the double doors to the Sky Dome area. It was spread out as such that it was awkward for my wife to manoeuvre her wheelchair. Luckily, a couple allowed us into the queue ahead of them.
We were greeted by the restaurant host about fifteen feet from where the Beach House desk is sited. Perhaps someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that when they started it was only using the Beach House part of Horizon. It appears that they are also using part of the port side too; from what I could tell, folk that wanted to share tables were being directed to that side.
After verifying that we wanted a private table, we were taken in and shown to a bank of three tables for two, with a gap of less than two inches between the tables. So, it would have just been like sharing a table for six. We refused it.  Even if we did want to sit there, it was no good for my wife's wheelchair, as whoever sat next to her wouldn't have much room. We were redirected to a more suitable table, which had at least two feet between it and the two tables for four either side.

Our waiter took our food order and suggested that we may wish to order dessert, to speed things along. It was about five minutes before the wine waiter came to us.
I seem to recall that a lot of complaints on these boards concerned the slow service and food not being very hot, due in the main to very few staff. They appear to have rectified that by drafting in loads of staff, and the service of food was very quick, lightning quick in fact. It's a pity the drinks service didn't match it. Our two glasses of wine arrived after our main courses had been placed on the table. The table next to us had their free fizz, and it arrived after they had finished their main courses. Now, one of the things about the menu is that each course has a wine pairing. If you followed that for every course, you would be having your main course wine with your coffee.
The food: no different to what we have had on celebration nights in the MDR. There may have been a couple of tweeks, but I didn't have a look at the MDR menu earlier, so couldn't say what they were. 

The ambience: it didn't feel like we were eating in the Horizon/Beach House other than being able to see the servery, where all the food was being played up, from our table. There were certainly no 'buffet interlopers' walking through. But sadly, despite the tables being well dressed, the whole experience had a canteen feel to it, and it felt very rushed. In part, it felt a bit like one of those work Christmas meals at a venue that seats about a hundred folk; when the meal service starts, a load of waiters descend like locusts to get everyone fed before the cabaret starts. And before you know it, you've filled your belly without having a chance to savour the flavours.
Another by-product of the rushed service is, unlike when you are in the MDR with your familiar waiting team and have no problem asking for an extra portion, it just didn't feel like that was appropriate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Verdict: seen it, done it, (not) bought the t-shirt...... definitely won't do it again.

Extremely useful review. Many thanks. It doesn’t remotely appeal to me but your comments have confirmed that we will have the celebration dinner in one of the MDRs

[Interestedcruisefan]

37 minutes ago, TigerB said:

Wednesday night was the first formal night, and we chose to eat at Chef's Table for the first sitting - 18:00. I put to the back of my mind all the comments on these boards about it, both for and against, and went in with an open mind.

So here's my review and verdict:

When we came out of the lift (midship) on deck 16, there was a queue of folk stretching back through the double doors to the Sky Dome area. It was spread out as such that it was awkward for my wife to manoeuvre her wheelchair. Luckily, a couple allowed us into the queue ahead of them.
We were greeted by the restaurant host about fifteen feet from where the Beach House desk is sited. Perhaps someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that when they started it was only using the Beach House part of Horizon. It appears that they are also using part of the port side too; from what I could tell, folk that wanted to share tables were being directed to that side.
After verifying that we wanted a private table, we were taken in and shown to a bank of three tables for two, with a gap of less than two inches between the tables. So, it would have just been like sharing a table for six. We refused it.  Even if we did want to sit there, it was no good for my wife's wheelchair, as whoever sat next to her wouldn't have much room. We were redirected to a more suitable table, which had at least two feet between it and the two tables for four either side.

Our waiter took our food order and suggested that we may wish to order dessert, to speed things along. It was about five minutes before the wine waiter came to us.
I seem to recall that a lot of complaints on these boards concerned the slow service and food not being very hot, due in the main to very few staff. They appear to have rectified that by drafting in loads of staff, and the service of food was very quick, lightning quick in fact. It's a pity the drinks service didn't match it. Our two glasses of wine arrived after our main courses had been placed on the table. The table next to us had their free fizz, and it arrived after they had finished their main courses. Now, one of the things about the menu is that each course has a wine pairing. If you followed that for every course, you would be having your main course wine with your coffee.
The food: no different to what we have had on celebration nights in the MDR. There may have been a couple of tweeks, but I didn't have a look at the MDR menu earlier, so couldn't say what they were. 

The ambience: it didn't feel like we were eating in the Horizon/Beach House other than being able to see the servery, where all the food was being played up, from our table. There were certainly no 'buffet interlopers' walking through. But sadly, despite the tables being well dressed, the whole experience had a canteen feel to it, and it felt very rushed. In part, it felt a bit like one of those work Christmas meals at a venue that seats about a hundred folk; when the meal service starts, a load of waiters descend like locusts to get everyone fed before the cabaret starts. And before you know it, you've filled your belly without having a chance to savour the flavours.
Another by-product of the rushed service is, unlike when you are in the MDR with your familiar waiting team and have no problem asking for an extra portion, it just didn't feel like that was appropriate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Verdict: seen it, done it, (not) bought the t-shirt...... definitely won't do it again.

Great review 

 

All makes sense. I totally understand why it would have a canteen feel to it. I certainly couldn't understand why anyone would dress up for a formal night to dine in a spruced up buffet restaurant. 

 

It's like when a school hall or a Leisure centre tries to put on a Gala Dinner. And add drapes and stuff. You stIll know where you are. 

 

The food itself looks nice though to be fair. But clearly spoilt if your drinks don't arrive on time with it. 

Edited April 21, 2023 by Interestedcruisefan

[Selbourne]

2 hours ago, TigerB said:

 

We had a lovely meal in Epicurean; never had a bad one in there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those photos remind me why Epicurean on Britannia is our favourite restaurant at sea. Pleased to hear that it’s as good on Arvia. I could happily eat in there every night!

[Interestedcruisefan]

9 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Those photos remind me why Epicurean on Britannia is our favourite restaurant at sea. Pleased to hear that it’s as good on Arvia. I could happily eat in there every night!

For old time cruisers I have a question

 

How does the food and service in Epicurean compare to food and service when P and O MDR was at its best?

[Selbourne]

1 minute ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

For old time cruisers I have a question

 

How does the food and service in Epicurean compare to food and service when P and O MDR was at its best?

Old time cruisers? How rude 🤣 

 

Not really comparable, is the answer. When we first started cruising, the MDRs had silver service, where waiters would serve each component of your meal. The advantage (as it was all fixed dining then) was that you could have as much or as little as you liked of everything. The waiters got to know your likes and dislikes and after a couple of nights you barely needed to ask. Portion sizes were therefore, by default, bigger. There was a big outcry when silver service went and meals were served plated. In itself, that didn’t bother us as, initially, portion sizes were still decent and menu choice was a bit wider than it is today. 
 

With the advent of Freedom Dining, the personal interaction is much harder, as you often have different waiters, although if you find a good waiter a nice word with the restaurant manger will often see you seated in the same section. 
 

I must say that we have never had an issue with meals being served cold and I always marvel at how they achieve that. The loss of wine waiters is a great shame. They didn’t have good wine knowledge (not being proper sommeliers) but you got your wine a lot quicker than you do know, as the restaurant waiters are overworked. 
 

The biggest changes we have noticed (other than loss of wine waiters) are portion sizes (now smaller), not all formal nights have special menus any more (does anyone know if they still do Chaines des Rotisseurs menus on one formal night?) and MDR lunches, which we now find to be very poor, not helped by the very odd menu presentation. The Goan, Indonesian and Indian chefs used to do a superb daily curry which we absolutely loved. They do the odd one now, but they are nowhere near as good and very toned down in both size and flavour. ‘Always available items’ were always extra choices, on top of a wide menu. Now they seem to be part of a (reduced) menu. 
 

MDRs are mass catering though (albeit done very well) and IMHO akin to a 3 star hotel (4 star on formal nights). In the past it was probably 4 star every night (and indeed at lunch). Epicurean, on the other hand, is better than the MDR ever was, but it’s not really comparable, as it’s more akin to a top end restaurant. 
 

Before the usual suspects chime in, I should caveat my comments by saying that we haven’t been on a ship since Covid and my comments relate to the changes in the 5 or so years leading up to that. Everything I have read over the last year leads me to believe that the MDR has actually worsened beyond our experiences though, not improved, so if anything my experience is possibly slightly better than current reality. We re-commence our post Covid cruising in a few months, so will then have more recent first hand experience.