Why is everyone still cruising with P&O ?

[Yorkypete]

 Why is everyone still cruising with P&O?

 

[Megabear2]

Just now, Yorkypete said:

 Why is everyone still cruising with P&O?

 

I'm beginning to wonder why I am!  This is an experience I'd never wish on my worst enemy to be honest.  I was due on Iona on 3 June, I'm not now.  I asked my husband to get it cancelled for me, thankfully used my friend who's a travel agent so he did it easily this afternoon.  I had a saver balcony booked and I'd rather lose the money than go through this again. Same type of ship, might not have the same problems but my sanity says it would be a very bad choice just in case.

 

I'm keeping the Arcadia trip to Canada for now, I've only paid a small deposit so would be able to cancel before final balance in June. Really depends on how they rectify this and treat me on my return and that will sway my decision.  Not going to book the North Cape trip now, much as I wanted to.  I'm just so, so glad I cancelled the Arvia Christmas cruise we had booked when we came home from Britannia at Christmas just gone.  My husband would never have recovered if he'd been subjected to this.

[cruising.mark.uk]

5 minutes ago, Yorkypete said:

 Why is everyone still cruising with P&O?

 

Because, with a few notable recent exceptions, sites like this only report bad experiences and thus don't provide an accurate representation of a product that allows the vast majority of customers to have an enjoyable, snag-free holiday at a very reasonable price.  There are similar horror stories on here relating to just about every cruise line, and across social media the same is true about just about every holiday operator and every holiday type.

 

In a perfect world, no-one will have issues like those described by the OP, but the law of averages says that sometimes things will go awry.  In those circumstances, how they are dealt with is what is important and P&O sometimes (as in this case) don't seem to deal with issues very well.   That is what they need to address, but individual experiences need to be judged in the context of hundreds of thousands / millions of customers per year.

[Megabear2]

5 minutes ago, cruising.mark.uk said:

Because, with a few notable recent exceptions, sites like this only report bad experiences and thus don't provide an accurate representation of a product that allows the vast majority of customers to have an enjoyable, snag-free holiday at a very reasonable price.  There are similar horror stories on here relating to just about every cruise line, and across social media the same is true about just about every holiday operator and every holiday type.

 

In a perfect world, no-one will have issues like those described by the OP, but the law of averages says that sometimes things will go awry.  In those circumstances, how they are dealt with is what is important and P&O sometimes (as in this case) don't seem to deal with issues very well.   That is what they need to address, but individual experiences need to be judged in the context of hundreds of thousands / millions of customers per year.

Very well put.  However it's not just putting it right but how the hell they got to a point where around 100 cabins are clearly not soundproofed properly and head office expects the poor front desk staff to handle the situation. It may well be 200 people out of 6,000 who are upset and inconvenienced on each cruise but those poor people are getting the flack day in day out on every sailing.

 

If it's a known problem and broken, cut your losses and don't sell the affected cabins until you can rectify the issue would surely be the sensible choice.

 

As you've probably guessed I'm still waiting, sitting here surrounded by packed bags.

[Mad4WDW]

39 minutes ago, Yorkypete said:

 Why is everyone still cruising with P&O?

 

I’m still cruising with P&O because I like it and it’s good value for money. 

[Selbourne]

50 minutes ago, Yorkypete said:

 Why is everyone still cruising with P&O?

 

Things can, and do, go wrong with all types of holidays. On one of our trips to Florida when the kids were young we were still on the tarmac at Gatwick at the time that we should have been landing in Orlando. As you know, that’s a 9 hour flight. Never flew with BA again after that debacle. 

[BouncingWheel]

52 minutes ago, cruising.mark.uk said:

Because, with a few notable recent exceptions, sites like this only report bad experiences and thus don't provide an accurate representation of a product

Personally, I have to disagree with the above statement. I find cruise critic very informative and, on the Cunard and P&O threads I follow, very balanced overall. There are people singing the praises and others highlighting faults but I have gained a lot of good, valuable insights from many posters on here and not just the bad experiences reported.

[jaydee6969]

1 hour ago, Yorkypete said:

 Why is everyone still cruising with P&O?

 

 

Because the majority have a great time, and do not have issues.

 

 

[Windsurfboy]

I think cruise critic teaches you valuable lessons that will help you avoid many of the problems. 

[Yorkypete]

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

I'm beginning to wonder why I am!  This is an experience I'd never wish on my worst enemy to be honest.  I was due on Iona on 3 June, I'm not now.  I asked my husband to get it cancelled for me, thankfully used my friend who's a travel agent so he did it easily this afternoon.  I had a saver balcony booked and I'd rather lose the money than go through this again. Same type of ship, might not have the same problems but my sanity says it would be a very bad choice just in case.

 

I'm keeping the Arcadia trip to Canada for now, I've only paid a small deposit so would be able to cancel before final balance in June. Really depends on how they rectify this and treat me on my return and that will sway my decision.  Not going to book the North Cape trip now, much as I wanted to.  I'm just so, so glad I cancelled the Arvia Christmas cruise we had booked when we came home from Britannia at Christmas just gone.  My husband would never have recovered if he'd been subjected to this.

And what your having to put up with is the reason I keep going on aboutP&O. I only had a small problem compared to yours but they ignored it. Until people realise what is happening and join together then nothing will change and P&O will continue to behave in this despicable manner. I hope you come out of this ok.

 

 

[Yorkypete]

1 hour ago, cruising.mark.uk said:

Because, with a few notable recent exceptions, sites like this only report bad experiences and thus don't provide an accurate representation of a product that allows the vast majority of customers to have an enjoyable, snag-free holiday at a very reasonable price.  There are similar horror stories on here relating to just about every cruise line, and across social media the same is true about just about every holiday operator and every holiday type.

 

In a perfect world, no-one will have issues like those described by the OP, but the law of averages says that sometimes things will go awry.  In those circumstances, how they are dealt with is what is important and P&O sometimes (as in this case) don't seem to deal with issues very well.   That is what they need to address, but individual experiences need to be judged in the context of hundreds of thousands / millions of customers per year.

Totally agree. I have to say though how many of the total amount of passengers who have cruised on P&O (and this is the site for P&O and no other cruiseline) have complaints or can be bothered to complain.  It could be thousands for all we know and it is only guesswork to say most people have a great time. Myself, I cannot see this as the incidents around the customer service  provided by the cruiseline are frequent on many sites and in the media.What baffles me is that many on here have complaints but seem to still back P&O as a great cruiseline when in fact they are not fit for pupose in many cases.  Anyway, it would seem I am in a tiny minority so time will tell but I will be stress free on holidays at least. 

[Host Hattie]

I've split this discussion into a new thread so @Megabear2 can continue her live report without disruption. 

[carlanthony24]

I presume no different to the why cruise thread you made? 

 

[CruisingConnor]

2 hours ago, Yorkypete said:

 Why is everyone still cruising with P&O?

 

- Good value. Far cheaper than other lines when I've looked, though I usually cruise off-peak.

 

- I know what I'm going to get.

 

- Modern fleet.

 

- Most cruises are out of Southampton, and those that aren't the flights are included, which doesn't always seem to be the case.

 

- Designed for British tastes.

 

- They are generally good at putting things right when they go wrong (more so on board than shore-side).

Edited May 16, 2023 by CruisingConnor

[Landon90]

Hotel prices across Europe are crazy expensive these days. 
 

Value for money is great on P&O. 
 

I’m pretty easy when it comes to where I’m going, as long as it’s away from home I can relax and enjoy something new. Bonus points if it’s warm, has a beach, has a cold beer etc. 
 

£4.80 a pint of moretti (after the 5% peninsular discount) 

 

I love a casino. 
 

I’m pretty easy going when it comes to where my cabin is and the noise. I’m in my 30s and usually out late drinking and enjoying myself, I can sleep through anything. 

[Britboys]

2 hours ago, Yorkypete said:

 Why is everyone still cruising with P&O?

 

Because generally speaking they provide a reasonable cruise experience at a reasonable price. My only current gripes with P&O are that the mdr menu in operation at present is really not to my taste and that the itineraries have got far too samey across the whole fleet. That's why I only have one cruise booked with then at the moment...

[FamilyCruiserUK]

We have luckily done oasis on RCL and also virtuosa with MSC this year and have P&O booked for Aug. We usually gone with royal, however their prices and added extras, graturites, dining, flights etc are aky high and bot value for money. MSC whilst very cheap and a gorgeous ship, rhe atmosphere was just average. Staff too busy to chat. But food was food and some of the shows very good. 

Looking forward Arvia and will make our own minds up. Lots of negatively sometimes on here. But simply put compared to a land based stuck in one location with crap food, all inclusive holiday i think cruises blow that type of holiday out of the water. Much better on a cruise, esp for us with children. 

[Wonky]

1 hour ago, Yorkypete said:

 Anyway, it would seem I am in a tiny minority so time will tell but I will be stress free on holidays at least. 

That’s a brave call, to find a perfect holiday with a guarantee of nothing going wrong. Good luck!

[Windsurfboy]

I hope and expect,  our cruise strategy with P&O -  Suite and extensive use of speciality restaurants will prove to be a quality experience and good value. 

 

However , it's clear that to make this happen and to experience entertainment we will have to pre book everything as soon as you can. That is not what I prefer, so may be last P&O cruise.

[daiB]

I cruise with P&O because we enjoy the experience. I have read this forum for years and many others.and I have found that the vast majority of passengers have a great time and post about it. I have learned to get things dealt with at the time on the ship. On the few occasions this has happened this has been resolved fairly quickly to my satisfaction.

 

Possibly why we have 12+ cruises booked with P&O.

 

Gan Canny

 

Dai

Edited May 16, 2023 by daiB

[funinhounslow]

Just booked for a Sep cruise - this will be our first since C***d so will be interesting to see how things have changed. 
 

I like P&O because I think their prices are “fair” - no issues with cost of cruise and prices onboard in particular drink prices and specialty restaurants can’t really be argued with. 
 

Entertainment on the whole is “good enough”. Headliners put on a decent show, and apart from the odd duffer the cover bands and comedians are usually pretty good. 
 

I understand the MDR meal quality may have slipped a little but I don’t mind the buffet in the evening especially when it’s Indian night. 
 

Also the dress code is sensible. I’m not going on Cunard again unless they stop their ridiculous insistence on a jacket in the evening. I also object to having my pants pulled down every time my partner fancies a glass of wine. 
 

After a pretty difficult few years I’m really looking forward to a break and hopefully a visit to Epicurean…

[swanseaboy]

Because I love it!! I'm a total Cunard convert to P&O. Aside from the odd Cunard cruise on QM2, it's P&O all the way for me now. Far better value for money, no tipping, no foreign currency, better entertainment, newer ships, more fun!

[Cruise_Rookie_2010]

We've found P&O's new ships to be comparable to anything we've previously sailed (Princess / Celebrity) but with a distinctive British flavour which we found very enjoyable. Obviously anyone can have a bad experience but that doesn't mean everyone will. At the moment it's hard to fault what P&O are providing, from our perspective having never sailed with them previously (before lockdown) we don't perhaps notice things that more experienced past passengers feel are missing. And the most obvious reason to book is that the value on offer is unbeatable, try booking a land based holiday at the same price we're paying for a cruise right now.

[showingdiva]

Between 2003 and 2017, I would never looked past P&O.   Even when I started working on cruise ships in my home port - and I have had the honour of being on some absolutely beautiful ships, over 100 now - P&O was the go to for my own holiday.  They owned, and still currently own, Arcadia, which I will always have an emotional attachment to.

 

On the re-start, MSC were one of the first out of the blocks, and my "need" to cruise introduced me to Virtuosa - a cruise ship far bigger than I would have ordinarily have considered, and a cruise line that wasn't really on my radar.    Now approaching my third cruise on her (with a re-uniting with QM2 in between), they're everything that P&O offer, and more, and perhaps more crucially, their shore side management are approachable in listening and their attempt to rectify any issues.    Their single supplements (as since my Arcadia days, that's how things are) are reasonable, gratuities are included, as is a NHS discount, OBC and drink package.   

 

Is MSC perfect?    Nope.   But from a passenger point of view , P&O clearly still have issues that need sorting.   Some of them are industry wide judging by working on board three different cruise lines in the last three weeks, but the problem is not that there are issues - we all understand that in this post-pandemic world - but how they are dealt with.

 

Of course I would consider P&O again, but not whilst MSC keep Virtuosa and her new eco-sister Euribia in the UK.

[Ardennais]

2 hours ago, Cruise_Rookie_2010 said:

We've found P&O's new ships to be comparable to anything we've previously sailed (Princess / Celebrity) but with a distinctive British flavour which we found very enjoyable. Obviously anyone can have a bad experience but that doesn't mean everyone will. At the moment it's hard to fault what P&O are providing, from our perspective having never sailed with them previously (before lockdown) we don't perhaps notice things that more experienced past passengers feel are missing. And the most obvious reason to book is that the value on offer is unbeatable, try booking a land based holiday at the same price we're paying for a cruise right now.

I hear what you’re saying but I disagree with ‘it’s hard to fault what P&O are providing’. The food offering is inconsistent - we thought Iona did it well in February but Britannia last month was disappointing. I actually don’t expect anything fancy, but I like food served at the correct temperature, and that definitely wasn’t the case on Britannia. 
We have actually cancelled our next P&O cruise before the final balance is due.