Drinks package/policy changes?

[Selbourne]

5 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

The bus was provided by the local business community and yes it was initially offered as a free service. So you are correct, not a P&O cutback.

You posted at the same time as me! I had assumed that the shuttle was arranged by P&O as we didn’t pay and were on a Select fare, but I’ve no reason to doubt your info. Either way, it’s now a pain for wheelchair users. 

[Eglesbrech]

6 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

You posted at the same time as me! I had assumed that the shuttle was arranged by P&O as we didn’t pay and were on a Select fare, but I’ve no reason to doubt your info. Either way, it’s now a pain for wheelchair users. 

The first time we went there they really had the red carpet out, the free bus, lots of local tourist staff with maps, music etc. Presumably as more and more ships went in did not feel the need to make such an effort (or like other ports felt that the spend in local shops perhaps did not justify the cost).

[S1971]

30 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

The bus was provided by the local business community and yes it was initially offered as a free service. So you are correct, not a P&O cutback.

 

 

"There was a shuttle bus and though it said it was the official P&O shuttle it was £5.50 each"

 

There's obviously some conflicting information.

 

[Eglesbrech]

4 minutes ago, S1971 said:

 

 

"There was a shuttle bus and though it said it was the official P&O shuttle it was £5.50 each"

 

There's obviously some conflicting information.

 

It may well be now, I was just highlighting that initially it was not.

[Denarius]

6 hours ago, S1971 said:

 

Glad to see P&O are thinking if the planet by removing disposable cups, at least you can BUY one of theirs, just like alcohol (spirits) you can't bring your own due to HESS but don't worry you can BUY from us whilst onboard.

 

For your benefit we've reduced the menu choices, but don't worry if theres nothing you like you can opt to dine in our various ADDITIONAL pay restaurants

 

Dear oh dear, goodbuy P&O oh goodbye sorry.

I have taken several river cruises with Riviera. Riviera do not supply bottles of water to take ashore but have a drinking water dispenser in the onboard coffee station. All passengers are supplied with a complimentary refillable water bottle which is theirs for use during the cruise and to take home with them afterwards should they so wish. It had the company logo on it so doubles as an advertising medium. P&O could supply a similarly branded complimentary reusable coffee cup should they so choose but opt instead to charge for one.

Edited May 10 by Denarius
typo

[S1971]

12 minutes ago, Denarius said:

I have taken several river cruises with Riviera. Riviera do not supply bottles of water to take ashore but have a drinking water dispenser in the onboard coffee station. All passengers are supplied with a complimentary refillable water bottle which is theirs for use during the cruise and to take home with them afterwards should they so wish. It had the company logo on it so doubles as an advertising medium. P&O could supply a similarly branded complimentary reusable coffee cup should they so choose but opt instead to charge for one.

 

Unfortunately P&O's current model at the moment appears to be trying to up sell as much as they can. 

 

Time will tell if this model works longterm, but as it is now I'll certainly be looking at other options including land based locations.

 

[david63]

4 minutes ago, S1971 said:

Unfortunately P&O's current model at the moment appears to be trying to up sell as much as they can. 

Not just P&O but most other cruise lines are doing the same to a lesser or greater extent.

[S1971]

8 minutes ago, david63 said:

Not just P&O but most other cruise lines are doing the same to a lesser or greater extent.

 

Carnival in particular, I note there are now upcharges in the Golden Lion on Cunard, QA at the moment but no doubt fleet wide soon.

 

I suppose it was always going to happen once the Americans took them over, in fairness it's took longer than I thought, but now it's started where will it end??

[crompton21]

1 hour ago, S1971 said:

 

Carnival in particular, I note there are now upcharges in the Golden Lion on Cunard, QA at the moment but no doubt fleet wide soon.

 

I suppose it was always going to happen once the Americans took them over, in fairness it's took longer than I thought, but now it's started where will it end??

 

The American brands revenue is split 63% ticket, 37% other revenue.  European brands are split 77% ticket, 23% other revenue.  Presumably there is a desire to get the European spend mix closer to the North American mix so there's probably quite a few more tweaks to come yet.  I don't suppose they are planning to achieve it by lowering ticket prices....  

[terrierjohn]

Possibly, but US cruise passengers take far more short cruises than UK ones, and thse lend themselves to a much higher per diem spend as passengers try to cram in as much as they can in a short time.

[david63]

Also bear in mind that the Americans spend a lot more in the casino than the Europeans - and as we all know there is only one winner in a casino.

[S1971]

1 minute ago, david63 said:

Also bear in mind that the Americans spend a lot more in the casino than the Europeans - and as we all know there is only one winner in a casino.

 

Do the cruiseline run the casino's or are they independent but rent the space??

[david63]

3 minutes ago, S1971 said:

 

Do the cruiseline run the casino's or are they independent but rent the space??

No idea - never given it any thought

[Ardennais]

6 hours ago, AndyMichelle said:

This is at Haugesund, which is only a 950m walk into the town, so for many, and in P&Os eyes, a shuttle bus is not required. 

The problem is, it's over a steep bridge, which obviously causes issues for some. 

I didn’t think the shuttle bus was anything to do with P&O, but I may be wrong. 

I don't see this one as a cutbacks, as I don't believe it was ever offered free, but again, I could be wrong. 

Andy 

The youngsters in our group were tired out from the walk to Haugesund last week! It was a very hot day and there’s no shade at all as you walk through the port area to town. 
 

On the app, under shore excursions, P&O were offering a transfer into town for £10 (I think). Took 30 minutes and included two photo stops. I think I’ve got the details right as I only had a quick look. 

[vitrocmax]

Regarding the reusable cup from P&O email I mentioned earlier, the actual text reads;

 

As a result, single use takeaway cups will no longer be available from our coffee shops and bars. You can now purchase a re‑usable P&O Cruises travel cup for takeaway drinks. Or we’re happy to make a drink to‑go in your own personal travel cup. These changes, along with others we’ve already made, ensure we continue to meet our sustainability goals.

 

We will be taking our travel cups with us, they'll fit in the space I intended to fill with a bottle of whisky 🤣

[yorkshirephil]

6 minutes ago, vitrocmax said:

Regarding the reusable cup from P&O email I mentioned earlier, the actual text reads;

 

As a result, single use takeaway cups will no longer be available from our coffee shops and bars. You can now purchase a re‑usable P&O Cruises travel cup for takeaway drinks. Or we’re happy to make a drink to‑go in your own personal travel cup. These changes, along with others we’ve already made, ensure we continue to meet our sustainability goals.

 

We will be taking our travel cups with us, they'll fit in the space I intended to fill with a bottle of whisky 🤣

You may as well fill the cups with whisky, win win😁

[Josy1953]

11 minutes ago, yorkshirephil said:

You may as well fill the cups with whisky, win win😁

Or gin and tell everyone that it's water and you are keepjng yourself hydrated🤣

Edited May 10 by Josy1953
Spelling

[yorkshirephil]

18 minutes ago, Josy1953 said:

Or gin and tell everyone that it's water and you are keepjng yourself hydrated🤣

I like to hydrate with Whisky

[Goosebear Mum]

Wait for it, soon P&O will be charging for restaurant crockery, unless we take our own, and wash them out ourselves in the bathrooms 😉 🤢  

[purplesea]

On Arvia last month there were blue platic take away cups in use at Vista's, instead of paper/cardboard ones for use, return and reuse. I'm not sure if they were in use for any of the other Costa venues, but did see several around the ship.

[GSPG]

On board Britannia just about to leave.

We made the decision to buy bottles on spirits on board. There’s not much in it with buying outside, and thought P&O would be happy us buying it from them.

 

Just rang reception at 5.05pm to order a bottle of Bacardi. Response, we haven’t got that. Asked when are you going to get some. Response, we are not.

 

Not very happy. Have they not got any because they want us to buy this drink from the bar?

 

Not a good start with this change in policy!

[Windsurfboy]

 

 

I thought a shuttle  bus was included in Select  fare.

 

950 meters is enough to justify a shuttle bus.

Edited May 10 by Windsurfboy

[Windsurfboy]

2 hours ago, Ardennais said:

The youngsters in our group were tired out from the walk to Haugesund last week! It was a very hot day and there’s no shade at all as you walk through the port area to town. 
 

On the app, under shore excursions, P&O were offering a transfer into town for £10 (I think). Took 30 minutes and included two photo stops. I think I’ve got the details right as I only had a quick look. 

 

 

See comments above 

[Selbourne]

10 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

 

I thought a shuttle  bus was included in Select  fare.

 

950 meters is enough to justify a shuttle bus.

I agree. Where it’s possible, we prefer to walk into places rather than use shuttles, even though we usually book Select fares, but Haugesund is one of the few places where I think that P&O really should provide a shuttle, especially as the free one provided by the town has gone. It’s not just the distance, but the bridge. At the very least, they should provide an accessible shuttle, as my wife ends up staying on the ship there. 

[Angel57]

1 hour ago, GSPG said:

On board Britannia just about to leave.

We made the decision to buy bottles on spirits on board. There’s not much in it with buying outside, and thought P&O would be happy us buying it from them.

 

Just rang reception at 5.05pm to order a bottle of Bacardi. Response, we haven’t got that. Asked when are you going to get some. Response, we are not.

 

Not very happy. Have they not got any because they want us to buy this drink from the bar?

 

Not a good start with this change in policy!

That’s dreadful. Looking at the new room service menu posted elsewhere for Iona, Bacardi is certainly on it at £27.