Would I go back to the P&O of 1996?

Our first P&O cruise was in 1996 on board the still relatively new Oriana. For those not aware of P&O's history, the only other ships in the P&O fleet at the time were the soon to be withdrawn Canberra and the small ship Victoria. Like most people's first cruise, this made a lasting impression on us and remains our favourite cruise to date.

I have often, on this forum and in person, mentioned how, although we still like P&O, it has gone downhill in many respects. Part of this assessment has been based upon our recollection of what we experienced some 21 years ago.

I was sorting out some things in our loft and came across the box containing all the paraphernalia from our early cruises, so thought that I would read through everything we had from our very first P&O cruise to see what had changed and whether my memory was correct. I was quite surprised with what I found.

Embarkation - Much is commented upon throughout this forum about embarkation times and how P&O makes a pigs breakfast of it compared to other lines. Having booked a number of suites in recent years, we have benefitted from priority embarkation and been on board at 12.30pm and sometimes earlier, but as we have a few cruises booked where we aren't in a suite we have been reading with interest the complaints about getting 3.30pm allocations. Well, the embarkation notice from 1996 (which is a standard leaflet and not bespoke to us) states "You can go aboard the ship from 1615 hours. All passengers must be on board by 1800 hours. We did not have an allocated boarding time and the earliest that anyone could board was 1615 (unless high tier loyalty passengers were sent a different leaflet, but I doubt that they would have been on board much before 3.30pm even if they did). So, in this respect at least, things are much better these days! The thing I find curious is that Muster back then was at 5.30pm yet passengers could board until 6pm!

Departure - On our 1996 cruise, there was a uniformed and quite large regimental band (The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire & Wiltshire Regimental Band) playing on the dockside, right up until we departed. As we departed (at 7pm, having had muster drill at 5.30pm), we all threw coloured streamers (handed out by staff). Quite a spectacle and a fabulous start to the cruise, which we never forgot. Nowadays in these eco friendly times, the streamers have long gone and if you get a band it's a small ensemble that is difficult to hear unless you are very close and as the ship is often already moving by the time you get out of muster drill and have returned your life jackets, you get no real sense of 'theatre' with the departure. Great shame.

Disembarkation - Nowadays you can self disembark from around 7.30am, main disembarkation begins soon after and disabled passengers can use assisted disembarkation at the same time as regular passengers. In 1996 it states "Oriana is scheduled to dock at the Mayflower Cruise Terminal at 0700. We can't give the precise time, but passengers begin to leave the ship at 0900 and disembarkation is completed by 1100 hours.

Disabled Passengers - In 1996 we were both able bodied. Sadly, my wife now has to use a wheelchair. One of the reasons we like P&O is because they are quite 'disabled friendly' (other than when it comes to tenders) and we find the assisted boarding and disembarkation to be of great value. I was quite shocked when I read the 1996 instructions, which states "For the convenience of those concerned and to ensure that they have the best assistance possible in the most favourable circumstances, there is a special embarkation, usually at 1645 hours for those restricted to wheelchairs or who may require special assistance on account of some incapacity.

And then, for disembarkation "The special disembarkation for disabled passengers will commence at around 1100 hours". Well, that surprised me as well. If you were disabled back then you were right at the back of the queue, certainly for disembarkation. Clearly 1996 pre dated the disability discrimination act!

Dress Code - I make no comment as to the rights or wrongs if this, merely to state the difference. A 14 night cruise nowadays has 4 formal nights and 10 casual nights (divide by two for a 7 night cruise). Our first cruise was 8 nights (we flew back from Istanbul) and comprised 3 formal nights, 3 informal nights and 2 casual nights. Those doing the full 18 night cruise had 7 formal nights, 7 informal nights and 4 casual nights.

Smoking Policy - As passionate non-smokers who absolutely detest the stench of the things, we were fully aware that until relatively recent times people were allowed to smoke on balconies (as the use of our first couple of balconies was spoiled by nearby smokers) and we were delighted when the balcony smoking ban came in. However, we had completely forgotten that back in 1996 people were even allowed to smoke inside cabins! The only restriction mentioned in our 1996 'Everything you need to know about your holiday' booklet was "We kindly request that passengers sharing accommodation kindly refrain from smoking in the cabin". I now recall that on an early cruise we noticed the smell of stale smoke in our cabin when we entered it and had to have it deep cleaned (curtains changed etc). There were also designated smoking areas in the main dining rooms!! So, although I would like to see a 100% non-smoking ship, the restrictions nowadays make it a significantly better experience for non-smokers.

Meal Times - As we know, Main Dining Rooms nowadays allow breakfast at any time within around a 90 minute window, lunch the same and dinner allows the choice of club (2 fixed sittings) or Freedom, where you can turn up at any time within around a 3 hour window. Plus, of course, there are the superb Select Dining venues such as Epicurean, Sindhu, Glasshouse and Beach House. Back in 1996, there were 2 fixed sittings for all meals (unless you used the buffet) and no Select Dining options. Breakfast was 0800 or 0900, lunch was at 1215 or 1330 and dinner at 1830 and 2030. And the buffets, which are open pretty much 24/7 these days were only serving full breakfast between 0730 and 1000 and lunch between 1215 and 1400. So, if you arrived for breakfast after 1000 it was continental breakfast only!

Menus - One thing that has gone backwards though is the menus. In 1996, every lunch and dinner in the main dining rooms had a souvenir card menu with lovely artwork on the front (they changed every day and were usually related to the history of P&O on sea days or the locations we were visiting). A full set was then presented to you at the end of the cruise, in a folder, with a personalised message from your waiters. Although you can keep the paper inserts these days, it's just not the same.

Main Dining Room Food - Looking through my full set of 1996 dinner menus, on the face of it, the choices look similar to those offered today, whether it be variety, style etc. There are however two significant differences. Back in 1996 evening meals (and lunches) in the MDR's were silver service. So, if you liked something the waiters gave you more of it. If you didn't the opposite applied. If they knew you liked a larger portion you got one every meal time, having only asked the once. I could go on. Now, of course, if you go Club Dining these days I'm sure that a number of these things still apply, but meals are pre-plated nowadays and portion sizes are often quite small, especially when it comes to vegetables. The other difference relates to cheese. On our first few cruises, cheese was very much a 'course' of the meal and all guests were offered cheese after dessert at both lunch and dinner. Nowadays, we find that the waiters tend to offer a dessert or cheese and you only get both if you specifically request it - and then it's served slightly begrudgingly as they want to clear the table. And what you do get offered in the MDR's is pretty bland to what you used to be offered. The nicer cheeses are now reserved for the Select Dining restaurants.

Afternoon Tea - Whilst this long standing P&O tradition remains, back in 1996 you could have afternoon tea delivered to your cabin. It was also served on the promenade deck from a trolley which came to you and was served by a waiter. We remember it well. Lovely.

Port Talks - Back in 1996 (and a lot more recently than that), lecturers used to be on the ship who would give very interesting 'Port Enhancement Lectures' on the destination ports and would also provide live commentary, over the ships tannoy on the open decks, as you approached and left a port. These were fascinating and a brilliant insight to every location we visited. To this day I remember our approach into Istanbul with boats darting in front of us and the commentary telling us about significant building as each came into sight. I really miss that as it made each and every port something special. Nowadays, if you get a port talk, it's one of the excursions team who gives you 5 minutes on the port (which you probably know anyway) and then a 45 minute sales pitch for excursions. So, in this respect, the current set up is rubbish compared to when we first cruised. The odd announcement by the Captain just doesn't compensate I'm afraid.

Time in Ports - In 1996, evening departures were a little later than nowadays, as the ships cruised at higher speeds. On Oriana in 1996 we cruised at 25 knots. Nowadays, 15-20 seems to be the norm due to the huge fuel savings and the fact that the super ships can't go that fast. Out of interest, here are the actual times for the 8 days we were on board;

Southampton Depart 1900

Gibraltar Arrive 0700 Depart 1200

Nauplia Arrive 0925 Depart 1800

Dikilli Arrive 0720 Depart 1800

Istanbul Arrive 0900

Entertainment - I had a recollection that on our first cruise the Headliners Theatre group performed a show every night. I wasn't quite right, but they did do 10 different shows over 18 nights, proof indeed that they worked an awful one harder back then than they do now. Out of interest, here are the principal evening 'shows' for each of the 18 nights of the full cruise;

Day 1 - Cruise Directors Introductions

Day 2 - Captains Reception. Welcome Aboard Variety Showtime (comprising all on board entertainers and the Stadium Theatre Company).

Day 3 - An evening with Gary Lovini & Classical Concert with Elizabeth Hayes

Day 4 - "Those were the days" (Stadium Theatre Company) & Cabaret Spotlight with Paul Edison

Day 5 - Ladies Night. Cabaret Spotlight with Brett Sherwood & Lesley Ann. Classical Concert with Elizabeth Hayes.

Day 6 - "Music of the Night" (Stadium Theatre Company) & Cabaret Spotlight with Tommy Sutton.

Day 7 - "Ready, Steady, Go" (Stadium Theatre Company) & Passage to India with Bruce Morrison.

Day 8 - "Tropicana" (Stadium Theatre Company) featuring Elaine Simmons & Paul Edison.

Day 9 - Party Dance Date.

Day 10 - "Variety Showtime" (Stadium Theatre Company).

Day 11 - Gary Lovini entertains.

Day 12 - Casino Night. Cabaret Spotlight with Paul Edison & Classical Concert with a Elizabeth Hayes.

Day 13 - Brett Sherwood & Lesley Ann present "Enigma" featuring the Stadium Theatre Company & Cabaret Spotlight with Elaine Simmons.

Day 14 - The Black & White Ball. Special Concert with Bruce Morrison & Elizabeth Hayes. Cabaret Spotlight with Tommy Sutton.

Day 15 - "Hey Mr Producer" (Stadium Theatre Company).

Day 16 - "Abba Gold" (Stadium Theatre Company) & Classical Concert with Elizabeth Hayes.

Day 17 - "Oriana's Wonderful World" (Stadium Theatre Company).

Day 18 - Farewell Variety Showtime.

Daytime 'entertainment' was as dire then as it is now, although the port enhancement lectures (with proper guest lecturers) seemed to negate the need for more general guest lecturers, some of whom we very much enjoy these days. Interesting though that guest performers remained the same throughout. Nowadays they change throughout the cruise.

So, what do I conclude after reliving our 1996 cruise and comparing it to the P&O cruises of today? Well, some things have indeed worsened but a lot more than I might have thought have improved. To sum up, in my opinion, I would say that the things that have worsened are;

The lack of 'theatre' of a departure from Southampton.

The loss of Professional Port Lecturers.

No Broadcast commentary on port approaches.

The move away from silver service in MDR's.

The loss of souvenir menus.

The loss of a proper cheese course after dinner.

Afternoon tea no longer served to your seat on the promenade deck.

Less time in ports.

Far less Stadium Theatre shows these days.

But a whole lot of things have improved;

Embarkation times.

Disembarkation times.

Disabled access.

Freedom Dining.

Less restricted meal times.

Select Dining Restaurants.

More varied guest performers.

Smoking restrictions.

So, what's my conclusion? Do I miss the things that they no longer do? Yes. Would I miss the things that P&O offer nowadays if they stopped doing them? Yes. Would I swap the P&O of today for the one that we first enjoyed in 1996? If you had asked me a few days ago, I would have said yes. But now, having re-established the hard facts rather than my selected memory, I would have to say no. For us, the combination of Freedom Dining, Select Dining Restaurants, disabled access and, most significantly, smoking restrictions mean that I wouldn't wish to go back in time after all!

What a brilliant post - it must have taken you the best part of the Bank Holiday to put all of that together :)

Our first P&O cruise was on Oceana from Southampton to the Med for 14 days in 2010. The things that made it special that sadly are now more were:

The magical band playing on the quay side for an hour outside my cabin as I unpacked. I remember them playing 'One moment in time' and it felt that special

The Champagne Fountain that was celebrated with us all throwing streamers from the balconies around the atrium on the last formal night

The parade of the waiters and the waving of the napkins (I know some people hate it, but we loved it as part of the tradition)

The Great British Sail away - it has lost its magic now due to familiarity, but we loved it when we sailed from Gibraltar the first time

The 6/7 course meal that seems to have diminished with time and the quality of the food / silver service

Our first formal night when the whole ship dressed for the occasion

It was sad that after that we had 3 years on Celebrity before returning to P&O and Oceana and by that time a number of the above had disappeared.

Having said all of that - we loved our cruise on Oceana last year and are now just adapting as we go.

:D

Excellent comparison can I just ask about cheese course. On most if not all of our cruises our waiters have always offered the cheese board to all on the table even if they have not ordered it. Although it is not shown as a separate course. I also have to say that few people took up the offer. Having said that we do do club dining and perhaps this does not happen freedom. In October one of our table companions had the Stilton round each night with the port one on formals. The first few times it was offered around but soon the waiter got to know exactly what people liked.

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What a brilliant post - it must have taken you the best part of the Bank Holiday to put all of that together :)

 

 

 

Our first P&O cruise was on Oceana from Southampton to the Med for 14 days in 2010. The things that made it special that sadly are now more were:

 

 

 

The magical band playing on the quay side for an hour outside my cabin as I unpacked. I remember them playing 'One moment in time' and it felt that special

 

The Champagne Fountain that was celebrated with us all throwing streamers from the balconies around the atrium on the last formal night

 

The parade of the waiters and the waving of the napkins (I know some people hate it, but we loved it as part of the tradition)

 

The Great British Sail away - it has lost its magic now due to familiarity, but we loved it when we sailed from Gibraltar the first time

 

The 6/7 course meal that seems to have diminished with time and the quality of the food / silver service

 

Our first formal night when the whole ship dressed for the occasion

 

 

 

It was sad that after that we had 3 years on Celebrity before returning to P&O and Oceana and by that time a number of the above had disappeared.

 

 

 

Having said all of that - we loved our cruise on Oceana last year and are now just adapting as we go.

 

 

 

:D

Do you know in all our cruising we have never seen a champagne pour. Most of the above are still there apart from the band.

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Do you know in all our cruising we have never seen a champagne pour. Most of the above are still there apart from the band.

 

 

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Ha, you've missed that one then Dai ;-)

The parade of the waiters isn't the same at all - not a napkin to be waved at all when we've seen them now -- too many germs apparently :rolleyes:

The meals are nowhere near as good as they were on our first cruise and getting a whole ship dressed up really does not happen when we cruise in the school holidays.

Perhaps we should say that ours is an observation of the changes to cruises in school holidays and agree to disagree?;)

Excellent comparison can I just ask about cheese course. On most if not all of our cruises our waiters have always offered the cheese board to all on the table even if they have not ordered it. Although it is not shown as a separate course. I also have to say that few people took up the offer. Having said that we do do club dining and perhaps this does not happen freedom. In October one of our table companions had the Stilton round each night with the port one on formals. The first few times it was offered around but soon the waiter got to know exactly what people liked.

 

 

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I think you have hit the nail on the head Dai. I think it's potentially one of the negatives of Freedom dining. On our first half a dozen cruises we went Club dining, even after Freedom came in, as we really enjoyed getting to know the waiters and them getting to know our preferences. We also very much enjoyed the company of our dining companions and, on a few cruises, it really made the experience for us. But then we had a run of three cruises where we had fellow diners who were very difficult to make conversation with and I felt that dinner became hard work and I stopped enjoying it. Since then we have been Freedom diners, mostly dining alone but, when the mood takes us, sharing. Sometimes we have really enjoyable conversations with very interesting people, but when it's not the case we don't have to repeat it! Of course, the downside is that you have different waiters all the time and service is impersonal and sometimes rushed.

I may well be wrong (and I will double check on Aurora in a few weeks time) but I felt sure that cheese is always listed as an extra course on the menu. As you say, when we dined Club the waiters knew some of us liked it and always offered it. On Freedom, we find it is offered as an either / or with dessert, unless you specifically ask. And we have never seen the Stilton since our switch to Freedom dining. In fact I thought it had gone altogether!

Ha, you've missed that one then Dai ;-)

 

The parade of the waiters isn't the same at all - not a napkin to be waved at all when we've seen them now -- too many germs apparently :rolleyes:

 

The meals are nowhere near as good as they were on our first cruise and getting a whole ship dressed up really does not happen when we cruise in the school holidays.

 

Perhaps we should say that ours is an observation of the changes to cruises in school holidays and agree to disagree?;)

Well all our recent cruises have had napkin waving. I might even have photos somewhere

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Well all our recent cruises have had napkin waving. I might even have photos somewhere

 

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And I am still seeing the same % of men wearing a DJ. But we tend to cruise out of school hols. Although we were on Oceana at Christmas.

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I think you have hit the nail on the head Dai. I think it's potentially one of the negatives of Freedom dining. On our first half a dozen cruises we went Club dining, even after Freedom came in, as we really enjoyed getting to know the waiters and them getting to know our preferences. We also very much enjoyed the company of our dining companions and, on a few cruises, it really made the experience for us. But then we had a run of three cruises where we had fellow diners who were very difficult to make conversation with and I felt that dinner became hard work and I stopped enjoying it. Since then we have been Freedom diners, mostly dining alone but, when the mood takes us, sharing. Sometimes we have really enjoyable conversations with very interesting people, but when it's not the case we don't have to repeat it! Of course, the downside is that you have different waiters all the time and service is impersonal and sometimes rushed.

 

I may well be wrong (and I will double check on Aurora in a few weeks time) but I felt sure that cheese is always listed as an extra course on the menu. As you say, when we dined Club the waiters knew some of us liked it and always offered it. On Freedom, we find it is offered as an either / or with dessert, unless you specifically ask. And we have never seen the Stilton since our switch to Freedom dining. In fact I thought it had gone altogether!

The last few years we have always tended to ask for the same group of tables when Freedom Dining. This has generally meant that we have had to wait to be seated as tables can't be reserved, but it has meant that we have tended to have the same waiters each evening and, as a result, they got to know what we liked. :)

What a wonderful thing to do!

I also keep all my past cruise stuff, although ours only goes back to 2001, but I will say that the vast majority of the things you mention were still being done then. The only thing that we didn't have was the afternoon tea on deck.

There was something else we have thought of. It's a tiny thing, but really set the scene for the evening. There used to be an announcement at 6:30pm and 8:30pm to announce dinner. It usually went something like - "Ladies and Gentleman, dinner is now being served in the something something restaurant. Have a splendiferous evening!" or something equally extravagant! We used to love this and really miss it!

We also really miss the send off from Southampton with streamers and band - a terrible shame this is no longer done.

There is another plus to nowadays - the wine and beer selection is vastly improved.

Interestingly, my husband agrees with you, that, No, he would not go back.

I'm not so sure. I do love the select dining options, the ability to get off early if you wish, the better drink selection, but something essential has been lost, which I believe is the gentleness, refined atmosphere and excitement of a cruise. Everything nowadays has to be so rushed, with something going on all the time, and cruising is one of the things that has suffered from this, plus the increased popularity and availability of cruises has inevitably meant that the 'specialness' of cruising has been lost.

There are cruise lines that still do some of those things that have gone, but, unfortunately for most people, they are usually the more expensive ones.

Having said all this, we love cruising, even the way it now is, and will be taking them, hopefully, for the rest of our lives.

I first cruised aboard Victoria in 1997 and would go back to those days in a heartbeat. Sitting in the departure lounge of the Mayflower Terminal with a sandwich and glass of wine built up the anticipation of boarding and in those days there was an outside balcony at the terminal so you could go and watch the ship being readied for your voyage. I also recall many tables being hosted by an officer which meant you got invited to their particular party for complimentary drinks before dinner and they usually paid for the wine at dinner on one evening too. I loved the shore-side bands and streamers at sailaway, which made for a really special feeling. Captain's welcome aboard featured plenty of free champers rather than weak g&ts etc. One other simple little thing I remember is real Baked Alaska being paraded around the main dining room whilst still aflame.

Great thread - thank you

Do you have invoices/receipts for way back, and an internet tool to upgrade the 'then' price to current £££s. Or the hours necessary for a person on median wage to work to pay for a cruise? I'm sure cruising has generally become more affordable.

We've only been cruising since 2010. Had a band for our first departure. Can remember the offer of 'savouries' after the cheese course!

Overall, I think it suits me better now

Thanks for a great insight into cruising of a different era Selbourne, made good reading .

Nice to see the comparisons between like for like ( P&O vs P&O) and from reading your post , even though I'd never

dreamed of cruising back then, with what you post I would chose todays P&O over back then .

P&O are not perfect , nor or they five or six star so really should not be compared to them .

When you see posts about embarkation times , then you read your post. I hope others read your post and See the boarding times back then .

For you and others it must be great to look back at what you once had with P&O and what they offer now.

Thanks for sharing it with us .

Great post thank you Selbourne! My husband was fortunate enough to cruise the world with his parents on many ships and tells of magnificent midnight buffets, but that was 40+ years ago and a tale told through the eyes of a child ;) my first experience was 35 years ago on the SS Uganda a somewhat different experience of luxury.

I think we started cruising together in 2002, when I reflect back I think it is the silver service I miss most, as it was a much better dining experience and it seems to me that there was a slippery slope of decline in quality and atmosphere when it ceased. Having said that I realise all the positives of plated food.

I do ask for cheese if we eat in MDR, the port in Stilton only appeared on only select formal evenings on our last two cruises on Arcadia (as opposed to all formal evenings). On cruises in the past 5 years cheese was served with some reluctance but on Arcadia freedom recently the waiters didn't seem to mind at all. I suspect it may be to to with the time you dine, whether your table is marked for a second cover and how late in the evening it is.

On the whole I like cruising as it is now and I like P&O but I no longer feel loyal to one brand.

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Great thread - thank you

 

Do you have invoices/receipts for way back, and an internet tool to upgrade the 'then' price to current £££s. Or the hours necessary for a person on median wage to work to pay for a cruise? I'm sure cruising has generally become more affordable.

 

We've only been cruising since 2010. Had a band for our first departure. Can remember the offer of 'savouries' after the cheese course!

 

Overall, I think it suits me better now

OK. So now everyone will know just how sad I am. I can answer most of your questions!

After all discounts, we paid £254 a night for an inside cabin in 1996 (that did include a flight home). We were upgraded to an outside at no extra cost. At today's value, that is £450 a night. Nowadays you can just about get a Suite for that and even a balcony cabin is circa £250-300 a night at today's prices.

This does go some way to address the point that cruises back then felt a more upmarket affair. They were because they were a lot more expensive and not everyone could afford them. Nowadays, with vastly more capacity to fill, P&O has, by necessity, had to make it a more mass market and more affordable product.

So, whilst I would have to be honest and say that I do miss the exclusivity aspect, I wouldn't want to pay 1996 prices plus inflation. Besides, the Select Dining restaurants, for a modest supplement, are far better than the standard MDR experience of 1996 (even though the standard MDR's overall aren't quite as good as they used to be).

When I was on Britannia last month, freedom dining, I was only offered cheese on a couple of occasions, I usually had to ask for it. I do like a little stilton after dinner.

I also thought that P&O had done away with the champagne fountain as I have not seen one since our first P&O cruise in 2010. However an ex work colleague is currently onboard Aurora and has sent me photos of the one they have just had :)

So, whilst I would have to be honest and say that I do miss the exclusivity aspect, I wouldn't want to pay 1996 prices plus inflation. Besides, the Select Dining restaurants, for a modest supplement, are far better than the standard MDR experience of 1996 (even though the standard MDR's overall aren't quite as good as they used to be).

I think this takes us back to the 'unbundling' observation Cahpec made on another thread. A baseline price increasing affordability with options to bolt-on to that experience through pay-for enhancements.

I'm ok with that.

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When I was on Britannia last month, freedom dining, I was only offered cheese on a couple of occasions, I usually had to ask for it. I do like a little stilton after dinner.

 

 

 

I also thought that P&O had done away with the champagne fountain as I have not seen one since our first P&O cruise in 2010. However an ex work colleague is currently onboard Aurora and has sent me photos of the one they have just had :)

I don't think I've ever seen a champagne fountain onboard. I didn't even know it existed!

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I don't think I've ever seen a champagne fountain onboard. I didn't even know it existed!

 

 

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When we were on Oceana they told us that she was one of the few ships that had one --- not too sure, but it was a great experience and the atmosphere was really special. I miss little things like that that give you a 'wow' moment (if you know what I mean). :) Wish I could find photos to prove it happened ;)

This is a very interesting thread...thank you for your time in researching it.

There are a lot of complaints about standards slipping and not just with P&O so it may be interesting to start a thread and see what people would prefer.....standards and procedures of yesteryear priced at £450 per night for an inside cabin....I am presuming you mean for 2 people....or today's "diluted standards and procedures" for £200 per night ...many times less than that....for an inside cabin

I don't think I've ever seen a champagne fountain onboard. I didn't even know it existed!

 

 

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Never seen one on P&O but Princess always used to have one on the last formal night.

It's funny the things that stay in your mind. When I think back to Our first P&O cruise on Aurora the thing I remember most fondly was the late night hot chocolate served in teapots in cafe Bordeaux!

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That must have taken you ages Selbourne, thank you. I only started cruising in 2012 so really sad never had the band at sailaway! Also was really disappointed not to find port talks onboard !

Having said that I couldn't afford those 1996 prices and I do enjoy our cruises.

Re the cheese - we were offered it every night on Azura in Oct last year. We were freedom dining too!

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Smoking Policy - As passionate non-smokers who absolutely detest the stench of the things, we were fully aware that until relatively recent times people were allowed to smoke on balconies (as the use of our first couple of balconies was spoiled by nearby smokers) and we were delighted when the balcony smoking ban came in. However, we had completely forgotten that back in 1996 people were even allowed to smoke inside cabins! The only restriction mentioned in our 1996 'Everything you need to know about your holiday' booklet was "We kindly request that passengers sharing accommodation kindly refrain from smoking in the cabin". I now recall that on an early cruise we noticed the smell of stale smoke in our cabin when we entered it and had to have it deep cleaned (curtains changed etc). There were also designated smoking areas in the main dining rooms!! So, although I would like to see a 100% non-smoking ship, the restrictions nowadays make it a significantly better experience for non-smokers.

Not sure if everyone missed the smoking policy - shared accommodation point. This would be where complete strangers would be booked into your cabin as single supplements had not been thought about yet. You could book cruises by "berth" instead of cabin each set of bunks upper and lower had a designation A or B and it was defined which was upper/lower. So much for not getting on with anyone you did not seem to get on with on club dining when years ago you had to get on with them in your cabin because you had booked a single berth in a four berth cabin!

Lol John

For comparison,

Our first long cruise was on Oriana in October 1997, Cruise 1788, 10 days to the Canaries cabin B173 at a cost of £4199.

Last autumn we had 7 days in a suite on Queen Elizabeth for the same money!

.