terrierjohn

I never think my holiday has started until I am on board, the US lines seem to comprehend this and go out of their way to ensure passengers have a quick and easy check in experience, unfortunately P&O don't. In fact in far too many ways P&O seem to consider that passengers are an annoyance that has to be endured, whereas the US lines go out of their way to ensure their passengers are happy.

I dont think that is true, if you dont want the upgrade presumably you dont pay.

Remember the BBC weather website will state rainy, even if it's only for an hour or two of the day.

I have to agree with you @Selbourneabout P&O's so called hexagonal roasties, but even these would probably taste better after a sunny day of sightseeing. You do seem jinxed on this cruise, so I hope things improve once you are among the Islands.

It's a good job you invested in the WiFi package @Selbourne otherwise you would have been bored.😉

If that were only true!! However from reports the upper floor seating area is never used. If they monitored that correctly they could keep a steady flow of passengers most of the time, and only at very busy times, as when the coaches arrive, would there be a need for queueing outside

The same area on Iona seems to be quite sheltered, and the smoke hangs around, smells just like an old time billiard hall.

But all letter post is delivered by Royal Mail, so presumably they must consider this to be profitable enough at the rate they currently charge the other companies, otherwise they wouldn't do it?

It's a good job our voting system doesn't operate the same. I cannot remember any govt honouring all its manifesto commitments.

She has Azipods, so maybe her extra maneuverability was the reason.

You have studiously avoided any references to all of the other cruise lines using Southampton whose crews manage to start embarkation much earlier, without any noticeable problems, and who do not require any passenger to wait outside in all weathers, and seem able to check most passengers in and get them on board in 15-20 minutes max.

I have now downloaded the App onto my tablet, and that has resolved the scrolling problem, which however still exists on my phone. But I am still locked in negotiations with interactive investor to try and get a newer statement than September 2023, in order to meet the 3 month requirement maximum for validating my holding.

Have you tried to set up one of your phones as a "Hotspot", and then link your other devices to that ones wi fi? I have never done it myself, but other posters have explained the procedure, probably far better than I have. Try searching hotspot within the P&O forum.

But generally you are undercover while you wait to check in and go through security, not waiting outside in uncertain UK weather.

But some cruise lines handle them better than others, and Princess use both Ocean and Mayflower for their Royal class ships with little queuing because they start embarkation much earlier than P&O. So why don't P&O follow Princesses example.

But there is normally no one left on board most of the cruise ships at Southampton much after 9:00 -9:30, so not really a problem.

I think they need to start embarkation sooner, the same way as do al the other cruise lines. If they can start sometime between 10:00 and 11:00, there is no reason at all that P&O cannot. That would go 99% of the way to solving the problems. As Paul Ludlow might say.

I already assume we only get a 3 per week delivery service, but when we do get one it invariably has 3 elastic bands wrapped round a bundle, they could save a few pounds if they only used one elastic band.

But what was their first reaction? If it was to join the queue I wonder how many passengers would in fact ask if they could sit in the terminal and be able to go straight to check in?

I am not sure that wheelchair or passengers needing assistance would be allowed into the terminal ahead of their arrival time, under the current heartless regime, but willing to be proved wrong.

I think your interpretation is correct. The major concern for all of us is whether the medical excess charge will be in line with those we have been enjoying with UK Insurance, or if they will now fall into line with those done direct with travel insurers. We will find out in May once renewals with Aviva commence.

Just checked with NW and for existing policies you will be covered by UK insurance under existing terms for holidays up until the current expiry date. However as ours expires in October I did not check whether renewals before May 1st would continue with UK Inrurance or not.

Thanks for that MB, you are a bit of a kill joy this morning.😯

We have done NOLA once and from memory part of both transits were in daylight. The return is more interesting since we started in daylight and the early part is through he urban areas then the suburbs. Probably the most interesting feature was the barges, these generally have multiple loaded barges which I think were pushed by a motorised tug. Quite a few different type of loads, some of which were easier to guess the contents than others. However the delta part was rather featureless and I dont even think there was much birdlife to view.

You're all very lucky, I cannot get the app to function properly, have deleted it and re-loaded it a few times, but now stuck with a message saying it's taking too long and try again. Hoping Zac can sort it out for me.