Trevor Fountain

42 minutes ago, happy v said:

Thanks everyone for your help. The plan is Cinque Terre on the train. It seems the best option for us due to 'knee' issues going up and down. Also as it will be October sea conditions may not be ideal. I do appreciate the help though.

Have you checked the train timetables? Bear in mind it is a Sunday. I had a look a few weeks back and it seemed a bit tight as I recall. I was told there is a bus for about 3 euros to Portovenerre, but I can't find it listed anywhere.

They could allocate your cabin at check in. Waste of time ringing them, it won't be allocated over the phone.

There are possibly people still booking and paying the select fare. They will get first choice. Also sometimes it's better to get allocated a cabin close to sailing, as you may find you get a late cancellation and thus a better cabin than you might get if you are allocated early.

17 hours ago, Yorkypete said:

After 24 hours they change colour and fade away

So do I.

2 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Although "posh" actually derives from a term for a small coin.  The term was used long before the maritime association. 

Ah, that makes cents.

1 hour ago, smj777 said:

We go on our cruise on 2nd. October.( 77y oIds).I don't want the hassle of trying to check in on line. I can't find where to print my boarding pass and Tickets aren't issued any more. We have our booking confirmation etc. Can we just turn up at the terminal and be processed as we were before covid? Any advice please.

 

Have you booked direct, or through a travel agent?  If it is the latter, I would contact them and let them do it all for you.

I'm sure you could just turn up at the terminal. They can definitely give you luggage tables and issue boarding passes. The only thing I think you would need to do yourself is complete the health declaration between 1 and 3 days before departure.

They could take the tv out for me. I usually cruise only once a year (in normal times), and the last thing I want on holiday is a tv.

56 minutes ago, Son of Anarchy said:

On my "cruise" last month, the cabin steward left my cabin in this state for 3 weeks.  No tips for him.

 

 

This is what happens when standards are diluted. Those who don't get why the turndown service should be kept, probably won't get why you'll be carrying your own suitcases to your cabins eventually.

It is done for "Operational reasons".

7 hours ago, zap99 said:

Anthem docked near to the town. She is a bit bigger than Britannia  but smaller than Iona if that helps.

 

Anthem is bigger in Length and Beam than both Britannia and Iona. Iona has a deeper draft.

6 minutes ago, Fitzplumbago said:

Another minor Arvia fire reported a few days ago…

From  CruiseMapper…

 

P&O UK's newest cruise ship Arvia suffers minor fire at Meyer Werft's Papenburg yard 

I blame the energy crisis. I suspect they are just trying to keep warm without using Gas or Electric.

14 minutes ago, Bin man said:

IONA G236 and G237 He must be doing a back to back 

Wasn't that Amy Winehouse?

Just now, Megabear2 said:

See post #34 Chrisdriving.  Apparently he has booked as unvaccinated. He said previously he sailed Princess this year and had P&O booked.

Thanks. Seems to me like a customer service agent is guessing what is likely. I'll wait for official confirmation before booking further cruises.

Wouldn't touch a Princess cruise anyway after the debacle I had getting a cancellation refund.

Has P&O actually stated the unvaccinated will be allowed on board soon?

Just now, MX-Drew said:

I have seen somewhere in the pas a FAQ where is says they are allowed, and as I say they even sell them onboard. My wife bought some and used them on the ship.

I have no idea then, though the ones sold on board are presumebly brand new. 

A lot of workplaces don't allow you to use any of your own electrical items until they have been deemed safe by one of there own electricians.

It's sll health and safety. Sometimes way over the top for sure.

1 minute ago, MX-Drew said:

Fair enough if the point is to restrict items "which may not be self or well maintained" but why are hair curlers and straighteners exempt?

As I read it, they are not exempt.

1 hour ago, Josy1953 said:

Items not supplied by the Company containing any kind of heating element, such as but not limited to:

As it says, not limited to. Unless therr is a list of exempt items that I haven't seen.

Just now, terrierjohn said:

My wife always takes her hot brush and would be lost without it.

Why? Does it come complete with a SatNav?

I think the point is that some people may take items on board which may not be safe or well maintained. It's not that P&O are deliberately trying to be prohibitive, it is health and safety.

Also the voltage on a ship us not as stable as on land, and this could be problematic to some appliances.

Just now, Fionboard said:

I am lucky then!

Maybe not. Perhaps things are better than a couple of months back, but it was just too much of a risk to apply in the normal manner just a few weeks before travelling.

One of our party due to travel on 2/10 had just over 3 months left on passport. Tried for ages to get an appointment for a fast track (1 week) passport.

Eventually got an appointment in Belfast. She lives just a few miles from Liverpool passport office.

She travelled on the ferry to Belfast for her appointment last Thursday. Passport arrived Saturday.

This is another example of poor customer service.

How does the grade compare with your original choice?

The only thing that has confused matters since the new guidance came into effect on the 24 July is this thread.

55 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

Dont even bother wasting you time and energy you might as well talk to a brick wall. I did not receive Christmas calendar last year and contacted them they eventually sent one at end of January. Queried with them as to why I had not received it as opted in to receive mail from P&O, they said they didnt know why but would sort it. Still no mail or e-mails from P&O so contacted them via P&Os Faceache page and every time they have said they will sort it. Still got no joy so contacted them again and they sent an e-mail address to write to Loyalty department so they could sort it. Still no success so have given up, bit annoying as have been cruising with P&O for 22yrs was Baltic but now Caribbean for few years and only have 4 cruises currently booked with P&O for 2023/24 obviously I am not loyal enough.

There's your problem right away. There's no point contacting the Loyalty Dept. they don't reward loyalty.

Here's the email you need foroperationalreasons@p&o.co.uk.

I contacted them to ask them, whilst I didn't have a BLC card, I had just eaten a BLT, and could I get extra OBC as a result. They were very polite but said this didn't qualify, however I have been assured that I am on their mailing list and the For Operational Reasons Department will be in touch should  a BLT qualify in the future. 

This department really seems to know what they are doing.

Is it not possible to hire one at each port?

19 hours ago, JAJ66 said:

We were in C734, considered overlooked, but we enjoy the big C deck balconies, to cabin B751, obstructed view.  I have since managed to speak to P & O and got us moved to a cabin on A deck aft which, although not our choice, is better than B751 which has a big stantion post through the middle of the balcony and would certainly not be our choice. Given this experience, we are now worried for our Aft balconies on 2 further cruises booked and are considering moving them whilst there is more availability. But this would obviously be an additional cost and we have already paid Select price so that we could choose our cabin ! 

I think in circumstances where passengers are moved after paying the Select fare, the very least P&O should do is refund the difference between the Select fare and the Saver fare, regardless of any other perks that might be afforded to the Select fare.

1 hour ago, Palaceman said:

And some of the extras costs are; Pianist - £150, Champagne Flutes £50, Signed bridge map of engagement location -£150, Soloist (1 hour) - £200, 2 piece band - £200. 😲😲. I think I got away lightly!!!

Do they do a divorce package?