Cardiff girl

This has not-great photos of the obstructed windows, under a list of cabins to avoid! https://www.cruisemummy.co.uk/aurora-cabins-to-avoid/

Thanks, Mike. So there's just standard fittings with a space in the middle? As you say, a missed opportunity. If they're that dark I might ask if we can swap, though I've already paid for obstructed on early saver so they've no obligation to change us. Anyone know if P&O might be helpful if I rang them? Thanks.

Hi Mike, it's a few years on but we've just booked these cabins on the basis that they're supposed to be larger and the price was good. What did you think of them? Was there much natural light? Were the rooms noticeably bigger? Any pics at all? Thanks.

It was the same in January - I tried both and used the lower one at busier times.

Is there much difference between Cinnamon on 5 and Saffron on 6 for freedom dining on Ventura? On sister ship Azura I was told the lower one was calmer as the one above was closer to the theatre, etc. They serve the same food, they look the same - any reason to pick one over the other? Thanks in advance.

Thanks very much for that price list - £50+ for cut, style & blowout. I guess the plus covers long hair, etc.

Oh, I thought I'd seen £40 or so for a cut on Azura. Maybe it was one of those where the wash, the blow dry, etc add to the cost - "£5 for a chair, madam?"🤣

Thanks - I remember the heavy sell! If they're expected to do everything that might be why some people haven't been wowed by the results. We'll see.

Haha, that's what I had in mind! However, I've already booked an excursion that was selling out, now I'm contemplating booking dining... Still, a nice problem to have!

Oh dear, that doesn't sound good! Thanks both - maybe not worth taking the risk! PS How do people spend OBC?

Has anyone had a hair cut on board a P&O ship, ideally Ventura? I'm thinking how to use my on board credit and I think I've seen reasonable rates for hair. Has anyone got a salon price list? If I resist the usual pre-cruise cut I could use up OBC getting one onboard - if I'm likely to be happy with the result... 🧟

Hi Mark, so sorry for your loss. Only you will know when to take that leap. However, in my experience there are usually a few widowers and widows braving solo cruising with plenty of friendly folk happy to dip in and out of companionship. On Azura there were well-attended daily solo meet ups plus get-togethers we organised. For me, solo cruising allows the freedom to be alone when you wish, combined with the chance of enjoying the cruise with a new 'gang'. I always feel nervous beforehand then always meet some lovely people. Good luck, whatever you choose to do.

Well done - was that through a TA? There's a roll call for that cruise and a couple of Facebook groups (I'm on it).

The Nietzche trail leads from Eze Sur Mer on the beach up to Eze village at the top of the hill, and it sounds like you would be dropped at the start of the village.

NavyPanda, would you be able to do tables of best value offers based on solo occupancy and/or date?

She could book assistance at stations: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/plan-assistance.aspx

I agree about considering an overnight stay, with so much travel disruption. I've stayed near the station and enjoyed meeting others I'd met through roll calls on here and Facebook. If you're driving down to meet her, hotels offer parking and transfer deals - an extra evening with your friend? I've also been offered a lift on a roll call. It was after I'd booked the train, but you never know. Happy travels!

How well designed is the Ventura buffet in comparison with sister ship Azura? When I was on Azura, the layout meant that it was hard not to bump into people. They only opened one section then let people in through three points, so it depended on the vigilance of staff to stop it jamming up at times. I haven't seen any comments about Ventura so wondered if they opened more positions or organised it better.

I started using a travel agent last year in case anything went wrong and they could sort it out for me. I'd had atrocious customer service from Tui when I got covid and had to cancel a Marella cruise. My TA has been fine but I've ended up speaking directly to P&O re issues and queries, and they've been mainly helpful. If they price match, I might go direct next time.

Forgive late reply - are you able to provide another table like this? It's a very useful way to compare what's available. I was told that P&O are now booked up at 90%+ capacity & will have less solo offers, though I'm not sure where they heard that. Thanks.

I got the Feefo invite, which I ignored 🙄

Re the Which survey, it's interesting but odd. Are there any other similar surveys to compare it against? One survey alone is a snapshot, as others have said.

Off topic, but this reminded me - is there still a customer satisfaction survey at the end of P&O cruises? I was on Azura in January and I didn't see one in my cabin. Does it come after by email? If so, I didn't receive it, and I was planning to praise several crew by name as I'm told this helps them a lot. Fortunately I'd nominated my cabin steward in the exceptional service box by reception, but I wondered if my survey had gone adrift.

Hmm - travel sickness band? 🤔🤣 Some promo stuff is weird.

Ah, but one person's tat is another person's treasure, Dinglebert... 😁 Thanks, all.