Dorset cruise fan

We did a Ghent on your own trip from Zebrugge just before Christmas. Were given a chocolate as we got on the bus and had a guide who gave us a potted history as we drove along but left us to it when we got to Ghent. We had the christmas markets which added interest but even without there is plenty to see and do for a morning and we would have liked longer. Didn't try to get there independently so can't comment on trains but it took about an hour on the coach.

sorry, I worded that incorrectly. I meant to say that it can't be used in conjunction with a future cruise deposit bought on a previous cruise. does that make more sense?

One restriction is that they can't be used with an onboard cruise credit as I discovered when I thought I might use some recently.

Do not cut off the overlap, just tuck it inside as it helps strengthen the tickets. There was also a tip on this website which recommended sellotaping the edges for strength. I have done this every time now except once on a short break and the label came off in the car before we even got to the ship, so it is a good tip.

We were on Aurora in December and we definitely had a new toilet as it was white rather than the pink of all the other units. Otherwise I think it was original units but they all seemed in good condition so must have refurbished them somehow.

We are in the same position for our upcoming Oceana cruise. I had been checking prices for a couple of weeks and the prices went up so I assumed that all the lowest grade of cabin was sold. Then when they were offered again I took the plunge and booked but with the guarantee cabin. So the assumption I made was that all the lowest grade were taken but they are offering again at that price so that the headline price doesn't look too steep and will juggle them around nearer the time. As long as we get what we've paid for which is the lowest grade of balcony then I will be quite happy. And we may get something better!

I have no experience of Princess so can't help with the original query but am replying to Cruiser bruiser. We met on his last cruise and myself and husband really enjoyed our lunch and conversation, then didn't meet up again so it's lovely to see his kind comments re P&O. Good to hear that you enjoyed it Cruiser bruiser, glad we didn't put you off.

I had the same problem and was trying to sleep on one and a half pillows as a compromise. My husband found them perfect though.

We really enjoyed this cruise, thought Aurora looked beautiful, interesting ports of call and nice to meet people from the roll call.

Roll on the next one!

We have used Parking4cruises twice and have found them very reliable and competitively priced. They use the adjacent short stay carpark for drop off and pick up of cars. Interestingly though, I decided to use them for a weekend break that we are doing next July and they were twice the price of CPS - maybe short breaks are too labour intensive to be worthwhile. Anything over a week though and definitely cheaper than CPS.

Try http://www.discoverdorset.co.uk/cruise-shore-excursions/

I have seen their buses out and about and had feedback from their scheduled excursions but according to the link above they also do cruise excursions tailored to you. Being a Dorset girl myself I love the countryside around here and we are in an area of outstanding natural beauty. If you prefer beaches and a town then stay in Weymouth but if you want to see some beautiful countryside then I'm sure the above can take you to Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Corfe Castke etc. Alternatively, if you wanted to go west from Weymouth then the swannery at Abbotsbury is unique, especially if it's breeding season and Chesil Beach is also pretty stunning.

This is what is says on the P&O website:

If you are a resident of a country outside of the UK you will be required to make a P&O Cruises booking via our International Customer Contact Centre on (+44) 2380 657064, who will be happy to assist you.

Unfortunately our website here in the UK does not currently support overseas addresses.

As you will have a rental car you can be pretty flexible. If it's beautiful countryside you like then have you thought of the New Forest? You can stay near Brockenhurst or Lyndhurst and visit Beaulieu, Lymington, Bucklers Hard. Or if you want to go a bit further from Southampton then visit the beautiful Jurrasic coast near Lulworth and Corfe Castle in the Purbecks. If you are flying into Gatwick then maybe you can visit the South Downs. Arundel is a beautiful town with a stunning castle and a good gateway to the South Downs.

Travelling down from Heathrow you of course have the option of Stonehenge and Salisbury if you haven't already been there. And further to the west you can always stop at Oxford with a visit to Blenheim Palace.

Lots to chose from, enjoy your visit.

Thank you for posting the lovely pictures. It's still a long way away but nice to have something to look forward to. We have been to Bruges a few times so have booked on the Ghent transfer tour. Do you recommend anything particularly in Ghent? And when do the Christmas decorations go up?

Is this your first trip to the UK, is there anything you particularly want to see and what are your time constraints? Are you picking up your ship in Bristol or coming back to Southampton?

If you are coming back to Southampton from Bristol then you could stop at Stonehenge and Salisbury on the way back. If not and you wanted to visit them on way to Bristol then it's quite possible but a long way round.

If you haven't been before I would suggest sticking to the most direct route on the motorways - M25/M4 but stopping at Windsor for a break which is just off the M4, very pretty town on the Thames with obvious attraction of castle.

For food shopping, all the main supermarkets have a good choice. Tesco and Sainsburys are very similar with a good range and good prices. More upmarket for foodies is Waitrose - bound to be one in Windsor - very good range of very nice things. As for independent food shops, well most towns do have one, particularly any of the tourist towns in the Cotswolds or upmarket places such as Windsor, Bath, Salisbury etc.

Enjoy your stay

Does your hotel have a left luggage facility? Most do, where you can leave your things after check out. Then you can have a wander up to the West Quay shops or if you want to go a little further then the Sea City museum has an exhibition at the moment on ocean liners which might get you in the mood for you cruise.

I can't comment on the facilities at the terminal as not sure which one you are departing from. Both Ocean terminal and the Mayflower terminal have a small café with tea and coffee and a few snacks but not much more.

It would be a shame to miss out on formal nights. I know in the pat P & O have provided Dinner Suits for hire. We met a couple from New Zealand who used this service and found it very satisfactory. then just pack a sparkly top or something floaty that doesn't take up much suitcase space and you will be fine. Also P & O have free laundry facilities so you can wash and iron your formal shirt in between use - in fact if you've been travelling for a couple of weeks you can do all your washing onboard!

I asked P & O this very question only yesterday, although it was for the one way flight for cruise from Malta on 19.10.17 as was hoping to spend a few days in Malta first. I don't know if it's the same for return flights but the lady I spoke to gave me a price of £100 less if we took our own flights. I then tried a dummy booking online and when it got the flight option and which airport you could opt for no flight and again it was £100 less.

hope this helps

Thanks for your prompt reply and the information. I have looked at the website and it's very informative, just need to set our alarm clocks now!

thank you

Has anyone done a ship's tour to the Aalsmeer Flower Auction? If so, is it worth the early start, can you buy flowers and can it be done independently or only through a ship's tour?

Thanks for help and advice

Has anyone done the excursion to the Aalsmeer Flower Auction in Amsterdam? If so, is it worth getting up so early for and can you buy flowers there? And will P & O store your flowers until you get home?

Thanks for help and suggestions

I haven't been on Britannia but I thought the comments re Oriana were a bit negative. We were on her in October and found plenty to amuse us and didn't see any bingo. But then, maybe we are happy amusing ourselves and reading a good book. But the lectures were fascinating, the films a good choice and entertaining and the classical pianist very talented. Also talks on acoustic guitar and my husband got to watch the rugby with lots of like minded souls and free refreshments brought round. And all the staff were polite and helpful.

We did a ships visit to Britannia and were very happy with the quality of food. Maybe Jetset763 didn't research P & O before travelling and expected a more RCI experience. But that's not really P & O's fault is it.

Aurora has the most beautiful prom deck with lovely steamer chairs. Haven't been on Arcadia but pretty sure she has the same. Britannia doesn't have a prom deck so all your outside viewing would have to be up on the roof which if the weather is a bit inclement (and let's face it, it can be in Norway) then you are going to get wet. For me, a real feature of the ships is the prom deck, we love to take a turn around it after breakfast and after dinner. It's a real shame that they didn't put one on Britannia.

We stopped at Casablanca in October 2013. We took the shuttle bus into town, walked past some of the beautiful French colonial buildings then down to the mosque which is incredible, then back through the Medina, bought a lovely bag for our daughter, then back to the main square and shuttle bus back to the ship. It is an interesting and vibrant city and we didn't have any problems. We were surprised by the dire warnings on board telling us not to do it independently. Our table companions did a tour to the Portugese town of El Jadida and were very impressed. Another couple we met did the tour to Rabat but found it a very long journey.