dave2

Can anyone advise whether or not deck game competitions have been cancelled?. Thinking of Quoits, Shuffleboard, table tennis etc.

On 9/22/2021 at 8:27 AM, crusingdan said:

I had this and thought it was a glitch on P&O website cause it was declined when trying to book our drinks packages as well.

 

However I called my bank and initially they couldn’t see anything but put me through to Fraud Team who I guess have more access and they said ‘oh yeah it’s flagged up for security as it’s come through as Carnival and the pre authorisation is in USD’.

 

They cleared it straight away and she stayed on the phone whilst I tried it again and it went straight through.

 

I would contact your card issuer and double check it again as the ‘front line’ staff couldn’t see anything initially, it was only when I was put through to the fraud team that they could see it had been declined a few times and that it was flagged.

We had this problem resolved by following the above advice. Many thanks for your excellent post!!

On 3/17/2021 at 11:23 AM, zap99 said:

 When I look out of my cabin window in the English channel I expect to see herds of wilderbeest sweeping across the plain, or the Sydney opera house.🤣

or Mount Krakatoa erupting in the background.

25 minutes ago, Aulanis said:

Just read on the BBCs newspaper headlines   ( that to me sounds odd)

that,  the purveyor of indisputable facts   The Sun !!   has a headline

that over 65s will be getting their invite letters  from next Monday.

 

Hurrah!!

I fall into this category and have got my vaccination next Wednesday. Local radio announced that people over 65 could apply from yesterday.

We have a cruise booked on the Iona at the end of October this year and are reasonably optimistic that it will go ahead. If, unfortunately it doesn't due to covid, then I believe we will be facing far more serious problems than cancelled cruises.

We normally book the Holiday Inn Express Southampton West about 10 minute drive from the docks. We've booked for one night in October and including breakfast it's only £80.  There is also an excellent pub, the Walnut Tree Farm about 100 yards away.

4 minutes ago, wowzz said:

On the other thread regarding Cirona virus, there is a link to an email from Carnival, saying that all Carnival brands will allow you to cancel, the cruise fare then to be used against a future cruise.  Worth reading. 

Yes but a Drs. letter is required stating that you would be at risk and unable to travel due to the virus.

Just contacted TA re our upcoming cruise on Aurora towards the end of April. Have been told that if we cancel 56 to 42 days before the cruise we will get a 40% refund. We have until the end of the week to make a decision. 

Two cruises booked, one on the Aurora end of April and the second on the Iona in November. Will not be cancelling.

6 hours ago, terrierjohn said:

This subject has been done to death recently, music in all its forms is a very personal and subjective issue, some love it loud and brash others prefer subtle and subdued.  I believe you  just have to accept that you wont please all the people all of the time.

Completely agree, just enjoy the cruise!!

56 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

It will be interesting to see if they cancel the 7 day cruise that starts after this one on 1st June.

I hope not, we're on that one!!

65

Only been cruising since 2016. Azura x2, Ventura x2 and Britannia once.

55 minutes ago, brian1 said:

Don't you mean West Ham won the world cup,lol.

err, my team Mansfield Town beat West Ham 3-0 in feb 1969 in the fifth round of the FA cup and all the world cup stars played. We were in the then Div. 3.😉

We've booked two cruises this year, the Britannia in June and the Ventura in October, both in suites. I'm a little unclear as to the added benefits attached to being in a suite. As I understand you get the following; 

1 Priority embarkation

2 Breakfast in the epicurean

3 the option of having MDR meals in the cabin

4 Free room service if ordered through the butler

Are there any others and as this is our first time in a suite what is the correct protocol for tipping the butler?.

Many thanks

We are on Britannia in June and one of the ports is Zeebrugge. A P&O coach trip to Brugge is £37/person.

Yes, the storm was recorded as force 10-11 (12 is a hurricane). It was frightening. The captain had to steer into the wind to alleviate the possibility of endangerment to the ship. There was never a 45 degree list as this would have meant capsizing, over 30 degrees you possibly go over, but there was listing. It's hard to believe the power of the wind pushing a 116,000+ tonne ship to list. Incidentally there were no cruise logs issued to report this. I applied for one by email quoting cruise N734 and this shows the weather for Sunday 10th Dec. winds 10-11 and Monday 11th force 9.

We too were on this cruise and still talk about that night. Both of us had retired to bed early as not feeling well. The first I knew of the list was when I found myself on the floor making good progress towards the balcony. I managed to scrabble back to the bed on all fours. The following morning heard reports of broken limbs and by the end of the cruise of people leaving the ship early not wanting to traverse the Bay of Biscay again.

Had the good fortune to meet BMT in the Glasshouse one day as she was admonishing (quite rightly) the waiters for not cleaning the tables etc properly.

Excellent and informative video. We are on Britannia for the first time next month and really appreciate the insight.

The new restrictions on the amounts of alcohol you can take on-board and the new room service charges (food) are not for our benefit. The next step will be to stop any alcohol from being taken on board and at the same time increase ship prices. At the moment the new restrictions do not affect me personally but I can now see a time when they will.

My wife prefers the Azura to the Ventura but is unable to say why. I can see no difference in service, decor, types of people or how the ship behaves at sea. We both thoroughly enjoyed both ships in and out of school term time. Never been on the Oriana so unable to compare.

Excellent review but photos not showing.:confused:

I have only been on three cruises all with P&O so unable to compare with other cruise lines. Invariably we meet people who say how boring, drab and dull P&O ships and cruises are compared with other lines. Lack of things to do during the day, ships decor, not enough entertainment, poor facilities and food are the main complaints.

We have thoroughly enjoyed each cruise (booked again on the Ventura in December) and have had little to complain about to date.

Would be interested in your observations.

We really like the ship. It is understated but elegant. Staff are very attentive. We have a balcony cabin on Riviera desk port side aft, probably prefer a lower deck - maybe 7 or 8 but I chose it without considering sailing the North Sea!

Beds are very comfy, layout is excellent, I particularly like the walk in wardrobe and bathroom layout which doesn't impinge on the cabin itself.

Our cabin steward Suset has been great, she chilled our champagne on the first evening, got us champagne flutes, an ice bucket which she replenishes every day and a vase for our flowers. (Who needs a suite ��)

So far so very good. Haven't bothered with any shows yet but have enjoyed music in Manhatten and Malibar. Won money in the casino (3 card poker, just wish they had a hold em table) and have enjoyed the company on our dinner table.

We've just returned from the Canaries on the Azura and were fortunate enough to have Suset as our cabin steward. We were in cabin R630 and nothing was too much trouble for Suset. She always had a smile and a cheerful greeting whenever she saw us. She also arranged an ice bucket with flutes for us as well. We had a wonderful time on Azura and hope you do as well.

In 2014 almost 1, 400 000 animals were slaughtered without stunning to satisfy the adherents to halaal. This is illegal and the RSPCA deem it as cruel.

For someone to justify this method of slaughter is unbelievable.

Just read it....and your earlier one too! Thanks for writing the review which was helpful. Glad you enjoyed both of your cruises.

 

Just one point for your future reference should you go again........Bilbao is , in my opinion, actually a fantastic place to visit, whatever your taste in things to do ashore. Much of it is easily walkable and there is a free shuttle to the city centre which only takes 15-20 minutes depending on traffic.

The old town is fascinating, lovely square in there with an abundance of cafes &restuarants. The architecture very different. The shopping in the more modern part of the centre is amazing (if you like shopping!) , the Guggenheim Museum is well worth a visit, even walking around outside to see the pavement art. Or take the funicular railway and get spectacular views from the top.

 

And of course the next point.....have you booked another cruise yet!

Thanks, looking at next June probably around the med. Will certainly visit Bilbao next time (we were given a transfer time of 45 mins which put us off).

Ooops, they've published it!.

Have cruisecritic stopped accepting reviews?. I posted one two weeks ago which has yet to be shown. Noticed that latest reviews seem to be mid october.