ScotchBoy

On 10/28/2023 at 6:07 PM, pennib said:

I tried to post this yesterday but it seems to have been taken down. Has anyone done the cookery club on Britannia. I would like to know if you have to stand a lot as that would rule me out.

thanks

We did it last time we were on Britannia, and absolutely loved it. I still do the recipe that we had. Yes, you have to stand, but I'm sure you could ask for a stool. Well worth doing. 

Great news that you managed to see the night-time views, after all. We've been to NYC several times, and always made arrangements independently. 

Having gone that far, and if the weather was pleasant, I would have purchased another ticket independently; gone up to the top, then taken a cab back to the ship if it was inconvenient for the booked transportation to wait (or return for us later). We've been up the ESB on a clear autumnal day, and enjoyed fabulous views. It was fun picking out all the landmarks, etc. If it was a clear night, the views would have been worth it, I'm sure. Shame that you didn't get to enjoy your excursion.  

Thanks All - sounds good to me 👍

We're sailing on Silhouette next month: does anyone know if they still provide kettles in the cabin. Morning coffee as soon as my eyes open is the only way to start my day! 😃 

Also, can I take my favourite soft drinks on board/ I don't like fizzy drinks, or sugar-high juices.

Thanks everyone, that's all very clear. Now to tell Mrs ScotchBoy not to pack the tiara................... 🤭

Hi, quick question:- will I need to take black tie/tuxedo on my Celebrity cruise? I have plenty of blazers, but am more concerned about needing a tux and not having one with me. 

TIA

Hi, loving your posts. We're back on Azura later this year, after a 6 year hiatus, doing a 7 night in/out of Tenerife. Can't wait! We love the Glass House; is it as good as it always was?

4 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

We have that code as well. It means it’s all included:  drinks, wifi, tips, and OBC. The price was person 1 at full fare and person 2 at 75% off. It’s how we booked our RS. Not a bad deal IMO. 

Crikey! So drinks, tips, wifi are included. Good deal indeed. I presume that the drinks are the Classic package, and we could upgrade if we felt the need, once on board. This makes us very happy 😆 Thanks All.

Just checking my invoice for Silhouette cruise in June. Only our third Celebrity cruise and I'm unfamiliar with the codes. Anyone know what ALLINCBOGO75 means? It's noted twice. 

TIA 🙂

Our September flight is at 6:00am from Bristol. I would think it's the same for each Malta flight from Bristol, on a Thursday morning. 

We've travelled by coach only once, from Gatwick to Southampton (re-positioning cruise to Caribbean). No problems, very smooth journey. We met fellow passengers, which meant our holiday started sooner; our luggage was handed to the driver and not seen again until we got into the cabin; toilet facilities on board if caught short; very comfortable seating. I would be reluctant to travel by train due to handling all that luggage (and finding somewhere secure to leave it during your journey); lugging it around the station platforms; locating a taxi with a big enough boot; potential delays that P&O won't necessarily wait for. That, in itself, would cause me too much anxiety. 

On 1/23/2021 at 10:19 PM, nicki-k said:

..... Do you consider it worthwhile flying for a 7 night cruise? Thanks in advance for any information.

Yes, we have flown to Malta a couple of times and to Mallorca for a 7-night cruise. Definitely worth it. If you'd fly for a land-based holiday, then the same applies for a cruise. Just to feel the sun on my face for an hour would be worth it right now  🌞

We have always stayed at the Boathouse on Hythe Marina. It only has 10 rooms, most of which have fantastic views of Southampton Water. Friendly service; restaurant in-house. We always get up to watch 'our' ship coming into port to welcome us. Free parking within yards; lovely walk to the water's edge to watch all the comings and goings. Hythe village is within walking distance, and if the roads are snarled up, just take the Hythe Ferry to your ship (bit challenging if you've loads of luggage though; but we have seen people do it).  

Dame Darcey Bussell was on our flight to Barbados to join Azura one New Year. She was sat in the row in front, and was accompanied by her husband and two delightful daughters. We chatted whilst waiting for the toilets, particularly about her having a rest after 3 months of Strictly; she replied that she only worked on a Saturday, so it wasn't so bad. We saw her around the ship often and on island excursions (she had private tours, of course!), and she never made a fuss or drew attention to herself. Very discreet lady.

My son worked for Crystal and often had famous passengers - some lovely, some not so much. He used to have losts of stories to tell when he came home.................... 

22 hours ago, bee-ess said:

I would choose Britannia over Azura but not if the difference is £1500. Britannia has more Dining choices and a Crows Nest and nicer Cabin fittings but the physical size of the Balcony is smaller. In your situation at the price I would probably choose Azura.

Don't know where you are planning to fly to but I would not fly to and from St Lucia again, it is a long journey from the airport to the ship. I would choose flights to Bridgetown, Barbados,

I concur about St Lucia. We flew out of St Lucia once, and I felt so nauseous by the time we got to the airport. Such a long way, and so many twists-and-turns, and ups-and-downs in the roads (the surfaces of which, in part, are Not Good). Bridgetown every time for us.  

13 hours ago, Gettingwarmer said:

Or you have a balcony cabin on C deck on Azura and an inside opposite. Then you have two bathrooms and share the extra large balcony. 

This is a brilliant idea. If it's works out cost-wise, I would go for this option.

I presume the OP is talking of 4 people in a family, i.e. 2 adults, 2 children. Adults have the balcony cabin on C Deck; perfect. In our previous life as parents of teenagers, we always booked them the same grade room as ourselves, but they never even opened the curtains, let alone sit on a balcony!!

We always choose Azura over Britannia now. The 'balconies' on Britannia are tight for 2 people; more like ledges as you cannot comfortably sit facing the water. Four people could not use them at the same time; unlike C Deck balconies on Azura, which have loads of space for a family of 4. If the children are too young to have their own cabin, then I would choose Azura D Deck Superior Deluxe, as they are roomier than C Deck cabins. These balconies are smaller than C Deck but much better than Britannia. I also don't like all the extra money-grabbing 'opportunities' on Britannia. And I agree that it doesn't feel like a ship; more like a glitzy hotel. 

Can't wait to cruise again. 

7 hours ago, Clipper Chick said:

I was on the world cruise.  It was described as a Western Circumnavigation and that is what we got. None of the changes were P&O’s fault and their goodwill gesture of FCC plus the extra onboard credit we were given was very generous. For 33 days we were fed and entertained and well taken care of and all that cost is available for a future holiday.  It is greedy so and so’s demanding further compensation who will put the cost up for us all. I did not get the itinerary I booked but having no wish to catch the virus I am very very grateful the itinerary was changed.  I thoroughly enjoyed my holiday and met a whole bunch of people who did the same.  Just remember if you demand perfection you are destined for disappointment if you go with the flow you get a wonderful holiday.  In my mind applying for further compensation is fraud.

I'm with you Clipper Chick. Absolutely spot on. Spurious compensation claims damage us all. Glad you got home safely; we loved our World Cruise segment on Arcadia. 

I'm always quite saddened when I see people walking to the cruise ship, luggage trailing behind them. You often pay thousands for a cruise and then try to save a fiver by walking to the ship, doing no end of damage to your shoulders and your luggage wheels. From Holiday Inn, it's a bit of a no-brainer I suppose if you're sailing from City and can get accross the road from the hotel, but any of the others, just don't do it. Take advantage of the shuttles. 

30 minutes ago, Flowerpower22 said:

Well I've just phoned my travel agent and they tell me I can't buy the package in advance - only on board.  This doesn't seem right. If anyone has any experience regarding this I would be grateful.

 

Thanks

That's correct. Available to purchase when you get onboard and BTW it's useless. We had a full refund last time as it was truly dreadful. There's a reason why the crew all flock to the nearest wi-fi facility in port; it's because internet reception on board is dire. It's not available in the cabins as the cruise line want you out of the cabins, moving around the ship, spending money. This is not just P&O. 

From my recent conversation with Celebrity, they will charge you for any nights you do not "fulfil" on any itinerary. It's common practice in the U.S. and it's called 'down-lining' (IIRC). I was dumb-founded but they were insistent. Thankfully, this shouldn't affect you as you're on P&O - they never charge my in-laws such fees, and they embark late and/or debark early at least once a year.   

Hi, yes you can book specific seats, at approximately 13 to 14 weeks prior. You can access the seat plan via Cruise Personaliser and there is an additional cost, which varies depending on Economy or Premium Economy. Also, Thomas Cook and Thomson have different booking fees in some cases. Some people don't like the extra costs, but we always book ours so I guess we just consider it the cost of doing business. Hope that helps.

No, you can't check in the night before, but we always arrive at check in c. 2 hours before the flight. Check in has always been efficient with P&O agents available to smooth things along the way, like making sure you have your cabin labels on your luggage and have completed the health questionnaire, etc. Enjoy your cruise. 

Hey there! Lucky you! You can book your seats via Cruise Personaliser approximately 13 weeks before your cruise. It tends to be soon after the day that full payment has to be made. The seats are released at midnight so some people (us) book straightaway. There will be a charge for doing so (a contentious issue) but it matters to us to sit together, so we just pay it. Gives me peace of mind. Enjoy your cruise!

We always preferred cabins near the lifts/stairs. Never had a problem with the ding of the lift or chatter from fellow passengers. Very convenient location in our view. If we can't get a cabin on the stern, we always go for proximity to the lift.