Mrs Tinkywinky

We dined twice at Sindhu and there was only one curry as far as I can remember on the first week's menu and none on the second week's. I do not like curry but there was plenty of choice. I had lobster which was delicious. It is more fusion than Indian. I have to say Indian is not a favourite of mine and I would usually avoid it but the food in Sindhu was delicious.

So do you know where Eavesway will pick you up in Liverpool?

And they didn't when we went last June

The majority of passengers I have spoken to are not in favour of mega ships. Lots of reasons but the main gripe is about the time it will take to embark and disembark at ports of call. Also the majority of stops will be at container ports. If you have a mobility problem its bad enough now getting a shuttle bus so what is it going to be like with 5,000 passengers?

I think P and O are going to lose a lot of customers who will change to companies with smaller ships such as Fred Olsen who actually berth at ports where you do not need shuttle buses.

Anyone out there who agrees with me?

Totally agree. I went on my first pando cruise last year. I just didn't want to go on a large ship , even Arcadia was a bit big for me. However I am mobile and didn't always use the shuttle buses -walked into Skagen, Tallinn , Copenhagen but it would put me off completely if the ship was any larger than 2,500.

I do like river cruises for this reason but of course they are nearly twice the price. Smaller is beautiful for me.

Perhaps the larger ships will appeal more to younger cruisers and families but not for me.

The Chester pick up originates in Bangor/Llandudno and is Intercruise.

However last year some friends of ours were picked up in Liverpool by Eavesway. They had to pay about £80 for the return journey but we could have either free car parking included for 2 weeks in Southampton or return bus. So does it depend on whether it is free or not as to whether you get Eavesway or Intercruise?

Also be aware that some insurance companies have different opinions on what countries are covered in European Travel, just make sure as what countries you think might be covered are exempt.

Yes you are correct. My insurance has Europe1 and Europe2. Europe1 covers all countries in Europe except Spain , Canaries Cyprus and Turkey.

We went down to the pick up at the Holiday Inn outside Chester last year , picked up by Intercruise. We had a choice of where we could be picked up , either Chester or Liverpool. I knew that National Express had moved to Liverpool One and that Norton Street was no longer a bus station.

Could you change to Chester as a pick up ? If it did pour down then at least you could wait inside the hotel in reception. I used the loo there anyway.

As others have said you can't do diy unless you have bought a visa for the 2 days you are there. We did tours with pando but don't try to pack everything in in 2 days , just not possible. Pick exactly what you would like to see and book either with pando or with a private company online , Alla , Red October there are several. Not a lot of difference in price.

Enjoy.....

Hi

Does anyone know where in Amsterdam a Saga river cruise departs and finishes? We are going in April on a Netherlands river cruise and on the final day would like to do our own thing?

Yes Thejuggler I have also heard this will start this year so a 7am start is not possible. That may have been last year or several years ago Scriv

I was also going to reply but you have answered your own question Chamon

P&O want to make a profit, that is what is going on.

 

In the old system of cash tips P&O did not have the control over their staff they do now.

 

Previously if management didn't think a steward was doing their job they would have to go through a difficult HR process with the only real threat of sending them home.

 

Now they simply reduce the payments to the steward funded by the gratuities until they do comply.

 

As for paying in your gratuities in cash, my understanding is the staff members have to hand them in (otherwise they would receive two payments) but out of self-interest will tell you otherwise and pocket it.

 

Don't like it, then two choices. Pay up and live with it or don't pay up. Take your pick.

Or don't go on a cruise with pando!

Has anyone scientifically studied the passive effect of vaping?

 

 

Regards John

There has been very little research on it as it is relatively new and there has not been a long enough time span to study the effects.

I shall consult my learned other half who knows about such things 😊

So that's OK then!!!!

Yes it is ok. Don't like the smoke then don't go near the smokers' area. As I said earlier , I have never smoked , don't particularly enjoy the smell but for goodness sake , one whiff of smoke on a sea going ship isn't going to harm anyone..

Yes as I said in my previous post. There are more toxic fumes inhaled by anyone in the back seat of a car when you fill up and from car fumes in a built up area than there are from the odd smoker outside . You can avoid smoking areas on a ship.

So why not ban drinking on board ship.......that's bad for your health as well . Is drinking classed as "antisocial"? I think not so why is smoking.?

There is no scientific evidence that passive smoking affects those around smokers. . It is rediculous to ban smokers who occupy a very small area of the ship. Children are subjected to worse fumes in the back of a car when people fill up with petrol.

Get a grip P and O. We are not allowed to enjoy ourselves.....we are after all on holiday. And no I don't smoke and never have.

That is very interesting because only last week my friend also had a phone call from her bank as an unusual transaction had been attempted for exactly the same airline , Wizzair.

I think someone earlier in the thread said it is not air bourne. Yes it can be if you come in contact with someone who has vomited and you breathe in small particles from them. Anyone in the same cabin should be confined as well

But if they continue to advertise a cruise at a price that is not available then the Advertising Standards Authority is the place to go. It is incorrect advertising even when on their own website.

PandO are certainly not the only ones who do this

I would do it as well , it isn't a waste of my time and it doesn't matter what the incentive is. P and O are certainly not alone in offering the chance to win a voucher or be put into a draw of some sort. All large companies make such offers for surveys.

As a captive audience drinks prices will go up.

On RC a glass of Sauvignon Blanc $15 about £12 for a standard glass.

What!!!! I love a chilled glass of that and P and O's sauvignon blanc was delicious. One very good reason NOT to go on an American ship.

Incoming..................or one thats free of anti smoking fanatics, smoking areas are clearly defined if you don't like it don't go there. Oh, bye the way I'm a non smoker.

I agree. If you don't like it , steer clear. Generally it's a small area anyway. So let's ban excessive drinkers as well .

As hotels and places to stay the night before a cruise are frequently discussed, I thought I’d post about this brand new addition. We visited with friends at the weekend, here is a brief overview:

 

- Rooms very nice expect to pay approx £250pn

- Food is very good but expect to pay approx £65pp in the restaurant with wine

- Car parking and ease of finding the hotel are both very poor, this may improve as the surrounding developments are completed

- Located at Ocean Village Marina so good views, but it’s on the outskirts of the city

-There is a spa but didn’t see this

-Generally very hip and trendy, won’t let you in to the hotel or venues inside the hotel if your name isn’t on the list (lots of unhappy people milling around, letting the staff know how much they are worth when unable to get into the bar). I think they are trying to create something exclusive so people are desperate to be seen there [emoji849]

-Would I recommend it for a pre-cruise stay? No, I think there are more relaxing, convenient and better priced hotels to choose from before booking this.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

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How much:eek::eek::eek:

Being a Yorkshire lass , I think I will give this a miss .....

Hi,

My husband and I have done 3 previous P&O cruises. Last time my mom and our two children came. We had a site and my mom an inside cabin just outside ours. We were allowed to use the White Room for breakfast and they allowed my mom to dine with us and disembark with our fast pass gold tickets.

Our daughter is eleven years old and disabled and we've just booked to go away next October in a suite on Britannia and also booked a single room for my husbands cousin who lives with us. I asked to get out booking joined and for permission for him to eat breakfast with us and embark and disembark with us. PandO have come back yesterday saying no!

This will mean our family can't dine for breakfast together. Therefore we will have to eat elsewhere which will mean our daughter will have to be in her wheelchair. If we know she hasn't got to stand fir long she can walk and be independent but if she has to queue it will mean using her wheelchair. She wants to be mobile but PandO won't help facilitate. Equally we will have to queue to get off as they will only give us four priority tickets. I find it crazy one person will make no difference but will make a huge difference to or daughters independence and mobility.

We are gutted had plans to take our daughter in the masterclass kitchen and now our ideas are shattered. Shocked that PandO will not consider it a reasonable adjustment for a disabked child. Really tainted my view on the company.

What's your views? Thanks

Sorry but I'm really not sure why the cousin should be allowed in as well. What has this got to do with the title? The cousin is not disabled and P and O are certainly correct. What happened on your 2008 cruise when your daughter would only be two?

I would take a small cafetiere and small disposable spoons, drain as much water out as possible and spoon out the dregs into biodegradable poo bags to put in the bin. I find those bags very useful , not just for the dog !

If your cruise is fairly long , then individual filters are not really sensible , would take up too much room. I personally don't like coffee bags, not strong enough for me , but they are easy to pack and you could take a big supply.