beachmad123

well we live in France so we are on lockdown. We have a big garden so lots to keep us busy and a holiday rental to up keep although this year looks not so good.  However we have had clear direction on what we can and can't do we all recieved a SMS from the government because they had told the mobile phone companies to send it to everyone. Basically we can go out for food shopping medical reasons and exercise on our own within 2km from our house.  A friend told me she went to the supermarket and was given gloves to wear everyone 2 meters apart  and 50 people only allowed into the supermarket at any one time.  Whatever your point of view we are reasonable clear on what we can do and what consequences we have if we fail to comply.  

3 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

Generally speaking yes, application of common sense after decades of misleading and downright incorrect data from WHO officials would tend to support this.

Yes I agree Terrier John 

My figures are based on the reality of what's happened in Wuhan and we will have to wait for 3 months to see whether the figures are closer to reality than WHO hysteria. 

Sorry yes got my figures related to something else.

480000 catch it 18000 die

Based on the population of Wuhan being 11000000 and 80000 being infected and 3000 dying it appears to be slowing down or stopping multiple these factors by 6 to replicate the 66 million who live in the uk.

If uk figures represent China figures. 

We can at the expect 6000 people get it and 180 people die. 

Having looked at the worldwidef igures for the Coronavirus with currently under 100000.

Why are the uk government saying millions could be affected . To me its just not a logical assumption. I can see this could impact on if a cruise ship docks in certain countries but now I'm beginning to understand P O reluctance to cancel cruises 

This was our experience we went to reception to ask for a balcony cabin.

We were prepared to pay extra and were put on a list . We held off unpacking for about 3 hours still no news.

They never got back to us either with its going to cost you x amount or sorry we can't do it .

We then hit some rough seas and were glad we stayed where we were.

Just to add we were on Deck 8 and the internet worked well in the cabin

We were on Ventura in December and we bought the browse package about 4 times on our cruise the other times we checked email in ports.

We need to check emails update our work calendar's so we need to log into various holiday rental sites to do this.

We read the papers online checked weather  etc etc. sent messages via WhatsApp even sent pictures. 

I can honestly say I had no complaints with the speed and used it all over the ship and wouldn't hesitate to buy or reccomend it.

Your 24 hours will start to countdown from the time you purchased it. So you could stagger it over a two day period 

Also on the observation that the pools are overrun its actually a common complaint for any type of holiday especially in summer. Even getting to the beach in good weather is a nightmare because of to many people trying to do the same thing. We often camp abroad out of season and find it brilliant however read the reviews of the campsites in July August there normally not so good because everything is at full capacity and pool overcrowding is normally the top complaint during these months 

We need a little of both, it's a fine balance for them they need to appeal to such a wide range of people. So naturally they will attract various types of people.  For me its lovely to order your breakfast delivered to your room only did it three times but I would like them to keep that bit of luxury 

1 hour ago, AndyMichelle said:

I do agree, thats why I started the thread, but then realised it happened to me..

Not all things are as clear as your ad, especially with the way P&O market them. The answers are there, but you do have to hunt a bit for them. 

Andy 

Its true it's happened to me but normally when its pointed out I don't argue I just apologize for being so stupid and not reading things properly.  

However I will concide that I've got my doubts about what TA explain to customers ie saver or select fare . The woman in the library who was complaining about  paying for shuttle buses said I will be talking to my TA but it's not Pando fault. 

1 hour ago, DamianG said:

 

You've just got to laugh at some of the questions on social media many of which could be answered by a quick check of the terms and conditions or even just by searching online. Presumably most of the posters just can't be bothered to research for themselves.

Actually I wholeheartedly agree with Damian people are extremely lazy and can't be bothered to read anything. We live in a society where everyone expects others to do everything. We have a holiday rental and the questions we get asked are just plain ridiculous.  For example is there a barbecue there is a picture on the advert, what time can we arrive and leave clearly stated on the advert, yesterday's was hilarious could we have some pictures of the living room there are 5 pictures already of the living room so we just said .

On our Last cruise a woman arrived in the library moaning she wasn't going to pay for the shuttle bus here we go I thought we would all book saver fare wouldn't we if we got the same perks .

With so many different personalities on the ship its difficult to get consistency. 

Our last cruise we had a excellent cabin steward who wanted to make sure we had everything we needed. When we went to the MDR our waiters were equally good always trying to please. So much so that it made me realize in comparison to the cruise before these waiters were streaks ahead.  Getting back on topic I did observe that the bar staff were slow joking and chatting among themselves while customers waited.  But generally all over the ship the staff are very polite and pleasant. 

Considering the amount of staff in any business I think there will always be some who do the minimum and those who go the extra mile 

29 minutes ago, P&O SUE said:

I have done two 4 night cruises and a 5 night one and I don’t remember any problems with waiting for a drink. I hope this is not a new thing with the new iPads/ drink packages as my next cruise is a two night one!!

Best order now !

2 hours ago, AndyMichelle said:

Valid point Dai. 

As we got off, a lot of new crew arrived, so wonder if that had anything to do with it. 

45 minute wait for a drink in all the bars was about the average, never had that before, but it was the shortest cruise we have done. 

Andy 

45 minute wait for a drink think of the money you saved.

You call that cheap we managed to get a cabin on Brittany ferries for £40 and that's was for 2 people only one night mind you.

47 minutes ago, AndyMichelle said:

In comparison to the rest of the P&O fleet? 

Choice, (dining, venues etc), new, geared at slightly different audience, cost, greener. 

Very good question, I didn't think I would struggle to answer... 

Andy 

Thankyou Andy I had the same thoughts I came up with new and bigger 

Just wondering what are the main selling points of iona ?

But when you are at sea it isn't connected to any network I've never seen a network on my phone not even the ship's,  am I wrong ?

5 hours ago, AlanCruise said:

If you leave your phone on (with Data Roaming disabled!) then it will always receive texts free of charge, even if connected to the ships satellite system. We have used this as a method for someone to contact us if needed. And as the previous reply says sending a text is quite cheap.

 

In some caribbean islands your home package may be available - depending on your network.

 

But be aware that if you answer a call the charge may be significant and some networks charge you if someone leaves a message.

 

Also be aware that if the phone connects to the satellite system it may reset to GMT time - makes a mess of any alarms you have set for the morning.

Well thankyou I didn't realize that I would  not be charged to receive text messages that's really useful to know 

We were recently on the Ventura and bought the £12 internet when we needed it so not everyday but I can say we were really pleased with the speed and connection and we used it all over the ship

On 10/9/2019 at 9:27 PM, Goosebear Mum said:

I saw this on the FAQs ages ago, I am sure at least two years. I don’t think it’s new. 

I agree with Goosebear this isn't a new policy they have said this for years

It's a non story 

Don't forget to invite Ronald !

I would call them.  we booked over the telephone 2 years ago and were select but found out we were in the same position as you, cabin grade guaranteed.  We only realized after the holiday but we're happy with our cabin position however now we are more on the ball I would definitely want to choose where I was.

As the Sussex royals are not financially independent and cannot afford there royal yacht. P&O have generously made available a suite on Iona for there exclusive use and as they are financially strapped for cash they will gladly except any bottles of Moet from fellow passengers.  There is also no truth in the rumor that the ship will be renamed princess Meghan.