Windsurfboy

A lot of people are saying they will leave P&O, some quote Saga. Saga just published latest 6 months. Average per deim was £331 per passenger. OK this includes suites, singles. When you take into account the numbers of each type of cabin, average for standard balcony cabin in last 6 months is £285pppn . Many including myself still think Saga is worth it. But it's a huge step up in cost to P&O. P&O is still value, but its a different line to what it was.

Good news Get your TA to create hell. Let the TA know you wonder if you'd have been better to book direct , but given the stress you expect Cunard to make up fot it , and sorting this out is why you use a TA in the future and not book direct

See comments above

I thought a shuttle bus was included in Select fare. 950 meters is enough to justify a shuttle bus.

Under normal circumstances no , but this is not normal.

Talk to cunard directly as well as getting TA to, let them know it's your honeymoon and how let down you feel. As well as the refund there is a lot Cunard can do to make you feel extra special on board. Explain you specifically wanted a balcony because your wife doesn't like crowded spaces. I'd push for access to the grills deck. Start off nice , always be polite, but if push comes to shove explain it would be a PR disaster if this spread across media and social media. Cunard ruins honeymoon by selling balcony cabin twice (doesn't have to be true but sounds gòd)

More seriously, say OK I'll accept cabin downgrade, only if I am upgraded to the QG dining room , allowed to use grills deck etc, plus what ever perks other people here could suggest , premium drinks packages... PS still insist on full compensation, which by the way if it was airline by law you should get 75% of fare

The Captain has a very nice Cabin, tell Cunard that if they truly believe in customer service then perhaps he/she would like to try out a sea view Cabin.

The silly thing is if P&O had increased prices by even just £2pppn no one would have noticed, no fuss , yet it would cost you more than the impact of 1 bottle per person vs room service cost

Given P&O and Cunard were the last few lines to let you take drink on board, it's surprising it's taken so long for this to be tightened up. It was a benefit not a right. The only complaint is the short notice. Yes prices on older all adults ships have gone up, but that's market forces, if the demand wasn't there, they wouldn't have.

If you look at Saga latest results as highlighted in thread on strategic partners. Ocean cruises made average of £331 per deim per passenger. This of course includes solos, deluxe, and suites. Who pay more per head. However standard double cabins are nearly 80%. When you take into account the numbers of each type of cabin and higher cost ,eg a midship Suite pays 190%. Then the average per deim is 117% of the average for a standard cabin. So Saga averaged £285 ppn for it's standard cabins. Of course an E deck on launch would be less and a late booking for A deck more. Still a healthy price putting Saga towards luxury lines and well above likes of Cunard. We must think its value as have booked again

Looks healthy if investors have patience. They will escape the trap and costs of the fixed price 3 year insurance deals by end of this financial year. Debt on ships is being paid off. Unless the unexpected happens, which is always possible, will be a very profitable company by 2026. So not desperate for a partnership at any terms. But one that is win win

It must be a coincidence that vegetables are cheaper than meat or fish.

The comparison to what you do at home is irrelevant. I think once a week is the norm home. A cruise is about luxury. The feel of clean bedding is a luxury. Once a week is not a luxury. At least twice a week is minimum.

I note 40% ie 2 out of 5 of the main courses are vegan or vegetarian. So for the 89% of the population who are not vegan/vegetarian (maybe a higher % in cruising age group) there is only a choice of 3 main courses. Hardly an extensive menu. But this is not unique to QA. PS I know everyone will say there is the a la carte but that doesn't change

Once sailed on it predecessor CMV from Cape Town to London, only ship going when we wanted to return. It was fine, basic edible English food at dinner (buffet exactly same food as MDR), breakfast buffet like a premier inn, OK service, good singers in entertainment all in house. Very basic, but very nice crowd of Aussies going home to see family, so some fun evenings. Made up for lack of anything like luxury. Good value for money, if low price is your criteria.

Thanks might make it first port of call

For ships that sail out of Southampton, for older "smaller "ships number 1 would be Cunard. Nearest in price (excluding grills) and size. Although once prices hit £200pppn then you are close to Saga prices and there's no comparison, Saga wins across the board. Conversely at the cheapest end Ambassador is an alternative, but don't expect much, you get what you don't pay for. For the Family ships it will be MSC or TUI Of course many cynics might say Butlins

Please let us know how you get on. Does it exist do many people leave books

I do a lot of cruises South Africa to UK, perhaps I'm unlucky but never found them much cheaper per night than normal. Going back to general discussion. P&O prices from what is said and cursory examination are much more expensive on older Adult only ships. Almost two different companies. To my mind once to start paying smaller (P&O) ship prices, might as well pay that extra for next level up. Mega ships are the bargains. But they are marmite ships

My question was specfic to Epicurean where we will be eating most nights. So I will have a chat with Maitre D. I will not walk round the ship from Epicurean to an aft suite with a bottle in my hand or take a bottle with us to be theatre. No longer a student. There isn't that much red by the glass I fancy as a treat , was looking forward to the Barolo, or Gevrey Chambertin.

It's about time someone stood up for P&O. P&O is not a charity. Cabin Prices have come down in real terms. The Business model, has changed, more profits coming from on-board spend. P&O drinks prices are reasonable. They can’t be expected to stock every brand, but as long as they have an entry brand , a medium brand and a top range whats to complain. In the old days when they were happy for people to drink their own in cabin, they made a handsome profit on cabin, on board spending was a bonus. I'm sure of you wrote to the right person in P&O and said I'm happy to pay another £30pp per night if you let me bring own drink for in cabin consumption they'd be very happy. But those of us who drink in bars and restaurants would not be so happy

Thank you

The logic doesn't compute, you are willing to spend £1000s more on Amazara/ silversea/Oceania, so you can save at most a £100 or so bringing own drinks

I know Arvia doesn't have a proper library, but let's not get into that discussion. However I remember someone saying there was a book swap shelf somewhere but can't remember where. Given size of Arvia don't want to spend whole cruise looking for it. Can someone tell me where it is , do many people use it. Thanks.