LondonLad60

2 minutes ago, Brummijam said:

 

I quite agree that's true for anyone that lives any distance from the ports, but I am fortunate in that I live well within 75 miles of Portsmouth (and Southampton when Saga used that port) and about 100 miles from Dover, so for a private car to Dover, to me it is worth he extra cost

22 minutes ago, Brummijam said:

Included return chauffeur service

A chauffeur will pick you up from home and take you to the port at Dover or Portsmouth.

2024 cruises: A private chauffeur if you live up to 75 miles of the port each way or a shared chauffeur service up to 300 miles.

2025 cruises: A private chauffeur if you live up to 75 miles of the port each way or a shared chauffeur service nationwide

 

As a previous poster has said everything is always negotiable. Worst possible scenario is you end up paying for the few extra miles.

22 minutes ago, Brummijam said:

Having seen photos and read comments on previous threads regarding this subject I would always opt for paying the extra for a private car.

 

" It is only if people decide to ignore their disembarkation time and try to leave when it suits them that the system breaks down. Again as Devon b&b has said, if you don't like the P&O system/product, then you can always vote with your feet and cruise elsewhere."

Exactly. The last time I was on Arcadia, (autumn 2019) disembarkation was shambolic. My wife and I are in the Ligurian tier of the peninsula club, which (supposedly) gave us priority disembarkation. We got to our allocated venue just before the allocated time, and there were numerous passengers congregating in lift areas and corridors despite having been asked not to in a letter that had been sent to all cabins a few days previously. Whilst waiting in the venue I heard at least two couples boasting that they never go to their allocated venue - they simply wait near the exit and as soon as people start leaving they join in. Judging by the near stampede that ensued when disembarkation started there must have been many other passengers with the same mindset. That wasn't the main reason that my wife and I turned our backs on P&O; it was just one on a list of contributing factors.

28 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

As said above , very strict rules on information about this type of thing, doubt if more than a handful in head office are privy to these negotiations.  Not even Captains will be in the loop.

I was on P&O's Oriana when rumours were flying around about her being sold. At a Peninsular Club lunch the senior officer (I think it was the deputy captain) was asked if he knew anything. He straight batted the question back with the standard reply, "We are not aware of any plans to sell Oriana". A lady on the table said, "This ship has been sold". She was asked, do you mean it's up for sale? She said, "No, it has been sold - and that's all I'm saying". Within a week or so, the sale was announced...

"Throughout the cruise there were many passenger coughing and sneezing, mainly over me I seems. After I started to get through the Norovirus symptoms got these as well, a cough, sore throat and runny nose."

In 26 cruises with P&O and 8 with Saga there have only been two cruises where I have returned home without a cough and/or a cold. These two cruises were of three nights and five nights duration, which suggests to me that there was insufficient time for such coughs and colds to circulate and take hold.

21 minutes ago, Josy1953 said:

Is it mainly families on board to Christmas cruises ? 

3 hours ago, P&O SUE said:

Only had a short cruise on both of these ships but I wanted to go back on them both, lovely memories.

After Adonia went, Oriana became my favourite ship. It wasn't perfect by any means - there again, what ship is? For example, with only one deck of balcony cabins anyone wanting a balcony had to make sure they booked early, and the noise and vibration from the propulsion system has been well documented in other threads. I hadn't cruised on Aurora at that point, so I can't compare Oriana with her, but Oriana ticked more boxes for my wife and I than Arcadia and Oceana did. Just my 2p's worth.

A white DJ will be absolutely fine. Hope you enjoy your first cruise.

We've only had a driver call us once. We had a pickup time of 11:05, and he called at 10:10 to say he would be outside at 10:30, as there had been an accident at the M25 - M20 junction and traffic was building up, so he was allowing extra time. We left home at 10:40, got to the port at 12:25 (the accident had cleared) and were on board at 12:40.

twotravellersLondon above mentioned Morrisons. We've found Morrisons to be the cheapest place in Gibraltar for duty free booze. 

3 minutes ago, Glenndale said:

Off topic again, Cunard are releasing 2026 itineraries early next month.

Unlike Saga their suites do tend to sell out quickly.

In the meantime Saga haven't yet released the summer 2025 itineraries 🤷‍♀️

I asked the Saga World lady on SoA earlier this month when these cruises would be released, and she said early March.

17 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

I know this is going off piste, not linked to orginal post.

 

But on Saga the only reason for a suite is space,  no meaningful benefits  compared to other cabins. Primarily because the benefits in any Saga Cabin are so good,  what more could you want.  In all cabins can order any drink in your room.

 

Perhaps this is one reason suites on Saga aren't the first to sell out unlike many other lines. 

From comments on previous threads, it would seem that suite passengers stand more chance of getting into the speciality restaurants...

17 hours ago, Whiteduck1 said:

I'm really looking forward to this cruise... Hopefully I'll see you on board.. 😊

If I see you, I promise I'll buy you a drink 😉🍷

My apologies; it is indeed Kefalonia. Thanks for spotting that.

3 hours ago, david05 said:

I think you mean the Keffallonnia, not Malta and it just says "Conservative attire is required for the visit to the Monastery" and what that means in practice I have no idea but shorts may not be acceptable. I would suggest you ask at the shore excursion desk once you are on board.

My wife and I have just booked shore excursions for the above cruise. One we have booked for Malta is St Andrews Monastery & Wine Tasting. The description made mention of a dress code for the Monastery. Does anyone have any idea what this dress code would be? Would a short sleeved T-shirt and knee length shorts be acceptable for me? For my wife, would a knee length skirt, shorts or dress be acceptable provided her shoulders are covered? I ask, because having booked the excursion I can't go back into it to check.

Any advice will be appreciated.

On 2/1/2024 at 4:49 PM, Denarius said:

Just leaving port and they‘re shooting at us! A gun salute from one of the old forts. Blanks I hope.

I didn't really mind being shot at. I was more miffed at being awoken from my afternoon Zzzz by the  sound of a pipe and drum band outside our balcony...

6 hours ago, lisiamc said:

That sounds a lovely and fun way to pass an afternoon! 

If one of your Italian ports is Livorno, I suggest you try it in a restaurant called Il Paradosso - you can find it on google maps. The food there is also very good.

13 hours ago, lisiamc said:

That’s unfortunate, but we will survive, I’m sure. Some of our ports are in Italy, so we have hopes of a few nice coffees along the way. 

My favourite coffee in Italy is a Ponce (which thankfully is pronounced ponchay), and it's a speciality of the town of  Livorno. It consists of a small glass of sweet espresso, a shot of rum, a shot of brandy and a slice of lemon. After three of those one lunchtime I was left feeling rather mellow for the rest of the afternoon...

On 1/17/2024 at 9:49 AM, lisiamc said:

The selection of gins sounds very nice. I’m happy with most gins, and thrilled with Sipsmith and Tanqueray. I do draw the line at Lord Andrew, though!

As this will be your first Saga cruise, could you please consider writing a review on your return? I'm sure the regulars on this forum would love to hear your thoughts.

25 minutes ago, JMMKUK said:

If you don't want House Gin you can ask for others. They had Bombay Sapphire included. Not sure what others. The Bombay Sapphire we bought on SoA Duty Free is higher proof than usually available in the UK. It maybe the one they serve is too.

Sipsmith and Tanqueray are also on the inclusive list. 

I'm pretty certain that the slimline tonic is Britvic

I've never had any problem accessing any venue when wearing a lounge suit and tie on formal nights

On cruises where there is bridge, the card room is in use between 10:00am and noon for beginners and improvers instruction and from 2:00pm for duplicate play. I have seen other people playing in there during instruction, but providing they sit at the other end from where the instruction is taking place, and provided they are quiet, the instructors tend to tolerate them. The instruction sessions  only take place on sea days - not sure about the duplicate play. I've seen people playing card games in the Living Room, which is a good idea as it's easy to hail a passing waiter and ask for a drink.

1 hour ago, JoJo1947 said:

I would 😂

Up to 7600 passengers including kids? Rather you than me...