Tablelamp

Jean, I shall do exactly the same and am also on Club dining. So here is my plan, come out from dinner, if I fancy the theatre I shall walk along. If I can get in, I’ll do so, if I can’t I won’t. To be honest, I don’t really have a problem with simple technology, but would prefer not to bother with it when I’m on holiday. I’m also an Aurora girl but haven’t cruised since before Covid. Am on the Ventura at the beginning of March for 35 nights. Christine

Jean, How do you manage to do this NEW thing and book for the theatre. We never had to do so before. I suppose on the Iona and Arvia it might be necessary, they are so huge, more like a block of flats.

Thank you so much. Trouble is, as you get older, technology moves on without you and I really don’t want to spend my time queuing at reception because I cannot manage the technology. I appreciate that I may need to book for a speciality restaurant but have never had to do so for a show. The food in the MDR has always been excellent so using a specialty restaurant will be my choice not a necessity.

Yes, I have an IPad but part of my holiday is “I don’t need to think ahead’”. There was never any need to book anything other than a restaurant ahead on Ventura. I come out from dinner and then decide if I want to go to the theatre or not. I suppose this type of relaxed cruise is now a thing of the past.

How do I log on to the P and O App. With no mobile phone. I don’t want to spend my time queuing at reception. Is this a new thing for Ventura? Can it be done on the Cabin TV?

I may get some FFP3 masks and wear them in crowded areas, certainly during embarkation and the muster drill.

I choose to wear a face mask in crowded areas. Are P and O going to look at me with suspicion.

Oh, I’d not considered of that. I would have thought that P and O would think I was being a. ‘Good and thoughtful passenger’. Not the case?

I will imagine they will give all who are sailing a glass of champagne that evening.

I’m only taking them to protect other passengers. It’s what my friends and I do when we visit each others houses.

What about going to reception and asking if you can book a table each night at the same time. Worth a try?

You can imagine it then, having to open the theatre doors during rehearsals..

Club dining is on Aurora, Arcadia, Azura and Ventura. (Don’t know about Britannia). First sitting is at 6 or 6.30 (cannot remember which). 2nd sitting is 8.30. There is no queuing, but you MUST turn up at your allocated time. You choose your size of table When you book or soon after.

Some years ago, P and O Aurora had a Company who bought a Classical Music workshop onboard. It was so popular, that the theatre doors were kept open during rehearsals and people just sat there. It was continued for a few years but sadly finished. Does anybody remember? (No waiter service of course). Happy days.

They really should explain to you in Laymans terms what the problem is. At least you would understand and be able to move forward in a better frame of mind.

Does anybody know if the cabins on Ventura have disposal facilities for used LFT kits. Sharon may know.

I have a friend on the Iona at the moment. She tells me that the quality of the food has deteriorated and that you need to ask if you want a banana. They are no longer put out on the buffet at breakfast time.

I just wish I had known about these ‘cut backs’ before I paid my final balance. Imagine what it has cost me for a 35 night cruise. This was supposed to be my swan song, saving up for it for a very long time.

I wonder if you can use the TV’s on Ventura to book things.

I really don’t understand P and O’s reluctance to serve shellfish. It’s not as though it is expense.

It’s not only Prawn Cocktail that I have an obsession with, it is the lack of shellfish, and I’m not talking about lobster which I think is overrated. A good dish of moules is wonderful. That and a baguette would keep me going all day.

Unlike the larger ships, Ventura still do a first and second sitting in the evening so there is no need to book for that. (There is also Freedom dining which I imagine you would need to join a queue. However, should you use this restaurant for lunch time do you need to book in advance. Any help greatly appreciated.

Friend of mine is on the Iona. If you want a banana from the buffet for breakfast, you need to ask. It sounds as thought P and are trying to see how far they can cutback without causing a riot and I can see that coming. I am happy to try the speciality restaurants but I object to being forced to do so because of poor quality food and long queues in the inclusive restaurants.

Harry, I think I am noticing these cut backs more because having been a very frequent cruiser, I have not done so since pre-Covid, so all the cutbacks have hit me in one go. I think, like you I was used to being pampered. I think my main ‘beef’ are cut backs in the MDR. Whilst I enjoy going to the speciality restaurants, I take objection to having to do so because of the poor quality of food in the MDR. I have read 12 Ventura menus and they all featured Cesar salad as a starter. Not a prawn cocktail in sight. As regards the iron, we are in a throw away society.

I am trying to find out if I may get prawn cocktail in the MDR in the evenings or prawns and other shellfish in the buffet at lunchtime. If you will be on the Ventura in 3 weeks could you do some sleuthing for me please?