winniesbestm8

we had an amazing day watching them!! Toot off wasn't as I expected it would be when QM2 left though

I have photos if anyone wants to see them

We are just home, wonderful day we were on the Wirral side from just before 10 am, took chairs and a picnic great views.

 

There were HUGE crowds, but an amazing show well done Cunard, tired now and we are sunburnt, how did that happen!

 

The sound & light show & fireworks last night were great and well attended too. It would be interesting to know how many people came.

 

The ship's looked magnificent everyone had a great time thanks to Cunard and Liverpool.

We were on Wirral side I have some photos I am really pleased with. They reckon about 1.3 million!

We have been charged too £400 for two adults and two children, although I received a letter to say we are getting £71 each child back with the new rules on air passenger duty

We sail in New Years Day to Amber cove, nothing up yet with our cruise line for excursions. It is the north side of the island so seas will be rougher on the beaches I think

I was looking at doing something similar, but after being told and researching that it is no good for the sting-rays I am not going to do that tour now and as you say when the ships are in it is mega busy

We loved nelson's Dockyard when we were there 10 years ago! Really recommend it.

I am after a beach trip this time with the kids

Be careful, there are regular incidents where passengers have phoned reception on the final morning. 'we don't have any clothes to wear, we put them in the case'

That is hilarious

I want to take my daughter which I think she can go if we do it independently however p&o won't allow under 8's

I can't see our excursions yet on the personaliser, however thomson charge £48 and someone has said Cunard is £58, so by the time you book independently and hire a taxi, it is probably worthwhile doing the ships excursion

We were on Azura at Christmas and went with an open mind having read lots of negative reviews. We absolutely loved the ship and despite it being Xmas didn't experience any queuing at all. We were freedom dining and only had a pager 3 times with a wait of about 10/15mins max. Service and food was of a good standard and every meal we had was hot and menu choices were good with the back up classic choices as an option if nothing appealed. We made a point of trying things we had not had before and were not disappointed. Loved planet bar' date=' music and staff great. Blue bar good for a bit of people watching!

 

We are sun worshippers and didn't struggle for a lounger on any of the sea days and the waiters were very attentive around the ship meaning you rarely ever waited to be served.

 

The presents for the adults on Xmas Eve was a little bonus and a nice keepsake to remind us of our cruise. We will (I hope) be on Azura again in the future.[/quote']

 

Thanks for your comments, we are on azura at Christmas this year, we have been on Oceana and Ventura, and had tiny little issues - again mostly regarding people, but we tried not to let it ruin our holiday.

You could always buy one of these but they have been causing inflight fights in the USA!

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/10881437/Legroom-wars-the-device-that-stops-plane-seats-reclining.html

Love them!

I have booked for Azura as a solo passenger and it was £100 cheeper to have an inside regular double than an inside solo cabin !!

 

Just do a dummy booking and see what comes up.

we found the same when we booked for my mum for this Christmas!

Thanks Rich!

I hate reclining chairs! Oh well

As long as I get there safe and comfortably I will be happy :)

Been saying that on here till I'm blue in the face!

It is supposed to be better than Thomas Cook though, no? We flew in 2006 to Barbados but booked Premium seating as it was the two of us and our honeymoon, now we have the kids I am not paying £800 for premium.

I am very tall and struggle with airline seats, and hoping the dreamliner will be comfortable enough for me. Can people in front recline seats?

Our flight has swapped from TC to Thomson

Thanks for the review, very honest, and glad you enjoyed your holiday. We are club dining this Christmas on Azura, so no queuing!!! However we fly Christmas day and that is a formal day so I am a little concerned about what time our luggage will arrive!

and I meant 'think' and not 'thing!' - getting over the flu - that is my excuse!

Did I not read recently that the officers serving the crew was a bit of an urban myth ?

Was going to say the same thing, I thing the officers turn up at the start more for publicity then go on their way, not sure how true that is?

I have only ever been away a couple of times on Xmas day the 1st we were in the air the 2nd we had Xmas dinner with the family then flew early evening. If I was on a cruise in the Caribbean I wouldn't want my dinner at lunch time I would want to be taking advantage of a sea day and the sun.

 

I also wouldn't want to be in a queue inside when I could be outside in the sun.

 

I would be happy with what ever time they wanted to serve me dinner in the evening just because I haven't had to slave in a kitchen for hours. Also I would be happy to dress up for dinner because usually I am in comfy clothes because I spend Xmas eve and Xmas day in the kitchen.

 

Maybe I am easily pleased.

 

I do understand that cruises where the weather is not a warm Xmas dinner could be lunch and this would suit people better. P & O are never going to please everyone but you know what is going to happen when you book the cruise - if you don't you should have done your research.

Agree!!

I am happy with our late sitting, we don't get off the plane until 2.30pm so there is no way I would be ready for early sitting, I want to chill a bit, soak up a bit of sun, cheeky nap, when I eat christmas dinner early my day has gone, I am stuff and tired!!!

No it isn't compulsory however they like to create the impression that it is. If you have been to a couple you'll know the ropes. Just take your child(ren) down at the first opportunity, fill in their forms and sign them in.

I went to the first 2, then did this. It waqs something of a relief when my daughter got older and could sign herself in and out, though parents till had to sign H&s forms. This used to happen at age 9 but I believe they have to be older now. What a relief when she turned 18! Filling in "Elf n Safety" forms for a 16 or 17 year old was foolish!

lol - company procedures and the world gone mad I guess, but at least it covers their backs.

I just can't imagine dragging myself back from the beach on Boxing day to go to the meeting, if it is the next sea day I will think about it

My daughter has special needs so I do have to make sure they are aware etc

no need to queue, the queue is for freedom dining passengers as they have 2 dinner sittings on xmas day.

Thanks! It isn't confirmed but judging on the comments it doesn't look the popular option! Works well for us as we can have a sleep then get ready for our meal

Is it compulsory to go?

We have done a few cruises with the children and always gone to the meetings, however these are always the next day so a sea day

We fly to join Azura on Christmas day this year, and don't depart Barbados until the evening on Boxing day, so I was just wondering if they will do the meeting the next day at sea, as more people will be joining us on Boxing day

I am looking forward to our late Christmas Day meal next Christmas.

Only problem is we fly on 25th Dec to join Azura, so not sure how things will work.

I take it if we have booked 2nd sitting club dining we don't need to queue?

Yeah I got that wrong, was 10 years ago we were there!! I just looked at my pics it is St Lucia, can't load it though

I am pretty sure Antigua had a small runway too, we did the tour of the island then we head to some shops and a bar, all wooden and sat out

Can you help? How does this work with freedom dining. Our friends are vegetarian and we are on Aurora in Jan. Previously with fixed dining the menu has been brought to them so they can choose for the following night - but with freedom they wont know where to find us the next night!!

works the same way as club dining, I have done both now, and no problems :)

I have no choice but to book early, we have the kids so we need a 4 berth, we like a balcony and we like to choose where we want our cabin, we met good friends a couple of years back who booked later than us and got a deluxe balcony cheaper than our balcony cabin, I was a little gutted but I was happy with the price, and I don't look after we have booked.

If we leave it late, there isn't much or no availability for us.

I dare look at our Christmas cruise next year, but all I know is I am going next Christmas and the price for a balcony was a lot cheaper for us than when we looked two years prior when we looked at an outside cabin

We were on RCI Serenade of the Seas in May and went to a work-out class but it was very basic - I was the oldest person there and also the fittest! I walked out after 10 minutes.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see what Azura will offer us - dont fancy going over 2 weeks without my Zumba class!

Yeah I wouldn't have stayed to what I saw on Oceana, shame really as I like my zumba! Might see you in the gym