AndyMichelle

If they did have to head for the buffet, it is the best time to do it. The food will be fresh and the hoarders wouldn't have arrived by then. Recently on embarkation day, they had a member of staff ensuring people wash their hands, which was nice and necessary. Andy

Can we please keep the food pics coming... As you know, I love a bit of 'food perving' 😍😂 Andy

You know the rules Zapp... No pictures, it didn't happen😂

I think a lot of the performers in the headliners, Pulse etc are PA graduates. The limelight seems to be driven by the Paul Ludlow statement that the target audience were the Saturday night TV watchers. We will have Mr Blobby next😂 Andy

Interested to hear replies to this too. We have booked with family next year in 4 adjoining cabins for 4 couples, but 1 has a pull down bed. I assured them it will be fine, but the truth is, I don't really know... Andy

I thought that with saver, you just got what was left over and couldn't change? If it is made easy, then that's another thing that weakens the select offering... Andy

Friends of ours recently did this with 3 adults and did not mention any issues and, believe me, they would😂 I have seen reports about the pull down beds only being suitable for children, but never a bad review about the sofa bed, so hopefully you will be OK. Andy

This worked a treat for us. Would also come in handy for a night light. Andy

Agree with all that Selbourne and Kitty have said about Britannia. We had a slow start with Michelle having 2 consecutive bad mdr meals, but things definitely improved with service and quality. We have booked a couple more Britannia cruises and as much as I would like to try Arvia and Iona, until they sort out the dining situation, I won't consider them. Too many reports of long delays have really put me off for now. I need the assurance of fixed dining, we don't mind sharing if we have to. Rather that than wait 2 hours to eat... Andy

We always seemed to get 'kennel cough' on cruises and put it down to the aircon. This time Michelle took a small humidifier, which also lights up if you want it to, very calming. No coughs this time. Andy

As we have discussed before, freedom dining no longer exists in reality. It's join a queue or take a pager, then wait up to 2 hours for your dinner, that's not eating when 'you' choose. We were so happy to know we had a table saved at a fixed time for us and planned our day/evening around that. Unfortunately, with so many switching to club dining, this may become unmanageable with less tables for 2 etc available and I fear 'freedom' dining will become the saver option that nobody wants... P&O really need to sort this out... Andy

Fantastic, sounds just like how a cruise should be, for us anyway.. Glad you had a great time, thank you for reporting back. Andy

On Britannia recently, the first night was a bit of a shocker regarding what people were wearing.. Fortunately, on the first formal night, there was a massive uptake in dressing up. I put it down to a combination of people not bothering due to travelling etc and some passengers interpretation of what is smart casual. Some of the youngsters think that ripped jeans and 'muscle' t shirts are fine? Andy

We were on Britannia just before Selbourne, there was absolutely no availability for the Beach House, or any other restaurant after the first day. After a poor first experience in the mdr, we tried to book anything, but were unable to. Andy

Great narrative Damian. Have a fantastic time, looking forward to reading your updates. Andy

Sorry I don't. The excuse usually spouted is that the terminals can't cope with the bigger ships..... Not sure how this relates to the 2 you are travelling on. I suppose they would say one rule for all... Andy

The dismissive posts don't only come from the posh people... We had a late embarkation time, it is a real worry, so my choice was to arrive early, drop bags off and either wait in the covered queue or go and have some lunch. We was aware there was no option to wait inside. I agree they could handle it better, the whole system seems unnecessary, it would be nice if we can wait inside like we used to, but we can't. As you often say, people will vote with their feet if they feel mistreated. It does seem like the queues are getting less & less, so P&O will say it is working... Andy

That's not fair. You do seem to be the exception though. Most report that arriving up to about half hour before get called straight in. Andy

Spot on... Now passengers are aware of the procedure, less and less arrive early. The ones that do understand the rules and, although I am sure they are hopeful of being let in early, accept they will probably have to queue outside, but at least they are there safely, in plenty of time. P&O are not making them queue outside, they are choosing to. Andy

That's a shocker!!! We met him with his family onboard Aurora I think... Slightly strange man, but very funny and we would never have guessed... The suit and flip flops should have given us a clue😊 Andy

Yes, we had a chap a few cabins along who thought it was constantly OK to vape on his balcony, nothing was done to stop him as far as I know... I could cope with Portsmouth, that's 20 minutes the other way😊 Andy

What a palaver!!! Surely they will have to introduce a better system which is fair for everyone? Andy

Just wish P&O would enforce the no smoking on balconies policy more... We always seem to get talking to a family at disembarkation that has a late flight back to Scotland or Ireland, and are stuck in Southampton for the day with all their luggage, usually with children... Always feel guilty saying we will be home in 20 minutes😊 We sail from Southampton because it's easy for us, I wouldn't even want to travel to Dover or Tilbury unless I really had to, so totally understand using the regional ports. Andy

Very jealous... Aren't the Privateers great. Have a fantastic time. Andy

Going 'up to Truro' is a phrase I have never encountered before... 😂