AndyMichelle

I agree with both sides of this 'argument' ... I am a great believer in life that if you don't like something, change it. So, if P&O no longer suits you, try elsewhere. So much has changed that all of us have decisions to make, does the current offering still suit us? In truth, for us, it probably still does. We will consider other lines, but the familiarity of P&O and the choice from Southampton is still a draw. We might just have to consider itinerary, length of cruise and ship more. Andy

Ooh, near miss in Tiffany's, good swerve😂 Glad you got to spend some time with Dai, we only got to meet him briefly but seemed like he would be great company. I definitely fancy this itinerary, although we have been to many of the ports before, we really like the Scandinavian towns. Thanks again for your updates, really enjoying them. Andy

Yes, very easy. There is a drop off lane, bags in the hole in the wall, then drive straight out again. I think you are right about 11.30. People were trying to drop off luggage when we were disembarking about 9AM.. They were turned away, they just caused havoc. Andy

We got the right card back, but often other passengers drinks... Andy

It is, especially as there is always a concern when waiters walk off with your card then come back confused with who ordered what. Andy

Not a bad thing at all. I didn't like the 3.15 time we were given, but that's what we were given, so adapted it to suit us and fortunately, got lucky. It's their call, if we don't like it and it doesn't change, we can all go to these magical places that do it better. Andy

The system seems to be working fine, if you arrive on time... I don't recall anybody arriving on time reporting having to queue much? It is a worry though if you get a late boarding time like we did, being too aware of how Southampton can come to a standstill without any notice. As said before, we planned to drop our bags off and go for lunch, but was luckily waved through as it was really quiet. I'm sure many in the queue are now aware of the rules, but are happy to wait outside with no worries of being stuck in traffic and if they do get called early, great. Of course for the early arrivers they would like to wait inside, but if they are aware and still turn up early, it's their choice. Andy

Have a great time. Andy

I'm all for people enjoying their holiday how they want, but if I wanted to wear shorts in the main dining room, I would book a different cruise line. Not saying the policy is right, but it's the policy. If shorts were allowed, I would probably be the one wearing them, but they are not. Andy

Same as our experiences Andrew. Although we liked Ventura on the whole, it does feel a lot busier than others, especially in poor weather when everyone crams inside. Andy

The cabins may not be available, they probably just haven't allocated the saver cabins yet. So, for instance, if say 340 saver cabins are sold, they will try to maximise revenue for the last 10. Andy

No, only Arcadia & Aurora in P&Os fleet. Andy

It doesn't quite add up Cathy. We were early dropping off bags, were happy to go off for lunch but they waved us through as not busy. Nobody seemed in fear for their jobs that day... Andy

No, still not being done on Britannia, not even flambé away from the table, done in the kitchen apparently. Although P&OSue reports that everything was available on Ventura... Andy

Yep, easy walk across the park. If you can't leave your luggage at the hotel, you can drop it off earlier then go back for a wander. Have a great cruise, Andy

Or pain in the.... 😂

Skjolden sounds lovely, our type of place. Some of the niggles you are having reflect our experience and, although I wish you didn't have to put up with them, I'm also glad it wasn't only us as we seemed to be the only ones on our cruise being bothered by screaming kids and rowdy passengers. But, as you said before, there is so much good to enjoy, it easily outweighs the bad. Thank you for reporting in, we appreciate it. Andy

We didn't get an amuse buche at all, or blackcurrant lolly!!! Or maps, or biscuits, or water, or Claire Sweeney... Andy

Or she might just want to get in your room to steal your biscuits...😂

Not stowing away this time then Phil😂

I didn't even get any on the first date.... Story of my teenage years😂

Another thing you have to ask for...

You are selling it to me John. Sounds great, thank you for reporting back, enjoy the rest of your cruise. Andy

Spot on. We were aware of a lot of the cutbacks prior to sailing, so tried to see it from a new cruisers perspective. Didn't work, spent half the holiday going 'oh, they haven't got.....'😂 Andy

Smoked salmon was available at breakfast on Britannia. I don't eat it, but saw others having it whilst 'food perving' 😂 Andy