23 hours ago, snaefell said:

Nice pics thanks but if you found the one day each way in the North Sea hard work you don't sound like a candidate for a Transatlantic crossing!😆

I would be ok if it was sunny 😎 

Some more pics. We enjoyed Norway but the day up the North Sea and back down again is a bit of a waste of time if the weather is poor which it was on both days.

Just returned from Britannia cruise on Friday. 
Brief review.

Embarkation was very quick although we were allocated a 3.30 time.

Accidentally left my belt in port security scanning tray but upon enquiring at Guest Relations the following day  it had been sent on board and so was pleased to get it back.

we had an obscured view balcony cabin on deck 8. Cabin nice and clean ( unlike Azura in March) and the new carpets were good. In fact everywhere we went there were new carpets and furnishings. The ship is in good condition.

In order to ensure we got our favourite table for 2 in Peninsular we ate early at 6 by booking using the My Holiday app. 
The food wasn’t particularly great and fairly similar each night ( a 14 night cruise would be a struggle ) but the service from our waiters was truly excellent. We normally dine a couple of times in the Glass House but didn’t bother this time in view of the service in Peninsular.

We normally go to most shows but had already seen all three Headliners shows at least twice before and so didn’t bother. The guest artists were a three girl group Rox who we went to see once and realised we had seen them before and didn’t bother with their last night show. There was a solo male singer that did a couple of nights but we didn’t bother. There were no tribute bands that week.

It looked like drinks prices had increased as the My Holiday app hadn’t been updated in the Glass House and the Menu in the bar showed higher prices. Will post pics below. 
Lack of a central staircase is still a source of annoyance and on disembarking we had to walk from midship to forward and carry cases down the front staircase. Good job we weren’t on a higher floor. Other than that self disembark was easy.

Looking forward to being back on Britannia 3 weeks today . Last cruise on Britannia was last August when we broke the lines during a storm in Palma.

The return flight arrived back at Manchester this afternoon at 15:15 instead of 05:25. 
 

We are due to fly from Manchester on 9th March to board Azura. Jet 2 flight from Terminal 2 at 06.00 . Will check in about 04.00. Got parking in the adjacent multi storey T2 West for £70.20. 

I would argue that it is reasonable to expect that the organiser of the package would provide compensation for flight delays in accordance with the package travel regs ( and if not that the organiser has not performed in accordance with the contract) but accept that a court will have to determine this . Probably worth a Small Claims Court claim against P&O in the event that Maleth fail to pay out.

The relevant section to be determined is :

“If any of the travel services are not performed in accordance with the package travel contract” 

5 hours ago, carlanthony24 said:

Regarding compensation you will not get from P&O for flight being delayed it’s is the airlines responsibility to pay out always been the case. If not you will have to go through the CAA and see what they say. https://www.caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/how-the-caa-can-help/how-the-caa-can-help/ further down you can send in a complaint.

Untrue - see my post above. Also CAA have no real powers. Your remedy in the event that Maleth fail to pay out for flight compensation will be to pursue P&O under the 2018 Package Travel regs.

I would suggest contacting P&O without delay as the regs say that you must inform the organisers without undue delay :

3) The traveller must inform the organiser without undue delay, taking into account the circumstances of the case, of any lack of conformity which the traveller perceives during the performance of a travel service included in the package travel contract.

I would guess that there is a high degree of likelihood that Maleth will fail to honour the delayed flight compensation claims and if so  then  realistically the only option for passengers will be to take action against P&O ( as organiser of the package) under :Search

Relevant section:

15.—(1) The provisions of this regulation are implied as a term in every package travel contract.

(2) The organiser is liable to the traveller for the performance of the travel services included in the package travel contract, irrespective of whether those services are to be performed by the organiser or by other travel service providers.

(3) The traveller must inform the organiser without undue delay, taking into account the circumstances of the case, of any lack of conformity which the traveller perceives during the performance of a travel service included in the package travel contract.

(4) If any of the travel services are not performed in accordance with the package travel contract, the organiser must remedy the lack of conformity within a reasonable period set by the traveller unless that—

(a)is impossible; or

(b)entails disproportionate costs, taking into account the extent of the lack of conformity and the value of the travel services affected.

(5) Where the organiser does not remedy the lack of conformity within a reasonable period set by the traveller for a reason mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (4), regulation 16 applies.

(6) Where the organiser refuses to remedy the lack of conformity or where immediate remedy is required, the traveller—

(a)may remedy the lack of conformity; and

(b)is entitled to reimbursement of the necessary expenses.

(7) A traveller to whom paragraph (6)(a) applies is not required to—

(a)set a reasonable period pursuant to paragraph (4), and

(b)if such a period has been set, wait until the end of the period,

before the traveller remedies the lack of conformity.

(8) Where the organiser is unable to provide a significant proportion of the travel services as agreed in the package travel contract, the organiser must offer, at no extra cost to the traveller, suitable alternative arrangements of, where possible, equivalent or higher quality than those specified in the contract, for the continuation of the package, including where the traveller’s return to the place of departure is agreed.

(9) Where the organiser offers proposed alternative arrangements which result in a package of lower quality than that specified in the package travel contract, the organiser must grant the traveller an appropriate price reduction.

(10) The traveller may reject the proposed alternative arrangements offered under paragraph (8) only if—

(a)they are not comparable to the arrangements which were agreed in the package travel contract; or

(b)the price reduction granted is inadequate.

(11) Where—

(a)a lack of conformity substantially affects the performance of the package; and

(b)the organiser fails to remedy the lack of conformity within the reasonable period,

the traveller may terminate the package travel contract without paying a termination fee and, where appropriate, is entitled to a price reduction, or compensation for damages, or both, in accordance with regulation 16.

(12) If—

(a)the organiser is unable to make alternative arrangements, or

(b)the traveller rejects the proposed alternative arrangements in accordance with paragraph (10),

the traveller is, where appropriate, entitled to a price reduction, or compensation for damages, or both, in accordance with regulation 16 without terminating the package travel contract.

(13) If the package includes the carriage of passengers, the organiser must, in the cases referred to in paragraphs (11) and (12), also provide repatriation of the traveller with equivalent transport without undue delay and at no extra cost to the traveller.

(14) Where the organiser is unable to ensure the traveller’s return as agreed in the package travel contract because of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, the organiser must bear the cost of necessary accommodation, if possible of equivalent category—

(a)for a period not exceeding 3 nights per traveller; or

(b)where a different period is specified in the Union passenger rights legislation applicable to the relevant means of transport for the traveller’s return, for the period specified in that legislation.

(15) The limitation of costs referred to in paragraph (14) does not apply to persons with reduced mobility as defined in point (a) of Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air(1) and any person accompanying them, pregnant women and unaccompanied minors, as well as persons in need of specific medical assistance, provided that the organiser has been notified of their particular needs at least 48 hours before the start of the package.

(16) The organiser’s liability under paragraph (14) may not be limited by reason of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances if the relevant transport provider may not rely on such circumstances under the applicable Union passenger rights legislation.

12 hours ago, cheshire said:

A bit naughty by Maleth.  Rather than show a delay they have “rescheduled” the flight so that those looking can’t see any issue. Should have left at 10:30 at least Eu261 should pay €600 each!! 

Assume the return flight similarly delayed and so another plane load to compensate at €600 pp. Doesn’t seem a sensible way to run an airline. 

11 hours ago, CarlaMarie said:

 

The amount of claims to be paid out on must be huge by now.

 

It doesn't appear the plane has left Antigua yet. 

No payouts - flights took off with less than 3 hours delays and will probably make up an hour on return flight with tailwinds

Suggest you avoid last week of March as that will be first week of School Easter holiday.

We parked there in August on a 2 week Britannia cruise. Only paid £5 per day but note above that it’s now £6. You park on the higher levels and there are plenty of spaces. I dropped my wife off at the cruise terminal with the cases and then drove to West Quay, parked and walked back.

Just watching this video of the events of yesterday

50 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

I would be having my arguments with P and O.

Wouldn't even expect to be taken to the airport to have to speak  with the airline??

P&O should really have taken passengers to local hotels ( if any available) rather than dumping them at the airport. It looks like some passengers were kept on board but that impacted on those on board as the sailing was then delayed and a port cancelled. 

4 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

This looks like a P and O customer service issue much more than an airline issue IMO?

 

Once a flight is delayed surely it's P and O who have to step in and sort accommodation?

 

Am I wrong?

It is Maleth who are liable but clearly P&O must have been aware as to what was going on.

Passenger rights : https://www.caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/delays/

Sounds absolutely dreadful. Hope everyone claims against the airline for travel delay compensation.

8 hours ago, uktog said:

How do travel agents in the UK view this?  They already have set arrangements with the cruiseline on the (pretty late) due date for transferring payments over to them.  Is Azamara offering this to anyone booked through a UK agent?  I have two bookings where it might have applied but heard nothing 

I suspect it’s only direct bookings

I would be temped at 10% but will give the 5% offer a miss

2 hours ago, uktog said:

Only works for direct bookers I assume 

I guess so as the offer only applies if you have received the email.

Terms:

PAY-IN-FULL PROMOTION:  

The Pay-In-Full Benefits Program ( the “Offer”) is available to guests who choose the option to pay for their remaining cruise fare balance in full after receiving an email indicating they are eligible. Participation in the “Offer” does not change the refundability of the cruise fare and guests will retain their normal cancellation policies. The Offer is available for select guests currently booked on sailings departing on or after July 1, 2024 and includes the following potential benefits: (i) Guests who pay for their sailing in full may receive a 5% discount of the total cruise fare; (ii) Guests who pay in full may  receive a future Onboard Credit (“OBC”) that amounts to 5% of the cruise fare; (iii) and Guests may have the option to choose between (i) and (ii).   Guests must call the Contact Center no later than 5:00p.m. local time on January 3, 2024, to redeem the Offer. The Offer is combinable with Back-to-Back OBC, Loyalty quarterly savings, National Account amenity or hosted programs, reduced single supplements, and onboard booking savings. The Offer does not combine with onboard booking reduced deposits, net rates, travel agent rates, interline rates, or employee rates. Offer and pricing are subject to availability and change without notice and may be withdrawn by Azamara  at any time. Unless otherwise noted, all amounts referred to herein are in USD (United States Dollars). Other terms and conditions may apply, please refer to the Azamara Cruise Ticket Contract.  SUGGESTION: After the offer period, if a guest changes their ship and sail date, changes their category, or requests a refund, the Pay In Full Benefits are subject to removal. 

ELIGIBLE PAY-IN-FULL SAILINGS: 

Select guests booked on sailings departing on or after July 1st, 2024.  

REDEEMING PAY-IN-FULL OFFER: 

Eligible guests must call the Azamara Contact Center by 5:00 p.m. local time on January 3rd, 2024, to redeem the Offer. 

EXCLUSIONS: 

Any bookings already paid in full are not eligible for this promotion. 

ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS: 

Upon submission of payment [or last payment], the guest will acknowledge that they have read, understand, and accept the terms and conditions of the Cruise Ticket Contract, including the Cancellation Policy. 

Looks like an attempt to raise cash:

“We hope you are looking forward to your upcoming cruise! As part of our ongoing commitment to creating unforgettable experiences for our cherished guests, we’re excited to extend a special opportunity your way.

For a limited time, you have the chance to save on any of your currently booked cruises sailing after July 1, 2024. Pay in full and choose your reward – save 5% on your fare or earn 5% of your cruise fare in onboard credit*. Call our contact center and pay in full by January 3, 2024, to take advantage of this opportunity. Find your local contact center here.”

Last years New Year at Sydney on board Quest

3 hours ago, Juno1956 said:

 

Very envious of you going off to the Caribbean- we are thinking of doing the same in January or February.

A reminder of our time on Quest