amfc_lenny

We had done 15 nights on P&O prior to our recent cruise, but P&O didn't put us onto the Pacific Tier, despite us querying this before embarkation and being told over the phone they had corrected this and we were definitely in the Pacific Tier.

As a result we overpaid for our shore excursions and on board spend. 😡 Not realising until after we had disembarked and had chance to review our bill.

So clearly P&O cant get their own system to work correctly!

I prefrerred Britannia to Azura, worth pointing out that on sea days it can be quite difficult finding a seat in the atrium for a coffee. The free cake was a nice bonus!

1 hour ago, AndyMichelle said:

Second sitting suits us.

It saves rushing and we are quite partial to afternoon tea in the mdr about 4pm, so just enough time to digest.

Many passengers will rush early in fear of missing a show or not getting a seat in the live lounge, but we have never had any issue on any cruise.

Each to their own.

Andy

We struggled on 2nd sitting to get a seat in some of the live music venues on a transatlantic cruise.

Though we find 1st sitting too early.

Have to say the Currys generally on p and o are pretty good but a bit on the mild to medium side.

Our experience was pretty positive.

We didn't book an excursion, but got to the queue about 15 mins after it started. We waited about 15 mins to board a tender.

Coming back early afternoon we waited only about 10 mins, but due to other tenders in front of us we did wait about 20 mins near the ship to disembark.

We were going to stop in Malabar for a cocktail but the smell is pretty strong in there. 

There was a notice in the newsletter that they are doing work to the sewage system so to expect smells.

On our balcony enjoying a drink, and making the most of the sun 

Our deck manager has been round this afternoon, to apologise and credited £50 to our room which is some recompense for the inconvenience.

Making the most of the sunny weather, not a cloud in the sky in Cherbourg.

Sad to say that we are currently aboard the Azura and are pretty non plussed.

We are in an aft deluxe cabin on deck d, and last night had no working toilet from 6pm till 8am. 

Despite being fobbed off by reception that it will be sorted shortly.

Not good enough p and o.

I Think it depends if you want to do

If you have your heart set on visiting the Scottish islands (Hebrides its clear cut), if not then for me I think the Regal ports of call is slightly better.

Just be aware that some of the ports, could be quite far from where you want to visit, (i.e quite a lot of tourist sights are quite a way from some of the ports) i.e. if you want a day in Paris, from Le Havre its quite some distance.

13 minutes ago, katan said:

I haven't sailed yet on Britannia but I would have thought the lack of midship stairs would be dangerous in an emergency as you cannot use the lifts if there is a fire.

I don't know for a fact but I would imagine in the event of a fire, that the existing crew midship stairs, could be a fire escape?

I could be wrong, but I'm not really sure they could manage 4500 pax all turning up mainly within the same hour or so!

Thanks, reassuring given the other post which is on the board at present. Sailing on the Azura on Saturday.

There were a few small groups of teenagers on our TA on Britannia in Oct 18. But certainly not a large number.

tbh, I didn't find the lack of mid ship stairs a hindrance as we had a cabin near the aft staircase.

The decor is quite neutral/ subdued perhaps in the hope of it not dating as quickly. and easier at refit to spruce up with a few colour accents.

Hoping to get into St Peters Port on our next cruise.

If the queue for the tenders looks long though, I'm quite happy just to spend the day enjoying the quieter facilities on the ship. 

Agree,if its your only port of call I'd be pretty peeved not to disembark.

14 hours ago, Host Carolyn said:

Colors are up to mother nature😕 Have done this cruise 3 times next to last week of October. Different weather each time. One was warmest fall and leaves not so good, one  it was freezing cold but color was great and one was foggy so no views. Ports are wonderful, but weather.......

Thanks,

that confirmed my thoughts, that it's quite an unpredictable time of year. 

Coming from the UK I can live with that, be interested to know what sea conditions are like in NE at that time of year?

My upcoming cruise is with the in-laws who usually cruise with celebrity so it will be interesting to get their take on the standards on P&O.

I've read a few posts/ reviews about plumbing issues/ smells on board Azura, hoping that this is a very small minority of people. 

The tv could be a legitimate problem, but I recall reading that the when the sea screen went down ppl saying it was out of action for months, which doesn't sound like a proactive approach to issues from P&O.

Hope you manage to enjoy your cruise Docco.

I was after some advice from people in the region or have done a Canada/ New England Cruise in mid to late October.

Coming from the UK and with Due to family members being teachers the only date we can do in the fall, is October 19th, I'm worried weather wise and if we'd miss the autumn colours? Is there enough at the ports we'd be calling at this time of year?

The cruise we were looking at sails from Newyork, going to Boston, Bar Harbour New Brunswick, Halifax and back to New York on the Regal Princess.

Thanks

2 hours ago, Brayman said:

You really think a Television is important when on holiday???

It was on my TA on the Britannia, when I was feeling quite poorly for a few days! and I didn't want to pay P&O extortionate internet prices

I've read the post with a bit of trepidation as we are on the Azura in early May!

I don't expect much but a clean working room with working bathroom is a pretty basic fundamental requirement.

1 hour ago, terrierjohn said:

No, only genuine mini suites, not the de luxe balconies on the bigger ships.

Thanks for clarifying.

10 hours ago, Pentlands said:

Is this what we are talking about?

"If you are a Suite / Mini Suite guests, or a member of The Peninsular Club’s Ligurian, Baltic or Caribbean Tiers, you will enjoy a Welcome On Board Reception (formally called the Priority Embarkation lounge) once you embark your ship. The venue will be confirmed at check-in and the reception will run from 12:15pm until 3.00pm, serving alcoholic and soft drinks and canapés."

 

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/before-you-sail/priority_lounge?_ga=2.173922787.1398554119.1552229350-1468493213.1547077059

 

Mini suites included.

Does this include Deluxe balconies on the Azura/ Ventura?

2 hours ago, mrsroller180 said:

 Secondly what sort of weather can we expect in the caribbean late october early november is it going to rain a lot!! ?

 

We did the same in 2018, and experienced humid conditions upto late 20 degrees in the day and cooling off in the evening by 6pm. Must admit the amount of morning cloud/ haze surprised me. At most of the Islands we had the odd rain shower throughout the day, though these seemed to last for only an hour at most then die off.

hth

OP,

We did the farewell to Barbados tour last November, it's probably a good 2-3 hours sat on the bus, broken up with little stops at places. I'm not really sure a 3-4 year old would enjoy it. Think they'd be very bored.

Think, Id either opt for spending money on an inside cabin and make the most of the pool facilities or get a taxi early morning to the beach for a couple of hours, then head back to the ship to pick the bags up after lunch.

Wesley Dunlop, was captain on our TA trip in November 18 on the Britannia.We attended an "an audience event with the captain" in the theatre and he came across as a very likeable down to earth guy. Some really good speeches on the captains evening.

We did spot him round the ship a few times, chatting with passengers, and he'd had a few early morning medical emergencies on that cruise to deal with, which were handled very well.

Going back to the OP's original question, I'd  be interested to know who's due to be captain of the Azura as we're sailing on her in May.