pkpon

I apologise if this has already been answered in another thread.

I am looking at booking on the QE in Britannia Club on a cruise next year.

There seems to be conflicting reports that as Cunard have increased the cabins in this grade the restaurant is now freedom dining with no assigned table.

Has a single I would not like to have a different table each night but would be more than happy with the present system of an assigned table with the same table companions and waiters and no set sitting.

Please could someone confirm which set up will be in operation.

One nice perk the Queen will get is always to travel free on the Britannia.

But HM will have to chose between the Britannia, Oriana, Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth.

You can buy them direct from your cabin steward. £19.99 each or £29.99 for two.

They are really nice and make a great souvenir of your cruise.

Got back from the cruise yesterday.

Had a really good time. Food in the restaurant and the service were beyond my expectations. Absolutely terrific. My cabin steward and the bar staff especially in the Crow's Nest went the extra mile with their service. Always with a smile.

The ship is dated as she is twenty years old. But she has a very comfortable feel. Rather like a well worn slipper. To be honest I do think the Cunard ships are more luxurious.

I definitely don't think the ship is run down. The only thing I really spotted was a small bit of rust on the edge of the bathroom door. No plumbing problems in the cabin but there were a few buckets outside one day catching water dripping from the ceiling.

The only bad spot on the ship is 'The Conservatory'. It was always hard to find somewhere to sit even at off peak times. The food was terrible and it was like eating in a transport café. Definitely needs an upgrade at her next refit.

The lunch in the Ocean Grill was superb. At £9.95 it was a bargain.

The weather was very rough in the Bay Of Biscay both ways but the ship handled it well.

Will they have finished this painting,by the time we get on 23 January do you think? Or will they be painting the hull in that gaudy manner? Smell of paint everywhere. Where did you pick up this info?

It was part of a email I received from P&O via my TA.

I wonder if they are just painting the funnel.

Cannot see how they could paint the union flag design outside of dry dock.

Might be a bit difficult while sailing through a bumpy Bay Of Biscay

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I was just thinking that not counting Britannia it is interesting that the two oldest ships in the fleet are getting the new livery first.

Are P&O sending out the message that Oriana will be staying in their fleet for at least the near future?

The house wines used to be from the Californian winery Wente and were great value for the quality of the wine.

Now they come from Sicily and in my humble opinion are a definite step down and not worth what they are charging.

Received this email from my TA today:

Oriana 11th January Cruise.

" Oriana is one of the first ships to be changed and the work will take place during your cruise. This means it will be necessary to close part of the upper deck around the funnel. The captain and crew will keep you updated during your cruise, although you will be able to see the transformation for yourself."

I thought this was done in dry dock but I am looking forward to see how she looks.

I always thought it was a Cunard name.

Then more recently Britannia was used as the name for the last royal yacht.

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The one tradition P&O have kept is not letting in your cabin till 2pm.

On most cruise lines your cabin is available as soon as embarkation begins.

I do understand the cabin staff have a hard job getting the cabins ready on embarkation. So what do the other cruise lines do differently to get round this?

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Can you leave your hand luggage in your cabin before 2 pm?

As a single passenger I think it would be difficult to lug it around the buffet area while trying to carry a tray.

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I have booked a single balcony cabin on Britannia.

I think they are exclusive to the Britannia and are on lido deck just behind the Crow's Nest Bar.

I wonder how big they will be?

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Sorry. Accidentally sent reply while still typing.

With P&O the single supplement is done by cruise. For my cruise in January I am paying 50% single supplement. A much fairer way of doing.

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It does depend on the cruise line.

For example with Cunard you pay a 75% single supplement on all cruises

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The house wines used to be fantastic and very good value. They were from a Californian winery called Wente.

Now they come from a Sicilian winery and to my taste are not nearly as good.

I always put on my comment form at the end of the cruise if they could bring the Wente back.

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I actually changed my booking from an early saver to a select fare.

If I took in the free parking and OBC there was only £65.00 difference. For that I have peace of mind knowing that I have my preferred dinner sitting , table size and knowing where my cabin is.

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Friends of mine go on Silverseas and it is plated.

The only place I know where you still get silver service is when you order off the menu in the grill restaurants on the Cunard ships.

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My TA told me that on the early saver fare P&O contact you about a month before your departure date to get your preferred restaurant sitting. The cruise personaliser is saying it is confirmed on board.

Do you get priority regarding restaurant sittings if you have booked earlier on an early saver fare rather than a saver fare?

Have just booked the cruise on the Oriana in January. Already looking forward to it.

Thanks again for all of your advice.

Thanks for your replies.

Looking at the ship's tour video on the P&O website she certainly looks in good shape.

Is there much difference in food quality between P&O and Cunard?

I was looking at a cruise on the Queen Victoria in January which has been cancelled due to an emergency dry dock. The Oriana is doing a cruise around the same time.

My dilemma is the Queen Victoria has been my ship of choice for the last four years. Prior to that I had cruised on Ventura and Azura but prefer the more traditional cruising on Cunard and their beautiful ships.

The Oriana cruise is very well priced especially for a single passenger. I am a bit nervous about booking the cruise because of some of the posts I have read that P&O are cutting costs and have let the Oriana become run down as it is their oldest ship.

I have always fancied going on the Oriana as I did some wonderful cruises on the original Oriana in the 70's and 80's.

Hope you can help me on what to do.

In the Britannia restaurant on the QV in May the food was fantastic on formal nights but very mediocre on the rest of the nights.

Someone at our table asked for the off menu steak and was told that you had to give 24 hours notice.

Hope this has not already been posted but there is a four part series called 'The Cruise Ship'.

It is starting tomorrow night here in the UK on ITV at 8.00 pm.

It was filmed aboard the Royal Princess during her maiden Caribbean season.

Looking forward to it.

The outside singles are priced the same as an outside double including the 75% single supplement.

I know which one I would be rather in.