TigerB

We are 4522, so are literally next door neighbours!😊

When we booked on board in January for next March, we were told it was Virgin this season (the one that has just finished). In a recent communication with the accessibility team, the advisor said the carrier for 2024 from Manchester to Antigua hasn't been confirmed yet. Pound to a pinch it'll probably be Virgin; I do hope so.🤞 I didn't think Virgin separated economy into light, classic, and delight for charter flights; I thought it was a one size fits all for economy, with 23kg each, and then 2 x 23kg in premium. GINGERWILDCAT, it should be okay booking your parking now as, unless someone knows better, it is my understanding that all providers charge you by the day now, not according to the time you arrive and leave. So, regardless of whether you selected your parking as 11:00 on departure day to 07:00 on return day, or 07:00 on departure day to 12:00 on return day, the price will be the same.

We'll be neighbours, unless we've been bumped by the time you get on, the week after us.😉 To the best of my recollection, when I was talking to a P&O advisor a good while ago, when they downgraded the accessible inside cabins to partially accessible, she thought one of those four cabins had a pole in it. That shouldn't be too much of a hassle as I understand they are as big as an accessible balcony cabin inside; it will save going to the gym anyway. We've also chosen the same grade for next September too, but on a saver rate; we were happy to save a fair bit of money, knowing that we will be in one of four cabins.

In January my sister and brother-in-law were in 5516, an LB grade. They liked it; the layout was with be bed away from the window and a window seat under it. They chose deck 5 rather than deck 4 because they thought it would quieter, with the gangway going from deck 4. As it happened, on our cruise they never used deck four for the gangway, it was always deck 5 and, once I think, deck 6. When it was deck 5 on their side, they weren't bothered by the noise, and thought it was great as they didn't have to join the scrum at the lifts when coming back on. We have selected the accessible LB for next year, but they are on deck 4.

Please do, if only for a lunch to sample it. The food was really well presented and, as Brian Potter would say, it was a taste sensation. If you like your seafood, I suggest giving a couple of items from Mizuhana a go while you're in there.

Yes Phil, lead prices as you say, to draw folk in. Requiring an accessible cabin, we have no option but to call; and that is when some folk, when a higher grade cabin is suggested to them, feel the pressure when put on the spot, and opt for such without properly thinking about it; thus, they started the call intending to pay £1200 but finished it after shelling out £3000. A win-win for P&O! When I called on Saturday for the cruise next weekend, I asked about balcony cabins; they had all sold out but she did say that, if they were available, a suitable one for us would have been an extra £1000 each, and that was still at the saver rate. We were more than happy with what we paid, and very surprised that we could get an accessible cabin this close to sailing. It won't stop me going to reception on the first day though and asking that question, the cheeky sod that I am. #Yorkshire!😉

My wife has to access from the left, so the layout as it is would suit her. If yours has to access from the right, and you prefer two singles, then my third suggestion in post #24 would be of more benefit to you; that way there would be plenty of space between the two beds. It's a moot point though as you've already said you probably wouldn't have an inside cabin. It may be useful for others though.

Sorry, I have just read these posts again and seen that you wrote about moving the right bed to the wall; my frazzled brain mistakenly read that 'left', hence the first paragraph in my response refers to the bathroom wall, which in that cabin is on the left. So. It was me that was being thick!😏 You couldn't move the right bed to the right wall as the headboard slides along a poles and wouldn't reach that wall. We'll, you could at a push, but the beds would be offset, you wouldn't have a headboard, and you would reduce the space at the foot of the bed. My three suggestions still stand, which is not relevant to you of course because you wouldn't have such a cabin, but may be relevant to others.

Yes, always my policy. My lad calls me a chancer; I say to him, "If you don't ask you don't get"! 🙄

Or Vampiress, the next time you are in a cocktail bar whilst in a virtual queue, and the kids are getting restless, give them pencils and paper, and ask them to reconfigure the furniture in cabins.😂

You couldn't move the right bed to as far as the bathroom wall for several reasons. It would obstruct that vent at the back and the bathroom door; furthermore, the headboard is fixed to the wall. There are several options. (1) Move the left bed as far as it go, and put its bedside unit in the middle. That would mean there would be a gap of 35.5cm to the left, 45cm in the middle, and the gap at the right would still be 66.5cm. (2) Move the right side of the bed to its right as far as it would go, and put its bedside unit in the middle. That would mean the gap to the left would still be 80.5cm, the gap in the middle would be 45cm, and the gap at the right would be reduced to 21.5cm. (3) Separate both beds and move both bedside units into the middle. That would mean the gap to the left would be 35.5cm, the gap to the right would be 21.5cm, and the gap in the middle would be 90cm. That would give enough space in the middle for a wheelchair user to transfer to either bed of their choosing. Or, you could just leave them as a queen and enjoy some nightime spooning!😉🤭

Ah, now that's the thing. Separating them would reduce the space at the sides, meaning that it would be impossible to get a wheelchair at the side of one of the beds. Those bedside units are 45cm wide so, if the beds were separated and one of them put between them, it would mean that either the left side would be reduced to 35cm or the right side reduced to 21cm. That would make things very difficult for a wheelchair user. We always have the bed as a queen, so it wouldn't affect us. That said, it wouldn't stop me going the the reception desk on the first day and asking about the possibility of an upgrade. #Yorkshire!😉

Yes, it was. As I wrote, I was really surprised that they had five accessible cabins left this close to the sail date. Of course, P&O have downgraded all their accessible inside cabins on Arvia and Iona to partially accessible cabins. That is more to do with them not being suitable for large wheelchairs and scooters, and a few of then supposedly having posts in the cabin. That said, we had such a cabin for our January cruise on Arvia and, although we were only in it for one night, it was suitable for our lass and her wheelchair; her current travel wheelchair is 62cm wide. Had we not been upgraded to a (fantastic) balcony cabin, we would have been more than happy with it for the fifteen nights. You're probably already aware but, with the bathrooms being pre-built modular units, the wet rooms are the same size, regardless of whether they are in the smallest inside cabin or the largest balcony cabin. The cabin we have been allocated for next weekend is a PC grade, and at 215m² is the same size as the PF grade we initially had in January. Some photos appear below to give you an idea.

I just want give a big 👍 to the OP; after reading one of his similar posts on another thread we bagged ourselves a bargain deal for next weekend. 🙂

Never say never, John. After retiring last year, and not feeling the need yet to go back to work part-time, we have changed our cruise policy. We will book the so called 'bucket list' cruises, where it would be necessary to secure the right accessible cabin when the itinerary comes out, thus paying the going rate at the time and bemoaning the lower prices that other folk could take advantage of nearer to the sail date. We will also look at last minute cruises as a potential filler. If there was nothing doing then so be it; we haven't lost anything and I certainly wouldn't have wasted any booked annual leave as I would have had if still in full time employment. We tried out the latter yesterday when, through a post on another thread, I became aware of cheap deals for an Arvia cruise sailing next Sunday. I showed our lass and we consulted our calendar. When I made the call I really didn't expect there to be any accessible cabins left; there were five inside cabins left, two at £599pp and three at £649pp. We chose the latter grade, not being concerned that it was a saver rate, as any of those three cabins would have been fine for us. Two hours later we were allocated the one we desired the most. I don't know if we just fell lucky at the time, or maybe, with P&O potentially finding it difficult to sell all cabins on the two bigger ships in future, that it may happen again. I'm just glad that I made the call. Getting some saved OBC reassigned to the cruise, and getting the shareholder benefit after the 'cut off' date made the deal even sweeter. So, what I'm trying to say is....if you have some free time, and think that it could be filled with a cruise, don't be put off by thinking they will never have a suitable cabin; pick up the phone.

On Britannia last September we would have loved to have just dropped off our lad when he was annoying us. He's 27 🙄

That was a much better system.

Sorry Dave, I can't remember; I've slept since then.😉 My sister and I are pescatarians, and when we saw menu A displayed outside we thought it looked good. When we were finally able to get in, on the second week, it was menu B and the choices for us were limited. The only fish based starter also had meat in it, and the only fish item on the mains was a load of deep fried whitebait and molluscs, which was greasy. We'll go again, but only when menu A is on.

On Arvia we found the Olive Grove menu B to be limited; we would have had more choice on menu A, but didn't dine there when it was on. We didn't have breakfast in The Quays on Arvia, so cannot comment. The 6th Street Diner is indeed free; it opens at 10:00 for breakfast/brunch. We only dined there once, for breakfast.

Part of The Quays, with Fusion and Roast

To be fair, I did ask if there were any balcony cabins available, and would have shelled out a bit more; but they were all gone. The advisor put us on the upgrade list and, like I did in January, I'll be at reception on the first day.😉 You know all too well how stressful it is trying to book an accessible cabin, and almost every time you have to book as soon as the itineraries comes out, and pay more for the 'privilege'. Now I'm retired, we've decided that we will have a mix of 'must do' cruises which we would have to book early doors, and like you we are keen to sail with Saga, and last minute bargains. For the latter, if there was availablity great, if not, we haven't lost anything. I really didn't expect there to be anything left when I called. It makes me hopeful for similar bargains in the future; more likely maybe on the bigger ships. Only time will tell. Fingers crossed for you in May 🤞

Yes, it was! I am not much older than you and, like you, would hope to have thirty more years of cruises in us; but, as my wife's health and mobility will get worse as time moves on, we may be pushing that. Now that I am retired we can mix in the cruises that we really want to do, and as such have to book as soon as they come out to secure an accessible cabin, with ones that we may be able to book last minute and so get a bargain. If they have an accessible cabin then great, if not, then we won't bother; we've not lost anything and I've not wasted booked annual leave as I would when I was at work. Also like you, we do not have a problem with an inside cabin, especially if it costs us next to nowt. As for the current problems with Arvia, we didn't experience anywhere near what folk are talking about, when we were on her in January. And if we do then we can be quite pragmatic and, knowing what a bargain we got, take it on the chin. That doesn't though stop me having sympathy with others that have paid a lot more and expect their experience to be just so.

We have just booked a cruise this morning, sailing on 16th April. I confirmed with the advisor that we had missed the chance to apply the shareholder benefit, given that we are within the 21 days. Chancing my arm, I then sent an email in which I wrote, "It's too late to apply the shareholder benefit, isn't it"? Two hours later we received a new booking confirmation that shows the £150 OBC. So, it shows the inconsistency as others have noted, but I'm happy to have caught someone that was possibly having a good day and feeling generous.👍

Your maths are a little wrong there, Brian. For us, buying 100 shares at a cost of £638, it was £3.19. D- see me after school 😂

No! Ours never have, and it's never been a problem.