paulatsea

Excellent 👌- great stuff. Bargain . Let us know what it’s like .

Agree - preferred boarding time option when booking would help - (not guaranteed obviously !)

It’s a special one off due to the technical problems causing the transatlantic cancellation .

Hi Selbourne - we had a private transfer for just us - I think it may depend on the distance but we are within the 75 mile range (I think it’s that) and also I think you can pay extra to have private without sharing but things might have changed. With p&o we have been on Iona once on the cruise only no stops trip which was effectively adults only due to vaccination requirements at the time and 1/2 full - just after cruises restarted. It was a good price so we thought we would try it. We had a good cruise but we didn’t like the ship size and layout. Apart from that we only go on Aurora and Arcadia. We like Aurora much better so usually go on her. The price we paid for saga was about £1700 pp for 7 days. We wanted to try it ( just once as a treat) as it’s too expensive normally for us but with the upgrade it turned out to be very reasonable ! The cruise had been postponed twice so by the time we went the price was reasonable given its all inclusive, 2 included excursions and private transfer(which was brilliant in a Mercedes E class with a good driver). The standard of the cabins and the ship generally are very high - noticeably better than what we are used to - the service everywhere was excellent as was the food and drinks. The deluxe balcony was fantastic - very big with walk in wardrobe, balcony doors and another side window. Very quiet at all times and we were near the lifts which we could not hear at all. Very well cleaned and serviced with turndown. The excursions were very good and well organised and we always had berths close the the port exit. We found the pre dinner entertainment very limited - we like to listen to some music etc while having a drink but there wasn’t anything that we found. The disembarkation at Dover was chaotic and badly organised. I don’t know if this was a one off. I would say it’s not worth double the Aurora price in my opinion as we have always had a very good experience with p&o on Aurora for a good price even taking into account drinks and excursions - we always go select balcony so always get parking and some OBC. It’s probably worth double Arcadia price if that makes sense ! If you cruise a lot it might be worth doing a 5 day one on Saga to see what you think as they don’t seem too exorbitant. I hope that helps. paul

I agree with Mollag - we went on Saga for the first time last summer and got an upgrade to a deluxe balcony out of the blue ! It was excellent. Cabin , service , quality and excursions were all top class. Private transfer to the ship and back. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Good luck - if we weren’t going away the week after we would definitely try and get on this revised QM2 one as well. Let us know if you make it .

Ok thanks - it’s been a few years since I have been on p&o so it’s obviously modernised.

Yes I agree and you are right - I can’t defend it- but I prefer to get sorted earlier and have lunch so 15:30 is unreasonable for me. Wish I could afford a suite. I would pay a premium for early check in though. I think the check in could be more efficient - Pre register credit cards and upload photos for cruise cards which could be sent out perhaps.

Thanks very much - ditto re EE. It’s civilised interesting and beautiful isn’t it. 👍

Sounds like they are now enforcing the check in times more robustly. We have always arrived as soon as it opens !! and have been prepared to wait or come back if required - but never had to - so far. We like to get settled and have lunch on board if we can. I think 15:30 is unreasonable so I would ignore and turn up when you want. Understand the logistics arguments etc about arriving as scheduled but I have found it evens itself out naturally with some who prefer later or do not arrive until later - but maybe just got lucky.

Fly out 0600 LGW 11 May - 2 weeks to go ! Haven’t flown for years - usually just go from Southampton - generally hate airports and queues and cramped planes but this feels like a novelty again. It’s the sail 3 seas itinerary which looks brilliant.

Thanks Brummijam - I’ll update this when I get back - for anyone who is interested !

Brummijam - did you use the self service bag drop on the flight out or the staffed checkin ?

Thanks Brummijam - I thought I had seen it mentioned somewhere - didn’t think to check the TUI airways site - although others here say it doesn’t t always happen. Re this bit - “If this applies to you, it’ll be noted in your booking confirmation” where in the booking confirmation does it show if this bonded transfer is applicable to the specify cruise ? update - just found this on my booking blurb: CHECKING-IN YOUR LUGGAGE To check in your bags in the UK you'll need to have printed and attached your Marella Cruises luggage tag from Cruise Control. Once at the airport, check into your flight as normal and we'll security seal your bag. Upon arrival in your destination, there's no need to collect your bags when you land as they’ll be sent straight to the ship - just make your way through to the arrivals hall where a Marella Cruises Representative will meet you and direct you to your transfer coach. There might be a short delay in your cases being delivered to your cabin when you board the ship, so pop any essentials into your hand luggage before you leave the UK. Please have your cruise boarding pass printed and ready for inspection - you'll need this to complete check-in and board the ship for the first time. Once onboard, you can swap your cruise boarding pass for your onboard account cards which will be waiting for you outside your cabin. Would self service checkin work ok!?

Thanks Pink15.

Thanks prestonscotty - I heard it was “bonded” at Dubrovnik so a possibility of luggage direct to ship - I believe some other cruise lines do this there.

Hi - going on explorer 2 flying to Dubrovnik from Gatwick - does the luggage go straight to the ship from the plane and vice versa or do we have to collect it at Dubrovnik airport ? I think this has been asked before but I can’t find the thread.

Thanks very much

Hi Tring - what’s the Winchester Holiday Inn like ? Have you been before ? Looking for alternatives to Southampton but near enough - somewhere nice.

Good to know - thanks Fi

Customer service much better than most hotels I have been to. Good food and nice restaurants with a bigger choice than most hotels. Good choice of bars and entertainment all under the same roof. Balcony with changing views. Easy to embark and disembark and can leave the car at the port easily. Good excursions and knowing we won’t be left behind if we book via the ship. Feeling safe and having a common interest with other shipmates. Civilised. I just love being at sea - it feels like escaping. Have always found it easy to get any problems solved. Not too bothered about destinations even if it’s a repeat - would go anywhere at any time if the price was right - although new is more appealing. We like adults only so it’s only p&o Arcadia and Aurora , Marella Explorer 2, Saga and Ambassador for us(not tried yet). Usually have had very good holidays on P&O and found the balcony prices very reasonable so far. Saga very good but we prefer the atmosphere on others. Marella explorer 2 has been excellent so far but fly cruise - so a bit of a hassle. Booked on Marella Explorer 2 in May. Aurora in late August and December. Have not been in Aurora for a many years so be interesting to see how it is. Very interesting thread. Happy Easter shipmates !

How does the pre release securing work ? Can you specify saver or select and choose cabin grade / number later?

Heard Aurora refurb due in 2025 and Arcadia due in 2024. Can’t remember where - somewhere in this forum recently. 🤞

Maybe a stupid question - but does the highest bidder always win ? Or is it a lottery ? Can you increase bids ? like eBay - keep bidding if you want to win !

Trickle down !