True Devonian

Slightly off topic, but personally I would never put a bag of any description on a table. Bags are likely to have been on dirty surfaces and floors, even toilet floors, and other similar unhygienic places. For this reason I do not feel it appropriate to place bags on a table where people put food. Leaving a bag on a chair yes, but not on a table please.

We were also on this cruise and the only port we missed was Bermuda which meant one sea day to La Coruna followed by 9 sea days to Grand Bahama. As we were originally going to leave Bermuda in the morning after an overnight stop this meant only one extra sea day to what was planned. No other ports, including the USA ports, were cancelled and went ahead as per the itinerary.

The OP said that going to the top of the Empire State at night was to be a highlight for him and his wife. Like the OP I would also have been extremely disappointed if I had booked an excursion to include an iconic landmark to then be told during that excursion that what I had considered to be one of the main reasons for booking that excursion, in this case the ESB, wasn't going to happen. Whilst I appreciate that what is important to one person is different to someone else, under the circumstances outlined in the OP's situation I would have done exactly the same. If you are able and prepared to take the risk why wouldn't you? I would add that having been a solo traveller myself I can totally understand why some would not feel safe taking this option but if it is an option at least those who are confident enough could achieve what was important to them.

I was hoping that the loyalty lunch would be a proper meal served in the MDR as not a fan of the buffet concept. Can I ask where the embarkation buffet was served?

People have a choice. Why should P&O pay out when insurance policies will pay out for missed ports. If you don't take out cruise insurance which includes missed ports you have to accept the risk.

Not everybody owns a smart phone and not everyone has confidence in using technology. Even with a smart phone it is a lot easier to read something on paper than on a small screen.

When we were on in June the opening times were published in the Horizon along with the other restaurant opening times.

We have just returned from a cruise on Arcadia and can confirm that hand sanitiser was available at all the entrances to the buffet along with a sink for washing your hands, although it never ceases to amaze me how many people just walk past both.

You and Zap are quite right, and things could not only change on board but countries could also change the rules. We always take masks and sanitiser when going ashore, regularly use sanitiser and have masks just in case.

Has anyone had this resolved yet as my husband received an email as well, but strangely I didn't. We are slightly concerned as we are off to the USA again later this year. We have emailed P&O using the email address kindly provided by Megabear.

Hi Tring. I know this is not the appropriate thread but was just wondering how your cruise went. How was Arcadia and your overall experience.

We also had that banner but it disappeared around the two week mark before our cruise.

Booking entertainment is not required on Arcadia hence the entertainment tab being blank. On the bigger ships where booking is required this will become available two weeks before departure.

Hi scafell. May I ask what embarkation was like at Southampton. We have seen reports of problems with the bigger ships and wondered if there were similar issues with Arcadia, we don't want to have to stand outside for a long time if we arrive earlier than our boarding time. Thank you

Your last suggestion is flawed. What would happen if, on arrival at Southampton, they are asked by Customs did you pack this case yourself? Passengers on cruises and flights are warned not to carry anything for others.

This is definitely not a happy thread. Due to all the issues you have encountered and continue to report on, and in addition feel the need to entice others to complain, we are now cancelling cruises we have booked with P&O. We will be losing quite a lot in deposits we have paid. If everything is as bad as you are reporting I would be seeking a flight home at the next available opportunity.

This is why we avoid heading back around lunch time or shortly after when a shuttle is required to get back to the ship. Personally, if I encountered a queue like you suggest I would not join it but head back to the nearest cafe/bar and return later when hopefully the queue would be shorter. You seem to be encountering so many problems that you could write a book.

It is a shame you have to work when you are on a well earned holiday, and with all the issues you have had you just couldn't make it up. I hope you have a better more relaxed day today.

Sorry to hear about all the issues you had but glad to hear you managed to get a cabin sorted and got a restful night, hopefully you can now relax and enjoy your cruise. It is a shame that everyone you have spoken to are also having issues, slightly worrying when there are 5000 passengers on board.

As P&O no longer allow you to purchase large bottles of water on board like you could in the past, could I bring a couple of packs of 6 large bottles to drop off with my luggage. I can't risk drinking tap water and the water they will supply in tins tastes like tin.

I was wondering why you are happy to pay £20 corkage charge along with the inconvenience of carrying bottles of wine on board when you can buy wine starting at under £20 a bottle.

We did a back to back cruise last October/November and as david63 said we just went to reception to collect our new cruise card. If you have the same cabin for both cruises you should also let your cabin steward aware so they know that you will not be vacating your cabin.

We are due on Arcadia so have found your post very useful. Are you able to confirm which deck freedom dining is in the MDR. Thank you.

We have just returned from 35 nights on Ventura and no pre booking was required for the theatre or any other entertainment, you just turn up.

We haven't been on Arvia but have been across the Bay of Biscay about 22 times on different P&O ships (all smaller than Arvia and Iona), there was the occasional high swell but all the ships coped well. As Host Sharon said choosing a midships cabin on a lower deck will help to alleviate some of the movement if you are concerned. If you feel the need to take sea sickness remedies you would be wise to talk to a pharmacist first, I would never recommend a particular product as I am not aware of any medical issues you may have or if you are on any medication which may not interact well with particular seasickness medication. Please seek medical advice before buying any seasickness medication for your own use.