WelshmanAtSea

So, I’m onboard and spent some time in The Retreat. I can report there are indeed a selection of drinks included on a self serve basis plus the menu is enhanced over that previously experienced on other P&O Ships. Does it represent value for money, well that is still very subjective. The Ship is very busy and the Sundecks rammed so I’d have paid the premium just for the space and tranquility. What I would say is the staff are very attentive and friendly, much different to the Retreat staff on Iona who clearly don’t enjoy the Fjords.

Just a little update on my bidding experience. I cancelled my bids. I booked a GC Guarantee but on allocation last week I got a GA Grade, Mid Ship Deck 14, given the excellent location I did not want to take the risk of getting my bid accepted only to end up in worse location. I'm delighted with the Cabin we have been given so just sitting back and looking forward to the cruise. Restaurant reservations open tonight so I'll be online making sure I get everything booked, hopefully avoiding any onboard frustrations. Epicurean, Sindhu and Beach House on a 3 day rotation for the whole cruise is the plan. I would agree with what previous posts have stated, there's very limited real life feedback with actual numbers being shared to get a true picture of how the bid to upgrade process is actually working.

I've parked at the Ocean Village Multi Storey previously (£13.70 Day Current rate) its a 5 minutes walk around the corner from Ocean Terminal, would be less than a minute if it were not for the Port security fence. Dropped my bags off before parking the car, all very quick and easy and actually a lot quicker than having to que for CPS parking. Worried about leaving the car there for 2 weeks I actually called them beforehand to explain I would be leaving the car there whilst on a cruise and they informed me its not a problem at all. Maybe not the cheapest parking but a great saving over CPS, very safe with good security and minutes from the terminal.

I’m onboard on the 20th August so will report a full list with photos of everything that’s included throughout the day. As mentioned, the benefits could be particularly beneficial if you’ve not opted for the drinks package like myself. Arvia’s Retreat is carrying a premium over P&O’s standard Retreat offering across the rest of the fleet so I’m intrigued to see if it’s worth that bit extra. Don’t get me wrong I’m not expecting MSC Yacht Club sundeck but at £429 each for 2 weeks it’s not inexpensive, I am expecting more than a subbed.

Having had a balcony on Iona to the Fjords myself you've had a great deal. Just being able to watch the world go by with a Coffee in the morning is so relaxing. Have a great time.

Thanks Megabear, that seems to have been recognised by P&O and addressed. The upgrade options I have been given are : Suite, with Balcony £910 PP Minimum Family Suite (Sea View) £850 PP Minimum Conservatory Mini Suite £540 PP Minimum Conservatory Mini Suite, Promenade Deck £540 Minimum Balcony Deluxe £300 PP Minimum As you can see they are now clearly stating Suite with a Balcony or Family Suite with a Sea View. As mentioned in my 1st post I would be happy with a Conservatory Mini Suite on Deck 9 and from the list you can assume they are now offering that as they are clearly listing Mini Suites on the Promenade deck. However I am old, cynical and one for detail, what they are also not doing is clearly listing Conservatory Mini Suite - Deck 9 so therefore I will not be bidding. Detail is in the wording. I really think I don't have much hope of getting a suite as there are none available to book. There are quite a few Conservatory Mini Suites on both Deck 8 and 9 still available so its a shame the description is not a little clearer as I would not mind trying one.

Its 6 Weeks until our Arvia Med cruise and today I received the email to bid for upgrade. As discussed on previous threads the bids are not great value and as I've a GC grade Balcony booked I am not taking the risk of bidding on a Delux Balcony or Conservatory Mini Suite as I could end up on deck 8. That just leaves a Suite with a minimum bid of £910 Per Person. I am thinking of putting in a bid just above the minimum although if you try book a Suite today there are none available so do wonder if there is much point? Could anyone that has a bid accepted let me know how far in advance of the cruise they accepted your offer? Having upgraded via bids with Princess & MSC in the past it was approximately 3 weeks before departure they accepted my bid.

I can't help sorry not been on Britannia so I have no personal knowledge of the Retreat onboard. Having used Retreat on Ventura, Azura and Iona in the past it is different to what is currently being offered onboard Arvia at the moment. Its just 6 weeks until I am on Arvia so will try my best to highlight the differences I find using the Retreat compared to my previous experience.

I applied for Princess onboard Credit the same time as I applied for the P&O Credit last week. As I said previously P&O responded with hours, Princess did not come close as they took 5 days. Not as good as P&O but still not that bad in my opinion, I'd be surprised if you did not get your credit in time for the 30th.

My Wife and I are on this cruise and have taken the Premier package, whilst we might enjoy a few glasses of Champagne and the odd Cocktail I will not be overjoyed if the ship is over-run with Stag and Hen parties. I would be surprised if it that is the case though as there are much cheaper short cruises out of Southampton over the coming weeks, particularly with P&O.

Not missing anything, it really is a no brainer to buy shares when they are this price.

Thanks for coming back to me. I had a friend check The Retreat out for me a few weeks ago (I actually forgot she was working onboard,) as you say on Arvia it now includes a small selection of Wine, Beer & Soft Drinks which in my opinion goes quite some way to justifying the price. After learning this I went ahead and booked a full cruise access pass and its my intention to take advantage of the drinks there during the day rather than purchase the drinks package.

I regularly trade shares as a hobby so am not a long term holder of Carnival shares. I buy them after making the booking and sell after the cruise when there is a profit to be taken. Don't get me wrong at times I've held those shares for longer than planned but never not taken a reasonable return. At the moment with the share price being just £7.34 its a no brainer to buy some and get the credit. So, in answer to your question you will be fine buying after booking and applying to any upcoming cruise. The only advice I would give is ensure you retain those shares until after you have taken the cruise that way you are not breaking any rules.

They certainly seem to be on the ball at the moment applying the Shareholder Credit. This thread prompted me to send the email for my forthcoming Arvia Cruise. Email sent yesterday at 4.35pm, response and new booking confirmation this morning at 8.43am. You cannot fault service like that.

The Retreat is the Adult only Sun Deck area at the front of the ships, the access is all day and I am looking at the full cruise package. My main question is does the Retreat on Arvia have anything different to the other ships to justify it being quite a bit more expensive? I may be being a little tight but £858 for the two of us to have nicer sun loungers is getting more than a little pricey. In the past I have paid between £100 and £150 per person per week for access on other P&O ships which I am happy with. £200 plus per person per week really is getting silly in my opinion.

I wonder if anyone who has recently been on Arvia could give a little feedback on The Retreat. As a loyal P&O Customer I have used the Retreat on Ventura, Azura and Iona and enjoy the tranquility provided. Being fair that's really all it provides as the Fruit in the Morning, Chicken Salad at Lunch and Scone with Brownie for Afternoon Tea are average at very best and do not vary at all. We always go wandering if we are hungry as there are much better options around the Ship. The main reason for asking what the Retreat is like on Arvia is the pricing, I have just checked and for 2 weeks in August the cost is £429 per person. I know its the Summer holidays and it may be appealing to have an Adult only area but that really does sound excessive in my opinion.

It Certainly does make you think are we better off just booking last minute rather than commit months / years ahead. That said, I do love the planning of it all, sometimes I think I get as much enjoyment out of the research and planning as I do out of the Holiday itself. My Wife sometimes jokes its like National Lampoons Vacation as I have spreadsheets and itineraries for most holidays. I convince myself I am not alone and its only what any prepared person would do.

I agree. As someone that does move deposits around I am very unlikely to book at launch which is something I have done in the past. I also look for the just after Christmas schedules as they can be great value (and as a tight Welshman save me burning huge amounts of heating oil at home.) I held of booking cruises during Covid, partly because I was in so many disagreements with British Airways Holidays and Disney as both owed me many thousands of pounds I had almost given up on holidays full stop. When I finally decided the World was getting back to normal I hit the bookings hard. Hence why I made many booking earlier this year, not just cruises but holidays as well. We are both 50 this year and I am determined I am going to make up for the missed holidays in 20220 & 2021. Maybe I have been lucky with some of the Feb/March 2022 bookings I made, we are on Iona in Jan 23 to the Canaries, booked a Balcony Saver for £1,958 which is outstanding value, that Saver fare today is £2,898

I've 6 booked and must admit in the past year I have moved bookings quite a bit, often fetching deposits on very distant bookings into almost last minute getaways as I perceived better value. That said anyone who made bookings for 2023 / 2024 earlier on this year will see that prices have already risen quite substantially, given the cost of living and inflation predictions those bookings will look tremendous value by the time comes around.

Great to hear P&O have stepped up to the mark and supported where they could. Hopefully your Aunt makes a full recovery. I've not read all your recent posts (in particular the ones on the Princess forums) but I believe some individuals have been less than kind. Ignore those trolls, sad individuals who delight in others heartache really must have sad lives indeed. I must thank you though for highlighting the importance of GHIC (former EHIC) cards, I'd not checked our EHIC cards for sometime and wrongly assumed such cards were no longer required. Ours had both expired and I have just applied for new GHIC cards via gov.uk website. I am sure there are many others like myself who will be prompted by reading your experience.

Really appreciate the info, thank you all. I'd did not know that they had 2 acts during the 7 days. My Wife will be delighted with Joe McElderry and Matt Cardle so I'd better be on the ball when bookings open.

Recently booked a last minute Cruise on Iona departing Saturday 13th August. Does anyone know who is scheduled to be playing in the Limelight Club? Or maybe point me in the right direction to find out myself. I can't find any information on my Cruise planner or the P&O website.