BertieRulesOK

It's one of the stages of the check-in process. Have a look on your MyP&O it should clearly show what parts of the check-in have not been completed. You need to complete all stages and then you can access you luggage labels. I am sure you DIL will be able to assist you if you are having problems.

Many encounter this issue with luggage labels not being available. Known fixes are (1) log in from a different device and/or browser - in particular P&O website is notorious for not showing correctly on mobiles; (2) ensure you have completed every stage of the booking, including uploading a photo; and (3) if you have issues when downloading them, they may be in your download folder even if the webpage seemed to crash during the process. Hope this helps.

Just make sure you are with a mobile provider with free roaming (or get a cheap SIM with it) and just use your data. Much easier than walking around trying to find WiFi.

There will be certain speciality restaurants and entertainment you can book before you get on the ship, notably the Limelight. This normally opens up 2 weeks before you cruise via the P&O personaliser webpage. Well worth being on at midnight to ensure you get what you want. Everything else will be first come first served on embarkation via the on-ship webpage (MyP&O), so make sure you are looking at this tootsuit after boarding. It is normally cheaper to pre-book restaurants too, so worth doing.

That's what I have received too. But as you have to pay for two people whether you are solo or not, it's less misleading to say what the total cost is (or per room in other words).

Yup. That's the £500 I have been quotes. The upgrade email started at £550... Hence my shock.

I could be wrong, but I am sure the wedding venue can also be used for other get together. It may be worth looking what they offer for your actual bday as they will be used to organising for large groups and I think it includes meals.

It'll depend on how long the cruise is for and what ship it is as some ships include alcohol and some don't.

I've been debating upgrading from inside to balcony on an upcoming 2 week cruise. It'll cost me around £500 to change this via P&O. The upgrade bidding starts at £550 per room. Ridiculous!

The extras were available on Ventura back in November. Everyone on my various shared tables thought it was a cheek that they were trying to charge for dishes which a couple of years ago, would have been on the normal MDR menu. Only saw one person try one and they were not impressed. Btw, it's the same dishes every night. The "specials" menu does not change as far as I saw.

I thought I would update this post, having now been on Ventura, for future reference. There is no swim current in the Oasis pool. It was apparently removed years ago, but the fact has not been publicised (hence the many confusing articles mentioning it online).

I think the real problem here is P&O not providing sufficient bottle refil points, especially on the older ships. Can't blame people for wanting filtered water. The stuff out the bathroom taps doesn't taste the best.

I get a bit bored in P&O MDR. There's only so much meat and three veg I can take, especially with the always there choices now making up a large amount of the menu. Specialty restaurants at least give some variety.

I have to say that I am quite tempted by the laundry bag 10 item wash. Get them to do it for me. We'll see how we go. Take the washing sheet though, just in case.

I tend to wear dresses, so 12 nights is likely 20ish dresses, with a change for the evening plus leggings. It's a huge amount of clothes. Hence washing.

I am on my first 12 day cruise so I am planning to do a clothes wash for the first time. Question: Are there good or bad times to do wash? Last thing I want is to be staking out the laundry room. Also are there any rules to queuing for machines? Eg, can you leave your basket to indicate next in queue (like you did back in uni halls?)…?

@molecrochip Thanks. Really good to know and glad the "broken" rumours might be misplaced!

I am a swimmer and really like to get some laps on whilst on a cruise. Loved the size of the adult only pool on the Britannia, was totally frustrated by the postage stamp pools and children per sq m on the Iona. I am going on Ventura for the first time and I am intrigued by the swim current in the Oasis/Endless pool. I am also concerned about the mentions online of it being broken. What are your guys experiences? Can you get a decent swim? Will I be able to get my swim on?

Sad to report that you are scr*wed as a single traveller on upgrades. You have to pay for two people even though there is only one of you. So it's completely unaffordable. Shame.

I've found that the people on this P&O forum are inclined to be grumpy and there is a bias of over reporting of issues with Freedom Dining. Yes, there have been one or two outlier cruises where something went wrong with the app - but the vast majority are fine and I wouldn't let tales from the moaners put you off. I've done both Iona and Britannia on FD now and had no issues. You simply keep an eye size of the queue on the app. There is barely any queue if you want to dine early or late. In the popular hours, 7-8pm-ish, you can simply enjoy a drink on your balcony or in a bar whilst you wait. You get used to it very soon. It's just not a good option for those who want to eat the moment they think about it or those who choose not to embrace modern technology and use the app. If you want a table quicker, you can always elect to share a table too.

I wish the hot tub rules were enforced. The amount of kids using them as swimming pools with no parents in sight is really bad. I don't like being kicked and splashed.

No idea I'm afraid as I didn't feel the drinks package was value for money. But as the staff just go to the adult pool bar to get drinks and take your card for payment, I imagine the drinks package would operate as normal. But seriously, think twice about the drinks package. Very restrictive and not good value, especially as you can take 1ltr alcohol per person on board to drink in the cabin.

I LOVE wheatbeer and always very disappointed that P&O does not stock it, not even in the "extensive" (cough, cough) range in the pub. The range of beer is very British focused and the few non-British beers are very unexciting. This compares to MSC which has three (three!) different wheatbeers and several of those as a standard draft option (amazeballs)... there is even a wheatbeer based aperol cocktail! I ended up drinking Crabbies on my cruise last week as an alternative when I wanted a longer drink. Worth mentioning that do at least have Thatchers. Luckily pubs on land normally understand the need for a pint of the creamy beer, so I wasn't completely deprived 😉

Just got off of the Britannia today and I had booked the Retreat all week. We had some gorgeous weather and so it was worth it to escape from the scrum on the main deck. The Retreat also has 50% of the hot tubs on the ship - 2 of 4. The two on main deck were always very busy. So, if good weather it is 100% the best investment you can make with a panoramic view from the front of the ship. Wet weather = unusable. They served healthy lunch and breakfast consisting of prepared salads - a meat and veg option. Also an afternoon scone! There was essentially a butler service for drinks from the bar (paid for) and an endless supply of tea, coffee and ice water (included). I LOVED it. Much assisted by the fact it was located by the adult pool for a swim and tge adult pool is actually a decent size. Meaning it was possible to have a good swim! No postage stamps here!

When i disembarked the Iona in May, the queue for the taxi rank was ridiculous. Those getting an Uber or equivalent was far quicker.