StopTheWorld

You need to buy premium access for all passengers in the cabin.

If they want to know how many powered wheelchairs/scooters are onboard, all they have to do is ask customers to declare this in advance. If they need to set a limit, then again ask people in advance, and cap the numbers. It really doesn’t matter which cabin the powered device is allocated to, because the powered device will probably be out of the cabin more than in. P&O saying that customers with a powered device need to be in an accessible cabin “so that crew know where to locate the device” is nonsense- how will crew locate the device if the emergency happens when the person isn’t in the cabin? What P&O are doing is forcing everyone with a powered chair into an accessible cabin, even if they don’t need it, which leaves those who DO need an accessible cabin less choice. And those of us who have booked a regular cabin are now facing cancellation of our cruise. And no one yet knows the real reason behind this policy change, which is the really frustrating thing.

We’re booked into a mini-suite. Huge room with a sofa and 2 armchairs. It also has a bath and separate shower cabinet. But on the list of “suitable cabins” provided by P&O only 2 mini-suites are shown which I presume are accessible mini-suites. My husband can manage fine with his sticks in the cabin and so we did not book, nor do not need, a fully accessible cabin. A ridiculous situation as we could ask for one or both of the armchairs to be removed and put the wheelchair there. (I know the armchairs can be removed upon request). My only hope is that there is still an accessible cabin available at this short notice. I’m waiting for a response from my travel agent.

Another rant!!! Booked on my 1st P&O cruise next January - embarking Arcadia in Auckland for the second half of the world cruise. I advised P&O at the time of booking of my husband’s mobility issues, duly completed the form, and the evacuation chair appeared on my itinerary. As my husband’s mobility has deteriorated since booking, we have been considering purchasing a powered wheelchair to take on with us….. and then the email arrived. I have sent off a list of questions to my travel agent in the hope that she can get some sense out of P&O. It appears from @TigerB experience that we may now not be allowed to board with a powered wheelchair (which folds down) if an accessible cabin is not available 😫 But we CAN take on board a manual wheelchair of the same dimensions and folding mechanism? I do not understand P&O’s explanation for this (forcing all powered chair users in to a fully accessible cabin) at all “This is to make sure the powered mobility device can be stored in a place the crew can easily reach in the unlikely event of an emergency.” 🤔 So…. will there be a designated place for you to store your chair/scooter in whilst in your cabin? What if you need it to move around the cabin? How will the crew find it!!! And for those with a manual wheelchair, the crew won’t have any difficulty finding their chair in an emergency? Does the battery on a chair act like an invisibility cloak at sea?? And to top it all off, the previously confirmed evacuation chair has now disappeared from my itinerary. (Thanks to @Selbourne as I wouldn’t have thought to check). An alternative cruise can’t be found for us - the world cruise only happens once a year - and we have booked flights and accommodation for 3 weeks before emabarking in Australia and New Zealand. To say I’m not happy is an understatement 😡

On Apex this summer there was reserved seating every night for Premium Access. A member of staff stood in the aisle and checked your sea pass card before letting you in, and all the seats had “reserved for premium access cards on them.

When I was on Apex this year, and had premium access, I got Zenith luggage tags for debarking. This meant my luggage was first off and was in the hall along with other zenith luggage. Useful if you want an early departure.

Glad you made it on board @monkey@cruise Hope you have a great cruise 😊

Thanks for a great review @villauk Safe journey home 😊

Oh no! Is there no other way to get to Yokohama other than Shinkansen? Hope you get something sorted - what a stress 😣 You have been so helpful to so many of us asking questions about Japan travel, I know lots of people are wishing you luck!

The reserved seats were on the lower level, not directly in front of the stage, but just to the right, about half way down from the entrance. The seats were available every night and a member of staff checked your card before allowing you to sit there.

If you have premier access you can have a sit-down lunch in one of the dining rooms along with Concierge cabin, back-to-back and Zenith guests. Suite guests can have lunch in Luminae. Everyone else has access to the buffet and mast grill at the pool. Remember you also get free room service, if this is something you’ll use a couple of times, you’ll soon recoup the extra $30. I had the premier access for a recent Apex cruise and it wasn’t much more than the wifi on its own, so it was a no brainer. The embarkation lunch was a nice way to start the cruise, and the reserved seats in the theatre were a godsend as it was standing room only most nights.

And if you’re asking for a malt whisky with coke you should be put off the ship at the next port 😂 Please enjoy our national drink as it’s intended - with a wee splash of water. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Already a fan @Miaminice 😉

Loving your review so far @villauk so soon after @Lunastella! All of us booked on Japan cruises are being spoiled 😊 Are you planning to walk to the cruise terminal from your hotel? Our plan (in October so hopefully cooler and less humid) is to walk from Nidon-Ohori station after getting the train from Shinjuku-sanchome. It looks easy according to google maps! But that’s what Lunastella thought when she embarked on her epic journey to the Intercontinental, and we all know how that turned out 😬 If the route is flat and easily navigable with luggage I don’t mind, but I’m happy to get a taxi to save any hassle!

Thank you SO much for your wonderful review! I love your writing style 😊 and appreciate how much effort you put in to it. I’ve taken away so many tips for our October Japan cruise on Millie.