Lee Jones Jnr

So is the general feeling here that Ocean Village were just a little ahead of their time?

Expensive and higher cost are not the same thing. P&O are changing the type of line that they are. I’m not suggesting that they are doing the wrong thing, they are a business and must do what they think is best. I must do the same so will likely be cruising with other lines more and P&O less. I am certain they both they and I will survive.

Including this I feel. I certainly don’t feel like a ‘keyboard warrior’ and the comment wasn’t intended to be anything other than a wee light hearted one.

P&O getting cheaper when everything else in the world is rising in cost is giving me the fear. The market they are targeting is changing and I feel like I might not be in it anymore.

(That is literally the opposite of Carpe Diem)

It’s just marketing innit. Keeps people engaged and eager to book.

I'll be interested to see your itineraries, how big is the ship you have on order?

It didn't really occur to me earlier, but body lotion and face cloths? Is this really a thing that many people care about?

Splendid thankyou

I’m just trying to compile a record of all the cruises I’ve done (or in this case been on as staff) and there’s a big block missing from when I worked on Aurora as the data I have from Harding’s only includes the 2007 itinerary.

WELL… What I was getting at was that as the traditional P&O audience are either dying or finding themselves with less money to spend, P&O are having to appeal to people from other audiences. I honestly don’t mean this to sound as horrible as it does, but the 4* and 5* hotel guests are the ‘squeezed middle’ so P&O is chasing more 3* guests in order to remain profitable and grow.

Meh, I'm not vegan but I eat vegan meals reasonably regularly. It's not 1980, it's not a choice between a dozen meat containing meals or a salad anymore. I really don't care about this enough to get involved in an argument so if people say that there was only one meal choice that was not vegan in the MDR, well, okay sure. In the end the only thing to do is vote with your feet and book elsewhere with a line that has suitable menus.

Guys... you know that you are allowed to eat a vegan mean even if you aren't vegan right? There certainly has been a bit of gradual erosion to the experience and a move downmarket as P&O and others try to not only replace the 'traditional' cruise market who are dying but grow as well. In order to survive/thrive they need to appeal to younger solos/couples/families and many people are really struggling financially. As time goes on there may be a greater and greater divide between 'mass' and 'upmarket' lines.

Does anyone know where I can find the Aurora 2008 Itinerary, ideally with the World Cruise split into the separate cruises that were sold?

Ah. I anticipated something more than decor preference. Do you know why Aurora was kept alive and Oceana was killed? I don’t but I’d be interested to know what influenced that decision.