Host Sharon

Not necessarily when you add up extra costs of insurance, transport, drinks, speciality restaurants, wifi, speciality coffees, icecream, 24hr room service, larger cabin and excursions.

Also note, if you ask for Prosecco in a bar they will say it is extra. If you ask for a sparkling white wine, you will get a very nice English wine, better, IMO than Prosecco and all included.

Some lines, such as Saga and Regent, give a free cruise to their top tier passengers.

Much as I love formal nights I do tend to take more cocktail dresses now rather than full-length gowns, but that is as much to do with my mobllity issues. I think a nice cocktail dress or pair of trousers can look as good on a formal night, specially with heels and a pretty bag.

Me too. Not aware of anything anywhere.

I've paid £175 pp pn all inclusive, but only by pre-registering. You don't have to make a snap decision as they will hold a cabin overnight - important for me as I have to discuss with my friend with whom I share. Also, even if you go ahead and book, there is a 14 day cooling off period when you ask for a full refund. Don't forget Oceania and Azamara may be a similar standard but do not include everything. Saga is the only line I have walked off with a £0 bill.

Booked a B2B for next May/June

Yes, me too, and a number of my friends also on this cruise. At the very least they know that they are upsetting passengers. One friend booked it for her husband’s 70th birthday and, like us, has been to Messina many times but never to Rhodes.

When I highlighted that I was told that the ship was blessed before her maiden cruise. If she was, then it is a pity that was not televised too, as, to me, that is a much more meaningful ceremony.

Suggest you write to Paul Ludlow, as most of us have done. At least P&O will know we are unhappy then.

I'm voicing my concerns to Paul Ludlow. If no one complains about this, they will keep doing it. So if anyone else wants to write in please do.

Wesley Dunlop I believe

Comments on moderation are usually deleted but for info - It hasn't been removed from this thread, but was removed from another thread as Off Topic there.

Mine came from my TA today. Heraklion changed to 14th, Rhodes swapped to Messina.

It has but not sure we will be aboard. Although we can't cancel we might change cruises.

Just been emailed to say that on the Aurora Mediterranean cruise this October, Rhodes has been swapped for Messina. Rhodes was my personal highlight port and I really do not want a fourth stop in Messina. I realise that this change is not a good enough reason to be able to cancel but I am really cheesed off now. 'Operational reasons' of course.

The subtitles were hilarious. The rest of it excruciating. Just my opinion. I mean - a cooking lesson in a naming ceremony? And no blessing.

Good luck. It appears even the sides of the prom deck have it on Iona & Arvia.

If boarding in Southampton you can bring as much luggage as you like aboard, as long as it will all fit in your cabin and no one item weighs more than 20kg. You will be able to print off labels from your cruise personaliser about 2 weeks before you leave. Every piece of luggage must have a label or the handlers won't know which cabin to deliver it to. I would recommend any alcohol/drinks be kept in hand luggage or you might end up with very soggy clothing.

I see another captain (and his wife) have been flown out to Arvia to man the bridge while Arvia's captains are at the beach naming. I wonder if the aft suite was needed for their accommodation?

Also note, as from April 1, any cruises booked through an agent won't count towards the Britannia Loyality Club.

One captain likened it to being the MD of a large company. As for the HGM, I think his or her visibility depends on the size of the ship. I have always seen them around on Aurora and Arcadia.

The Which report doesn't appear to have taken into account the fact that some lines, such as Silverseas, Saga and Regent are all-inclusive which makes a huge difference to value for money ratings.

Indeed. They are the perfect size for me but much larger than Saga Pearl for example. ALso, in the days of Pearl and Sapphire, you could book an inside cabin. No excursions or WiFi were included and you only got wine for lunch and dinner so the cruises I guess were that much less. I don't know becuase I only started with Saga when Discovery was launched.

I'm not sure that is true about those who cruised on the old Saga ships pushing up the average age. The one moan I continually hear from that cohort on forums etc is that the new ships are too big and too expensive now all cabins are balcony ones.