ozzysdad

Thank you very much for your information and input, you've been helpful.

* update which may be some use to others* I called the Premier Inn which is the transfer pick up point and they allow cruise passengers who are staying overnight to use their carpark for the duration of the cruise, all that is required is a £20 payment which they then donate to Great Ormond Street hospital, with that information we will drive up the day before and leave the car there. Thanks to those who've been of help. For information a Premier Inn Plus room is coming in at less than £50 for the night.

Good evening, I'm hoping somebody may be able to help. I'm looking at a cruise out of Southampton and taking advantage of the coach transfer so i'd appreciate any help with a couple of queries I have. Nearest pick up appears to be at Bolton football ground which is 20 miles away from me, can I leave my car there for 2 weeks? Are there even car park facilities in and around the stadium?. What time roughly on a Sunday would we be picked up and how long is the journey down?. What time will we get back there on a Sunday, I appreciate this may vary but a rough idea would be of help. If I think of anything else I'll let you know, TIA 🙂

I personally feel it's scandalous what we are being charged to book seats and leaves a bad taste for me.

Not for me, I rang them and they assured me it was all done but it wasn't showing up on the booking, fortunately my TA chased it up for me and it was all rectified within a few hours.

Came back last week, every day was 20°C or above, touched 30 a couple of days, some cloud and the occasional shower, Madeira is always hit and miss as it has it's own micro climate but still shorts and t-shirt weather, year before in December had two weeks of blue sky around 25°C every day, generally you'll have good weather and we were lucky as it was about -10 at home, great time to travel in my opinion, quiet airport, very few children and near on guaranteed some winter sun, great value for money cruise in my opinion and love Azura, as for the pools they are not heated and were a little chilly but nice once you got on them, jacuzzis were heated though.

Fair points but I wouldn't allow any of that to spoil a holiday, it may be worth bearing in mind that brochures are printed years in advance, some of these staff now have multiple roles onboard and I'm thankful for the service they provide, I'd be disappointed if the speciality restaurants aren't open but I suspect this is done as a last resort and is really something P&O are loathe to do given the extra revenue they provide. Is anything ever as good as it used to be? Probably not and having introduced friends to cruising over the past few years all are more than happy particularly when you compare them directly to beach holidays.

What needs remembering in all this is P&O like many are almost giving cruises away at the minute, you can cruise for peanuts now compared to when I took my first cruise in 2005, obviously this is going to be reflected in the levels of staffing and service you receive, it's not rocket science. Other factors to consider are they are being undercut by the likes of MSC whose base fares for Southampton cruises work out cheaper than staying in Southampton in a budget hotel, they are torn between a rock and a hard place trying to balance the price with the Silversea service many feel they should receive, I went on Ventura 12 months ago and really enjoyed it, value for money was outstanding and I couldn't find anything to complain about, was it P&O from a decade ago? - probably not but I'd paid half the money from a similar cruise in 2010, now if service and luxury is my bug bear there are plenty who'll allow me to pay for the privilege. Problem I have now with those doing the reviews is they expect Butlins prices with Hilton service, that mindset invariably leaves you disappointed, anyway I'm off on Azura in a couple of weeks and have Arvia and Iona to look forward to next year all being well, I shall enjoy them the best I can whilst my health and legs allow me.

I love watching the YouTube vlogs, I find Jamie a little self absorbed at the best of times so no longer watch his content so will have to take others word for it, if he did experience poor service due to staff shortages that's a shame, if it was on the back of using venues and boarding at peak times then that is easily avoided for a seasoned cruiser.