jan1403

We went on an early saver in February with my parents and they got their cabin allocation 5 days before sailing

As for cabin being allocated, there doesn't seem to be a definite time. We are going with my parents on 30th January and we got our cabin number 2 weeks ago and my parents still haven't got theirs and it's only 11 days off!

As part of the check in procedure there are P & O representatives there getting you to fill out health questionnaires.

It depends on the itinerary as we were on Ventura last February and we had a formal night on a port day. We booked restaurants when we were on board so that we could check which menu was on each day as we preferred one over the other

I have been able to access the cruise personaliser since the day after booking in May for a 30th Jan sailing

I was confused with this when we went in February. I think 23kg is the flight weight limit and 20kg is the ship limit per bag. We took one case each just under 23kg and didn't have any problems. You don't get any other labels than the ones you print yourself. Put plenty of sellotape round them to strengthen them. They will give you return labels on the ship a few days before you leave. Have a good cruise.

Went on Thomas Cook in February to Barbados and nothing wrong with the flight. Sufficient leg room and 2 seats together so no bothering anyone else when you need to get up and stretch your legs. We are on the TC flight again in January. It also leaves Manchester 2 hours earlier than the Thomson flight which is a bonus

We went with R & R cruising in February and had a fab day. No more than 12 guests at any one time.

The ship docks literally a couple of hundred yards from the beach. We went with White Sands on the 3 stop combo in February. There were 2 snorkelling stops which everyone enjoyed but you don't snorkel where the sting rays are. They take you to a deserted beach where the sting rays come in. The guides dive for conch which encourages the rays to the shore and where you can touch them. Have a look at their website and there is a link to a photo gallery. It was a great tour!

You can see from this photo how close ship docks to beach (not me in the photo by the way!)

I prefer to fly out Saturday. As others have said after an early start and long flight you can't enjoy the overnight stay at the beginning. However, we went to Oistins on our last night and found it to be over-rated. Won't to be going on our next visit. Not too bothered about the entertainment as we are quite happy to sit in a bar and chat with friends, old and new!

I think if you do a saver fare you have more chance of freedom dining. Friends of ours on Ventura in Feb booked a saver and got freedom but wanted 2nd sitting. They went to see restaurant manager and got it changed. Regretted it afterwards though - didn't get on with others on table. We have booked for Britannia at end of January next year on an early saver and hoping for freedom dining. Going back to Antigua so may be in touch with our friend Lawrence!

Hi, I was in Grand Turk 2 weeks ago and used White Sands. They were excellent! There was 10 on our trip which included 2 children. We had 2 snorkel stops and then on to a deserted island where the sting rays come in. I think they said there's 14 rays that live in the area. Before we got to the island one of the crew dived down for conch which they use to entice the rays in. They use the conch to make a salad as well. There are drinks on board - soft drinks, water and rum punch!

Just wondering if anyone recently back from Ventura can advise how long you have in each port. Going in February and visiting St Vincent, Dominica, St Lucia, St Kitts, Antigua, Tortola, Grand Turk and St Maarten. Also what time does the ship leave Barbados and when do you have the muster?

Hi, I am also visiting those islands. This will be my 3rd cruise. The first one we prebooked tours and the 2nd one we waited till we got off the ship and used a waiting taxi. I much preferred having a tour booked as we got more out of our days. For our upcoming February cruise, I've researched the ports of call pages on here and trip advisor and booked operators who are highly recommended.

Have a look at Bumpiing tours in Dominica, Cosol in St Lucia, Greys island excursions in St Kitts, and Lawrence of Antigua.

Thanks for all your replies. Looks like the tours will be back for 3pm at the latest, so we should be ok for a 4pm departure. As has been said before its in the interests of the operators to make sure we are back in plenty of time!

I'm currently researching what tours are on offer on the Islands but as yet don't know how long we will have in port. On the Cruise Personaliser it says depart afternoon! As some of the tours I've been looking at are 6 hours long I need to make sure we are back in plenty of time. Can anyone help? Thanks

I'm on Ventura in February and currently researching whats on offer on each of the Islands. I've experienced both pre-booking and waiting till I get off the ship on previous cruises and would prefer to pre-book as you get more for your money and you've got a structure to your day. I try and go for the companies that get good reviews on here and trip advisor.