chunkster20uk

5 hours ago, daiB said:

Note that this menu looks the same as on Oriana last week but does not cover all the beers available. They were stocking a number not mentioned on the list.

Thank you, that’s good to know.

I am flying with Thomas Cook Airlines to Barbados on Saturday, mine just says a maximum of 23kg hold luggage (I know that I can buy more, and it just says no bag can weigh more than 23kg).

Probably doesn't help, I would call P&O to make sure.

Thank you for sharing, a few different beers to what I had on Britannia in June, so looking forward to sampling them from Saturday.

A quick question about the beers, do P&O change up their selection whilst in the Caribbean, picking up more locally sourced beers or stick to their UK based selection?

On most of the 8 RCI cruises we've done we,along with many others, had the 'free' drinks package. Waiting time at the bars could be long especially running up to first and second set dining times, but most of the time wasn't too bad.

 

We will not partake of the package on P&O - £50-60 per day between us is the most we average on a P&O cruise, so not cost effective for us as a couple.

 

I had wanted them to introduce a drinks package but, given the individual drinks prices on P&O, hoped that it would be at a more competitive price.

I agree with you, I wanted a drinks package but thought it would be more competitive and also a few less petty rules.

Thanks for the replies- did not really consider roaming and maritime networks! Good to know the reception in port is good.

 

It sounds like the most cost effective thing might be to use 4G while in port and PAYG for a few WhatsApps on board. We could pay for the internet package, but with 3 cabins that adds up! Hoping our cabins are vaguely near each other so we can leave notes on doors as well (yep we are too cheap to pay for Select fare)

We went as a very large family group, we mainly relied on 4G in port, however I purchased WiFi (one device at a time can be connected package), so when I wasn't using it, or for something important others in our group would use it (with me controlling the password).

I sailed on Britannia in June to the Fjords, and posted on my return that I was not that impressed with the food quality or choices, other than the speciality restaurants.

Indian food was an option at Lunch and Dinner every day at the buffet, and so was either a Pie and/or Roast.

You will find that you now have to pay to preselect seats with virtually every airline, charter or scheduled. Cost will obviously vary, but for a return £30 is pretty reasonable.

 

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Flying in November and paid £120 for the two of us to book our seats.

I fly a bit for business on BA and you are right unless you book ‘Business Class’ or have status you have to pay to reserve your seats.

I think it depends on the chef. On our Aurora cruise to the fjords in 2012 there were local dishes on the MDR menu several times, likewise on our Iberian cruise in 2013, but I don't recall anything on our Caribbean cruise in 2015.

However, if you're docking in Jamaica, a visit to Scotchie's is well worth it for authentic jerk chicken, rice and peas etc. Although tourists go there, the locals still eat there too. Massive portions, reasonably priced, killer sauce!

Thank you.

Excursions are invariably more expensive on board (if there are places available, of course) - you will save much more booking early than any possible interest you might have made by keeping the payment in your pocket till embarkation.

 

The cancellation policy is generous. I don’t remember the details but you’ll find the answer on the P&O site. Possibly full refund if cancelled over 24 hours prior?? Someone will probably know and post

Useful to know thank you.

It has been a couple of years, but on Disney you could just pre-book and then pay on board, that making use of onboard credit.

It does make sense in my mind for excursions, but for dinner reservations I think it doesn’t. Just my opinion.

Always try and have a couple of light bites when on shore. Looking forward to Conch Fritters and Coconut Shrimp at the Barefoot Terrace Bar in St Marten.

Hi quick question about the food on a Caribbean cruise.

I found on our first P&O cruise (to the Fjords) that especially at the buffet that the food choices were a little boring and repetitive, I think that every day there was at least two from Roast/Pie/Curry and not of 'local' inspired dishes.

Can I expect the same in the Caribbean, or do they like other cruise lines do Caribbean themed food which I love?

We are going on our second P&O cruise on Azura in November and because on our last cruise didn't pre-book anything have been a bit shocked that want to charge up front for any reservations?

I cannot remember having to do this on other cruise lines I have been on, has this always been the case with P&O?

we could even have one for people who want to express shock/horror at the amount of alcohol some people will consume on their own holiday [emoji23][emoji6]

 

 

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:'):'):')That made me chuckle! :');-)

Fraid not - doubles are in the ‘excluded’ section [emoji849]

 

 

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Sorry, I misread your original post, I was agreeing that Doubles are excluded.

The package doesn’t restrict by volume ie pint or half pint - small glass large glass - it restricts by price (£6.95), double measures and bottles mixers

 

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Hi, somebody posted this link on another thread, it says double measures are excluded.

https://carnivaluk.metafaq.com/resources/carnivaluk/life-on-board/PO_UltimateDrinksPackage.pdf

Do the above calculations include days at port because if you drink less than above when in port and off the ship then you would have to drink even more on sea days to make up the difference.

On port days we don't usually spend a lot of time ashore 2-3 hours, so the calculations are about right, but yes if you go off the ship for the whole day then you would drink less onboard.

When looking at other cruise lines and drink packages it was coffee and water that always helps tip the balance.

Whilst drink prices on P&O are reasonable it doesn't take much to add up 4 Cocktails £24, 2 Glasses of Wine £14, add a couple of coffees and some water you are over £40

As I said on the other thread about the Drinks Package, we drink Perfect Serves as well and it is not eligible because it is a double and because the FT tonic is not eligible. Also I don't think that wine by the glass would be a success on a P&O drinks package.

 

I assume you can use OBC to buy a DP but if not that is another reason not to get one.

 

I think we are spoilt by the Celebrity DP's - there is nothing that we want that we cannot have as part of the DP and wine is constantly being topped up at dinner.

I have yet to cruise of Celebrity, our good friends did and said that their Drinks Package is outstanding.

I guess it does seem a bit shocking to some but here is a rough calculation:-

Costa Coffee - at least £12 a day (sorry we don't like the coffee in the room or in the dining room)

Water - about £14 a day (so that's about 2L each)

Drinks during the day, including pre-dinner - about £35 (beers and cocktails)

Wine with dinner - £25 (a couple of glasses each)

Evening drinks - about £35 (beers, cocktails etc)

That's getting no where near the 15 alcoholic drinks per person per day either.

From past cruise experiences and chatting to people, I know I am above average in drinks consumption, but I know many folks that would drink much more than this.

It is the silly rules that will stop us buying it.

Cannot have cans of mixer is a show stopper

We drink G&T Perfect Serves and cannot have either the gin or the FT tonic.

Cannot get large waters

Not sure how effective Wine by the Glass will be on P&O.

etc.

 

Also not sure if you can use OBC to purchase, if not, it's no use as as that is what we spend our OBC on

I agree, I would always have a double measure spirit so this rule is really putting me off, tied in with the tonic for my wife.

If I remember correctly when we were on Royal Caribbean, if a drink was over the limit (ie £6.95 in P&O's case) you just paid the difference, not only get 20% off, so much better in my opinion.

Having said that, doing some sums, I reckon by taking the package we would save close to £40 a day by taking the package.

I have only cruised with P&O once, earlier this year and will be sailing with them again in November, based upon my first experience (and bar bill, including soft drinks, water and coffee) I will be tempted to buy the drinks package, although some of the silly rules and limits are putting me off. But as I said on a different thread, at least they are offering a choice, if you don't want it you don't have to have it.

I have sailed on 3 other Cruise Lines and only had a drinks package once before and I definitely saved money.

All cruise lines have advantages and disadvantages, we felt that on P&O we were paying for things all the time, on other cruise lines soft drinks are included at dinner for instance, or available at a drinks station by the buffet, but the base cruise price is higher.

The biggest issue I had with P&O Bars was the service, compared to all three other cruise lines the bar service was no where near as good or attentive, but I guess that is because they are not working for tips.

I guess that it is all down to individual choice, and it may work for some and not for others.

Personally I am pretty sure I will be buying it for my 2 week cruise in November, as I have done the sums and based upon our cruise a couple of months ago and it will make sense for us. 2/3 Coffees a day, 3/4 bottles of water a day plus alcohol per person soon adds up.

I think that some of the silly rules and limits are a bit ridiculous/restrictive compared to say Royal Caribbean.

We loved Flam and thought it was the highlight, Olden wasn't on our itinerary which is a shame as we would loved to have gone to the glacier.

You can book the railway at Flam the day before or on the actual morning via their website, cheaper than through P&O and don't have to rush and queue at the station.

None of the P&O ships are perfect. Britannia doesn't have a Promenade deck. Azura and Ventura don't have a Crows Nest. The smaller ships don't have the choice of all the Select Dining venues and some have insufficient balcony cabins and a poor choice of accessible cabins. The passenger profile also varies between ships. They all, however, have their fans and haters in equal measure. At least you have tried Britannia. Makes me laugh how many criticise her yet have never cruised on her.

You are right, no ship is perfect for everybody, I am looking forward to trying Azura in November and will feedback on that to.

We were on Britannia during her maiden Christmas in the Caribbean and there were no children at the Serenity Pool during the various times we were there (although lots on board) and the loungers were not too tightly packed, at least compared to other parts of the ship, so the OP may just have been unlucky. I've never used the Retreat myself, but spoke to a couple of pax who had, who said they felt P&O tried to get away with providing the bare minimum of "perks" advertised and that it was not really exclusive at all. On Aurora last summer (summer holidays) there were two members of the Ents team on duty as lifeguards around the pool at all times and they would calm kids down and ask them to stop running/jumping etc. if they got too boisterous.

I was surprised that there were not lifeguards, and there also seemed to be a lack of 'officers' doing rounds on the decks like I have seen on other cruises, this I think would calm a few things down and also prevent children in the Serenity Pool.

In many places the beds were pushed next to each other without any gaps, just needs somebody to manage it in my opinion (feedback was given to P&O).

The Retreat was £25 per person, whilst pleasant enough, just didn't think it was value for money.