Big Foot

18 hours ago, Malcolm142 said:

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to where I can find plans and pictures

of the suites on Iona and specifically the stern ones, grades B4, B5, B6

I can only find one photo in the brochure and online

Hello Malcom,

I am on Iona on 23rd May & am staying in an B4 aft suite 12738.

I plan to take lots of photos of the suite & indeed the ship & will post a link to them on here once home, as I suspect with the number of photos I will take I will never be able to upload them on board.

Joan

Thank you everyone for your comments.

I believe we too are leaving early afternoon & hence thought with the P&O organised tour we won't lose track of time & get left behind LOL!

Maybe we will be brave & DIY it.

Joan

Hi Jean,

It’s a walking tour in Bergen.  Yes we can probably do it ourselves, but just wondered if the waitlist option is no longer available?

Joan

Hello,

I have just logged onto onto my CP for my upcoming cruise on Iona in May & noticed that one of the excursions we wanted to book is sold out.  There used to be an option to select a “wait list” but I cannot see this.  Am I missing something obvious, or is it another thing you can do longer do online & will have to ring P&O?

Any ideas???

Thank you.

5 minutes ago, Precioussmeagol said:

Fabulous information thank you. I love the sun more than I probably should and so that was my biggest concern and there were people on Facebook describing these particular balconies as greenhouses and conservatories which sounded like a nightmare. 
thanks again for taking the time to post this as I’m sure it will be very informative for many other people as it has been for me 

Ditto! Maybe it’s not as bad as we first thought!

39 minutes ago, sueandphil said:

Well, after returning last weekend from our 22 night TA, I have been reading from afar the comments about the new canopies. I feel that, apart from the mini cruise after the refit there are only a handful of us so far that are able to submit a subjective opinion. We were in B724 Ellora suite( a first for us) having sailed on Britannia 6 times previously. We have also stayed in A722 which is directly above B724. I posted a photo on Facebook (P&O Cabins) as we departed Southampton and was surprised at some of the negative and rude comments in return, even to suggest it was not even Britannia I was on and was speaking from my proverbial. I there decided to keep my opinions to myself even though my intention was to help others.

Well here goes. We were not told of the installation of the canopies, but we were aware of them before we boarded from various forums. We were surprised at the size of the canopy but could immediately see some positives. Leaving Southampton for the Caribbean we knew we could face any number of weather patterns and thought that this would be a good test. On the first sea day we were able to sit out on the balcony in the morning and have an early cup of tea, even though the weather was poor.By day two we were using the loungers to lay and read in just T shirt and shorts. We did experience a few small smuts of soot when the foot was hard to the floor but these were immediately sorted by our cabin steward. Being a TA we were only subjected to early morning sun but it did manage to peep through to the cabin early am. 

The canopy therefore does offer you protection from the soot and the elements but heavy rain will still find its way in a little. There was also a slight smell of exhaust fumes on a couple of occasions when the wind was in the wrong direction. We held a couple of deck parties and were sheltered enough to stay outside. A big advantage is that you are afforded more privacy from A deck above and the overlookers and smokers from the Sunset bar. Once in the Caribbean the weather was obviously hotter and there was a noticeable lack of breeze but no more than we have experienced on a standard balcony. Therefore there are pros and cons 

I know the changes will not suit everyone but I think the advantages are greater than the disadvantages and will say that you need to experience them before you make your mind up.

We have incidentally booked the same cabin for the TA next year and I ain't changing it(unless A726 becomes available)

Hello,

many thanks for taking the time to post your review.

we are staying in B726 in Sept 2021.  It’s good to hear positive reviews of the canopies.

3 minutes ago, Suebiker said:

Here is the review that went with the photo

 

On the recent transatlantic I had suite A727 which has the large wrap around balcony. I can confirm that the new canopy in no way effected the sun on our balcony. On the way out to the Caribbean the sun was not on our side of the ship anyhow so it made no difference. After Madeira the sun then moved more directly aft and several days it was so hot and glaring that you couldn’t sit outside for more than 10 minutes at a time. We also spoke to the people in the normal balcony adjacent. Whilst the cover does make these balconies more enclosed than the suites they also had no complaint. We had no privacy issues and never once required a soot clean. In our opinion this was the nicest cabin we’ve ever had and I would not hesitate to book this cabin again.

Thank you for posting this, as it’s nice to hear from someone who has actually stayed in one of the suites.

Maybe it’s one less thing for me to worry about now!

4 minutes ago, Precioussmeagol said:

I’m guessing it’s A. If you look through the balcony glass you can kinda make out the canopy over B deck 

Doh! Of course it’s A deck, I can now see the canopy below .... it’s been a long day!

30 minutes ago, Precioussmeagol said:

Thank you for this

Thank you, yes agree it makes me feel better.

Do you know if it’s the A or B deck suite?

5 minutes ago, Precioussmeagol said:

I’ve found a couple more images of the canopies that may interest you.

 

the 2nd image is of the suite we had last year and the suite we have for 2021 and it’s dramatically different not just in terms of sun but in terms of the view of the horizon 

 

 

Thank you for these; I see what you mean!

Whilst I don't think I'm going to be overly happy about the canopy, I still love the suite itself so will stick with it.  At the end of the day, I will just have to sunbathe up on deck; assuming of course we get the weather!

Also, we don't go until Sept 2021 so a lot can change between now & then.

We spent 19 nights on a aft suite on Azura where the balcony is totally covered, so at least this isn't quite a bad, but agree we should have known before we booked it.  As like many others, we booked based on the fact we'd had the suite previously. 

30 minutes ago, Precioussmeagol said:

Same here, trying to look for the positives, hence why I’m trying to find images and stories of people’s experiences that have sailed since the refit. 
 

We used our corner suite balcony all day long and ate out there in the evenings, watched the wake at night time and found the soot to be very minimal, perhaps that’s why I’m so concerned, because we used our balcony more than most. 
 

Even if it turns out to be better than I am anticipating, the fact is that we are spending close to £25000 with p&o over 2 cruises for 2 suites. It’s not a small amount of money. And the way they’ve emailed us as though they have simply changed the carpet is appalling. We wouldve simply booked different suites had we been told. And to add insult to injury they don’t seem to be willing to acknowledge what a big issue this is for some people. It just leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. 
 

I will try to make the best of the cruise we have booked in 2020 but if it is as bad as it appears in images, I will not be going ahead with the cruise in 2021, even if it means I lose my deposit. 
 

I love p&o and I do not fly so cruising is my own holiday outside of the uk, they had a customer for life in me, but the way this has been done has made me reassess the way I feel about them 

Totally agree with you. 

We too used our balcony all day long &  occasionally nipped upstairs just to use the pools & Jacuzzi's.  It was our own private oasis, hence why we were prepared to pay the extra for the suite. Hubby isn't so much of a sun lover so he could nip in & out of the suite as & when the sun got too much, opposed to us sitting in different places on deck, me in the sun & him huddled undercover somewhere.

The only thing I won't miss is the midday washing of the balconies, especially when the stewards first started doing it without warning!!

4 minutes ago, Rupert2251 said:

Certainly will, we are not on her until Setpember but I'm sure someone will comment before then. We still prefer to have the canopies rather than being gawped at from above, much more private than they used to be. Personally I don't think it will have much impact on the sun you can always sit further forward or on the corner bit....just my opinion..

Brilliant; thank you. I clearly misinterpreted your post, when you said you were very happy with them, as I thought you were currently on or had been on Britannia since the refit.

7 hours ago, Rupert2251 said:

Yes all of A & B deck, we are very happy with them, we have the corner suite starboard side on A deck along with the cabin next door........fabulous!! 😁

Can you please let us know if the canopy impacts on the amount of sun you get on the balcony?

Thanks 

3 minutes ago, Precioussmeagol said:

 

Thank you for that, I shall take a look 

Thank you, so I will, once I’ve been accepted by administrators!

36 minutes ago, P&O SUE said:

If any of you are on Facebook some pictures have been posted of the new canopies - I’m afraid most people weren’t happy with them.

Do you know on which P&O FB as there’s more than one & I can’t find them?!

Or are you referring to the 2 pictures already posted?

Thank you.

4 minutes ago, Precioussmeagol said:

Sorry to jump into this conversation I’m new here but I have 2 cruises booked in aft suites on deck a and deck b on Britannia in 2020 and 2021. We have sailed in suite a727 previously and despite some minor issues with soot we loved it. We booked the 2021 cruise on the day of release and the 2020 cruise sometime in August 2019. Today we received an email informing us that we our balconies that we loved so much will now be covered by a tinted glass canopy. All aft balconies on a deck and b deck are now covered, I’ve seen some images and they look as though they are now completely shaded. P&O have stated this is to give guests privacy, however, having sailed before we knew we would be overlooked and chose to go ahead anyway. I understand that the canopy may suit some people better but my issue is that we are only being informed now. Britannia came out of dry dock on the very day we booked the 2021 cruise, it would’ve been nice if we could’ve been informed sooner and I’m guessing that the reason they’ve sent out the email almost 4 weeks later is because they’ve probably had complaints from people that have sailed on her since she came out of dry dock because they weren’t informed. I’m hoping with time there will be more images or videos of the new situation that will leave me more able to assess to what degree the balconies are shaded. The p&o website has Britannia deck plans on there for 2019/2020 and the balconies are still marked as overlooked and have no symbol to mark them as shaded. This is probably the wrong place to ask but has anyone had a similar email or have sailed in the aft suites since the refit that could shed some light on the situation. I can find no mention of it elsewhere on the internet. 
 

Hello,

I too am booked in an aft suite in 2021 & received the same email this morning.

I raised the issue with my TA after I saw a post refit photo of the aft & like you booked knowing the balcony is overlooked but loved it for the space & the sun we've previously experienced.

This is the reply I received ....

I have spoke to one of the P&O representatives and they have confirmed that they have put canopies that are in fact glass canopies over these suites which gives these cabins privacy. She has advised that this will not affect your space or the amount of sun as these are made of glass.

Like you, I am hoping that some additional photos etc appear in due course.

Joan

Rain in the med in September....it better not LOL.

21 minutes ago, caber said:

I am waiting for a reply from my T A about this. I booked an aft facing cabin on A deck as it was large and part shade, part sun. Now I am not sure if I will get and sun at all. 

 

Hello,

I've just booked an aft corner suite on B deck for Sept 2021 as we've had it before & loved it.

Looking at this photo I'm now not so sure we've done the right thing.  I love the sun & am worried that we're not going to get any now.  Never knew this was on the cards.

Can anyone confirm that the canopy covers the B deck suites as well & what the impact is on the sun?

Thank you.

Joan

Hello,

I’ve just checked the Horizon from my recent cruise on Azura & it states the following:-

Oasis Spa Gym

Open 24 hours

Resistance Machines, Weights & Treadmills 8am - 8pm

 They do advertise a free fab abs class at 7 am every morning.

 Hope this helps. 

On 9/17/2019 at 2:40 PM, paphoslady said:

I've only been on Btitannia and now looking at Azura for June 2020. What's the Glass House like on Azura? Is there a good selection of ales/beers (for my husband lol) as this was sadly lacking on our recent RCL cruise.

Hello,

Apologies for the delay, however, as promised, here’s some photos of The Glass House on Azura and the drinks menu, together with that from Brodie’s.

Hope it helps.

Joan

Hello 

The Glass House always looks very nice & seems quite popular however, I’m not a drinker so not best placed to answer your question.

That said I popped there this evening & have taken some photos of the venue & drinks menu, which I will upload to Flickr on Saturday when I get home & post the link as I’m struggling to upload on here.

Hope this will help.

joan

Thank you to everyone who replied to this thread.

just to let you know that we were unable to dock at Heraklion due to high winds.  Apparently whilst we could have docked, there was concern that we might not be able to push off the berth & therefore become stranded.  

As such, it was arranged that Azura would make a maiden call to Souda Bay, which is on the other side of the island.

Joan

On 9/10/2019 at 9:35 PM, P&O SUE said:

Thanks Joan, those buffet seats don’t sound too good but like you that wouldn’t stop my enjoyment of the cruise!

Hello,

Currently sat in Venezia restaurant having breakfast & all the round table booths have been taped off.

Two workmen have just come in & have dismantled to seats & have taken them away to be repaired.

Joan

3 hours ago, Babyeddiedog said:

 

Is Minguel is your butler?

 

Hello,

yes he is & has been great.  In fact has just delivered dinner so we can eat on our balcony

8 hours ago, Babyeddiedog said:

We got off the week before Joan. She hasn't mentioned the smell on deck 6/7 around the atrium so I guess that has gone now. For the first 4 days of our cruise the odour of sewage was VERY strong, I wouldn't have sat in the Blue Bar for anything! Our suite was very clean and well cared for, much better than I thought it would be, but some areas are in need of that refurb. 

 

I have to say that we din't notice the 750 kids, but we live in Italy so find British kids well behaved 🙂 

I haven’t been in the Blue Bar so cannot comment on that.  However, I can’t say I’ve noticed a smell around the atrium.  That said there is a smell by the mid ship lifts on deck 15, but again it’s not Impacting in my cruise.

Theres been various notes in the Horizon regarding the fact that they are cleaning the tanks, whatever they may be & there may be a residual smell.

We too are in a (aft) suite & if I really wanted to find fault with it I could, but overall I’m having a great time.