FangedRose

Relatively new. It wasn't on my Aug/Sept cruise last year. But, was on my most recent cruise in April/May.

The non- app is used on Aurora, but not needed for booking mdr restaurants and entertainment. You can use it for booking speciality restaurants (I think, never use them), booking excursions, accessing you on board account, checking your calendar which shows the itinerary and any bookings you have made. It also has The Horizon programme and that days edition of Britain Yesterday (Today) which has more pages than the printed one. I find very useful and better than carrying multiple bits of paper around and having to go to reception (and more paper) or cabin TV (not on Aurora) to check your account.

Only one mdr (The Medina) is open for breakfast (and lunch).

I've sailed with both US lines both from the USA and Europe, and (more often) with P&O from the UK. There is a difference between the two tipping cultures on board. I don't particularly notice any difference in the attitude or politeness of the staff. As I said tipping bar staff per drink is not expected (or even catered for). But feel free to tip whoever you think deserves it at the end of the cruise.

Can you not book The Olive Grove pre cruise?

Exactly. And the fact that Eavesway doesn't even run a service from Carlisle anymore makes it a no brainer.

You have already paid all your tips when you paid your fare. If you have a regular seat in a regular bar with regular bar staff you may want to leave them something extra at the end. No. You don't get a receipt to sign (usually) they just swipe the card on their tablets. Tipping is definitely not a P&O (or British) thing. Tipping to "assist with service" is seen as bribery by many, and will be frowned upon if you are seen to jump the queue by offering an incentive for preferential treatment.

Mine stayed overly hot longer than I was expecting! Maybe, as you say, the drink wasn't hot enough in the first place.

.Only the big ships have coaches arriving at 3pm. All others coaches arrival time is between 1pm and 2pm. Nor is it necessary to book stuff. The trouble is the big ships, not the coach.

Don't need to book anything.on board

Not for takeaway drinks you didn't. These replace the plasticated cardboard (non recyclable) takeaway cups, not drinks when sitting in the cafe.

Not for takeaway drinks you didn't. If you are sitting in the cafe you still get your coffee in cups as normal. These cups replace the plastic/cardboard (non recyclable) takeaway cups.

Had them on every single tour I've been on.

We had them on my last cruise in April/May.

No, you do not return them. They are reusable like all such cups.

Doesn't feel lucky at 4.30am!

That would be fine for normal nights (assuming dockers aren't shorts). For Celebration/Black Tie/Formal nights you need a jacket and tie for mdr and certain other venues (depends on ship). You can always go to a speciality (pay extra) restaurant or the buffet. Don't know what dockers are but no shorts after 6pm.

If you are self disembarking you are expected to leave the ship first (7am-7.30am). Cabins have to be vacated by 8am. They want everyone leaving the ship to be off by 10am. Just tell P&O (probably best to tell reception whilst on board, P&O shoreside cannot be relied on to give you the right info) you won't be using the flight and they will give you a place and time to meet for disembarkation. Leave your cases outside your room as per instructions the night before and pick them up from the baggage hall.

They will wait as long as they can. If port authorities tell them to go they have to go! But they will arrange accommodation and catching the ship at next available port etc.

You can't book online for complementary travel.

I'd be hard pushed to have 15 drinks a day, irrespective of alcohol content!

Yes

I know what it is. But I'm still sure the start date has been pushed back.

In April the coaches arrived at normal times despite boarding being delayed for a deep clean.

I'm sure that's been pushed back (again).