Somerset Cruiser

Be aware that if you choose Freedom NYE night only will be fixed dining and you will be allocated a sitting. If your dining time is important it may be better to book fixed for the whole cruise.

Where does the ship's shuttle drop off in Bridgetown? I have looked in the port of call section of CC but as my question is P and O specific I thought I would try here.

I am trying to DIY to Rockley Beach but the bus terminals seem to be a fair step from the port and most of the buses from Princess Alice terminal seem to go north, so I think I would need to get to Fairchild Street terminal?

Any help gratefully appreciated :)

P & O don't have a shuttle into Bridgetown. If you take a taxi from the cruise terminal I would think it would be about $10us each way to Fairchild street. On the other hand I would guess a round trip taxi for Rockley beach would be $40-50us.

If the cruise goes to Curacao I can recommend https://dolphin-academy.com/

Anyone travelling to embark should allow extra time. It started yesterday and is on until the 25th.

On the plus side, The Hurricane and Spitfire Mk.Vb, (G-MKVB), BM597 will take part in an air display on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th September 2016. Providing a spectacle for visitors with an impressive display, starting at 2pm.

Hoping to see that from Oriana next week.

Thanks to all for the replies, it sounds worthwhile.

Has anyone done the trip from Agadir, would be interested in comments, ie travel time.

Yes, it Britannia. Booked when we were on board her in May, we liked the ship very much but we are a bit apprehensive about the sunbed situation, we do like to sit out on Sea Days but am not going to get up at 5am/6am to get sunbeds as some posts seem to mention. P&O need to get on top of this as some people seem to be reserving 2 sets, one in the sun and one in the shade.

They do, but there seems to be no sign of it. Incidentally the sunbed problem I had on Britannia was discomfort. A thin cover and a badly placed crossbar meant I found them impossible to lie on.

Yep, thats the one (Feb 24th) and TOM035 back

That must be Britannia, we are on Azura (Feb 17th). Same weather, different holiday ;)

Ours is Thomson Friday flight in Feb 2017- 0835 from Gatwick, land at 1345 (local time). It does say that fight opens 4 hours before departure !!

TOM034 by any chance?

Yes they do as it happens but being P&O there are always those who find some problems.

 

 

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It is possible not to like something without having problems.

We had a perfectly good cruise on Britannia but wont be going back unless it is for an itinerary that we can't get elsewhere. We like big ships and have booked on Azura for the next 2 winters, we didn't even consider going back on Britannia.

We didn't have any problems but felt the ship lacked much of what we like in a ship.

For the record we loved the Bar at the rear of the ship and I thought the Beer selection in the pub was fantastic.

Haven't been to St Vincent, so unlikely - maybe I was thinking of Dominica? I'm pretty sure, though, that on our tour of Grenada, Glenn our guide pointed out the black beaches.

It would be true of Dominica and possibly Grenada, but I haven't seen them on Grenada.

Hi groovechick focus60, I believe I'm correct in saying Grenada's beaches are not up to much - mainly volcanic black sand.

Are you confusing Grenada with St Vincent because Grenada has many fine beaches,

Yes very small going on the one I have been in, it was for one night only but 2 weeks would not have been good. We have had inside cabins on Azura, Ventura and Oceana and always been happy with the cabin size.

They do, although no doubt some will tell you it is smaller and not as good as it used to be ;)

I think tendering from either ship is quite unlikely, I wouldn't let it be a factor when choosing which ship to go on.

I really don't know what to make of this, in the last 18 months we have been on Oriana, Azura, Ventura and Britannia. 37 nights in total and I struggle to recall a meal I didn't enjoy, there was 1 or 2. I am not fussy in the sense that I like all types of food. But if it isn't of good quality and well presented then I will send it back.

Menus have more variety now and although I don't think standards have fallen but they are variable from ship to ship and from time to time.

Interesting comment about big enough to do what you want on a balcony.

 

This is representative of a balcony on Britannia

 

Now here's a selection from various RCI ships for regular balconies (not extended aft or suites)

 

 

 

 

 

And this is from one of RCI's oldest ships (Splendour of the Seas which is leaving the fleet this year to go to Thomson Cruises) and even this built years ago appears to have larger balconies than the recent builds of P&O, Princess and NCL.

 

 

I know which ones I prefer.

My point is that 2 people can sit on the balcony comfortably, we played cards and had breakfast on there.

I also know which I would prefer but the balcony size is only a minor part cruise selection.

Very similar views to my own, although I would take issue with your assertion that the balconies are big enough to do whatever you want, we had a C deck balcony on our last cruise on Ventura and it was almost big enough to play football.

But the lower price for obstructed balconies does make them an attractive ocean view option with opening windows.

My point exactly John, you don't play football on a balcony :) Although what I actually said was "but big enough to do whatever anyone should want to do on a ships balcony"

why would you even bother with being the most travelled passenger? I don't understand it.

It's no bother it just happens, but just like age it's only a number.

I agree, this Regal PrIncess has personality, Brittainnia is dull......

In part I would agree, just back from Britannia and felt the Atrium area had the feel of a large soulless hotel lobby. The Glass House was a major disappointment.

Not all bad though, the Sunset bar and the Crows Nest are really good. There are plenty of outdoor seating areas around the ship as well. The balconies are small, but big enough to do whatever anyone should want to do on a ships balcony ;)

Thanks annieuk. Sounds about what we will do as we arrive the day before so 2 days in Barbados so will hire a car for first

You need to book well ahead for car hire in Barbados.

Agreed, one can Q in the morning for a day pass, which is on a first come first served basis. Q will start about 07.00 with no guarantee of a place, or position of bed. So start the Q to be safe.

 

With regard to the term "sunbeds", the Retreat has large padded comfortable loungers, the decks have the usual P&O offerings. You can actually leave your sunbed without concern of it being targeted by people with good manners and thought for others. It is also has more personal space and a nice peaceful environment

 

One pays for the total Retreat package, not just "beds".

I have just corrected that for you, no need to thank me.

they have fixed it now ;)

It doesn't look like the normal dock on the webcam.

Hard to believe but we were 'wowed' when we sailed on Airtours Seawing in 1995. These days will still enjoy cruising but the big ships are just functional really. Oceana is an exception, as others say the atrium is fantastic, except when the markets are on ;)