Sir Cumference

Hello 🙂

I'm just beginning to get back into cruising after having an extended break over the "covid" period. I know that the porters did not collect cases etc. from cars for a while but are they back to "normal" or do we have to take our own luggage to the hole in the wall?

I know that valet parking (with CPS) was suspended , but has it been reinstated?

Many thanks

I know this has probably been asked many, many times, so apologies for yet another one.

I am going on my first post-covid cruise (Christmas to Norway) and am about to start looking for insurance cover. My questions are:-

(1) Do P&O still require a certain minimum cover? and, if so, what are they

(2) Can anyone recommend a good and reasonably priced insurance company to cover a 71 year old with existing medical conditions - I accept it will depend on the actual pre-existing conditions.

(3) Has anyone used an insurance broker?

Many thanks

I'll confess right now that I've not read this entire thread - only the first two pages - so forgive me if I repeat something already said. I was on Ventura over Christmas and was very disappointed with so many aspects of the cruise. On my return home, I wrote to P&O (customer services) and eventually got a non-personal response simply saying that they were sorry I'd not enjoyed the cruise - none of the particular complaints were addressed. I will never book another P&O cruise again. I have four future ones booked and have already cancelled two of them - the other two may be cancelled soon too.

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I will explore further SAGA, Fred Olsen and the new Ambassador lines.

Thank you again!

I have been very loyal to P&O until now but, as a result of my last cruise am now seriously considering moving my loyally to another line - but which one?

My criteria is:

(a) Small - comparable to Aurora but no bigger than Azura/Ventura

(b) Sails from Southampton

(c) Uses sterling as on-board currency (via card) - not a deal breaker

(d) Offers Club (or set) dining

(e) Adult only - again, not a deal breaker

Please advise me:-)

Many thanks

I have just come off the Christmas cruise on Ventura and the Formal (now Celebration) nights were on the cruise personaliser a couple of week before departure. I made my plans (speciality dining) accordingly but when on board, the days were changed

- for no apparent reason - so, be warned!

I know that I need to book (and pay for) my day 2 PCR test on my return - and then "self isolate until I get a negative result" My question is this - just supposing I get a positive result, how would I need to prove a negative one?

(1) a negative (free) NHS Lateral Flow Test

(2) a (free) NHS drive through PCR test - would I be allowed out of isolation to0 get one done?

(3) a new (paid for) PCR test?

Yes, maybe I am a "glass half empty" kind of person, but I just like to know my options.

Thank you 🙂

Christmas on board is just amazing! I usually prefer an "adults only" ship but the only time i make an exception is for a Christmas cruise - the excited children make it. There are carol services, nativity plays, pantomime, an officers choir concert - and so many more "Christmassy" things. Santa leaves every passenger a present too. This will be my third (or, maybe fourth) cruise over Christmas - and I have them booked for the next two years. I hope you enjoy every minute of it!

Thank you - helpful

It says "Where possible, put your phone into Airplane mode while you're at sea (unless you're connecting to a Wi-Fi network) to ensure you don't rack up huge bills"

If I do that will I still be able to use the "My Holiday" thingy?

Normally when I cruise, as soon as I get into the cabin, I turn off my mobile phone and secure it in the safe - where it remains until we return to Southampton. I realise that this year (Christmas cruise) because of having to use the "My Holiday" thingy, I won't be able to do that.

Could somebody explain to me (very simply - an idiot's guide) as to what I need to turn on (or off) to avoid running up an unexpected bill - but still allowing the "thingy" to work.

Many thanks 🙂

Thank you for that link - it is helpful. However,  still can't find there how to get in touch with this gentleman. I don't intend to "hound" him - just to send him one message and if he choses not to respond, that will be respected.

I just don't understand  why nobody is able or willing to tell me how I can get in touch with him.

How can I get these "Peter Dagnell" guides? I'm not on any other social media sites 😞

Sorry to ask another question, but sometime in the last few months I saw someone post a list of boarding times for each deck on each ship. I thought I'd saved it but, obviously, hadn't - story of my life!

Does anyone have a copy of said list - or know where is was first posted on here - or on other social media platforms?

Many thanks 🙂

Thank you so much - it sounds very simple - maybe even I could manage it - and there is a "priority" mail box reasonably close to me too.

Is it the Antigen test (@ £24.90) that I need to order?

And one other thing - can the "registering" be done on a laptop rather then a mobile phone?

So sorry, but I'm panicking again! I am sure that by now you are well aware of my limited (i.e. non-existent) technical abilities. My questions is this: Is there a day 2 LFT test that I can take (at home)  that does not involve taking a picture and "uploading" to to somewhere - If not, what do I need to take a picture of and how do I "upload" it?

Many thanks - that's put my mind at rest 🙂

Please could one of you seasoned cruisers who have already completed you PLF for a cruise tell me if there is an option to print it once it has been completed? If so, that is all I need to know. If not, how do I get proof that I have completed it. I shall be using a desktop computer and not a phone.

Many thanks 🙂

One further question. I prefer to eat breakfast and lunch in the MDR - do I need to book them in advance on the "thingy" or can I just turn up at the door and request a table for one?

"If you use your laptop and join a virtual restaurant queue, you will then need to carry your laptop around waiting til you reach the front of the queue."

(1) Why can't I simply wait in my cabin until a table becomes available. If I leave immediately I'm advised a table is available, surely that would work.

(2) I'm booked for Club Dining so I assume I don't need to book that on a daily basis - just speciality restaurants - which surely, could be done by the cabin telephone?

(3) I do not like using a phone for these kind of things and feel as if I'm being bullied into using it.

Hello. I asked these two questions on another social media site but could not find the thread again to access any answers. This platform is much easier to follow so here, again, are my two questions about the above "thingy":

(1) Can it be accessed on a laptop computer rather than a phone? I'd prefer not to use my phone (very basic) at all while on holiday - it takes me two days to type in a text message - then I usually manage to delete it before sending and have to start all over again!

(2) I know that evening theatre performances need to be booked in advance but does that also apply to the daytime speakers (usually in the theatre) too?

There may be more questions to follow as the holiday gets closer - and I get more anxious and stressed.

Thank you for your anticipated help 🙂

Many thanks - much appreciated. I'll close this conversation now I have my answers 🙂

Hello. I'm booked on a Christmas cruise and have, therefore, paid my balance in full. Now, in light of increasing covid cases (both nationally and on the ships) I am seriously considering cancelling the cruise. My TA has advised that as the balance has been paid, I no longer have the option to transfer to a later cruise.

Could you helpful people let me know what my remaining options are? Am I limited to now either going on the cruise or losing all my money?

Many thanks for your anticipated help 🙂

I have found it very helpful to read all (well, nearly all) your comments on this thread. As I posted earlier, I was getting very stressed about all the form filling that I would need to do. Now, however, after reading many of your comments, I am feeling a little (but not completely) happier about it all. As I see it now, all I have to do is:-

(1) Three weeks before I sail order a LFT from a trusted provider - Govt. approved ones can be found on their web site. The test will be delivered to my home to coincide with my return home from the cruise.

(2) A confirmation email for the above will be sent to me at the time of ordering and will contain a reference number which will be required for the completion of my PLF.

(3) The PLF could be completed from 21 days prior to departure and will require the information laid out on the relevant web site

(4) As I do no have a QR code (whatever that might be!) I have a letter from the NHS confirming that I have had two vaccination. When the PLF asks if I have a QR code, I simply press the "no" button and proceed.

(5) On completing the PLF, I will try to "cut & paste" it into a paper form and take it with me along with my NHS vaccination certificate. If I can not cut and paste the PLF, it should not be a problem at the port.

(6) Two days before departure, I will need to complete a health declaration and return it to P&O by email

(7) On departure day, I arrive at the Testing Centre (at the time on my boarding pass) and present all relevant paperwork, (including passport and vaccination certificate) to the personnel there.

(8)  I then drive to the terminal and unload my luggage, hand the car over to CPS and await a negative test result before proceeding (via the usual channels) to board the ship!

(9) Once on board, there will be no further forms to complete if I do not leave the ship. If I do leave the ship, there may be other forms to complete prior to being allowed to get off and on again but these will be paper ones supplied on the ship.

Have I missed anything? Will I need any paperwork for my final disembarkation at Southampton?

Is there anything else that I need to "upload", "download" or "scan" - because, if so, I'm scuppered!! 

Thank you 🙂

The information on the above site says:

To complete the form you’ll need:

your passport details or the travel document you’ll use when you arrive at the UK border

Fine - no problem

your travel details, including times and dates

Will I need to give details of each country visited -along with arrival/departure times and dates?

the address where you will stay in the UK (if applicable)

I presume this is my home address?

booking reference numbers for any COVID-19 tests you must take after arriving in the UK

What is this and  how do I get it?

the invoice number for your quarantine hotel booking if you need one

I presume this does not apply

to prove your vaccination status, and say where you were vaccinated

How do I do this? I don't have an "app" thingy on my phone but do have a NHS letter giving details of both jabs - I have no idea how to get that from the sheet of paper on my desk onto the PLF on my computer - and words like "upload" or "scan" mean nothing to me.

Also, the site is speaking of emailing me numbers and also sending me numbers to my mobile phone. Is there any ways I can just leave my mobile phone out of this? The assumption that everyone has (and is willing to use) a mobile phone does tend to annoy me.

Many thanks for your anticipated help from a technological wimp!

Could somebody give me an "idiot's guide" to the information that I will need to have to hand before I begin filling in my PLF? Is it possible to see the entire form before completing it or is it one that has to be completed a section at a time?