NauticalMiss

On 2/27/2019 at 1:05 PM, darrencolne said:

We have been issued or flights to malta for our cruise in October. We dont land until 18.40 which means getting late on the ship.

Has anyone had any success in  changing the flights through P & O to earlier in the day or maybe even the day before?

 

Thanks

Hi, I would suggest you call P&O asap to enquire about alternative flights. You will have a better chance of getting what you want now rather than leave it until nearer the time. 

On 2/24/2019 at 2:31 PM, 27clint said:

Hi,

I am Maltese and thus can help you if you need any information.

 

The ships dock at the Valletta waterfront which is lined with restaurants. They don't all open during the day but I checked the opening hours of the ones I like best. These are the websites of some which I know open for sure:

 

http://www.bistro516malta.com/

https://www.hardrock.com/cafes/malta-bar-(valletta)/

https://www.browns.com.mt/

http://www.wasabisushimalta.com/ (for sushi)

http://marinaclubvw.com/

 

All the above serve good food, I've been to all 🙂 You can have a look at the menus on the websites above.

 

These restaurants are right next to the ship so minimal walking is required. If you want to visit the city of Valletta itself (10 min walk and accessible by the Barrakka lift) there are numerous other restaurants which are open all day.

 

I wish you a great stay in beautiful Malta. Feel free to ask if you need help.

 

 

Thanks 27clint. I'll spend the morning checking out these venues. Really looking forward to returning to Malta again. Happy memories of our 10th wedding anniversary. 

On 2/22/2019 at 6:17 PM, BrianI said:

Cafe Cordina is a beautiful cafe established in 1837 and just across the road from the cathedral. Lovely frescos on the walls and ceiling. Looks expensive but it's not. See photos in gallery.

http://www.caffecordina.com/about-us/

From the cruise dock take the lift to Barrakka and then it's a short walk down the Main Street.

http://www.transport.gov.mt/land-transport/other-public-transport/barrakka-lift

 

Brian

 

Thanks Brian. I've had a quick peek and the venue looks beautiful. The menus appear to suit everyone who will be at our lunch. Great suggestion.  

Hi, we are arriving in Malta on 2nd May to join Oceana. Friends of ours are sailing into Malta that same morning on Aurora. We'd like to meet up for a Special Birthday lunch. Can anyone recommend a restaurant within walking distance of the port?

Thanks Everyone

On 11/13/2018 at 6:09 PM, cruising cockroach said:

On boarding day, IF there is a wine shop located nearby and you have cell phones, do this:

 

1st pax boards with 2 bottles of wine.  If no one keeps count, signal second pax to buy another 2 bottles and bring it onboard.

 

Looks like how concerned X is about booze brought on board may depend on how many people have already bought booze packages.  Management hasn't gotten around to wringing every cent out, yet....

Thanks for the tip but I don't think my nerves could stand that level of 'subterfuge'.  

We have a drinks package, so I just need to know that I can take the two special ones on board without having to visit the 'naughty room'.  

On 11/13/2018 at 3:57 PM, davekathy said:

I would pack the two 750 ml bottles of wine in the carry-on. Not so much for the surprise factor but not wanting to take the chance, inconvenience and wasted time of going to the naughty room. I believe you have to schlep you own suitcase to your stateroom from the naughty room. I have no experience with that.   

Thanks davekathy, I thought maybe that would be best. I'll take them in my carry-on bag and hopefully hubby won't realise. We have a drinks package, and I know most people would say not to bother taking stuff on board, but this wine is a particular favourite and he won't be expecting it. 

On 11/9/2018 at 5:45 PM, dkjretired said:

Also, to add to above comments, wine is only allowed to be brought on board at embarkation, not at ports.  If you buy it at ports it will be held until you leave the ship. 

Hi, I plan to bring two bottles of our favorite wine on board when we embark at Hong Kong next week. We both have birthdays whilst on board and this will be a surprise gift for my husband, so I don't want any fuss at embark. At the port, should I have the bottles in my carry-on or in my main luggage. I understand that all luggage will be scanned at some point, but I don't want to spoil the surprise. Any thoughts??

20 hours ago, Posh and Becks said:

Just got off Oceana, delayed by very strong head winds after rounding Cape Finisterre into the bay and all the way to Southampton. Captain Camby did forewarn passengers that the ship would not be able to keep normal speed due to poor conditions. Passengers started off loading at 1000 am after self help.

Thanks Posh and Becks. 

Hi, anyone know why Oceana was late coming into Southampton this morning. She arrived c. 8:30am, escorted by a couple of pilots, which is also unusual. Anyone know why this may be? 

I suppose i invited the humour! However i am serious.

I would have thought most passengers would like to know,

What is beyound the crew only signs. Just a glimpse of the shiny

Painted stairs and walls, through an open door.

It's a brave new world down there, almost unimaginable to passengers. I had no idea just how enormous the space was through the centre of the ship. The main thoroughfare is called the I-95. It is brightly lit, spotlessly clean and not at all dingy. It's the crew's secret world. My son worked for Crystal Cruises for many years and we visited him several times in ports-of-call across the world. Interesting times.

I’m off to Norway next week (hoping for sunshine!) & this cruise will be the first that my husband and I have taken alone. We are in an inside cabin on C deck & so we will be spending lots of time out & about exploring the ship. Neither of us are into jolly sing a long sailaways, we much prefer the quiet life. Having never been on a ship with the layout Britannia has I thought I’d ask for a good place to be when we are sailing away that is away from the hustle and bustle but offers good sight lines. Hubby is a keen amateur photographer & I’m excited to share the beauty of the fjords with him.

Thank you!

Deck 7 maybe? I believe there's plenty of seating outside on both port and starboard.

Upgrade your Chartered or fly Scheduled

Sorry, I don't understand?

We have never had a problem getting tables for two on Oceana. We didn't find the tables too close together (my pet hate). Once, our pager went off before our cocktails had been served. Felt a bit odd walking into dinner with a large cocktail in hand, and then ordering a bottle of wine for dinner (hic!). Another time, there were no tables for two available so they immediately cleared two place settings from a table laid for four. Excellent service. We love the vibe on Oceana.

We've flown all over the world with bottles in our cases. Prefer not to carry bottles through airports and around a ship as they can be too heavy. Never had an issue with leakage or breaking. If they are wrapped carefully, you should have no problem.

and you have to cook your own with certain choices. I pay to go on holiday and somebody else cook my meals not book then pay extra supplement and end up cooking my own.

I'm with you on that one. I go away to escape kitchen duties. Also, I don't like show cooking - where you watch the chef. Just bring me delicious food on a plate and I'm a happy bunny.

As an aside, I'm really not comfortable dining off porous materials, i.e. rock, wood, etc. These items cannot be hygienic after the first use; and after umpteen uses I tend to squirm at the thought of what bugs may be lurking in all those tiny holes. :eek:

When it is said "if the final balance has been paid", does this mean after the deadline when the final balance was due to be paid and has been paid. I am thinking about people who book years ahead and pay 100% of the fare at the time of booking. Will they not be disadvantaged from the outset?

 

Regards John

We normally pay in full for our cruises far in advance (budgetary reasons). If we have had to cancel or move the cruise for any reason, we have been refunded the cost of the cruise less the deposit, provided we have not passed the '90 days before you travel' deadline. This is what you would expect and therefore, you are not disadvantaged by paying in full before the 90-day deadline.

Thank you all for your great responses. I have plucked for B750 suite as the price difference wasn’t huge over a mini suite.

 

Thanks again :)

After your holiday, I'd be interested to know what you think of this suite. We are booked into the suite next door - B755 - next year. Not had a full suite on Oceana before, so we don't know what to expect. Perhaps you can provide some feedback when you return?

We found it a challenge locating the Grab and Go on Azura. It is not like the one on Britannia; when we eventually found the cabinet, it was empty by 2:15pm!

Previously, we didn't mind reclined seats in front of us, as we would always recline our own. We have always told those behind us so that they can prepare for movement, i.e. hold on to drinks, etc.

I think it's wrong for the last row in the cabin to have seats with limited or, in some cases, no recline. This can make those unfortunate passengers very uncomfortable on a long haul flight.

I don't mind that alcohol being taken on board is being restricted. I've always found that P&O have a wide choice of wines at competitive prices (one of the reasons that we stopped sailing with Cunard was the ridiculous prices plus gratuity :mad: ).

As long as P&O don't hike their prices and don't add on any gratuitous gratuities ;), then it won't make a difference to us. Having said that, over the past 2 years we have noticed the price of wine across the fleet slightly increasing with each cruise we take................

I have just booked my seats on flight,fly cruise on britannia in February.I could not book premium as all seats were blocked,not booked just blocked ? this my first time with P&O and I cannot understand why you have to pay for two seats together in economy class.I have flown with Emirates,Thomas Cooke,Cathay Pacific, BA for cruises and never had to pay to sit together,unless I wanted an upgrade.Hypothetical question is,what would happen on a fly cruise flight if everybody turned up at the airport and no one had paid to pre book a seat,once all economy seats were allocated only premium would be left,surely they could not ask you to pay,you have booked a flight so they must provide a seat.Have a nice day.:cool:

I presume when you say 'premium' seats, you are referring to 'extra leg room / exit' seats in economy class? When you book a fly/cruise with P&O, you book your flight class at the same time (i.e. economy or premium). You cannot upgrade from economy to premium without contacting your Point of Sale and paying for the upgrade at that time (normally £150 per traveller, each way; return flight for 2 would be an extra £600 in total). Even if you were to do this, you would still have to pay to guarantee 2 seats together, regardless of class of travel. Or you could wait until check-in and see if 2 seats were available, gratis (this applies to both premium and economy).

Incidentally, most of the main scheduled carriers that you mention now charge for booking specific seats, unless you travel First Class when your seat is allocated when booking the flight in the first instance.

As long as the price and choice of alcohol whilst on board remains acceptable, then this restriction won't bother us. However if P&O start adding an extra 15% or 18% to each purchase, then that may be the end of P&O for us. :(

Hi due to go on Azura in February and have tried to book Sindu for 7pm on one of the evenings but when i go to book it on Cruise Personiliser it will only give me two option times of 6.30 and 9pm is this what they do i,m confused are they trying to fill early and late places first any help greatly appreciated thanks Sue:D

It is possible that P&O are trying to manipulate (sorry, persuade) passengers to take the early/late slots. But if it's Valentine's Day, then the most popular slots may already be booked up and you may be unlucky. Perhaps Epicurean offer better times on the particular night you need?

Hello

We did the Great Bakes in Cookery Club last December. We enjoyed it very much and even made the recipes several times when we got home. We would do the Cookery Club again. We're interested in the Italian for next time. The chefs are attentive and very helpful. They measure everything and clear it all away and wash up! Fantastic. There was a lovely atmosphere in the room. When we finished, we all sat around a long table and chatted whilst eating our culinary creations (in truth, we interrogated the Head Chef). I understand that you can take your food back to your cabin for sharing with family/friends; however the US Public Health officials were on board doing their checks, so we were prevented from doing so. One lady was a bit upset as she wanted to enjoy hers with her husband. The chefs suggested he come to the Club to join us but she couldn't track him down. Good day and we'd do it again.

I'd love to do this. Hope I get an email. I'd do it gratis; never one to shy away from expressing my opinion ;)