besberry

I see that Carnival are getting rid of six ships, supposedly over the next 90 days.  No names given, although Costa Vitoria was mentioned.  Think a P&O ship could be on the block?

22 hours ago, amfc_lenny said:

We were on a cruise in the Caribbean having not been before, several ppl at dinner who had been before had told us that st Vincent tomorrow wasn’t much cop. Due to a medical emergency the next morning we woke up to find ourselfs docking in Martinique definitely an upgrade. We had a lovely day exploring and enjoying the beach. 

I've not been to St Vincent, but I'm not too fond of Martinique.  Been twice.  First time, people were being pickpocketed in the small market they'd set up, including one woman who had her purse taken from a bag on the back of her weelchair.  Second time we got a minibus on the dock for an island tour.  He took us for an hour less than agreed then kicked up a fuss about not getting 100% of the fare.  Having said that, the ferry ride to the other side of the bay and the little area there was nice, way better than Fort de France.

2 hours ago, DamianG said:

We love Spanish ports, hopefully if cruising is back on track we're heading to Ibiza next year and we'd like to visit Almeria, Torrevieja and Menorca. Can anyone share their experience of these places?

 

Also Murmansk and Odessa have come to mind as unusual ports if anyone has been there (Jean - did you sail into Odessa once or have I mixed you up with someone else?).

I went to Odessa on my first cruise way back in 1970's!  All I can remember are the famous steps.

I've missed a few ports but last year the weather was too bad to tender into Mykonos so we were sent to Katakolon.  I'd never heard of it.  It was great, pretty little town, nice waterfront.  It's about 10 miles from the ancient site of the Olympic Games.  I took a ramshackle local bus and got into the site for €6 as I was an EU pensioner (I guess that deal's gone now).  I had a wonderful Greek salad in the local town and had a great, if unexpected day.

21 hours ago, Adawn47 said:

Nice idea,  but it's the sheer size of these ships that makes them feel so cold and impersonal. 

Avril 

I've been on Symphony of the Seas and nothing about it felt impersonal!  Mind you my favourite ship is still Aurora, having said that I'm still looking forward to my two cruises on Iona, even if they are now delayed by 12 months.

20 hours ago, happy v said:

Can't you just phone P&O?

I could, but it wouldn't help as I booked through a TA and I'd lose the deposit

I'm waiting for my TA to get back to me about changing a 2020 cruise to the equvalent in 2021.  At the moment the same cabin is cheaper and more OBC.  They did tell me it could take up to three weeks to get back to me, so who knows, it may well go up in price by then.

Glad I moved my September cruise on Iona, now.

On 5/30/2020 at 2:47 PM, Happy afloat said:

The way things are going, she may not even have completed sea trials and be in service by then. We're due to go to the Canaries on her in november. Don't expect it to happen 🙁

You think she won't be sailing by November next year?

I've moved my Iona September cruise to September 2021 and I've just got off the phone to my TA asking to change my Iona November cruise to November 2021.  I'm still not 100% sure my Aurora March 2021 will go ahead.

14 hours ago, Bob0208 said:

My primary objective is the destinations and the activities in the ports.  Definitely not into the rock climbing, etc.  Entertainment is not necessary, but sunrise and sunsets are what we like.  I’m hearing P&O would be good based on our tastes.  As an American, would I be welcome and I’m curious as the comment about “British food.”  We’re 67 years old and this was supposed to be the year we traveled extensively.  We’re not foodies.  I need my vodka and her the Chardonnay.  I’m thinking this would work.  Am I wrong?

I've cruised many times on both lines.  P&O are not glitzy, there's a distinctly British vibe on board.  There's no 20% gratuity on everything you buy, most of the select restaurants are cheaper and portions (mostly) smaller that the enormous American ones.  The casino will be way smaller than any on an American ship.  Many of the one-off entertainers will be be on both RCI and P&O out of the UK.  Of course Americans are welcome, I've met a few on P&O.  Give it a bash and I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.  If you go on Aurora, try Andersons, it's like an old English gentlemans club.  Have fun!

I think it'll be noisy, simply becuse of the location.  A deck lower may be preferable.  I've booked the equivalent cabin on deck 10 and I'm a little concerned about the noise from the bar a couple of decks down.  Hey, if it disturbs me, I'll go down and join the party!

23 hours ago, jeanlyon said:

Ha ha, having always done Club Dining, we swapped to Freedom and now I wouldn't swap back.  nice meeting different folk each night.

I always use Freedom dining.  Apart from my first two cruises where it wasn't an option.  I first tried it on RCI and when they introduced it to P&O my friends and I all changed to Freedom and we've never looked back!

8 hours ago, Wedgeh said:

 

As a millennial - just - I'm always sad to see the cruise lines reducing the number of formal nights. My wife loves the chance to wear some of her fanciest outfits, and there's not much call for my tux during the rest of the year.

Same as me.  I've worn my DJ once on land, all the other times have been onboard.  I taught myself to tie a bow (thank you YouTube!).  They look rubbish most of the time, but I don't care!  I have various ties that I use, including a rainbow one, when I want to nail my colours to the mast!  If I'm travelling with one of my lady friends, I try to match my tie to their dress colour.  Doesn't always work, but then I can always wear the black one.

I cancelled my September 2020 cruise and changed to the equivalent 2021 sailing.  I couldn't access the old CP and could access the new one the following day.  Way better than my TA, which still shows my original cruise with payment due next week!  AND, they still haven't sent me my new documentation. Sigh.

1 minute ago, AndyMichelle said:

How did the price compare? 

Andy 

Well I've upgraded to a balcony from an outside so I'd expect to pay more.  Having said that it's about £977 more, not sure what the price would have been for my old cabin.

I've just swapped my September 2020 cruise on Iona to the 2021 equivalent.  Now I'm pondering on what to do about my November cruise.  Don't need to make a decision until end of June though.

My last cruise on the Silver Galapagos in February.  The Galapagos was the top of my bucket list and it didn't let me down.

22 hours ago, Addict said:

Ha ha, you're right there.  Epic is definitely an ugly ship.  However, we too loved the ship, even the cabins, even though a lot of people find them a bit quirky.  We will definitely do it again sometime.

21 hours ago, zap99 said:

We have had many happy cruises with NCL, but have managed to avoid the Epic. One ugly ship. Last year they had a good deal, so we bit the bullet and booked. We had a great time and enjoyed the ship very much. I just wonder if they gave the cabin design brief to a first year primary kid. Weird, but hey ho.

I travelled solo, in my first ever balcony cabin and I found the design really weird.  Not too sure I'd want to travel with a friend rather than other half in one of them.  It's no surprise they never repeated the design!

4 hours ago, Britboys said:

Good for you Mick.  As I said, it is all personal taste.  I might not like big ships - and yes, I might well think Iona looks like an ugly block of flats.  I would never dream however of criticising anyone else who loves big ships and thinks Iona is beautiful.  Each to their own and fortunately there are ships out there for all of us.  Happy cruising!

I'm not convinced that Iona is particularly beautiful, but compared to Norwegian Epic, she's a stunner.  Epic is one ugly ship, though having said that, I had a ball on her!  Enjoy your cruising and stay safe.

5 hours ago, Denarius said:

I am in a similar situation. My April 2020 cruise was cancelled and my next P&O cruises are Jan 2021 (Caribbean) and May 2021 (Canaries). I am reasonably optimistic that the May 2021 cruise will go ahead, not as optimistic about the Jan 2021 but still hopeful. Both were booked onboard with a £50 deposit. In each case I will see how the land lies before I pay the balance, and P&Os attitude to refunds will be an important factor in coming to a decision on whether to pay it or lose my £50.

I have a Norwegian cruise on Aurora in March 2021 and I'm not sure about that and I paid a huge deposit for some reason.  I'm hope my Amazon cruise on Arcadia in 2022 will go ahead.  If I survive the virus that is!!!

5 hours ago, Britboys said:

Of course some us don't think fitting the funnel will make her any better looking - but that's just personal taste 😁

I think she looks fine.  I'm no cruise ship snob who makes inane comments about 'blocks of flats'.  I've been on Symphony of the Seas with over 5,000 passengers  and had a ball.  I've also been on Silver Galapagos with 93 passengers and had a great cruise on her too.  I just love ships and cruising 😋

A new video of her at sea.  She looks odd because her funnel hasn't been fitted yet.  I'm guessing my September cruise on her will be cancelled, don't know about the November one fingers crossed 🤞

29 minutes ago, Adawn47 said:

 

 

Thanks you three. I knew someone would know. Interesting when you see which ships were intended for other lines. I believe the current Arcadia was destined for Cunard. Might be wrong again though 😆.

Avril

I think she was destined to be Queen Victoria, then Cunard decided she wasn't right for them.

5 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Appreciate the kind wishes from Spins, Lois, rloke, etc.  Sorry Lois will miss NYC.   In response to Beeberry, we super loved New Zealand from our various 2014 stops and exploring.  So far in our first two days here in the Coromandel area, that enjoyment has been so magnified and enlarged.  Yes, some NZ areas can be kind of average.  But, wonderful so far for us, including the super fresh air, nice people, etc.  

 

 Any others previously had these famed NZ mussels?:

 

Terry, I know I'm in the minority.  There are some nice places to visit, Rotorua, Arrowtown and the like.  As for the green lipped mussels, they're good.  So is the venison.  As far as I'm concerned the best food and (and cheapest) I've eaten on my travels, was in South Africa.  It was a good few years back so I don't know what the situation is like now.  But we ate like kings for peanuts the whole three weeks.

Enjoy NZ Terry.  Personally I think it's God's most boring country.  We once spent a month there, which was about six weeks too long!!  Having said that, whenever I've had port days there, I've always enjoyed them.

On 2/8/2020 at 3:56 PM, Lois R said:

2 miles from your house? Be safe!

Oh I'm not going anywhere near it!  Luckily I'm retired as the conference centre they're using is opposite where I used to work!