Cristaltips

8 hours ago, ann141 said:

Thats disappointing.Still hopefully we will have a warm day at sea. By the way have you realised that some of the shore excursions and also the wi fi packages are discounted for Black Friday? I cancelled my wi fi package and have re booked at the new price

Yes, I had seen the Black Friday deals, thanks. None of the trips I fancy are reduced but I have the ones I really want booked and will wing it the rest of the time! I don’t bother with wi-fi while I’m away. I have a good data package on my phone so use that ashore occasionally just to touch base with home. For those who use the wi-fi package, cancelling and re booking seems to be a no-brainer! 

I’ve just received a new itinerary from P&O with confirmation of the application of my shareholder benefits. It appears that we just overnight in Hamilton, Bermuda and leave by 9.00 am the following day. That would explain why no second day trips are available !

10 minutes ago, ann141 said:

I'm a bit concerned that it may mean we won't be staying overnight or leaving in the morning on the second day.. We already have plenty of sea days

I must admit, that thought had crossed my mind. I really hope that’s not the case, especially as we’ve lost Key West.

18 minutes ago, yorkshirephil said:

There are tour booking offices in the port where the ship docks, it is also easy to take a bus or water bus from the port into town.

Thank you Phil. I have done quite a bit of research so am not too worried. I’d be surprised if there weren’t any local taxis waiting to scoop us up and whiskus away for a trip! 🤞😂

Thank you Phil. I have done quite a bit of research so am not too worried. I’d be surprised if there weren’t any local taxis waiting to scoop us up and whisk us away for a trip! 🤞😂

We’re on this cruise too. We have three r trips in total booked but most are now sold out. I find it strange that there is nothing at all listed for the second day in Bermuda. I hope there’ll be trips offered for that day as most of the previous days trips are sold out 

Cold water is just fine, it is the physical action of scrubbing your hands that flushes the virus down the plughole. Warm water is more comfortable but water hot enough to kill virus would scald your hands. Apparently 60 degrees C for a few minutes will do it, also use hand sanitiser but there is not one that has been proved to kill viruses of the Norovirus type.
 

Sorry, I’m old school. If I’ve been to the toilet or am about to eat, I want to wash my hands in HOT water

21 hours ago, Palaceman said:

Yes there is hand washing stations on Arcadia buffet. Unfortunately on our 16 night cruise on her recently I could count the number of people I saw using them on one hand and one of those was my wife!

On Arcadia last August, there was no hot water in any of the public toilets, male or female.  I found it really concerning . No wonder they’ve had problems with a gastric bug

So sorry to read this sad news. Sincere condolences to you and your family x

Highly recommend Bernard’s Tours in St Maartin. We had a lovely trip. Visited an iguana farm, and Maho beach to see the planes coming in amongst other places.

On 6/21/2023 at 3:57 PM, terrierjohn said:

The main benefit is that the deposit is usually only £50 pp, which means if you ever need to cancel it's not too expensive.

We were on Aurora last week. Friends booked another cruise whilst on board and were told deposits had changed. £50pp for cruises up to 7 days, £100pp up to 14 days  and £150pp over that. I’m presuming it’s to prevent people cancelling and re booking if prices drop 

If you are unable to book speciality restaurants until on board, can you book these at reception after boarding? Thanks 

Not on a fly cruise

I’m looking forward to being looked after and fed. Partner has been ill this year and once he’s had the consultant’s ok to travel, we’ll be off! Don’t care where, as long as we can go, anywhere will do. We’re both Pisces so love the sea! 

Had a cut on Aurora on a long cruise. Never again. It was all wonky and looked as if it had been cut with a knife and fork! 

4 hours ago, Snow Hill said:

Agree on Gibraltar, was totally underwhelmed when we went there, wouldn’t bother getting off ship if docked there in future. 

We always get off and stretch our legs (and usually partake of a local beer) 

The only place where I wouldn’t get off again is Ocho Rios. Others may like it but  not my cup of tea at all. Yes, done Dunn’s River Falls so no appetite to get off ship again . 

8 minutes ago, wowzz said:

And is that boozy? 

Yes, can be but sometimes you struggle to catch a waiters eye! Luck of the draw! 

2 minutes ago, swanseaboy said:

Just a quick question for you experienced cruisers. I've just turned 'Caribbean' and can get into the welcome aboard lunch without being a stowaway. 

 

It says on the P&O website that the welcome aboard lunch is only for Southampton sailings. Is this strictly true? Can I expect a boozy free lunch if I embark in Barbados? 

 

Thanking you in advance 😉

Unfortunately, it’s only on sailings from Southampton

1 minute ago, Eglesbrech said:

If you booked direct then yes it is easy to do and you can retain your own cabin (or at least we did  but that was a few years ago now). It took just one phone call.

 

I can’t comment on how it would work if you used a travel agent, perhaps someone else can.

Thank you, we booked direct with P&O

Bizarrely, a  long cruise I am booked on later in the year has significantly reduced in price with a load of extra on board spend. We only have £100 deposit on it which we are prepared to lose. 
There are only a few cabins available in the grade we booked. Has anyone managed to cancel and re book the same cabin? Is it easy to do? Thank you 

Personally, I prefer the no turn down. If it comes back, I’ll tell the cabin steward not to bother in the evening. 

Hopefully they’ve taken the complaints about the food on board ( no pun intended!) and will improve the choice and quality of that 🤞🤞

58 minutes ago, Bill Y said:

It depends where you wish to go in South America as P&O are not welcome in Argentina since the Clarkson debacle there, but Princess, Hal and surprisingly Fred still go.

P&O , as a British ship are not able to visit Argentina as a result of the Falklands war 

I think it’s a personal choice. If it makes anyone feel safer, that’s fine and sensible in my book

1 minute ago, Son of Anarchy said:

We were actually booked on this cruise, having had our 2021 worldie cancelled.  Changed to next year due to itinery.

We were booked to join in Hong Kong but cancelled when it was removed from itinerary.