frenchmartiniplease

Is it worth getting one for a 2 night trip?

We had New Year on Azura in Madeira year before last.

 

It was formal night, gala dinner, canapés during the evening and champagne doing the rounds on deck leading up to midnight. The fireworks were AMAZING.

 

It was the best New Year ever. I would love to do it again.:D

We usually have pictures taken on formal nights and we have bought a few. A portrait picture would cost a fortune in Photographers Studio.

Some have made nice additional presents for people such my Mum. We had some lovely ones taken when we took the mother in law for her first cruise. The rest of the family liked having a picture of her all glamed up.

 

I too do not like being disturbed for pictures when I'm eating, though I do have some nice ones of previous tablemates in the album.

 

The pictures I REALLY hate are the ones where I look at them and think," Oh, for goodness sake!! I thought I looked good when I left the cabin!". And the ones where your hair/fringe is all over the place having popped out on deck after dinner. Did they really think I was going to buy one of myself with lipstick on my teeth or my hair looking like I've done a 'Kate Winslet' at the bow!:eek:

You may be suprised but this risk is true.

 

If you fail to understand the orders by a texan (and who does, if not local?) police officer who stopped your car and you are not prepared to control your body movements according to his requirements you may be shot.

 

If someone in Florida doesn't like your face he might decide that you are a risk and will shoot you in order to prevent any probable risk to him, his family or his belongings. That is legal and does happen.

 

This will never be a risk to you travelling in Germany even if you don't understand a word as personal weapons are illegal and police will never shoot first if not threated at gunpoint and never before giving a last warning.

 

Even our criminals do not kill as a habit.

 

Wow!

 

I'm not keen on their gun laws but I've holidayed frequently in America and shared their company on board cruise ships.

Only once have I been nervous. We got lost somewhere in the backstreets of Miami.

Other than that I've felt safe in America and found Americans to be very welcoming, helpful and great company.

A 4 nighter should be fine. We've done one and it was lovely.

 

There wasn't one available while they are off work and that was the right price, seeing as we are paying to go with them and 'helping' with their costs.

 

Pretty sure we will be doing the 'Taste of Bruges' trip so we will look for the shop that's been mentioned.

 

I know they will enjoy the party atmosphere if it turns into the usual 2 night party cruise. I'll just need to explain to DIL that it won't be like that on a longer trip. Really, she just want to experience being on a cruise ship before saving up and committing to a cruise holiday next year. My son has cruised before and is keen to go on another.

Thank you.

 

We are taking son and daughter in law on a 2 night trip on Azura in October.

 

The daughter in law wants to see what it's like on a cruise ship, hence the booking, and she mentioned Christmas markets as we are visiting Bruges.

 

I know, I know, 2 nighters are nuts. But I reckon the two of them, mid 20's, will party hearty with the others onboard.

 

It's going to be fun:eek:

No one been to Bruges then?

 

No one know if there is any Christmas stuff to buy?

 

Or was it the dreaded word 'Christmas' that put people off?:eek:

When do they actually start?

I looked online and the dates seem to start end of November. Cunard and P&O have them as a trip in October.

So when are the markets or do they have a sort of 'mini' market early for tourists?

Thanks for all of your advice, truly appreciated. I have been doing the 5:2 (google it for info) with lots of exercise. With only 3 weeks to go I have gone into extreme exercise mode (2xcross trainer and 1x walk today total 18 miles) which I know is unsustainable long term but short term will get me to a goal I have set. Strangely addictive and the feeling of being in control of my food intake cannot be described. Rest assured tho I will enjoy the holiday.

 

Well done you! Now you know how to make a plan work for you can make your choices. Ease off during your holiday if you want to. When I go on holiday I go off plan for things I really fancy ( yayyy, another martini? Thank you very much!). Like you, I go hard at it a few weeks before I go away for a head start, then back on with a vengeance when I get back till I'm back where I want to be then tick over till the next trip.

Have a great time, especially in the new outfits you must have had to treat yourself to.:D

Congratulations on the weight loss!

I was in a similar predicament a while ago. I had been following the SW plan.

I decided just to go for it and enjoy my holiday and not weigh myself until I got home. I found that I tended to go for healthy options though bread and alcohol was a bit of a downfall.

Yes, I put on the weight. Not enough superfrees and water did not help.

Put some of your usual meals in the freezer so that as soon as you're home you go straight back on plan. The pounds WILL come off in a week or two. Funnily enough, I was relieved to be back to my usual diet.

It's been nearly two years since I reached target and although I've had a number of cruises and All Inclusive holidays I've always got back to where I should be. I get how you feel but don't panic and put brakes on your holiday. You are obviously in control now, have confidence in yourself.:D

Might also want to bear in mind that all around that time people are going to work in and around Southampton. As with most cities, things get clogged up around rush hour.

babs135

 

Your personal opinion points were well explained and valid. Most people are just expressing their views and think it a shame Oriana was a bit of a let down for you.

 

Anyone starts 'slanging', just duck and ignore!:D

I want to be like jeanlyon when I get older.

I wouldn't be able to keep up now!:D

Now that is the most sensible post I have read for ages. Can you stick around and post this on every thread when WW111 is about to break out.

 

 

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And a good morning to you, daiB.

 

Unfortunately, those that are blinkered in their views are NOT going to be persuaded to change their minds and will continue to dismiss the majority of passengers more balanced opinions.

I fully understand the OP's points. You save hard for a holiday and it's a shame it fell a bit short. Obviously, they are going to think twice about P&O again.

 

There are a couple of places I don't want to go back to for one reason or another. But I wouldn't knock them because others were having a great time.

 

I've had wonderful cruises on Sea, Grand and Crown Princess; had a REALLY fun time on Carnival Destiny in the Caribbean, Celebrity 'something' had port after port of places on my 'bucket list' with expensive but worth it excursions and I had a lovely TA on Oceana. I will say, loud and proud, I love Azura.

I love Glasshouse, Planet Bar, Verona in the evening, Sindu and XV11 ( but not the weight I put on)

 

Most of all I enjoy visiting such lovely places from the comfort of the ship, which ever it might be and meeting fellow travellers.

 

The overly opinionated I avoid at home or abroad and on land or at sea. I find they tend to be uninterested or easily offended by anyone holding different view points which makes them boring company.:)

Good morning. I liked your mini review. I get your point about spending time dodging the mobility impaired. We had that on a Princess ship we did for 17 nts to the Med from Southampton. We were also the 'babies' on our table of 6. After a cautious first night we all got on famously.

We reckon the high average age and wheelchair count was due to the fact that sailing from Southampton meant so many that can't fly were able to enjoy a lovely holiday. A fly/cruise would automatically reduce this. The queues for mobility assistance at Southampton always seem long whenever we have sailed out. We only met one other couple our age. However, it was a great holiday, the highlight was listening to Ray Cousins (pianist) each evening, plus a great itinerary.

 

I think that 'adult only' ships tend to carry older passengers due to the fact that there are no adults of an age with young children.JMHO

 

All our friends reckon anyone who cruises are 'nearly dead or newly wed' anyway.LOL:D

 

I agree that it's ridiculous that some should 'come down on you like a ton of bricks' for suggesting another line. It's as bad as those that slam any who profess to be happy with P&O.

 

As someone else said, I could pick holes in all the cruiselines and ships I've been on, but I've been to busy enjoying myself.

When I go on a cruise I'm not really looking for WOW. I'm really more after, aaaaahh, chilling!!

 

I want the itinerary to provide the WOW. Therefore it's the ports of call, then the price that guides my choice.

 

P & O often fit the bill, plus sailing from Southampton is good as I live here. Daft, I know, but I love being able to make a cup of tea in my cabin instead of waiting for it to turn up and being able to bring drink for my cabin on board.

 

That said, I have equally enjoyed cruises, chosen because of dates, price and itinerary on Princess, Carnival and Celebrity.

 

If I had had problems with leaks and dodgy loos I'd have been put off that ship no matter what name they sailed under.

 

How unfortunate Oriana and therefore P&O blew it for you. Never mind, loads of other lines to choose from. Happy sailings in the future, whoever it's with.:)

We prefer 1st sitting and I wouldn't consider us exactly oldies. 58 yo for a few months yet!

Couldn't sleep on the full stomach I'd end up with on the 2nd sitting. I also like to have time to enjoy multiple nightcaps, casino and theatre while my meal digests.

Due to work and other commitments in our lives over the last 30 years we are early birds. Even with a late night or jetlag we wake up at silly o'clock. So come midnight this Cinderella is off to bed.

If not, I'm a right pumpkin in the morning.


Thank goodness we DON'T all want the same sitting.

We have avoided P&O in the past because of all the negativity that surrounds the whole of the fleet, so it was with slight trepidation that we have booked a cruise on the Oriana which sails in just under 2 weeks time :D. Why did we book it; the itinerary, the date and, to be honest, the price all fitted what we were looking for and after a year of illness I desperately feel the need to have a holiday.

 

Having done that, I am still alarmed at all the negativity so it was with great relief and a lot of pleasure to be able to read a thread that is filled with honesty (I hope!) and positivity.

 

I may wear glasses, but they are not rose-tinted and I appreciate that nothing is perfect and everyone is different; eg DH loves rice pudding, me I could throw up just looking at it, but please people don't spoil this thread. If you have something negative to say, post it on another thread and allow me and others a chance to fill our glasses to the top and not half-full.

Yep, pretty sure we've given honest comments on what we love about P&O.

Having cruised with P&O and Princess I've found, that for me, both have something that the other does slightly better. I would enjoy a cruise on either.

As you said, the date, itinerary and price took you to P&O this time.

Have a lovely holiday and all the best for your health.

This thread was always going to go downhill, shame.

 

I stand by my comments earlier AND I have cruised with 3 other cruise lines.

I shall no doubt cruise with them again and already have one booked with P&O.

We don't usually go to the sailaways, we're rather closet flag wavers, but one in particular sticks in the mind.

We were docked in Tortola on Oceana, our second island after a transatlantic crossing. Backed in next to us was Artemis. I THINK it was their first island after the same crossing. It was Artemis last season in the Caribbean before leaving P&O.

No other ships were there other than Sea Princess moored way out in the bay.

As it wasn't possible to offend any other nationals, everyone let rip with the flagwaving and singing.

 

The ships 'talked', and a strangely quiet and deserted Artemis slowly pulled away.

Then we saw that the whole of the back of Artemis was full of banners and passengers who broke into Land of Hope and Glory. It was just like the 'Proms'. Really quite emotional . As we watched her through the dusk drawing level with Sea Princess ( who's camera flashes were going like crazy), we could hear the Artemis passengers singing, 'We're all going on a Summer Holiday'. HaHa!!! It was Brilliant!!!

My list of positives for P & O

 

A wide choice of itineraries from Southampton

 

The different type of cruise experiences e.g Small ships

Big ships

Medium size ships

Adult only ships

Family ships

Formal nights and how so many passengers join in and dress up.

 

Letting us bring bottles of drink on board for consumption in the cabin.

 

Fair drink prices.

 

Tea and coffee making facilities in the cabin ( and biscuits).

 

I've enjoyed a couple of the sailaways, especially if another P&O ship is in port.

It's fun when the ships 'talk' to each other.

 

Yes, there are better cruise lines, but they cost quite a bit more. I did one once and felt a bit ripped off. P&O delivers an excellent product at a good price.JMHO

 

I'll probably think off a few more later.:)

There is definitely a formal night. You do see some fabulous gowns. If some one has invested in one for a special occasion, formal night on a cruise is the ideal opportunity to wear it again.

 

Don't panic if you don't have one. A cocktail dress or maybe black trousers with a lovely top is also the norm. Slap on the slap, chuck some bling on and you're good to go.

 

I've often borrowed off friends and a few of my outfits have gone on holiday without me.

 

Have a great time!

 

Edit. Duh! Just noticed you've cruised before, so you know how formal nights go. Yep. There will be one Formal

No sweat ;)

 

:D Good one!!!:D

I've decided not to tip in future. I shall be handing out dove deodorant!

:D

you have done so many p and o must pick you up from your house in a limousine and drop rose petals as you walk on board

 

Play nice!