MawganTr

We are on the Emerald in August but we're on P&O Azura last year which is pretty much the same. The adult only pool was free and quiet! It doesn't seem that many know it's not part of the sanctuary area..suits me as it keeps it special!!

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I'm surprised she was allowed to travel...not easy to hide a bump,at nearly 9months. Congrats, obviously and wishing them good health.

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QV...it's funny that with them both being nearly the same that we found we favoured the QV. The chart room and that feeling you can't put your finger on!

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Looking at ideas for next year and I fancy trying Celebrity however we shall be taking our 11 and 14 year old and need to choose a line that they will enjoy too. Have sailed on Cunard & P&O before but without children.

We are back today from a fabulous trip on Azura to the Fjords. In Geiranger we had to use the tenders - quite a big operation for the crew I would imagine. It was literally one minute on the tender to shore. The sea walk though was in the port when we were last there 2 years ago but not used and again this year, unused. Is there a reason for this? It would surely be so much easier for passengers to walk off the ship?

Nevertheless, a most beautiful port!

We were on the 4 nighter to Guernsey & Bruges which turned to 3 nights at Easter & still had a formal night.

We didn't stop en route but there are toilets in the souvenir shop near the coach drop off. We were warned that there aren't many in Rome. We used a Burger King for a cola & loo!

I can imagine it would be wonderful. I have been on QV to the med but didn't go that way. One day, maybe!

I like to browse the marine traffic app and noticed that on of the smaller PO ships came out of Southampton via the needles. This evening I see that QV has done the same. I didn't realise any ships went out through that channel. Has anyone experienced this?

Fabulous video and weird to think that I was watching from the Statue of Liberty webcam on Earthcam! An amazing sight.

Faded bed linen, dirty sheets. Torn chair upholstery and worn carpets. Tatty bathroom. Many public toilets out of order. Empty pool. This was our experience in April and never to be repeated.

I'm intrigued - s someone that can only looking longingly at WC itineraries - what is it like to return home? We went to watch the 2 Queens leave Southampton yesterday Ms it got me thinking about those that had disembarked that morning.

Is it relief? Joy? The 'glad to be home' feeling that you get at the end of any holiday. Or is there a real longing to remain onboard? Is there some sort of culture shock coming away from such luxury? (Assuming that many of us don't live like that day to day!) when you're travelling on board, do you get into some sort of routine? Do you eat in the MDR every day or does it somehow become boring? This is out of pure curiosity and fascination which I hope to one day experience!

Cunard all the way. We tried a short break on Oriana at Easter and although some people on forums seem to think she's elegant and beautiful, I disagree totally. She was tired, tatty and old. There is no comparison to Cunard. Back to Cunard we go.....after a trip on Azura in Aug (booked before the Oriana trip).

That would be awful. Just imagine arriving for a cruise as being told to go home. I wonder if those problem caused the late departure. A bit worrying that cases were able to get on board without (possibly) a passenger. In this day and age is say that's a potential security risk. I feel so awful for those passengers.

We watched from town quay. An amazing, exciting sight to see each Queen (in daylight!) our 10yr sat in the car 'they're just boats' but our 13 yr old matched our excitement and watched with us. Lots of photos were taken!!

Enjoy the last couple of days of your trip. I can't begin to imagine how it feels to be packing up after such a long time away. Thank you all for the updates. I've really enjoyed reading them.

In reply to the OP, there is no contest between the QV and Oriana.

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Having only used Cunard, we plumped for a mini cruise on Oriana at Easter. There is no comparison. QV is classy, elegant, smart, beautiful. Oriana isn't. I'm sorry but it is tatty, old and tired. Food was fine but the buffet was not at all like the lido. Our outside room was faded and poor. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it was our first and last trip on Oriana.

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I watched her through the harbour on the Statue of Liberty webcam (on earthcam app) such a clear view of a beautiful ship. Happy travels.

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If you look closely you can just see the start of a union flag on the tip of the bow!

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I'm getting greedy now and want webcams inside the ship so that we can see what's happening!

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We found the staff surly. At the great British sailaway I was stood on an upper deck watching the goings on at one time I saw one waiter shaking his head and rolling his eyes as he passed some passengers. Admittedly, he'd nearly been hit by a flag but I was not impressed.

We were also surprised at the entertainment director 'Leon'. He was very enthusiastic and added atmosphere but during the sailaways, when the Captain came on the tannoy he was quite sarcastic in his reaction. After the announcement he made fun of the Captain as being boring and dull. This is very disrespectful and undermining. I've never come across this on any previous cruise.

One rule that I've read about with Cunard is that staff have to speak English in public areas. This was certainly not the case with P&O last week.

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I'm not sure how filling the cruise with people on late bookings makes the cruise worse. We booked late - only saw the trip when looking at their website after booking another holiday. We can't always book far in advance and took advantage of a good deal. We are happy to be given last choice of cabin, dining etc.

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There is the buffet, which turns partly into speciality in the evening. There is a Marco Pierre White restaurant which charges extra. There are 2 MDR - Oriental is set times (6:30&8:45) but Peninsular is freedom dining. From what I saw last week they give you a pager if there's a queue so that you can go off to a bar while you wait. Tiffany's coffee bar does light snacks at certain times of the day too.

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I can't get over how clear the webcam is! Looking at it with interest as we sail on her to the fjords in August. Have just come off Oriana and hoping for a slightly more modern ship!

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