Eglesbrech

3 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

I think suites on P&O are great value . Physically as good as any other.

 

Price wise half the price of say Cunard QG or a Saga midship suite.

 

Yes you don't get much as other lines in extras , but even with the cost of speciality restaurants every night, plus excellent wine and champagne. You can create everything you get on others for less. Anyway that's the experiment I'm  trying. The only negative is gamble in hoping to book restaurants.  With the huge rear balcony on aft suites you can avoid sunbed wars

If that’s what suits you then great. I hope you manage to get the dining reservations. It would be interesting to hear how your experiment goes.

You don’t however get the same as other suites eg on MSC

Boarding at 10 am with a butler to collect you and take you straight to your private lounge. Drinks and snacks all day.

Full service YC pool and sunbeds area with food & drinks service.

Evening entertainment in the suites only lounge

Reserved seats in the theatre every night and butler takes you there to bypass any queues.

Priority lift call

Priority off and back on at every port

Stocked and replenished mini bar / bottle of choice for the cabin / premier extra drinks package/ treats in cabin every night

Daily printed newspaper of choice

Private restaurant for all meals 

etc etc etc

Thats not to knock P&O, it’s just a different package that they don’t do

44 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

We are on Princess at present and the regulars have similar complaints. I appreciate both P&O and Princess are Carnival brands, but I bet Royal Caribbean, Cebrity, MSC, NCL, Saga, Fred etc are all saying the same thing. If cruise lines need to increase revenue to satisfy shareholders, then prices will need to rise, and we have the choice to accept the increase or not.

You are correct John.

As an example those with the Aurea experience on MSC used to get the basic drinks package included which has now been removed (prices are apparently reduced a bit but not by the package price).

Diamond voyages members used to get a sculpted chocolate ship, it’s now a toblerone!

Most of the lines are making small changes so they can reduce the base price advertised.

We used to book suites on P&O but many years ago decided it was not value for money as they offer so few extras. Now we book standard cabins for the odd P&O we do and suites on lines that offer much more for the money.
 

Princess took away the previously free and very popular Alfredo’s, then added it as a new benefit to their drinks packages. All hell let loose on the boards about that 
 

It’s all choices and what is important to me may not be to others. What annoys others may not even register for me.

24 minutes ago, Stokie33 said:

Hi, I can confirm we’ve just got home and a pint of Heineken was £7 no gratuities on top and a can of coke was £3.50 no gratuities added, so take it everything else should be the price stated

 

hope this helps xx

Brilliant, thank you so much for coming back with that information.

1 minute ago, daz1107 said:

Oh my, I really hope you like it now!!

Please don't attack me if you don't 🤣

I won’t, I like to try new things and I have never had an Australian whisky. Easy to order via Amazon.

If I don't like it I will cook with it  or serve it to those less discerning 😀. Nothing is ever wasted.

7 minutes ago, daz1107 said:

Hopefully it won't let you down! 

I tried an Australian whiskey the other day called Starward. That's a cheapy but very nice! 

My that is very well priced. Just ordered a bottle. Never heard of it before but I will try anything, once.

Thanks for the recommendation.

3 minutes ago, daz1107 said:

In sure my whisky enthusiast friend will be interested. I'll let him know. 

Thank you! 

I’m excited about this one as it was my Dads favourite whisky and the first brand  I ever tried. I’m not that keen on lowland ladies as a rule but this is the exception that proves the rule (well that and the Deanston dragons milk stout cask finish which is really, really cheap but very good).

Rosebank 32 Year Old - Legacy Release Three Goes on sale Monday 13 May (max 2 bottles per customer)

@daz1107 in case of interest to you / any other whisky enthusiast.

1 minute ago, Josy1953 said:

I just arrived home from the school run and found a text from our ladies bowling captain to tell the team that the husband of one of our team has passed away this morning.

How very sad. As we get older this unfortunately becomes more common but just as tragic.

4 minutes ago, S1971 said:

 

 

"There was a shuttle bus and though it said it was the official P&O shuttle it was £5.50 each"

 

There's obviously some conflicting information.

 

It may well be now, I was just highlighting that initially it was not.

A discussion on another thread has reminded me of a bit of nostalgia. Do you remember going to new ports and the welcome you got back when ships were seen as a very welcome addition to the local economy.

The first time we went to Cartagena we were given a flower from ladies in costume and there was a band.

Frederica we had music, costumes and were given sweets.

One port in Iceland, I can’t remember which, gave us some sort of soused fish. I don’t recall the port but the fish was shall we say unique.

Closer to home in the early days Invergorden put on a full pipe band and highland dancers (don’t know if that was the local chamber of commerce or Celebrity).

Any memorable “welcomes”

6 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

You posted at the same time as me! I had assumed that the shuttle was arranged by P&O as we didn’t pay and were on a Select fare, but I’ve no reason to doubt your info. Either way, it’s now a pain for wheelchair users. 

The first time we went there they really had the red carpet out, the free bus, lots of local tourist staff with maps, music etc. Presumably as more and more ships went in did not feel the need to make such an effort (or like other ports felt that the spend in local shops perhaps did not justify the cost).

26 minutes ago, AndyMichelle said:

This is at Haugesund, which is only a 950m walk into the town, so for many, and in P&Os eyes, a shuttle bus is not required. 

The problem is, it's over a steep bridge, which obviously causes issues for some. 

I didn’t think the shuttle bus was anything to do with P&O, but I may be wrong. 

I don't see this one as a cutbacks, as I don't believe it was ever offered free, but again, I could be wrong. 

Andy 

The bus was provided by the local business community and yes it was initially offered as a free service. So you are correct, not a P&O cutback.

1 hour ago, AndyMichelle said:

Unless this has changed as well since last week, you can and they do encourage you to bring your own reusable cups and are happy to fill them. 

Obviously this is only for take aways, you still get a 'proper' cup if you drink in. 

Andy 

On Aurora a few weeks ago they provided reusable heavy plastic take away cups with lids which you just returned (or the cabin steward cleared them). No additional charge and yes they would fill your own.

As you say proper cups if sitting in.

27 minutes ago, P&O SUE said:

Morning all, thanks again for all your good wishes. The power of cruise critic I think - I’m much better today at last! The sun is shining, I’ve got two loads of washing out and I’ve been sitting in the garden. Just come in now to cool down before my afternoon shift.

 

Here’s a funny thing - well I’ve never heard it before. John’s work mate is going on his first ever cruise soon on Iona. It was arranged by a TA. Anyway, he has to park at Southampton airport and then they’ve put on a bus to take them to the port! Anyone heard of that before?

Yes, we looked at it for September one year when parking at the port was all gone.

They charge you more than they would if you were just leaving the car for a flight and that’s more taking account of the additional cost of the transfers to and from the port.
 

You can’t just book the car park at the standard rate and get a taxi, or at least you couldn’t when we looked as you needed a flight reference. May have changed.

Good morning all. Another lovely day here.
 

There is a black bird bouncing around in the back garden picking up worms. The apple trees are in full bloom and look really pretty.

Have a good day all.

11 minutes ago, Josy1953 said:

I was surprised that Scotch whiskey only accounts for 2% of the market.  I am not a whiskey drinker but DH was likes the occasional glass of scotch.  When I retired he was given a bottle of Macallens at my retirement party ( The company that I worked for always gave the partner of the retiree a bottle of their preferred alcohol or bouquet depending on their sex.  He now drinks Macallens when he wants to indulge.

It’s 2% of all U.K. exports but 26% of U.K. food and drink. It’s one of the largest net contributors to U.K. balance of trade.

3 minutes ago, P&O SUE said:

Evening all, my weekend went downhill after Saturday. From Sunday onwards I’ve had a horrible stomach bug, goodness knows where I got that from, John is ok 🤷‍♀️ I was so looking forward to the long weekend but I’ve done nothing except sleep and read. 
Back to work today but I worked from home cos I’m still not right. Sadly couldn’t visit mum today because I didn’t want to risk passing it onto her. They had a VE Day thing there and we were hoping to catch the end of it which was a singer. Mum enjoyed it anyway. 

Hope you get over it completely soon. These bugs take time to shake.

Anyone been watching the Eurovision knock out rounds. Some interesting offerings to say the least.

1 hour ago, Snow Hill said:

Apparently Scottish whisky only accounts for 2% of that market, guess to 150% tariff on it has some effect.

2% of a massif market, £278m in 2023.

1 minute ago, daz1107 said:

The English is actually distilled by 'The English Whiskey Distillery', they do various varieties, but I like the standard one (just Google the English whiskey and you'll find it). 

I've had Smokehead and yes, it's not bad for a cheapie. 

We have a friend who used to host Whisky Tastings and he has over a hundred bottles, from all over the world. He very kindly keeps bringing me 50cl tasters! 

If you get the chance, try an Indian whiskey; he's brought me 2 different ones and they are excellent! 

Many thanks, I’ll look out for that.
 

India is one of the biggest markets for whisky in the world, good fo our exports!

15 minutes ago, daz1107 said:

Ooh, thank you! A sensible response for once rather than a 'well you're wrong, you can't have an opinion, the cruise line is always right'! 

I'll look into those so thank you. 

I'm actually enjoying various ones at the moment; The English is one distilled in Norfolk and has a very subtle flavour, whilst Penderyn is a new(ish) Welsh distillery and is receiving good reviews. 

There are several Japanese ones which I enjoy as well, all having differing tastes. 

I like some of the Penderyn range and tried them while in Wales.

The St George English has some interesting offerings too. I’ll look out for the Norfolk, do you have a name (might be St George?)

I’ve tried numerous Japanese but haven’t found one quite to my taste.

We were in Ireland last year and came across Red Breast whiskey while trying a tasting flight in Galloway City. We had the 12 year old Pot and it was excellent. We asked mine host if the 25 year old would be better and the honest man said no,  just more expensive but not better. Had several bottles since.

And don’t get me started on Scottish offerings as I can (and have) bored people for hours in on the subject.

We had Cullen skink for dinner on Sunday as I managed to get fresh Arbroath Smokies and had a dram of Smokehead (cheap and cheerful from the Macleod stable of distillery’s) so it’s doesn’t have to be expensive to be good if paired with the right food!

@daz1107 I didn’t want to go off topic on the drinks thread but as a fellow whisky (and whiskey) enthusiast can I recommend one from a fairly new distillery. 
 

We were in Fife last year and visited Kingsbarns which is less than a decade old. Their Balcomie Sherry matured malt is really good and very well priced for the quality, I’d say cheap for the flavour profile.

Rosebank is also opening again in June after 25 years sleeping so looking forward to going for a tour there.

You are correct, the selection is pretty safe and pedestrian for anyone who knows and enjoys their whisky.

10 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

I'd agree.  I remember ICF getting a really good deal on his South African cruise early this year and a look at the Azamara site shows all the South African cruises are generally considerably lower cost than their other offerings. The cruise quoted was also a repositioning cruise and like most lines these are generally cheaper anyway.

ICF has not been around much recently, unless I have missed posts.

32 minutes ago, S1971 said:

 

But would P&O then stop you purchasing on your cruise card, I suspect not.

 

This is what makes the change pointless, they are not going to stop rowdy behaviour by banning to odd in cabin bottle, they need to deal with those who create the behaviour by removing them at one next port.

I can’t say what the P&O policy is but Princess have the same 15 units drink limit and yes they do indeed let people move to paying by cruise card after that. Seen it several times as the person at the bar is told they have used their daily allowance but a drink is served and charged.

In fairness the people we have seen were not rolling drunk so there was perhaps no obvious reason for bar staff not serve them (except perhaps liver damage).

As they are the same group perhaps the same policy? Maybe someone else knows definitively 

2 hours ago, Stokie33 said:

I’m not sure but due to sail in 3 days with no drinks package for the first time so will let you know what happens 

That would be much appreciated.

Have a lovely cruise.