Eglesbrech

Well at least people have the chance to cancel before the final payment, which in my case I would. We don’t travel with P&O much now but if we do we tend to eat most nights in the speciality dining or Glass House. The world has gone crazy.

Having done a few cruises recently with extremely long queues, lack of staff and poor service we have been looking at a Fred cruise as a change of pace. For anyone who has been onboard in 2022 what was it like? Was restaurant and bar service quick and efficient. We’re there sufficient staff to clear tables and keep the ship clean. Any insights much appreciated.

In one way it’s good that they are letting customers know in advance but they should also be telling customers what they are actually doing about it to provide the cruise you booked. They are offering a lesser service so there should be some cost reduction surely. The global shortages and supply chain issues were a known factor when the cruise was being sold surely but web sites etc still advertise the full package of facilities. Many of the cruise lines are still selling shiny things and great service that they simply can’t deliver. Surely their promotion materials should reflect this so customers can decide to buy or not to buy. I have a habit of keeping screen shots/ brochures for cruises from the day I book. It has come in handy a number of times. Im sure you will still have a great holiday.

I read an article on this a while back and originally it was because women were considered to be the “weaker” sex and so 5 sets was thought to be too much for them. It also justified paying them a lot less prize money, that only changed at Wimbledon for example in 2007. It could be argued that 3 sets makes a more interesting game as players stay fresh and there is (apparently) more chance of an upset of the seeding.

Love Beamish. We have stayed in your neck of the woods to visit it several times over the years.

That’s me sold. My oh would just love the F1 simulator. I’ll be really interested to hear vamps feedback on MSC.

Enjoy!

Disney is really expensive once you are onboard. Really lovely ships, excellent entertainment, food more basic than P&O and drinks - take out a new mortgage for a glass of wine!

What absolute rot. Gross generalisation. There are some people on these boards who would not complain and indeed would support their pet cruise line regardless of how bad anything onboard was. They eulogise every little thing. Yes there are complaints as well. Life is about balance, those with any sense read between the lines and adopt the middle ground.

Great minds Harry 😀

No, it is absolutely not your fault. You were sold something which has been cancelled at very short notice, that is down to P&O. I do hope you find something else that suits you. I also hope you get decent recompense for any inconvenience caused.

Our Sky Princess cruise in May/ June was very short staffed on an almost full capacity sailing, so there were long queues everywhere you went. The issues were acknowledged onboard. It was also messy as waiters were too busy serving to clear. Eventually they used the deck staff in the evenings to clear glasses and debris. They charge the full cost but don’t offer the full service. Skimpflation is a great word for it Harry and they all seem to be at it.

Did you ever go to the Scottish islands? I remember being told that they kept a “very special” hire car for VAT inspectors, revenue officers, customs and excise, DWP fraud officers etc. It was bright yellow and could be seen on those narrow roads from many, many miles away.

Depending on the room you get you will have fun finding the bathroom as it is hidden behind a wooden panel that pulls out. It’s well worth paying for a forward facing room or you get a view of the car park. The rooms are really quirky and the Art Deco detail just lovely. Good afternoon tea too.

Love the Midland, we have stayed there a number of times. Have you stayed there Zapp and played at hunt the bathroom? Kalos hotel looks amazing, have a lovely time.

Many a truth made in jest.🥶

Summer doesn’t start at all here! It goes from winter, to slightly less cold to cold again.

I know what you mean. We were down south at the end of May and could sit outside for our evening meal at the hotel. Indeed I actually needed sun screen. This has to be one of the most miserable summers on record and it’s almost the longest day! It’s been constantly cold. Let’s hope we get an Indian summer later in the year. I suppose we are lucky to have the Gulf Stream or it would be even worse.

“Only 17c” really, my heart bleeds for you 🥵. That’s shorts weather up here. Sitting at 10 here. I can’t get my sourdough starter to rise as he is too cold. I have had to put the oven on low and sit him near it to get enough heat to get enough yeast for a loaf. He is a great weather barometer. So much for summer and meantime Skynews is saying some parts of the U.K. will be hotter than Jamaica. Well heads up, not up here it’s not! Im working away listening to a a really good book on audible called “can’t we just print more money” written by Bank of England staff about economic levers and policy, it’s really fascinating. They have based in common questions people have about the economy and it’s written in a really accessible manner. I tend to listen to stories mostly but add in the odd factual book. Another good one was Invisible Women.

Thanks for your live review, enjoying reading it.

Well it is wet and cold here again today after a miserable wet and cold weekend. It could be November rather than June. The newspapers keep saying that there is a heat wave, well not here there is not. On the bright side there has been very little wind so my apple trees are groaning with small apples ready to grow, all the rain will help with that at least. I love watching nature at work in the garden. The rhubarb is also thriving so I may just grab some and make a crumble for diner time. Have a good day, hope you have better weather where you are.

Thanks, you are more up to date than the U.K. gov site which is still quoting KN95 /FFP2 masks. What about quarantine, is it still 10 days? I would love to go to Italy but the quarantine situation is off putting.

Brian, are you in Italy at the moment and if so is there any talk of them loosening the restrictions there? The next formal review is the 15 June from what I gather but any early speculation. Thanks.

No, it’s not just P&O and it feels like it is becoming a lot more common given the number of comments about it recently on these boards. The world is still a bit tipsy Turkey at present. As an example the “Moroccan Passage” cruise on Princess did not go into Morocco. It never could have as the country was still not allowing vessels in at that time but passengers were (apparently) not told that and expected to get there. Some passengers felt they had been duped, given the name of the cruise. I feel for people who booked a cruise which included bucket list destinations like Venice or Dubrovnik etc and get to one horse towns instead or in some cases nothing but another sea day. That kind of change would just not be acceptable in any other situation without allowing cancellation.

That’s not the normal max as you are perfectly well aware Wozz. You are also mis quoting inside cabin. At least try to be honest when you are wrong. And you are wrong.