Megabear2

All well and good but people seem to be saying they can't book or get into the alternatives either and the buffet is becoming their only alternative. As someone travelling on Arvia fairly soon every tip I've been given is book as much as you can before going or you most likely won't get in. That seems very off putting. I've sailed on big RC ships including Allure and nothing like the things being described here has ever occurred and she has 3 main dining rooms for an even larger number of passengers. The only difference I can think of is the ability to buy a dining package for the speciality restaurants in advance so the number of people needing the MDRs is more controlled and presumably better balanced.

I'm hoping the "P" stands for prawns this time around ...

You are correct I did get a massive upgrade and lots of goodies for my family and I on various cruises in December 2021. However we didn't do very well in December 2022 with what I'd call an okay cabin on Britannia over Christmas. I also normally experience very good customer service when I have a problem and P&O have been exceptionally kind to me about various cancellations and did gift me my aunt's FCC last year as well. Not sure I influence anyone though but I do know when onboard my account has a "P" beside it which according to the food and beverage manager stands for something but he knows not what! However whatever it is it generally means I've normally got reservations etc without any problems. I've never really thought along the lines you suggest but if you're correct long may it last!!!! It's a good news day for me apart from the upgrade as I've just settled my aunt and her partner's two insurance claims in full with Allclear. The experience was a pleasure and very easy, if this is their normal service I'd recommend them. Happy Easter.

I had wondered whether these upgrade bids would stop normal upgrades however it appears not. On 31 March I booked the lowest grade select fare inside cabin mainly to get my welcome back OBC, port buses and the current OBC offer. I could have picked a specific cabin but as the price rose considerably took a chance. This morning I've received a cabin upgrade notice - I never even knew where my forward inside cabin was located - which to my surprise has moved me to a deck 9 GE aft balcony cabin. Looking at the deck plan I assume this may be one of the less desirable places due to possible noise issues but as it's one huge upgrade I can't really complain. Does anyone have experience of a cabin in this area, the one I have is 9727. Thanks.

Thanks to you both. Hopefully it will go well, presumably my boarding time will affect my ability to book onboard but unless they're very strict on timing I hope I can get on okay as my lift will drop me in Southampton around 12.30 before departing to play rugby! ICF I will look forward to reading your next blog while I'm on Arvia, I board on 14th. Will be interesting to see your comparison between the two ladies. Unfortunately I lost my 18 March Iona cruise due to my accident but I'm hoping Arvia will be a good replacement. I specifically booked this one for La Spezia and the chance to visit the Bocelli family vineyards. Now all I have to hope is that we can get in port okay on the day. My last couple of cruises on Britannia the buffet choice wasn't very good for me so I'm look8ng forward to all the other options on the new ships, though I am back to Britannia end of July.

Thank you, that's all really helpful. Sounds like I need a plan. Fingers crossed the app will load okay for me as last two cruises on Britannia they gave up on my equipment and told me to go manual!

All sounds great. Can apparently book entertainment on 29/4 and dining on 30/4. Any tips what to go for first, ie sell out quickest? I tend to eat early around 6.00pm apart from specialist restaurants where I still go for earliest available. As I'm on my own this time I have flexibility. Apart from La Spezia I have no excursions to worry about so for the first time in an age late nights aren't off the agenda..

Thank you, most helpful. Did the Limelight offer 2 or 3 acts in rotation? On Britannia we had three different acts in 14 days so I assumed Arvia would possibly have more. Pushing my luck for deck parties in mid May in the Med but you never can say never!

Well this is going nowhere! Overall the OP asked for what differences he could expect. I think he probably knows now on the big RCI ships they'll be treated to a 90 minute theatre style experience as part of the entertainment - with or without Broadway/West End stars - which P&O don't have. However these offerings aren't on all the RC ships, how do P&O measure up against the Freedom class and older ships? I sailed on Splendour before she went off to become TUI/Marella Explorer and recall most of the theatre offerings being very similar to the Azura ones I experienced around the same time with the exception of the aerial acrobatics in the main atrium. Guest acts were people I'd seen on both Cunard and P&O - yes we had a Frankie Valli act onboard all three! As the two main protagonists on the theatre offerings who have both sailed recently on Iona and Arvia can either of you enlighten me on what I may expect on my upcoming sailings on these new P&O ships? I understand there are acrobats and trapeze acts in the Atriums of these ships, anything else new I can enjoy when I board Arvia in May?

Actually I think he is saying some of the cast members of the shows not the whole cast perform on the RCI ships, particularly those sailing out of FL and Miami. In my experience sailing on Allure that has occurred on several occasions and also on a Barcelona to FLL Allure repositioning we had a large contingent of west end performers guesting in the Mama Mia performances onboard. Several of those performing were actually in the current West End production of Les Miserables and performed a couple of intimate concerts in a side venue where they took audience requests for songs from famous musicals. From what I recall the casts of the RCI productions are fairly small, I think around 10 in total, and multi task several roles. Pete is I think referring to the fact these productions are 90 to 120 minutes and offer a "full" theatre experience rather than a specific 45 to 60 minute show designed just for the cruise line. Of course the quality of the individuals is subjective and down to personal tastes! On Regal Princess last year a very highly rated opera singer from New York had half her audience walk out after only a couple of songs - just proves everyone likes different things.

Which of the two August Britannia sailings are you on, please?

Technically you are already in need of notifying them of a "change in health" as the mainstream insurers do not cover you during a period of investigation. I note you intend to notify them once you have a diagnosis but you should be aware that any future claims for any issue requiring the insurer's claims company to access your medical records (not necessarily for anything on this particular issue) would highlight the date these investigations commenced and most likely would result in a refusal to pay out on the claim. Pre existing conditions are a nightmare for the policyholder but the claims companies look at every single aspect in minutest detail before accepting a claim. The insurer would upon notification have the right to cancel the policy and refund but dependent on the actual health conditions and time frame may offer comfort until then, for instance my husband's renewal came up while he was awaiting a diagnosis following heart tests and Allianz agreed an extension for four weeks. However this is very rare. As mentioned by Terrierjohn and Zap you can buy individual trip policies from a handful of specialists in this area.

Thank you. It's been a bit dramatic since February but hopefully things are going better. I nearly lost my aunt again, she used up another one of her nine lives after catching covid and developing pneumonia whilst on Bolette. Unfortunately Fred's doctor misdiagnosed her after the covid cleared and left the pneumonia untreated - she was told she was being neurotic and prescribed Diazepam leading to less than 24 hours off the ship she was back in intensive care. Idiot that I am, rushed to visit and fell flat on my face and ended up with broken nose, cheek and concussion. I finally got the okay yesterday, unfortunately missed my March Iona cruise so rebooked on Arvia in May, hence my interest in all this. As a point of interest Allclear insurance so far have been good with my aunt's claims!

The post you refer to is in the thread regarding Palma/Arvia. It has not been taken down. Regarding difficulties it's clear a lot of lines have a problem with Palma, a look at 4 August shows MSC having Grandiosa, Virtuosa and Seaview booked in. As someone booked on Arvia, Britannia and Queen Victoria with planned Majorca calls I've been following this issue for some months and nothing on the port schedule appears to change until very near sailing date.

Hi. There was a thread on the Cunard boards in November last year about the difficulties with purchasing world cruise cover. The problem there was the value of the booking - I recall around £40,000 for a QG room. The problem was also highlighted by Radio 4 Moneybox. Previously a family member did world cruises and used this company - no problem with length as up to 6 months cover - but again a ceiling of £20,000. https://www.cruiseinsurance.co.uk/ Regarding AllClear I can concur that they are good - currently I am dealing with two claims with them for family members - but be aware their claims handling company CSAL are quite difficult to contact and deal with. It took me 10 days to speak to them for a simple question and submit a cancellation claim online. Good luck in your search.

Appears there are 3 ships on 10th Britannia, AIDAstella and Costa Diadema. Just MSC Seaview and Britannia on 11th. 24th has 2 ships one of which is Britannia, other Costa Diadema. 25th looks problematic- Britannia, Seaview, Celebrity Edge and Mein Schiff. Looking at these I assume the first cruise on 4th is likely to be best for not being cancelled? We want to go to Soller as we went last year but had restricted time, that's the attraction for the overnight.

Re Majorca I'm just looking at Britannia cruises on 4th and 18th August with a view to booking. These two cruises show overnights in Majorca which my friend and I quite liked. Am I to assume these too will be at risk of not happening? As it would be two days I'm not keen if it became extra seaday, a substitute port would be okay but assumedly it wouldn't be overnight.

For reasons best known to itself the quotation with nothing appears! Thank you, I have found your post on the problems. I believe this cruise was before the canopy was put on to stop the soot, but I'm not sure. Aurora Cruisers E741 is available - deck 10. Looking at the rave review I'm learning towards that. Just looking at the itineraries now. Bit concerned one of them includes an overnight in Majorca reading the thread about Arvia being cancelled from there.

Despite Britannia being my favourite P&O ship I've never stayed at the aft. I'm now looking at her 4th and 18th August Mediterranean cruises with my friend. Last year we stayed in an aft wake view cabin on Celebrity Edge and my friend is keen to have a similar position this year if possible. I know the cabins on deck 15 have the canopy which makes them totally shaded. Are the lower decks also completely in shade as well? 4th August available decks are 8, 10, 11 and 15 18 August available decks are 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 Any thoughts on these much appreciated. Obviously they are school holiday cruises so we anticipate using the balcony a lot and my friend is a sun baby! Thank you.

The trouble with Dubrovnik is not just the ships or size of them. It's also Game of Thrones which is why they are looking to limit the numbers visiting. There are restrictions being planned. I love Dubrovnik even when it's crowded, much the same as I love Venice. It will be a very sad day if the former goes the way of the latter although I do see why. The problem isn't limited to the ships unfortunately or even the number of them, a lot of the problem is the Snapchat generation and travel guides making things in Europe "must see" and fashionable. We are all the problem as we want to see these sites, it's just different as far more people have access nowadays with cheap flights or cruises.

What's it like in the day on Iona?

Two recent posters on the boards have reported noise issues on Deck 15 of Arvia, both for balcony and insides cabins. It might be wise to avoid that deck just in case. Try to get a cabin with cabins above and below you whichever position you choose. Personally I love high up forward but many hate the movement. Also aft facing cabins are fabulous but you will hear some noise and vibration there, and again if you aren't sure of your sea legs something to consider.

Is that planned or was the roof stuck like it apparently was on the transatlantic crossing?

Ironic to say the least, surely you were helping doing the "ruining"?

The £869 saver fare inside and is for the repositioning cruise for 14 nights I believe. The other cabins aren't reduced so much and its over £1000 more for the select fare. The headline figures sound good, the reality of select fares is a bit different.