Megabear2

Reading the Feefo reviews which are trickling through for the Britannia t/a, something clearly did go amiss before boarding. Example (my bold emphasis): "We to our dismay were booked on a MALETH AERO flight when most other clients on Manchester flights were with TUI. The flight was appalling, boarding passes were changed at the last minute and were duplicated on the flight causing major problems for the crew onboard the flight. The plane was old, discomfort on old seats was awful and cleanliness of the plane left much to be desired. This in particular was a massive reduction in the standards by P&O and to ask was this perfect is unbelievable."

Following my Britannia Christmas cruise last year, I raised the question of unruly behaviour by fellow guests and was told in no uncertain terms by P&O that they are not responsible for their customers' personal behaviour. This complaint included drunken behaviour during and after the World Cup final and football related rivalries on Boxing Day where I had the misfortune to be physically assaulted by a man. Security staff were called to the second incident but their action resulted in a request to those sitting in that part of the deck area to move to a different section while the very nervous bar staff were instructed to continue serving the inebriated and disruptive group. I was told that this course of action was preferable to it "all kicking off" by a large group. Basically luck of the draw who's onboard with you nowadays. My Arvia cruise in May I saw no behaviour of that type, yes a few who'd had a few too many but not aggressive or annoying to other passengers. My own opinion (as a football fan) is that the broadcasting of football matches unfortunately leads to problems with these types of people as they drink heavily while watching them.

Depends on how the poster views "change plane". Certainly not impossible. 1. Book thinking its TUI. Plane 1. 2. Flight changed to Maleth and reserve seats on Maleth plane. Plane 2. 3. Maleth swap the plane on the day of the flight - possible different seat seat up. Plane 3. I'm not saying that is what happened but if you look at it that way you can get three planes.

Shepherd's Pie is the renowned speciality of The Ivy ...

New conditions affect cover, not so much "existing" ones which are managed. If the condition is controlled for a period you will find the number of insurers willing to cover increases. My husband's problems although extremely serious and life threatening were diagnosed at the age of 60. At age 65 with no change to medication and just check ups he became eligible with more insurers albeit at a high cost. The basis for this is he was born with the myocardial bridge and has had the two tubes and valves missing since birth and he should have been dead as a child. A very cheery man at Avanti told me congratulations he's dodged the bullet for so long we think he's worth the risk! The control without change of medication is the important factor. When/if your medicines start to change that's when the underwriters get difficult. Not advising of medication changes when you are already insured frequently gets people spooked as not only can your insurer cancel you insurance they normally increase the premiums even if they continue cover.

Is that due to it being a new condition or simply because it's complex? Interestingly my OH's medical.conditions which were always refused by our bank.insurance suddenly became coverable last year for the first time due to new underwriter. His insurance has always been well.in.excess of £800 on his own but the bank cover reduced it to £300.

What if it's not roasted and is just a cream tomato (not Heinz)? Classic indicates simple I'd accept that might do, but the truth is it's tomato soup, no extras just part of the old always available menu. It's generally picked by the unadventurous or those who like plain food. Saying its "roasted" takes away the familiarity element for the passengers P&O know choose it, probably the same ones who like the much maligned roasts or steak/chicken and chips.

It's still tomato soup whatever you disguise it as. If you give it a posh name people will expect more and be disappointed and complain. You only have to read the comments here of those who call it uninviting, boring etc. Best not to try to dress up the pig's ear so to speak, it is what it is.

It's absolutely pouring down and blowing a hoolie here. I've got the joys of a 2 1/2 hour minimum drive to Essex down the A303, M3 and M25 to attend our niece's 50th birthday party. Such joy ... the A303 is already closed further west due to flooding. Originally had intended to stay in London for the extra 2 nights after Wednesday but with the ludicrous hotel rates took the option to return today. Looks like a bad choice now but an extra £500 for two nights was just too much.

As Japan is going too how long will the Alaska season be? Presumably based from Canada but to where, just round and round with no extensions?

Is ICF your alter ego then?

Surely that means something suited you then, particularly if it was quite nice?

P&O stopped allowing it some time ago - my aunt was refused for our uncle. It is due to strict pollution rules (the container). My mother was scattered from Queen Elizabeth in 2015. We did have a ceremony which was beautiful. It was organised by Cunard, we had the rear closed on the promenade deck for our personal use. A table was set up covered with the ensign. The captain, hotel manager and our personal assistant attended and we had a reading and prayers followed by me dropping the box into the water and the officers saluted while my OH and Tommi our assistant dropped in flowers. We were then left for some quiet time of contemplation. It was truly very moving. Cunard organised everything, it cost nothing and they provided the flowers, box and ribbons. I had to produce the death certificate on boarding - mum was scanned at Southampton. I have it in my will to go in the same area - we have a location certificate.

Very wet overnight but sun has been coming in and out since dawn. It looks like my train ride is on, some delays in the Clapham Junction area but so far nothing else. Coming home tomorrow looks like the interesting one. Timetable already altered to one train an hour and one every two hours down to Exeter. Been informed our tickets have been extended by a day as well. Having to try to be proactive "just in case". Debating booking the cheapest hotel we can find near Waterloo just in case but the cheapest seems to be £199 so not too keen on doing that at this stage. Ironically the heavy rain isn't scheduled until 10.00pm tonight so we might be the earliest to do anything anyway.

Glad you're enjoying it. When I said grim I was referring to the weather and sea conditions which we understood have been pretty rough. I'm pleased it's not Impacting your enjoyment. As you say horses for courses, ironically I'd dislike intensely no pools as I swim every day early morning for exercise.

Love dealing with SWR trains NOT! Travelling into London tomorrow to sign some documents and go to Stamford Bridge for the Chelsea game in the evening. I'd bought train tickets last week for the 1.20pm train in but thought in light of the weather forecast should upgrade them to earlier ones. A very miserable man looks at them, where's the second railcard? Not here my husband is at work. Well I shouldn't do it without two cards ... cue the senior staff member I've known for years, no it's fine I know her. Lots of mumbling... I need another £19.80. I smile nicely, thank you. More mumbling. A stapler produced and another ticket stapled to the ones I'd given him. These won't go through the machine now, hmm yes I'd rather gathered that. What's the earliest train I can get with his new ticket? 9.50 but I don't know why your bothering! Pardon, what do you mean please? Well there won't be any trains tomorrow or Thursday! Is that a fact, if so why have you just taken my money? No it's not an actual fact, it's just bloody obvious isn't it? Interesting customer relations there and on the very day his job was presumably saved as well. Perhaps he'd been planning a cruise with his redundancy!

Oh dear, that sounds rather grim. I hope things improve. At least the weather should get better soon once you're clear of that area. Did you encounter the really rough stuff that Selbourne has been mentioning over on Ventura? It sounds like it's been quite a trip on there.

That's very helpful, thank you. Following Selbourne mentioning late booking we are holding off and monitoring the situation at least until we are onboard Britannia in January when hopefully there might be some extra incentives. We have decided on Aurora for all the reasons discussed and the swimming pool for my husband as his exercise is vital to his health. The big decision is whether the "B" deck balcony is really necessary. Our thinking is that we might get some offer onboard to sweeten a deal on a select "C" or "A" balcony thereby being able to choose where we go. The other reason for choosing Aurora is if anything goes wrong and the itinerary changes drastically we can hopefully move to Britannia as an alternative late on as hopefully she won't sell out so quickly and the prices will be more stable. Well that's the cunning plan ...

Thanks for keeping us up to date. Glad things are brightening up. Looking forward to hearing more when you get the chance. Meantime enjoy!

Yes, confirmed by my friend who added it yesterday to their Arvia cruise next August, today is the last day of 15% discount. Suggest you add it to your booking online via the cruise planner if you wish to have it.

A lot of the saver fares where you can choose cabin position now have the Promenade deck ones in a separate category.

Yes.

Well you're on the right ship for that. Wasn't it 2012 or thereabouts she demonstrated how cracks are of no relevance?

I've had a couple of pretty rough ones on Azura, particularly with cross currents in the English Channel, but never experienced a bad BoB to date. Some ships just handle things better I guess. Certainly the older ships seem to have less movement. A good northern crossing to New York in the autumn months is often an interesting experience unless it's on QM2, I remember Anthem of the Seas relocation in 2015 where she really struggled.

I must be lucky as I've never had a bad crossing down there. English Channel has always been a bugbear for me though.