Megabear2

Well, let's add more grist to the mill!! Following on from Presto2's attempts to book the Retreat in advance look what's just dropped into my inbox! Needless to say if I click to follow the link to book it says "Enquire on Board". A swift call - only 25 minutes waiting(!) - to P&O I'm told no you've never been able to book Retreat in advance on any of our ships. The Retreat Your sanctuary for relaxation, this outdoor refuge is nestled in an exclusive, adult‑only deck area. Refreshments including teas and coffees are included in your experience, as well as a healthy eating menu featuring top‑quality ingredients available throughout the day. Numbers are limited, so the atmosphere is serene and sophisticated with luxurious surroundings including panoramic ocean views, The Retreat is the height of grown‑up sophistication and indulgence Book now http://emails.pocruises.com/files/amf_blueberry_wave/project_1034/Email_31/button-arrow.png

It's official - Selbourne has clearly earned the magic "P"!

As I said that would be a good idea. I wasn't, as seems to have been assumed, suggesting the cruise lines partake in online forums such as this, merely pointing out that many when joining CC think it's an "official" channel and that the cruise lines read the content. The various individual sections of CC give the impression of being very much "close communities" rather than proper discussion outlets, in the P&O board case even like a group of personal friends. Nothing wrong with that but it tends to lead to the same old stories, problems just recycling every few months and certain personalities arguing and disagreeing with each other over who is correct. This then leads to valid points being lost in the opposing diametrics. All very entertaining, especially for the mischief makers who are currently not posting on the forum, but not really achieving much. However genuine newcomers not knowing the personalities involved may find it very offputting and not want to risk stating an opinion. In recent times there has very much been a well I had a great time, it didn't happen to me etc approach and anyone expressing a view that their experience was different has often found themselves accused of causing alarm for others or nitpicking. CruisingMark is totally correct in his reasoning of why this forum would be of little or no use to the cruise line. That said the head in the sand approach to their customers by the cruise lines can at times be breathtaking. The situation Presto2 is trying to get an answer to is a case in point. It doesn't seem unreasonable to expect a uniform answer across operations on the entire fleet (with exceptions that can be explained where necessary) for a simple thing like booking a restaurant, the Retreat, dates of release of bookings for special events, seat release on aircraft etc yet she has had completely different information on every attempt to clarify her position. It's service like that which P&O could seek to address via a proper forum then everyone would know clearly what the position is rather than having to check constantly by calling, emailing etc. The dining options on my cruise (I'm actually on the same one as Presto2) have changed six times since I booked in May. I'm not too worried as it's not a special occasion cruise for me, for others it could be make or break of having s dream special holiday.

Isn't this where ICF's popstar singing bus driver is on the train? If so I think he and Tiger mentioned it had some accessibility.

Absolutely beautiful. Looks like you'll have another lovely day.

When you say forum you mean something which P&O willingly enter into alongside the passengers? They have a presence on X (formerly known as Twitter) and Facebook but I do not know of any specific channel apart from these where P&O interact with their passengers. Most of the replies from P&O on these two outlets deal with very bland problems, nothing contentious or in dispute is ever replied to. I would agree a discussion forum or group which P&O actively join in with could go some way to obtaining answers on these types of issue. Many years ago I was secretary to my local rail user group so do indeed know the benefits of such organisations. Ironically back in 2013 when I joined CC I actually thought that it was such a group accredited by the cruise lines, but apart from some interaction with Princess who I understand do have people who monitor and read these boards, the cruise lines appear to have no interest in the contents. P&O along with most of the cruise lines appear to wish to have no interaction in a public forum with their passengers and as a result the latter are very often left to feel like they are trapped in a washing machine on a continual spin cycle!

Brilliant news. Yes, he's in good spirits for York and looking good so fingers crossed for more success for him and you. The odds are dropping as at present he's one of the most popular horses on the courses, not the best but with a huge following. Busy planning my trip up to stay with my BIL to go across for the races. Apparently Ladies Day so hoping for good weather for my hat. Just waiting to make sure he's declared to run as I was notified he has an alternate entry at Goodwood in case he doesn't make the cut.

In P&Os case there are actually a team of people in that office who actually reply in the 28 days, unlike following the normal customer service route. As the person in question has asked in writing and in telephone calls many times over the months and received to date four different and various replies, the suggestion was made for her to ask someone in that team which policy/reply is correct. It's not unreasonable surely to seek reassurance and clarity before spending what for her is a large sum of money on a once in a lifetime event. Unfortunately she has been stressing about the issues for some time to the point where she even considered cancelling her cruise. That all seems rather unfair on her for the sake of a definitive reply that can allow her to make an informed decision. Your organisation sounds as if wouldn't even need someone to consider actions like the one being considered as you seem to seek to assist and reply.

Problem is we are still 4 1/2 months away which to you is something to work on but to P&O is still a long way off. I'm not going to stress too much once I get the Retreat sorted. The dining will be sorted for me as we eat early and I'm fully aware the medical stuff is correctly listed. As it's a very special trip for you it's understandable you are worried.

I suggest you search all the different threads, collate the examples of differing things happening, explain in detail your own cruise on Britannia and make a list. Once you have all.that information adjust it to be third party so as not to.identify the originator and send the whole lot as a numbered list to the Executive Office. I suggest emphasis is placed on the imminent final payment date and basically ask how the receiver of the email expects you to part with your money with no idea what you're buying. It's tiring but if you research here and on Facebook.and Feefo you should be able to.build a very thorough picture. If you are getting that stressed now it may be worthwhile.

How is the rest going? Hopefully no other problems.

Reading the latest "live froms" from Selbourne and DamianG they seem to have found because they have larger groups the restaurants are having to offer the tables for their groups to ensure they could actually eat in a MDR. It must be extremely difficult for the staff to have the same large family groups every evening who have experienced little to no ability to get a table via the app.

Whilst understanding your sentiments if your cruise has 5,000 people onboard and have the same idea how would you handle that one? We are buying a product with a food offering included - MDR and buffet - the speciality restaurants were never designed to be used by everyone onboard. To facilitate your idea the MDR's would have to become the speciality restaurants.

Works for Disney! Stay on property bookings open at 120 days compared to 90 days for everyone else.

My problem with the large atrium on Arvia was the noise, particularly as I have a hearing imbalance. It reminded me of a mainline railway station. I felt sorry for the excellent Spanish troupe performing in one corner and also the busker lady as they appeared lost and were a waste of clearly talented individuals. How are you finding the noise levels compared to Britannia last month?

Totally understand, I had the same problem with Arvia.

I booked a Britannia Caribbean for January whilst onboard Arvia in May. For my deluxe balcony with PE flights I received an extra £200 and paid £100 deposit.

Not much point in worrying about what's wished for when an awful lot of people aren't getting in to these places anyway.

If you've got the will to live send the details of it all to this email. Emphasise you want a reply from the Executive Office not it pushed back to "normal" customer service who have to date given yourself and others three different versions - I will do the same. Executive.Correspondence@carnivalukgroup.com

Both aft pools are very small which doesn't help. The front larger pool is designated adult only assumedly because it and its surrounding areas are larger and also are next to the Retreat. On Arvia I noted how ridiculous it is to have a swim up bar adjacent to the infinity pool as inevitably it became an additional pool for the children to play in. Basically a family ship with two fairly small outdoor infinity type structures with a far bigger indoor pool (the roof only opened once in a fortnight) and on Iona exactly the same but with no opening roof.

I sympathise. It's a myth that all P&O cruises are cheap, they most certainly aren't for everyone. I cancelled a booked Christmas Caribbean cruise on Arvia for this year as the price based on an ordinary balcony cabin with economy flights was over £7,300 for two. It has been replaced with a Celebrity cruise, admittedly a day shorter for a £1,500 less, same balcony cabin, flights included and a two day stay in Fort Lauderdale. We were lucky to take advantage of a very good 75% off second passenger offer and also a drinks/dining and wifi offer making the deal far better than the P&O offering. Apart from one or two exceptions it is the two big ships with their repeat itineraries which are offering the bargain fares and if you delve into these the select fare offerings on anything other than an inside they are still not bargain bucket priced. In a strange way all this talk of "cheap" is based on individuals' lifestyles and income. £100 to some is loose change to others its a fortune. I'm reminded of the then Chancellor Geoffrey Howe in 1982 having his trousers stolen containing his wallet whilst on a train when he stated he only lost a small amount of loose change - it was £150 at a time when the UK average weekly wage was £154! It is very easy for those among us who can afford Saga, Cunard, Celebrity etc to say P&O are "cheap" but for people such as yourself that is clearly not the case.

Prior to the app I never had a problem booking a night in these venues. Booking used to open 14 days before boarding in the cruise personaliser giving everyone an equal opportunity to book. If the "elite" were getting first dibs there was also room for others on a level playing field. Once onboard there were tables set up on the first day after sailing, it was announced in Horizon and those interested could go along and reserve. There was never the panic that occurs nowadays. The lowering of quality and standards in the MDR's has created a situation where many won't even contemplate using them. Iona and Arvia have changed things enormously which hasn't helped either. P&O push these "fine dining" speciality restaurants at their new cruisers who fully expect to be able to an equal chance of trying them. It's an interesting conundrum with no perfect solution.

No they don't hold anything back. It was mentioned a few months back on the subject of limiting individuals' reservations in the speciality restaurants and it was not received well with some taking it very much a personal dig at them. I was one of those who wrote to Executive Office asking if things were held back or limited but after the reaction I saw here I left it well alone.

Still doesn't explain why you can see it as bookable and we on the other hand are told it isn't!

I can add to that, it's been stating Enquire on Board in our planner for 4 weeks. Clearly they cant even get it right for the same cruise! Let me know if you have any success by telephone. Thank you.