Dwalkerdave

It is unlikely you will get a Caribbean night on a Norway cruise as it is only 7 nights of which 2 are formal.

On 5/3/2019 at 6:48 PM, Barnum42 said:

When we were last on Britannia, lots of kids were in the "Adult Only" pool. On complaining to reception they told me (despite what it says in the literature) that it's not an adult only pool, just a "quiet area".

We were on Britannia last week and indeed there is nothing to say adults only or no children anywhere near the area. I am sure it does on Ventura unless my memory is going 😀😀

12 hours ago, comcox said:

I'm booked on  Britannia later this month and St. Peter Port is our last scheduled port.  I hope if it looks rough they come up with an alternative port (we will have already done Cherbourg as that's our first port) or at least take us into Southampton a day early so there is something to than sit there at sea for the day as our day before is a sea day as well.

Sorry to disappoint but very unlikely either of these options would take place. A decision is usually only made once you get very close to a Guernsey. With regards to extra day at Southampton, again very unlikely due to other ships in port, logistics. Very rarely a ship will stay in Southampton if a major storm happens but it only takes a small swell to stop a Guernsey visit.

Yes, often doesn’t disembark passengers and tendering upto 3,000 people takes forever, massive queues and not enjoyable even when sunny and calm as no shelter whilst waiting.

Probably best to expect it to be Rubbish and it might just make you think it was OK when you actually see it.

Very big budget so it could be on the ships for a while unfortunately.

3 hours ago, Monorail Orange said:

Thanks for sharing. May '20 seems awfully close when you see those pictures.Then again they work so fast, she'll probably be looking more like a ship next time we see her.

It will be very tight time wise. Their last LNG ship was delivered over 6 weeks late  !!!

Always have 3 on table for 4, never had anyone join us. That is on club dining, you can also go to dining room when you board to check location and number of diners on your table.

29 minutes ago, happy v said:

I didn't want to become involved in this thread but I think you are being misled by negative postings. As we will be going I have checked timings for myself. The bus ride is 30 miles, 30 minutes, in very busy traffic 40 minutes.

I have never had to wait 1 hour for a P&O shuttle. Soon after docking will be the busiest but if the queue is longer than 20 minutes an announcement will be made on the ship and you can wait on board until it clears. Returning to the ship the coaches leave when full or another coach arrives so you don't have to stand around for long

Wheelchair passengers are given priority on the coach.

Please don't be put off I'm sure you will still enjoy your cruise. Just avoid the busiest times.

30 miles in 39/40 minutes into Amsterdam !!!! Have you ever been ? Not a chance it will be an hour plus especially between 8-10 and 3-5. 

Also how many times will you go back after 20 minute wait advised and lose your place, you coukd be waiting hours, similar to a tender port, sometimes you can wait 2-3 hours at Guernsey.

16 minutes ago, old man of the sea 1953 said:

Will we have to have a shuttle bus for any of the following ports and how much please,

 

Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Cherbourg 

 

Many thanks,

Rotterdam - No

zeebrugge - Yes to Blankeburg NOT Brugge, you can then get train to Brugge or book a direct transfer from ship to Brugge with P&O but it is a bit pricey.

Cherbourg - sorry don’t know !!

10 minutes ago, Manors said:

Thanks for your quick replies. The pager sounds interesting, we’d be happy to turn up and just wait around in the bar with a drink until a table for 2 came up.

 

Also, are there tables for 2 in the buffet? This might be an option too. We aren’t very fussy about times, same staff/tables or types of cuisine etc, we’d just like some privacy.

 

With our work schedules we find it hard to have meals together sometimes, so this is definitely something we’d like to keep to ourselves. I’m sure we’ll get to know others across the rest of our time at sea of course!

There are tables for 2 in the  buffet but not many, and again timing is key avoid the busy times. If you want a table for 2 in the buffet you might struggle to be honest.

If you are happy to book fixed time dining that would be the easiest. Freedom is an option if you want to dine at different times but could result in having to wait for a table for 2. (We prefer eating at 8:30 and then going to the late show but it depends what you want).

Ive only had to wait a maximum of 20-25 minutes for a table in the past but it depends if you try at peak time 7:30-8:00 and there’s no way of knowing until you are there.

If you book select you get what you book, if you book saver you won’t know what you get until you board but you can express a preference before going.

happy thinking 😀

33 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

 

It may be cynical but I am sure that people will keep an eye on that, as prices are competitive / acceptable at present.

 

There is lots of information here on CC about current bar prices so it will be easy to spot if it changes significantly above inflation. 

 

It could be worse, they could have added it to the price of the holiday then we would all have to pay, even those who are moderate drinkers. At present this just increases choices for those who want to use it, which is fine.

Just wait until they do the Royal Caribbean trick of offering a special offer of including drink package in the cruise price.

It just so happens the cruise price goes up massively the day before the ‘offer’ is announced, so in effect everyone IS paying for a drink package.

Sneaky ........

Excursions for this cruise went on sale today. Pretty sure direct sale tickets for 30 April are all sold out already.

33 minutes ago, daiB said:

The only way it can be done is to cancel your booking and start again. Only you can do the sums to see if it is worth it.

 

it you are asking  take it you booked your cruise at an expensive time.

Yes bad choice on the time I booked but it is always a gamble. At the moment the deposit is more than the difference so it wouldn’t make sense to re-book. 

Maybe a silly question but here goes.

if the price drops can you contact P&O and ask for a cabin upgrade if you can now get a better cabin now for less than when you booked ? Or would they base it on the better grade price when you booked ?

also how about if you go from say balcony to suite, is that also the same on pricing as above ?

thanks.

What grade was that ? DE ?

Are you serious about cancelling ? Unbelievable, if you have health issues that would be affected by this work you are brave going in the first place not knowing what painting, varnishing etc goes on during most cruises. 

As far as I can see she has no cruises scheduled between 7 October and 23 October !!!!!

Some people seem determined to find the negatives in everything. I was on Ventura in May and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. We were so busy enjoying our time on there, that we wouldn't have had enough time to go round looking for all the small issues. Why can't people just enjoy themselves without finding faault with everything. Totally agree that the dirty mattress is an issue and perhaps that should be looked into by P&O but the rest of it is wear and tear. Perhaps most of the staff are too busy trying to make sure you enjoy your cruise, than touching up areas with paint etc. Don't let it put you off, the service, food and entertainment will definitely make up for any minor issues.

Not sure how much the maintenance team are to busy to paint and repair obvious areas needing attention, I don’t think they are cooking or entertaining me !!!!!!

If you look hard enough on any ship you will find this type of wear and tear. It is disappointing it hasn’t been repaired as a visual check by staff would have highlighted all these areas and they could be fixed on turnaround days. Plus ship has just had a refurb which again should find these faults.

Not good in my opinion.

Sometimes they don’t charge if they can see you will be good buyers most other nights, but as it is a short cruise you might be unlucky.

Let us know how you get on.

Curtain only.

I can log into my booking (for July 2019) but my cabin number hasn't been allocated yet. This was my reason for asking the question - how did the OP find out her cabin number so far in advance? From the sounds of it, the OP did not book a specific cabin and was randomly allocated one.

When you book a cabin for 3/4 you often get allocated the number quickly as there are only a few of that grade available. I book for 3 and have been allocated a cabin booking saver rate nearly a year before just a few days after booking.

Hi, do you know how specific the possible noise problem is ? If so, you could phone and ask to be moved to another cabin of the same grade. I did that this year when I booked a saver fare and there was no fee. Do a dummy select fare booking to see which cabins are still free.

Always take ear plugs.

Your cabin is in a nice quiete location and handy for Costa. Theatre, restaurants and shops.

Currently P&O only do soft drink package of 20 for £35 and I think 20 ice creams for £25 (I’m sure somebody can tell you the exact ice cream price). You can always take your own soft drinks to save a few £ but can’t take them into restaurants.

Who knows what will be available next year as P&O seem to be reviewing their drink offerings/rules.

Enjoy.

We have just been informed by P&O that our booked excursion to Anne Franks house for our December cruise on Aurora has been cancelled.We booked through the cruise line to protect our money as on previous visits, the ship has been unable to dock at Amsterdam.

P&O have advised we book direct, but I assume this does not help us if we fail to dock.

Has anybody booked this direct and if so, how does it work?

Thanks in advance,

Andy

Hi Andy, yes we booked direct and you choose a time and print off the confirmation. Turn up about 20 minutes early and in you go, if you arrive to early they ask you to go away and come back at your time to prevent massive queues. I think you can only book 3 months in advance, just check the website for details.

It is much cheaper than P&O but you do run the risk of not getting in port with Amsterdam. If walking from the ship allow 30-45 minutes.

Cheers

Dave