Dwalkerdave

In Vigo, bite the bullet and climb up to the top of the castle, great views.

Ventura has just returned having done this itinerary, I assume the age is fairly high and mainly British passengers, hopefully a passenger who has just returned can confirm.

You might also get bad weather across Atlantic and I know they missed some ports this year.

I see you are seasoned cruisers so you know the risks of crisscrossing the Atlantic in February !!!!

I second the motion.

 

Usually I put the price difference between inside and balcony toward paying a huge chunk of the next cruise. However, when we cruised to the fjords on Britannia, the cost of the balcony was not that much more (give all outside cabins on her are balconies). The views are well worth the balcony. Were I returning I'd go for the balcony on P&O over the toys on Royal Caribbean.

 

We've cruised on Independence of the Seas, and enjoyed her. Lots of toys on board to entertain yourself with. But since Royal Caribbean keep doing their "limited" offers for "free" drinks (by jacking the price of the cruise up by a few hundred Pounds to cover their costs of the "free" drinks, we not gone back with them.

 

Regarding some of your other questions,

 

Can't comment on age mix in term time (being married to a teacher)

 

We've been on Azura's sister ship and found cabins comparable to Independence.

 

The stage shows are also comparable between the two brands. P&O still do the formal nights. Black tie or smart suits for the gents.

 

We don't drink, but P&O don't have the draconian attitude to your own drinks robbing them of the chance to rob you at the bars. I may have read that some restrictions have been put in place, but it's not the total ban Royal Caribbean operate. I'm also told that bar prices are far more reasonable than Royal Caribbean, plus they don't stick the 18% fine on top of each purchase.

 

But all said, I'd say the ability to have a balcony for a fjord cruise trumps all other considerations. That it will be cheaper is a bonus.

I think both now have the same drinks policy for bringing your own, p&o might be slightly better if you are a spirits drinker.

1) What age group cruises from Southampton with P&O & RC during term time? The Ships are Azura & Independence of the Seas. We are aged 51 & 52...... Bit concerned the evenings may be lacking in atmosphere if passengers going to bed early due to a lot older age group?

- Can't say sorry

2) What are cabins like on either ship - with price being so much higher on Independence we would most likely take an inside. With P & O we could have a balcony.

- cabins very similar, you've got to go balcony if going to fjords surely

3) What is entertainment like on P & O and how formal are the gala nights? We do enjoy wearing formal dress but many cruise lines have made this more smart/casual.

- in term time similar uptake to RC about 70/80 % I would say.

4) Drinks are uk pub prices, you can take 2 bottles of wine onboard per cabin

do P&O take you into Oporto town on shuttle bus

There are 2 shuttles, one takes you to tge dick fate only about 5 mins and you can then walk to the prom and beach which are your usual Spanish/Portuguese resort. I believe this is free for everyone as you are not allowed to walk in the port area.

The other takes you to Porto centre and is about 30 minutes away, I am pretty sure this is chargeable unless Select fare.

You may disembark and embark all through the night as many times as you like. Someone is always on duty at the gangway to check only appropriate people gain access to the ship.

 

Taxis might be a bit thin on the ground.

 

Regards John

You berth right near the town centre / train station so shouldn't need a taxi unless mobility concerns or worried about the walk go the ship late at night, you can walk back using main roads rather than cycle paths and subways which might be a bit off putting late at night, check out the map before venturing into town centre.

Hello

 

Has anyone booked this cruise or am I the only person on the ship?

Is anyone out there........

Just you and 500 workmen finishing the refit :D:D:D

Freeman3039

Firstly, congratulations. As it is a two week med cruise I would save an extra £300 (only £2 extra a week from now until May 2019, price of one coffee !!!!!) if possible and get a decent balcony cabin for £3098 on deck b.

You wouldn't regret it and having a balcony for two weeks would be well worth the extra money in my opinion.

Treat yourselves, I would.

Dave

I have that suite booked for next July so can let you know then !!!!!

I see all mini suites and suites are sold out !!!! double check cruise personaliser or you have been down graded to inside !!!!

If you do a fake select booking you should be able to see what mini suites are still available, you should get one of these or maybe an upgrade !!!!

Fingers crossed ehhhh.

How did you know friend is a “her”?

 

Because original post says so !!!!!!

Anyone seen what will be done in March 18 during dry dock ? Is it just engineering or would you expect cabin refurb, carpets etc or anything else rumoured or definite .

That link is to the TRAVEL AGENT'S site. How could you have been expected to see that? :o

It was also on the website under terms and conditions.

When the offer was in place it clearly stated YOU needed to book the free parking by 11/09, if you didn't read the terms it is your problem not RC. I think RC are being generous offering to try and help or OBC which they don't have to. It is a business not a charity so be thankful.

Apart from Windjammer there is only the Cafe Promenade which serves wraps, rolls, pies, pasties, tea, coffee and a few deserts. More than sufficient for a snack.

There is no other pizza place and surprisingly compared to P&O and Princess nothing on the pool deck apart from the Windjammer. Ie. no pizza and/or burger bar.

We were on Navigator last month, nice ship so have a nice cruise and enjoy.

We were also on this cruise and interested to read your review. So far I agree comedian - good, Le Havre - not much open on a Sunday and that evenings show rather disappointing, more upbeat songs would have been better.

I await the rest .......

On our recent cruise, due to a problem with my mobile phone service provider, I had absolutely no phone service at all, not even to make emergency calls, even when in port with free wifi available.

So I purchased P&O's 24-hour wifi package for £12.50 in an effort to try and sort out the problem and check my e-mail.

 

I first logged on at 3 pm and was told I would have until 3 pm the following day to use the package. I was waiting for a reply from my provider, but when I logged on the next morning, the system said I had until 2 pm. This was because we had changed time zones overnight. I had paid for a 24-hour service but didn't get it. We were in port that day, I couldn't resolve my problem before we left for a shore excursion and by the time we returned the package had expired.

 

I just wanted to make other cruisers aware of this because I had no idea that this would happen and P&O certainly gives you no indication. If you were to buy a package for a week or longer and crisscross time zones, you might actually be losing out quite a bit.

 

I complained, and after initial resistance P&O have agreed to refund the full cost of the package and say they will be drawing it to guests' attention in future.

Surely if you are 'crisis crossing' as you say some days you will be better off and it would balance out over the week ?

So no luck with P&O so off to check Royal Caribbean as they count over 12 as adults so no similar problems I hope. !!!

Help. I am trying to book for 3 on Ventura on 01/07/2018 or 08/07/2018 including a 16 year old but booking errors saying no booking 013 thru 016 !!!!

I could book for 3 adults no problem, any ideas why as I have never had problems booking for 3 even in August and find it hard to believe there are to many bookings for that age as they should still be in school.

Any ideas ?

Thanks

Dave

Media reporting a van has been driven into pedestrians on the Ramblas.

 

Britannia is in port

Thoughts to all those affected.

But, why post this and scaremonger, Britannia has already left Barcelona !!!! Your original post would worry those with family/relatives onboard unnecessarily.

I still cannot access 'manage my booking' can anyone else get into it in the UK ?

Thanks

Still not working in UK !!!!! Can't get into manage booking.

Agree one of the worst websites/IT for any big holiday company.

i assume you can order drinks using deluxe package for glasses of wine when eating in restaurant.

If this is the case why does the wording mention getting 40% off bottles of wine ? Surely you would order by the glass ?

Am I missing something ?

Thanks

Dave

Might depend on your ship. On Britannia when we tendered in Grand Cayman we had to go to the theatre. They were issuing blocks of coloured, numbered tickets at the entrance to the theatre, you took a ticket then waited for your number/colour to be called, then you proceeded to the tenders.

We did Jersey tender last year on Ventura and had to go to restaurant to get ticket and then taken down in groups to the tender.

Dave