84k

11 hours ago, AndyMichelle said:

From our experience in places like Hamburg, it's very much as you assumed. 

No need to book, just show your cruise card and charged to your on board account. 

If you miss one, just wait for the next. 

Be aware though that P&O do not always supply them in every port and sometimes you need to get local buses, which you would pay direct. 

Hope this helps. 

Andy 

Thanks AndyMichelle 

30 minutes ago, 9265359 said:

 

What is well worth doing if you are on a saver fare and paying, is checking out where the bus will take you.

 

This is why I'm asking, everywhere else we've been lately has been walking distance, and before that paying for shuttles wasn't a thing.

Heading to Stockholm S167? Berth and Google maps says it's a 40 min walk to middle of Gamla Stan, which isn't bad at all, but also says it's over 2 miles and I know that's gonna take me longer 😅

So shuttle it is.

Also heard Helsinki port isn't walkable either but I haven't researched that properly yet.

Did this cruise back in 2013 but I really don't remember much about the port/bus situation, I remember walking to Skansen and back via the Vasa museum, but not if it was to ship or bus!

Apologies for the seemingly basic question, I have searched this but couldn't find an answer.

Crusing on Britannia in a few weeks and although this is P&O cruise No.11, I haven't ever used a shuttle bus.

Unfortunately we're on a saver fare, so was wondering how this worked... Do shuttles have to be pre-booked?

How do we pay for them?

Do you just wait for one, when it's full it goes, and if you miss it you wait for another?

Thanks for the updates Andy

Does anybody know anything about the refit?

It was meant to have started yesterday.

Sometimes carnival/p&o post a blurb on their blog a few months in advance of a refit but all searches just mention it's 2019 refurb and can't find any details

I was right, the cruise I want in May just dropped, but my holiday allowance hasnt been approved so I can't book yet! 🤦‍♂️

Fingers crossed it stays at the lower level for a few more days.

To answer @Waju I personally find cruises I like and keep checking the price (don't forget to delete cookies on your browser) til it drops to a price i'm comfortable with paying. I've never paid more than £80pppn on a cruise. This has for me, always been the 3 month out mark, but I never knew the reason until this thread.

I have seen much cheaper cruises with a few weeks to go, but I can't get holidays that quickly, but if I was retired/semi-retired then I'd be waiting and snapping those up.

In 2022 I saw a fly holiday to Indonesia that included a 7 day cruise and several nights jungle safari for £800pp, and a last minute fly-cruise around the adriatic for £250 including flights, 7 nights, can't remember the cruise line. I think i saw those on holiday pirates, so you could check there @Waju

18 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Not from my experience over the last 6 months or so. One week after balance due date is when the ultra cheap late savers can kick in. We also got a cheap Select fare a week after balance due date as well. 

When is balance due date?

I've only ever booked around 3 months out and paid in full.

This is since the late 2000's, not cruised much post COVID.

1 hour ago, Selbourne said:

If you can be flexible and book late, 7 weeks before sailing there are still great bargains to be had, even on Aurora. 

I always thought the sweet spot was 3 months out.

Always got my best prices then, then see a slight jump up 2 months out.

Still bargaining on this as we're holding out to book a May sailing for a couple of weeks!

1 hour ago, jh1809 said:

That's interesting, as I'm pretty sure they didn't have them when I was on her in August. So perhaps P&O are gradually bringing them back.

This would be great news if so 

That's two for Azura, maybe it's ship dependent now.

Can I ask how long the sailing was, my last 2 were both 7 nights, this could also be a potential factor 

When did P&O stop this, or is it still going on certain ships?

I didn't cruise between '17-19' and have been on Iona in '22 and themed buffets were gone, and I think on Oceana in '19 but I can't remember.

Did they release a statement about this, or did they just vanish.

Was a welcome change from MDR especially on Indian, Asian and Thai nights, and Country & Western.

Horizon on Iona was absolutely dire, you could barely cobble a coherent dinner together with it's mish mash of options!

Me and my partner are considering the fjords cruise in May on Arcadia, and wouldn't mind knowing about the recent entertainment onboard.

What shows, and performers have been on recently?

Trying to get a feel for it as we've never done an adults only cruise before.

We last cruised on Iona in '22 and found the whole entertainment schedule to be very lacking, especially with the rumours of P&O basically trying to cater for two markets, we expected Iona to have a more modern entertainment schedule but a Lee Evans tribute, and an Annie Lennox tribute aren't it. No offense, but neither have been relevant since the 90's and most of P&O's entertainment is stuck in that era.

One of the pub quizzes was literally recycled from an early 2000's cruise, the entertainment host admitted to it and had to change the questions halfway through when me and some of the other passengers complained that 60% percent of the cruisers had never heard of half the answers (it was a celebrities quiz) and some of the language of the questions was most definitely non-PC.

Complete shambles tbh

So are things the same on Arcadia, or potentially 'worse'?

Oh, and a side note, does Arcadia have themed buffet nights, or have P&O scrapped this fleet-wide now?

On 1/2/2023 at 12:32 AM, terry2 said:

Thanks for the information.  It is just that I've never had such a short window before. 

Short window as in you think it'll take longer than 45 mins to check-in?

On Iona last June and I think from arriving at the terminal to being on board took about 15 mins tops.

They had lots of staff in the terminal, more than any other cruise I've been on.

On 5/1/2022 at 7:44 PM, J110 said:

Thank you - that’s good news I’m sure p and o will update soon 😊

Is that arriving by sea as well as air? 

I saw in one of your posts you ordered the test at home kit from Medicspot, did you use this to board on your latest P&O cruise? everything go smoothly?

Medicspot do a kit for £12 and the option for a spare for £7 in case there are issues.

Has anybody successfully used these to board P&O as they're not on their list of companies to use?

https://tests.medicspot.co.uk/products/outbound-antigen

Just thought I'd add a link for the kit 'Lanky Lad' has used as it took me a long time to find it on Boot's website, it was well hidden imo:

https://www.boots.com/covid-19-testing/pre-departure-to-uk-covid-19-travel-testing

On 4/10/2022 at 4:27 PM, jh1809 said:

No, the Health Declaration form referenced in the "terminal checklist" email is just to say that you haven't got any Covid symptoms, haven't tested positive in the last 14 days and haven't knowingly been in close contact with anyone who has. It's similar to the old paper health questionnaire that one used to be given to fill in on arrival at the terminal, but more Covid-specific.

Thank you.

So should I have filled that out? I've not seen a Health Declaration form on my online account, or been emailed one.

Bump

12 minutes ago, molecrochip said:

Its compulsory if you have booked an accessible room, or have specified you are taking a mobility scooter. Other than that its only required if you have an access or medical need.

So this isn't the questionnaire it references in your "terminal checklist" email?

The one that says to bring your phone, passport, evidence of travel insurance etc and:

"Health Declaration confirmation email"

Because I've received no other emails, or filled out any other forms regarding "health".

On 3/23/2022 at 4:11 PM, lincslady said:

Sorry, 84k - I thought you were the person who suggested a hooded sweatshirt, and I have to admit to thinking that would be completely unsuitable for the evening, even a casual one!

 

I didn't post before, as I felt I was perhaps being a bit rude to mention it.

I was! 🤐

I just received an email asking me to fill out this questionnaire.

This is my 9th P&O sailing and I've never received this before, is it possibly in error or does everybody have to fill this out now?

I can't find any information about it on these boards.

1 hour ago, lincslady said:

I think it is good that formal is not quite so formal any more, and it is actually easier for women, who can wear things like smart/velvet/silky trousers with somewhat fancy tops.  I admit that the idea of a hooded sweatshirt does not sound right even for casual, to me as a rather aged person.  Polo shirts and chinos, certainly.  Am I being over fussy?  And  most men will sling a jacket on now and again if necessary.

I agree, and I'm the topic starter.

I'm actually a fan of formal nights, and on my 8 previous cruises I've no problem dressing up, but I think Iona has got it right, just the 1 a week sounds great.

However, I don't want to go and buy more clothes for just 7 days on this particular cruise, hence why I asked.

7 hours ago, davecttr said:

The black denim should be OK as long as it is smart, not faded with holes or the crotch positioned at the level of your knees. There will be murmurings about the hood but my experience of Iona is the quizzes are in Brodies main bar next to the casino, actually not a large bar for such a huge ship. I now cruise casually and Iona will not present any problems. There are a few formal venues such as the Crows Nest, the  main dining rooms and one or two speciality restaurants. Iona only has one 'formal' night a week and even that is not called formal. Maybe take an alternative top in case you run into the fashion police 😁

Thanks Dave 👍

5 hours ago, zap99 said:

Jeans and a hoodie sound fine. Go for it if you think that's appropriate.🤣

Appropriate, maybe not, but it's what I've got! 😅

I'm sure that's all I wore back in '19 also but it feels a lifetime away and I can't remember.

Don't remember any disparaging looks tbh.

5 hours ago, indiana123 said:

84K   You will be loved.

 

There's nothing better on here than a good old discussion over dress code,  tips, or.. another topic I can't remember!!!!!

I know, I know!

I've been a member here 9yrs I just don't post 😅