molecrochip

3 minutes ago, sandancer said:

I called Princess yesterday and they answered in 2 rings. I’m not saying it’s always like that but def quicker than P&O. 

Separate teams.

Certainly today, P&O are getting a lot of calls re airline changes!

Norse using B787 Dreamliners:

- MAN to BGI weekly on a Friday

- MAN to BGI/AGU* weekly on a Saturday (for Arvia)

- LGW to BGI/AGU* weekly on a Saturday (for Arvia)

Virgin using A350:

- LHR to BGI fortnightly on a Friday (for Arvia)

*depending upon Arvia location.

Tui continue to operate remainder of Barbados flights as previously announced.

Good news is that flight team have worked hard to standardise the charter offering across the three airlines:

- Economy and Premium offerings on all airlines; Virgin to Upper Class too.

- Standardised luggage offering;

- Inflight entertainment in all cabins;

- Amenity kits in Premium and Upper Class;

- Main meal plus lighter second meal/snack

- Complimentary drinks service before meal, with main meal and a bottle of water. Premium and Upper Class cabins will receive additional drinks.

- Direct aircraft to ship transfer.

- Direct aircraft to ship luggage transfer.

I’m glad that this has finally been announced. Norse are good, so Virgin Atlantic.

In an emergency, you would either go to the nearest stairwell and your assistance would meet you there, or be collected from your cabin.
 

If you’re not on the correct deck for your cabin, go to the nearest / appropriate stairwell and your assistance will be contacted by radio.

If on the deck for your muster station, go direct to the muster station.

Usually, assisted passengers are dealt with after the rush of the majority. Same with using life-rafts if necessary, assisted passengers go in last.

You can change but have to pay the difference in flight cost, subject to availability.

Yes, it’s fine.

They were stopped in some places where such a sticker marked you out as a tourist ripe for pick pocketing.

Some places still require them to be worn to identify which registered tour guide you are with.

43 minutes ago, Bubbeh said:

Don't mean to be rude but it's doesn't matter what you agree with or think, it only matters what the decision makers think.

Yes I agree. But often I’m asked to explain things and whether I understand why something is the way it is.

I know the rule that’s being enforced and i know the reason given but I can’t say that I believe that the two reconcile and I agree that the reasons and situation align.

Just now, molecrochip said:

P&O’s interpretation of the new rules is that anyone taking a wheelchair requires an evacuation chair - even if they never use it.

I personally don’t agree their interpretation.

P&O’s interpretation of the new rules is that anyone taking a wheelchair requires an evacuation chair - even if they never use it.

P&O will deny boarding if you arrive with one and it’s not on your booking.

It actually has nothing to do with cabin in case you’re wondering.

1 minute ago, AchileLauro said:

Depending on type and model of the evacuation chair t's normally recommended that a minimum of two persons are required to utilise this piece of evacuation equipment.

Yes, 2 are allocated.

On 5/6/2024 at 2:29 PM, Clodia said:

Im' always pleased if I know it's going to be Robert Camby, Neil Turnbull , Paul Brown or Wesley Dunlop as I find them all personable and able to create a good atmosphere and a happy crew.

There is also one with whom I will avoid sailing after he ruined one cruise for me. Not saying whom.

My faves too!

Cruise lines have sold so much of their inventory early on that they dont need to push such offers.

32 minutes ago, Angel57 said:

On the P&O website now!

 

Each guest aged 18 years (21 years in United States of America ports) and older may bring up to 1 litre of wine, Champagne on board as they embark the ship for the first time only. Wine or Champagne over the 1 litre limit will be stored and returned to the guest prior to the end of the cruise. If this alcohol is consumed in the dining rooms, bars, restaurants or lounge areas, it will be subject to a corkage fee of £20* per bottle, per occasion which will be charged to the guest’s on-board account. Other alcohol types such spirits are considered restricted items and prohibited to bring on board when guests first embark the ship.

I had just come on here to advise that the website had now been updated but it appears someone else beat me to it.

12 minutes ago, FatBoy20 said:

The problem with bringing on board at Embarkation is that P&O have no control over what are in your suitcases as they do not search them as Associated British Port Security undertake this task!. So the last sentence is worthless.

P&O set the restricted items list and the security teams check in line with that policy. Thats not to say that every bottle of will get found, but some will. Their higher priority is items of a terrorist/weaponry nature.

1 minute ago, S1971 said:

 

My thoughts exactly, very poor to simply announce on the day or near too the day of implementation.

 

People can continually defend them as they do, but this alongside all the other changes post covid they shouldn't be defended, they should be challenged.

 

It may not be a game changer on its own, but with everything else it's getting that way!!

As its not permanent confiscation of the items, there is no need to advertise in advance, unlike the liquids allowance at airports.

There are various levels of public health precautions that can be taken to stop contagious illnesses spreading.

Sone involve closing laundrettes as shared facilities, some involved the buffets being served or even closed, some involve quarantine procedures etc.

There is a scale, which I’m not sharing, which sets out what changes need to be made. Thus level is not normally publicised but it’s fair to say the ship is following a protocol and not just making random changes.

The fact this is being used show you that the ship are paying attention to the health and wellbeing of everyone on board.

This doesn’t sound like a hold. Suggest you call P&O and ask them to check. They will contact the ship for the receipt and then come back to you.

My comment stands true. The current offer effectively gives you OBC if you take a package.

Previous offers have included 30% and 50% off the packages instead.

Princess offer different offers to different geographical markets.

1 hour ago, terrierjohn said:

It will need to be well priced on P&O because unlike Princess the gratuities are already included in the fare, and there is no gratuity add on for drinks. In addition many people just don't want an internet package while on holiday.

I think they will need regular offers to make it as successful as Princess, which of course will reduce its profit for P&O.

Actually, the last stats I heard (before Starlink installation and the bundles Princess offerings) was that P&O sold more internet packages per 100 passengers than Princess.

Yes, I note about Gratuities, but that only needs to be a £10pppn reduction in price.

Princess have regular offers for their packages, and generally don’t offer OBC.

14 minutes ago, AndyMichelle said:

That's from a trusted member too, coupled with what Moley said that P&O policy is not to announce officially until launch date, it is definitely not a scam, just not announced yet. 

Andy 

If they update website in advance then you highlight the difference in policy and prices because you have to display both.

Instead, update on the day of change and apply a light touch at security for the first couple of cruises for those not aware. Return any restricted alcohol at the end of the cruise.

1 minute ago, galeforce9 said:

@molecrochip hmmm.  Bit OTT.  

It’s been a tremendous success for Princess.

16 minutes ago, posford said:

Makes me wonder how they will police this change.

So will the Southampton security people, I believe will not.

Will the ship have their own scanners? Don’t think so.

Good luck with getting 5000+ passengers on board scanning them all on the new ships.

P&O, please don’t cheese off even more passengers, you have put off enough already.

Practically it will be difficult. P & O have normally only policed in exceptional circumstance and booze cruises.

You’re right that Southampton security staff don’t see it as their job.

21 minutes ago, galeforce9 said:

@molecrochip what is a plus/premium package?  Unaware of princess offerings.  Seabourn/P&O only for me.  Is it a drinks package pitched above P&O’s deluxe?

Plus is drinks + single device internet + gratuities

Premium is Plus package plus deluxe drinks and 4 device internet plus signature deserts plus multiple speciality restaurants plus prize draws.

I believe this is true but the document shared online is not from P&O. Its been created by a travel agent based on the information their P&O contact has provided them. P&O tend not to let their contact centre / socials team discuss price changes until the day of change in the same way they don’t advertise the change publicly.

There is a price update coming - not unusual for P&O to review their prices at the start of the peak season. I suspect, but don’t know, that the prices are accurate. Also bearing in mind that bar menu prices are likely to rise on the same date.

Please remember that you are not required to buy a drinks package and if it does make financial sense at the new prices then buy drink by drink. For heavy drinkers, it’s likely to still generate a saving. e.g. 15 drinks x £5 is £75 so still a saving.

The removal of the 1 Ltr of Spirits aligns more closely with the rest of the Corporation. Indeed some cruise lines don’t permit any alcohol being taken on board.

Boarding limits on alcohol are not part of the booking Ts and Cs so it doesn’t matter if you’ve been told or not, or if you’ve paid in full or not.

Yes it is a policy change but one that impacts by less than £10 per person (onboard purchase for cabin less supermarket price) unless you were planning on taking a Malt. P&O have no obligations to announce price rises, after all, when you nip into the Supermarket you pay the price in the shelf.

If you want to lock in the current prices, you have a couple of days to buy online.

Finally, please bear in mind that P&O still has some of the lowest bar prices at sea, and no service charge.

I still say we will see a P&O Plus/Premium package before too long. It’s worked so well for Princess.

It’s possible on all ships.

The industry standard definition of sailed capacity is ALB. Available Lower Berths.

So ship has 100 lower berths and 20 upper (additional 3/4th person berths). 107 berths are sold (doesn’t matter the mixture) then sailed capacity was 107%. Sofa beds are upper berths.