molecrochip

Whilst it was introduced as a Covid protocol, it’s been used with mixed success since then. On Iona’s shakedown cruise and it was shocking! At this point it was already in use on Britannia. The app has had constant development since 2020. If Covid hadn’t happened, there wouldn’t be an app. I’m not saying the app is stopping any time soon, but I think it’s being pushed less and less. For example, booking theatre shows has really good feedback. Medallion is not perfect but I prefer it.

My understanding is this just relates to there being no need to pre-book for departure. Pagers/restaurant buzzers are still in use as they are in many restaurants around the U.K. as this is an easy way of queue management without requiring everyone to wait by the podium. On the newer ships they use the wifi rather than a cell phone network. As for the app, it wasn’t introduced for Iona and Arvia. The app was introduced first on Britannia as part of the post Covid restart protocols. It was the the way, post Covid, that bookings could be taken without needing mass queues by the restaurants

They have only just full integrated though. High street shops are currently being rebranded.

Now we're into October, the information is out on Facebook. I can share. On Iona/Arvia, the arts & crafts activities are led by ted, under the branding Creative Waves. https://www.experienceted.com/portfolio/po-cruises This is a fresh approach to the long standing arts & crafts offering on board. Its been wonderfully successful with great feedback. So, the classes are not finishing - just changing provider. Their exact content may change slightly but it was always focused on the demographic of passengers onboard ship. As it is a new provider, they are bringing their own tutors/artists on board and therefore the existing tutors were not having their contracts renewed. On a different Arts & Crafts note, the Whitewall Galleries brand is being phased out in favour of the Clarendon Fine Art brand which already features on Cunard ships. This goes for both the land and sea galleries, and is a decision of the Art Gallery - not P&O.

Just personal experience. Never come across it being broken. Do have to press button to turn it on though! I have surprised a few guests in the past by turning it on! They assumed it was broken as not running 24/7!

There is a story here about how quickly the legal restart requirements changed. If the restart had taken another 3 months, and needed active passenger close contact tracking, as originally suggested, then you may have ended up with the Ocean Medallion system that Princess use. This was a lot closer than you may believe and is the reason that Britannia restarted first - as there was a known scheme of work based upon the other Royal class ships. In the end, the restart approval was given for June and things had to move a bit quicker.

There was practically no bad news in the numbers put out on Friday, and those numbers beat expectations. More revenue, more profit, more debt paid down. Bookings for 2023 setting records, bookings for 2024 setting even bigger records. This should now give the company confidence that will lead to subtle price rises over the next couple of years thereby making even bigger records.

The stock market didn’t agree the day that Q2 results were released. But over the following two weeks the shares rallied significantly.

It’s just a website - it’s not an app. Website is only available once onboard using their wifi (for free).

We saw it 3 months and 6 months ago. Drop on the day and rally the week after.

Kids 6 months - 2 years old can’t be left in the kids club, but a parent can stay. Kids from 6 months can be left in the night nursery (up to 4 years old)

Night nursery is great. It’s free. Drop them off, go grab a show, some dinner and only be called if they wake.

Presumably not a P&O charter? on a Monday.

I thought the Tui charters were leaving from the South terminal with all other Tui flights.

It’s only in the Tui area when it’s a Tui flight. The check-in staff are provided by the airline. The staff walking the lines are usually P&O staff.

I want to clear-up some misconceptions: 1. Tui are fulfilling their contracts. They are not offering less planes than they were meant to. This is not Tui’s fault. 2. P&O have used at least two airline providers for years to ensure that if one goes bust, they have at least another option. 3. P&O have had no permanent second carrier since Thomas Cook went bust. 4. P&O have struggled to contract a 2nd permanent provider as the charter market is very weak and options are limited. Major airlines are launching more new route with less planes. 5. Virgin has been used for the last two years but now Virgin want to use their own planes on their own routes. 6. When P&O contract a carrier such a Tui, P&O specify the onboard service in each cabin based on options provided by the carrier. The default service listed on the carrier’s website is not likely to be what P&O contract for. 7. Whichever carrier is chosen must have all the relevant safety certifications, including U.K. and EU, for plane and crew.

Confirmed today Tuesday 10 October, 8:30am: Itineraries released and pre-registration opens. Tuesday 17 October, 9am: Caribbean, Baltic and Ligurian pre-sale Wednesday 18 October, 9am: General on-sale for September to December 2025 Thursday 19 October, 9am: General on-sale for January to March 2026

I agree with this. Never say never but I’d be surprised if it changed.

No. That’s not how airline economics work. Economy long haul to the Caribbean is about £750. A business seat usually takes the space of about 4 economy seats - so £3k but can be sold for somewhere between £4k and £7k - as an example. An all economy layout doesn’t maximise profits. Since the pandemic, finding charter airlines is becoming a problem. BA and Virgin are returning to full programs of flights with generally smaller fleets, Tui have now started using their spare capacity for their own routes. This means cruise companies look towards airlines like Maleth Aero, or they cancel people’s flights. This is not a rush to the cheapest provider.

Correct. Believe Britannia and Arvia will be live before heading to Caribbean.

Yes you can put a case in, although I’ve heard rumours this is now dealt with by the Baggage Handling Company rather than direct. Re flight: yes you can have the date moved forward although it might change the price if the desired flights are more expensive. You should find that cruise only is also an option although the removal of the flight can save as little as nothing! In either case, your TA or P&O should be able to assist.

All cabin occupants board at the same time. Under 18s board at the same time as their parents/guardians. if you have two different cabins, with different times - even if linked, you’re supposed to board at your stated times.

That’s wrong. A cabin boards together. If she is Caribbean then you can join her at 12.30. P&O don’t board separate members of cabins separately. Where you may come unstuck is the embarkation lunch which technically you don’t qualify for. I suggest that you both attend with your wife checking in, and play ignorant of not qualifying. Whether you have luck depends upon how busy it is.

I’m not the most knowledgeable on these matters, but believe the classes on Iona/Arvia are outsourced to a different provider. So maybe not an end to the classes, just an end to the current tutors?

On Early Saver you can book suites. You can choose guarantee family suite - grade BA, guarantee Fwd/aft - grade B6/B5/B4. As there is only two BA grade, the system lets you choose it. Otherwise its on a guarantee. If you choose select, you can choose any available specific suite.