Advice please, first cruise in 27 years

Hi All,

First post and hoping to get some advice.

My one and only cruise was in 1991 on the Sea Princess with P&O. My grandmother took me and my then partner on a two week cruise. My grandparents were veteran P&O cruisers having had at least three world cruises that I know of and countless shorter ones. My grandmother said the Canberra was far larger but she preferred the Sea Princess.

I loved the experience and thought the level of service on the ship was very good. Nothing was too much trouble for the cabin steward (standard cabin, nothing flash) who woke us every morning with a piping hot pot of tea. The dining was a high quality experience with a good spread of formal and less formal evenings.

A general read of the foums suggests that the level of service may not be what it once was and that the dining experience may have slipped somewhat. How would a modern cruise compare with my 1991 one?

I ask as I am planning on booking a 2 week mediterranean cruise soon and my last cruise set the bar quite high! If I want a similar experience is it still available with P&O or should I be looking elsewhere?

Any help or guidance welcomed.

Thanks you,

Chris.

Interesting question.

I think first you need to try to compare what was paid then and what you'd pay now. That way, it might soften the shock at realising how cruising has changed since 1991.

Others will give you the detail (probably ad nauseam) - suffice to say a lot of corners have been cut in pretty much any area you care to examine.

The staff still do their very best, but they're under much greater pressure, the food in the Main Dining Room is still good, but not as good, and the service there is much more pressured.

There are speciality restaurants such as the Epicurean that offer a much higher standard, with excellent service, for maybe £25 a head, and that might remind you of the way it used to be.

P&O offers pretty reasonable value still. Cunard's more expensive, but not that much better.

The other thing that's really noticeable is the change in the clientele - that perhaps accounts for more than the changes brought in by P&O to save money. Keep clear of the buffet - the food's fine, and the service equally fine, but the people in there might turn your stomach. On more than one occasion, just dropping in for a coffee, I've felt the need to apologise to the lovely staff for the appalling behaviour displayed by fellow passengers.

The other thing that's really noticeable is the change in the clientele - that perhaps accounts for more than the changes brought in by P&O to save money. Keep clear of the buffet - the food's fine, and the service equally fine, but the people in there might turn your stomach. On more than one occasion, just dropping in for a coffee, I've felt the need to apologise to the lovely staff for the appalling behaviour displayed by fellow passengers.

To the OP, there are a range of cruise lines out there that provide a Mediterranean cruise and I would suggest that you look at the choices available as in my humble opinion there are many that in 2018 are far superior to P&O in what they offer in terms of servce, dining options, quality of food and entertainment. Depends on what you want.

How pompous. I’m surprised you still sail with P&O if you find your fellow sailors so unpalatable to your high standards.

Just a minority - most are delightful company. But some of the behaviour, particularly in the buffet, is just appalling. As is the treatment of the staff.

We first cruised with P&O in the mid 90’s and, yes, standards have fallen in many areas, but it’s still a decent product. To compare the main dining room back then to the Epicurean now is a stretch too far though. It wasn’t that good. It is indeed true that the passenger profile has changed considerably. Back then cruising was much more expensive and was therefore only accessible to those who could afford it. Nowadays, as a result of the vastly increased capacity of modern ships, costs per head have fallen significantly and cruising is now within reach of a much wider demographic. That does make for a very different experience, but you get what you pay for. P&O is a mass market product and whilst we are aware that better exists, they don’t offer the variety of round trip Cruises from the U.K. Excusivity still exists if you are prerpared to pay for the Select Dining restaurants, which are mostly very good.

Hi...I think that your 1st experience of cruising has as you say " set the bar quite high". Why don't you see what was paid back in 1991 and convert the price paid into today's terms to give you some idea to maybe what you should be paying today for perhaps a similar experience you had in 1991....maybe.

I don't really think P&O will give you the same " high standard" that you experienced then but ...who knows...you may find that enjoy it just the same.

I have been going on cruises for over 30 years. Tried quite a few cruise lines including P&O and RC. Other cruise lines I have tried are Cunard, Princess and Celebrity. P&O and RC are my favourites.

So here is my honest answer ...

There is a difference in demographics and overall experience between the smaller P&O ships (like Oriana) and large ships like Ventura.

With each P&O cruise they seem to have slipped more and more into the budget cruise market. Low fares and a decline in quality of service to match. I don't consider the service in MDR to be sophisticated. The entertainment is ok but not of the same standard as some of the premium brands.

On a positive, the drink prices are reasonable and the bar service in the lounges is excellent. The speciality dinning venues are also great and IMO reasonably priced. People do make the effort to dress up on formal nights and P&O do enforce the dress code.

If you book with moderate expectations and pick one with competitive prices then you will be pleasantly surprised by the VFM and the many hidden positives. If you book expecting the sophistication of 30 years ago then you could be disappointed.

BTW one thing that hasn't changed with P&O is technology. While other cruise lines have gone Hi Tech, you can't even check your account on your TV, you have to go to guest services. Internet access is rubbish and the general experience around the ship is Lo Tech. Perhaps the retro experience might appeal.

I’ve been cruising for 30 plus years. And yes P&O has changed, it’s very different, some changes for the better and some not. What I miss is the steward waking you in the morning with coffee and biscuits, ice cream on deck in the morning, coffee and sandwich served in the lounge late at night. The real fresh cream cakes served at afternoon. What is better the entertainment, different places to eat and freedom dining. It different but still good. IMO Curand is closer to the old P&O

Hi All,

My one and only cruise was in 1991 on the Sea Princess with P&O. My grandmother took me and my then partner on a two week cruise. My grandparents were veteran P&O cruisers having had at least three world cruises that I know of and countless shorter ones. My grandmother said the Canberra was far larger but she preferred the Sea Princess.

 

I loved the experience and thought the level of service on the ship was very good. Nothing was too much trouble for the cabin steward (standard cabin, nothing flash) who woke us every morning with a piping hot pot of tea. The dining was a high quality experience with a good spread of formal and less formal evenings.

 

A general read of the foums suggests that the level of service may not be what it once was and that the dining experience may have slipped somewhat. How would a modern cruise compare with my 1991 one?

I cruised on Sea Princess a couple of years after you, my second after a cruise on Canberra. Then had a gap of 17 years until we cruised with RCI, and since then 4 cruises with P&O. I felt Sea Princess had the atmosphere and décor in places of a country house hotel. We were in an ordinary cabin but were on the Purser's table at dinner (lovely man). That's one thing that has changed - the crew are generally very remote from the passengers. Some of the captains are sociable - Neil Turnbull, Wesley Dunlop, others less so. Fewer courses at dinner (three, four if you have cheese, sometimes more if it's a gala dinner, whereas before it was at least five, IIRC. Personally 3 is enough for me.) Standard of food varies greatly from ship to ship and cruise to cruise, even in the speciality restaurants, presumably depending on the chef. So does the standard of service. Sun loungers are much more packed together. Our Sea Princess cruise felt like a luxury holiday. Our more recent cruises have been very nice holidays, but I wouldn't say luxury. With regard to passenger demographics - it takes all sorts. On a recent cruise we met an extended family who some might have found off-putting (tattoos, piercings, etc.), but who were really nice, incredibly polite, friendly and excellent company. In contrast we also met an apparently very well-to-do couple (who took every opportunity to talk about their money, connections, etc.), who were snobbish, unbelievably rude to crew and other passengers, he drank heavily and became very belligerent towards whoever he spoke to, etc. It's all very personal - I would say you would have to try several lines to decide whether modern cruising is for you. Choose your cruise, go with an open mind and determined to enjoy your holiday and make up your own mind. Don't let comments on fora and reviews put you off.

Differences over the period include

Fish course now incorporated into main section ...can still be ordered I believe but difficult.

In the 80s vegetables were cooked into submission. Better now, I think.

Regional cheeses from areas visited have disappeared.

Savoury now missing.

When you travel by rail, looking out at the sea you will see absolutely no difference ( unless you can discern the difference between 24knots and 19knots)

It’s still a lovely experience.

Stick to the smaller ships like Oriana and Aurora and you probably won't notice much difference.

I would say don't compare anything because cruising is a fantastic experience and whatever the similarities or differences, it's the best holiday you can ever take

There are plenty of cruise lines that cover the Med. Decide what you want to experience and then decide on your budget. If your budget is medium and you would like the American razamataz with robot drinks waiters, ice dance shows, climbing walls etc then go with RCI. If you would like to be up market and pampered but a lot less formal then go with silver sea, seabourne or regent. A little less cash to spend and not too worried about the formal dress up then go with P&O. Like the formal nights and perhaps can afford a little more to experience the cruising you were used to then go with Cunard on the grills. Whatever you choose find a specialist online travel agent and let them advise you. Most all enjoy what can only be described as a top class hotel that goes to many destinations over your holiday. You just cant beat it.

Peter and Jenny.

Thank you for all your replies - most informative.

I think the best option is to book, perhaps consider the smaller ships and above all go in with an open mind and enjoy!

When did the stewards stop bringing morning tea / coffee? I suppose it is the march of time and coffee making facilities being available in-cabin? Funny how things that are important to one holidaymaker may not be of any importance to another.

Chris

Thank you for all your replies - most informative.

 

I think the best option is to book, perhaps consider the smaller ships and above all go in with an open mind and enjoy!

 

When did the stewards stop bringing morning tea / coffee? I suppose it is the march of time and coffee making facilities being available in-cabin? Funny how things that are important to one holidaymaker may not be of any importance to another.

 

Chris

We started cruising in 2001 and they had stopped by then.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Hi All,

 

First post and hoping to get some advice.

 

My one and only cruise was in 1991 on the Sea Princess with P&O. My grandmother took me and my then partner on a two week cruise. My grandparents were veteran P&O cruisers having had at least three world cruises that I know of and countless shorter ones. My grandmother said the Canberra was far larger but she preferred the Sea Princess.

 

I loved the experience and thought the level of service on the ship was very good. Nothing was too much trouble for the cabin steward (standard cabin, nothing flash) who woke us every morning with a piping hot pot of tea. The dining was a high quality experience with a good spread of formal and less formal evenings.

 

A general read of the foums suggests that the level of service may not be what it once was and that the dining experience may have slipped somewhat. How would a modern cruise compare with my 1991 one?

 

I ask as I am planning on booking a 2 week mediterranean cruise soon and my last cruise set the bar quite high! If I want a similar experience is it still available with P&O or should I be looking elsewhere?

 

Any help or guidance welcomed.

 

Thanks you,

Chris.

Hi Chris,unfortunately I think standards have slipped in most things,we love P & O but always take a suite.Staff aboard are fantastic,Silver service has gone but I think this is down to certain greedy customers who always asked for more and the poor staff not knowing how to tell them no.P & O standards have not slipped,only their clientele but I think these days cruising hasn't got the same panache as it used to & you see more Blackpool loving holiday makers.No offence Blackpool:D:D :D

Hi Chris,unfortunately I think standards have slipped in most things,we love P & O but always take a suite.Staff aboard are fantastic,Silver service has gone but I think this is down to certain greedy customers who always asked for more and the poor staff not knowing how to tell them no.P & O standards have not slipped,only their clientele but I think these days cruising hasn't got the same panache as it used to & you see more Blackpool loving holiday makers.No offence Blackpool:D:D :D

Silver service went on P&O in the 90s what they served was not proper "silver service" which meant that if you were on a table of 8 and was served first by the time you had manners and waited, which unfortunately many do not, for the rest of the table to be served before you started it meant your vegetables were cold.

It’s so long ago I had forgotten that the Steward used to bring in the tea in the morning. When that stopped the cabins were fitted out with kettles and the most beautiful Scandic style teapots so you could make a pot in the cabin. That only lasted for about a year, they must have been getting dented or pots of tea spilled on carpets, who knows.

Now you get a mug and a tea bag and that is actually a good example of how things have changed on P&O Going from service, to elegant self service to fairly basic. You still get a cup of tea but it’s not quite the same.

Many of the “service” elements are gone and the small things that made pax feel that this was a different experience from a land based holiday in a hotel,

Some things have improved: the select restaurants for example are very good and a very nice addition. Freedom dining is also a great addition in my opinion. Ship stabilisation is also better so less change of sea sickness.

You will still have a good holiday on P &O but it’s nothing like it once was. The price is also less and so you can take the cheaper basic product as is or use the extra to enhance your cruise.

I have been going on cruises for over 30 years. Tried quite a few cruise lines including P&O and RC. Other cruise lines I have tried are Cunard, Princess and Celebrity. P&O and RC are my favourites.

 

So here is my honest answer ...

 

There is a difference in demographics and overall experience between the smaller P&O ships (like Oriana) and large ships like Ventura.

 

With each P&O cruise they seem to have slipped more and more into the budget cruise market. Low fares and a decline in quality of service to match. I don't consider the service in MDR to be sophisticated. The entertainment is ok but not of the same standard as some of the premium brands.

 

On a positive, the drink prices are reasonable and the bar service in the lounges is excellent. The speciality dinning venues are also great and IMO reasonably priced. People do make the effort to dress up on formal nights and P&O do enforce the dress code.

 

If you book with moderate expectations and pick one with competitive prices then you will be pleasantly surprised by the VFM and the many hidden positives. If you book expecting the sophistication of 30 years ago then you could be disappointed.

 

BTW one thing that hasn't changed with P&O is technology. While other cruise lines have gone Hi Tech, you can't even check your account on your TV, you have to go to guest services. Internet access is rubbish and the general experience around the ship is Lo Tech. Perhaps the retro experience might appeal.

Just on your final note, we returned form Azura on saturday and we could check our account on the tv

Thank you.

In terms of dining, what would your advice be for a couple seeling a table for two? I appraciate that such things are limited and that waiting, quite understandably, may be involved. Is this doable in the MDR. Is Freedom dining the answer? Are some restaurants / ships more suited to this than others?

I am quite looking forward to booking now, just need to decide whether to book direct or use a specialist agent: I image the views on that are split though!

In my experience it is much easier to get a table for 2 on freedom dining. Yes you may have a wait but not for long or if you avoid the very popular times.

We have never had major issues whether on a small ship or a big one. The odd night we have just joined a larger table in freedom if the predicted wait was more than we wanted. Most times if not seated immediately then we just took the pager, had a drink and went back when paged.

Thank you.

 

In terms of dining, what would your advice be for a couple seeling a table for two? I appraciate that such things are limited and that waiting, quite understandably, may be involved. Is this doable in the MDR. Is Freedom dining the answer? Are some restaurants / ships more suited to this than others?

 

I am quite looking forward to booking now, just need to decide whether to book direct or use a specialist agent: I image the views on that are split though!

Perfectly doable in the MDR, Freedom Dining, though there might be a bit of a wait (with a pager) if you choose a busy time. Can't speak for anything other than Freedom Dining, I'm afraid - no direct experience.

Should you decide to go for a suite, you'll be able to take breakfast in the Epicurean - plenty of tables for two there, and one of the nicest breakfast experiences around. The MDR is good, but the Epicurean is in another league. Dinner is a chargeable extra (£25 or so each) but again it's in another league from the MDR.

Just a personal view, but maybe you might consider a table with others if you're pushed for time? You can ask as you enter the MDR for a particular size table, and our personal experience has been almost exclusively very positive indeed. Nice people, nice conversation, and great to meet different people at every meal. Only on two occasions have we sat with people we've not been comfortable with - you just make sure you don't end up with them again! Personally, I like tables for 6, but everyone has a different view on that. 4 is great with the right people (but awful if not) and 10/12 too big for cross-table conversations - again just a personal viewpoint.

I'm sure you'll have a great time, however you do it. There are always moaners, but by and large there's not a lot to moan about, given the price.