simonpjd Posted February 21, 2018 #1 Share Posted February 21, 2018 This will fuel the Oriana debate. Aurora adult only from March 2019. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9is Posted February 21, 2018 #2 Share Posted February 21, 2018 You just beat me to it. Can these threads be merged? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanrees Posted February 21, 2018 #3 Share Posted February 21, 2018 We've just had this email too. Guess there was never a good time to implement this change but they will no doubt be altering the kids area into another venue or cabins during the refit. I can't see them operating 3 adult only ships long term so I wonder if the next big announcement will be disposal of Oriana with potential to switch those guests to Aurora. Sent from my SM-G930F using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonpjd Posted February 21, 2018 Author #4 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Strangely enough we are on her this September and again next June. Will be interesting to see the changes. No kids hurrah. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Selbourne Posted February 21, 2018 #5 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Excellent news. We have been hoping for this as we love Aurora, not least because the Accessible balcony cabins are excellent. Oriana (which we also love) is really out of bounds for us now that my wife is in a wheelchair, as there are no accessible balcony cabins - and we don't like the accessible balcony cabins on Arcadia as the balconies are at an angle. We have three more cruises booked on Aurora prior to the refit and I think we are on the last one before the refit and the first one after it. I am hoping for an Epicurean Restaurant as we don't like Sindhu on Aurora, so only really have the Beach House & Glasshouse (both of which are excellent) as alternatives to the (also excellent) main dining room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_rangdo Posted February 21, 2018 #6 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Well our 14 year old daughter will be somewhat gutted. Favourite ship, she never used the kids facilities so not bothered about those, and like us she prefers the smaller, more ship-like ships and not the floating monolithic structures. Disappointed :/ Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britboys Posted February 21, 2018 #7 Share Posted February 21, 2018 I suspect like on Oriana, they will replace the children's areas with cabins. On Oriana they installed 12 balcony cabins, 4 outsides and 11 insides, 2 of which are singles. Cabins make more money than restaurants... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeanlyon Posted February 21, 2018 #8 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Yes great news, we are on her after the refit. Maybe they will keep all three,, as they will have so many of the huge ones that take families? There are many adults who like Adult only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcruiser1956 Posted February 21, 2018 #9 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Viking is adults only. Why is that a big deal? I would sure consider an adult only ship before one with children. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeanlyon Posted February 21, 2018 #10 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Not sure what that answer means, but Viking are very expensive compared to P&O Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scriv Posted February 21, 2018 #11 Share Posted February 21, 2018 I think it's great that there is and will still be a choice for those who like to cruise with children and those who pefer child free holidays. :) Bring out the popcorn for the forums and boards today though ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joro44 Posted February 21, 2018 #12 Share Posted February 21, 2018 It was always to be expected as the 'drive' by the education authorities to stop out of term vacations for children took effect. Resulting in the children's area being almost empty during term time, except for a very small number of those home taught. Indeed, as part of the consultation process before its last refit, I included the children's area conversion as part of my submission, with relevant calculations. In any case, great efforts will be needed to fill the large resort ships that are coming to the fleet with more childlike attractions. On a sad note, the Senior Officers who have young children will loose their opportunity to be accompanied by them whilst serving on MV Aurora. 49 cruises 17 ships 3 liners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les641 Posted February 21, 2018 #13 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Very sad news for me. It's my favourite ship in the fleet. Sailed Oriana with my family 4 times before that became adult only. Sailed Aurora 3 times but no more :'):'). Sailed Ventura and Azura once each and really didn't like them. Doub't I'll ever go near Britannia. Sailed Fred Olsen last year which doesn't have a dedicated kids club but did have a club for kids during the school holidays - it worked great. Time to look more closely at other cruise lines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Sharon Posted February 21, 2018 #14 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Yes great news, we are on her after the refit. Maybe they will keep all three,, as they will have so many of the huge ones that take families? There are many adults who like Adult only. Sadly - no they won't. Oriana will need very expensive mechanical upgrades very soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeanlyon Posted February 21, 2018 #15 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Sharon, it was a vain hope!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Selbourne Posted February 21, 2018 #16 Share Posted February 21, 2018 It was always to be expected as the 'drive' by the education authorities to stop out of term vacations for children took effect. Resulting in the children's area being almost empty during term time, except for a very small number of those home taught. Indeed, as part of the consultation process before its last refit, I included the children's area conversion as part of my submission, with relevant calculations.In any case, great efforts will be needed to fill the large resort ships that are coming to the fleet with more childlike attractions. On a sad note, the Senior Officers who have young children will loose their opportunity to be accompanied by them whilst serving on MV Aurora. 49 cruises 17 ships 3 liners We haven't been on an adult only ship yet as our two cruises on Oriana were prior to the changes and we are on Arcadia for the first time this year, but I had wondered about the children of senior crew. I presume that they aren't allowed on board as that would somewhat defeat the objective of a child free ship and would result in constant comment? As a point of interest, on our last Aurora cruise we weren't troubled by children at all, even though it was a half term cruise, until the last morning. One of the children on the table next to us at breakfast kept getting up and walking around, brushing against our table (where there were hot drinks etc), which I find incredibly irritating and discourteous to other passengers and the waiting staff. We never let our children do that when they were young. The mother did nothing to stop it, even when I suggested to her (very politely) that it might be safer if the child sat down. Eventually, the dad arrived. It was the Deputy Captain! On a more serious note though, whilst I am (perhaps somewhat selfishly) delighted that Aurora is to become Adult only, I feel very sorry for those, with children, who had booked cruises which will now be cancelled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Selbourne Posted February 21, 2018 #17 Share Posted February 21, 2018 I suspect like on Oriana, they will replace the children's areas with cabins. On Oriana they installed 12 balcony cabins, 4 outsides and 11 insides, 2 of which are singles. Cabins make more money than restaurants... I suspect that you are spot on Andrew, especially as Aurora is almost identical to Oriana, so the format of conversion to adult only is already proven. I can live in hope for a fine dining restaurant but suspect that your assessment is much closer to the reality of what we can expect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bennybluehat Posted February 21, 2018 #18 Share Posted February 21, 2018 I’ve sailed on Aurora twice and if it is going to be adults only it looks like I won’t sail on her again. Such a shame, I liked the ship but after sailing on Oriana I can not do another adults only cruise. I don’t want rowdy children running around but I also don’t want to sail on what was almost a care home at sea. Aurora had a good mix of ages onboard and suited everyone who didn’t like the massive ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bee-ess Posted February 21, 2018 #19 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Reckon that's the end for Oriana - will be a shame, we are on a weekender on her on Friday. We have had more cruises on Oriana than any other ship and will miss her if she goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandylennon Posted February 21, 2018 #20 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Will be interesting to see if they can fill all the cabins being adult only, hopefully the prices may come down or it is just wishful thinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancashire_cruisers Posted February 21, 2018 #21 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Really sad but not surprised to hear this news. Even though our DD is now an adult (only just though) we have no intention of ever sailing on an adult only ship. Looks like Aurora will now be out of bounds to us as well as Oriana (which is was our favourite ship). Sad times for us and another nail in the coffin for P&O as far our future sailings are concerned :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daiB Posted February 21, 2018 #22 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Well I can honestly say that it will make no difference to us at all. We will continue to sail on all the ships at any time. I like sailing with children and without. But to be honest as we sail outside the summer and on longish cruises we find very few children on our cruises even on child friendly ships. Last time we were on Aurora on a long September cruise there were 3 children. However we would quite happily book Britannia in August. In fact we have booked her in July next year. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh1809 Posted February 21, 2018 #23 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Will be interesting to see if they can fill all the cabins being adult only, hopefully the prices may come down or it is just wishful thinking. I'm sure they won't have any trouble filling the cabins. I've been on several cruises on Aurora, all during term time, and there were only a handful of children (all I think under-fives) on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9is Posted February 21, 2018 #24 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Well what a morning we’ve had. It looks like we have managed to find some child places on Azura, just waiting for confirmation. We are still sad as we were looking forward to the cruise we had booked on aurora but there’s nothing we can do about it. We are booked on aurora for Christmas and so that will be the first and last time we sail on her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Selbourne Posted February 21, 2018 #25 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Well what a morning we’ve had. It looks like we have managed to find some child places on Azura, just waiting for confirmation. We are still sad as we were looking forward to the cruise we had booked on aurora but there’s nothing we can do about it. We are booked on aurora for Christmas and so that will be the first and last time we sail on her. That's great news. I am pleased for you as that must have been a worry. I gather that a future cruise deposit equating to 5% of the total cruise price of your cancelled cruise is being offered - at least that's what the trade press are reporting? For what it's worth, when our children were younger they much preferred the bigger ships as there were far better facilities, far more people of their age (so they felt less 'out of place') and a more informal feel. As young adults they still feel the same. We are taking them on Arcadia later this year (first time for all of us) and I am awaiting the 'it's like a floating old peoples home' comments! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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