Does The Portunus Club Make a Difference?

[ROSEBASKETS]

I chose to cruise with P&O after I'd cruised on all the Thomson Ships, given up on RCI because of the extremely poor service I received and because OV was no longer an option. I didn't realise when I booked that I was already a member of the Portunus Club with lots of points already to my name.

 

Does the 5%, 7.5% or 10% really make a difference when deciding who you cruise with?

 

Does it sway your decision when booking?

 

Is it the discount or the privileges (as they are) that make you cruise with P&O rather than other lines?

 

Is P&O your first choice because you are a member?

[Host Sharon]

For me - the Portunus Club benefits would not necessarily make me book a cruise with P&O, but if the itinerary and price was right then the extra discounts are a bonus. Unlike Cunard where repeat passengers can get 5% extra off any cruise, you only get the extra 5% off a few special cruises, but then in addition you get your discount off your on-board spend which is good. As for the other extras - they are nice but not enough in themselves to foster loyalty IMO.

[daiB]

I chose to cruise with P&O after I'd cruised on all the Thomson Ships, given up on RCI because of the extremely poor service I received and because OV was no longer an option. I didn't realise when I booked that I was already a member of the Portunus Club with lots of points already to my name.

 

Does the 5%, 7.5% or 10% really make a difference when deciding who you cruise with?

 

Does it sway your decision when booking?

 

Is it the discount or the privileges (as they are) that make you cruise with P&O rather than other lines?

 

Is P&O your first choice because you are a member?

 

Hi R/B,

 

I do not think portunus would ever encourage anyone to start cruising with p&o but it can be a factor in repeat cruising.

 

Remember you drinks already cheap are 10% less when you reach gold as are your excursions which are also well priced.

 

The best for us is the early booking so we can pick our cabin.

 

 

Gan canny

 

 

Dai

[RJChatsworth]

I chose to cruise with P&O after I'd cruised on all the Thomson Ships, given up on RCI because of the extremely poor service I received and because OV was no longer an option. I didn't realise when I booked that I was already a member of the Portunus Club with lots of points already to my name.

Does the 5%, 7.5% or 10% really make a difference when deciding who you cruise with?

Does it sway your decision when booking?

Is it the discount or the privileges (as they are) that make you cruise with P&O rather than other lines?

Is P&O your first choice because you are a member?

 

If P&O models its Portunus Club on Cunard's equivalent, 16 hours of free internet use at the top level per sector/cruise for my wife and I is quite useful.

[cruiser1955]

For me, it is all about the destinations and service. The loyalty schemes are a "thank you" from the operator for previous custom, but not enough for me to say I would only ever cruise with one company. Having just become a gold member (partially due to points from another line), I'm hoping that P&O will continue to give a few days opportunity to book before everyone else - as a single traveller, that can be more advantagous than the discounts.

 

Same applies with travel agents. I've found one that I am happy with, so don't look for the cheapest option.

[Host Sharon]

 

If P&O models its Portunus Club on Cunard's equivalent, 16 hours of free internet use at the top level per sector/cruise for my wife and I is quite useful.

 

It would for me too, but sadly it doesn't. On the top tier (Gold) you get priority booking, priority check-in and embarkation lounge with nibbles and drinks, a special hosted lunch with free wine etc and a senior officers' party. On top of that you get 10% off your on-board spend with a few exceptions (casino, medical centre etc.)

[cruisebore]

It makes all the difference in the world to me. I proudly display my gold card on a lanyard about my neck making sure that all the staff and other passengers are aware of my status. We attend the Goldie's lunch but have been miffed on the odd occasion when we have not been seated with the captain. The discounts are not a matter of concern as we don't do tours, drink in our stateroom liquor bought ashore rather than mix with the hoi polloi in the bars, and the DW is forbidden from using the Spar due to the exhorbitant costs. We receive many calenders so I usually sell the P&O one on ebay; quite a demand.

 

Regards

Cb

[RJChatsworth]

It would for me too, but sadly it doesn't. On the top tier (Gold) you get priority booking, priority check-in and embarkation lounge with nibbles and drinks, a special hosted lunch with free wine etc and a senior officers' party. On top of that you get 10% off your on-board spend with a few exceptions (casino, medical centre etc.)

As I mentioned on another thread, Carol Marlow has said she is going to revamp the Portunus Club. As she previously ran Cunard where, I believe, she was involved in their World Club revamp, it is possible that free internet access will be part of the Portunus Club changes.

[davecttr]

It makes all the difference in the world to me. I proudly display my gold card on a lanyard about my neck making sure that all the staff and other passengers are aware of my status. We attend the Goldie's lunch but have been miffed on the odd occasion when we have not been seated with the captain. The discounts are not a matter of concern as we don't do tours, drink in our stateroom liquor bought ashore rather than mix with the hoi polloi in the bars, and the DW is forbidden from using the Spar due to the exhorbitant costs. We receive many calenders so I usually sell the P&O one on ebay; quite a demand.

 

Regards

Cb

I was under the obviously mistaken impression that Spar had very reasonable prices :)

[cruiseluvva]

Portunus doesn't make much difference to us, to be honest. We spend a lot on the cruise itself, but often not a vast amount on board, as neither of us drink a great deal and hate organised excursions.

 

We only reached Gold last year, as we have cruised with other lines, so what we receive is nice, but not something that would make us choose P&O over anyone else. In may ways the Princess Captain's Circle and Cunard World Club benefits suit us better. At the end of the day we go with whoever offers the right cruise, with the right cabin, at the right price for us.

[daiB]

It may be that small % may use internet time but I cannot see it being popular for the majority of goldies.

 

Gan canny

 

 

 

Dai

[ROSEBASKETS]

So what would be reasonable to expect for those customers who had the most points? I'm not talking goldie level, as there seems to be lots at that level, i'm talking about those with 1000+ days on board (as that would take some achievement I guess)

 

Personally I think a £'s for points scheme would be better, those who book first, who pay the highest prices, should be entitled more points than someone who has booked a "cheapie" and has paid thousands less.

 

Why should those who book a standard inside get the same amount of points per cruise as those who have booked a suite?

[cruisebore]

Why should those who book a standard inside get the same amount of points per cruise as those who have booked a suite?

 

 

Shame on you Rosie making such an utterance

 

Cb

[ROSEBASKETS]

Shame on you Rosie making such an utterance

 

Cb

 

Oh I know CB ......... how bad am I! :(

 

Just because I may pay £8k for my holiday while others pay £1.5k for the same cruise, why should we get the same loyalty points?

 

It wouldn't happen at Tesco's :eek: :D

[cruisebore]

Oh I know CB ......... how bad am I! :(

 

Just because I may pay £8k for my holiday while others pay £1.5k for the same cruise, why should we get the same loyalty points?

 

It wouldn't happen at Tesco's :eek: :D

 

 

:D:D:D

 

Cb

[daiB]

Oh I know CB ......... how bad am I! :(

 

Just because I may pay £8k for my holiday while others pay £1.5k for the same cruise, why should we get the same loyalty points?

 

It wouldn't happen at Tesco's :eek: :D

 

 

Have you got a cheap cabin then:D..... or are you on a four night cruise.:D

 

With the mobility scooter I am on your aide as we have the more expensive end as well.

 

 

Gan canny

 

 

 

Dai

[ROSEBASKETS]

Have you got a cheap cabin then:D..... or are you on a four night cruise.:D

 

Dai

 

Standard CC midship Balcony, 14n August, 2 adults 2 children. My first 5 cars cost less! (in total :eek:)

 

Unfortunately the Family Suite wasn't available for the fortnight and £14k is a little steep :eek::eek: even for me;)

[southwinds]

We enjoy the benefits but it dosnt make us book only with P&O its nice to be Gold get 10% and priorty boarding and a Gold Lunch and a welcome back on board gift... its nice to have ... and nice touch..... we wouldstilll book as we liked P&O before the Portunus club... ( you used to pay to belong to the POSH CLUB and get 5% off on board)

[Denarius]

I chose to cruise with P&O after I'd cruised on all the Thomson Ships, given up on RCI because of the extremely poor service I received and because OV was no longer an option. I didn't realise when I booked that I was already a member of the Portunus Club with lots of points already to my name.

 

Does the 5%, 7.5% or 10% really make a difference when deciding who you cruise with?

 

Does it sway your decision when booking?

 

Is it the discount or the privileges (as they are) that make you cruise with P&O rather than other lines?

 

Is P&O your first choice because you are a member?

In one word, NO.

Whilst the benefits I get as a Portunus member are much appreciated, they have no perceivable influence on my choice of cruise.

[hansi]

I was under the obviously mistaken impression that Spar had very reasonable prices :)

 

 

and they're open 8 till l8!

[jeanlyon]

It makes all the difference in the world to me. I proudly display my gold card on a lanyard about my neck making sure that all the staff and other passengers are aware of my status. We attend the Goldie's lunch but have been miffed on the odd occasion when we have not been seated with the captain. The discounts are not a matter of concern as we don't do tours, drink in our stateroom liquor bought ashore rather than mix with the hoi polloi in the bars, and the DW is forbidden from using the Spar due to the exhorbitant costs. We receive many calenders so I usually sell the P&O one on ebay; quite a demand.

 

Regards

Cb

 

Is that serious? You wear your gold card on a lanyard so that others can see it? LOL

 

Makes no difference at all to me. I am Sapphire, but have booked Fred Olsen next simply because of the ports of call. Pity P&O don't go to some different places.

[cruisebore]

Is that serious? You wear your gold card on a lanyard so that others can see it? LOL

 

 

 

Not quite true

 

The card is quite small, CC size, so I have blown it up, laminated it and wear that.

 

Cb

[old git]

been with P&O 5 yrs running now because we like the product,any discount off the credit card bill is much appreciated:D..as for the goldies dining with the crew and the lunches they are welcome to it, not for us not realy bothered:confused:

 

thinking of celebrity this year just for a change:rolleyes: we shall see how we feel:D

 

keep cruising people;)

[tom_uk]

been with P&O 5 yrs running now because we like the product,any discount off the credit card bill is much appreciated:D..as for the goldies dining with the crew and the lunches they are welcome to it, not for us not realy bothered:confused:

 

thinking of celebrity this year just for a change:rolleyes: we shall see how we feel:D

 

Celebrity's on-board prices will come as a hell of a shock if you do, og: they're whopping. I reckon you need to achieve a basic cruise price on X for 25% less than you would on P&O in order to come out at the same sort of total cost. (Well, I do!)

 

The Portunus on-board expenditure discount is very nice, but to be truthful you don't really need it on P&O because the prices are low anyway. It would be much more welcome on X, RC, Princess, NCL or Cunard.

[u2cruiser]

Celebrity's on-board prices will come as a hell of a shock if you do, og: they're whopping. I reckon you need to achieve a basic cruise price on X for 25% less than you would on P&O in order to come out at the same sort of total cost. (Well, I do!)

 

The Portunus on-board expenditure discount is very nice, but to be truthful you don't really need it on P&O because the prices are low anyway. It would be much more welcome on X, RC, Princess, NCL or Cunard.

 

Tom, I couldn't agree more. We've just got a great deal on an Equinox fly cruise for a May Transatlantic. I've been perusing their CC forum and I'm shocked at the onboard prices. We're considering buying a premium drinks package and it is an absolute fortune, but without it I dread to think of our bill. Someone mentioned spirits for the cabin at $80 per litre!!

 

I don't know how P&O manage to charge such reasonable prices. :confused:

 

Portunus discount won't influence our decision to book a cruise but it will be nice to get it in October. At least I think we get it? 15 days sailed so far?