First Cruise - Help please!

[DebbieG19]

When I spoke to the guy in the 'book another cruise' section he told me that on the other ship the casino and the bar are the opposite way round so the casino was in between the single cabins and the bar which perhaps helped considerably to block out the noise. However I do love that the single cabins are where they are and easily accessible to everywhere and also not mixed up with the other cabins.

Glad I know of another ship to look for single cabins to book on. I wondered if it might be easier to phone P&O to check when single cabins are available than trawl through the web site - I have a roster where I have a 5 day weekend every 3 weeks so if P&O can see when cabins are available I can easily see when I am available to go. I find it a bit of a chew on to go through the booking process on every trip to find that the single cabins are all booked up.

[whippet]

Many thanks for your help.

I'm travelling on my on my own and am now beginning to feel a little apprehensive - will I be ok?? I'm quite happy to look after myself and sit on my own and such like but I really don't want people to be doing that staring thing like you shouldn't be there if you're on your own!! I think it's their problem - not mine!

 

Debbie

 

you will be fine, there are often single traveler get together's so you wont be the only solo cruiser on board.

just chill out do what you want when you want and enjoy it

[PCMRSM60]

DebbieG19,

 

I'm pleased to read you enjoyed your cruise on Ventura last month. I had as many qus as you before our 1st one last year, but I found this forum brilliant for advice etc so dont worry how many qus you ask! P&O had their own forum last year which I used a lot, but sadly it doesn't exist anymore. But as you can ask P&O specific things here, that's a great help.

 

I've read that the atmosphere is different on a short cruise to a 2 week one, though I dont know in what way.So if you're set to save up for a longer one you'll have to see what the difference is :confused:

 

We just came back from 12 days on Azura, the sister ship to Ventura. There were lots of people travelling alone & I saw how many meet-ups were arranged throughout the trip, which I thought was a brilliant idea. On a longer cruise you'd be able to make more use of those I expect. But the person I'd chatted to through CC beforehand, said he met lots of other solo passenger & had a wonderful holiday - it was his 1st cruise too. So it seems that P&O are catering well to different types of passengers. Good for them! :)

[DebbieG19]

Well - 35 days until my next cruise!!

A 4 night trip to Cherbourg and Zeebrugge this time. I've decided I'm going to make use to the free shuttle bus to Cherbourg and Blankenberge as one of the days is on the ship at sea.

I'm very much looking forward to it this time as I feel like I learnt so much last time. I will definitely let my suitcase be taken to my cabin and not lug it around with me when I first arrive but I'll definitely just disembark with my own luggage and then I can be off to catch my train.

I've booked to stay in Southampton on the night before so I can be on the ship as early as possible, rather than travelling from the early hours.

 

Any more advice greatly appreciated!

 

Debbie

[Josy1953]

In my opinion a cruise is the ideal holiday for singles, I am not single but if the day ever comes where I am on my own I will still cruise. I feel that it is a very safe way to travel, even though I am usually with my husband I feel happy to go for a wander around the ship alone even after dark which is something I would never do ashore. As other people have said there are activities for singles where you can meet other single travellers. We have talked to many single people who all seemed to think that cruising was ideal for them. Enjoy your cruise and start planning the next one.

[lake5298]

I've booked to stay in Southampton on the night before …

 

Lots of places to eat and drink on Oxford Street.

 

I recommend La Esquina (tapas) where I have eaten many times, both solo and with a companion. Ian and Gill are very welcoming and their small tapas restaurant has a comfortable atmosphere.

 

I have cruised with my (now ex) wife, with friends, solo and with my new lady. It's a very sociable atmosphere, as I am sure you have found - so never really alone.

[Mysticalmother]

Well - 35 days until my next cruise!!

A 4 night trip to Cherbourg and Zeebrugge this time. I've decided I'm going to make use to the free shuttle bus to Cherbourg and Blankenberge as one of the days is on the ship at sea.

I'm very much looking forward to it this time as I feel like I learnt so much last time. I will definitely let my suitcase be taken to my cabin and not lug it around with me when I first arrive but I'll definitely just disembark with my own luggage and then I can be off to catch my train.

I've booked to stay in Southampton on the night before so I can be on the ship as early as possible, rather than travelling from the early hours.

 

Any more advice greatly appreciated!

 

Debbie

 

Ha Ha Debbie - someone else said you would get hooked!:D ...and you did! Hope you enjoy your second cruise even more than the first! I am sure you will. Are you back on Ventura.

 

Something to watch though about single cabins. Do check that you are not paying more for a single cabin than for a normal cabin + single traveller supplement. The pricing structure for cruises with P & O ( and others eg Cunard) means that it really does pay to shop around a little. sometimes a saver fare + supplement is less than paying for a true single cabin. A good TA (travel agent) who specialises in cruises (not necessarily on the high street) may be able to get you a really good deal. And also , note that when you book through the website, you will not see all available cabins - just the ones P&O want you to see! Again, a good TA will have access to all available cabins. I presume you are in an inside cabin too?...if you go on a longer cruise e.g 7 days or more you might find you appreciate a room with a view or even a balcony and very few ships - at least those that sail from the UK - have single cabins that are not inside.

 

Have a good time - very envious as I have got to wait ages until my next cruise!

[Mewat]

Hi Debbie,

 

Are you travelling on the Oriana on 6th November? If so, you will find that Oriana is very different to Ventura. For a start it is smaller and also offers what most people consider a more traditional style of cruising.

I am on this one with my mum and godmother, so might see you around. (I'll be the one with the rolling eyes, wondering what the 2 oldies are going to get up to next!!)

 

Michele

[themanwithahat]

As no cash changes hands onboard you will be given a credit-card type thing. This acts as a key to your cabin and you also hand this over every time you buy or use anything that has to be paid for. You will also be asked to sign a copy of the receipt if you pay for anything - so there is no way that charges will appear unexpectedly.

 

The TV is also an interactive information thing and you can use it to check what has been charged to your account.

 

The only thing that is done without your direct authorisation is, I think, the tips.