ARCADIA ~ New Years Cruise 2005/2006

[A UKCRUISER]

Hi Ken

I posted on the Millenium E Caribbean Nov 04 thread but didn't get the chance to meet you on the ship!

We are booked on the Arcadi Xmas Panama cruise for Dec 15th 2006, so you will have to let us know your opinions of the ship and destinations when you return!

Like you this will be our first cruise on P&O, we usually like to go with Celebrity, but the itinerary and the contemporary design of the Arcadia appealed to us, along with the early booking discounts!

We booked an aft balcony cabin as I have read this is a great way to transit the Panama Canal, sitting on your private balcony as we pass through the locks! Well, we have got 17 months to wait so I'd better not get too carried away yet!

Love to hear all about your experience, hope you have a great time!

Lisa

Lisa, A little tip for you, do not book A Deck aft cabins unless you like shade, you only get sun early morning or late PM as the deck above (LIdo or sun) pertrudes over A deck, I have booked C aft for February.

 

Bill Such

[Sparkle 123]

Thanks for that tip Bill,we are actually on E deck E 187 to be exact so we should get some sun. maybe you could lean over your balcony and take a photo ror us in Feb when you go!

Another question for P&O cruisers..

Do they add a 15% service charge in the bars like they do on the American cruiselines?

Just curious.

Ken

Hope you had a great time on the QM2. Had to agree with your comments on the Olympic restaurant on the Millennium. We had the most fantastic meal and service ever in there. Its the only time I have ever been escorted to the Ladies room. I felt like Kate Winslet on the Titanic! It really does give you an idea of how it must have felt to be a first class passenger on a grand ocean liner years ago!

[KenC]

Hello everyone

 

we are back in body if not in spirit. The crossing was superb in every way and QM2 has settled into a wonderful routine with excellent service, food and entertainment - the only way to cross!!! How we all longed to be sailing back on her instead of being crammed in tiny airline seats for 7 hours.

 

Mel .... will add Almond Beach to the list of possibles to be investigated - thank goodness its only 12 weeks (or so) before we go ... I need another holiday to get over a hectic, hot and humid New York!!!

 

Lisa .... will be posting a 'short' report on the Cunard board in a day or so. Its strange but the QM2 crossing was such a different experience from a cruise that comparisons with other cruiseships never entered my head. QM2 is first and foremost a transatlantic liner rather than a cruiseship - I think this leads to a lot of disappointment for people expecting something else.

 

Oh well .... bring on Arcadia!!!

 

Already thinking about 2007 now - anyone ever done a Fred Olsen???? I know the ships are 'old' but the itineraries are great.

 

Regards

 

Ken

[KenC]

This cruise isn't advertised anymore - do you think its sold out????

[Melxx]

Hi Ken,

 

Welcome back hope you haven’t got the post cruise blues I suffer terribly from them.

 

How is your hotel-hunting going? We are doing the opposite to you we are flying out on Boxing Day for a four-day stay in Acapulco. I have managed to book into the Hyatt in Acapulco bay hope its ok. Ken Have you ever travelled with E tickets? It seems strange to me not to have the paper ones.

 

Ps It does look like our cruise has sold out been to various travel agents on line and its not listed on any of them.

 

Mel

[KenC]

Hi Mel

 

how can I be depressed when we've got such a fabulous New Year cruise waiting??? It is hard to get back into the swing but I always try to have something else lined up to look forward to - it doesn't take away the blues completely but it does help!!!

 

We are staying at the Fiesta Americana - Condessa Acapulco for the night before embarkation. We are spending Christmas in Palm Springs and fly down on 29th - so at least we won't be jet lagged getting onboard! All the hotels in Acapulco look fabulous - the bay looks amazing. We are still researching Barbados - you mentioned Almond Beach, it is Almond Beach Club not

Village??? there are 2 Almonds and they both look lovely!!!!

 

We haven't had paper tickets for such a long time and have not had any problems with e-tickets yet, not even been asked for extra ID other than passports, which you have to produce anyway. No paper tickets? - just something less to carry really and once you've had e-tickets a couple of times you don't miss the paper at all!!

 

Regards

 

Ken

[Sparkle 123]

Ken

We are considering a Transatlantic crossing on the Constellation next April, from New York to Dover via Le Harve. I know the weather will be a little cool so what is it like to spend 6 days at sea? Do you get cabin fever!!? I quite like the idea of just chilling out with a good book and indulging in a few spa treatments and enjoying the fabulous food and drink. Any tips I should be aware of? I realise it is a different experience to a Carribbean cruise but your advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Lisa

[Melxx]

Hi Ken.

 

I stayed at Almond Village in St. Peter because my son travelled with us and it’s a family resort it was called Haywood’s Resort when we stayed there.

 

Almond Beach club and spa is for over sixteen’s you are right they are both lovely so I think it depends if you want a family hotel or adults only.

 

Thanks for the information on e tickets. Ken you say passports are the only I D you have needed just in case do you carry another other I D with you? I just want to make sure I have every angle covered.

 

Mel xx

 

[KenC]

Hi Lisa

 

If you like being on a ship then you should love doing a transatlantic. I took a couple of books I wanted to read but ended up only reading a couple of chapters! There was always so much to do - and it all seems so much more sociable because you are around the other passengers all the time. A couple of points - doing an eastbound you will have five 23 hour days (westbound you get 25 hour days and that is wonderful!!!). Constellation is a lovely ship but she is not designed for the North Atlantic and if you get rough weather (and there are normally at least 1 or 2 rough days on most crossings) then you will know all about it. Have you thought about Queen Mary 2 at all? Being on this ship, which is designed and geared up for doing crossings, makes the experience that much more exciting. Just a thought - horses for courses!

 

Hi Mel

 

Thanks for the info on Almond Village and Club. Having spent a week in Palm Springs (not many children to be seen there!) and two weeks on the child free Arcadia, it would be too much of a shock to be immersed in a resort full of children!!! We have narrowed it down to about 4 places now and The Colony Club (no kids under 12 in January) is currently the favourite, but these lovely places in Barbados are sooooo expensive or perhaps its high season then!

 

The only other ID I have read was necessary for e-tickets is the credit card with which the tickets were purchased, but we have never been asked for anything other than the normal passport requirement for check-in. I wouldn't worry too much - you should get a receipt with the code of the e-ticket on, and that will give notice of any 'special' ID requirements to check-in with.

 

Regards to all

 

Ken

[Sparkle 123]

Thanks for your advice Ken. Would love to sail on the Queen Mary but the reason we are looking at this particular cruise is because our friends from the USA are thinking of booking it to come over to the UK on as it is such a good deal. We were going to meet them in London and show them round but when I saw the rates for the cruise I am VERY tempted to book it and come over with them! We weren't planning on booking another cruise in 2006 as we have got the Arcadia Xmas cruise to save up for but this offer is rather tempting!

I know the Constellation is designed for cruises rather than Atlantic crossings but I thought maybe a midship cabin will have less movement. We have been on rough seas before and we don't generally suffer from seasickness. In fact its a wonder we ever cruised again after our first cruise in the Carousel. We set sail from Tenerife in a force 6. The drawers in the cabin kept coming open and the Captain announced that rather than spoil your cruise go to the medical centre and get a seasickness injection! They even had to cancel the production show as it was unsafe for the dancers. Needless to say after the first 2 days the seas calmed down and we had a fantastic time and now we are addicted to cruising!

I will probably wait till we are on the Century in 3 weeks and see if there are any perks to be had for booking onboard.

Lisa

[KenC]

Oh Lisa

 

you are worse than us for lining cruises up - isn't it fun though!!! Xmas 2006 is way too far to wait for your cruise after next!!! Understand your reason to do this transatlantic now and as you would be with friends it would be even more enjoyable. We had so much more fun on our last QM2 because my sister and cousin came along too. You are bound to get a good deal if you book when you are on Century - which I had also forgotten about (lucky you)!!!

 

Ken

[Melxx]

Thanks for the information Ken. Christmas in Palm Springs sounds wonderful. I have to go to the local golf club for Christmas Dinner it's a bit of a family tradition. I don’t know how I am going to break the news to my family that I’m booked on the Aurora for Christmas and New Year 2006/2007. I will cross that bridge when I have too. Had a look at The Colony Club web site Ken it looks so nice

 

Mel

[Melxx]

Just to let folks know excursions are enabled in our cruise personalizers on the P & O web site. I have pre booked mine this morning.

 

Mel

 

[KenC]

Wow Mel .... that means its getting close and ...... OMG we have to pay the final account in a couple of weeks. What have you reserved and does it get added to your shipboard account or do you pay upfront????

 

Ken

[KenC]

OK ..... so today we got our pre cruise info from P&O including a book of excursions - so I see we can reserve excursions and they will be added to the shipboard account. If the ship is already booked I guess it's a good idea to reserve some excursions sooner rather than later. Sorry Lisa you've got another 12 months to wait for yours (aren't I horrible!!!!)

 

Ken

[Melxx]

Hi Ken if you go to http://www.pocruiseconnections.co.uk/ click on All Ready Booked. You can put in your cruise reference number and surname all excursions for your cruise are there and you can pre book them too your onboard account. If you all ready know this please ignore.:)

 

I have booked the following tours.

 

Corobici River Raft Costa Rica

 

Masaya Shopping Tour Nicaragua

 

City Highlights & Cliff Divers Acapulco

 

Panama City by night.

 

You can also delete then if you change your mind.

 

Kind Regards

 

Mel.

 

[Melxx]

PS Ken let me know which tours you decide too book :)

 

Mel

[KenC]

Hi Mel

 

A little underwhelmed by the choice of excursions (but then we usually are). Haven't reserved anything yet but are thinking ~

 

Acapulco - City highlights and cliff divers

San Juan del Sur - Colourful Granada

Puntarenas - nothing as we have done the rainforest and San Jose already, so we hope to hit the beach

Balboa - nothing, we have seen Panama City

Curacao - See and Sea Tour

Mayreau - just the beach for us!!

Tobago - Southern Panorama

St Lucia - Land and Sea Adventure (though Phill has his doubts!!)

 

A lot of these are morning trips which gives us the chance to do something else in the afternoon. Oh, I can feels those rays already!!!

 

Regards

 

Ken

[A UKCRUISER]

Thanks for that tip Bill,we are actually on E deck E 187 to be exact so we should get some sun. maybe you could lean over your balcony and take a photo ror us in Feb when you go!

Another question for P&O cruisers..

Do they add a 15% service charge in the bars like they do on the American cruiselines?

 

Lisa,All drinks include tip in the price, a couple of years ago they introduced this the waiters get a percentage of the cost, only people to tip are cabin steward and dinner waiters, I always give the wine waiter a small gratuity also.

Happy cruising, Bill

[Sparkle 123]

Ha Ha Ken,

Dont forget 2 weeks from now I will be about to baord the Century for 9 nights in the Caribbean!!!!!

If you want an idea for an excursion in St Lucia we have booked a private tour with a guy called Cosol with some others on the Century. Go on the St Lucia port of call board and do a search and you will find lots of info about him. He meets you at the ship with his van and takes you on a 4 hour tour of all the major sights on the island stopping along the way to sample local produce all for $40 per person. Heres his website if you are interested:

http://cosoltours.com/

Will let you know what its like when we come back.

[Little Annie]

Hello everyone

Not been on the site for quite a while now. Too busy looking for a job! I can't believe its only just over 10 weeks until we go. Given the ship appears to be completely full, we've pre-booked the excursions we definitely want to do which are the City Highlights and Cliff Divers in Acapulco and the Grand Catamaran Day Sail in St. Lucia. Might think about a couple of others but we also like to spend time on board when the ship is in port.

 

Counting the days

Ann

[KenC]

Hi Ann ..... Can't believe its only 10 weeks!!! Well, guess we can as we have to pay the balance this week ..... groan. We are about to hand back our seats on the Luton-Acapulco flight as we have made alternative arrangements - wonder if we can get any trade off like putting us into second sitting!!! I think its pretty mean of P&O not to give any credit for cruise only - hey Mel, did you get anything for not using the charter flight to Acapulco??

 

Hi Lisa ..... if you tear yourself away from the Celebrity board, have a wonderful cruise.

 

Hi Elaine ..... I'm now a refugee from all that nonsense on the Cunard board - glad that you had a good time inspite of the niggles. Really looking forward to sailing P&O, as you imply in some ways it is a better experience.

 

Regards

 

Ken

[elaine61]

Hi Ann ..... Can't believe its only 10 weeks!!! Well, guess we can as we have to pay the balance this week ..... groan. We are about to hand back our seats on the Luton-Acapulco flight as we have made alternative arrangements - wonder if we can get any trade off like putting us into second sitting!!! I think its pretty mean of P&O not to give any credit for cruise only - hey Mel, did you get anything for not using the charter flight to Acapulco??

 

Hi Lisa ..... if you tear yourself away from the Celebrity board, have a wonderful cruise.

 

Hi Elaine ..... I'm now a refugee from all that nonsense on the Cunard board - glad that you had a good time inspite of the niggles. Really looking forward to sailing P&O, as you imply in some ways it is a better experience.

 

Regards

 

Ken

 

Hi Ken

 

Lovely to see you here. I'm a refugee now too!! Because I was slightly disappointed with some issues on QM2. I could not fault the food or the service in the restaurant it was always good, but I think as I was comparing it to P & O I would say that the service and quality of food was pretty much on a par, but as QM2 is marketed as a 5* experience compared to P & O being 4* to this end I was disappointed. Well not disappointed as such just felt a little let down!! I think P & O are doing their staff a disservice by only recommending £3.75 pppd compared to the $11 that Cunard charge. We are off on Oriana 8 weeks on Friday. Reckon I will just about get all of the guys shirts ironed by then!! I am looking forward to some lovely caribbean sunshine though. Don't get me wrong. Splendours of the falls cruise was brilliant and the crossings were very comfortable. I think that the crossings is what QM2 does best. Exactly what she was built for. I really hope that you are not disappointed with P & O after what I have said. P & O are not always perfect (no one is really are they), but after some issues on Cunard it's made me realise just how very well organised they are. Enjoy Arcadia and I look forward to hearing all about it. We are booked on her in July next year.

 

Elaine

[mufi]

Elaine - Will be interested to hear how Oriana compares. We had one of our best cruises on her a few years ago, and while we did not think the food then was up to Cunard standard, the atmosphere around the ship was good with the captain's daily walk around and the Goan staff, who were always so helpful. Something you never see with Cunard (the walkaround) who give the impression sometimes of "snootyness".

 

We are off in four weeks on QE2 so that will be interesting as well, re QM2 crossings last July.

 

David.

[Melxx]

Welcome home Elaine, Hope you have nearly got through your ironing I am starting my ironing next week I like to be prepared early.

 

Hello Little Annie, Hope the job-hunt goes well. 10 weeks ohh I am getting excited now.

 

Ken I emailed P & O about flight credits. You are right it is a bit mean of them to give us nothing. Here is a bit of the e-mail P & O sent me back.

 

 

Thank you for your email.

 

As our charter flights come as part of the package for our Caribbean

And

South American fly cruises, we regret to advise that a further

Reduction in

The fare would not apply if you were to make your own flight and

Transfer

Arrangements.

 

Mel xx

 

 

P S. Ken I have decided to book the land and sea adventure I am with Phill one this one though not to sure about it.