Table for two sir?

[bee-ess]

I don't follow that, please explain.

 

We put a lot of energy into quickly arranging alternative dining, at significant cost, that suited us so as not to have a 'horrible holiday experience'. You think that is wrong?

 

I think rather than have a sulky fit at further expense to yourself you should have found someone in authority to complain too. As it turned out you were offered what you wanted the next day which is failrly typical if you are unhappy with your dining arrangements. I don't think you are going to get much sympathy on here. I am not P&O's biggest fan but can't fault them in this case.

Edited May 17, 2015 by bee-ess

[PurpleMoonlight]

I guess the fact that you have to complain that you didn't get what you requested before they concede to grant it just about sums up P&O to a tee.

[kevinyork]

I guess the fact that you have to complain that you didn't get what you requested before they concede to grant it just about sums up P&O to a tee.

 

 

and how does any organisation know a customer is unhappy and is able to provide a solution until the customer complains? You didnt get your first request re dining options but they granted it on day two. You rejected their offer but still continue to complain?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[PurpleMoonlight]

and how does any organisation know a customer is unhappy and is able to provide a solution until the customer complains? You didnt get your first request re dining options but they granted it on day two. You rejected their offer but still continue to complain?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Organisations that grant their customers requests on outset don't have unhappy customers or any solution to provide.

 

I did not complain on board and I am not complaining now about not getting the desired table, although I was unhappy at not receiving it. I am detailing my experiences and questioning the methodology of the allocation of tables in the MDR.

Edited May 17, 2015 by PurpleMoonlight

[laura Bra]

We didn't just have a table for 2, we managed to have the same table for 2, for all 3 cruises, as we liked it so much.

4.

 

WoW Sis, that is a big deal, havin the same table number for all three cruises.

 

 

your bud

[PORT ROYAL]

I'm glad you enjoyed your meals, I did not.

 

It is not my custom to return to restaurants that serve me inedible and cold food.

 

Know what you are saying, and have support.

 

On our only P&O Cruise we gave the MDR plenty of opportunities to improve, however they must have set themselves very low targets, which they then failed to achieve. We therefore dined in the speciality restaurants for the remainder of the Cruise.

 

Many others had lists of negative comments regarding the fare (much whinging and moaning) but when we suggested to them the solution was actually to pay for alternative venues, to end their constant complaints, there were no willing takers.

 

The suggestion to "pay" resulted in a corporate silence.:rolleyes:

 

If we board P&O again, will only dine in the specialty restaurants from day one.

[the english lady]

Know what you are saying, and have support.

 

On our only P&O Cruise we gave the MDR plenty of opportunities to improve, however they must have set themselves very low targets, which they then failed to achieve. We therefore dined in the speciality restaurants for the remainder of the Cruise.

 

Many others had lists of negative comments regarding the fare (much whinging and moaning) but when we suggested to them the solution was actually to pay for alternative venues, to end their constant complaints, there were no willing takers.

 

The suggestion to "pay" resulted in a corporate silence.:rolleyes:

 

If we board P&O again, will only dine in the specialty restaurants from day one.

Occasionally I drift over to other boards. Yesterday I was wandering through the celebrity boards. My goodness there was some complaining on there about the food.

I find p and o food much improved over the past couple of years.

I have never had cold food served. It has always been edible.

Do the people on these boards all have 5* food at home and when they eat out?

Are people expecting steaming hot food to be served, rather than food at a temperature you can eat immediately.

[PurpleMoonlight]

Occasionally I drift over to other boards. Yesterday I was wandering through the celebrity boards. My goodness there was some complaining on there about the food.

I find p and o food much improved over the past couple of years.

I have never had cold food served. It has always been edible.

Do the people on these boards all have 5* food at home and when they eat out?

Are people expecting steaming hot food to be served, rather than food at a temperature you can eat immediately.

 

I've only been cruising for two years so can't comment on food quality before that.

 

I had no real issues on the first three cruises, Azura, Aurora and Azura again. I did notice that more people were complaining here and on reviews by the time of the second Azura one though.

 

Oriana last Christmas was very hit and miss. The solitary roast potato for Christmas dinner was unforgivable in my book, and amongst other things the crumble on the apple crumble came out uncooked. We made several visits to the select restaurants that cruise too.

 

I didn't want to repeat the Oriana experience so abandoned the MDR as soon as it went pear shaped (pun intended :rolleyes:).

Edited May 17, 2015 by PurpleMoonlight

[majortom10]

You do realise that suite passengers have paid for the priority and privileges they receive, don't you?

 

On P&O they have paid for nothing more than a better stateroom soon as they step outside of the stateroom they are just the same as everyone else and why should you think that because you did a late booking in a suite you should have dining priority that booked the same cruise 10 months before you. Told you if you want more you should book a suite with Cunard you get your own restaurant and bar and you wont have to mix with anyone of us low life that dont book suites you should fit in well.

[majortom10]

Organisations that grant their customers requests on outset don't have unhappy customers or any solution to provide.

 

I did not complain on board and I am not complaining now about not getting the desired table, although I was unhappy at not receiving it. I am detailing my experiences and questioning the methodology of the allocation of tables in the MDR.

 

So you think that anyone that has booked the same cruise as you the 9+months prior to you booking should be told there are no tables for 2 just in case somebody booking a suite less than 3 months before sailing has priority......I dont think so. Nowhere in any brochure or booking conditions does it say people in suites have priority of tables for 2 in the restaurant. Booking a suite has no privileges or priorities once you have had priority check-in unless associated within your suite and the use of a butler. You obviously think that because you booked a suite you are better than everybody else and P&O should bow to your every whim and demand.

[PurpleMoonlight]

So you think that anyone that has booked the same cruise as you the 9+months prior to you booking should be told there are no tables for 2 just in case somebody booking a suite less than 3 months before sailing has priority......I dont think so.

 

Did you actually read my original post or are you just hostile to suite passengers for some reason?

[the english lady]

As some of you may remember the MDR experience on Oriana on my last cruise was tarnished somewhat by some of my fellow diners on a table for six.

 

I was a suite passenger for my cruise on Britannia having booked in early January 2015. I didn't purchase a suite just for a table for two in the MDR of course, but in all honesty I did fully expect to get it. Because the booking system will not let you request a table for two I had to state a table for four with a preference for a table for two.

 

Did I get a table for two? No.

 

Did I get a table for four? No.

 

I was allocated a table for six. I was not a happy bunny.

 

Anyway, I duly went to the MDR to see what our fellow diners would be like. One couple were ten minutes late and to be honest I didn't feel like either couple would be enjoyable company for fourteen dinners.

 

The MDR on Britannia is a big let down too in my opinion. No high ceiling, plastic seat covers and no atmosphere. I was also on a table bordering the main corridor. The starter was okay, the pork in the main course was so tough it was inedible and the hot dessert was cold!

 

So, we spent the next morning booking dinner at the alternative restaurants around the ship. Three in Epicurean, three in Sindu and an Olly Smith hosted one in the Glass House. I planned one dinner out in Madeira as it was a 9.30 pm sailing and the others either the Glass House or the Beach House.

 

I removed the auto-gratuity from my on board account.

 

In order not to inconvenience my previous fellow diners, I went to the MDR in the afternoon to notify them we would not be dining there again. They asked why and I advised it was because I wanted a table for two and had expected to get it for the cruise price I paid. I later received a telephone call from the restaurant manager responding to my visit to the MDR to request a move to a table for two. I explained that I had not done so and merely notified them we would not be dining there again to avoid delays to our previous fellow diners, and had already made alternative dining arrangements for the rest of the cruise. He stated none were available anyway as they allocated them on a first come basis and passengers who booked before me had all taken those available. Fair enough I thought. However .....

 

The next day we had a card left for us stating we had now magically been allocated a table for two. Where did this suddenly materialise I wonder? Needless to say, we did not use it.

 

But the story does not end there. At the Olly Smith dinner we were pared with a lovely couple who were also in a suite. Apparently they had also requested a table for two and got a table for six, but, they had pre-booked the cruise and chose the cabin immediately P&O opened the booking system for them to do so some fifteen months ago. They also were unhappy with that and were largely dining elsewhere on the ship as a result.

 

Now I will be the first to admit I am somewhat of a sceptic on all things P&O. I am not keen on the way they appear to do business and like it less and less the more I discover.

 

Could it be I was lied to by the restaurant manager?

 

Could it be that they look at your previous willingness to pay for select dining on previous cruises and then deliberately allocate you a table in the MDR that they know you don't want?

 

Finally, the food in all the specialist restaurants is excellent and we enjoyed them all. Although I am unlikely to book another P&O cruise in the short term, if I ever do again I will go saver fair and just use the select dining options instead of the MDR.

 

So I have gone back to your original post and re read it.

Table requests for dining for everyone are just that REQUESTS. The people who booked first from suite to inside cabin would have their requests dealt with first.

Now we have learnt that Britannia only has one club dining restaurant. Most of those would have been tables for 10-8-6-4 with a few 2's for good measure.

As you booked in January this year and we are only in May now, there would have been a good number who booked before you. So that explains why you didn't get what you originally requested.

How did they magic a table for 2 up, just like that. Easy. you have a table for 4, and split them into two 2's. Simples.

The RM did not lie to you, and that would have annoyed a lot of people on here, throwing that accusation around.

Majortom suggests you try Cunard. I think that may be worth a try . If you are prepared to pay grill prices then you get your own dining room etc.

On P and O you are paying for extra space in your cabin and not much else. On a couple of ships you can have breakfast elsewhere than the masses, but not on every ship.

Could one suggest that if you are going to continue cruising you investigate further a few more lines for suites etc, and what you get extra for booking them. Some give you priority at lots of places, like the theatre etc. Also compare prices, with P and O, and for drinks , select dining, etc.

Me thinks when you booked a suite (even a late booking) you did think you were very very precious. Sorry.

To then come on here having a hissy fit and expecting us to agree with your terrible treatment, was not the way to go.

Moaning about the people on your table after just the first night would not endear you to a lot of people either. I wonder what they thought of you.

It was your choice to book into all these other places, and pay for it. Nobody made you do it.

I would never ever book on the first few cruises of a new ship , as I would wait for things to settle down, however that is just me.

[Scriv]

Did you book a Select Fare, Purple Moonlight?

Edited May 18, 2015 by Scriv

[terrierjohn]

I think a number of posts on this thread have come very close to what constitutes insulting comments about the OP, one of mine included. But I do feel that the OP has given as good as she(he) got with some replies. So let's try for a clean sheet.

The OP seems unlikely to ever agree with the criticisms made by some of us and clearly believes that suite guests deserve much better service, unfortunately as many have said P&O do not currently offer many on board dining perks for suite guests. However there is a trend in the cruise industry for this to happen and perhaps the OP would feel more comfortable with these companies; Cunard grills, MSC Yacht club, or Celebrity where suite guest now have their own dining room, or any of the 6* cruise lines.

Perhaps PurpleMoonlight you might like to accept this olive branch and let this thread now die a natural death.

[PRINCESSTHE BEST]

On P&O they have paid for nothing more than a better stateroom soon as they step outside of the stateroom they are just the same as everyone else and why should you think that because you did a late booking in a suite you should have dining priority that booked the same cruise 10 months before you. Told you if you want more you should book a suite with Cunard you get your own restaurant and bar and you wont have to mix with anyone of us low life that dont book suites you should fit in well.

 

I agree. I have cruised on Cunard and the experience of a Queens Grill suite is amazing. The butler service and exclusive dining ambience is way above the level of P&O......and yes, your fellow diners at that level are lovely. You will find better value for money and I guess, a feeling of being special and appreciated. I was even given personalised stationary!!! When you pay a lot for a holiday, you expect quality in return. Sadly P&O don't deliver i'm afraid.

[Selbourne]

I think it's a great shame that some users of this forum (and other forums) 'pick fights' with other users who have made legitimate posts, just because they don't agree with them or take a different viewpoint. Often these attempts to 'disagree' move into a clear desire to 'humiliate' and all credit to PurpleMoonlight for staying calm and professional in spite of clear provocation.

 

I did not detect an ounce of snobbery from the original post, in spite of allegations to the contrary. As has been evidenced by some of the replies, however, any perceived snobbery by the 'haves' is as nothing to the clear envy and, frankly, venom of the 'have nots'. The UK Labour Party has just learnt a very hard lesson in that regard!

 

In response to the original post, I would make the following observations, based on our experiences of Oriana, Oceana, Azura and Ventura on cruises since 1996 (we have bookings for Britannia and Arcadia).

 

Tables for 2 - The main problem is that there is clearly insufficient supply for the demand. That said, most tables for 2 in the main dining rooms are a joke, as they are simply long rows of small tables with tiny gaps between them. You might as well be dining companions of those either side of you as it's virtually impossible not to overhear the entire conversation and you are so close it can feel awkward if you don't engage in conversation!

 

Dining Companions - On our first few cruises, joining our 'new found friends' at our table in club dining (usually a table for 8, even though there was only 3 or 4 of us), was a highlight of the holiday. We looked forward to each evening meal and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. During our last 3 or 4 cruises, this has not been the case. We have been seated with people with whom we have very little in common and conversation has become more of a struggle. Interludes in the select dining restaurants became a welcome release. We have called 'time' on this and on our next tŵo cruises we have selected freedom dining.

 

Main Dining Room Food - We have generally found this to be good, although the quality has gradually declined over the 20 years we have been crushing with P&O. Portion sizes have reduced noticeably as well. As a point of interest and highly relevant to the original posters comment, we have found on our last few cruises that our 'first night' meal in the main dining room has been a dissapointment (possibly due to the kitchen staff having less time on turnaround days?) but has improved from the next night onwards.

 

Select Dining Restaurants - We are great fans of these and have tried all of them on all ships we have cruised on. The quality of food, attention to detail and service is a massive jump up from the main dining rooms and, in our view, worth every penny of the supplement. Seating arrangements are far better also.

 

Suite Priveliges - We haven't stayed in a Suite yet but having gradually worked our way up over the past 20 years from outside (no balcony) to Superior Deluxe Balcony, we have booked suites for our next 2 cruises. I understand from other posts on here that Priveliges for Suite passengers on P&O are poor compared to other cruise lines, but for us being able to use a select dining venue for breakfast (Epicurean in the case of Britannia) will be a major plus for us. I am not a great fan of the buffet restaurants for breakfast. It's a bit of a bun fight, especially when trying to find a table at peak times and the appalling hygiene habits of some fellow passengers puts me off and leaves me in no doubt as to why Norovirus is so prevalent on cruise ships. P&O do a superb job in trying to control this with gel stations etc (better than most hospitals in fact), but I have lost count of the number of people I have seen bypassing these pumps or licking fingers when they accidentally get food on their hands whilst self serving and then picking up the tongs (yuk). It's a sad fact that most people do not wash their hands thoroughly enough when using the loo and some don't do it at all. The icing on the cake for me once was when I popped in to the gents en route to the buffet one morning. As I was drying my hands, a guy came out of a cubicle, walked out without washing his hands and as I followed him to the buffet he walked straight past the hand pumps and directly to the food servery! As a non-suite passenger you do, of course, have the option of the main dining room for breakfast or lunch (which we use happily), but you have the same seating issues as described earlier.

 

I still believe that P&O is a great brand with service levels that you rarely find on land these days, but the product has definitely been devalued over the years in a desire to go more 'mass market', which is understandable given the number of cabins they need to sell each week. This is obviously great news for those for whom cruising was out of reach years ago, but less good news for those who had become accustomed to a quality product that has, in some cases, been eroded.

Edited May 18, 2015 by Selbourne

[dgs1956]

I do agree with Selbourne about people picking fights and antagonising others on this Forum. I very seldom post now because of it. I had thought that recently getting rid of the worst protagonist would have helped but it just goes on and on.

As regards the OP, I did understand the viewpoint but didn't necessarily agree so felt the poster was entitled to an opinion but for me to disagree would add nothing to the thread.

I also agree with ALL the other points in Selbourne's post. I love P&O but they aren't perfect by any means and these points could be addressed but how do you address the attitude of people like the person who didn't wash his hands? I think that is a bigger problem than a lot of people realise. Issues like hygiene and being considerate to others is imperative in a fairly confined area like a ship but sadly that's not the way it is nowadays. IMO of course.

[balf]

Do the people on these boards all have 5* food at home and when they eat out?

Are people expecting steaming hot food to be served, rather than food at a temperature you can eat immediately.

 

I can only speak for myself. I don't know about 5 star but we certainly eat much better on a daily basis at home than in a P&O MDR. Just one example, fish that is claimed to be pan fried that gives no evidence of ever going near a frying pan. How it is cooked heaven knows but the result is a lump of tasteless dry fish. Fish needs to be handled with care in the cooking and I don't believe they can do this with mass catering, and this is shown by the vast improvement when you go alternative.

 

David.

[LondonTowner]

PurpleMoonlight

 

We are shortly going on our first cruise with P and O and really looking forward to it. However, there are a lot of peole, like yourself, on these P and O threads that travel time and time again with the company, but do nothing but complain.

 

When we go on cruises, we actually go to enjoy ourselves, have a nice holiday, visit new places and meet interesting people who are good company. For that reason we enjoy a large table for dinner and have had lots of laughs with our fellow dining companions.

 

After reading your comments I think the other people at the table in the MDR had a lucky escape without having to sit with you.

 

Sorry, but you need to lighten up and learn to live life.

[balf]

appalling hygiene habits of some fellow passengers puts me off and leaves me in no doubt as to why Norovirus is so prevalent on cruise ships. P&O do a superb job in trying to control this with gel stations etc (better than most hospitals in fact), but I have lost count of the number of people I have seen bypassing these pumps or licking fingers when they accidentally get food on their hands whilst self serving and then picking up the tongs (yuk).

 

 

On Adonia recently we found the gel dispenser at every entry point to the Conservatory, with even a member of staff alongside for the first couple of days. Most people did use them.

 

But then none on entry to the MD, just the robotic "good evening" that is normally accompanied by a squirt (the gel not the M'd) couldn't get the logic there.

 

David

[majortom10]

I think it's a great shame that some users of this forum (and other forums) 'pick fights' with other users who have made legitimate posts, just because they don't agree with them or take a different viewpoint. Often these attempts to 'disagree' move into a clear desire to 'humiliate' and all credit to PurpleMoonlight for staying calm and professional in spite of clear provocation.

 

I did not detect an ounce of snobbery from the original post, in spite of allegations to the contrary. As has been evidenced by some of the replies, however, any perceived snobbery by the 'haves' is as nothing to the clear envy and, frankly, venom of the 'have nots'. The UK Labour Party has just learnt a very hard lesson in that regard!

 

In response to the original post, I would make the following observations, based on our experiences of Oriana, Oceana, Azura and Ventura on cruises since 1996 (we have bookings for Britannia and Arcadia).

 

Tables for 2 - The main problem is that there is clearly insufficient supply for the demand. That said, most tables for 2 in the main dining rooms are a joke, as they are simply long rows of small tables with tiny gaps between them. You might as well be dining companions of those either side of you as it's virtually impossible not to overhear the entire conversation and you are so close it can feel awkward if you don't engage in conversation!

 

Dining Companions - On our first few cruises, joining our 'new found friends' at our table in club dining (usually a table for 8, even though there was only 3 or 4 of us), was a highlight of the holiday. We looked forward to each evening meal and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. During our last 3 or 4 cruises, this has not been the case. We have been seated with people with whom we have very little in common and conversation has become more of a struggle. Interludes in the select dining restaurants became a welcome release. We have called 'time' on this and on our next tŵo cruises we have selected freedom dining.

 

Main Dining Room Food - We have generally found this to be good, although the quality has gradually declined over the 20 years we have been crushing with P&O. Portion sizes have reduced noticeably as well. As a point of interest and highly relevant to the original posters comment, we have found on our last few cruises that our 'first night' meal in the main dining room has been a dissapointment (possibly due to the kitchen staff having less time on turnaround days?) but has improved from the next night onwards.

 

Select Dining Restaurants - We are great fans of these and have tried all of them on all ships we have cruised on. The quality of food, attention to detail and service is a massive jump up from the main dining rooms and, in our view, worth every penny of the supplement. Seating arrangements are far better also.

 

Suite Priveliges - We haven't stayed in a Suite yet but having gradually worked our way up over the past 20 years from outside (no balcony) to Superior Deluxe Balcony, we have booked suites for our next 2 cruises. I understand from other posts on here that Priveliges for Suite passengers on P&O are poor compared to other cruise lines, but for us being able to use a select dining venue for breakfast (Epicurean in the case of Britannia) will be a major plus for us. I am not a great fan of the buffet restaurants for breakfast. It's a bit of a bun fight, especially when trying to find a table at peak times and the appalling hygiene habits of some fellow passengers puts me off and leaves me in no doubt as to why Norovirus is so prevalent on cruise ships. P&O do a superb job in trying to control this with gel stations etc (better than most hospitals in fact), but I have lost count of the number of people I have seen bypassing these pumps or licking fingers when they accidentally get food on their hands whilst self serving and then picking up the tongs (yuk). It's a sad fact that most people do not wash their hands thoroughly enough when using the loo and some don't do it at all. The icing on the cake for me once was when I popped in to the gents en route to the buffet one morning. As I was drying my hands, a guy came out of a cubicle, walked out without washing his hands and as I followed him to the buffet he walked straight past the hand pumps and directly to the food servery! As a non-suite passenger you do, of course, have the option of the main dining room for breakfast or lunch (which we use happily), but you have the same seating issues as described earlier.

 

I still believe that P&O is a great brand with service levels that you rarely find on land these days, but the product has definitely been devalued over the years in a desire to go more 'mass market', which is understandable given the number of cabins they need to sell each week. This is obviously great news for those for whom cruising was out of reach years ago, but less good news for those who had become accustomed to a quality product that has, in some cases, been eroded.

 

We too have never been a lover of buffet restaurants for breakfast/lunch but instead always go to the MDR and if wanted a table for two is always available if you ask. With reference to the Epicurean on Britannia think some people will be disappointed that the tables for two are very close similar to MDR and personally think XV11 on Azura is a far more better laid out restaurant but that is only my opinion.

[Presto2]

In what way are you different?

 

David.

 

I was wondering that - however any of us is different -- and we all are - then no one is allowed to name call etc on here.

 

If you are upset or offended by a post then flag it up to the moderators. They will check it out and, if necessary, delete the posts. The system does work.

[Britboys]

P&O is a mass-market line selling at commensurate prices. In my own experience, the food is certainly not as good as when I started cruising with P&O in 1997. Having said that however, I have never experienced any significant problems in the mdr and if I did, I would certainly make them known to the senior restaurant manager. Everyone deserves a second chance and if I had a bad meal in a shoreside restaurant, I would always give it a second chance if my complaint was dealt with appropriately.

 

P&O shoreside admin is not always great but I have always found the on-board team to be very helpful and flexible whenever possible.

 

I've also had several cruises where I thought my table companions might be a bit of a challenge on the first night but then had a wonderful cruise with them.

 

If I ever found I thought that the food in the mdr was so bad that I needed to pay a supplement most nights in for-fee restaurants, I would look at booking with Oceania, Crystal, Regent or Silversea - especially if I was paying suite prices aboard P&O.

 

Just my thoughts guys & girls.

[laurakdy]

I've really enjoyed reading this thread. Made for very interesting reading.

 

For my tuppence worth I have never had any real complaints with P and O. I've had tables for two, tables for 8 with other diners and our own table of 8 with family.

All extremely enjoyable. Didn't make best friends and a couple of nights I thought 1 or 2 were not my cup of tea but hey ho that's life everywhere.

 

What I kinda do feel though is the snobbery aspect that is very evident. P&O is not 5/7 star. It maybe used to be when cruising was for the elite. Not now but that's why I enjoy it.

 

It makes me laugh because people want 5 star luxury but don't want to pay for it. P and O prices reflect exactly what they say on the tin. Yes, of course you want good service and decent food. I feel you get that.

I am laughing at the issues with people not washing their hands etc. do they not do that on other ships? I've seen it on all the ships I've been on. Do you think if you eat in the Mdr for breakfast, you won't pick anything up? How do you know your waiter hasn't washed his hands as well as who made you your scrambled eggs? 😀

I think if your really concerned about these kind of things, cruising isn't for you, as you cannot account for 1000's of people washing or not washing their hands. Liking them immediately after one meal at a table with them. It doesn't happen in real life and you need to be on a 5 star cruise for that.

[daiB]

P&O is a mass-market line selling at commensurate prices. In my own experience, the food is certainly not as good as when I started cruising with P&O in 1997. Having said that however, I have never experienced any significant problems in the mdr and if I did, I would certainly make them known to the senior restaurant manager. Everyone deserves a second chance and if I had a bad meal in a shoreside restaurant, I would always give it a second chance if my complaint was dealt with appropriately.

 

 

 

P&O shoreside admin is not always great but I have always found the on-board team to be very helpful and flexible whenever possible.

 

 

 

I've also had several cruises where I thought my table companions might be a bit of a challenge on the first night but then had a wonderful cruise with them.

 

 

 

If I ever found I thought that the food in the mdr was so bad that I needed to pay a supplement most nights in for-fee restaurants, I would look at booking with Oceania, Crystal, Regent or Silversea - especially if I was paying suite prices aboard P&O.

 

 

 

Just my thoughts guys & girls.

 

 

So would I A. But they do not do UK to U K cruises. And flying is a pain.