Why P&O? (as opposed to the US mainstream lines)

[daiB]

Have you thought of trying HAL they have a Grand Prix for scooters, there are so many of them !

 

 

From Southampton.

 

 

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[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

I have been reading this thread with interest.

 

We are flying to England in November for a B2B on Aurora. We usually cruise on Princess but want to try something different. We did do a short one on Oriana years ago and loved it. Why are we flying half way around the world to do a B2B on P & O UK, you ask? Because we are a tad over Princess atm, they seem to be penny pinching and it is soooo noticeable..... don't get me started on the Australian Princess line. We want to try a British line that is British, serves British food, has British passengers (who we usually get on well with, as you guys understand our humour, unlike a lot of americans!) and even though we have to factor in the $2000 each airfares, the cruise was quite reasonable.

 

Plus we want to experience a white xmas! I know.... are we mad? Possibly, but we live in Cairns QLD and this summer has been exceptionally long. It is still 30D Celsius during the day and 23 at night and we are half way through Autumn.

 

We are really looking forward to cruising on the Aurora. :) Oh, and they let you bring grog onboard! Yay!!!!!!! Not just a couple of bottles of wine! My husband is thrilled. So is the bank manager..... :)

 

Tell me do they have an icecream parlour onboard? If they do, is it free? I am very partial to my daily icecream...... :)

[john watson]

I have been reading this thread with interest.

 

We want to try a British line that is British' date=' serves British food, has British passengers (who we usually get on well with, as you guys understand our humour, unlike a lot of americans!) and even though we have to factor in the $2000 each airfares, the cruise was quite reasonable.

 

Plus we want to experience a white xmas! I know.... are we mad? Possibly, but we live in Cairns QLD and this summer has been exceptionally long. It is still 30D Celsius during the day and 23 at night and we are half way through Autumn.

 

We are really looking forward to cruising on the Aurora. :) Oh, and they let you bring grog onboard! Yay!!!!!!! Not just a couple of bottles of wine! My husband is thrilled. So is the bank manager..... :)

 

Tell me do they have an icecream parlour onboard? If they do, is it free? I am very partial to my daily icecream...... :)[/quote']

 

 

I can see where you are coming from; Australia. On US lines you do not seem to get the cornerstone of civilisation or kettle in the cabin as we know it. Americans just do not understand this essential. Yes you can bring alcohol on board but you are discouraged to some extent by the local pub prices they charge at the bars.

 

The tips are geared towards the Australian market at £5.00 per person per day except if the person is twelve or younger; ripper.

 

The weather is absolutely guaranteed out of Southampton, it is never going to be 30 in the day and 23 at night. It's going to be well below that and the breeze will help you feeling that it is a lot lower than it actually is. White Christmases do not often occur but you can bet against this with many bookies to defray your expenses in a win, win situation. You may get to experience a blizzard which is very popular with people wrapped up in blankets on open decks, I once considered an immersion suit. The weather is ideal for ice cream, it never melts. Be warned however as I got done up on a two nighter on P&O out of Southampton; bought the ice cream card. Something like 12 or 20 ice creams on a punch card. You cant eat this many on a weekend. When I got to the kiosk everybody else was signing for lovely big specials but they would only let me have tiny ones out of the soft ice cream machine. I could not even get Magnums on my punch card.

 

Only problem I can foresee you may have is the language; there are Geordies, Welsh and Brummies plus many more who few understand but this is British culture at its best.

 

Regards John

Edited April 21, 2016 by john watson

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

I can see where you are coming from; Australia. On US lines you do not seem to get the cornerstone of civilisation or kettle in the cabin as we know it. Americans just do not understand this essential. Yes you can bring alcohol on board but you are discouraged to some extent by the local pub prices they charge at the bars.

 

The tips are geared towards the Australian market at £5.00 per person per day except if the person is twelve or younger; ripper.

 

The weather is absolutely guaranteed out of Southampton, it is never going to be 30 in the day and 23 at night. It's going to be well below that and the breeze will help you feeling that it is a lot lower than it actually is. White Christmases do not often occur but you can bet against this with many bookies to defray your expenses in a win, win situation. You may get to experience a blizzard which is very popular with people wrapped up in blankets on open decks, I once considered an immersion suit. The weather is ideal for ice cream, it never melts. Be warned however as I got done up on a two nighter on P&O out of Southampton; bought the ice cream card. Something like 12 or 20 ice creams on a punch card. You cant eat this many on a weekend. When I got to the kiosk everybody else was signing for lovely big specials but they would only let me have tiny ones out of the soft ice cream machine. I could not even get Magnums on my punch card.

 

Only problem I can foresee you may have is the language; there are Geordies, Welsh and Brummies plus many more who few understand but this is British culture at its best.

 

Regards John

Thanks John!

 

They have icecream cards? They have Magnums (is it the same as our Magnums, l wonder)?

 

Oh my god YES! Of course you have kettles in the cabin.....soooo civilised! I am really looking forward to that! I will have to bring a couple of packs of Tim Tams as your immitation, fake copies (penguin bickies) just don't cut it!

 

As for the accents....well you have to understand us too.....fair dinkum!

 

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[john watson]

P&O Magnums selection are the Wall's ice cream, the full size not mini-magnums; in White Chocolate, Almond and Dark Chocolate although new varieties may emerge! Queue up and sign on your cruise card probably something like £1.40 to £1.80 cant remember exactly. I would avoid the ice cream card as you only get access to the tiny ones, so have a look at the set up before you buy a card. I wanted the real deal big ice creams but already had got myself landed with the card. I think they do these cards for children really.

 

Regards John

Edited April 21, 2016 by john watson

[terrierjohn]

P&O Magnums selection are the Wall's ice cream, the full size not mini-magnums; in White Chocolate, Almond and Dark Chocolate although new varieties may emerge! Queue up and sign on your cruise card probably something like £1.40 to £1.80 cant remember exactly. I would avoid the ice cream card as you only get access to the tiny ones, so have a look at the set up before you buy a card. I wanted the real deal big ice creams but already had got myself landed with the card. I think they do these cards for children really.

 

Regards John

Best of all are the giant chocolate covered cones, one of these with 2 scoops of your favourite flavours and you are set up for the afternoon.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

P&O Magnums selection are the Wall's ice cream, the full size not mini-magnums; in White Chocolate, Almond and Dark Chocolate although new varieties may emerge! Queue up and sign on your cruise card probably something like £1.40 to £1.80 cant remember exactly. I would avoid the ice cream card as you only get access to the tiny ones, so have a look at the set up before you buy a card. I wanted the real deal big ice creams but already had got myself landed with the card. I think they do these cards for children really.

 

Regards John

Will do...thanks for the heads up John.

 

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[Johnsanders]

Only problem I can foresee you may have is the language; there are Geordies, Welsh and Brummies plus many more who few understand but this is British culture at its best.

 

Regards John

 

Eileen, got back today after a great cruise on Britannia.

How can you let John get away with that quote about Geordies.

Jim.

[Thejuggler]

We book for the ports, don't care who it is with. However the poor design of the Grand class ships does now put us off them, especially where the scenery is a large part of the cruise, so Princess ex Southampton is not top of the list.

 

I'm currently price tracking a Celebrity trip to the Baltics, but they are still offering 'freebies' which makes them very expensive as they aren't free. I expect GTY cabins to be released soon and that usually brings the cost down to a sensible level.

[tartanexile81]

I have been reading this thread with interest.

 

We are flying to England in November for a B2B on Aurora. We usually cruise on Princess but want to try something different. We did do a short one on Oriana years ago and loved it. Why are we flying half way around the world to do a B2B on P & O UK' date=' you ask? Because we are a tad over Princess atm, they seem to be penny pinching and it is soooo noticeable..... don't get me started on the Australian Princess line. We want to try a British line that is British, serves British food, has British passengers (who we usually get on well with, as you guys understand our humour, unlike a lot of americans!) and even though we have to factor in the $2000 each airfares, the cruise was quite reasonable.

 

Plus we want to experience a white xmas! I know.... are we mad? Possibly, but we live in Cairns QLD and this summer has been exceptionally long. It is still 30D Celsius during the day and 23 at night and we are half way through Autumn.

 

We are really looking forward to cruising on the Aurora. :) Oh, and they let you bring grog onboard! Yay!!!!!!! Not just a couple of bottles of wine! My husband is thrilled. So is the bank manager..... :)

 

Tell me do they have an icecream parlour onboard? If they do, is it free? I am very partial to my daily icecream...... :)[/quote']

 

Good to see you again on the P&O boards, Billy and Charlie's mum. Sorry you're bit fed up with Princess. We haven't been back with them since Ruby but I'm going on the Round Britain trip a few times this Summer, but just from Invergordon to Queensferry to do a presentation. Any tips??!! We always find people on P&O to be very sociable and friendly and the entertainment / venues more varied than Princess. We really enjoy it so good luck

 

It really makes a difference to your bar bill be able to take some drinks aboard. It doesn't have to be wine: we buy in a supermarket in Southampton and take Vodka / rum on board then top up with mixers in port. The biggest down-side as far as we're concerned about P&O is that the loyalty can't compare in any any with the benefits of being Elite on Princess

 

If you ever want to spend time in Scotland and enjoy the cold, we go away every Winter, usually January / February we're always looking for house-sitters and have had quite a few from Oz down the years!! You may remember we live near Edinburgh :)

Edited April 23, 2016 by tartanexile81

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Only problem I can foresee you may have is the language; there are Geordies, Welsh and Brummies plus many more who few understand but this is British culture at its best.

 

Regards John

 

Eileen, got back today after a great cruise on Britannia.

How can you let John get away with that quote about Geordies.

Jim.

 

How was Britannia? I sent you an email a few days ago but I don't know if I sent it to the right email address.... you seem to change email addresses like you change underwear!

 

Well John is probably right.... when you start I can't understand a word you're saying...... :eek::D

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Good to see you again on the P&O boards, Billy and Charlie's mum. Sorry you're bit fed up with Princess. We haven't been back with them since Ruby but I'm going on the Round Britain trip a few times this Summer, but just from Invergordon to Queensferry to do a presentation. Any tips??!! We always find people on P&O to be very sociable and friendly and the entertainment / venues more varied than Princess. We really enjoy it so good luck

 

It really makes a difference to your bar bill be able to take some drinks aboard. It doesn't have to be wine: we buy in a supermarket in Southampton and take Vodka / rum on board then top up with mixers in port. The biggest down-side as far as we're concerned about P&O is that the loyalty can't compare in any any with the benefits of being Elite on Princess

 

If you ever want to spend time in Scotland and enjoy the cold, we go away every Winter, usually January / February we're always looking for house-sitters and have had quite a few from Oz down the years!! You may remember we live near Edinburgh :)

 

How are you? What are you going to be talking about? That will be interesting, living the life of a crew member, sort of!

 

Yes we are looking forward to spending 26 nights on the Aurora. Princess is too predictable for us and it will be like being new cruisers again.

 

Thanks for your housesitting offer.... we will definitely keep it in mind... we love the Edinburgh area and would love to stay there for longer than a day. Our daughter Megan has a sister-in-law who lives with her family in Edinburgh.

 

Take care and hope to see you again in the future.

[brillo]

Because they are not the US mainstream lines, ENOUGH SAID TIME TO END THIS NONSENSE !!!

[TOMOGP]

Because they are not the US mainstream lines, ENOUGH SAID TIME TO END THIS NONSENSE !!!

 

Great answer :D

[mek]

Hi All

 

Had cruised a few lines before sticking with Princess,

 

Had a long look at Britannia when she came out, chatted to folks who liked P&O but decided P&O was just to British, part of being on holiday for me is to experience the new,

 

I like the international feeling on Princess, have seen up 80 nationalities onboard

 

yours Shogun

 

How many Americans do you run into on P&O ships? We are looking at experiencing something different also but don't want to dress up every night which is necessary with Cunard. (We do follow dress codes and dress nicely, DH just doesn't want to wear a jacket to dinner every night and I don't want to drag a lot of formal wear to Europe.) I noticed the ships have tea pots in the cabins - can someone please explain exactly what makes these ships a British experience compared to the US lines? Is it mostly the food or something else?

 

Thanks

[Mysticalmother]

How many Americans do you run into on P&O ships? We are looking at experiencing something different also but don't want to dress up every night which is necessary with Cunard. (We do follow dress codes and dress nicely, DH just doesn't want to wear a jacket to dinner every night and I don't want to drag a lot of formal wear to Europe.) I noticed the ships have tea pots in the cabins - can someone please explain exactly what makes these ships a British experience compared to the US lines? Is it mostly the food or something else?

 

Thanks

 

To answer your first question....I have not met many Americans on P &O ships on the cruises I have been on. I do however believe that the "Around Britain" cruises are popular with Americans.But there are always some of your fellow countrymen on board, do not worry! P&O only have 2 dress codes now - Black tie (formal - dark suit or tux for the men, and cocktail dress or ballgown for ladies) and evening casual ( no jacket required for men). If you dont wish to dress up for the formal nights, thats fine but the dress code will apply in the Main dining room (not the buffet) and several of the other main venues.

What makes them a british experience? Well, the food and entertainment is more suited to British tastes, and yes we have the facility to make a cuppa in our cabins! There is a "pub" on board. But other than that I am not sure....i havent been on any of the American lines so cannot compare. In many ways they are very similar to Cunard and we have definitely met more Americans on Cunard ships.

Maybe someone else can add a bit more?

Edited April 28, 2016 by Mysticalmother

[kevinyork]

How many Americans do you run into on P&O ships? We are looking at experiencing something different also but don't want to dress up every night which is necessary with Cunard. (We do follow dress codes and dress nicely, DH just doesn't want to wear a jacket to dinner every night and I don't want to drag a lot of formal wear to Europe.) I noticed the ships have tea pots in the cabins - can someone please explain exactly what makes these ships a British experience compared to the US lines? Is it mostly the food or something else?

 

 

 

Thanks

 

 

 

We've met a few Aussies on P&O cruises but never come across any Americans. As far as I'm aware P&O cruises are not actively marketed in the US but can be booked through one agent at least.

 

We like a mix of nationalities which is why we like Celebrity. We've done four ex UK cruises and there have been at a guess 50% non Brits, mainly Americans, Canadians, Japanese and on one cruise 400 Brazilians. Celebrity have scrapped formal nights so no jackets required at all. Ex UK Celebrity cruises also have tea making facilities in the cabins.

[davecttr]

To clarify the application of dress codes on formal nights. On all the ships you can wear evening casual dress in the theatre, show lounge, cabaret lounge, casino, nightclub if there is one, some of the inside bars and maybe most of them. Also, apart from the buffet at least one other evening eating venue.

 

Full details on the P&O web site help pages.

[Barnum42]

To return to the original question:

 

Having sailed on Royal Caribbean and Princess, here's why we picked P&O.

 

We have to sail during school holidays. This cuts the choices down.

 

We've sailed on half-term holidays, as the fines imposed by travel companies for going during school holidays seem less during a half term week than if you go during the longer holiday times.

 

Princess don't sail from Southampton during October half term - so that cut them out for our last trip.

 

Royal Caribbean seem to be endlessly having a limited offer of a "free" drinks package. That is, they jack the fare up by a couple to few-hundred quid to cover the "free" drinks. We don't drink, so paying the premium for drink we are not going to imbibe seems a total waste.

 

That left P&O as the only choice during October Half term that was teenage friendly. Technically we could have gone on C&M or Fred, but they don't have facilities for sulky teenagers.