Is Aurora sailing tonight

[molecrochip]

21 minutes ago, pete14 said:

Although this must be a distressing experience for all involved, I think you are being unreasonable to Molecrochip. In his post, he explained the processes that should have been followed without insisting that they were. Videoing the packing up of the possessions in a cabin seems sensible, especially if, as molecrochip stated, it is voluntary on behalf of the passengers. Could be helpful later on to both sides if claims of missing items are made. Considering the nature and importance of the letters, it is probably considered best if they are handed to affected passengers directly rather than quietly pushed underneath the door or left outside. I can just imagine the reaction of some if somebody who is isolating has a letter left outside their cabin where they couldn’t access it. 
 

As far as I know, although molecrochip has involvement with the cruise industry, I think I recall him saying in the past that he is not employed by P&O.

I don’t think I’ve ever said I wasn’t employed by P&O/Carnival. I don’t think I’ve ever explicitly confirmed I am either. If I told you who I am / what I did then I’d no longer be posting on here for sure!

 

I’m not disputing what has happened, I’m saying what should happen.

 

Videoing of a Covid positive passenger packing their own possessions is not correct procedure. If someone is doing that then they have misunderstood their job and you should raise a complaint. You are not in prison.

[pete14]

21 minutes ago, molecrochip said:

I don’t think I’ve ever said I wasn’t employed by P&O/Carnival. I don’t think I’ve ever explicitly confirmed I am either. If I told you who I am / what I did then I’d no longer be posting on here for sure!

 

I’m not disputing what has happened, I’m saying what should happen.

 

Videoing of a Covid positive passenger packing their own possessions is not correct procedure. If someone is doing that then they have misunderstood their job and you should raise a complaint. You are not in prison.

Sorry for mis representing you Molecrochip, it seems as though my memory is not what it was. Please don’t stop posting on here though.

[zap99]

18 hours ago, terrierjohn said:

P&Os crass attitude towards customer service continues to astound me, how two companies under the same ownership can have such a different attitude towards their paying guests, who represent their livelihood,, as Princess and P&O,  is beyond belief.

They are not unique. I had to pay a balance to British Airways. Their systems were down ( a strange phenomenon that P&O customers are familiar with. ) Had to phone. 88 minutes . I got my phone bill. £22. I will pass that on but won't hold my breath. It's all due to............. Whatever they choose to blame this time.

[kersh]

I am on board and I am being very careful and spending most of my time on deck.  We have not been going to any of the shows or inside entertainment. Eating on fixed sitting table for 2 and enjoying g the ports, beaches and sunshine during the day.

 

The admin leaves a lot to be desired but it is not only passengers succumbing but crew as well.  

We are lucky and having a great cruise but feel sorry for those affected. 
we enjoy every day as who knows if tomorrow will be the day we test positive. 
 

on our way to Tortola now. 

 

[Host Sharon]

2 hours ago, kersh said:

I am on board and I am being very careful and spending most of my time on deck.  We have not been going to any of the shows or inside entertainment. Eating on fixed sitting table for 2 and enjoying g the ports, beaches and sunshine during the day.

 

The admin leaves a lot to be desired but it is not only passengers succumbing but crew as well.  

We are lucky and having a great cruise but feel sorry for those affected. 
we enjoy every day as who knows if tomorrow will be the day we test positive. 
 

on our way to Tortola now. 

 

Good to hear you are Ok Sue but Caryll and I are on the next cruise, and if we have to eat on a table for two, miss all the entertainment and not socialise, there is no point us going. That is the whole joy in cruising for us. 

[Host Sharon]

On 3/14/2022 at 10:12 AM, Astrajet said:

We are on the 1st April cruise too, so have also been checking various cruise schedule sites. As you say, no mention of Aurora at any of the itinerary ports!  I must admit that, although usually an optimist, I find my usual pre-cruise excitement is starting to wane somewhat!

 

Our best wishes go to all those currently isolating onboard and already off loaded.

The current cruise and the Canaries were 'extra' cruises added to the schedules when the date for Aurora's return to service was known. She isn't down for any of the current itinerary either so I don't think that alone is cause for concern.

[jeanlyon]

18 minutes ago, Host Sharon said:

Good to hear you are Ok Sue but Caryll and I are on the next cruise, and if we have to eat on a table for two, miss all the entertainment and not socialise, there is no point us going. That is the whole joy in cruising for us. 

Totally agree Sharon.  Just being on the ship wouldn't be enough for us either.

[Bazrat]

1 hour ago, Host Sharon said:

Good to hear you are Ok Sue but Caryll and I are on the next cruise, and if we have to eat on a table for two, miss all the entertainment and not socialise, there is no point us going. That is the whole joy in cruising for us. 

They made the choice to do those things, you would hope that p&o looked into the safety of inside venues and decided they was safe, that's assuming everyone follows the protocols, as for the table for two it's our preferred dinning option

[miniyorkie]

Hi. I have been reading this thread but not previously  commented. I am also on the 1st April cruise, rebooked on this  additional sailing as I was  originally booked on part of the Aurora cancelled world cruise. I thought that "shared table" dining was not possible anyway and only booking or linked pax could be seated together. That we can cope with, but we really want to enjoy the shows, entertainment and dancing on Aurora. Am also hoping that Sindhu re-opens as this is  a significant birthday cruise whilst away and hoped to celebrate ( with a special meal even if just the 2 of us ) Daren't tell partner that there's a possibility the cruise may be cancelled. We were  booked on the March 2020 transatlantic on Azura which  was cancelled only days before sailing so he will think we are jinxed as this is our 2 year  long awaited  return cruise.  Staying positive. 

[Les_ldh]

On 3/18/2022 at 5:36 PM, miniyorkie said:

Hi. I have been reading this thread but not previously  commented. I am also on the 1st April cruise, rebooked on this  additional sailing as I was  originally booked on part of the Aurora cancelled world cruise. I thought that "shared table" dining was not possible anyway and only booking or linked pax could be seated together. That we can cope with, but we really want to enjoy the shows, entertainment and dancing on Aurora. Am also hoping that Sindhu re-opens as this is  a significant birthday cruise whilst away and hoped to celebrate ( with a special meal even if just the 2 of us ) Daren't tell partner that there's a possibility the cruise may be cancelled. We were  booked on the March 2020 transatlantic on Azura which  was cancelled only days before sailing so he will think we are jinxed as this is our 2 year  long awaited  return cruise.  Staying positive. 

Well I’ve just caught up on all the posts since last weekend, and it sounds like I’m on the cruise from hell. As someone onboard let me try to bring a little perspective to the thread. There is no doubt that there has been quite a lot of Covid cases onboard. 80 were transferred to QV on the first Barbados visit, and I personally counted 94 being transferred on the second Barbados visit, although I wasn’t able to count for about an hour so suspect it’s a little higher. I feel very sorry for those affected, and it appears that there have been a few teething problems on QV dealing with the volume of people.

 

As one of those not affected by the outbreak I have had a fantastic cruise so far and would have no qualms about going on the April 1st sailing. Sindu has now reopened but seems to have been fairly quiet from what I’ve seen. Precautions that I have been taking, and that I would recommend are, not using the mdr’s, going to the first show in the theatre as it’s always the quietest, avoiding venues at their busiest times, wearing the higher grade mask at all times when outside my cabin (unless eating or drinking) and indoors when onshore, when sitting on the open decks ensuring that I’m upwind of people, and frequently using the hand sanitisers that are available everywhere. Might sound extreme to some people, but to me it’s just common sense. Despite the problems onboard I still feel safe and personally thanked the captain yesterday for the way he’s been handling the situation and commended the crew for the excellent work they’ve been doing. I told him he should be very proud of them.

 

is everything perfect? No, but who has ever been on a cruise where it is? Be sensible, be cautious, go with the flow and enjoy your cruise on this wonderful ship which I’m sure will be sailing to the Canary Islands on April 1st.

Les.

[Astrajet]

19 hours ago, Les_ldh said:

Precautions that I have been taking, and that I would recommend are, not using the mdr’s, going to the first show in the theatre as it’s always the quietest, avoiding venues at their busiest times, wearing the higher grade mask at all times when outside my cabin (unless eating or drinking) and indoors when onshore, when sitting on the open decks ensuring that I’m upwind of people, and frequently using the hand sanitisers that are available everywhere.

Thank you for your post - I now feel a bit of my dwindling enthusiasm returning for 1st April. I have taken note of your recommendations. You mention not using the mdrs - is this because they are now freedom dining or just generally a very busy area?  Do you use Horizon instead?

Stay safe and enjoy the rest of your cruise.

Edited March 20, 2022 by Astrajet

[Les_ldh]

On 3/20/2022 at 1:32 PM, Astrajet said:

Thank you for your post - I now feel a bit of my dwindling enthusiasm returning for 1st April. I have taken note of your recommendations. You mention not using the mdrs - is this because they are now freedom dining or just generally a very busy area?  Do you use Horizon instead?

Stay safe and enjoy the rest of your cruise.

Sorry for the delay in answering, but I only get WiFi once per week for 24 hours.

 

I don’t use the mdrs because you are in close proximity to lots of people not wearing masks. Even if you ask for a table of two they are so close together that you are effectively sitting right next to strangers. Yes I have been using the Horizon buffet, but also the speciality restaurants. Sindu was excellent when it was open, but it has been closed for most of the cruise. The Glass House has been excellent, but the Beach House was very poor. The food was okay when we eventually got it, but the service was atrocious with lots of people complaining about it.

 

The covid protocols have now been relaxed and are the same as when we set sail from Southampton.

 

Have a great cruise, I wish I could stay on.

Les.

[Dermotsgirl]

2 minutes ago, Les_ldh said:

Sorry for the delay in answering, but I only get WiFi once per week for 24 hours.

 

I don’t use the mdrs because you are in close proximity to lots of people not wearing masks. Even if you ask for a table of two they are so close together that you are effectively sitting right next to strangers. Yes I have been using the Horizon buffet, but also the speciality restaurants. Sindu was excellent when it was open, but it has been closed for most of the cruise. The Glass House has been excellent, but the Beach House was very poor. The food was okay when we eventually got it, but the service was atrocious with lots of people complaining about it.

 

The covid protocols have now been relaxed and are the same as when we set sail from Southampton.

 

Have a great cruise, I wish I could stay on.

Les.

Glad you are enjoying your cruise, Les.

 

you are a perfect example of ‘living with it’ - amending your behaviour in a changed  environment 

Edited March 26, 2022 by Dermotsgirl

[Astrajet]

1 hour ago, Les_ldh said:

Have a great cruise, I wish I could stay on.

Les.

Thank you Les, that's very helpful information. We have pre-booked Sindhu for the first night so hope it will be open! The Glass House is a favourite of ours so will look forward to a few meals there. 

Good to know you are enjoying the cruise. Just hope ours goes as well. 

Thanks again - enjoy the rest of your cruise. 

 

Edited March 26, 2022 by Astrajet

[Les_ldh]

3 hours ago, Dermotsgirl said:

Glad you are enjoying your cruise, Les.

 

you are a perfect example of ‘living with it’ - amending your behaviour in a changed  environment 

Thanks, that’s exactly what I’m doing.

[Les_ldh]

1 hour ago, Astrajet said:

Thank you Les, that's very helpful information. We have pre-booked Sindhu for the first night so hope it will be open! The Glass House is a favourite of ours so will look forward to a few meals there. 

Good to know you are enjoying the cruise. Just hope ours goes as well. 

Thanks again - enjoy the rest of your cruise. 

 

Thank you, I will. I don’t know for certain, but I think Sindhu has been closed purely due to the lack of demand as when it was open there was hardly anyone in, so hopefully you’ll be okay as everything is reset for the next sailing.

Les.

[terrierjohn]

3 hours ago, Les_ldh said:

Thank you, I will. I don’t know for certain, but I think Sindhu has been closed purely due to the lack of demand as when it was open there was hardly anyone in, so hopefully you’ll be okay as everything is reset for the next sailing.

Les.

I wondered if it might be due to lack of trained crew, who might be having to quarantine?

[Les_ldh]

37 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

I wondered if it might be due to lack of trained crew, who might be having to quarantine?

I’m not really sure but the feeling I had, and it was only a feeling, is that an infection caused the initial closure which lasted over a week, then when it reopened there were very few bookings so they decided to cut their losses and keep it closed. Of course I might be completely wrong.

Les.

[Dermotsgirl]

Reading on other sites that Aurora’s captain has announced the ship  is now having problems with Covid amongst the crew, particularly galley and reception. Reception to be closed between 2pm and 5pm each afternoon. 
 

Hopefully Les will be able to comment about this next time he’s online.

 

We’ve already talked about whether the next cruise will happen. It sounds as if Aurora is in need of a ‘circuit beak’ and a deep clean