Moving back to P&O from NCL

[Trimone]

Since Covid we have cruised twice with NCL, both European cruises, we have thought the atmosphere lacking some what, some how not the same, we have done about 10 previous cruises with them, that gave us a thought about going back to P&O?

I glanced at some pages on here, and it appears a lack of customer care by them are we doing the right thing?

Any feedback grateful  

[wowzz]

36 minutes ago, Trimone said:

Since Covid we have cruised twice with NCL, both European cruises, we have thought the atmosphere lacking some what, some how not the same, we have done about 10 previous cruises with them, that gave us a thought about going back to P&O?

I glanced at some pages on here, and it appears a lack of customer care by them are we doing the right thing?

Any feedback grateful  

I think the lack of customer care criticism relates primarily to the Head Office.  

The service on board is excellent.

[Megabear2]

Well none of this pretty squabbling is going to help the OP!  I agree with Wowzz it's the onshore customer service and the dodgy website letting P&O down at present.  The cruise experience for most recently reporting has been good and a lot of the negativity we read has been from cruises taken some time ago.  

 

Regarding NCL compared to P&O the one certainty is the pricing onboard will be better value.  Take no notice of others and go with a  open mind, enjoy yourself.

[Trimone]

How dangerous is it going for the early bird? Also if they choose your dining time can it be altered?

[Megabear2]

5 minutes ago, Trimone said:

How dangerous is it going for the early bird? Also if they choose your dining time can it be altered?

Which ship and date are you looking at ?  If its Iona or Arvia there are pitfalls which can be explained, there's also a huge price differential for some cruises for select.

[Jennizor]

3 hours ago, wowzz said:

I think the lack of customer care criticism relates primarily to the Head Office.  

The service on board is excellent.

I have to agree with wowzz. We have been on two P&O cruises in the last year. There were some minor issues on both but linked to Passenger Locator forms. Reception staff were a bit overwhelmed by people needing help. Generally these are no longer required (a few destinations may still need them but not many). Other than that, the bar, restaurant and cabin staff all brilliant. We are off on Azura on the 15th and can’t wait.

[zap99]

7 minutes ago, Jennizor said:

I have to agree with wowzz. We have been on two P&O cruises in the last year. There were some minor issues on both but linked to Passenger Locator forms. Reception staff were a bit overwhelmed by people needing help. Generally these are no longer required (a few destinations may still need them but not many). Other than that, the bar, restaurant and cabin staff all brilliant. We are off on Azura on the 15th and can’t wait.

We had 3 P&O cruises last year, one Celebrity this year. RCI next week and Britannia in October.  We like NCL as well

 No real complaints about any of them. Go with an open mind. If you hate it. Cross it of the list for next time. Some of the negative comments are fron folk who haven't cruised for yonks.

[Trimone]

39 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Which ship and date are you looking at ?  If its Iona or Arvia there are pitfalls which can be explained, there's also a huge price differential for some cruises for select.

Azura in the canaries A311A, works out about £2k for a balcony? Is the superior worth the extra, also I couldn’t stand not being able to eat when I want too?

[Gettingwarmer]

1 hour ago, Trimone said:

Azura in the canaries A311A, works out about £2k for a balcony? Is the superior worth the extra, also I couldn’t stand not being able to eat when I want too?

Deck C has much larger balconies half covered half open. Superior have a larger interior including a sofa plus a large balcony which is totally uncovered. 

[Megabear2]

2 hours ago, Trimone said:

Azura in the canaries A311A, works out about £2k for a balcony? Is the superior worth the extra, also I couldn’t stand not being able to eat when I want too?

18 March 2023 - a deck C midship balcony is currently £2,738 with £110 OBC so to guarantee the C deck balcony with any time dining you are looking at a difference of £630 to guarantee it.

 

The early saver starting figure is between £1998 and £2098 for the standard balcony so position of the cabin makes little difference to the price. Again the deluxe has a difference of £720.

 

In your case if the mealtimes are a deal breaker then it is a risk regarding anytime dining.  There is normally a little flexibility on the allocated dining on a saver but there is no certainty you can change.  Having said that we have been lucky on all but one occasion in our allocation and have had freedom dining allocated on all but one cruise in recent cruises, however I'm told this is most likely to our registered preferences with P&O over a number of years.  

 

The current promotion which is running ends on 5 September. This could mean a better offering may commence on 6 September but it could also herald more price changes either up or down.  Overall it depends on how much of a gambler you are, either for the dining option or a possible new offer to your advantage. Hope that helps,.

[Mollag]

1 hour ago, Gettingwarmer said:

Deck C has much larger balconies half covered half open. Superior have a larger interior including a sofa plus a large balcony which is totally uncovered. 

But you’ll get thrown out because C deck is isolation zone aft at the moment 

[Gettingwarmer]

31 minutes ago, Mollag said:

But you’ll get thrown out because C deck is isolation zone aft at the moment 

Well book mid aft. 

[terrierjohn]

48 minutes ago, Mollag said:

But you’ll get thrown out because C deck is isolation zone aft at the moment 

 

16 minutes ago, Gettingwarmer said:

Well book mid aft. 

I thought mid aft was the quarantine zone?

[Gettingwarmer]

18 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

 

I thought mid aft was the quarantine zone?

I thought it was aft on D deck so there you go. Investigate and don’t book a cabin in a quarantine area. I’d be wary of any cabins 700 plus. 

Edited September 2, 2022 by Gettingwarmer

[Megabear2]

The OP was thinking of an early saver.  Apart from his dining needs it presumably would miss the quarantine zones as P&O would be in charge of the allocation.  Under those circumstances perhaps the deck D deluxe balcony would be his best option if he can overcome his worries on dining.

 

For the very big mark up between select and saver for this cruise it would be essential to know exactly which areas of the ship to avoid with quarantine cabins.  As far as I am aware no P&O ship has quarantine cabins mid forward or forward, unless of course anyone can advise me differently  ...

[Son of Anarchy]

19 hours ago, Trimone said:

How dangerous is it going for the early bird? Also if they choose your dining time can it be altered?

On two occasions when we booked early saver we didn't get the dining we requested (freedom).  On both occasions we spoke the Maitre D on embarkation day and were able to change to our preferred choice.  On one occasion we did have to wait 2 days for this to be sorted, but it was a Christmas & New Year cruise on Oriana.

[Fionboard]

Have been given early dining on a couple of occasions and never had a problem changing to late sitting. Think early sitting is more popular. 

[Trimone]

I’m going to book it….

[wowzz]

5 hours ago, Fionboard said:

Have been given early dining on a couple of occasions and never had a problem changing to late sitting. Think early sitting is more popular. 

Hmmm, not so sure about that. 

[terrierjohn]

11 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Hmmm, not so sure about that. 

Hmmm  I am, 1st sitting was always full, 2nd sitting not so. At least that was our impression over 3 cruise lines, P&O, Princess and Celebrity.

In fact Princess on Sapphire and Diamond had an extra 1st sitting in one of the 4 freedom restaurants, but it reverted to freedom afterwards.

Edited September 3, 2022 by terrierjohn

[wowzz]

7 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

Hmmm  I am, 1st sitting was always full, 2nd sitting not so. At least that was our impression over 3 cruise lines, P&O, Princess and Celebrity.

In fact Princess on Sapphire and Diamond had an extra 1st sitting in one of the 4 freedom restaurants, but it reverted to freedom afterwards.

John, you are up late !

You have much more experience than I do, so will withdraw my comment. 

Obviously it is a personal choice,  but we would hate first sitting.  Having to leave a sunny bar in order to get ready for dinner is a total anathema!   

[Fionboard]

11 hours ago, wowzz said:

Hmmm, not so sure about that. 

I am. 

[Trimone]

Booked superior balcony early saver, lets hope there's more atmosphere on board than NCL!

 

  

[wowzz]

52 minutes ago, Fionboard said:

I am. 

I suppose it is purely a personal preference. The possibility of being assigned early dining is one of the reasons we will never book a saver fare.

[Megabear2]

52 minutes ago, Trimone said:

Booked superior balcony early saver, lets hope there's more atmosphere on board than NCL!

 

  

Great. Hope you have a brilliant trip.