Food and dining on P&O ships

[Presto2]

20 minutes ago, Andy24v said:

You're missing the point.

If someone cancels leaving the space unfilled, then I have no problem with cancellation charge.

What I am suggesting is that if the place is filled with another booking, such as from a wait list, then P&O are not out of pocket, so the charge should be waived.

Sorry disagree with this one - that would mean that you could end up wandering around at night from select dining to select dining just to see if anyone has cancelled as the last minute.. It is so selfish to book a shed load of select dining venues and not turn up as had been happening. I feel really strongly about this. It is plain selfish and something I can't remember being an issue in the past before 2019. 

 

Sorry if I sound mean but sadly, some people need a deterrent to stop them messing the system up for everyone else. 

 

Having said that, reading Megabear's issue I do agree that there should be some occasions that can be classed as exceptional circumstances when someone has the authority to make the common sense decision and refund the money if someone cancels at the last minute. It should also be that the member of staff making the decision is supported for making that decision and not told off --- only P&O can do that.

 

It isn't really anything new when you think about it. All hotels I know have a deadline for someone to either pay in full or turn up. 

 

 

[Megabear2]

5 minutes ago, Presto2 said:

Sorry disagree with this one - that would mean that you could end up wandering around at night from select dining to select dining just to see if anyone has cancelled as the last minute.. It is so selfish to book a shed load of select dining venues and not turn up as had been happening. I feel really strongly about this. It is plain selfish and something I can't remember being an issue in the past before 2019. 

 

Sorry if I sound mean but sadly, some people need a deterrent to stop them messing the system up for everyone else. 

 

Having said that, reading Megabear's issue I do agree that there should be some occasions that can be classed as exceptional circumstances when someone has the authority to make the common sense decision and refund the money if someone cancels at the last minute. It should also be that the member of staff making the decision is supported for making that decision and not told off --- only P&O can do that.

 

It isn't really anything new when you think about it. All hotels I know have a deadline for someone to either pay in full or turn up. 

 

 

Assumedly when you wanted a reservation at a select restaurant while onboard if no availability when enquiring you were asked if you wanted to join any waiting lists, either with the restaurant or reception? Certainly on cruises in recent times that has been the case in my experience.  I assume when you say going from restaurant to restaurant you are saying you did this as you were hoping for a cancellation other than joining the waitlist?

 

Leaving my own case out of this as it is rather unique those that cancel even outside of the 24 hours do get their money refunded, they don't lose it.  They are then "fined" £10pp including it appears the Besch House where it exceeds the cost of their original booking.  Because of the demand you rightly describe other guests on the wait list are offered the reservations in the order they went on the list.  When they accept they are charged for the reservation.  At this point P&O are not out of pocket for anything but have acquired an extra £20 for that seat. 

 

The "selfish" people you refer to who don't turn up or advise in advance do lose their money and get fined as well,  however those trying to do the right thing and ensure those on the waiting list do get an offer or if no waiting list then the vacancy goes back to the restaurant or via the app are also punished and P&O make an extra profit for the people trying to do the right thing, ie stopping you hiking around the ship as you put it.

 

Actually in my conversation it was mentioned to me that there are actually minimal reservations across the whole fleet which are not reallocated almost at the point of a cancellation and this is intentional to stop people being disappointed and turning up hopefully at restaurants looking for the odd last minute no show of which apparently there are now very few.

 

Prior to 2019 there was apparently far less demand for extra pay venues - again not from me but in general conversation with P&O - and with the increase in demand they wanted to ensure a bottom on every seat available to sell.

[Presto2]

2 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Assumedly when you wanted a reservation at a select restaurant while onboard if no availability when enquiring you were asked if you wanted to join any waiting lists, either with the restaurant or reception? Certainly on cruises in recent times that has been the case in my experience.  I assume when you say going from restaurant to restaurant you are saying you did this as you were hoping for a cancellation other than joining the waitlist?

 

Leaving my own case out of this as it is rather unique those that cancel even outside of the 24 hours do get their money refunded, they don't lose it.  They are then "fined" £10pp including it appears the Besch House where it exceeds the cost of their original booking.  Because of the demand you rightly describe other guests on the wait list are offered the reservations in the order they went on the list.  When they accept they are charged for the reservation.  At this point P&O are not out of pocket for anything but have acquired an extra £20 for that seat. 

 

The "selfish" people you refer to who don't turn up or advise in advance do lose their money and get fined as well,  however those trying to do the right thing and ensure those on the waiting list do get an offer or if no waiting list then the vacancy goes back to the restaurant or via the app are also punished and P&O make an extra profit for the people trying to do the right thing, ie stopping you hiking around the ship as you put it.

 

Actually in my conversation it was mentioned to me that there are actually minimal reservations across the whole fleet which are not reallocated almost at the point of a cancellation and this is intentional to stop people being disappointed and turning up hopefully at restaurants looking for the odd last minute no show of which apparently there are now very few.

 

Prior to 2019 there was apparently far less demand for extra pay venues - again not from me but in general conversation with P&O - and with the increase in demand they wanted to ensure a bottom on every seat available to sell.

No we didn't do the wandering bit and didn't use the waitlist as this time we were able to book before. As you know it wasn't the same on a previous cruise. I have, however, heard and seen people turning up to see if there is availability and have been seated

 

TBH I think this discussion seems to be getting a bit heated as we express our opinions. Am not up for a heated debate and see no point. I've expressed my opinions as stated and you've stated yours. Let's leave it a that and agree to disagree.

[Megabear2]

1 minute ago, Presto2 said:

No we didn't do the wandering bit and didn't use the waitlist as this time we were able to book before. As you know it wasn't the same on a previous cruise. I have, however, heard and seen people turning up to see if there is availability and have been seated

 

TBH I think this discussion seems to be getting a bit heated as we express our opinions. Am not up for a heated debate and see no point. I've expressed my opinions as stated and you've stated yours. Let's leave it a that and agree to disagree.

I'm certainly not taking issue with your opinions and apologise if you believe that to be the case.  I think we both broadly agree if you book you should turn up or cancel.  The difference of opinion you expressed was actually with someone else not me and my reply to you was because I thought you believed those who cancelled to free up reservations lost their money which they don't.

 

 

[Presto2]

2 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

I'm certainly not taking issue with your opinions and apologise if you believe that to be the case.  I think we both broadly agree if you book you should turn up or cancel.  The difference of opinion you expressed was actually with someone else not me and my reply to you was because I thought you believed those who cancelled to free up reservations lost their money which they don't.

 

 

I'm just sulking and grumpy because I am back in the grey and gloomy. Want that Caribbean beach ⛱️ 

Edited February 20 by Presto2

[oAlgo]

Does anybody know what day of the week does Sindhu on Aurora change it´s menu?
On Britannia last year it was changing on Wednesdays or Thursdays on the cruise we did, not sure if that applies to every cruise or it counts from the day the cruise starts or what.
TIA

[seb530]

Can someone confirm if azura has fixed dining or only freedom?  If fixed what might be the latest slot?

 

thanks

[Ilovemygarden]

29 minutes ago, seb530 said:

Can someone confirm if azura has fixed dining or only freedom?  If fixed what might be the latest slot?

 

thanks

Azura offers both. Two dining rooms for freedom and one for fixed where the latest sitting is 8.30pm. 

[seb530]

17 minutes ago, Ilovemygarden said:

Azura offers both. Two dining rooms for freedom and one for fixed where the latest sitting is 8.30pm. 

Thanks

[Dave K]

We are booked on Arvia this Summer and my wife will be celebrating a milestone birthday. We would like to celebrate it with Champagne Breakfast, but i can't see anywhere on the cruise personaliser to book it before boarding. I have seen it is available as part of a celebration package where you get other things with it such as flowers, cake etc, but not available to book just Champagne Breakfast.

Does anyone here know if this is something that i can order once on board?

[Cruising Nomads]

The champagne breakfast can be booked before sailing date. It comes under the gifts section tasty treats and is £25.

[Dave K]

Thanks for the info. Will do it now.

[TigerB]

12 hours ago, Dave K said:

We are booked on Arvia this Summer and my wife will be celebrating a milestone birthday. We would like to celebrate it with Champagne Breakfast, but i can't see anywhere on the cruise personaliser to book it before boarding. I have seen it is available as part of a celebration package where you get other things with it such as flowers, cake etc, but not available to book just Champagne Breakfast.

Does anyone here know if this is something that i can order once on board?

 

As an alternative to the champagne breakfast in your cabin, you could have breakfast in Epicurean for £8.50 each. Although it's not on the menu, I reckon the Department Head or Restaurant Host could arrange for you to have a glass of bubbly each.

[Dave K]

Thanks TigerB, I think Mrs K would prefer breakfast in our cabin.

Always handy to know about Epicurean though.

[Acaila]

Hi folks, wee favour to ask.

Restaurant booking opens for our next cruise on Iona tomorrow and we still haven't decided on formal night venue.

We are cruising with two others including a newbie on their first time.   The other three of us did Chefs Table last time and it was fine, but I'm conscious that it looks a very similar menu again and the MDRs do things a bit fancier on formal night. 

 

Does anyone have a picture of an Iona formal night menu so I can help newbie friend make an informed decision?  Arvia presumably fairly similar too.  The only menus I can find online are normal days or special occasions.

[TigerB]

@Acaila, the food on the menus in the MDRs on Iona and Arvia are no different to those at the Chef's Table. The only difference being that the Chef's Table menu has paired wine suggestions on it.

 

The menu for the first formal night on our recent Iona cruise is within this post...

 

The menu for the second formal night is within this post...

 

 

[Acaila]

1 hour ago, TigerB said:

@Acaila, the food on the menus in the MDRs on Iona and Arvia are no different to those at the Chef's Table. The only difference being that the Chef's Table menu has paired wine suggestions on it.

 

The menu for the first formal night on our recent Iona cruise is within this post...

 

The menu for the second formal night is within this post...

 

 

Oh that's weird, I was sure it was different last summer because we could only get the beef wellington at Chef's Table.  Wine pairings certainly won't fuss us - 3 out of the 4 don't drink.  Thank you very much for the menus - definitely the MDR ones look to have some nice options.  I think we're all very much "it was fine" but it all depends on the newbie making the decision now :D.

[Leomins]

1 hour ago, Acaila said:

Hi folks, wee favour to ask.

Restaurant booking opens for our next cruise on Iona tomorrow and we still haven't decided on formal night venue.

We are cruising with two others including a newbie on their first time.   The other three of us did Chefs Table last time and it was fine, but I'm conscious that it looks a very similar menu again and the MDRs do things a bit fancier on formal night. 

 

Does anyone have a picture of an Iona formal night menu so I can help newbie friend make an informed decision?  Arvia presumably fairly similar too.  The only menus I can find online are normal days or special occasions.

We were on Arvia for 2 weeks in January. The first formal night we went to the MDR and had Tiger’s menu 1 above. The second formal night we went to the Chef’s Table and had the beef wellington. The people next to us said they had been to Chef's Table both weeks and the menu had been the same both weeks.

 

Overall, the service was better in the MDR, more relaxed.

[Mama.nurse]

Hi,

I am going on my second cruise in June with my parents , the husband and the toddlers. Our first cruise last year was just a 4day Arcadia so just me and the husband. More of a cocktail recky. 

I'm a very fussy wine drinker, I go to specialist places to buy wine at home. BUT....I have seen that the glass house serves my drink! Sweet white wine moscato. We won't be eating in this restaurant. I will be going to sindu with my mum one evening and epicurean one evening possibly. But the rest of the time just the main restaurant. Who will I have to speak to to make this wine available in another restaurant, or even bars so I can have a glass of the children decide they want to go in the kids club?

It will be a shame if they sell it and I am not able to drink it unless in the restaurant. I checked the room service and they don't do that bottle on the menu. My dad is so excited to be able to buy me a bottle of wine with dinner (it's 5.5%) just hoping we can get it throughout the cruise. 

[Thedonkeycentrehalf]

You can visit the Glass House just for drinks, no need to eat there.

[Mama.nurse]

2 minutes ago, Thedonkeycentrehalf said:

You can visit the Glass House just for drinks, no need to eat there.

Oh perfect I didn't realise!! This is great news. 

Can children sit for drinks in there too? I have never done a cruise with the children. 

[Denarius]

37 minutes ago, Thedonkeycentrehalf said:

You can visit the Glass House just for drinks, no need to eat there.

Indeed.

When originally introduced on Azura, The Glass House was most definately a drinking establishment first and foremost. A wine bar, a more upmarket alternative to Brodies pub. Its selling point was that it featured wines specially chosen by Olly Smith which were not available elsewhere onboard and that all were available by the glass as well as by the bottle; hence Glass House. Light meals and snacks were available but dining was not its prime role, unlike nowadays when it appears to be prioritised.

[Mama.nurse]

8 minutes ago, Denarius said:

Indeed.

When originally introduced on Azura, The Glass House was most definately a drinking establishment first and foremost. A wine bar, a more upmarket alternative to Brodies pub. Its selling point was that it featured wines specially chosen by Olly Smith which were not available elsewhere onboard and that all were available by the glass as well as by the bottle; hence Glass House. Light meals and snacks were available but dining was not its prime role, unlike nowadays when it appears to be prioritised.

This is really helpful thank you. Sounds like the sort of place we will really like if it has that kind of ambience. We didn't really like the pub atmosphere on arcadia. We preferred the Intermezzo and crows nest hopefully it will be the same, just hoping the children are allowed so we can have a pre dinner drink in there. 

[Mama.nurse]

16 minutes ago, Denarius said:

Indeed.

When originally introduced on Azura, The Glass House was most definately a drinking establishment first and foremost. A wine bar, a more upmarket alternative to Brodies pub. Its selling point was that it featured wines specially chosen by Olly Smith which were not available elsewhere onboard and that all were available by the glass as well as by the bottle; hence Glass House. Light meals and snacks were available but dining was not its prime role, unlike nowadays when it appears to be prioritised.

Could I buy a bottle and not have it open so I can take it to the main restaurant for dinner and have them open it? I wouldn't want walk around with an open bottle. Especially with a 2 and 3 year old it wouldn't look very nice. 

[Fionboard]

11 minutes ago, Mama.nurse said:

Could I buy a bottle and not have it open so I can take it to the main restaurant for dinner and have them open it? I wouldn't want walk around with an open bottle. Especially with a 2 and 3 year old it wouldn't look very nice. 

Don't see why not as long as you have proof you bought it on board (otherwise they charge corkage). However, some ships' MDRs do not keep wine for next night so if you don't drink the whole bottle you will have to carry it away!