Will we enjoy P&O After Cunard?

[Norfolk Brit]

Hello, refugee from the Cunard boards here and we're are looking at the May Baltic cruise on Arcadia. Our cruising experience is limited to Cunard, and we are wondering what differences we can expect to find. And what is the up to date smoking policy on board? (PLEASE don't make me feel bad by discussing the pros and cons of smoking and all falling out with each other;) ).

 

Thanks. Oh, and I see Mufi, aka David, is on here; his advice should be rather useful:).

 

Mary

[Morgans]

We have sailed with Cunard and also P & O - quite happy with P & O so much that we have another cruise booked for next year. We enjoy both lines very much. The food is excellent as well as the entertainment and service very good too. I haven't been on Arcadia yet so can't say much about it but we find the P & O experience to be commendable.

[daiB]

Hello, refugee from the Cunard boards here and we're are looking at the May Baltic cruise on Arcadia. Our cruising experience is limited to Cunard, and we are wondering what differences we can expect to find. And what is the up to date smoking policy on board? (PLEASE don't make me feel bad by discussing the pros and cons of smoking and all falling out with each other;) ).

 

 

 

Thanks. Oh, and I see Mufi, aka David, is on here; his advice should be rather useful .

 

Mary

 

 

Hi Mary,

 

A number of points, however how you percieve P&O might depend on what you liked about Cunard.

 

Food

 

Gererally good, I find it excellent. Certainly produced to meet British tastes. Silver Service on Arcadia, in the main restaurant. Arcadian Rhodes is excellent but carries a £15 extra cost. Lunch in the main restaurant is very British Fish & Chips, crumbles, Spotted Dick etc. Also because of the largley Indian/Goan Crew plenty of Curry

 

The Ship

 

Well of course Arcadia was going to be Queen Victoria. Fair sized cabins and some nice rooms and a good spa. However it famously has a very subdued Atrium. Good Pub

 

All prices on board are in £'s and the Booze is cheaper than Cunard, I understand. Beer, Spirits etc at pub prices, not city centre. Wine from about £11.00.

 

Rear cabins are very good and have bigger balconies and great views aft. Great for sail away parties.

 

I have heard that the entertainment is better on P&O. This is hearsay as I rarely go and have not been on Cunard, spending much of my time in the casino.

 

The Dress Code is generally well observed especially on Formal nights with 95-99% of gents in DJ's.

 

I am sure specific questions would give you more exact information.

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

 

:cool:

 

Dai

[daiB]

Mary,

 

Forgot to say about smoking. Generally port side on open decks, some public rooms, not many and cabins.

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

:cool:

 

Dai

[merecat]

Haveing sailed on both ,I would say Cunard have the slight edge on everything except evening entertainment.:)

[jenniwreni]

Haveing sailed on both ,I would say Cunard have the slight edge on everything except evening entertainment.:)

 

this is good to note for me, as I have no complaints whatsoever about the evening entertainment ive seen on Cunard, so it bodes well for our maiden P&O cruise next year!!

 

Jenni

[The REAL Sir Martin]

Thank you very much indeed for your informative and helpful replies. We have now booked the Baltic Cruise in May and are greatly looking forward to it.

 

Regards, Mary

 

PS Dai - have read your review and very much enjoyed it. Nice bits of humour included as well:). Thanks again.

[daiB]

Thank you very much indeed for your informative and helpful replies. We have now booked the Baltic Cruise in May and are greatly looking forward to it.

 

Regards, Mary

 

PS Dai - have read your review and very much enjoyed it. Nice bits of humour included as well:). Thanks again.

 

 

I knew I liked you:D , but could not work out why:D. Now I know:D

 

 

 

 

:) Happy Cruising

 

 

 

:cool:

 

Dai

[mufi]

Apart from the practical points (see my posting in another thread) one of the big differences is with the passenger mix, which is practically 100% British on P&O. On Cunard you will find passengers from all over the world; the world flocks to QM2!! Personally I like the international mix better, and find talking to other nationalities more interesting. We shared a table with a delightful German couple on QE2 who told me more than I ever could have known about Germany and German life.

 

This would not prevent me choosing P&O again. We hope to return to both in the future.

 

David.

[tom_uk]

Apart from the practical points (see my posting in another thread) one of the big differences is with the passenger mix, which is practically 100% British on P&O. On Cunard you will find passengers from all over the world;

 

I suppose that would have been true historically as well, before the cruising era: Cunard was the line linking the UK (and other European countries) to North America, while P&O was essentially engaged on 'British Empire' business.

[Norfolk Brit]

Apart from the practical points (see my posting in another thread) one of the big differences is with the passenger mix, which is practically 100% British on P&O. On Cunard you will find passengers from all over the world; the world flocks to QM2!! Personally I like the international mix better, and find talking to other nationalities more interesting. We shared a table with a delightful German couple on QE2 who told me more than I ever could have known about Germany and German life.

David.

 

Thank you David; we booked already aware of that (shared a table on QE2 with a fervent P&O enthusiast). Agree with you that we prefer an international mix; particularly good for Anglo/American relations as we have met some absolutely wonderful trans-Atlantic cousins. However, I draw the line at the French Canadians we shared with on QM2; came from a tiny island off Canada, and spoke no English. Very challenging to my out of date failed O Level French.

 

Regards, Mary

[Host Sharon]

I have found the service on P&O has the edge on Cunard, but have only traveled on Caronia and QE2, not QM2. Otherwise there is not a huge difference between them, oh and after dinner chocolates - MUCH better on Cunard.