P&O's great British sailaway

[Ray Scully]

Is this a Marmite event?
I steer clear of it, but many thoroughly enjoy it. Friends new to P&O who I would have thought it a little too low brow for them found it extremely enjoyable.

Ray

[barney]

I steer clear as well Ray but respect the rights of those who do enjoy it to enjoy it.

All a bit 'Butlins at sea' for me, being a ten bob millionaire and all that

[Frank Manning]

The biggest cringe for me is waving the union flag, singing 'Rule Britannia'. On an American owned ship, registered outside the UK, which has only a vestige of P&O left; in the house flag. I took some good video of Aurora's sail into Gib at the end of May when Leon did his best, but we shouldn't be churlish about it, better to do that than do nothing at all, and it is at least a happy thing to do.

[qbman1]

It is definitely not everyone's cup of tea, which is fine, but there are many people who enjoy it and really enter into the spirit. It is good that all tastes are catered for on board and, if anyone doesn't like the Sailaways, they know what to do! Me, I can take it or leave it but it is usually a bit of fun.

[qbman1]

The biggest cringe for me is waving the union flag, singing 'Rule Britannia'. On an American owned ship, registered outside the UK, which has only a vestige of P&O left; in the house flag.

I don't find that a problem, Frank. What does it matter where the registered owners are or where the ship is registered? The Ents team are mostly British, the passengers are mostly British so it would be a bit odd if they handed out Bermudian flags and burst into a chorus of The Star Spangled Banner !!

[Not so ancient mariner]

Since the ships still fly the Red Ensign rather than the Bermudan version thereof, are you sure the 'Hamilton' that is painted on the stern, is not the one in Scotland? Agreed that the house flag is the only vestige of P&O left. otherwise they look like part of the Blue Funnel Line fleet.

[qbman1]

Point of order, AM. As a British Overseas Territory, ships registered in Bermuda are entitled to fly the Red Duster

[Ranchi]

Hell of a sail that far up the Clyde NSAM! Need a pretty good pilot!

[GillD46]

It isn't our "thing" but we accept others really enjoy it. As has already been said, we all like different things and that can surely only be good? It's just not for us.

[Silver_Shiney]

The Sailaway does nothing for us, and we avoid it but accept that others get a great deal of pleasure from it and would not wish to deprive them of that. We've always considered the one out of Gib to be more symbolic, giving a two-finger salute to the Spanish!

[Onelife]

I have partaken in such things in the past but as I don't now know what it is to be British anymore I can't see the point in waving stupid flags around

[Gill W]

I think people over analyse it too much - it's just a bit of light entertainment, that's all.

From reading the forums, there seems to be a tendency to disparage the Great British sailaway, as too down market, too low brow or too jingoistic.

Yet on board, it seems wildly popular. I reckon most of the people who 'knock' sailaways on line, once they are on board go along to the poolside anyway, and have a great time!

To my mind, it's not about being proud to be British, looking down on Johnny Foreigner on the ship next door, blah, blah - it's just a bit of fun.

My particular favourite is when they do 500 Miles by The Proclaimers. (but don't tell that Scottish journalist chap!)

[Dark Knight]

Not my thing, but lots of folk enjoy them, so why not

[Mervyn and Trish]

We enjoy a good sailaway and can't abide karaoke or bingo. Your pays your money etc. And if you really can't stand being within 50 miles of a sailaway, other cruise lines are available......

[Dark Knight]

most do them I think , Merv
maybe not as loudly as Pando

[Kenmo1]

Love them and always join in the singing. Always bring the flags home for the grandchildren of our neighbours. I missed them on our recent cruise as they didn't seem to do them on the Caribbean Princess.

Maureen

[Manoverboard]

We did enjoy it some fifteen years ago but it seems to have worn a tad thin .

So, if anybody shares our cruise and wants our free glass of Bubbley vouchers plus a couple of cheapo plastic flags just ask.

[Mervyn and Trish]

We'll take the vouchers. You can keep the flags...

[Manoverboard]

Sorry, but they come as a set ...

[Mervyn and Trish]

Okay. I can always stick the flags on EBay

[Dancing Queen]

Not my cup of tea but I don't have a problem with those who do enjoy them.

[Stephen]

Yes it is a bit over rated. Champaign or whatever it is, is silly money @£7.50 a glass, but fortunately we now qualify for the freebie voucher. If it's free I'm having it

[brillo]

Highly enjoyable bit of fun,
even better if it upsets some of the stick in the muds on here.

I don't enjoy ballroom dancing, but I don't come on forums complaining about it.

[Stephen]

Highly enjoyable bit of fun,
even better if it upsets some of the stick in the muds on here.

I don't enjoy ballroom dancing, but I don't come on forums complaining about it.

[towny44]

On a hot sunny day out of a pleasant port, like Valletta, with all the typical sailaway standards being played, and the entertainment team throwing their heart and soul into it, I find it enjoyable to watch.
Over on CC quite a number of Americans say they love watching P&O sailaways in the Caribbean and wish their lines did something similar.