2015 cruises with P&O

[Dark Knight]

we are looking at Baltic cruises, nothing else, as it is where Lady D wants to go for our anniversary
so I am comparing all the lines, today and this weekend, for 2015
so when I see PandO's Baltic cruises at a higher price than other lines, without a drinks package etc and going from SOTON, just to be clear for those who can't do anything else
then yes I think that as of now, PandO are overpriced, coz I can get a better deal on what I think is a better ship, for less money than PandO
now that may change when PandO adopt another give away pricing structure but that is a maybe

As of right now, they are overpriced in comaprison to what I can get elswhere

cant be anymore plain than that

[Quizzical Bob]

Some interesting developments in there. We're disappointed that Oceana will be the Mediterranean fly-cruise ship for the summer, that's one fewer vessel for us to exploit. There seem to be more transatlantic trips and some fresh ports added, Bermuda for example, but doesn't look likely that we shall ever have a chance to visit Newfoundland after our last debacle Adonia's excursions to South America from Barbados might be tempting though. I'm certainly not going to be fooled into booking anything at this stage though, I've been caught out once too often.

[katiecrunch]

What does anyone think of the 15/16 cruises released yesterday? We've pre registered for Adonia to the Caribbean and Amazon in Feb 2016 so fingers crossed. We're usually late bookers but don't think we'd have a chance of this cruise on Saver. Don't think I've ever booked a holiday so far in advance. Long countdown ahead!

[davecttr]

At least we have until the end of May for the 5% previous customer discount. For 2015 I fancy something including the greek islands. Last year booking for this year it was Italy and P&O beat Thomson for price. Next year Oceana has essentially the same itinery so i will be looking elsewhere for my fly cruise. Maybe even back with Thomson as Majesty is their only ship with reasonable single cabins.

My TA has been muttering about Royal Caribbean/NCL/Princess etc etc. I will see what deals they can come up with.

[towny44]

As a well known critic of P&O, especially their launch price policy, I have been pleasantly surprised with their offerings for 2015.
However I do find it strange that they price Oriana and Aurora at a higher rate than their newer bigger, and dare I say better equipped ships; this to me shows there are enough passengers prepared to pay a premium for these rather old fashioned but clearly well loved old ladies.
It is this premium price which DK seems to have picked up on, maybe if he checks the other P&O ships for 2015 I think he will find they are much cheaper and more in line with their main competitors, in fact they are dirt cheap compared to Princess prices for 2015.
We have no option but to book early and despite my former misgivings I am probably going to book a P&O cruise for 2015, however I do reserve the right to moan about this if P&O do discount my cruise substantially, well in advance of sailing date.

[davecttr]

As a well known critic of P&O, especially their launch price policy, I have been pleasantly surprised with their offerings for 2015.
However I do find it strange that they price Oriana and Aurora at a higher rate than their newer bigger, and dare I say better equipped ships; this to me shows there are enough passengers prepared to pay a premium for these rather old fashioned but clearly well loved old ladies.
It is this premium price which DK seems to have picked up on, maybe if he checks the other P&O ships for 2015 I think he will find they are much cheaper and more in line with their main competitors, in fact they are dirt cheap compared to Princess prices for 2015.
We have no option but to book early and despite my former misgivings I am probably going to book a P&O cruise for 2015, however I do reserve the right to moan about this if P&O do discount my cruise substantially, well in advance of sailing date.

It might be that the price difference is because P&O have two groups of ships for next year. The 'traditional' group with 3 dress codes includes Adonia, Arcadia, Aurora and Oriana. Then there is the 'casual' group including Azura, Britannia, Oceana and Ventura which have 2 dress codes. Perhaps they think tradional cruisers will move away from the casual group and are willing to pay more for the privilage of wearing a jacket!.

[Quizzical Bob]

As a well known critic of P&O, especially their launch price policy, I have been pleasantly surprised with their offerings for 2015.
However I do find it strange that they price Oriana and Aurora at a higher rate than their newer bigger, and dare I say better equipped ships; this to me shows there are enough passengers prepared to pay a premium for these rather old fashioned but clearly well loved old ladies.
It is this premium price which DK seems to have picked up on, maybe if he checks the other P&O ships for 2015 I think he will find they are much cheaper and more in line with their main competitors, in fact they are dirt cheap compared to Princess prices for 2015.
We have no option but to book early and despite my former misgivings I am probably going to book a P&O cruise for 2015, however I do reserve the right to moan about this if P&O do discount my cruise substantially, well in advance of sailing date.

It might be that the price difference is because P&O have two groups of ships for next year. The 'traditional' group with 3 dress codes includes Adonia, Arcadia, Aurora and Oriana. Then there is the 'casual' group including Azura, Britannia, Oceana and Ventura which have 2 dress codes. Perhaps they think tradional cruisers will move away from the casual group and are willing to pay more for the privilage of wearing a jacket!.

I would pay extra not to wear a jacket

[Gill W]

35 nights to Caribbean and USA on Oceana Feb 2016...... and we will have stopped working by then.

I'm thinking about it

I can thoroughly recommend that trip Gill - I did it two years ago the highlight being the New Orleans stopover - go for it

We're giving it serious consideration now.

Sometimes you see a cruise that is completely right - the right time, the right ship and the right ports, and this one feels absolutely right.

The right time - We are planning to stop work next year, certainly by September. I wanted some time at home to settle to our new life before we went on holiday, so February 2016 is a good time to go.

The right ship - I've had some of my best cruises on Oceana

The right ports - many ports are new to us, and I've been saying for ages that I'd like to go to a Florida theme park just once more ( we 'did' Florida a couple of times in the 90's), so might get the chance to do that from Port Canaveral.

We might go for an outside window cabin to make it suitable for our budget, but when everything is just right, we'd book sooner rather than later.

I will let you know what happens!

[Dancing Queen]

perhaps the phrase
initailly overpriced may be a more apt description
just priced up virtually the same cruise with Celebrity including s drinks package and it is cheaper per night than PandO
so does that make it over prices or not?

Well I was on FB shouting about all the new ports. Good god man what do you want. I counted ln excess of 36 ports that either they have never been to or have not visited for some time. After all the garbage which is thrown P&O's way, especially on here I think it is something to shout about.

So wait until near the end to book, but you can do that for any cruise line including Celebrity.

Some people p, like myself do not fly, or find it so much hassle it is not worth it so P&O is a godsend. It does what no other cruise line does it gives me cruising from th UK 12 month a year with a good choice of ship, at a good standard.

So when the company come out with something new and fresh I will shout it out so that everyone who has always shouted same as same as can eat their words.


Happy Cruising


Gan Canny

Dai

I think that is a little unfair Dai, there is very little garbage thrown at P&O on here, yes people have voiced their opinions about various things but nothing like some of the rubbish thrown around on facebook.

I haven't personally checked out the new ports but would be more than happy to accept you know what you are talking about with your extensive cruising experience but please don't suggest this forum is used to 'knock' P&O because that just isn't true, one or two might be a little vociferous but that is their prerogative, in the main I would say there are far more P&O fans on here than not.

At the moment P&O have stopped ticking the boxes for me so I choose to cruise with a different line that doesn't mean I dismiss P&O and I hope I will return to them at some point, I also try very hard not to knock them as I have had some wonderful cruises with them.

[towny44]

perhaps the phrase
initailly overpriced may be a more apt description
just priced up virtually the same cruise with Celebrity including s drinks package and it is cheaper per night than PandO
so does that make it over prices or not?

DK, Celebrity are not offering the free drinks package for 2015 yet.

[Gill W]

well I do consider an outside on Aurora at £128.50 per person per night over prices for the Baltic cruises
especially knowing it will drop significantly by the end of summer

The cruise I've been talking about, just priced it up for a larger outside cabin - works out at £92.50 per night.

Seems quite good to me?