The Way Forward

[AngieT]

I too would love this site to keep going. I haven't had time to post on here for a while but I do read it regularly & it would be such a pity if it no longer existed.

[Stephen]

David

Don't even think of a shut down.

This site beats the pants of the others

[Dancing Queen]

Soooo Mr Boss Man are we staying

[david63]

It has never been about the time commitment on my part - nor the cost (thanks for the offer Ray but I will let you buy me a pint next time I am in the Red Lion - or do you frequent the Black Bull?) - but more about what you as members want (I also have to bear in mind what the other Moderators want to do and that has not been decided yet).

Whilst there have been about 50 responses that only constitutes about 5% of the membership - albeit probably the more active 5% of the membership - so does that mean that the other 95% don't want the site to continue or are just not bothered one way or the other?

My initial thoughts are to basically leave things as they are but do a bit of reorganising to make the site more encompassing of other cruise lines - but I am still thinking about it (and my head hurts )

[Ray Scully]

Daxid

Red Lion

Ray

[Delboy]

David

Don't think because of the number of replies, it means the 95% who have not replied do not want it to continue, more likely they have not seen thread when logging in, or have not logged in of late.

[johnds]

I don't post often but I read a lot. I would prefer the forum to continue and to continue without diversification. The fact that is focussed is a big plus for me and because of its origins that focus will be PandO. I wouldn't worry about the volume of posts - the quality is far more important. Focussed, relevant postings are what I am looking for. We have all seen on other forums those who post willy-nilly just to up their own and the site's post count. I would not like to see that intrude here. Sailing Saturday on Arcadia so back in 3 weeks
John

[Jacknian]

I think you've done an amazing job David, this forum is better than the P&O one was. I don't post all that often but I do like to read all about other peoples cruises and pick up ideas from others. Please keep it going if it's not too much trouble for you.

[arcadialover]

I have thought long and hard about my reply for fear of being shot down in flames. Firstly it is a great site, quick and easy to use and a vast improvement on the P&O one. Thanks to David for setting up the site up and to the mods as well. I would very much like to see it continue.

I decided to be brave after seeing the post about only 5% of people replying. I do feel that the site is quite clikey at times and may lead to some people feeling left out. I know sometimes I have tried to join in with the banter but my comments have gone nowhere/been ignored. This is possibly something that new comers have experienced and it has put them off posting. There are also a few characters on here and it took me awhile to try and understand their humour.. I decided to carry on rather than leave the site and I am glad I did.

These are just my thoughts but would love to see the good work in running the site continue.

[HK phooey]

I have thought long and hard about my reply for fear of being shot down in flames. Firstly it is a great site, quick and easy to use and a vast improvement on the P&O one. Thanks to David for setting up the site up and to the mods as well. I would very much like to see it continue.

I decided to be brave after seeing the post about only 5% of people replying. I do feel that the site is quite clikey at times and may lead to some people feeling left out. I know sometimes I have tried to join in with the banter but my comments have gone nowhere/been ignored. This is possibly something that new comers have experienced and it has put them off posting. There are also a few characters on here and it took me awhile to try and understand their humour.. I decided to carry on rather than leave the site and I am glad I did.

These are just my thoughts but would love to see the good work in running the site continue.

That's a real shame that you have felt like that Acardialover. I don't think it's cliquey but it does seem to be the same few people posting much of the time. I double dare you to join in LOTP, we need some fresh meat over there

[shoppers42]

I also hope the site continues. I check it most days and find it easy to use. Thank you for all the effort that has gone into it, it is very much appreciated.

[Barb44]

You have done a wonderful job providing us with this site David and I would like it to continue - it is much better than the old P&O one. I only post occasionally, if I need to ask a question or if I can offer any information/advice, but I usually log in twice a day. I have picked up lots of useful information about the ships and destinations and I would be sorry to lose this facility. I have had a look at other cruise forums but this one beats them all.

Barbara x

[Dennis The Menace]

Morning all.

I really hope you keep the forum going David. I'm a frequent visitor/ infrequent poster these days, but in terms of layout and technical reliability, I think it's the best forum out there and you do really well at keeping a sensible limit on things like photo's and tickers which can make threads on other forums longer than one of Stephen's friday morning jokes It's also great to see a sizeable pocket of the old P&O gang on here still and to be able to keep up, through your posts, with how you are all doing.

However, following the demise of the P&O forum, there are now a number of smaller forums like this out there. Consequently, I personally think you should play to your strengths if you are to avoid posting levels reducing further. Your key strength/selling point to me, particularly given how this forum came about, is that it's predominantly P&O. It's always been good to occasionally hear about members experiences of, and comparisons with, other cruise lines but maybe it's best left as it is - occasional. What seems to happen on other forums is that so many cruise lines are covered you end up with loads more threads but, overall, less posts due to people not being able to see the wood for the trees.

In terms of reversing that recent, and hopefully temporary, reduction in posts to the forum, I would be asking myself why all those members from the old P&O forum aren't posting. And, just as relevant, why even most of the "regulars" on here seem to post much less than they used to on the old forum. I'm sure different people have different reasons but, 10 months ago, there was this brilliant opportunity to improve what we had under P&O. And, as I say, technically it's a brilliant job. But, other than 1, possibly 2 trouble makers, I didn't see a lot wrong with the P&O forum other than those technical issues. But the moderation for example, has been visibly stepped up and whilst I was never censored (although I had a thread frozen due to others posts which, ironically, I only started to thank David for setting up the forum), the moderators sometimes comes across as "well it's our ball, we'll decide who gets to kick it the hardest". I don't know if that's changed but perhaps a "less is more" approach would help here.

Anyway, that all got a little longer than I intended at the beginning (blame the insomnia), but I really hope the forum keeps going and, that whatever changes you decide to make, the forum is the better for them. I'll keep popping in as long as its here thats for sure, and I hope my old P&O chums remain healthy and happy.

[Dennis The Menace]

Oh, and i don't think there is a quick and easy, one click, access to all the cruise reports/blogs. I think these are often the gateway through which new cruisers/members first access a forum so maybe a "quick link" in addition to the 'by ship' approach is needed?

[Silver_Shiney]

It has never been about the time commitment on my part - nor the cost (thanks for the offer Ray but I will let you buy me a pint next time I am in the Red Lion - or do you frequent the Black Bull?) - but more about what you as members want (I also have to bear in mind what the other Moderators want to do and that has not been decided yet).

Whilst there have been about 50 responses that only constitutes about 5% of the membership - albeit probably the more active 5% of the membership - so does that mean that the other 95% don't want the site to continue or are just not bothered one way or the other?

My initial thoughts are to basically leave things as they are but do a bit of reorganising to make the site more encompassing of other cruise lines - but I am still thinking about it (and my head hurts )

You started this thread a few days ago, but I've only just noticed it, and I visit the site several times a day!!

David, you are a top man and the way you have set this site up is marvellous. I have joined several other forums in the past but have never, anywhere else, encountered the warmth and acceptance I've been privileged to experience here. I feel I have made some genuine friends here.

Please do not close it down but, as others have said, it would be understood if you did. I, too, would miss it tremendously if it was to go. Thank you so much for taking the time to create it.

I notice two comments from people who have hardly posted at all but who have joined months ago - just because people don't post, doesn't mean the site isn't used.

True, I use mainly General Chat and LOTP but I frequently scan the general cruising topics and the Oceana section. Expanding the site more specifically into other cruise lines and, indeed, land-based holidays would be useful, but may make the menu system unwieldy.

Thank you once again, David.

[CaroleF]

I just wondered if there was some way to emphasize your post David. People are used to seeing messages at the top of the page that are there all the time and so maybe they haven't taken notice of your post about the future - don't know what you could do but I'm sure some of those more technical minded than me may have a suggestion. So, maybe, people come on here and go straight to the sections they usually read without noticing what's at the top of the page.

Just an observation about things that have been mentioned - I don't think this site is particularly cliquey - I did feel on occasions the old P&O site was. I'm much more likely to post on here as it seems to have "genuine" posts - in other words no-one posting trying to annoy others deliberately. I had another look at the Bolsover site and I just think they are trying to be all things to all people. I think one of this site's strength (apart from its technical brilliance!) is that is does mainly keep to P&O but that it also offers the opportunity to post about other ships. As someone says this site came from the demise of P&O's own site. When I look at Cruise Critic it tries to cover so many cruiselines it is such a muddle and there don't seem to be many posters on there offering the sort of information you can get on here.

Carole

[david63]

I just wondered if there was some way to emphasize your post David. People are used to seeing messages at the top of the page that are there all the time and so maybe they haven't taken notice of your post about the future - don't know what you could do but I'm sure some of those more technical minded than me may have a suggestion. So, maybe, people come on here and go straight to the sections they usually read without noticing what's at the top of the page.

This topic is at the top of every forum and also in your User Control Panel - I really cannot make it any more prominent.

[Silver_Shiney]

I just wondered if there was some way to emphasize your post David. People are used to seeing messages at the top of the page that are there all the time and so maybe they haven't taken notice of your post about the future - don't know what you could do but I'm sure some of those more technical minded than me may have a suggestion. So, maybe, people come on here and go straight to the sections they usually read without noticing what's at the top of the page.

I'm certainly guilty of that!

in other words no-one posting trying to annoy others deliberately. Carole

Well, maybe just one or two!!

[david63]

Oh, and i don't think there is a quick and easy, one click, access to all the cruise reports/blogs. I think these are often the gateway through which new cruisers/members first access a forum so maybe a "quick link" in addition to the 'by ship' approach is needed?

Just added a new feature "Topics list" which is what I think you were wanting

[Whynd1]

I would be very much in favour of this forum continuing, if those who moderate are happy to do so. It provides so much helpful information and I am very grateful to all who take the time to prvide answers to queries.
I only cruise 2 or 3 times a year with P and O so very often I do not have much to contribute but usually look at the forum 2 or 3 times a week.


Lindsey

[Mo2013]

I have hesitated before posting but have decided to air my view which I hope will not be pulled. I am sorry to say that I have not been welcomed here. Indeed I have been TOLD in abusive PMs that I am not welcome, that no-one is interested in me and that my posts have nothing of import. Nevertheless, I have tried to join in when and where I can but it is largely a waste of time because either my posts are jumped on or alternatively I am pretty much ignored and ultimately I have been put off from participating (I guess that was the idea). If that wasn't enough reason not to bother, I feel there is a clique of members who 'run the show', that is not to say there is anything wrong with certain people being prolific posters, it's more to do with the fact that they derail threads with inane comments and in-jokes/references that others do not 'get' and I feel that they are an exclusive group and I wonder if that puts others off. There must be a reason for the decline, and it would be interesting to know the reasons why some people have left, or don't bother joining in. Because of my personal experience I don't really care if the forum dies.

[Manoverboard]

As a Member ...

I would miss this site a great deal if it were to be discontinued, people leave else threaten to leave for a whole variety of reasons but there is nothing to prevent them returning at a later date of course as indeed some already have. I also think it would be good to see some more of the ' old ' regulars back on here. The way forward is very difficult of course as trends constantly change as Facebook and chums become the norm.

As a Moderator ... I would wish to advise that I am aware of a number of Members who amuse themselves, and others, with their exchanges and interventions but that I am NOT aware of a ' Clique '.

[emjay45]

Back on topic
After our first cruise I had withdrawal symptoms and joined the old P&O forum because it was a way of keeping in touch with cruising. So I was relieved to be pointed in the direction of this forum, when P&O decided their forum had to go. There’s no doubt this forum is far superior to the old one and any other I have checked out. You’ve done an excellent job David. I realise that it’s a lot of hard work for you and the moderators, but please don’t pull the plug.

Onelife
You really are one of life's nice people

[david63]

I have been out this afternoon so I have only just caught up with what has been going on and my initial reaction was to "pull the plug" right here and now.

I will sleep on it.

[Jacknian]

PLEASE don't do that David, the majority of people are more than happy with the forum as it is, only a couple of people with negative comments, and you can't please everyone !