Cutbacks on P&O - good or bad?

[Onelife]

Sorry for your loss Kaymar

[Manoverboard]

Heavens above ' Kaymar ' that is dreadful news, Mobietta and I warmly offer our condolences but wish it could be more.

[towny44]

My sincere condolences on your sad loss Kaymar.

[cruisin_duo]

Our sincere condolences Kaymar.

[screwy]

So sorry to hear your loss. Heartfelt condolences.

[CaroleF]

I'm so sorry to hear of your wife's death Kaymar. My husband died nearly three years ago and I went back on Aurora this last Easter for the first time, with one of my daughters. It felt odd not to have John there but the fact that we'd had two long cruises on the ship which had been so happy was a comfort. Maybe you too will be able to go back on a cruise one day. You will have many happy memories that you treasure I'm sure, as do I.

[paultheagle]

Sorry for your loss Kaymar.

[Stephen]

My sincere condolences Kaymar.

[Meg 50]

I will not be cruising with P&O again but just, somewhat selfishly, to put some perspective into many of the concerns expressed, my reason is very different.

My wife and I went "in Search of the Northern Lights" aboard Aurora in March. We both returned with covid, having successfully avoided it until then. Kath moved into long covid and died in hospital last week of severe heart and kidney failure.

Lack of facecloths, turndowns, cocktails? If only.

[Mervyn and Trish]

So sorry to hear that. Certainly makes worries about not getting a chocolate trivial.

[Eddie99]

I’m so sorry for your loss

[barney]

I think it is such a shame that P&O is trimming the bone so far now that it is losing the 'Wow' factor in order to cater for a different clientele.

You get what you pay for and personally I would prefer to pay extra if it means I enjoy the 'Wow' factor when I step aboard otherwise P&O starts to feel like Travelodge at Sea.

There is no doubt that they are appealing to a different audience.
I read recently that the average age on P&O has dropped to 46.
Loads more young people and loads more families.
In fact, my son and daughter in law are considering a med cruise next year as the costings are coming out less than the typical land based holiday that they would book.
That's with a six and three year old in tow.

[CaroleF]

If P&O are going to continue offering World Cruises and long cruises like the Circumnavigation of South America, 65 nights, which I did a few years ago, and the Canada/USA trips which tend to be about 30 nights, all of which are in term time, then they are still going to need us older cruisers who have the time and money to go on these cruises. I like many others don't want what's on offer on the huge new ships and probably those ships aren't suitable for the type of trips I mentioned. So they are going to have to give us some of the things we are used to seeing on a P&O cruise ship. Maybe all the long, in term cruises will gradually disappear.

[kaymar]

Thank you all for your kind words and condolences. Sorry, I didn't mean to deflect the thread, I was just feeling a little raw at the time.

Keith

[Onelife]

Thank you all for your kind words and condolences. Sorry, I didn't mean to deflect the thread, I was just feeling a little raw at the time.

Keith

Understandable Keith, not a position any of us want to find ourselves in….take care of yourself and may your pain ease in time.

[Mrs Shiney]

I have read all the comments with interest as I'm off on the Ventura tomorrow, my first cruise in 5 years, and my first as a solo passenger. Yes, there are cutbacks, but as I am now travelling alone, the alternative, which I have done, is a city break staying in a chain hotel, ok in the day, but eating in Nandos/Pizza hut type places for dinner, and sitting in my hotel room at night with less choice in the TV than I do at home. Will definitely be an improvement on that, particularly where the evenings are concerned.

[Stephen]

Hi Mrs Shiney

You'll be getting on as we get off.

Have a great cruise.

[Happydays]

Hi Mrs Shiney and Stephen
I'm joining Ventura today traveling with daughter and grandson! So a different type of cruise than when I'm with my husband. Will still enjoy it

[LadyPCruiser]

Not sure if this is a new additional cost but beach house wanted £9.50 per person cover charge ??

[david63]

Not sure if this is a new additional cost but beach house wanted £9.50 per person cover charge ??

There has always been a cover charge for the Beach House - it used to be £7.50 if I remember correctly

[Stephen]

And that doesn’t cover all items on the menu either.

[oldbluefox]

Cheaper though it is, on returning from a cruise we both said cruising is no longer a special and exciting holiday. The glamour has been taken out of it. Sad but true.

[david63]

Cheaper though it is, on returning from a cruise we both said cruising is no longer a special and exciting holiday. The glamour has been taken out of it. Sad but true.

I wouldn't totally disagree but is it perhaps also the fact of familiarity?

[oldbluefox]

Or are we talking about quality?

[Stephen]

Cheaper though it is, on returning from a cruise we both said cruising is no longer a special and exciting holiday. The glamour has been taken out of it. Sad but true.

I agree Foxy.
Unless your prepaid to pay a high premium with the more up market brands it’s fast becoming a Butlins at sea.