It's a little trick I know
Recent experiences of P&O
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
Last edited by Stephen on 24 Feb 2023, 15:43, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
He's non binary.
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
No I’m not, I’m straight as an arrow.
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
I forgot to say- another positive, wine waiters are back In the MDR and bar staff in bars all top class. Just like the old days. Draught lager choices bit limited though.
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
Hmmm.
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- Deputy Captain
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
On Iona at present, and it's probably 99% back to pre covid cruising, in fact apart from the occasional crew member, and even fewer passengers wearing a face mask, it business as usual.oldbluefox wrote: ↑24 Feb 2023, 14:06Pleased to hear you had a good cruise.
I think, as we come out of Covid, you just have to go with an open mind. The industry has had to face big changes and it is going to take a while before it is back on an even keel (no pun intended!). Meanwhile I feel it is just good to be back on open seas and enjoying the cruise ship experience.
John
Trainee Pensioner since 2000
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
Oh joy, wine waiters back in the MDR, great news.Pam + Neil wrote: ↑24 Feb 2023, 17:00I forgot to say- another positive, wine waiters are back In the MDR and bar staff in bars all top class. Just like the old days. Draught lager choices bit limited though.
I did save a bundle on our last cruise, as when a bottle finally arrived at the table we were well into the main cause. Then had to take any bottle that made in to the table up to the cabin..
Last edited by Ray B on 24 Feb 2023, 17:48, edited 1 time in total.
Don't worry, be happy
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
Yes good news about the wine waiters.
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
I’ll second that. I do like the odd drop of red.
Last edited by Stephen on 24 Feb 2023, 18:11, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
I would agree with Towny, it all seemed back to normal apart from evening turndown.
we didn’t really use the on board App to book anything as had club dining. When we want to go to the Beach House I just did this at the reception desk. I would like to see the port talks back as the staff on the tours desks had limited knowledge and just advised that we asked at Tourist Information once ashore.
we didn’t really use the on board App to book anything as had club dining. When we want to go to the Beach House I just did this at the reception desk. I would like to see the port talks back as the staff on the tours desks had limited knowledge and just advised that we asked at Tourist Information once ashore.
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
Coincidentally, I was talking with an old friend today who has come back from a Ventura cruise a little while back and they said that they were disappointed.
The things that they thought important, like no turn down and no photographers impacted their enjoyment.
They also thought that the meal sizes had decreased.
None of that bothers us in the slightest.
Horses for courses.
The things that they thought important, like no turn down and no photographers impacted their enjoyment.
They also thought that the meal sizes had decreased.
None of that bothers us in the slightest.
Horses for courses.
Empty vessels .. and all that
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
I agree Barney. Only the very poshest hotels service rooms twice a day and I can live without another chocolate. And we generally avoid the photographers as an expensive nuisance. As for food, well there's no shortage if you need more. Much better than wastage.
Last edited by Mervyn and Trish on 25 Feb 2023, 08:15, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
P.s. Do you prefer your horse for starter or main course?
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
I always thought that it was the little touches, like evening turn-down, pillow chocolates which has made cruising special…in accepting theses things are now disappearing are we now being moulded into accepting cruising does come with extras if you are willing to pay for them.
I feel theses things combined with specialty restaurants and pay for shows are a turning cruising into a two-tier system.
I feel theses things combined with specialty restaurants and pay for shows are a turning cruising into a two-tier system.
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
Onelife wrote: ↑25 Feb 2023, 09:56I always thought that it was the little touches, like evening turn-down, pillow chocolates which has made cruising special…in accepting theses things are now disappearing are we now being moulded into accepting cruising does come with extras if you are willing to pay for them.
I feel theses things combined with specialty restaurants and pay for shows are a turning cruising into a two-tier system.
Agree.
God that hurt
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
Not seen any "wine" waiters on Iona, but the table waiters do supply the wine list and take your wine orders, and it always arrives before your food. Only buy by the glass now, so no idea what they do with unfinished bottles.Ray B wrote: ↑24 Feb 2023, 17:47Oh joy, wine waiters back in the MDR, great news.Pam + Neil wrote: ↑24 Feb 2023, 17:00I forgot to say- another positive, wine waiters are back In the MDR and bar staff in bars all top class. Just like the old days. Draught lager choices bit limited though.
I did save a bundle on our last cruise, as when a bottle finally arrived at the table we were well into the main cause. Then had to take any bottle that made in to the table up to the cabin..
John
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
I would not class cruising as a "two tier" system (yet). If there were two fares one that was basic and one that included the extras then I would agree - and I have said this in the past that eventually that is the way things will go.Onelife wrote: ↑25 Feb 2023, 09:56I always thought that it was the little touches, like evening turn-down, pillow chocolates which has made cruising special…in accepting theses things are now disappearing are we now being moulded into accepting cruising does come with extras if you are willing to pay for them.
I feel theses things combined with specialty restaurants and pay for shows are a turning cruising into a two-tier system.
There have always been "optional" extras on a cruise - excursions and drinks to name two.
It is no different than on land - you go to a restaurant advertising three courses for £20 only to find that most options on the menu carry a surcharge.
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
I do agree with OL, the little touches he mentioned plus the ones over the years that we have lost, went to making a cruise feel that extra special.
I will go as far to say that the direction cruising is moving is replicating hotels on the Costas, the only difference being they float..
I know what you are saying OL, and I'm in your court.
I will go as far to say that the direction cruising is moving is replicating hotels on the Costas, the only difference being they float..
I know what you are saying OL, and I'm in your court.
Don't worry, be happy
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Re: Recent experiences of P&O
The only thing I would miss about the evening turn down is coming back to the cabin after the show and finding the curtains drawn, and a tidy bathroom with fresh towels. Would it be enough for me not to book? No. I'd be surprised if it returns . Once some of these little touches disappear I'd be surprised if they come back. Pleased about the wine waiters though. I'm going on the Aurora 4 night cruise with my daughter who's never been on a cruise ship. It'll be very interesting to see what she makes of it, what she thinks of the level of service. I've warned her she may be the youngest on our table - club dining - and she's into her 40s, just. I'll also tell her that the ambience on some of the larger ships will probably be very different. If she like it we may go again but with her 7 year old daughter which would mean the smallest ship we could go on with P&O would be Azura or Ventura. It looks as though Azura would be out unless I want to fly, which I don't at the moment. I've always preferred Azura to Ventura although I'm not sure why. Britannia, Iona and Arvia are too large for me, too much walking I'm afraid unless I consider taking a scooter. I have done that in the past before I had a knee replacement so I know how it all works. I think I could probably cope on Ventura without one but I'll see how I feel after being back on Aurora. We are taking a collapsible wheelchair just in case, but apart from boarding and disembarking it may not get used.
Carole
Carole