I thought you didn't like the last one? Now you booked one to... Majorca and all the touristy places? I look forward to your post cruise summary.
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Lets talk cruises
- Thread starter area51_for_psx
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By the end of it it was "fine."
The initial shock of Butlins at sea hit me.. lol.
My Mrs loves it for some reason.... I guess the British feel is still novel to her, she's never been to a holiday camp
Suddenly it all makes sense
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Happy wife happy life
There is something lovely about having everything you need in one place and then moving that "place" around to interesting locations.
Doing that on the ocean is somehow extra special.
My preferred solution is a yacht charter. Me, wife and kids on a 40' yacht. Plus I get to be in charge and be suitably ignored.
I totally get the attraction, but for me it's as much about the isolation and you just can't get that on a floating town.
Doing that on the ocean is somehow extra special.
My preferred solution is a yacht charter. Me, wife and kids on a 40' yacht. Plus I get to be in charge and be suitably ignored.
I totally get the attraction, but for me it's as much about the isolation and you just can't get that on a floating town.
Surprised how popular these appear to be to so many in here. I barely know anyone that's been on a cruise. It they have then they don't talk about it. I'm definitely in the "can't think of much worse" camp. It's the thousands of other people that would do my nut. No matter how big, I'd feel trapped so to speak. Also don't you catch the latest virus on these things? 
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Wife has just booked a Norwegian Fjords cruise on the Britannia in April 28, quite surprised as she didn’t seen overly enamoured with the Caribbean one we went on in December, must say it was a Fjords or Alaskan one as my next pick so I’m quite happy
I've just booked a Caribbean cruise on Britannia in November. It will be my 7th cruise (Previously 1 Azura, 5 Britannia). As you may have guessed, it's my favourite ship!
It might seem a bit sameish, but it really isn't, the crew move around so frequently that whilst I've kept in contact with some of them it's not often they stay on the same ship for too long, the islands and excursions are great with a lot of variety.
It might seem a bit sameish, but it really isn't, the crew move around so frequently that whilst I've kept in contact with some of them it's not often they stay on the same ship for too long, the islands and excursions are great with a lot of variety.
Back on Britannia in November aswell ( 28th Nov ) It was our first cruise ship ever and loved it, been on a few other ships since and just hoping it is how we remember.
I take it you guys like the Britannia, how did you find it compared to some of P&O's other ships, we did Caribbean on Arvia in December and I thought the ship although nice was just a bit large for my liking, hoping the smaller Britannia feels more cruise-like if you know what I mean?
I disembark on the 27th November, the frustration is that I will have to be out of the cabin by (I think) 09:00 on the 27th, I've then got the rest of the day on the ship with all the smug looking new arrivals! To be fair on the 13th November I'll get to be a smug new arrival, but it has to happen to everyone. People often say not to bother with the drinks package, especially now that the prices seem to have increased since 2 years ago, I think to make it worthwhile you have to be drinking spirits for the entire day. Wi-Fi I'll go with, I found that you can go with the basic package and with a UK (Home) VPN you can use the things that are blocked (TV, etc.), Freedom Dining is something I always get, makes eating in restaurants cheaper, unless you just want basic, buffet dining in Horizon.
It makes things far quicker and easier to pre-book a table in one of the restaurants, instead of being given a pager and having to wait up to 1 hour - Something my aunt and uncle refused to do and I saw them sat, looking miserable waiting for dinner in one of the bars!
You can save a few ££ booking excursions in advance, I did that previously and I found it a bit of a hassle when there can be entertainment the night before and you have to be up early for an excursion. If you get the chance it's always worth seeing the port shopping guide presentation - It may have changed, but it was in "The Studio" (Deck 7) With Steve's shopping guide the day before port. He reminded me of Mike Brewer! But he is usually around the port the following morning, in the shopping centre, and can advise people on the best prices and to some extent he will police the area, as with anywhere there is likely to be tourists using a foreign currency, scammers offering fakes, too good to be true, a lot of the shops welcome cruise people making sure people don't get scammed, ultimately it helps people know what they are buying is genuine, helping people trust the shops, in turn helps people trust P&O and other cruise liners. Whilst he isn't port security, so can't approach scammers, he knows the police in the port and I've seen him pointing scammers out to the port security and seen them chasing people away!
Any questions feel free to ask.
I've only been on Britannia and Azura. I've heard from others who have been on Arvia that it's just too big. I understandably know my way around Britannia quite well, which does make it easy to find things. I've also heard that on Arvia a lot of the new, niche features rarely get used, perhaps it's too ahead of its time!
I did Arvia in the Caribbean last Nov and cannot really fault the ship. Yes its has more people on board ( 5.5k I think ) but its a bigger ship so dont really notice it. Wouldn't say no to going on it again for sure.
We preferred the Atrium on Britannia, seemed more of a central vibe whereas Arvia was lacking to a degree, seemed too spread out over a few floors.
We preferred the Atrium on Britannia, seemed more of a central vibe whereas Arvia was lacking to a degree, seemed too spread out over a few floors.
Last Novemeber we used a company called ' Caribbean island tours, you save they benefit ' - highly recommend and also cheaper than P & O and they have never had anyone miss the ship.
If you are hanging around on the last day I highly recommend doing Beach to boarding excursion - so you get to spend your last day on Carlisle Bay, bbq type lunch provided and also shower facilities and then coach to airport. Best thing we have done on the last 2 Caribbean cruises.
Restaurant wise, normally do 2 nights at Beach House and book all the other speciality restaurants once and then a few MDR.
Ps. I be that smug git arriving