First time cruise with P&O - what are the chances of an upgrade?

Lobell

If a balcony is only going to cost ~£90pp extra, then I'd say it's defintiely worth paying it.

Formal dining is available in the main dining rooms every night (called Cinnamon and Saffron on Vetura, IIRC) but formal dress will only be required on 2-3 nights of the cruise (usually only on sea days rather than port days). IME, normal 'business' type suit is fine for fomal nights but more men do seem to go in for black tie on P&O than on other cruise lines I've sailed with.

There are other dining options if you don't facy the 'formal' 4 course dinner every night. The buffet is available every evening for casual dining and there are several speciality restaurants but these attract an extra charge. There are often special offers for the speciality restaurants. For example, we had lunch in East a couple of times for £5 per head for 3 courses which was exceptional value.

I recommend having breakfast in the main dining room as a pleasant change from the buffet. It doesn't cost anything and is altogether a more civilised experience than the buffet scrum (but I have issues with the buffet layout..it's by far my biggest criticism of Ventura which is otherwise a very nice ship).

travellerboy

If you have a Nationwide account, telephone -0800 11 88 55 they will be able to confirm your policy and check on its validity. You don't need to pay for the holiday via Nationwide account / card, you will have cover which ever way you pay.


Lounge suits are the norm for formal nights aboard all the cruise ship, tux's are in the minority these days, on many just a jacket is acceptable with or without a tie.

w211

Many thanks to all the contributors to this thread, it's much appreciated.

I'm sure the questions seem daft for seasoned cruisers, but I just want to make sure my first cruise goes well.

pelirocco

w211 wrote: »

Many thanks to all the contributors to this thread, it's much appreciated.

I'm sure the questions seem daft for seasoned cruisers, but I just want to make sure my first cruise goes well.

You should venture over to the forums on cruise critic

w211

Thanks, been having a look at that website, too. Plenty of useful info on there, too.

Though I'd ask here as well, to see members' opinions from a money saving perspective.

gettingtheresometime

InsideInsurance wrote: »

It depends what sort of person you are and where your trip is etc. Have been on a couple of cruises and to be honest outside of sleeping we spent almost no time at all in the cabin as we were either on excursions, eating in a restaurant, drinking in a bar, sunning on the deck etc.

travellerboy wrote: »

The argument that you only sleep there, is just kidding yourselves - cave living was an experience endured centuries ago.
Your overall cruise experience will definitely benefit from at least a window view but even better a balcony if you can afford the cost.

Well we went on a short cruise with P&O last year and apart from sleep all we did was wash.

Not sure if I could do an inside room but I certainly didn't stay in
the cabin to look at the world going by!

Katiehound

small point- maybe I have misread(!) - if you pay with a credit card I suspect you will be charged a handling fee.
Shop around for agents- you will usually get a better deal than booking direct- some discount or cruise miles for example. Worth a few phone calls- oh, and I would say pick a cruise specialist as they have both the knowledge and the discount.

Have a great trip
(Incidentally you are unlikely to have obscured vision from portholes- the obscured vision is generally when you have windows and there is a lifeboat parked outside!!)

w211

Credit/charge card, is 1.5% handling fee.

I paid for the deposit using a charge card. Have to decide whether to pay the rest using a debit card, or using the same charge card, and if the rewards are worth it.

I booked direct through P&O. I'd have thought it'd be cheaper to book directly through them anyway?

InsideInsurance

w211 wrote: »

I booked direct through P&O. I'd have thought it'd be cheaper to book directly through them anyway?

No, otherwise none of their agents would ever make any sales

They can be as cheap as going via an agent but it;ll rarely be the cheapest. Agents tend to be a little more likely to cut their margin to win the business.

If you've paid your deposit though this is all irrelevant