P&O Cruises

We’ve had a short Iona cruise , the dress rehearsal one before it’s maiden voyage - just up and down the Solent. We really liked it. But then unlike lots of other posters we really like the bigger ships. It feels more spacious, lots of different places to walk around and to discover etc.
We’ve also been on Ventura but 10 years ago, loved that too and just before lockdown one of the ships beginning with A. Can’t remember which one but it wasn’t the adult only.
I quite like the family oriented ones as it gives a good mix of ages.
We are planning to have another cruise later this year and will be very happy to continue travelling with P and O.
Added bonus for us it we only live 30 minutes along the coast from Southampton so tend to choose cruises which sail from there.

My sister and her OH used P&O for years and would agree with your findings, they are now booking with other companies.
They live close to Southampton too.

Try Azamara or best of all Viking Ocean. Expensive at first sight but no extras to pay. Wine/soft drinks/beer included. Tips included and a tour at every port. No photographers, casino, art sales etc etc etc.

Haven't been on a cruise for some time , when we have gone we have always used P &O. Our last cruise was 5 years ago and standards had definitely dropped! We used the restaurant at breakfast as we preferred table service rather than battle at self service area, and then have difficulty finding a table.
Dinner was ok - just ! Not a patch on previous cruises , service was no where near as professional as we had expected. Getting off the ship was an absolute nightmare , crowds queuing for ages. Staff seemed to have lost their professional attitude. If we go again it will not be with P&O.

Thanks for your replies. Think I will have a look at alternative cruise lines, preferably ones that go from Southampton.

We have been on many P and O cruises, the last one at the end of last year on Arcadia. She is really showing her age now. Food and staff were fine, but we were surprised at how old ALL the passengers were! We were by far the youngest on board (mid sixties). I’d say the average age was 75. Many a lot older! Having said that we’re back on her in August!
Princess cruises are very good, not so formal as Cunard.

As an islander and one of roughly 20,000 people living here who can expect between 100,000 and 200,000 visitors from cruise ships, several being multi-storey, each year , I would like to suggest a plea for moderation. Some of the smaller cruise ships, like Jules Verne, have less impact on the environment.

I know what you mean seadragon. We were shocked at some of the colossal cruise ships we saw last year in the Mediterranean. 6000+ passengers. They absolutely swamped some of the ports. A nice thing about the smaller ships is that they can anchor in smaller places rather than the depressing docklands that large ships have to use.

A seasoned cruiser told us that if she won it in a raffle she’d give it back!

I was on Azura earlier this year flying to the Canaries. Although the ship’s a bit tired very comfortable and food good much better than MSC Virtousa. Also being on my own found it very friendly.

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Shez1955

I was on Azura earlier this year flying to the Canaries. Although the ship’s a bit tired very comfortable and food good much better than MSC Virtousa. Also being on my own found it very friendly.

Agreed. Azura was our first P&O cruise, this March. It was a quiet ship, good service. The food was not quite as spectacularly good as previous cruises with Celebrity, but I think all the cruise companies are trying to make up for the appalling losses of covid and lockdown. We enjoyed it. MSC is awful. PM me if you wish x

I did a P and O cruise and personally was a little disappointed with it. Ship a bit tired but it was some of the passengers that were the problem with not the ship or crew, I felt sorry for some of the youngsters doing the job which is hard enough..

I’m currently sitting in a cafe in Corfu Town. We’re on the Azura. I’m impressed with it so far. The food isn’t amazing but more than acceptable. There’s a lot to do and the entertainment is excellent and varied. Cruises aren’t what they were and never will be again unless you go on the more expensive cruise lines such as Seabourn. P and O like other lines have made cuts to keep the prices affordable. This means less luxurious food and cuts in certain services. We are happy to accept this but maybe some passengers are not.

Are the other passengers being reasonable? Maybe aonk was unlucky with the passengers on her cruise?