P&O

[millyman]

Can anyone tell me what P&O is really like....cruise wise. I've just been looking at some cruise videos taken onboard Oriana and i have to say it looked like fun. I've always imagined P&O and especially the Oriana to be a bit stuffy....no fun....boring...with lots of very old people onboard. Sorry the last remark may sound offensive but it's not mean't to be.....as i'm not that young myself...foxes_279....but older people like peace and quiet...or do they??? These things have put me off looking at 2 week cruises with P&O but maybe i'm wrong. Last year we were docked in Gibraltar along side the Oriana and i have to say they looked like they were having more fun on their British ship than we were on our American one. It was because of their cheering and flag waving we had a memorable sailaway....the best of the cruise. Don't get me wrong i'm not a party animal who likes to stay up to see the sun rise but i do like to have a bit of fun. So if anyone out there has cruised P&O can you please put me right.....smilesmi

[sueB]

Trish.....one of the reasons I'm doing a mini cruise on Aurora in June is to get a "feel" for P&O! foxes_279
I find it hard to judge these things. Ocean Village is advertised as being for 30-50 year olds. Well the majority of people when I went were over 50 and virtually all had cruised before! eeksmi
I'm also giving Fred.Olsen a try in August......again to get a feel.....no doubt soon I'll try Saga foxes_279

[Gerry]

Really difficult to answer as different people have different requirments.

I much prefer the 'Britishness' of the P&O ships to the American ship I have been on (Summit), I hope that doesn't sound snobby as that is not the intention at all.

I love the sailaways, it can get a bit corny, but a few glasses of bubbly or beer makes you forget about that! I think the the food is fantastic and superior to Celebrity which is meant to be a higher rating of ship. I found the American ship to be more 'slapdash' in their approach to waiters whereas on P&O the guys and gals serving seem to genuninely care about the service they provide.

P&O?, I can only comment on Oceana, but I think it is great fun, but I have heard that some other P&O ships (Artemis) attract an older customer and therefore may not have the 'fun' factor.

I must say that I am not trying to say that Celebrity was anything but great and I would not hesitate to go with them again, just prefer P&O.

I am looking forward to my Ventura trip in July and I just hope that this huge ship can somehow still have a small ship atmosphere.


Gerry

[Cruise Fairy]

Personally I'd like to try them all and form my own opinion...smilesmi
We had a fantastic cruise on Holland America's Zuiderdam- it wasn't until after I got back that I read some reviews about how all their clientele was on walkers- and everything closed down at 9pm- I saw a few walkers, as I have on each cruise, but we had a great time with lots of night life and fun.
WE also won at Bingo 3 times, it was getting embarrassing (which I NEVER DO) so look back fondly on that cruise!
The one 'stuffy' thing I see about P&O cruiser board discussions is the very formal dining situation, I much prefer a leisurely approach to dining, I am looking forward to 'anytime' on every ship, with just one formal dinner for those that love that sort of thing. One day I'll sail with them and let you know.

[millyman]

Thanks for your views.....smilesmi...i suppose you just have to try them and decide for yourself....foxes_279

[P1TKL]

Can anyone tell me what P&O is really like....cruise wise. I've just been looking at some cruise videos taken onboard Oriana and i have to say it looked like fun. I've always imagined P&O and especially the Oriana to be a bit stuffy....no fun....boring...with lots of very old people onboard. Sorry the last remark may sound offensive but it's not mean't to be.....as i'm not that young myself...foxes_279....but older people like peace and quiet...or do they??? These things have put me off looking at 2 week cruises with P&O but maybe i'm wrong. Last year we were docked in Gibraltar along side the Oriana and i have to say they looked like they were having more fun on their British ship than we were on our American one. It was because of their cheering and flag waving we had a memorable sailaway....the best of the cruise. Don't get me wrong i'm not a party animal who likes to stay up to see the sun rise but i do like to have a bit of fun. So if anyone out there has cruised P&O can you please put me right.....smilesmi

We`ve never been with P & O but have sailed with Fred. We were warned by people that it was not suitable for children as it was mostly older folk. However we had a great time - loads of entertainment for us and the kids and the older folk joined in ! So I don`t think you`ll ever know until you try it yourself really - people have such differing opinions about what they want from a cruise. Another reason we enjoyed Fred is that we were upgraded to a suite - the cabin had a name not a number ! The steward brought us canapes fruit and champagne every day at 4pm - it was fab !!

[millyman]

What!!! a better upgrade than mine....24smi

Your so right....just try them and decide for yourself as what pleases one family doesn't please another.

[sueB]

We`ve never been with P & O but have sailed with Fred. We were warned by people that it was not suitable for children as it was mostly older folk. However we had a great time - loads of entertainment for us and the kids and the older folk joined in ! So I don`t think you`ll ever know until you try it yourself really - people have such differing opinions about what they want from a cruise. Another reason we enjoyed Fred is that we were upgraded to a suite - the cabin had a name not a number ! The steward brought us canapes fruit and champagne every day at 4pm - it was fab !!

Sounds good Tricia......which Fred ship was it? I personally think trying different companies is good. Also different size ships etc. I believe all cruises, companies, ships have something different to offer which is one reason why cruising is so appealing. smilesmi Many people though are happy with a certain ship or company and I can also understand why they are happy to stay loyal! whistlesmi

[P1TKL]

Sounds good Tricia......which Fred ship was it? I personally think trying different companies is good. Also different size ships etc. I believe all cruises, companies, ships have something different to offer which is one reason why cruising is so appealing. smilesmi Many people though are happy with a certain ship or company and I can also understand why they are happy to stay loyal! whistlesmi

Black Watch

We have never been with the same company twice yet and have often said if we could take the best bits from each ship and put it all together we would have the perfect cruise 1

[P1TKL]

Sounds good Tricia......which Fred ship was it? I personally think trying different companies is good. Also different size ships etc. I believe all cruises, companies, ships have something different to offer which is one reason why cruising is so appealing. smilesmi Many people though are happy with a certain ship or company and I can also understand why they are happy to stay loyal! whistlesmi

Black Watch

We have never been with the same company twice yet and have often said if we could take the best bits from each ship and put it all together we would have the perfect cruise

[P1TKL]

[QUOTE=millyman;33040]What!!! a better upgrade than mine....24smi

Fraid so ! Dont think we`ll ever be that lucky again - trouble is it spoils you for your future cruises ! It was really funny as friends that the boys made thought we were really posh when they came to our cabin !!!

[sueB]

Wendy has a soft spot for Black Watch. I was due to sail on her last December but the mini cruise was cancelled madsmi After a few strongly worded letters I received a good discount off another mini cruises and so am going on Balmoral in August smilesmi If I enjoy Fred I hope to do Black Watch at sometime.

Trish......if we enjoy our Weekender with P&O we'll put them on out "must do" list for a longer cruise foxes_279

[sparkieplug24]

Wendy has a soft spot for Black Watch. I was due to sail on her last December but the mini cruise was cancelled madsmi After a few strongly worded letters I received a good discount off another mini cruises and so am going on Balmoral in August smilesmi If I enjoy Fred I hope to do Black Watch at sometime.

Trish......if we enjoy our Weekender with P&O we'll put them on out "must do" list for a longer cruise foxes_279

Trish as a younger member of this forum whistlesmi. I will let you know what I think when I come back in July but I think like everything it depends on the ship not just the company

[Lynn Knickers]

I have been on Oceana twice. Once on a translantic cruise which ended in Barbados, and the second a year later was on a med cruise. I have to say that the ship was nice clean, not stuffy at all.The food was very nice. The Restaurant manager Alan (small camp one) was really nice and friendly. The cabins nice, clean. The waiters and cabin stewards were excellent. The only problem was a small minority of "Older" people who constantly complained about silly things like not having "British" desserts like Jam Roly Poly, and Tapioca etc etc. Awful people. A few of these awful people were very rude to the waiters and that above anything else that really really annoys me. Call me what you want, I think that the waiters and cabin stewards work soooooo hard that the last thing they want is a "Tally-Ho" type idiot giving the poor crew a hard time. It really pi**es me off. The same people who complain all the time are the same people who eat dinner out of a tin at home each day. I am convinced that some of these old people are "Packed Off" by their family to get some peace and quiet for two weeks back home.madsmiLynn hasnt had a rant on here for a long time. Lynn needs her medication. Lynn takes a deep breath.

[Gerry]

I have been on Oceana twice. Once on a translantic cruise which ended in Barbados, and the second a year later was on a med cruise. I have to say that the ship was nice clean, not stuffy at all.The food was very nice. The Restaurant manager Alan (small camp one) was really nice and friendly. The cabins nice, clean. The waiters and cabin stewards were excellent. The only problem was a small minority of "Older" people who constantly complained about silly things like not having "British" desserts like Jam Roly Poly, and Tapioca etc etc. Awful people. A few of these awful people were very rude to the waiters and that above anything else that really really annoys me. Call me what you want, I think that the waiters and cabin stewards work soooooo hard that the last thing they want is a "Tally-Ho" type idiot giving the poor crew a hard time. It really pi**es me off. The same people who complain all the time are the same people who eat dinner out of a tin at home each day. I am convinced that some of these old people are "Packed Off" by their family to get some peace and quiet for two weeks back home.madsmiLynn hasnt had a rant on here for a long time. Lynn needs her medication. Lynn takes a deep breath.

Lynn, strange name for a bloke?

[wendylovescruising]

Wendy has a soft spot for Black Watch. I was due to sail on her last December but the mini cruise was cancelled madsmi After a few strongly worded letters I received a good discount off another mini cruises and so am going on Balmoral in August smilesmi If I enjoy Fred I hope to do Black Watch at sometime.

Trish......if we enjoy our Weekender with P&O we'll put them on out "must do" list for a longer cruise foxes_279 Trish, Black Watch was my favourite ship , partly cos it was my first cruise , but more important i loved the personal touch you get with the smaller cruise lines .. re older passengers , yep they do have an older clientele, but thats not a prob cos , firstly they make you look younger , secondly , you beat them to the best sun loungers , thirdly , you get to sample the buffets first cos they are not as quick as us foxes_279 Seriously tho compared to royal caribbean which i,ve done twice .. and enjoyed , i loved fred best . may try p/o one year xx

[Cruise Fairy]

Trish, Black Watch was my favourite ship , partly cos it was my first cruise , but more important i loved the personal touch you get with the smaller cruise lines .. re older passengers , yep they do have an older clientele, but thats not a prob cos , firstly they make you look younger , secondly , you beat them to the best sun loungers , thirdly , you get to sample the buffets first cos they are not as quick as us foxes_279 Seriously tho compared to royal caribbean which i,ve done twice .. and enjoyed , i loved fred best . may try p/o one year xx

Plus you can always kick their walkers out from under 'em. 24smi24smi

[wendylovescruising]

Plus you can always kick their walkers out from under 'em. 24smi24smi YEP or pinch their sticks 24smi24smi

[Gerry]

Or think up some fun games with their wheelchairs.

[sparkieplug24]

Wendy sorry I have to disagree with you when has anyone managed to beat someone with a zimmer to a buffet 24smi24smi

[wendylovescruising]

Wendy sorry I have to disagree with you when has anyone managed to beat someone with a zimmer to a buffet 24smi24smi 24smi
YEAH but not many have the electric zimmers 24smi

[millyman]

Trish, Black Watch was my favourite ship , partly cos it was my first cruise , but more important i loved the personal touch you get with the smaller cruise lines .. re older passengers , yep they do have an older clientele, but thats not a prob cos , firstly they make you look younger , secondly , you beat them to the best sun loungers , thirdly , you get to sample the buffets first cos they are not as quick as us foxes_279 Seriously tho compared to royal caribbean which i,ve done twice .. and enjoyed , i loved fred best . may try p/o one year xx


24smi24smi....i had to read this one out to Dh.

[Cruise Fairy]

Well if I can ever afford to sail P&O I will get one of those electric scooters... zoom.....I'll be doing' a wheelie on deck- I'll be first at the buffet, and block a lift at rush hour every day! 24smi

[yorkshirephil]

We sailed with P&O for the first time last year and thouroughly enjoyed it, so much so we have booked again. Over the years we have heard all sorts of stories about what certain cruise line passengers are like. The only way to find out is to give it a try. Its the same with ship size, you have people saying they only like the big glitzy ships, when you ask them which small ones they have cruised on...you guessed..none. The average age on a cruise can sometimes be determined by the itinerary, the fossils (no offence to old folk, I want to be one someday) tend to like cruises with more sea days, they are happy on the ship, look at FO cruises, typically lots of sea days.

[Lynn Knickers]

I was overall satisfied with my cruise on Oceana. However my hubby does not trvel on cruises, as he prefers land based holidays or instead goes to our holiday home in Bulgaria.So that leaves me and and my daughter Lynn. She used to eat only pot-noodles on cruises, (brought her own supply) but now loves trying out the different cuisine. Must be her Mother's excellent taste I am Blushing and so proud. Gerry can you become my new friend just like Wendy !!

[Derek Kane]

Life onboard can be as fun or as quiet as you wish it to be on most P&O cuises.

The older set, who don't altogether have the monopoly on moaning and rudeness, contrary to opinion posted on this and other cruise interest web-sites, , tend to be in the ascendent on cool water cruising (Fjords & Baltic), early and late season cruising away from the school holidays, the adult only ships (especially the Artemis) and cruises well in excess of 14n.

It was noticeable on our last P&O cruise (we have done 16 with them, plus cruised with Fred Olsen, Cunard & Holland America) which was on 09/2006 for 18n to the Black Sea on Oriana, how quiet the ship became after the 2nd sitting show ended c.11:30. This contrasted with the 7n on Oceana in 07/2006 to Lisbon and back, which was packed with families including 400+ of the young of the species, some whose indulgent parents allowed their pre teens to stay up till all hours. However, only an idiot would moan, and I heard some, after booking P&Os most informal family ship, in late July on a 7 night cruise.

It strikes me that many travel agents do a lousy job when advising some first timers on what, where and when to cruise. Either do your own research or use a specialist agent.

As it happens I quite like children - but I couldn't eat a whole one.

[millyman]

Thanks Derek.

I quite like old people....hope to be one one day....foxes_279

[wakelover]

Hi millyman - one of the reasons we are sailing on the Ventura weekender is to give P&O a second crack at the whip. We found the food and entertainment on Arcadia to be of poorer quality than RCI....

Hence we are giving P&O another go without committing to 2 weeks...although its difficult to compare over a few days I admit.

Anyhoo - we shall let you know our findings with a full report! smilesmi

[wakelover]

Well if I can ever afford to sail P&O I will get one of those electric scooters... zoom.....I'll be doing' a wheelie on deck- I'll be first at the buffet, and block a lift at rush hour every day! 24smi
We found P&O very over priced in comparison to others I have to say....

[sparkieplug24]

Hi millyman - one of the reasons we are sailing on the Ventura weekender is to give P&O a second crack at the whip. We found the food and entertainment on Arcadia to be of poorer quality than RCI....

Hence we are giving P&O another go without committing to 2 weeks...although its difficult to compare over a few days I admit.

Anyhoo - we shall let you know our findings with a full report! smilesmi

you better with PHOTOS foxes_279 (read the dream about cruising thread)

[LEESRE]

Really going to be interesting readin about Ventura on your return. We sail on her for the transatlantic in October.

Please give us a full report.

[wakelover]

A full report shall be done - DH and I said we may have to forgo going to sleep to get it all done foxes_279foxes_279foxes_279

I shall be snapping away and taking video.....smilesmi

[danthebiscuitman]

There was a good mix of age groups on our recent cruise, and plenty to do! The cruise director seemed to have so much going on from talks and special interest lectures, to pub quizes, sydictae quizes and even a battle of the sexes that lasted about 6 days.

The shows were varied, some good and others not so (depending on what you expect and like). We had some good comedians, but the adult late night comedian that joined us for the last two days was rubbish, and personally i could have done better (not just my opinion, apparently i have a knack of telling jokes especially once booze fuelled).

Despite previous reports about Arcadia night life on P&O Cruise Connections i can honestly say we must have had a better age group as the disco was in use through to about 3am most mornings playing a good mix of music and requests unlike the midnight ghost ship reported.

We made many new friends and enjoyed the themed nights, caribbean, black & White and country and western as well as the british and sail away party. Even the commodores private drinks reception was fun and full of interesting people.

I suppose the bigger the ship the more variety of people you get. Arcadia is contemporary and modern and doesn't appeal to old, especially people who like tradtional cruising. As others have said, the Artemis is small and intimate and attracts an older age group. Our photographer recently on Artemis said the average on board age was 65+ and Arcadia was 40+.

However trying a weekend cruise is good to see if the ship suits but tends to have a totally different age group due to many hen weekends,young couple and professionals taking a weekend break. The service, food and quality of entertainment is often a lot better on a full cruise.

What ever you decide ENJOY!

[millyman]

Thanks Dan....smilesmi

[wakelover]

Dan - were the themed events on for the weekend cruise too... the B&W etc etc etc munchessm