The room was excellent. it took us over a week to properly book a table for when we wanted to eat at night.There were two people at the point of booking,one the man was very good and tried to help when he could.The other a female was one of the most horrid people I have ever met on a cruise liner.Basically the ship was too big. To say I wont be going back is an understatement.
20 plus times cruises across many lines so this is a fair and accurate report of our cruise holiday. A very enjoyable cruise.
First the bad things... Some restaurants were closed and they didnt have the range of drinks behind the bars like normal but we never went hungry or thirsty. The entertainment team was virtually non existant though and the Jubilee celebrations were very poor. The shows, well they were ok, but we had seen them all before so P&O could do with mixing that up a little but that is personnel taste. The quizzes, we like quizzing, but please P&O bring back the instant trinket prizes rather than the card to fill in if you win... a plastic ship on a stick would be treasured. The ship itself is a bit tired looking, nothing too bad, but its beginning to look a little bit old fashioned compared to some of the newer ships these days.
The good things, the weather was fabulous, the ports of call were terrific, we really had a great time at them all... one ships trip into the mountains in land rovers which was too expensive but a great experience, one taxi hired for a trip to a few historical sites which was brilliant becasue we had them all to ourselves and ticked off another Roman Coloseum that we didnt even know existed, and the other two ports were a bus ride to town and self guiding around and a stroll around town after tendering off ship. That one was Korcula island and was our fave place of the whole cruise. Simply stunning.
As for the ship, Our balcony was huge and we could either be in the sun or move to the rear and be in the shade... best balcony we have ever had. Cabin otherwise was as expected. The Staff were undermanned but all were terrific.
Flights were good, no problem whatsoever at Manchester airport, despite all the drama reported on the news. Embarkation and dismebarkation went very well. We had a late flight home and so didnt leave the ship in Malta until after 5pm..so we had a whole final bonus day on holiday, spent the morning in Valetta and the afternoon swimming and sunbathing by the Oasis pool. Fabulous end to a wonderful holiday. Arrived home completely happy and satisfied.
P&O, well they certainly have thier issues, there are better cruise lines but as ever we enjoyed it and its ok, its not that expensive so is a good option for a cheap cruise with reasonable food quality and drinks not priced off the scale.
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Chosen because of itinerary and more days on land than at sea. Had been on this ship more than 10 years ago. Ship recently refurbished so looks very smart. Balcony cabin more spacious than other P&O ships. Food generally good in main dining rooms though getting a table for 2 very difficult unless you are prepared for a long wait. Entertainment good, itinerary excellent (Santander is recommended, not often on itineraries). Ship had to have a deep clean so boarding was late but didn't detect high levels of sickness, just keep away from the buffet and Jacuzzis!
On the whole, good value and the only gripe was missing out on Guernsey with a day at sea instead. As there was warning that this would probably happen there was disgruntlement among the passengers that there appeared to be no effort made to find a substitute port of call.
Only our 2nd cruise (1st was the Caribbean on Arvia) but even though we were on a smaller and older ship we still had an amazing holiday. The destinations and tours we did were fantastic. Our only negative was we should have booked for 2 weeks instead of one!
Lots to love some not so good
Arrived at port had to wait to book in cabin with balconie very good no problem with luggage arrived on time was quite rocking in bed sailing for 2 days got to madera very nice but not a lot to do alot of old poeople on board which was fine food was nice staff very nice dont like the strict dress code though but others didnt seem to mind lovely weather in the canaries very pleasant cruise going to another cruise with pand o in november
Just as good as ever, Tenerife is great at Xmas and my Teide is stunning as is Madeira


