How Would You Rate P&O?

[Citylady]

Blimey, wishing I hadn't looked at this thread now
I'm still 10 days away from my first ever cruise and now I'm wondering what I've let myself in for! Or have all you seasoned cruisers done so many trips that you've become a bit disillusioned

[ChesterfieldJohn]

Blimey, wishing I hadn't looked at this thread now
I'm still 10 days away from my first ever cruise and now I'm wondering what I've let myself in for! Or have all you seasoned cruisers done so many trips that you've become a bit disillusioned

Citylady,

You will enjoy every moment of it.

Just relax and take every day as it comes


John

[oldbluefox]

Take no notice Citylady. Whatever we say we all love cruising. Why do you think we all (moaners and the easily satisfied) keep going back for more? My only regret is I didn't start cruising earlier. Odds on once you have had one cruise you'll be back for another!!

Which ship and where to? If you have any questions do post them on the forum.

[Gill W]

Blimey, wishing I hadn't looked at this thread now
I'm still 10 days away from my first ever cruise and now I'm wondering what I've let myself in for! Or have all you seasoned cruisers done so many trips that you've become a bit disillusioned

Don't worry, if I'd have been on a forum before my first cruise, I'd have probably cancelled!

Have a lovely cruises ( I'm sure you will) and when you come back, let us know how you got on

[Citylady]

Thanks guys, I guess the old adage applies "don't believe everything you read"

Yes, very excited about the forthcoming trip. We're doing the transatlantic crossing on Azura to the Caribbean on 1st November
Lots of helpful info on the forum, don't know what I'd do without it now

[Kendhni]

Blimey, wishing I hadn't looked at this thread now
I'm still 10 days away from my first ever cruise and now I'm wondering what I've let myself in for! Or have all you seasoned cruisers done so many trips that you've become a bit disillusioned

You have pretty much nailed it in your last sentence .. although it is not disillusionment it is more about 'unrealistic expectations' and 'false nostalgia'.

I can assure you that in 9 days from now you will be getting one of the best holidays you will have ever had. Everyone's first cruise is always special since you will be in awe at the ship. its decor and the whole concept of cruising ... it is very addictive. Best advice is to read the newsletter that will appear in your cabin every day and find out everything that is on, where and when and then take in as much as you possibly can.

[barney]

Here, here Ken.

Unrealistic expectations hits the nail on the head.

When a chap moaned to be on a previous cruise about the food being 'pig swill' I simply asked him where he normally dined then, The Ritz?

After a few cruise holidays now, I can honestly say that I've never had a thing to complain about.
Was everything 100% perfect? Clearly not. But then life isn't, is it?

Citylady, go with the flow and have a wonderful first (of many) cruises

[Ray B]

Citylady, a good ship for your first cruise, and as an extra whilst on-board do try Sindhu if you like a change of dining venue.

Ray

[Delboy]

Having worked in the Hotel business, I would put them between 3* plus and 4*, for us it just seems so comfortable, suits our needs and we feel at home.
We know what to expect, and as far as we are concerned it has met our expectations.

[Dark Knight]

Delboy

that is exactly it..meets expectations. well put

[arcadialover]

I voted 4* but would go as high as a 5* for Adonia, where the food, service, decor, crew and general ambience was excellent.

[Manoverboard]

I'm with Delboy on this one, had already voted 3+ but I do also agree that Adonia is a tad better than t'others in many ways ... so she gets 4 stars on my scale.

[davecttr]

Adonia would get a zero on my scale - no casino!

[davecttr]

How Which members rate P&O

The latest edition of 'Which' magazine has an item comparing Cruislines for value for money and accomodation. 5 stars is the maximum.

It is interesting to see the star ratings for the Carnival lines. (VFM and Acc)

Princess - 4 and 5
Cunard - 4 and 4
P&O - 3 and 3

We don't know the prifit margins for each company. Is there a bigger profit margin for P&O as they are offering a cheaper product?
With british cruisers though of as 'musn't grumble' cash cows.

[Kaziebelle]

In several topics recently there has been some discussion as to what "star" rating P&O is - and this has varied.

So, just for fun, what do you think P&O is?

I would say 3 star plus for the whole experience.some things are higher,some are lower but across the board I think 3 star plus is fair

[Kendhni]

How Which members rate P&O

The latest edition of 'Which' magazine has an item comparing Cruislines for value for money and accomodation. 5 stars is the maximum.

It is interesting to see the star ratings for the Carnival lines. (VFM and Acc)

Princess - 4 and 5
Cunard - 4 and 4
P&O - 3 and 3

We don't know the profit margins for each company. Is there a bigger profit margin for P&O as they are offering a cheaper product?
With British cruisers though of as 'musn't grumble' cash cows.

I wonder how much of that rating score is down to British negativity and disposition to moan and find fault? (not necessarily just from the passengers but also from the crew). There is no doubt that in the UK too many wallow in the 'victim 'poor-little-me mentality' and fail to take charge or make the best out of the hand they have.

[Generalisation alert!] For most of my working life I worked for British companies, I now work for an American company and it is like chalk and cheese. The American ethos is much more positive and upbeat with a 'let's get it done' attitude .. they are very quick to praise and boost morale ... compared to the British approach which always seems to focus more on negatives and fire-fighting and, in some scenarios, it is seen as a weakness to praise others. Another perception I have is that there is a more 'spiteful' and 'schadenfreude' nature from the British where they take pleasure from other peoples perceived failures and they love to get on the web and tell everybody what a miserable git they are time they had in a very negative way (you only have to look at Facebook for prime examples of this) ... whereas the American attitude appears to be much more constructive and less two-faced/vindictive.[/Generalisation alert!]

Although if I hear the word 'awesome' one more time I am going to go over there with a baseball bat and show them what an 'awesome beating' is

[Ray Scully]

[Generalisation alert!] For most of my working life I worked for British companies, I now work for an American company and it is like chalk and cheese. The American ethos is much more positive and upbeat with a 'let's get it done' attitude .. they are very quick to praise and boost morale ... compared to the British approach which always seems to focus more on negatives and fire-fighting and, in some scenarios, it is seen as a weakness to praise others. Another perception I have is that there is a more 'spiteful' and 'schadenfreude' nature from the British where they take pleasure from other peoples perceived failures and they love to get on the web and tell everybody what a miserable git they are time they had in a very negative way (you only have to look at Facebook for prime examples of this) ... whereas the American attitude appears to be much more constructive and less two-faced/vindictive.[/Generalisation alert!]

Although if I hear the word 'awesome' one more time I am going to go over there with a baseball bat and show them what an 'awesome beating' is

Ken

I worked with Americans for some 3 months, albeit not in the UK and I found many shallow and insincere.

Ray