Aurora refit 3-19th Dec 2014

[Quizzical Bob]

So long as they're finished before Christmas !!

Which Christmas?

[qbman1]

Every one for the foreseeable

[Go cruising]

when we were on Aurora in April a large group of gentlemen with clip boards were wandering around inspecting everything. One of the things they seemed to be discussing was the removal of the curved wall around the casino next to Champions, at least they kept tapping and stroking it and saying.." we could get rid of this"!

[Quizzical Bob]

when we were on Aurora in April a large group of gentlemen with clip boards were wandering around inspecting everything. One of the things they seemed to be discussing was the removal of the curved wall around the casino next to Champions, at least they kept tapping and stroking it and saying.." we could get rid of this"!

Maybe they were talking about the ship!

[david63]

There nearly always seems to be somebody, other than crew, walking around a ship these days with a clipboard

[Quizzical Bob]

There nearly always seems to be somebody, other than crew, walking around a ship these days with a clipboard

It's an old tip from the army. If you walk around with a clipboard in your hands then it looks like you're doing something and not just idling.

[Romig1]

There nearly always seems to be somebody, other than crew, walking around a ship these days with a clipboard

It's an old tip from the army. If you walk around with a clipboard in your hands then it looks like you're doing something and not just idling.

I find that any random bit of paper fits the bill when I'm at work.
I remember in my youth being told by the works foreman to "look busy". I took that to mean "go and read the paper in the toilets".

[June1969]

I'm on the Christmas cruise.

Having just returned from Holland America's Eurodam they don't allow any self service in the buffet restaurant for the first 48 hours of a cruise to help with the Norovirus. Didn't hear of anyone being ill.
Also they have proper towels in the toilets for one use and paper towels just for opening the door to get out, a bin is placed by the door for the used paper towels. I thought it was a good idea.

[stephandjohn]

We have just returned from a 7 day cruise on Aurora, and had a lovely time. It was our first cruise, and on boarding, I expected to be met by someone who might show us where our cabin lay (stupid I know). However this is one of only minor criticisms I could think of. The orangery shocked us on our first day as it appeared to be quite a free-for-all, but we got used to that. Interesting to read of the refit; I would like to sail on Aurora again, and look forward to comparisons. Also interesting re the norovirus; there didn't appear to be any incidents of this, and all that hand sanitizing, while annoying at times, must have helped lots. Thanks for all the info guys.

[Romig1]

We have just returned from a 7 day cruise on Aurora, and had a lovely time. It was our first cruise, and on boarding, I expected to be met by someone who might show us where our cabin lay (stupid I know). However this is one of only minor criticisms I could think of. The orangery shocked us on our first day as it appeared to be quite a free-for-all, but we got used to that. Interesting to read of the refit; I would like to sail on Aurora again, and look forward to comparisons. Also interesting re the norovirus; there didn't appear to be any incidents of this, and all that hand sanitizing, while annoying at times, must have helped lots. Thanks for all the info guys.

Glad you had a great first cruise.

BTW, it wasn't stupid to be expected to be shown to your cabin - although P&O don't do this I know that Thomson Cruises do.

The buffets are well-known to be quite chaotic at times - especially the first day or two; that's why we refer to them as the bunfights.

[Dancing Queen]

We have just returned from a 7 day cruise on Aurora, and had a lovely time. It was our first cruise, and on boarding, I expected to be met by someone who might show us where our cabin lay (stupid I know). However this is one of only minor criticisms I could think of. The orangery shocked us on our first day as it appeared to be quite a free-for-all, but we got used to that. Interesting to read of the refit; I would like to sail on Aurora again, and look forward to comparisons. Also interesting re the norovirus; there didn't appear to be any incidents of this, and all that hand sanitizing, while annoying at times, must have helped lots. Thanks for all the info guys.

Glad you enjoyed your first cruise and on my favourite P&O ship
Welcome to the forum

Once upon a time the stewards were lined up ready to escort you to your cabin as you stepped on board but this was the days when no-one boarded until after 3.00pm, the pressure is now on to do a quick turnaround and cabins to be ready asap, lunch is also served which in the past it wasn't ( just afternoon tea ) crew members are needed to staff these areas so something has to go and sadly some of the more traditional 'niceties' have disappeared.

Quite honestly I never understand the need to provide lunch on boarding day, I don't think I have ever bothered I'm more interested in getting my luggage and getting unpacked then my holiday can really start.

[poole boy]

as we have now entered july has anybody heard anything definite about the Aurora refit yet as December is not that far away

[June1969]

Visit cruisemiss.com for full information with photos of Aurora's refit.

June

[poole boy]

june
Thank you very much for info about the cruise miss site very interesting to see the photos and the p&o write up on what they are doing to Aurora as usual do not agree with everything they are doing but think other things are great really looking forward to going on her next july to see all the changes should be good.
graham

[June1969]

Hi Pooleboy, I couldn't understand that photos showed a Hozizon Restaurant, but no mention in the write up. I wonder if this is also part of the current Pennant Grill along with the Beach House introduction.
Looking forward to trying it all as I join her on the 19th for 16 nights.

[Wina G]

Looking forward to Sindhu & the Glasshouse

[Gill W]

I'll miss Café Bordeaux, but I love Glasshouse.

I think the addition of another select dining venue (Sindhu) is a benefit, much better than the current use of that space -generally old buffers spending their entire two weeks gently snoring in a chair

[Quizzical Bob]

I'll miss Café Bordeaux, but I love Glasshouse.

I think the addition of another select dining venue (Sindhu) is a benefit, much better than the current use of that space -generally old buffers spending their entire two weeks gently snoring in a chair

Which space is that? It's not clear to me what facilities are being sacrificed for these alterations. Café Bordeaux will be a great loss and Glasshouse a waste of space for us and will the Sindhu space be available as a public lounge during the rest of the day? Anything that reduces public areas is a negative step.

[david63]

Full details of the refit can be found here and photos here

[Quizzical Bob]

Full details of the refit can be found here and photos here

Thanks, I had seen the photos but couldn't work out what was happening. Now I can see that they are ruining the best ship in the fleet

The library is an important feature for us and a pay-to-use Sindhu is no attraction. The Café Bordeaux is a very important alternative venue for a late breakfast or lunch and for late evening snacks. Costa Coffee (yuk, yuk and double yuk) again for the sidewalk cafe. We have already lost the seating outside the library to Costa and now that is being taken over by Sindhu. Will we be able to walk through to get to the corridor on that side?

As for the livery, tacky doesn't begin to describe it. What happened to good taste?

[Quizzical Bob]

I'll miss Café Bordeaux, but I love Glasshouse.

I think the addition of another select dining venue (Sindhu) is a benefit, much better than the current use of that space -generally old buffers spending their entire two weeks gently snoring in a chair

Old buffers need somewhere to relax when the decks are closed and at least they don't have to pay to use it.

[Marie Lloyd]

Very interested in this because we are doing the full 105 nighter in January and we are likely to want to use alternative dining quite a lot.

The Glass House menus look quite interesting - particularly the taster menu (except we wouldn't want the wines) but what do they serve for 'brunch' and lunch?

Also, what is the menu in the Beach House that is replacing the Pennant Grill? What are the menus like in the evening? Is the Beach House a 'pay extra' menu all day, or just in the evening?

Like many others, we will miss Cafe Bordeaux but I am pleased that the buffet is being refurbished because we will probably want to eat there in the evening quite often and the old Orangery colour scheme was horrendous.

My OH will miss the Library (most comfortable chairs on the ship), but, in the age of the Kindle, it doesn't seem to be used so much these days.

[Not so ancient mariner]

Very interested in this because we are doing the full 105 nighter in January and we are likely to want to use alternative dining quite a lot.


My OH will miss the Library (most comfortable chairs on the ship), but, in the age of the Kindle, it doesn't seem to be used so much these days.

That surprises me somewhat, as a large proportion the of books in the library are not the ephemeral type of material that is readily available on Kindle

[Quizzical Bob]

Very interested in this because we are doing the full 105 nighter in January and we are likely to want to use alternative dining quite a lot.


My OH will miss the Library (most comfortable chairs on the ship), but, in the age of the Kindle, it doesn't seem to be used so much these days.

That surprises me somewhat, as a large proportion the of books in the library are not the ephemeral type of material that is readily available on Kindle

From what I can see the library is being relocated to the Cyber Study up by the Crow's Nest but what form it will take remains to be determined.

[Dancing Queen]

The Cyber Study is quite a small room so I can't imagine there will be much of a library in there.