We have just returned from a Christmas cruise on P&O to the Caribbean. Our first impressions were very good, especially the very smooth transfer from airport to Cruise Terminal. We did not have to go through the usual laborious airport customs shenanigans but when we did arrive at the cruise terminal, there was a certain amount of queuing. The problem was, we did not know this was going to happen and some passengers who were semi disabled found this a bit of a trial. Also, there did not appear to be a toilet around, which is difficult when some people do not use the toilet on the aeroplane. However, our welcome was great and after more queuing for a mini bus to take us to the ship, we were soon on board. Our outside cabin was up to our expectations, a little dusty but generally clean. Entertainment on board in our opinion was excellent and to a high standard. Food – not up to expectations. It was good and wholesome but nothing more than what you would generally have at home. Nothing to wow you there, unless you went to the Ocean Grill and paid the extra premium. Ocean Grill was excellent and thoroughly recommended. Drinks were reasonably priced and no tax or gratuities added to that which was a nice surprise. Standard gratuities were not as heavy as some other lines. I wish that cruise companies would not do this and pay a reasonable wage to staff instead, not rely on passengers’ premiums added at the start of their stay. Surely, you tip when you have received good service, not to tip at the start of your holiday. In our opinion that is not really how a standard tipping service should work!
Shore excursions were expensive but they usually are.
I felt very sorry for disabled travellers as they had to negotiate the disembarkation at the end of the cruise with great difficulty. Shame they could not use the normal disembarkation level 3 but perhaps it was too low to negotiate onto the dock. Our ship was Adonia.
Generally, we were impressed with P&O but clearly they are cutting back and it shows.
