P&O staycation

[Rossalino]

Also, meant to say, a big thank you to Ladyshopper who brought the great Blue Light card discount to my attention

[Ladyshopper]

Originally Posted by Rossalino

Also, meant to say, a big thank you to Ladyshopper who brought the great Blue Light card discount to my attention

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You're very welcome, I've tried to share the discounts all over the place as they're amazing! Hope you have a wonderful time, we'll be boarding a week after you for my birthday

[FloridaAnn & Co]

Originally Posted by pinkbelle

P&O has free to use Laundry rooms, washers and dryers and irons and ironing boards, although during restrictions wouldn’t like to say they will be open. They also have a pay for laundry service, but again not sure how that works on a shorter cruise, there is usually a next day service.
Princess also have the same laundry facilities but there is a charge to use washers and driers.

No coat, as if it rains I will be staying under cover. I have an M&S zip up fleece which is termed my “cruise fleece” as that’s the only time I use it, a handy extra layer for late night, early morning on the balcony.

Layers are key, it can be chilly in the air con, and hot in the sun, is that wishful thinking?

I share your love of packing cubes, a real game changer, do you pack complete outfits or the same thing in each?
If we are doing a precruise hotel stay I pack each of us an outfit in a cube so we don’t touch the rest of the case.
For the ship I do each of our underwear, swim wear, night clothes in their own cubes so they can just be placed in a drawer.

I wouldn’t do a 2 night cruise, it’s just too short.
3 nights,
Day 1 on board by 4pm, so the whole evening.
Day 2 full day
Day 3 full day, but your thoughts do start to think about packing.
Day 4 off before 9:30am.
So enjoyable.

4 nights might just make you relax a little more.

Packing this time will be difficult I’ve gained a fair bit of weight so nothing fits!
My plan will be to try and do carry on only.

So I will embark in an outfit I also intend to disembark in.
Change for dinner into a slightly smarter than a day at home summer dress, that I can bling up a bit. Day 2 the dress from night before becomes day wear without the bling.
So technically as well as what I am wearing only need 3 outfits plus formal wear. All packed on hangers in a rolling suit carrier. Then an additional warm outfit, in a holdall with packing cubes just in case. That is my plan, it may or may not work.

I enjoy the anticipation so have a clothes rail in the spare room a week before sailing to start gathering everything together then pack it the day before.

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That’s really good to know about the laundry room but as you say they possible not be open.
Hmm an M&S cruise fleece you say, love a bit of M&S lol Definitely layers 😀
Packing cubes - I put same thing in each and put in drawer, I find so much easier.
I think 4 nights would probably give me more time to relax!
I’ve put on abit of weight over lockdown too, have had to have a word with myself lol
My DH said carry on should be ok too but am not sure, got to be easier tho!
You’ve definitely got it all sussed with the packing 😀
As for the clothes rail I do exactly the same when getting ready for a trip to Florida, love the anticipation, planning for me is part of the excitement 😎
Thanks so much for all your advice I really appreciate it 😀 if you think of anything else you’d like to share ...
Hopefully Look forward to hearing all about your experience onboard 🛳

[FloridaAnn & Co]

Originally Posted by Rossalino

We've booked the 3 night cruise with P&O Britannia from Southampton departing 15th July

As we had a Blue Light Card we decided to go for a suite which only cost £847 for 3 of us for the 3 nights.

We have some other friends going but as they didn't get the discount they went for the inside cabin as they didn't want to pay nearly another £400 for a balcony.

We've only ever done one cruise before and that was a 3 night Disney one about 12 years ago so it'll be interesting to see what we think of it.

We also booked the onsite parking for £50 which sounds like it's nice and convenient.

Really looking forward to it as it'll be something different for us

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A great deal for a suite😀 and not too long before you sail 🛳
Lucky you doing a Disney cruise!My DH couldn’t be talked into it, he’s not a brainwashed as the rest of us😂
Have you done plenty of research? Definitely something lovely to look forward to!
Are you thinking of doing a TR?

Have a great time 😀

[FloridaAnn & Co]

Originally Posted by pinkbelle

Luggage size, each bag less than 20kg but no restriction on number. Anything you carry on small enough to go through those scanners like you see at airports.

Cruising from Southampton is so easy, although you need to factor in parking costs, I am using CPS the on-site parking company £60 for 4 nights.

Based on a 7 night experience, follow the directions as marshalled by CPS/Port staff, pull up at the terminal, and unload your luggage, where it will be whisked off by porters, keep hold of hand luggage and passports etc. You won’t see it again until it is in your room.
CPS check over your car give you a receipt for your tickets and drive your car away to park in a secure area on the port.
You then just walk into the terminal to check in.

When you disembark you walk to the CPS booth give over the receipt and they give you your car key and tell you where it is parked. They bring them to the terminal ready for you.

On a 2 night you self park, so are directed to the short term parking, keep your key with you, then walk back to the terminal, most people will have carry on only, but there are porters who will take your luggage.

I’m not sure how it will work for 4 nights as it will depend on what over ships are arriving and departing on the days you are away.
Walk into the terminal check in and wait for boarding.

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Sooooo helpful - Thank-you😀
So can you take 3 carry ons between 2 of you? Just thinking - maybe not a good idea?!?
Was also thinking about going to Southampton the day before if we have an early boarding as we live approx 3 and a half hours drive away. We are going to take your advice and over the weekend make a list and go from there 😀

[pinkbelle]

Stugeron, or another sea sickness remedy, make sure you pack something!

DH had some annual leave yesterday, and on a Whim we drove to Southampton, which is about an hour and a half away, to see the Cruise Ships ❤️. Actually, ikea had a foot stall we had been waiting 4 months to come back in stock, so he thought we were going for that

We watched MSC Sail off on their maiden. The weather was so bad, the wind so strong she used 3 tugs and was allowed to exceed port speed limits to be able to transition out to see safely.
Iona stayed at Ocean Terminal, but Ventura, also assisted by tugs, and Britannia who had left earlier all repositioned out at sea to weather the storm, apparently less chance of damage out there.
So I think they probably had a fair bit of movement out there.

My DH has had sea sickness once, and that was on the English Channel. He hasn’t had it again as he now follows my routine.
Whatever the forecast, I have Stugeron medication before sailing, this doesn’t actually make me drowsy which is good, if going across the Bay of Biscay I keep the medication up, if not I rely on the captains weather announcement and take them if required.
I am someone who needs medication for theme park rides , and twisty roads, so don’t let me put you off.

Just be prepared, I have never had an issue on a cruise ship even in full on storms.

[pinkbelle]

Originally Posted by FloridaAnn & Co

Sooooo helpful - Thank-you😀
So can you take 3 carry ons between 2 of you? Just thinking - maybe not a good idea?!?
Was also thinking about going to Southampton the day before if we have an early boarding as we live approx 3 and a half hours drive away. We are going to take your advice and over the weekend make a list and go from there 😀

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Yes, if we do carry on we will have 2 bags each, well I have 3!

DH, rolling suit bag and pull along hold-all.
Me pull along suit bag and a little wheely airplane hand luggage bag, for Valuables and medications. Then a little bag that goes over the handle with all the paperwork and passports etc.

Boarding I am happy for the porters to take the 2 suit carriers and hold-all, but getting off we like to be able to walk off and avoid the luggage hall. Never possible for an over packer like me on a longer cruise, but I really want to make it work on these shorter ones.

We’re closer than you and did an impromptu visit yesterday! But often book a hotel the night before it adds a day to your holiday, gives you a nice relaxed first day

[pinkbelle]

Originally Posted by Rossalino

We've booked the 3 night cruise with P&O Britannia from Southampton departing 15th July

As we had a Blue Light Card we decided to go for a suite which only cost £847 for 3 of us for the 3 nights.

We have some other friends going but as they didn't get the discount they went for the inside cabin as they didn't want to pay nearly another £400 for a balcony.

We've only ever done one cruise before and that was a 3 night Disney one about 12 years ago so it'll be interesting to see what we think of it.

We also booked the onsite parking for £50 which sounds like it's nice and convenient.

Really looking forward to it as it'll be something different for us

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I’ve never cruised with Disney, the price makes we wince
I don’t think P&O has as many bells and whistles, but it is good. A suite will be amazing, I hope you share some photos of the experience.

[Rossalino]

Originally Posted by pinkbelle

I’ve never cruised with Disney, the price makes we wince
I don’t think P&O has as many bells and whistles, but it is good. A suite will be amazing, I hope you share some photos of the experience.

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Well the Disney cruise was a long while ago and if I remember rightly we booked through a travel agent and paid in dollars and I think the exchange rate was in our favour at the time.

Yes, I'm looking forward to staying in a suite - not something we'd have booked if it was full price! I'll try and take some photos to report back

[FloridaAnn & Co]

Originally Posted by pinkbelle

Stugeron, or another sea sickness remedy, make sure you pack something!

DH had some annual leave yesterday, and on a Whim we drove to Southampton, which is about an hour and a half away, to see the Cruise Ships ❤️. Actually, ikea had a foot stall we had been waiting 4 months to come back in stock, so he thought we were going for that

We watched MSC Sail off on their maiden. The weather was so bad, the wind so strong she used 3 tugs and was allowed to exceed port speed limits to be able to transition out to see safely.
Iona stayed at Ocean Terminal, but Ventura, also assisted by tugs, and Britannia who had left earlier all repositioned out at sea to weather the storm, apparently less chance of damage out there.
So I think they probably had a fair bit of movement out there.

My DH has had sea sickness once, and that was on the English Channel. He hasn’t had it again as he now follows my routine.
Whatever the forecast, I have Stugeron medication before sailing, this doesn’t actually make me drowsy which is good, if going across the Bay of Biscay I keep the medication up, if not I rely on the captains weather announcement and take them if required.
I am someone who needs medication for theme park rides , and twisty roads, so don’t let me put you off.

Just be prepared, I have never had an issue on a cruise ship even in full on storms.

See more...

Another great tip from you!😀
Will put Sturgeon on my list! Do get a bit of motion sickness on VR rides Simpson’s etc

That was a great diversion Ikea and cruise ships! Wish I’d had thought of that but not sure if it would work as we have an Ikea 15mins drive away😂 That must have been something to watch especially with the weather so bad!
We were originally thinking about Iona but DH didn’t want to do 7 days for first time ...

Am waiting to see what Emma cruises has to say about her time MSC!
In the mean time looking at Princess cruises too!