P&O Cruises Reviews

I booked to see the Norwegian fjords from 16th to the 23rd of July on the P&O Iona, on day 4 the captain announces that day 5 is cancelled due to weather conditions and that we will no longer be completing the sail bys of the UNESCO Gerainger fjords, the weather that night was a brisk wind nothing like some of the weather conditions I have experienced on other cruises, so if the Iona is built for the Norwegian Fjords why are these windy conditions proving such a challenge for this ship? So instead of this P&O substitute the sail by of the fjords with the port of Alesund, the whole town is rather run down, with very little tourist amenities and should never be listed on a cruise itinerary. Day 5 the captain announces that day 6 port time is being reduced due to yet again windy weather conditions!! So anyone with a full day tour has it cancelled and no alternative is offered, and I found P&O tour excursions staff were very rude and unhelpful. So we have now been on this ship from day 4 2PM and will not be able to complete another excursion for the remainder of the cruise and P&O think that this is acceptable! I booked a cabin on the back of the Iona for the sole reason of seeing the fjords with a 180 degree vista, so I spent all that money on a cabin for fjords I never even saw. I for one will never travel with them again or recommend anyone to trust or travel with them again. The Iona is a mediocre cruise experience and after all the fanfare I am really disappointed with the ship and the experience and service it has offered. My advice would be avoid P&O and book with another reputable cruise company.

Just returned from a 14 day cruise to Norway, Iceland and Belfast. Itinerary in Norway changed before we sailed. On day two of our cruise the Captain announced that because of the bad weather we were unable to go to Norway but instead would have an additional day at sea and call into Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands instead. Very disappointed but understood the need for safety. We knew nothing about Kirkwall and in the past P & O have produced leaflets highlighting some things to do beyond just visiting the town but not anymore! On the itinerary there were two sail by experiences in Iceland but the Captain never mentioned these so I presume we all missed them!
We discovered that Arcadia was actually on her first cruise since lockdown so the boat was manned by a new, inexperienced staff. I felt like we were treated like guinea pigs, restaurants service poor, entertainment was second rate, the same events taking place everyday. Was there an entertainments manager on board??? To add to our woes there was a huge outbreak of Covid on the ship, our poor neighbours spent most of their holiday locked in their cabin. As all of us had to pay for a negative test before stepping foot on the boat where did the outbreak come from, staff?? Inadequate air conditioning and cleansing?? The overall communication between the staff and the guests was appalling, the events in the Palladium changed without notification and I understand that even some of the performers only realised that their performance time had changed by reading the Horizon magazine. We were glad to disembark at Southampton feeling exhausted and have now tested positive for Covid. This ship and it's company were not fit or ready to sail and the Captains speech at the end of the cruise was very patronising, we were all looking forward to Norway so why shouldn't we be dissapointed about not visiting there. Thanks P & O.

Venturer from southampton to Amsterdam was so dissapointing. The sail away party was terrible, what party? And the ship is looking dated. Not a good choice of food in the buffet and the lager was flat at every bar. Been on PnO many times but it's not up to standard of its competitors.

7 day Iberian Peninsula 18-25 June 2022
This was our 9th cruise with P&O. We had moved it forward twice because of Covid. As we’d waited so long we decided to book a suite. When we arrived at Southampton we were herded like cattle from one station to the next. I explained we had booked a suite and therefore had priority boarding. The lady at the desk argued with us and said we had not booked a suite and the priority boarding on the ticket was a mistake. She told us to sit down and join the rest of the people waiting. Then there was announcement for all persons who had booked a suite or Ligurian tier to go to the ship. Once again we had to argue to get on board.
Once we had arrived at our suite there was a letter stating that our first excursion had been cancelled and we would receive a refund. The Butler then told us that 2 of the speciality restaurants were not open. I then went to the gym to sign up for the Pilates classes and to see what else was available only to find a sign saying, “All classes are cancelled until further notice”.
The next day I went up to the Oasis adult pool only to be advised by the lady at the Spa that the pool was out of service. The weather was unseasonably bad so my husband went to get a book out of the library. No one to be seen; the books are locked behind glass doors and no notice of how to borrow a book (my husband just gave up).
The prices of wine had rocketed since our last cruise in 2019. An average bottle of Sauvignon Blanc for £45 (extortionate). The wine selection was severely depleted from previous cruises. The food was good, but again the selection was depleted.
It was so boring on the cruise we ended up sitting through a talk about folklore and Morrismen in Hampshire - not very interesting when you live in Kent!
Finally the last stop on the cruise was Guernsey. On the morning of arrival the Captain announced that due to bad weather they could not use a tender as the sea was too rough.
We returned home on Saturday 25th June 2022. The following day my husband felt ill and tested positive to Covid. We both have been really ill with the virus since our return. It did occur to me that perhaps the reason we didn’t dock at Guernsey was because there was an outbreak of Covid onboard.
I’ve written to P&O, but as yet I’ve not received a reply.

P&O Norway Cruise 9-16/7. Iona
Factual by list. Itinerary changed even before sailing. Trip to Stryn cancelled. 3 ports not visited. Certain beers not available but staff pushing Fosters snd Carling. My theory- using up last 2/3 years stock. No Prosecco, but Champagne being offered as alternative at premium cost, as not having drinks package. Staff shortages, then told by member of staff, area on boat cordoned off cue to staff having Covid and being quarantined. Areas to some parts of deck closed off, but no high winds. Kevin Simm entertainer in Limelight club very good. Comedy acts good. Food acceptable. Boarding smooth, disembarking very poor made us wait. Toilet doors failing. Deck Games only set times finishing at 5 very poor. No one saw the Captain why ! Could that have been because of Covid outbreak? Inside room compact but adequate. You are given complimentary water in a can, so you can’t fill up at a water machine.
When you raise issues you feel you are wasting your time. Wanted to see Norway and explore but due to the lack of stops was let down by P&O. I have read many Iona reviews snd the lack of stops seem to be the norm. Traveller capacity 5200 on board just over 4000 and it was packed then. Wouldn’t travel on the Iona again and would think twice about P&O. To me I understand this is s business but it tries in every way to take money from you. So yes a taker snd not a giver. To end my disabled sister now has Covid from the ship so P&O go back to testing before boarding please, for your staff sake too. I could go on and on with negatives. Very let down, poor show P&O.

Booked the Norwegian fjords cruise on the Iona pre Covid and finally got to go last week. The itinerary was changed before sailing from Geirangerfjords to Hellesylt with a promise of a sail by of the seven sisters waterfalls. We got too Stavanger (very pretty) and the next day Olden it was then announced we would not be going to the (already changed) Hellesylt but instead would be visiting somewhere called Flam. No details of what to do in Flam were provided so you could remotely plan ahead. At departure time from Flam it was announced that our final destination Haugesund was to be cancelled due poor weather, and we would remain in Flam overnight ready to set sail for home early the next morning. So disappointing that we really didn't get to see the best that Norway has to offer. Captain's announcement was very matter of fact and it sounded like a regular occurrence. Just a slow 2 1/2 day cruise back to Southampton ???

I tried to book a trip on the website for the 31st of july the Price Was £360 and the way back on the 5th was £250
Then when I extended from Friday to Sunday
The change the price on Sunday the 31st from £360 to £545
I don’t understand how they can change the price when I’m requesting to leave twice on the same day
I rang the office and the staff tried to do it on her Computer and she said she don’t understand why the price is changing
Totally rip-off company
They seeing people struggling in this world and they try to make the situation 10 times worse

Had a cruise booked in January 2022 and had to move it, have 2 emails from P&O confirming a refund for our flights of £300 but still chasing for it. Happy to take your money but not give it back. P&O customer service is atrocious, false promises every time. For such a big company how can they get the simplest so wrong???

Book the Norwegian fjords cruise on the Iona for a special birthday 9/7/22 to 16/7/22. The itinerary was changed before sailing from Geirangerfjords to Hellesylt with a promise of a sail by of the seven sisters waterfalls. We actually went to Stavanger and the next day Olden it was then announced we would not be going to the (already charged) Hellesylt but instead would be visiting Flaam. At departure time from Flaam it was announced that our final destination Haugesund was to be cancelled due poor weather, and we would remain in Flaam overnight ready to set sail for home early the next morning. We had no mention of cruise by, just that we would have a steady cruise back to Southampton as we still had two and a half days left of the cruise. From then on it was very much like the cruise was over, many of the doors were closed of to the decks. We were offered a glass of house wine or pop only for the inconvenience. What ports we did visit were quite beautiful, but with little to offer once ashore. On board the Iona was the food was average and the general impression of staff is that there was not enough and this be the reason they looked unhappy. The entertainment was standard, with the one shining light the 7/10 club which was outstanding. The live band unwritten was the high light of the cruise. Arriving in port was a few hours late after the early start to sail home, and disembarkation was a joke being delayed by a couple of hours and a further hour waiting for delayed passengers to Broad the couch.

Very rude and abusive staff in future cruise booking pods. Day later told by the female in charge of future cruise bookings to put my mask on now, explained I had an exemption card and told her I had a letter from a
Consultant, was then told that means nothing. After
twenty minutes or so and asking for someone with authority to be called, her comment was go back to your cabin and wait for a telephone call. when I refused was threaten she would call the security would escort me to my cabin and stay in the cabin until Southampton. A security person was hiding around the corner. At this she went away and came back with the General Manger who apologised after checking with the Doctor. I was not expected to wear a mask with my condition.
A day later the female in charge of security asked me to make a statement, and my statement would be compared with theirs. When she said she was an Ex police officer, I made a comment that she could manipulate the statements in P & O s favour. After calling for witness from a near by office her attitude changed. Kept interrupting and quoting statutory rights. STILL WATING TO GIVE A STATEMENT.

Had a credit from a cancelled 2020 trip when we were due to go on a cruise to Norway - a casualty of covid.

By March 2022, decided to use credit and take the whole family (7 in all) on a 7 day Mediterranean cruise from Malta to Croatia in July.

Once booked the problems started. Firstly, the itinerary was changed and I mean changed. Three new alternative port destinations and Dubrovnik no longer on the itinerary. That’s the one I really wanted to see. No compensation because Terms and Conditions stated that the company could do this.

Then we started to prepare for the trip by downloading boarding passes etc. Technical fault meant we could not print 3 and help lines just rung and rung and often went dead.

Day before trip - started doing our P & O lateral flow covid tests which cost a packet! What a nightmare. Again codes not working and site freezing. Then worse case scenario - my son who had just landed on a return trip from Majorca tests positive. He had not been in contact with us for 6 days but due to 14 day rule none of us allowed to travel.

Insurance will cover it but I won’t be convinced until the money hits the bank account and I’m sure there will be a few ‘technical issues’.

Moral of the story - we could have lied but no we are honest people and it is obvious that being honest doesn’t benefit you. What lesson have I learnt - while covid lasts it’s probably not worth the hassle of booking a cruise when covid restrictions continue in a world where covid should now be classed a common ailment like a cold. Going abroad likewise is a nightmare to be honest with you. Would I book with P & O again? - I would certainly think twice about it.

Mediterranean cruise 26/6 to 10/7/22. I would not book another cruise with P&O. Out of 5 ports 2 were in the Atlantic. Too many days at sea only 2 countries to visit Spain & France The staff were very good polite & friendly but wore masks all the time accent & mask not easy to understand. The food in the Oriental restaurant was very much the same each night the portions small e.g 6oz steak very thin so could not be cooked rare, root vedge consisted of a quarter of one carrot & parsnip one roast potato. Breakfast not good warm at best bacon over cooked flesh, yet almost raw fat fried eggs either solid or slimy on top cold toast. Could not get near the pool because of hogged loungers the pool was full of screaming & jumping kids this was before the school holidays dread to think what it would be like during. Some of the entertainment was good a lot not so good the sound went off on the whole ship one night I found out it was not the first tine it had happened. Some of the seating was ripped & taped over outer side of windows very dirty all in all the ship was looking tired.

Diesel fumes keep getting into our cabin. We have a baby and toddler. Onboard staff rude and useless. Will contact Health and Safety executive instead. Are these ships safe? I wouldn't risk it.

We are three couples who were booked to go on a short cruise on 5th July but four days before P and O messaged us to cancel it.

They have offered to refund our money and give us 20% off future cruises. Considering we have all bought new clothes, had hair and beauty treatments in anticipation, paid for travel insurance, COVID tests and car parking which amount to a considerable sum, we consider their offer is derisory!!

They told us the ship is in dry dock and refurb work is unfinished, we find it hard to believe that P and O could not have known this before four days before it was due to sail. This leaves us and other passengers with no time to make alternative arrangements!

What makes matters worse is that as Peninsular Club members we have taken many cruises with P and O and persuaded four of our friends who have not cruised before to book this cruise on our recommendation.

P and O have cruises taking place all over the world and undoubtedly have spare cabins but there was no offer of an alternative.

I have since written two emails to P and O but received no acknowledgement or reply!
This is just not the way to treat customers. Shame on you P and O!

Went on Ventura 25/6-5/7. The whole experience is not what cruising used to be. It was only our second time with P and O and first since pandemic. The difference in standard was very obvious. Coupled with strong cold winds and being on deck 15 we didn’t sleep much. The whole ship sways. I don’t know if our preferred cruise company Celebrity or Princess have also dumbed down. We used to enjoy port lectures and speakers on varied subjects to listen to on sea days. Nothing to do this time. If you like loud music by a noisy pool you were well catered for. We saw two acts in the theatre before my husband came down with covid (the Eric Clapton tribute and the son of the former sweet frontman) Both we enjoyed. By the pool there was a busker who couldn't sing. Our cabin was nearby. Earache! After a week of listening to people coughing my husband became very unwell. Spent three days in bed with me bringing him soup snd icecream.(I had to buy) How he managed to walk off the ship on the fourth day I do nt know. Husband tested positive on the day we returned snd me five days later. We remain very ill at home and upset with ourselves that we were foolish enough to think we coukd be shielded from this virus on a crowded cruise ship. After being very careful to avoid it for two snd a half years we couldn’t have done anything worse to ourselves than get on a ship. If you want Covid do a cruise / and don’t expect any luxury. That seems to have disappeared. Felt sorry for the crew all doing their best and well masked! They needed to be. The captain gave us almost no information until the last day. . In fact it was difficult to ascertain anything about weather or details of ports throughout the whole trip. The tiny tv had very few channels and constantly lost signal. To top things off we discovered one of our suitcases was missing in the baggage hall. The customer service person we spoke to from the port baggage company next day was very helpful and has arranged for our case to be delivered this week but more than a week after we disembarked. Someone from a care home in Daventry had taken it despite it being very distinctive and labelled with our cabin number!