|
We went on the J301 cruise from Southampton to Brisbane the dream cruise for retirement that turned into a nightmare
I would conservatively say 80% of the people on the ship were sick at some time with type 1 and 2 flu found on the ship as well as the famed Arcadia cough which we found was no myth
I boarded the ship healthy and during the 52 days of the cruise have never taken so many medicines in 70 years
Nora virus ironical was no problem the ship were meticulous and the threat was well handled in fact the hotel department of the ship, food cabins (State Rooms if American) were very good both Pursers we had excellent
However a ships mood is set by the personality of the Captain and the Cruise Director Captain number 1 to Montevideo bland but functional
Captain number 2 in my opinion short changed the clients in many ways totally none commutative we all felt she thought we were lucky to be on her ship -- however she was not too burdened with a personality
The Cruise Director had much the same attitude only she was so full of self importance with constant references to "my Staaaaf" and my DJ my, Technical team" and so on
I think there was a problem with understanding of who paid the wages and the cruise was for the benefit of the passengers
The main complaint the limitary slashed to endless sea days 4 ports taken out 1 put back -- I have paper work to say in port in Easter Island and Pitcairn
We sailed by with no effort to point out the land marks or sail around the Islands as other cruises do
In fact the cruise DJ when we were 10 minutes from Easter Island made fun of the Bridge "maybe some one will tell us what id happening soon" his comments
Valparaiso was a disaster the ships Captain wanted us all back on board for a boat drill at 5pm although we were scheduled to sail until 9pm
The monthly refresher could have been done any time cutting the on shore activity down tremendously
I could wax on whinging like the 600 Auses we had on the ship with other points -- however I think you can see why the passenger moral was low
Never again with Arcadia P&O yes but I will be looking who the Captain and cruise director is before booking many Australians will never cruise P&O again
|
