For years P&O have been cutting out the little treats that make cruising special, having eliminated all of these they are now cutting back on the essentials, from pre-cruise booking in to the removal of trays in the buffet travellers more than ever, have to work their passage.
Immigration in New Orleans as usual means not getting ashore until 4 pm the American authorities work hard and efficiently, but there is never enough of them, perhaps P&O should just pay for more.
We were berthed almost against the bridge, the disabled and elderly passengers were forced to walk along a rough road to get onto the town, another penny-pinching idea from P&O no doubt, a good job it wasn’t raining, in all, we missed four shore days that we had paid for with no alternatives or compensation offered.
Despite just returning from a refit the ship looked tired and shabby, there was less choice of food in the Buffet and what there was padded out with cheaper ingredients, the vegetables were hard, properly cooked alternatives were requested, but never offered.
The evening entertainment and the daytime activities were also suffering from very large cutbacks.
The staff were as always friendly and efficient but obviously overworked.
Whilst depriving us of so much on board, P&O were constantly bombarding us with future cruise offers, looking at these you have to wonder how many onboard essentials will be missing next time, also how many of the promised destinations will be cut at the last minute.
P&O and the Captain give the impression that they do not really care about their customers.
