Is The Party Over For P&O?

What were for years called “Taster Cruises” seem the have become something entirely different over the last few years. Short, two or three night, cruises were thought to be the ideal way for people who were new to cruising to try the experience and hopefully if they enjoyed themselves they would then re-book a longer cruise and go on to do many more. However, with celebrations such as Hen and Stag Do’s, and milestone birthdays becoming much grander affairs than they were in my day, a few drinks with your mates or a meal out, these short cruises have proved an ideal alternative to city breaks or a long weekend in Ibiza, and celebrate these young people do! So much so that it appears to be affecting the enjoyment of fellow cruisers and P&O have put their foot down and said enough is enough.

It seems to have taken them a while to latch on to this, I personally have been dissuading clients who are not looking to party the night away from booking these short breaks for this very reason as I know from experience that the ship will be overrun with party-goers.

So from 1st January 2018 fancy dress is banned on all P&O cruises.

Dress Codes, to be adhered to are:

✓ Daytime – leisurewear
✓ Evening Casual – stylish resortwear or leisurewear.
(No trainers, football shirts or tracksuits)
✓ Black Tie – glamorous eveningwear for ladies and dinner jackets,
tuxedos or dark lounge or business suits with a tie for men

Strictly banned are any of the following:

✗ Fancy dress (except for P&O Cruises theme nights)
✗ Clothing with personalised slogans and images
✗ Novelty clothing
✗ Inflatables, bar crawls, practical jokes and noisy drunken behaviour

Can I just state at this point that I have never knowingly cruised with an inflatable in tow! Oh how I will miss the gangs of Vikings at check-in!

Also changing is their alcohol policy, effective 1st February 2018, as follows:

Passengers may take on board one bottle of wine, champagne, spirits etc to be consumed on board

Any alcohol purchased in ports of call will be stored for passengers until disembarkation when it will be reunited with its owner to be enjoyed once home.

I think P&O are trying their best to avoid rowdy groups over-indulging and spoiling these short cruises for loyal guests but is it going to work? And Are P&O right to change their policy or are they going to lose business?

Would be interested to hear your thoughts

As always, happy cruising folks!