Photo Andy

Further to my post earlier. ClaireRuss is correct the ceiling is low so be careful doing overhead press / shoulder press, sit on the bench, I did hit the ceiling when standing doing overhead press - no damage thankfully to anything just embarrassing. You also have the promenade deck for walking / aerobics, and if rough and not allowed outside just walk the stairs - aerobic and lower leg strengthening. Probably the best gym on board is P and O Iona, it has everything you originally mentioned. I just alter my routine whether on Victoria or Iona. BW.

alphawhiskey, I have used the gym on Iona in May 2022 (Norway) and the gym is superb, but busy and the machines are close together so be careful. Free weights, dumbbells, benches, and an area for stretching, yoga, etc. Cannot remember if they have kettlebells! I do not use the showers but prefer to return to our suite. (Cannot be bothered to carry a bag with clean clothes and I cool down on the way back to the suite). I am onboard in early May (Norway) and will attend the gym, will explore and return with an answer unless someone beats me to it.

No barbells, dumbbells from 1 kg to 30kg (?) definitely 20kg (my limit), Techno gym machines, NO squat rack, No chin up bar. 2 flat benches that can be inclined, If you change your routine to being dumbbell based you should be able to keep fit and keep your muscle mass. It is a keep fit gym not a bodybuilding gym.

"The Times on Line" (London, UK) have published a image of Captain Thorhauge being measured for her new Captains uniform. "Inger Thorhauge, a Cunard captain, receives a final fitting for her uniform from the Savile Row master tailor Kathryn Sargent at her shop in Mayfair, central London. Thorhauge will welcome the first guests on board the new Queen Anne ship in Southampton on May 3". Hopefully Cunard will obtain a copy of the image and place in an archive. Happy sailing. Derek.

Jeep3131, last June (2023) we visited Alesund am walked up Mt Aksla (OK if fit), and observed ships / boats sailing the Fjord. Returned to our cruise ship (Cunard Queen Victoria) and booked the afternoon excursion on Hjorundfjord at the ships excursion office. Did not book with a private operator as seemed more like local transport links rather than an excursion and return times were past our embarkation and sail away time. NB we were on the stern deck of the excursion boat, very sunny and windy, wore a balaclava as my beanie hat would have blow off my head. Enjoyed it so much we are doing it again in May.

Hattie, many thanks, I did use the search button but no luck, probably asked the wrong question. BW Derek.

Are you allowed to book 2 cruises together? i.e. Embark Soton, cruise, return to Soton, then disembark then reembark on the same ship and cruise again? I appreciate practical issues - luggage off and on again, different cabins etc. Any smart ideas to do this please? BW Derek.

Sailing on P and O Iona to Canaries and Lisbon. Not sure where we dock in Lisbon does any body know? The real question is it an easy walk from the cruise port to Belem and the Monument of the Discoveries? We are hikers / mountain bikers so fitness is not an issue.

Port Royal, nobody noticed and once saw on Queen Elizabeth (Canaries cruise) a long gowned lady with Tiara wearing training shoes, I only noticed because I was very observant and was used to observing peoples gait for a living. Your gran would have probably loved them as very comfortable and grippy, less chance of a fall. Happy cruising.

Lalof, My wife wears Nike Black running shoes, I (male husband) wear Merrell Moab 3 shoes (black), Gore-Tex, grippy sole, lace ups, cushioning inlays and very comfortable. As they are black use them for dress shoes with my 3 piece suit, main dining room Cunard Queen Victoria. The Merrell's have been used at the North Cape, Canaries (Lanzarote walking through a lava field and extinct volcano), walking around Lisbon in heat, Disney World Florida in 46.4c and walking the last 5km of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. This was probably the toughest as it was dusty and I was brown from the knees down. Washed the shoes in the shower and left on our balcony and they dried in 2 days. Actually have 6 pairs - yes I like them. According to the Merrell web site they do a female version. Happy walking.

Should add this was Queen Victoria.

We boarded on Tues 6 June at 2-45pm, our official boarding time was 3-15pm. Dropped car with CPS and into terminal, check in ladies were waiting. About 20 people checking in - straight through security, to room and visited muster, watched safety film. Lido eating by 3-30pm. Note we received a letter at check in Norovirus was onboard blaming a passenger from bringing onboard. Strict cross infection measures implemented, crew serving you, no salt or pepper on tables, even served the Worcestershire sauce for breakfast. This morning Thurs 8 June restrictions have been lifted. Written in Starbucks in Stavanger, nice to walk around. Derek.

We have a 3-15pm arrival 6 June QV North Cape cruise. Latest ever, used to enjoy early embarkation and lunch in the Lido etc. We have changed our travel arrangements (coming from NE UK) overnight in Hemel then slow drive to Soton visiting a National Trust property. We are Platinum on deck 6. Very disappointed!

Hello, we have not been onboard since late 2019 due to Covid shut down etc. Queen Victoria in the Lido had different dining on an evening - American / Mexican, Italian, Indian and Asian (if I remember correctly). Are they still in operation, (looked on Cunard website and no info) any menus and prices, easy to book? or should we just stick to main dining room? Any advice gratefully received. Sailing in June to North Cape. BW Derek.

Lalof, interesting question esp as wife and I going to Rome (central Med) 2023 and Athens (Eastern Med) 2024. I always carry a DSLR, 24-70 zoom and 70-200 zoom both 2.8. The places you have mentioned you could probably just use a 24-70 zoom and travel light. We went pre pandemic to Southern Spain, Gibraltar and photographed some dolphins from a RIB with my 70-200 F2.8 zoom see attached image. I will take my 70-200 zoom to the Med on both sailings whether I use it is debatable? When we walk around Rome I will just have the DSLR and 24-70 zoom as walking quite a bit, leaving the photo rucksack on board the cruise liner. I certainly would not be take a +300mm superzoom etc. BW Derek.