Ardennais

Just shows how different we all are. We went to the Caribbean and didn’t visit a single beach! Don’t like beaches or swimming!!

We walked to the far end of the harbour and spotted the Cafe Fish and got seated straight away. Lovely food.

That would cost them money! Less revenue from cabins and increased staff costs.

I know, it’s not good enough. We were also confined to school holidays for years as I was teaching and then when I only taught part time, I would never take the children out of school in term time. I still don’t mind sailing during the school holidays. I like seeing children around but I expect the standard to be more or less the same.

Cartagena is lovely. Cartagena in Colombia is also great!

Yes, in theory, but in practice? I had a moan about service levels on Iona during February half term and quite a few responses here were along the lines of, well avoid the school holidays. That doesn’t address the fundamental problem. Someone also said that Iona was fully staffed and that the crew quarters were full. So I doubt whether they can find additional staff. Of course, it’s possible to deploy the staff they have in different ways, but we’ve also been told that the cabin staff now do other things in the evenings rather than turndown. I can’t see how they can really speed things up!

I would also avoid Deck 8 on Iona. I think these 2 photos I took give you a good idea as to why!

Hope you have a wonderful cruise.

I’ve never seen a bun fight, whatever that is, in the buffet and I use the buffet a lot. Almost reached Caribbean level, but the free alcohol wouldn’t entice me at all.

Didn’t get that far on Iona as they were already full! Whereas on Britannia a few months later there was plenty of room and I can’t say it was cold!

What a lovely day!

During February half term, on Iona, we fancied a film on the first sea day, but we found all the cinemas were full when we turned up which was a good half hour before screening.

What sort of forms do you have to fill in on the way there?

I agree! And where’s the butter?

My brother became a grandfather a few months ago so we have 4 generations in our family now too. Such excitement!

I don’t about Snowden, but I can almost see Snowdon from here and I have simply no inclination to climb to the top! Why would I, when I could let the train take the strain?

I’m sure he’s great company as are most young people.

I remember being told as a child that patience is a virtue (possess it if you can). What is it with people that they want to be the first on and then first off these ships??

Selbourne - I understand your frustration. Shame I can’t book on your behalf as I never go to bed before 1am!!

I have, and many are delightful indeed!

Or even have a cuppa in the station and then go to the terminal at the correct time.

No, I booked through my usual TA.

I got the emails this morning for our family cruise next year too. 6 of the 8 travellers will be under 30.

We did one cruise on Balmoral s few years ago (a very good price tempted us) and we had a great time, although we were the youngest pair by about 20 years! I quite often look at the FO cruises leaving from Liverpool, which would be quite convenient for us, but the prices are very very high, coupled with the fact that the balconies are mainly terraced balconies on Borealis. I can’t justify the additional expense.

We had craft classes on a 35 night cruise on Ventura to the Caribbean - they were held on the sea days. The 17 nighters on Aurora pre-covid had art classes too, again on the sea days. In both cases, they had specialists, not just crew. I haven’t noticed anything on the shorter cruises.