Ilovemygarden

We really do love tourists up here but yes Edinburgh prices are eye watering! Part of the reason I moved through to Glasgow when I was widowed 7 years ago but I did live there for 44 years. It is a lovely city for a mini break though and you are staying in the very centre of town. In George Street I would recommend the Dome for coffee/drinks/snacks just for the stunning interior and Cafe Andaluz has tasty tapas. My favourite restaurant in town is Fishers in the City in Thistle Street (there is also the original branch Fishers down in Leith near the Britannia). There are many other eateries including some upmarket Michelin starred ones like Tom Kitchen and Martin Wishart in Leith too. For atmosphere (I haven’t eaten there for a very long time) maybe try The Witchery (perhaps on the night of your concert at the Castle?) as it’s very near there. If you like Thai food there is Chaophraya in Castle Street - the terrace has stunning views over to the Castle and there is also Dusit Thai in Thistle Street which has excellent food. A few for you to research anyway and of course there are branches of the tried and trusted Cote, the Ivy and All Bar One as well. I would think Eglesbrech May also chime in with more suggestions for another slant on things as she knows the city well too. The tram runs from the airport into Princes Street and I believe down to Leith now too so very simple to get around.

Somewhere with a reasonable choice of restaurants and not too clubby! I was really wondering about the various resorts around the Bay of Palma - maybe somewhere like Cala Major within easy reach of Palma city. I have been several times to a lovely hotel in Illetas but I don’t think that will fill the bill this time. Any suggestions?

Nothing to do with cruising but do any of you good people know of a nice resort within reasonable distance of Palma in Majorca- looking to spend a week next May with my daughter. Hotel recommendations also welcome.

Good morning from sunny Athens where it is currently a balmy 23 degrees set to rise to 26😎. Last day today though so home tomorrow to a very wet Scotland! It’s a big holiday here with lots of parades etc taking place. Safe journey to all of you travelling to Southampton.

Looking forward to your journey already😄

Indeed!

You are well organised. I’d take bets on there being a cruise tucked into those “plans in the next six weeks! Love the sound of your advent calendars. I’m off to my daughter’s in Athens on Thursday so can stock up on a bit more sunshine before the winter chill really sets in. 😎

There are many taxis in every port plying for trade and car hire is fine too although the only place we ever pre booked that was in Barbados. Particularly easy for us as on so many of the islands they drive on the left.

I’ve cruised in the Caribbean many times and have visited most, if not all of your ports. I have no experience of wheelchairs though but will mention the ports I remember as easy to walk round. I agree about Kingston and would stay on board that day. Aruba, Curaçao, Antigua, St Lucia (if you get the right berth), St Kitts, Bermuda and Nassau I remember as easy to walk round. Also Key West if you berth is pretty flat and you should be ok in Miami. Barbados, Costa Rica and Tortola I’d investigate the possibility of transport as there are interesting things to see. Sounds like a wonderful trip - I had a look at it myself yesterday as the solo price is now pretty good too but exercised restraint!

I’d agree with that. Disembarkation from Britannia 10 days ago pretty much followed the “group” system and was very smooth I thought.

Hope you enjoyed Athens - I’ll be there next week. Is there a good deal with OBC whilst booking onboard? I think it was triple the normal amount a couple of weeks ago.

Not sure what happens now but many years ago on American ships many people tipped the barman, waiter etc on the first day - tip stood for “to improve performance” so they were then assured excellent service for the whole cruise!

That is exactly the itinerary Britannia had last week. Make sure you get the lift at the port in Tenerife- it’s not really signposted but just go into the building (I think maybe used for ferry boarding) as you get to the end of the ship Saves a very long trail round and round the walkway! Gran Canaria is ok - once you’ve made your way across the main drag past the shopping centre go forward up the street, take a right and you should come to a nice promenade with a nice beach and lots of cafes etc. Cadiz is very easy but there was a 40 minute shuttle last week into the centre of Lisbon. There were other parts walkable from the port I think. In Funchal it is a bit of a walk (but do-able) without the shuttle bus. My favourite port of all with a walk to the market a must!

As posted on another thread I’ve just come back from the Canaries and have been another couple of times during the past year. Arrecife is pretty dismal anyway so I’d just stay on board and enjoy the sunshine. I found La Palma quite pretty with lots of small individual shops and pretty balconied buildings (it is a bit steep in places though. I don’t know if you are stopping in Fuertaventura but if you are and head to the Main Street running parallel to the promenade, the locals put on a lovely wee dance show - at least they did on the days Azura stopped. IMG_1456.mov

Yes - I believe it is horrendous. My son lives in a little village near Port of Monteith and said yesterday neighbouring villages were more or less cut off.

Thanks Eglesbrech - I came home via coach (the outward journey definitely not to be recommended due to a very old and noisy bus being substituted for the “luxury coach”). The worst of the weather here was yesterday I think with a few local problems. I haven’t ventured outside yet as I ordered a grocery home delivery from the coach which arrived at noon yesterday (the delivery that is, not the coach!

Forgot to mention the entertainment on board. The Headliners shows I attended were excellent, as were the two shows by the Four Harps. A Country and Western singer was also very good (I can’t remember her name) but the buskers - oh dear they were absolutely dire! I cannot imagine how they were ever employed. Kevin Simm in the Limelight Club was ok - I felt I was perhaps at least 10 years too old to fully appreciate him (not his fault)!

Indeed - now wondering if my garden and surrounding roads have more water in them than the Britannia pool! 😰

I was on this Britannia cruise too and whilst I can sympathise with the other poster being ill and agree there were cool spots here and there on the ship in the evenings, because the weather was so very good it wasn’t really a problem for me. I would also agree that there were a few signs of wear and tear but nothing significant enough to detract from my overall enjoyment of the trip. I do agree the food in the MDR was sometimes as described but it was more or less what I expected and similar to my last two cruises on Azura. I would also describe myself as “very picky” and I don’t have a large appetite. There was a lot of lamb served but again not an issue for me. The meals in the Beach House, Glass House and Epicurian were all excellent and in my opinion not expensive, given the initial fare. The Limelight Club did have a more limited menu than previously advertised but it was ok. Drinks were, as usual, very good value and overall I enjoyed the cruise very much. The weather was absolutely amazing with people sunbathing by the main pool on the very last day before Southampton.

I am embarking Britannia tomorrow and had an email from P and O about 5.00pm asking everyone to delay their boarding time by one hour as “her arrival has been slightly delayed due to weather” - must be a bit rocky out there!

I honestly don’t know but that is a good approximation. I seem to remember (probably depending on the hosts) that the later session went on until everyone had had enough!

I haven’t been on Ventura but on Azura in February there were two sessions each evening in the atrium (with hosts) - one I think at 7.30 and another at 9.00 or maybe 9.30. No live band though. There were also daytime classes on sea days.

I am due to board Britannia next week and can book the Limelight Club, the Beach House,Epicurian and Sindhu now.

I hope you have a lovely cruise and can report that Britannia is in good shape for me boarding on the 22nd! Some people can be shallow and selfish can’t they? Seriously, though, hope you enjoy! 🛳️

I had a leaflet in the post yesterday from Fred Olsen with some good deals including drinks for 2024 but maybe your last experience with them has had you strike them off your list!