TigerB

That's total aarse!🤭

The area on deck 18 near to the Beachcomber bar is adult only, so no screaming kids.👍🏻 Then again, there may be one or two yawping suvverners within earshot (ooh, light blue touch paper! 🤭)

As a pescatarian of over forty years standing, it may be a surprise to some that I have to say that I agree with the comments of many about the veggie heavy menus. For me, just so long as there is at least one vegetarian or vegan option on each course, and a decent fish only dish (i.e., no added panecetta or other meat items), then I would be happy. After all, my choice to be a pescatarian is a lifestyle choice and not for any medical reason. I would though welcome the reintroduction of the salmon as an always available dish. As the parent of a daughter who suffers with Coeliac disease, I think, with the many GF dessert options, and at least one GF starter or main, they are covered. They also have the option to preview the menus and ask for something to be adapted.

Just catching up on your reports after a fews days away from t'internet. Great photos. Just wondering, with your late return from the tour, and keen to get back to the ship from the port entrance to make your scheduled lunch date with your good lady, as that with or without the local marching powder? 🤭

🥰

Yes... https://travelform.gov.bb/

Actually, I do have a pink Stetson, MB!😉 The mankini is a good idea though, plenty of capacity for folding money. I may get me one of those!🤭

Have you any such ladies on your cruise?🤔🤭

Another great report, thanks.👍🏻 Yes, we both really like Curacao and Aruba; I seem to recall that Oranjestad was a little more commercialised, with more traffic, but still very accessible. I can't remember the history of the blue horses in Oranjestad, though.

How do you know I don't want to?🤫

Thanks for the advice John👍🏻 We've always gone direct and have gone the saver route just twice. As I had previously mentioned, we knew exactly where the location of the four LB cabins were for our September cruise, so knew we would be happy with any of them. Now we know the number, but I'm not sure if that is the one with the pole in. Makes no odds if it is; I'll take my thong just in case. When we booked for Arvia last April at only eight days before sailing, there were just three inside cabins in the grade we were looking at, and all were in locations that we would have been happy with. I recall mentioning to the lass that of those three, our first choice would have been 15322. She then asked if we wanted to pay another (about) £350 each to secure that cabin at the select rate; that was a hard NO, we would take the chance with the £649 each we were going to pay on the saver rate; the extra OBC was paltry and we already had some compensatory OBC. As it happens, the confirmation email was received less than two our later, with our cabin allocation: 15322.

In 2023 we sailed on both, twice. We were on the second cruise on Arvia and although it was relatively quiet, with only 4,500 passengers, they were having many problems with dining queues. On our second trip, in April, there were about 5,500 passengers; the ship felt busier and the problems with dining queues weren't much better. On our Iona cruises, in June and October, there were at least 5,000 passengers on each, but there were none of the dining problems that plagued Arvia. That was probably because the honeymoon period had passed and the crew were more accomplished, but also because of the two extra MDRs. Most locations are almost identical on both ships, by that I mean the functions, not necessarily the decor; as has been mentioned, the notable difference is the sliding roof over the pool area on Arvia. Obviously, it also has the mini golf, the ropes course and the escape room. We prefer the layout of the shops on Iona; visiting the shops on Arvia is like fighting your way through the duty free shops when you are trying to get to your gate at the airport. Both ships have accessible features that, while not perfect, are much better than all the other ships. Arvia has more varied dining options, with Green & Co., Mizuhana, 6th Street Diner, and Roast in the Quays; we tried all of those, except for Mizuhana, and liked them all. Iona though has the two smaller MDRs and of those, we have quite enjoyed evening meals in Opal. We also prefer the Olive Grove on Iona. So, we would happily cruise on both ships again, but for us, Iona just has the edge.

Yes, they do tend to attract a premium. When we booked however, there wasn't much difference above the highest grade inside, and that is why we went the saver route, and also because there are only four accessible LB cabins and we knew where the location would be. We wouldn't be bothered about an upgrade to be fair, and we certainly wouldn't bid for one, especially as the next grade accessible cabin is a GC balcony, and we're not keen on the locations of them. If you've potentially saved a grand you have done really well, @SquishTheWhale; I'm pleased for you 😊

I would hope, if it does come off, we would have the same choices. Only time will tell

Yes, that is correct Jean. My comment was in reaction to the likelihood that OBC can be used before the cruise; i.e. would the requirement be that you had to use your OBC first before they allowed you to book things with a credit card?

After reading this @SquishTheWhale, I've just checked our saver fare for Arvia in September, in the hope that our LB outside has been upgraded to a GA balcony. No such luck, but at least we know the cabin number. 👍🏻Well done on your upgrade, which probably would have cost you a minimum bid of £150 per person if you had gone that route.

@GINGERWILDCAT, it's the colourful side with bold writing on that needs to face outward

I'll second that. Get well soon MB.

I would hope, if it does happen, that they would allow the option to also use a credit card. In that case, we would be minded to use a credit card and get the discounts for dining, and use OBC for any trips.

That's interesting, and would be welcome. Do you know if, when it does happen, booking through the Cruise Planner will still attract a 20% discount and further Peninsula discount for dining, or will it be like when onboard, where you have spend the lot before you get your Peninsula discount?

Oh aye, so you have me pegged as an expert on CARS (cruise adult related shenanigans), do you?😯 Well, I will answer your question, but I don't want anyone to be offended. So, the answer will be right at the bottom of this post. Anyone that is easily offended should go elsewhere now. Those of you that have a keen interest in CARS (you all know who you are) can tab down to the bottom. Here goes... The reason a ping pong ball is left in the mail slot of a cruise cabin is because the occupants want others of a like minded persuasion to know that they are really, really into... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... table tennis. An orange ball indicates that they like to play it with oompah loompas.

Thanks for the update, and the great photos👍🏻 Praia da Vitória really does look lovely. Tell me, what was the accessibility like for wheelchair users?

For us too! We only play Lobster mania, and will only charge £20 to each cruise card, which then attract an additional £5 of play each. If we come out with a profit then that's great, but if we don't at least we've had a bit of fun. Mind you, even if the balance on our cards is only pennies we will still cash out; better in our pockets than Carnival's. #Yorkshire 🤭

The payout will be the same as if you had charged a credit card, the balance will remain on your cruise card; it will have to as it keeps a record of your playing and awards the bonuses. At the end you will cash out at the desk and get reddies back.

@sandancer, we've been on Iona twice and didn't even notice that. Too distracted by the colourful and flashing screens, I reckon! 😉