cruisingiscool

Thank you for the advice TigerB. I will try it and see. 

Hi. Iona cruse coming up to celebrate big birthday. DH and I had a very embarrassing and nasty experience in Epicurean on our last visit  and in consequence cannot face the thought of another meal there. We have decided that, amongst many other treats to celebrate, we would try the Keel and Cow for a quick steak and celebratory drinks to mark the day. If I want to book say 8.15 p.m. and not use the App is it possible to visit /ring during the day to make the booking or is this discouraged / not possible? 

Absolutely wonderful surprise. Your kids and OHs are a credit to you both sir. What a lovely 🤩 relationship you have 

8 minutes ago, Denarius said:

Confused by the references to half term. Friday 29 March 2024 is Good Friday and Sunday 31 Easter Sunday. So the school holiday will be full term not half term, marking the end of the Spring term, and will last 2 weeks.

I have no children or grandchildren so have no idea about whether it's half term or full term. It  really doesn't matter to me.  Whichever it is I understood the answers to my question so I'm grateful for all the replies.

Thank you for your input and advice. We were on Iona in June 2023 and there was no soft play areas in the club house then  but it was always very very full. I'm concerned about the lift situation and not being able to sit in lounges/bars because of the increased number of passengers. I am not able to walk for any distance , stairs are a no-no and I'll have to think carefully about after dinner entertainment venues such as Brodie's or the Lounge club. Hopefully it will be fine.

41 minutes ago, Smudgemum said:

We are also on this cruise, and our schools break up on 28th March Essex, so I think we will be fine with the amount of children onboard 

Not long to go now ☀️ 😎 

Very excited! Looking forward to some sun !

16 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

Mr Google says that most schools in the country break up on Thursday 28th March, so hopefully there will be very few school age children on our cruise.

That's very positive. Thanks

1 hour ago, Cathygh said:

We sailed on Iona in the May half term last year. Yes it was busy but you might not see many children around as they love the kids clubs so much. I would go to the MDR for all your meals but that will be busy in the evenings especially if you like to eat early or you don't want to share. Perhaps someone who has been during  a more recent school holiday can advise about wait times for the MDR in the evening.

Thanks for your advice. I expect the lounge bars etc will be very busy in the evenings  as well. I'll try to look on it as an adventure. 

8 minutes ago, Leomins said:

Our schools aren’t breaking up until Thursday March 28th so that might help.

Thanks for that info. That's a plus.

Hi. This cruise has been booked for a while. It's a big birthday one and was a compromise on a Carribbean cruise because I can no longer fly. 

I have just realised the second week of the cruise (22nd onwards) will be school half term. I know parents take children out of school before the holidays because of lower prices.  It's all water under the bridge now, I can't cancel but how busy can I expect it to be ? Has anyone done the same sort of dates and have any experience? We have done Iona once before but not near school holidays so not sure what to expect.

Hi. On Iona soon. May buy internet package . Thinking of essential. Can I send photos using WhatsApp messager on this package or do I need Ultimate package

Does Britannia still have grab and go section? Thanks

Does Britannia still have a Grab and Go section?

We had this problem. We cruised in June this year and our passports were issued Feb 2014  but expired June 2024. The person at check in said that we would not be able to use them for any later cruises due to issue date. We another cruise in August around Britain but we're told we would need new passports though not sure if this was accurate. Anyway we applied as soon as we got back from June cruise. Took photographs using an online app which was brilliant. Sent them off on a Sunday. DH got new one in his hands on the Thursday and mine arrived on the Friday. So my advice for what it's worth is get a new one. Do it online as others have advised. It's a doddle!

3 minutes ago, delgirl said:

We just got off QM2 last week and our steward knocked on the door and introduced himself straight away. We also had evening turn down service which I wasn't expecting. Also had napkin placed on my lap. Everything was as it was pre-covid. The only difference was not as much choice on the evening menu but what there was excellent. I know it is a different cruise line but when our niece went on QV last year she said a lot of things were different to pre-covid. So I would say most ships are getting back to normal this year.

I'm very hopeful you're right. I'm looking forward to the cruise on Britannia now. Everyone seems optimistic so fingers crossed.

 

 

 

6 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

Was  your last cruise just after Covid with restrictions in  place?

One was and  with P and O. The other P and O was Iona which is where the biggest queues were and where we had the Costa coffee in a takeaway cup even tho we were sitting in the Costa bit. The other one was MSC. I'm definitely not a fan of MSC and won't be sailing with them again. 

Kalos. Obviously you're right. I can see this now. I'm unsure what has happened but I'm definitely the person who started the thread.. I'm confused too!

10 minutes ago, daiB said:

How odd we cruise 5/6 times a year and 

1 always see our cabin steward not long after getting to our room

2. Never had a problem with the cleaning our cabin.

3. Not bothered about seeing officers but they are coming back. On Britannia tow month ago, we chatted with the Cruise Director for 2 hours

4 We always chat to the staff, most particularly the cleaners

5. We have never had our coffee in a take away container, ever

6 Always had water served without asking and bread always appeared at the start of the service and there was always more if you wanted.

7 I have never had a problem getting a drink at the bar.

8 I have never seen a cocktail made by machine. This I find the oddest comment.

 

As I said all of the things you say you have missed I have had on every cruise I have been on and 10 of them have been since lockdown.

Thankyou for your reassurance that things can be better. It's nice to know that others are finding the things I miss. Gives me hope for better cruising experiences in the future

1 minute ago, Ginb56 said:

We’re on Britannia at the moment and can reassure you that, from our experience, all the things you miss or fear long gone, are very much alive and kicking 😊. Good level of staffing, chatty steward who introduced himself on first day, table drinks service, cocktails still shaken, main dining room staff who still ‘give you the works’ from arriving to leaving, officers often seen walking around and so on. We hope you feel reassured - enjoy your cruise…! 

Thanks for that. It's certainly helped. I really wasn't looking forward to our next cruise but it seems I may have been unlucky / gone on the wrong cruise. Thanks for your kind words 

6 minutes ago, ParisHilton said:

Care to share when you started cruising?

It was in the 1980s. Yes I'm that old! 

Just now, Fionboard said:

Shame about your experiences. Don't know which ships you have been on lately but I get most of the above on Arcadia and Aurora. Smaller, more friendly and crew have more time to interact. Hope you continue to enjoy cruising. 🙂

Thankyou. We are going on Britannia in a few weeks so I'm hoping that brings the love back.. 

Would we be able to get a taxi? My mobility is not good so the easiest way is the best for me?

Does the ship provide shuttle buses from the port to main street Gibraltar? I know there is a kiosk for the local ones but understand the wait is long between shuttles  .

DH and I were suckered into booking a superior deluxe balcony whilst booking onboard during a past cruise. I have only just realised ! In days gone by there was a bottle of wine in the room on embarkation., possibly to make up for the noise from the Lido deck. Is this still the case?  

Email arrived offering bid on YC and aurea suits. We definitely cannot afford the YC upgrade other than the interior suit which DH does not want. The aurea suite upgrade is within reach though. Priority boarding sounds good BUT would we loose our included premium extra drinks and. Included gratuities package that was part of our original booking ? Also I have wheelchair assistance boarding booked so would that be still ok ? Also do we get anytime dining with aurea?