Eglesbrech

I always go on any holiday with a view to enjoying it unless it is really poor, which this was not. As I said we had a good embarkation / disembarkation. The cabin was clean. The entertainment was very good. The ports were enjoyable. Sindhu was excellent etc. The biggest fly in the ointment was the food and we didn’t starve. Once we moved restaurant to fixed dining the service was great (even if the food choices were still limited). The issue with the crew change was probably some lack of experience and training. Add to that the H&S audit.

Good news Graham, I’m so glad. How is Sarah doing?

I’m just off Aurora and would agree. The food was a really mixed bag. but then the food on Iona was just adequate as well. The food is much better on Fred IMO (accepting that you pay much more for it). It’s not just the food on Fred though. Lots of nice little extra touches. The big thing is the regional departures which means the cost is much more comparable if you live in Scotland or the North of England, taking account of travel, hotel stays etc.

Hello all, just back from Aurora yesterday (I have shared some thoughts on another thread if anyone is interested). Just been catching up on all the news. Best wishes to those who have been poorly or are waiting on results. Jane I’m so glad you avoided a fractured skull, had one - no fun at all! Had a good laugh at the offerings from our resident funny men, thanks. Enjoyed the lovely pictures of where people have been, the robins etc as well. This thread is a joy.

I agree Jean. I really hate cigarette smoke but have never found it an issue on any of Fred’s ships.

A few notes from our recent cruise. Embarkation We arrived at the dock 10 minutes before our appointed time but as CPS were a bit on the slow side arrived at check in after our time slot. Check in was friendly, quick and efficient and we were onboard within 15 minutes from start to finish. Our luggage was at our cabin by the time we got there so all good. Disembarkation was equally efficient. Cabin All as expected. The cabin was clean and kept that way throughout the week by our efficient cabin steward who also provided ice every day, as a requested. The bathroom fittings are showing their age to the point that they really do need replaced. The bottom of the shower should be dimpled but it is now so old the dimples have been worn away over the years and can only now be seen round the edges. The shower was fine, decent pressure. Main Dining Well we started off with “freedom” dining and that lasted one day. Freedom seems to now be the freedom to wait in a queue for a pager, then wait for an inordinate time to be paged. We were initially told 30 to 40 minutes, this was extended again and eventually we were double that time. We didn’t eat until after 9pm which was far too late and we were not the latest by any means. People next to us had been waiting longer and we were paged first (they may have wanted a 2 top). Others reported being seated immediately so all a bit of a cluster bourach! I am aware from having done many, many cruises that the first night can be a bit of struggle but this was shambolic beyond any past experiences. We did comment on the length of the wait and were told “it will be worse tomorrow as the formal meal takes longer to serve” and that if we didn’t like it “we could eat at the buffet!” in an offhand and frankly quite cheeky manner. At this point we asked to speak to someone more senior, requested a change and were moved to fixed dining which proved to be much more relaxing. We had excellent waiting staff who looked after us extremely well. The ship was full so this probably contributed to waiting times. That said I have never been presented with a pager for breakfast on any ship before, ever. We were happy to share a table and still told the wait was 30 to 40 minutes (Bilbao port day). We gave up and went to the buffet, which I don’t particularly like. Food The food was a very, very mixed bag. While we had some really excellent dishes we also had some that were frankly inedible and full plates were removed with no enquiry as to why (lunchtime). There was far too much repetition on the menu for example fish and chips at both lunch and dinner and roasted lamb on the menu virtually every evening along with steak removing 2 choices unless you wanted them every day. The starters and soups were good and for example the terrains were always very tasty. Again there was a lot of repetition, while I enjoyed the tomato soup it was on the menu a lot. I really enjoyed some of the lighter dishes like the prawn fajitas, the bean wraps, bean chilli, satay etc. . The food on the formal nights was a strange mix, don’t expect the the traditional beef wellington or lobster (the lobster byriani at Sindhu was however excellent). The chicken ballatine was a pleasant change and very enjoyable. I certainly found enough to eat but had to pick around the menu very carefully and ask for extra if required. Some portion sizes are very small for example at lunch the mezzi platter consisted of a portion of humous was about the size of a ten pence piece, 1 small dolmade cut in half about the size of my pinky (and too vinegary) a tiny falafel and one lettuce leaf. Several people at the table had ordered it and we all burst out laughing when it came as it was a supposed to be a main meal “large plate”. I’m not a dessert person but saw them on the table with commentary from OH and others, again they went from the inedible (burnt, dried out treacle pudding) to the very pleasant Tart Tatin. Buffet We only ate there a couple of times. The first day we went up for a late lunch and the choice was woeful. There had been a roast of gammon and various curries etc (the tags were still there but not the food and it was not being replaced, I asked). This was an hour before the advertised end of service. So if you want lunch on the first day get there quick! Breakfast was the usual selection and absolutely fine. The buffet areas were kept clean and tables cleared quickly which was good to see. Afternoon Tea We went to the sit down afternoon tea on the last sea day. Not worth the effort or the queue. We were at a table for six and there were five sandwiches. The scones were cold, the cream was artificial and the cakes looked woeful. Again synthetic cream: most got left. I had a cup of stewed tea. The company at the table was however enjoyable. Speciality Dining Sindhu was really excellent, one of the better iterations of this venue both for food and great service. I thoroughly enjoyed my black chickpea and spiced humous massala starter. The other dishes were all equally good and we tried a range of them. Tried the Indian cocktail, a nice hit of spice but too strong for me. If you are a spirits drinker you will probably enjoy it. Beach House Dreadful, no other word for it. We waited 45 for our starter and when it came OHs chicken wings were cold and tasteless but he ate them as by that time he was ravenous. After an hour and 15 minutes we enquired about mains (the bottle of wine was long finished by then). We were told, quite sharply, that it was just coming. 10 minutes on again, I asked again. Out came the food and it had clearly been sitting under the heat lamps for a while as it was as dry as two day old toast. I asked to speak to the maitre,d at this point and waited, and waited (taking pictures of the food eventually got his attention). After been told it would be another 20 - 30 minutes wait we walked out, requesting a refund. Again there was a complete lack of coordination. Tables that came in after us were being served before us and tables before us, after us. We were not the only ones to walk. This may just have been one particularly bad night but it was on our holiday and the night we were there. Health and Safety Audit I will add at this point that the health and safety auditors were on the ship, this was announced by the Captain and he apologised for any inconvenience. This definitely had an impact on the staff. There were many additional drills, everything from lifeboats being lowered, a simulated evacuation where cabins all had to be checked as “clear”, to the power to the lifts being switched off to test emergency processes. You could see this was adding to the work load and stress. Entertainment We really enjoyed the entertainment onboard. A nice mix with something for everyone. The resident company were wonderful singers and dancers, a very talented cast. Their last show in particular was extremely slick and professional. Guest speaker actor Jim Whelen gave two very interesting talks on his childhood and acting career. Classical guitarist Stephen Burnham was mesmerising and gave a nice mix of both popular and classic pieces. The Elton John tribute by Steve Hollington was extremely well done. He did another show in Carmens which we also enjoyed. There was jazz in the Crows Nest most nights and one evening a big band doing Glen Millar which was very well done with a narrator providing the history of the music. Bar Service & Drinks Service was mixed with a bit of a wait and heading to the bar to be served on some occasions and others super efficient. Cocktails were a bit hit and miss as well eg passion fruit martini brilliant the first time and watery the second. I don’t like the fact that the beer is all served in nonic tumblers. Even our small local pub has the proper glass for the beer and it does affect the taste and bubbles. Some of the staff lack training. One young lad opened our bottle of Champagne and lost about a glass of it as it poured all over him and the carpet. We had to ask for a cooler for it as well. On other evenings, opened and poured beautifully and a full ice bucket provided by a more experienced waiter. As we had 3 days in Spain the 10% Spanish tax applied and it applied well after the ship left the harbour, so be aware of this when ordering. Ports We have been to most of these ports many times so know what we can do and what we enjoy. La Couruna we walked off, shopped and had tapas. A nice port to just mooch around. Gijon was a first for us so we took the shuttle in and just walked around the pretty little port town ( the port where we berthed is industrial). We had no problem and no wait for the shuttles in either direction but we are early risers so off early. Bilbao we docked extremely late and I didn’t hear the explanation as to why. This had a knock on on shuttles to the city so the ship put on a shuttle to Gextco train station as well as direct to Bilbao. We just walked up the town, enjoying the stroll along the promenade, more tapas and the lovely views. La Rochelle we were again on an early shuttle and the shuttle stop this time was extremely handy, just across from the market and next to the Cathedral with a short walk to anything. We had a lovely day here eating at a local harbour front restaurant which served the best fish soup I have had and an amazing seafood platter. As three of the ports were shuttle there were a lot of complaints about waiting times (full ship). Personally we didn’t have any issues but we go early as advised in the Horizon. General The ship looks a bit rusty in parts from the outside. We docked next to Sky Princess in Getxco and the comparison was not good, Sky looked so fresh. Aurora is an older lady but a lick of paint would not go amiss. Public areas were kept clean and there was always someone sanatising lift buttons and handrails but surprisingly the ladies toilets were in need of attention eg no liquid soap left in either dispensers. Some of the staff were a bit offhand to say the least to the point of rudeness and others an absolute delight. I am always courteous and polite to staff so their issue, not mine. The Captain was informative and he was visible, wandering round Anderson’s of an evening chatting to guests. Dress codes were well adhered to on formal nights, well at least by the gents. Some of the ladies were somewhat basic compared to their male companions in nice suits and DJs. Conclusion All in all we had a most enjoyable cruise. While there were some niggles nothing that detracted for the overall experience. As I said in another thread P&O is much more basic than it used to be but you dine, you are entertained and taken to interesting places, all for a decent price.

Balmoral is a nice little ship. Everything you need but no long walks from place to place. Its a little more old fashioned than the newer Fred ships but it has personality. The comfortable outdoor seating areas under pergolas are a great place to sit and enjoy a good book and a glass of something. The extra pay restaurants are both very good (and cheaper if pre booked). Im glad you got something sorted. Have a great cruise.

I’m wide awake as well. We leave at about 9am but I’ve been up half the night. I often listen to podcasts through the night. BBC sounds has a great choice, everything from politics and comedy to history and health. Or a book on audible. Hope you are asleep now.

I’m off on my travels tomorrow so just finishing packing. No WiFi this time so I’ll catch up with all your news in 10 days. Have a blessed Easter and I hope the weather where you are for the holiday weekend is better than the dull wet day I have here.

Do you have Scottish ancestry by any chance (or Yorkshire)? 😀

It’s really cold here today and blowing a storm. Feels more like winter than spring. The Easter weekend looks like a bit of a washout, which is a shame. There was an interesting article on the radio this morning about Easter. Apparently people are buying more decorations than ever and Easter markets are popping up. They were suggesting that it is becoming more like Christmas in terms of buying and holiday events. I always put up a few bits and pieces and have a bowl of daffodils out front and of course the Annual Easter Egg Hunt Cup, which is fiercely fought for each year!

It’s not “veggie bashing”, its a discussion about menus but you know that. The menus have changed so people discuss it. If you choose to take that as a “bashing” then that is your choice. You feel how you feel but please don’t impose motives on others that are absolutely not there.

@July morning you may already know this but blood pressure changes at different times of the day and for example after eating food. Consequently to get a true picture you would need to take it at least Morning and evening, the evening one is likely to be lower. When you do it in the morning do it consistently before eating or it will change the result.

I eat vegetarian food most of the time as well but enjoy the odd bit of fish or steak occasionally but I recognise the need for a decent range of choice for everyone. We don’t tend to argue on here, we offer alternative points of view as, you have, and discuss them in a civilised manner (well most of those on CC do anyway and if they don’t Host Sharon is ever vigilant). Voting with your feet is an interesting point and while it’s valid there is more to it. P&O have actively encouraged people to be loyal to their brand and many have over decades which now earns them significant perks. Were they simply to walk away they would lose these advantages after years of loyalty and tens of thousands of pounds spent with the company. Another possibility is P&O listening to genuine customer feedback. MSC offer a loyalty match but they are one of the few cruise brands to do so. I took them up on it and now travel regularly in the Yacht Club which offers better food and service etc but at a much higher price. I also choose to travel with P&O but just not nearly as often as I used to and when they offer something of interest.

With all due respect to those who prefer to be meat free (vegetarian) or meat and dairy, honey etc free (vegan) turn that statement around. Guys… you know that you are allowed to eat a carnivore menu even if you aren’t a carnivore, right? It works both ways.

It’s lovely, a very nice whisky (much nicer dram than Auchetoshan imho. It that’s down to personal taste of course). Part of the McLeod group which is re opening Rosebank, the one that I mentioned for Falkirk.

@Megabear2 if you do visit Linlithgow Palace look at the carvings above the entrance and remember the children’s rhyme Mary, Mary quite contrary. Look up as it’s literally carved in the stone here, cockle shells and all. The pretty maids are the four Mary’s (which is also the name of a nice hostellry in the town). I would also suggest getting the audio guide for the palace to make the most of the tour (the palace was also used in Outlander). Which distillery are you visiting on the Loch Lomond trip? It must be a lowland distillery and if it’s Auchentoshan then it’s triple distilled and quite a sharp dram. Personally I prefer the Auchetoshan cream which is one of the best versions of “Baileys” I have tried.

I would second the suggestion for Culross (pronounced coo russ). Beautiful little village with an interesting Abbey.

Your hotel is right behind the back steps to Waverley Station, just down from the Royal Mile so a short walk to the Castle for your concert. Yes the centre of Edinburgh is buses and trams only. You can however drive around the outskirts then motorway to Falkirk or Stirling. There is free parking at the Wheel and the Kelpies. Pay for at Stirling Castle. As you are right next to the station you could easily do Stirling and Falkirk by train. As I said above Stirling Castle is easily walkable if you are fairly fit from the station. The Wheel /Kelpies is a short taxi ride. Falkirk Grahamston is on the same train line as Stirling and both have taxi ranks so you could do both in one day potentially. Be sure to check for Dunblane or Alloa trains and the stops (Falkirk also has Falkirk High station which is on the main Edinburgh Glasgow high speed route). In the centre of Edinburgh there is a lot to see and do for 5 days. You could go to Mary Kings close and see the old city underground, the Johnny Walker experience on Princess Street, the Royal Yacht Brittania by tram in Leith, the national museums, Holyrood Palace, the Parliament, Edinburgh Castle etc etc. My best advice is book anything you want to do in advance as in July it will all be busy.

Yes indeed. At the Titanic Museum in Cobh you are given a ticket when you enter with the details of who you are as a passenger, which. Class etc. As you go through you see where you would have slept, washed, the food menus for your ticket class etc. At the end of the tour you check your passenger to find out their fate. That’s what I meant when I said above that we died which Becket would know as she has visited. It makes the whole thing more personal. As “I” was a third class passenger I would not have even got near a lifeboat.

Falkirk is much more accessible from South Queensferry than from Greenock but if you are doing a land based tour then probably better yet. If you are in the area then you can plan visits to the Wheel (booking required), the Kelpies, Callander House (Outlander connection - kitchen where beheading took place) and the newly reopened Rosebank Distillery (booking required) all within a three miles radius. Stirling is just up the train line too for the castle. If you did the train from Dalmeny you can go to Edinburgh Haymarket then change and take a Dunblane train into Stirling. The castle is about a 15 to 20 minute walk uphill from the train station. It’s amazing, some think better that Edinburgh and not as busy. If you want less faff then a taxi to Linlithgow and a direct train from there to Stirling. Linlithgow by taxi is the easiest option (it’s about a 15 to 20 minute journey) but I would pre book a taxi. While there will be some at the dock, there are always lots of passengers after them to get them up the hill to the station. I take it you are tendering in from under the bridges so you need to factor in the time it takes for that for any booking. (fun fact, the character Scotty from Star Trek was born in Linlithgow). The sail out from South Queensferry is lovely as you see the 3 bridges and further along the Isle of May and Bass rock. Take binoculars as you may be close enough to see some amazing bird life on the Bass rock. Re Kirkwall how easy this is after a tour depends on where the ship is, big ships are out at the docks so a shuttle bus is required. The times we have been there the shuttles have been frequent so easy enough to leave the tour bus and hop on one into town. Re Loch Lomond yes very scenic and pretty.

We did the Titanic museum. We both died! As you say well worth a visit. We also joined the locals in one of the pubs and tried some Irish Whiskey which was very nice, particularly the Redbreast 12 year old pot still. I spoke a few words with a really old local in Gaelic and we understood each other!

Kirkwall is nice place just to wander round. There are lots of little bespoke shops. It also has St Magnus Cathedral and the Bishops and Earls palaces https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/bishop-s-and-earl-s-palaces-kirkwall/right in the centre of town. A taxi ride away is Highland Park or (my favourite) Scappa if you fancy a whisky tasting. Both need booked in advance. If you want to try the local whisky without taking a tour then most pubs in the town centre will have a decent selection and the Orcadians will be more than happy to tell you what to try. South Queensferry has a station (Dalmeny) but most trains go just from Fife to Edinburgh or Edinburgh to Fife. The station is up a steep hill quite a walk away from the dock. The Falkirk wheel would mean a walk, a train into Edinburgh Haymarket, a train to Falkirk Grahamston or Camelon (Dunblane or Alloa train) then taxi ride to the wheel and the same in reverse. You also need to pre book a ride on the wheel as it is very popular. It is possible as the trains are frequent but a bit of a faff. A pre booked taxi would be another option. You could take the train ride to Dunfermline in Fife which has the Carnegie museum https://www.carnegiebirthplace.com which is fascinating and the Abbey https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/dunfermline-abbey-and-palace/. Dunfermline was the ancient capital of Scotland and is worth a visit. South Queensferry is a nice little town with some coffee shops, restaurants and shops so it’s pleasant for a walk around if that’s all you want. A short taxi ride away is Hopetoun House https://hopetoun.co.uk A short taxi ride (or train ride via Edinburgh and back out) is Linlithgow. The palace https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/linlithgow-palace/there was the summer palace of the Stuarts and well worth seeing. The town also has some nice places to eat and a lovely walk around the Loch. If you happen to have the English equivalent of Historic Scotland then be the Bishops palace and Dunfermline abbey or Linlithgow Palace are free entry depending on the length of your membership. Just ask if you have any questions about the above.

At least. Poor Gary Rhodes is long dead.

I would agree and would recommend it to any young couple either for the full wedding or for the celebration after a civil or religious service on land. We did a renewal of vows onboard Arcadia for a special anniversary (good excuse to book a suite, new clothes etc and another holiday) and the ship arranged everything beautifully for us. A lovely service, flowers, cake, champagne, dinner at Arcadian Rhodes and yes a photographer. The pictures she took were amazing and included in the package cost. I have suggested to younger members of the family that a ship is the way to go with a personal coordinator and professionals on hand and no flying for the honeymoon.