pete14

9 hours ago, mercury7289 said:

Pete 14,we are aboard 1st December, if you get the time, is the Glass House open for lunch, when boarding, it was not on our Baltic cruise in May, so we had to do with a bottle of warm white wine on the balcony,

washed down with  brought on fresh fruit

As far as I am aware, the Glasshouse did not open until after we had set sail. At least you had the forethought to take some wine with you.

6 minutes ago, Sussexboy said:

I just mentioned to my wife that Gervase Phinn is on Aurora, and now I am in trouble for not booking us on it……

He seems to do talks on quite a lot of cruises, including Saga. His new novel is called ‘The Captain’s Table’ (or similar) which is apparently based on some people he has met on cruises. I think one of his future talks on this cruise will feature it, rather than his experiences in schools, and of course he will be selling signed copies.

2 hours ago, Selbourne said:

Thanks. I’m glad that you enjoyed it! The lift issues that we had on Iona were definitely exacerbated by it being August school holidays and there being 5,750 passengers, but there’s no doubt that the lifts are too small for how busy that ship can get. Able bodied folk, or those with hidden disabilities (so can presumably stand), won’t have any issues, but my wife’s wheelchair (which isn’t big) takes up almost half a lift on Iona, and usually the lifts were more than half full. 

 

The other factor was that the passenger behaviours on Iona were entirely different to anything that we had experienced on any other ships, before or since. Almost zero lift etiquette or consideration for the challenges that we were facing, other than the children and teenagers who were great. 
 

Ventura was so different it was incredible. The lifts are bigger, the ship never felt packed (as Iona had) and 95% of the time we could get into the first lift that arrived. Our fellow passengers were fabulous and were always holding lift doors for us and telling us to go first even when they’d been waiting longer (we never expect to queue jump, but it’s nice when people are so thoughtful). As I said in my review, it was chalk and cheese compared to Iona. However, I’m conscious that other wheelchair and scooter users have had no issues on Iona, albeit cruising at quieter times, so we might just have been extremely unlucky. Either way, my wife still steadfastly refuses to consider any further cruises on Iona or Arvia as a result, which is a shame as there was lots to like. 

I am pleased to say that currently on Aurora, there are no problems with lifts which I am aware of. I use the lifts infrequently but there never seems to be a queue, and on occasions when I have used them, they have usually arrived empty. 

As I have just written on my report from Aurora Northern Lights cruise, the worth of the drinks package is dependent on what you want to drink. We have the deluxe package and as wine drinkers, three large glasses of wine a day (lunch x1 and evening meal x2) @ around £14 a glass means that you only need a couple of coffees or soft drinks in addition to make it worth buying. I realise that to some, 3 large glasses of wine (a whole bottle) in a single day seems excessive, and perhaps it is, but on a ship, where drinks are very easy to come by, whether alcohol, soft drinks including water, and coffee/tea, I suspect many people drink more than they would at home. This may be a bad thing, and the drinks package makes it easier to do, but it is a matter of personal choice. We chose to buy it and if it saves us money then great. I suspect it might but not very much. For others, especially beer drinkers and to a lesser degree spirits or cocktails, it probably wouldn’t because they are cheaper than wine. 

Towards the end of another day, a summary.

For a sea day without sunshine and sun loungers, it has been a good one. The talk by Gervase Phinn on some of his experiences as a school inspector was excellently delivered, amusing but thought provoking. He really is an excellent speaker and if he is ever on a ship on which you are cruising, well worth listening to. He has five more talks to go. 
 

Lunch was three small plates in the glasshouse. The plates may have been small but there was plenty of food for one person. A glass of velvet devil red wine was a good accompaniment. At around £14 for a large glass, it makes the top drinks package seem to be a good choice but of course it depends on the tipple you choose. For beer, and a lesser degree spirits (around £8 for a 50cl measure of something decent), maybe not so good. 
 

We have a classical guitarist onboard (Carlos Bonell) who has collaborated a lot with Queen and Paul McCartney as well as playing classical selections with various orchestras. His 45 minute concert was very enjoyable, including a range of styles, including flamenco, the first movement of the Spring concerto from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, the Beatle’s ‘Penny Lane’ and Cavatina, from the film ‘The Deerhunter’. All were excellently played. He is also appearing five more times. The busker who we have onboard was not of the same quality. After renditions of two Ed Sheeran songs, we left when he started murdering my favourite Adele song.

Tonight was the first celebration night. As the main courses were not greatly to my taste, I chose the main course from the pay extra ‘signature menu’. Apparently, I was the first person to select this. Although the steak was cooked excellently to my requested medium rare, if so few people are choosing to pay extra from that optional menu, its days may be numbered even at this early stage. In my opinion, it would be a shame if this happened, but consumer demand (or lack of it) may dictate its future. 
 

The weather has been fine all day and the sea has been calm with little movement to suggest we are crossing the North Sea. Hopefully this will remain so but somehow, I doubt it will. 

Who’s been drinking my brandy?

38 minutes ago, Dobbers said:

Thank you, my first look at this thread. One of the other threads I was following was giving me a headache this morning 😉

Welcome. Better late than never!😊This thread contributed to getting us through the last three or so years, knowing that when times got tough, there was always a virtual friend to raise the mood. Again, thanks to Host Sharon and Cruise Critic for allowing it to happen 👍

1 hour ago, Stokiegolfer said:

Aurora is a lovely ship, we were on it in March 2019 to Norway. Never done a Christmas cruise so first experience there.  Booked the Tromso Northern Lights trip so depending on the conditions may look to the Alta trip too. Also there may be opportunities on ship / up on deck at night to see the lights.  As this year's solar activity is strong - as parts of UK have experienced the lights I'm hoping the opportunity in Norway will be greater. We travel down the day before and stay in a b&b which we found and leave the car there and they take us to the port and collect on return.

I agree that Aurora is a lovely ship - the best of those in the fleet that I have sailed on. When we came here for the first time a few years ago, the only night we did not see the lights in Tromso and Alta is when we did a trip on a bus almost to the border with Finland. Hence the reason why we have not booked any trips this time (plus the fact they are very expensive). 

3 hours ago, Stokiegolfer said:

Off on Aurora for Christmas, to Norway so hoping see the Northern lights again (saw them at Alta in March 2019).  Solar activity is good this year so fingers crossed. Keep us all posted Pete if you see them.

Welcome to  another Stokie. I think we are beginning to take over the world on here. I certainly hope we see the lights although I am sure it will be a great cruise whether we see them or not. Just got back to the cabin from a glasshouse lunch. Time for a snooze perhaps. 

13 hours ago, Selbourne said:

Have a fantastic cruise @pete14. When you get chance, could you please let me know what the cut off times are for MDR breakfasts on Aurora? Pre Covid they used to be 9am on port days and 9.30am on sea days, but on some of the other P&O ships since Covid it has become 9.30am on port days and 10am on sea days, which we have much preferred. I’d also be interested to know whether they still do the ‘tiffin lunches’ in Sindhu on sea days. Many thanks. 

This morning is of course a sea day and the Medina restaurant breakfast is 8:30 until 10:00 and the buffet, 7:00 until 11:00 although the first hour I think is light, continental only. I will let you know on Saturday, our first port day, the breakfast times in port. No mention of a tiffin lunch but I will try to find out. 

Soon after setting sail, we passed Cunard’s new ship Queen Mary 2 which was parked, resting after an exhausting sea trial. Hooters were sounded between the ships. After sailing a small way down Southampton Water, we had to do some slow manoeuvres to enable the Captain to reset the magnetic compass. He did say he would give a further explanation today. Then, full steam ahead for the Channel where we turned left. 
 

After an OK evening meal at which I had roast leg of lamb (sorry Jean), not brilliant but certainly not a problem, a couple of drinks in the glasshouse and pretty much straight to bed. We didn’t fancy the Headliners show, which I’m afraid for us is not unusual. Selbourne may be a little envious but presumably pleased to hear that there are no creaks to be heard in the cabin. The sea was like a millpond, and still is but I didn’t sleep too well, maybe I need to get used to the bed. 
 

Overnight, Christmas arrived. A nice tall decorated tree and tinsel wreaths around the banisters in the atrium. Quite understated but, despite being too early, they add a certain something to the experience. Another perk of a suite is the breakfast in Sindhu. Special K, orange juice, bagel with smoked salmon, poached egg, hollandaise and a touch of caviar on the top followed by toast and a small jar of marmalade. Very attentive waiting staff under the watchful eye of the captain who chose to have a light breakfast at a nearby table. Maybe a late lunch is required. Tonight is celebration night so we will be dressed up in order to fit in.

For me, one of the highlights of today should be a talk in the theatre later this morning. Many years ago, before he became better known, I heard a talk by Gervase Phinn, a school inspector in the Yorkshire Dales. Several books, theatre performances and radio appearances later, he is now our guest speaker on Aurora. He should be well worth a listen. Unfortunately the Norwegian specialist speaker who was supposed to be joining us as well isn’t able to. 
 

And we’re off! 👍🏼

As promised, here is the first post.

We are travelling as a trio, me, Mrs Pete and Pete junior (but not very junior). We have a midships suite, taking advantage of the third person travels for free. Booking a single cabin for Pete junior would have cost around £2000 so a no brainer.

Leaving sunny Stoke at around 8:00 am, on relatively clear roads, we arrived at Mayflower terminal and CPS car park at 11:50, having dropped off our luggage (lots of warm jumpers etc) as suite passengers we went straight to checkin and after a ten minute delay for security boarded Aurora. 
 

Reporting to the muster station was followed by an excellent lunch in the restaurant. Lots of house wine but also food of a higher quality than the wine at a window table with the sun streaming through the window. And two fellow passengers who were very pleasant. 

Unpacking many cases and bags followed and also introductions to the cabin steward and butler. Anyway, we are off to explore and probably to the glasshouse to check whether the drinks package is operating properly. I will hopefully be providing regular updates as we go along. 
 

38 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Thanks. Enjoy your cruise and fingers crossed that the skies are clear for you. If the Northern Lights make an appearance they get picked up far stronger by cameras than they do than by the human eye, so you’ve a good chance of some decent shots. 

Hopefully our son, who is a keen photographer, will assist in the photo taking. 

Thanks again Selbourne for your balanced review. I am pleased the good things outweighed the not so good and that you and Lady Selbourne had such a good time. Hopefully I will post our experiences on Aurora from Wednesday (internet permitting) and hopefully I will be able to be as fair and positive as you have been. You may even see a real photograph of the Northern Lights but I can’t promise.

I do find it gratifying when the goodness in the majority shows through at this time of year. I was in Aldi this morning just before 11:00 am and the 2 minute silence was well observed. I have attended two football matches this month and at each, the last post and silence was observed perfectly by the thousands of people present. It just makes me wonder why people can’t be so respectful at all times and how much better things may be if they were. 

29 minutes ago, kalos said:

Morning folks, it's 2.c and foggy here . Thanks for the welcome home comments 

also hope @grapau27 has sorted his phone out .

Going back to our cruise .... 

We used the Holiday Inn  cruise package which we found to be good ,with parking,
breakfast and a taxi to and from the port .
We were due boarding for 1 pm and were at the port for 12,30 but was waved through and onboard for 12.40 and soon munching  on a curry I put together on one of the few times we used the buffet.
The sail away from our balcony was a bit different from any others we have done in the past .

Forget We are sailing ,more like Smoke On The Water !   
To one side we had neighbours a few cabins away playing hell up with their neighbours  who were playing their own  Rave ?? music lent over the balcony vaping .
A few further up from them another family were actually smoking , claiming they had no idea that it was not allowed . Seems P&O were looking for a new type of cruiser and they had got them with these folk . P&O 's response was to put it on the back page of  the Horizon mag that it should not happen .
We was told the Vaping issue continued , the sales push seemed more important .
If they can do all that sales bumf why not a card stating fags etc are not allowed
in cabins and balcony's ?
Some things were a first for us, away for Halloween , but for those who  wanted
 a thrill,we had the Bay of Biscay ,a few scary green looking faces to be seen around the ship.
We also missed bonfire night .On getting home our neighbour complained the fire works had been relentless. A few sky rockets on the 10th of November almost took out his 
garden Christmas display .
We liked our cruise and spent many happy hours wrapped up well at times rocking and rolling with the Bay of Biscay . 
Our anti sickness remedies was found in the Saffron it was called a full breakfast and toast and tea it worked for us but we had Kwells on standby .
Someday's were a bit bouncy and even the captain said he woke up one day feeling a bit off.
Talking of breakfast catch you  a bit later .

Here are a few photo's. . . . 

 

 

View from Holliday Inn  room.

 

 

Our lazy days, watching the world go by from our balcony 

 

Our anti sea sickness potion 

 

And for all you bargain lovers 🤣😆😅

 

Thanks Kalos, I look forward to more recollections and musings in time.

Breakfast looks tasty but when plating it up, some more creative presentation would have been more impressive.

We are scheduled to be there on Nov 25 on Aurora and have heard nothing to say that we won’t be, so probably a change for specific operational reasons rather than passenger dissatisfaction with the port. We haven’t been there before but just intend to have a little wander around rather than planning anything.

1 hour ago, zap99 said:

Didn't know we needed more speed humps, but I live in the pothole capital of the UK.🤣

I didn’t realise you have moved to Stoke 

16 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

I’ve just purchased a final 24 hours internet coverage with some of our remaining OBC. I shall post yesterdays report in a minute, but first here’s yesterdays MDR dinner menu and the MDR wine list for those who might be interested. IMHO the prices are extremely reasonable. Also, without wishing to reignite the debate about preserves, I’ve attached a photo of what greeted us on our table in the MDR this morning. I can’t imagine that I’m the only person who finds this presentation a bit off-putting? 
 

 

You have made my day by posting the wine list that shows that, despite being £13.40 a large glass, ‘Velvet Devil’ red wine is part of the drinks package that we have bought for our cruise next week. 
 

Not quite so positive about the orange jelly masquerading as marmalade though. A nice dark thick cut one like Frank Cooper’s Oxford or even that that Mrs Pete makes would be much better. 

1 hour ago, Ilovemygarden said:

I always take a brightly coloured (or distinctive) handbag and put it on a table whilst I go to collect food - it’s also good in guiding me back to the right table! 😀 Good idea re the card though - I’ll check it out next month on Azura.   Clodia - I see you have been on Iona.  How did you find that as a solo?   

50% of the population may be reluctant to take any handbag to the buffet, never mind a brightly coloured or distinctive one. 

53 minutes ago, keeven2 said:

If missing port due to weather conditions, is it covered by travel insurance which covers cruise? We skipped Porto last month due to strong wind. I did not buy cruise insurance this time so I didn't ask for a statement from the ship.

If you did not buy the extra cruise cover on insurance to cover instances like missed ports, I think it is unlikely that you will be covered for this. If the policy says it comes with cruise cover as standard, that may mean the policy applies to cruises the same as other holidays and so will not cover missed ports. We fell foul of this with Aviva a few years ago so we now make sure we pay the supplement for cruise cover which includes missed ports.

51 minutes ago, zap99 said:

On balance we prefer the buffet for breakfast as we don't want to spend a lifetime. A quick feed and out. I agree about tea and coffee to the table. A bit more civilised. MDR breakfast doesn't look any more appealing than the buffet, but the presentation is a little more amusing.  It's only food.

I am glad somebody else is as infantile as I am about food presentation. 😊

1 hour ago, Josy1953 said:

I have just got home from the hospital, I have lost the nearest thing I had to a daughter, my beautiful niece has past away.

Condolences Josy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. 

7 minutes ago, jh1809 said:

Looking at the second dinner menu, not for the first time I reflected that it seems to be rather random which dishes P&O think should be suffixed with an asterisk as potentially posing a health risk. Beef seems to merit an asterisk - a hangover from "mad cow" disease days, which must be 20 years ago now? - whereas pork and chicken, which I'd have thought if undercooked are more of a risk, don't.

I think, as it is a potential health hazard for pork and chicken to be undercooked, it is always cooked to well done whereas beef can, and in my opinion should, be safely eaten with a degree of pink in the middle.