Semi live Iona Fjords April

[Vampiress88]

Introductions 
 

Me: will still be 34 when we board Iona. We went a little holiday mad. We have 6 in total in the last 12 months (7 in 18months) before I’m 35. This is the 5th one.
Scott: will also be 34, 35 not long after we get back from this one. He is to blame for all the holidays even though he doesn’t like admitting it.
Scarlett: Will be 8.
Georgia: will now be 7

Tracey: Nanan

Steve: Grandad 

The Plan
Going with P & O on the Iona for one weeks in April.

Cost us £1474 for one weeks for balcony cabin (kids will be on bunk beds) and includes the food (and drinks such as tea coffee and juice while in the restaurants). They have also sent us and email with £100 obc. Buzzing.
Also includes parking

 

The itinerary
This is a very basic itinerary. As I won’t know until we are onboard what offers are on at the restaurants, what shows will be performing and when then most days we might just be going with the flow.
All I know is we are on deck 15 at the back.

Saturday Day 1.
Drive down leaving at about 9.30am. Board at Southampton 3pm ish
Sunday Day 2. At sea
Monday Day 3. stravanger - Scott wants to see the swords, I wanted the museum but looks like that’s closed Mondays

Tuesday Day 4. Olden

Wednesday Day 5. Alesund
Thursday Day 6. Haugesund

Friday Day 7. At sea
Saturday Day 8. Dock at Southampton 10am. Drive home for about 2pm.

I have budgeted £600 for our drinks and speciality dinning. I will not buy the package as I don’t think it’s good value(£80 for our cabin per day but quite a few wines excluded) also £100 on petrol. £50 for in case we have food or coffee on the car journeys etc.

So we have £700 in total to play with.Ill take a credit card in case. Will always do a running total of costs. Love knowing how much I’ve paid per day. Although we didn’t spend over £600 on Britannia for 11 days so I don’t think we will get anywhere near the budget.

 

I also have 200NOK left which isn’t much at all. Most will go on the credit card.

Unfortunately I am one of those who loves lists and spreadsheets. Drives my husband mad.

We also don’t have much of a plan.
We are just going to try and relax and sight see. But the best of all is going to be eating lots of food without me having to cook!
Oh and actually having some date nights too.


14th. Pre travel day.

Had my hair done this morning by one of my youngest child’s friends mum as she is a hairdresser while the kids played. We got all the car, packing done and hubbys hair sorted. Used up all the left over food in the fridge, had an early night even though I didn’t sleep much.

 

There have been a few changes since I started my trip report.

Hubbys parents have booked the same cruise as us on a late deal. They are on deck 4. I’m not sure if they are going to like P&O due to the dress codes but the father in law used to live in Norway when he was very young so has wanted to visit again for a while. I’m not sure how much time we will spend with them etc. The kids will still want to go to the club and I’ve already put my foot down saying I’m not buying rounds of drinks. The kids don’t know yet. They will find out when they knock on the door tonight.

 

Also we have moved to deck 16 at the front of the ship due to how the balcony was set out in the other one.

 

15th April

 

Alarm set for 6am. I’m not sure we need to be up this early but it said 4 hours for Southampton yesterday so we want to set off by 7.30am. Up, everyone showered and dressed. Used the last of the toast and made a coffee for the journey. Everyone has already argued a million times already, wouldn’t be a holiday if we hadn’t. Managed to get off on time but have a feeling I’ve forgotten something. We are buying something from Facebook and I’ve already gotten out the cash for it. Well I’ve forgotten so looks like I’ll be getting out more cash when I get to the services.

 

First stop will be Watford Gap. It’s around 1hr25 after setting off. Couldn’t manage more than that without bathroom breaks.

Scarlett gets out the car and she hasn’t cleaned her trainers like I asked. Georgia then gets out and she has her scruffy school trainers on instead of the lovely new ones I bought before Christmas. Fuming actually because now she is making us look bad like we can’t afford new trainers.

 

Next stop was chievly and we got a cinnamon coffee, 2 sausage rolls and ham salad sandwich for £9.25.

 

We set off to get the power ranger helmet from Totten and then off to the cruise terminal. Only a 15mins drive.

We saw the sky princess and she definitely didn’t look very big compared to Iona.

 

We got to the terminal at 12.30. We had the cps parking with our select fare so drove through that, handed off the keys and got the bags out the car. Checked in the bags with the men, went through the terminal to the check in desk. Quick toilet stop then through security and we were on the ship for 1.15pm.

 

The room was ready so we got our cruise cards, dropped some of the bags off and went to the muster station which happened to be next to Brodies. We had a few drinks in there and got a text from the in laws that they had just got to the terminal at 2.30pm. Not sure how long it will take them to get through.

 

The kids played pool with hubby, Georgia was terrible. We were waiting for the in-laws to show up and surprise them. Scarlett’s jaw dropped when she saw them, nanan is on the ship she kept saying, not sure if she was happy about it or not.

the offending shoes

 

We all had a drink, grandad is excited about the ship as it’s his first cruise. They got a drink and the kids played pool with nanan. She was now hungry so we all went to the quays. Nanan had fish and chips. Grandad had burger and fries. We all had a little pudding as a snack, carrot cake, apple and cinnamon and dulce de leche tart.

 

The kids went to look at their nanans cabin and we went back to ours to do the safety video. No bags were here yet so we were unsure what to do next. Kids came back and five minutes later there was a knock at the door. Cases were here. Quick unpack and then shower and changed ready for the evening.

 

Scarlett called nanan and we said we would meet at keel and cow at 6.45. We got down there first and there was no one seemed to be dressed in “smart casual” as we were. Most still looked like they were in the travel clothes. The in laws turn up and we joined a virtual queue. About 5 maybe 10mins later it said our table was ready. We were seated by the window in the Aqua restaurant.

 

I had chicken croquettes, garlic chicken and sticky toffee pudding. Hubby had chicken croquettes, garlic chicken and pavalova. Father in law had chicken croquettes, lamb and pavaloa. Mother in law had smoked halibut, lamb and pavalova. Scarlett ordered fish fingers and chips with orange sorbet. Georgia being her normal self ordered chips,egg and mash potatoes with chocolate marquise for afters.

 

It was just gone 8 so we went to watch the last bit of the pulse act in the club house while father in law took the girls to deck 18, little bit cross about actually but I’m having to bite my tongue. They hadn’t returned by 8.25 and I was starting to get worried but they strolled in and that’s when we realised that Scarlett had lost her handbag. Thankfully I had said they couldn’t have their phones in them so off back up to the top to look for it and still couldn’t find it. It was 9 now and we were shattered, hubby had had more than enough alcohol and I wanted a coffee.

Back to the cabin, some milk for the morning and all ready for bed. I decided against the coffee as I got too tired. Not sure what the plan is for tomorrow. Maybe swimming before breakfast. They are booked in for the kids club both morning and afternoon so might do that.

16th April

 

Terrible nights sleep. Kids were up in the middle of the night at 3am asking what time it was and if we were getting up. Managed to stay in bed till around 7.15. We wanted to go swimming so we got ready, all but Scarlett who wasn’t bothered to go in. So me Scott and Georgia did a good few lengths then went in the hot tub. We spotted the in laws on the top level and they came down to talk to us. They had been up since 4.30 and had already had breakfast. We said we would meet later.

We went back to the cabin and everyone got ready for breakfast. They didn’t want to wait for me to get showered and do my hair so they went first. I didn’t take long and went to meet them. I walked round once and then thought they must be back at the cabin. I walked around again and finally found them in a corner at the start. I got some pastries. Scarlett had had salami for breakfast yuk, Georgia had waffles and sausage and Scott had full English. It was about 9.20 now.

 

The kids were booked in for 10 at the kids club so back to the cabin for the jackets, we had a quick look at menus for the speciality restaurants. Quick up to the kids club to drop them off the Lydia person was in the other side today. Spent some time together and then the phone rang. We told the in laws what we were going to do next.

 

Plan was to get the crossword from the atrium and take a coffee to the club house. So that’s what we did. The crossword was the same as last time but we still couldn’t remember a few of them. The kids needed picking up at 11.45. I’m not sure what the plan is for the rest of the day. I’ve booked the olive grove as usually I don’t like the mdr menu on celebration nights but we will see. The olive grove won’t do tables for 6 so unsure what the in laws will do.

Well Steve turned up at 11.30 saying that they had been sat in the atrium as they thought we were in the limelight club like we were last night and now couldn’t find us. So Scott and his dad went to get the kids from the club to watch the people do the acrobatic training in the atrium and I went back to the cabin to change my shoes and put the coffee cups back. Then met them down there. Scott wanted a cocktail but there didn’t seem to be anyone serving. We made a plan to go to this quiz thing in the theatre at 2 so we cancelled the kids club for the afternoon and went to get something to eat.

 

Me and Scott went to the quays and the kids went with the in laws to the buffet. Well the quays was packed and no seats at all so we went to the buffet instead. Had some curry and pudding.

Went back to the cabin for half hour while the kids went with nanan and then we went to the emerald bar for a cocktail for Scott. He got the fair ground candy floss one.

The theatre was booked for 2pm but we needed to get early for some seats. The drink was ordered at 1.22 and still 15mins later hadn’t arrived so cutting it close. The drink arrived at 1.40 and Scott made quick work of it. I ate the candy floss. It was lovely. Really is the best candy floss we’ve ever had.

 

We saw Scarlett and Tracey walking down the stairs, Steve and Georgia were no where to be seen. Apparently Georgia had lost her jacket and they were looking for it. As we couldn’t see them anywhere and we had booked into the theatre to watch a game show then we went and sat in there for 2pm. At around 2.15 they finally showed up and we finished watching the show. It wasn’t brilliant and wouldn’t do it again but glad they put it on for us to do.

 

We went for a drink after in the emerald bar, had to go to the bar myself and fetch it too as it was busy. Then there was a fashion show that was so loud so we went back to the room. Scott fell asleep so we had an hour.

 

Up at 5 and I got the kids and myself showered. Legs done etc and dresses on. We were down at the olive grove for 6.20pm. We both had paella and bread as last time it was lovely. The kids had chicken and pizza to share. Some of the chicken looked awful. Our paellas were stodgy and we wouldn’t buy it again. We all had lemon tart apart from Scott who had baklava as usual and stole my rose water ice cream again.

It was nearly 8pm and pulse are on in the club house so we had said we would meet the in laws there. We spent over two hours in there drinking and listening to the band twice, some good guilty pleasure songs.

After we sorted Scarlett’s card at reception and went to bed.

 

 

[Harry Peterson]

Just wow!

[Spike11]

What a lovely review. Must have taken you ages to put together.

 

[Cathygh]

Thank you that's helpful to know we can book kids clubs from 8.

30 am. I had heard it was 10.30 am!

Btw I have heard that if there is no space in the Quays you can take your food into Sindhu. Can you find out please? 

 

[Beckett]

@Vampiress88. Thank you so much for sharing your photos and diary with us all Vamps.  Your girls are just gorgeous! Jane xx

[Interestedcruisefan]

Love the bit where you ate the candy floss!!

 

This is going to be epic!!

 

Is it just me or is there going to be a big fallout with the  in laws at some stage?

 

Lol

 

 

Edited April 17, 2023 by Interestedcruisefan

[P&O SUE]

Enjoying this thanks Vamps, looking forward to the next instalment.

[terrierjohn]

I think we need Scarlett or Georgia to be given a chance with the phone camera, with instructions to get some good photos of their Mum and Dad

We also enjoyed Pulses Guilty Pleasures set, the dance floor was crammed full throughout.

[Interestedcruisefan]

Not sure whether to read this thread or wait til they turn it into a film!!

 

Lol

 

(Lady Gaga must be the favourite to play Vamps)

[grapau27]

19 hours ago, Vampiress88 said:

Introductions 
 

Me: will still be 34 when we board Iona. We went a little holiday mad. We have 6 in total in the last 12 months (7 in 18months) before I’m 35. This is the 5th one.
Scott: will also be 34, 35 not long after we get back from this one. He is to blame for all the holidays even though he doesn’t like admitting it.
Scarlett: Will be 8.
Georgia: will now be 7

Tracey: Nanan

Steve: Grandad 

The Plan
Going with P & O on the Iona for one weeks in April.

Cost us £1474 for one weeks for balcony cabin (kids will be on bunk beds) and includes the food (and drinks such as tea coffee and juice while in the restaurants). They have also sent us and email with £100 obc. Buzzing.
Also includes parking

 

The itinerary
This is a very basic itinerary. As I won’t know until we are onboard what offers are on at the restaurants, what shows will be performing and when then most days we might just be going with the flow.
All I know is we are on deck 15 at the back.

Saturday Day 1.
Drive down leaving at about 9.30am. Board at Southampton 3pm ish
Sunday Day 2. At sea
Monday Day 3. stravanger - Scott wants to see the swords, I wanted the museum but looks like that’s closed Mondays

Tuesday Day 4. Olden

Wednesday Day 5. Alesund
Thursday Day 6. Haugesund

Friday Day 7. At sea
Saturday Day 8. Dock at Southampton 10am. Drive home for about 2pm.

I have budgeted £600 for our drinks and speciality dinning. I will not buy the package as I don’t think it’s good value(£80 for our cabin per day but quite a few wines excluded) also £100 on petrol. £50 for in case we have food or coffee on the car journeys etc.

So we have £700 in total to play with.Ill take a credit card in case. Will always do a running total of costs. Love knowing how much I’ve paid per day. Although we didn’t spend over £600 on Britannia for 11 days so I don’t think we will get anywhere near the budget.

 

I also have 200NOK left which isn’t much at all. Most will go on the credit card.

Unfortunately I am one of those who loves lists and spreadsheets. Drives my husband mad.

We also don’t have much of a plan.
We are just going to try and relax and sight see. But the best of all is going to be eating lots of food without me having to cook!
Oh and actually having some date nights too.


14th. Pre travel day.

Had my hair done this morning by one of my youngest child’s friends mum as she is a hairdresser while the kids played. We got all the car, packing done and hubbys hair sorted. Used up all the left over food in the fridge, had an early night even though I didn’t sleep much.

 

There have been a few changes since I started my trip report.

Hubbys parents have booked the same cruise as us on a late deal. They are on deck 4. I’m not sure if they are going to like P&O due to the dress codes but the father in law used to live in Norway when he was very young so has wanted to visit again for a while. I’m not sure how much time we will spend with them etc. The kids will still want to go to the club and I’ve already put my foot down saying I’m not buying rounds of drinks. The kids don’t know yet. They will find out when they knock on the door tonight.

 

Also we have moved to deck 16 at the front of the ship due to how the balcony was set out in the other one.

 

15th April

 

Alarm set for 6am. I’m not sure we need to be up this early but it said 4 hours for Southampton yesterday so we want to set off by 7.30am. Up, everyone showered and dressed. Used the last of the toast and made a coffee for the journey. Everyone has already argued a million times already, wouldn’t be a holiday if we hadn’t. Managed to get off on time but have a feeling I’ve forgotten something. We are buying something from Facebook and I’ve already gotten out the cash for it. Well I’ve forgotten so looks like I’ll be getting out more cash when I get to the services.

 

First stop will be Watford Gap. It’s around 1hr25 after setting off. Couldn’t manage more than that without bathroom breaks.

Scarlett gets out the car and she hasn’t cleaned her trainers like I asked. Georgia then gets out and she has her scruffy school trainers on instead of the lovely new ones I bought before Christmas. Fuming actually because now she is making us look bad like we can’t afford new trainers.

 

Next stop was chievly and we got a cinnamon coffee, 2 sausage rolls and ham salad sandwich for £9.25.

 

We set off to get the power ranger helmet from Totten and then off to the cruise terminal. Only a 15mins drive.

We saw the sky princess and she definitely didn’t look very big compared to Iona.

 

We got to the terminal at 12.30. We had the cps parking with our select fare so drove through that, handed off the keys and got the bags out the car. Checked in the bags with the men, went through the terminal to the check in desk. Quick toilet stop then through security and we were on the ship for 1.15pm.

 

The room was ready so we got our cruise cards, dropped some of the bags off and went to the muster station which happened to be next to Brodies. We had a few drinks in there and got a text from the in laws that they had just got to the terminal at 2.30pm. Not sure how long it will take them to get through.

 

The kids played pool with hubby, Georgia was terrible. We were waiting for the in-laws to show up and surprise them. Scarlett’s jaw dropped when she saw them, nanan is on the ship she kept saying, not sure if she was happy about it or not.

the offending shoes

 

We all had a drink, grandad is excited about the ship as it’s his first cruise. They got a drink and the kids played pool with nanan. She was now hungry so we all went to the quays. Nanan had fish and chips. Grandad had burger and fries. We all had a little pudding as a snack, carrot cake, apple and cinnamon and dulce de leche tart.

 

The kids went to look at their nanans cabin and we went back to ours to do the safety video. No bags were here yet so we were unsure what to do next. Kids came back and five minutes later there was a knock at the door. Cases were here. Quick unpack and then shower and changed ready for the evening.

 

Scarlett called nanan and we said we would meet at keel and cow at 6.45. We got down there first and there was no one seemed to be dressed in “smart casual” as we were. Most still looked like they were in the travel clothes. The in laws turn up and we joined a virtual queue. About 5 maybe 10mins later it said our table was ready. We were seated by the window in the Aqua restaurant.

 

I had chicken croquettes, garlic chicken and sticky toffee pudding. Hubby had chicken croquettes, garlic chicken and pavalova. Father in law had chicken croquettes, lamb and pavaloa. Mother in law had smoked halibut, lamb and pavalova. Scarlett ordered fish fingers and chips with orange sorbet. Georgia being her normal self ordered chips,egg and mash potatoes with chocolate marquise for afters.

 

It was just gone 8 so we went to watch the last bit of the pulse act in the club house while father in law took the girls to deck 18, little bit cross about actually but I’m having to bite my tongue. They hadn’t returned by 8.25 and I was starting to get worried but they strolled in and that’s when we realised that Scarlett had lost her handbag. Thankfully I had said they couldn’t have their phones in them so off back up to the top to look for it and still couldn’t find it. It was 9 now and we were shattered, hubby had had more than enough alcohol and I wanted a coffee.

Back to the cabin, some milk for the morning and all ready for bed. I decided against the coffee as I got too tired. Not sure what the plan is for tomorrow. Maybe swimming before breakfast. They are booked in for the kids club both morning and afternoon so might do that.

16th April

 

Terrible nights sleep. Kids were up in the middle of the night at 3am asking what time it was and if we were getting up. Managed to stay in bed till around 7.15. We wanted to go swimming so we got ready, all but Scarlett who wasn’t bothered to go in. So me Scott and Georgia did a good few lengths then went in the hot tub. We spotted the in laws on the top level and they came down to talk to us. They had been up since 4.30 and had already had breakfast. We said we would meet later.

We went back to the cabin and everyone got ready for breakfast. They didn’t want to wait for me to get showered and do my hair so they went first. I didn’t take long and went to meet them. I walked round once and then thought they must be back at the cabin. I walked around again and finally found them in a corner at the start. I got some pastries. Scarlett had had salami for breakfast yuk, Georgia had waffles and sausage and Scott had full English. It was about 9.20 now.

 

The kids were booked in for 10 at the kids club so back to the cabin for the jackets, we had a quick look at menus for the speciality restaurants. Quick up to the kids club to drop them off the Lydia person was in the other side today. Spent some time together and then the phone rang. We told the in laws what we were going to do next.

 

Plan was to get the crossword from the atrium and take a coffee to the club house. So that’s what we did. The crossword was the same as last time but we still couldn’t remember a few of them. The kids needed picking up at 11.45. I’m not sure what the plan is for the rest of the day. I’ve booked the olive grove as usually I don’t like the mdr menu on celebration nights but we will see. The olive grove won’t do tables for 6 so unsure what the in laws will do.

Well Steve turned up at 11.30 saying that they had been sat in the atrium as they thought we were in the limelight club like we were last night and now couldn’t find us. So Scott and his dad went to get the kids from the club to watch the people do the acrobatic training in the atrium and I went back to the cabin to change my shoes and put the coffee cups back. Then met them down there. Scott wanted a cocktail but there didn’t seem to be anyone serving. We made a plan to go to this quiz thing in the theatre at 2 so we cancelled the kids club for the afternoon and went to get something to eat.

 

Me and Scott went to the quays and the kids went with the in laws to the buffet. Well the quays was packed and no seats at all so we went to the buffet instead. Had some curry and pudding.

Went back to the cabin for half hour while the kids went with nanan and then we went to the emerald bar for a cocktail for Scott. He got the fair ground candy floss one.

The theatre was booked for 2pm but we needed to get early for some seats. The drink was ordered at 1.22 and still 15mins later hadn’t arrived so cutting it close. The drink arrived at 1.40 and Scott made quick work of it. I ate the candy floss. It was lovely. Really is the best candy floss we’ve ever had.

 

We saw Scarlett and Tracey walking down the stairs, Steve and Georgia were no where to be seen. Apparently Georgia had lost her jacket and they were looking for it. As we couldn’t see them anywhere and we had booked into the theatre to watch a game show then we went and sat in there for 2pm. At around 2.15 they finally showed up and we finished watching the show. It wasn’t brilliant and wouldn’t do it again but glad they put it on for us to do.

 

We went for a drink after in the emerald bar, had to go to the bar myself and fetch it too as it was busy. Then there was a fashion show that was so loud so we went back to the room. Scott fell asleep so we had an hour.

 

Up at 5 and I got the kids and myself showered. Legs done etc and dresses on. We were down at the olive grove for 6.20pm. We both had paella and bread as last time it was lovely. The kids had chicken and pizza to share. Some of the chicken looked awful. Our paellas were stodgy and we wouldn’t buy it again. We all had lemon tart apart from Scott who had baklava as usual and stole my rose water ice cream again.

It was nearly 8pm and pulse are on in the club house so we had said we would meet the in laws there. We spent over two hours in there drinking and listening to the band twice, some good guilty pleasure songs.

After we sorted Scarlett’s card at reception and went to bed.

 

 

Great introduction.

Lovely family.

Nice food photos.

I wish you all a fabulous cruise.

Graham.

[SquishTheWhale]

Great review so far, your girls look so sweet in their dresses.

I'm getting a 'herding cats' vibe from your side so far, I hope you get time to relax!

[Sussexboy]

Great review. Your girls sound like mine used to be. They could lose absolutely anything absolutely anywhere! 
 

Have a fab time.

[Red Ray]

Is it still school holidays where you are?

[Vampiress88]

17th April

 

Well it was a bad nights sleep and nanan woke everyone up calling at 6.45 to let us know they were going to the buffet for breakfast. We got up,showered and ready and down to the buffet for about 7.45. The kids had pancakes, I had pastries and Scott had some full English, it wasn’t as good as yesterdays at all.

 

Back to the cabin to see if I could sort Georgias trainers but couldn’t in that time. Maybe another day. The plan for today was the swords and that’s all. The captain came on to say that we were docked so we got ready and went ashore.

Scott ordered an Uber. It was about a 10mins waiting, 15mins ride and cost me about £18. Cheaper than P&O excursions and there was no one there so they all played taking photos of the swords and then it stated to get busy so we ordered another Uber back to town for £17.

 

Stopped at Starbucks for toilet, didn’t buy anything though whoops. Plan was to have a walk around town, then go and get the cinnamon bun then to the pub. We had a little round the town and only bought some chocolate, stupid me thought they weren’t too expensive and they turned out to be £9+! Best not make that mistake again.

 

We walked to the canning museum as there is supposed to be a nice bakery opposite but that was closed

 

So we went back to the bar we used last time called Beverly. Scott had 4 beers and we shared coke and lemonade. It was lovely say in the sun.

 

 

With nothing much else to do we got back on the ship and had some lunch. Me and Georgia had katsu curry and Scott and Scarlett had fish and chips. We went back to the room to sort out an eBay payment and tried to decide if to do the kids club or to do pool. The kids chose the pool so we went up to the hot tubs on deck 17. They were packed and they spotted nanan so we all went to the infinity pool on deck 18. Again it’s so busy and grandad went in the pool with the kids so even though o had my costume on I didn’t bother.

The kids had a good 20mins in there and then when dried and dressed they went with nanan to play football while me and Scott had a sunbathe. We went back to the cabin to decide what to do for the night. We were going to go get a cocktail but decided to have a coffee in our room instead, we have booked a table for 6 people at the opal for 5.30pm. Haven’t even seen the menu to check if we even want to go there so it will be a surprise.

 

Dressed and ready for dinner at 5.30pm when it opened. Me and Scott had kofta, brisket and Apple strudel. Scarlett had sausage mash carrots and gravy and Georgia had chips, nuggets and sweetcorn. Both with ice cream for pudding. We did go to eat with Tracey and Steve but I don’t know what they had as I wasn’t paying attention. The service does seem really slow to clean the table etc and the drinks. It took us 1.5hours.

We went up to the sky dome to get a seat for the rock show, about 15mins waiting, the kids got some more chips and in laws got drinks. We weren’t so bothered. Well the band were crap in there, not sure if it’s the songs or because of the acoustics but they were murdering all the rock songs we like. It was 7.40 and we decided to swap to the comedian early as if not we would be waiting till 9.30. So Scott got some seats and text me. We went down there and I remembered I’d forgotten pop and crisps so I went back up for them and me and the kids had those while Scott had beer.

 

We watched the show and it was quite funny. Not sure the kids got most of it though. We were done by 9pm and all tired so back up to the cabin, as we past the buffet we got another pudding. Scott made me a coffee in the cabin and planned for tomorrow. The kids want to go swimming first thing so that’s what we are going to do. Bed for 10.30.

[happy v]

Thanks for the price of the taxi 

[Interestedcruisefan]

Either your kids are always smiling or they know when to smile for a camera!!

 

Brilliant to see!!

[grapau27]

4 hours ago, Vampiress88 said:

17th April

 

Well it was a bad nights sleep and nanan woke everyone up calling at 6.45 to let us know they were going to the buffet for breakfast. We got up,showered and ready and down to the buffet for about 7.45. The kids had pancakes, I had pastries and Scott had some full English, it wasn’t as good as yesterdays at all.

 

Back to the cabin to see if I could sort Georgias trainers but couldn’t in that time. Maybe another day. The plan for today was the swords and that’s all. The captain came on to say that we were docked so we got ready and went ashore.

Scott ordered an Uber. It was about a 10mins waiting, 15mins ride and cost me about £18. Cheaper than P&O excursions and there was no one there so they all played taking photos of the swords and then it stated to get busy so we ordered another Uber back to town for £17.

 

Stopped at Starbucks for toilet, didn’t buy anything though whoops. Plan was to have a walk around town, then go and get the cinnamon bun then to the pub. We had a little round the town and only bought some chocolate, stupid me thought they weren’t too expensive and they turned out to be £9+! Best not make that mistake again.

 

We walked to the canning museum as there is supposed to be a nice bakery opposite but that was closed

 

So we went back to the bar we used last time called Beverly. Scott had 4 beers and we shared coke and lemonade. It was lovely say in the sun.

 

 

With nothing much else to do we got back on the ship and had some lunch. Me and Georgia had katsu curry and Scott and Scarlett had fish and chips. We went back to the room to sort out an eBay payment and tried to decide if to do the kids club or to do pool. The kids chose the pool so we went up to the hot tubs on deck 17. They were packed and they spotted nanan so we all went to the infinity pool on deck 18. Again it’s so busy and grandad went in the pool with the kids so even though o had my costume on I didn’t bother.

The kids had a good 20mins in there and then when dried and dressed they went with nanan to play football while me and Scott had a sunbathe. We went back to the cabin to decide what to do for the night. We were going to go get a cocktail but decided to have a coffee in our room instead, we have booked a table for 6 people at the opal for 5.30pm. Haven’t even seen the menu to check if we even want to go there so it will be a surprise.

 

Dressed and ready for dinner at 5.30pm when it opened. Me and Scott had kofta, brisket and Apple strudel. Scarlett had sausage mash carrots and gravy and Georgia had chips, nuggets and sweetcorn. Both with ice cream for pudding. We did go to eat with Tracey and Steve but I don’t know what they had as I wasn’t paying attention. The service does seem really slow to clean the table etc and the drinks. It took us 1.5hours.

We went up to the sky dome to get a seat for the rock show, about 15mins waiting, the kids got some more chips and in laws got drinks. We weren’t so bothered. Well the band were crap in there, not sure if it’s the songs or because of the acoustics but they were murdering all the rock songs we like. It was 7.40 and we decided to swap to the comedian early as if not we would be waiting till 9.30. So Scott got some seats and text me. We went down there and I remembered I’d forgotten pop and crisps so I went back up for them and me and the kids had those while Scott had beer.

 

We watched the show and it was quite funny. Not sure the kids got most of it though. We were done by 9pm and all tired so back up to the cabin, as we past the buffet we got another pudding. Scott made me a coffee in the cabin and planned for tomorrow. The kids want to go swimming first thing so that’s what we are going to do. Bed for 10.30.

Superb photos.

You have 2 lovely daughters.

Graham.

[CarlaMarie]

Lovely photos and your daughters are adorable! 

[galeforce9]

Novice here. Do you order an Uber through an app

[Purdey16]

Lovely pictures vamps and your daughters are lovely always smiling, love the picture of them poking their heads round the swords , enjoy the rest of your holiday.

[Vampiress88]

18th April.

Up at 6.30 and decided we would go for a swim while the pool is quiet. Georgia is really good at what she calls frogs legs and Scarlett is better at front crawl. After swimming we had a shower and went for a quick buffet breakfast and then out for 8.50. We had decided we weren’t doing much today and I don’t like heights but when we got there it didn’t seem like there was much to do but an excursion. We went to the ticket machine for the loen sky lift that included a shuttle there. We paid 2400nok which was £184. We waited 30mins for the shuttle outside the ship but when we got to the sky lift we were more or less straight on.

I really don’t like cable cars. This one made me feel sick with the height but I felt a bit safer than the other ones we have been on. It seemed very steep going up the mountain. Once we were at the top there was just snow everywhere. We watched a parachute man literally run off the cliff and go, don’t know how someone would have the balls to do that.

Then we had a walk up to the snow cave.

 

That was really good. Can’t believe they have made that from snow. Then we watched everyone sledging. Was going to do it until we saw a little girl not be able to stop, she feel off at the end and then a bloke went past the line and into a banking. If he hadn’t have gone into the banking I don’t know when it would stop but that panicked me enough to not let the kids do that.

Quick walk around the top, taking some photos and me nearly slipping and falling over. We got a coffee, apple juice and two buns. Cost us about £17. We had decided at that point us and the kids were done. We left Tracey and Steve up there as they wanted another walk round. We came back to the ship and our balcony was in the sun. Glad we did it first thing as the queue for the lift when we came out was unreal. We got some pizza, hot dogs and burger and sat out having a picnic on our balcony. We then went and got ice creams each. I should have made the kids share as there was too much.

We saw by looking directly below us that all three hot tubs on deck 8 were free. By the time we had got our costumes on only one was free. Quickly ran down there and then realised that the layout is funny as you have to walk though keel and cow to get to it. And my lot are in swim suits and nothing else.

 

We spent a while in there before making some plans. Scarlett wanted to go to the kids club where as Georgia wanted to go get a cocktail (to eat the candy floss) and read a book so that’s what we did. It wasn’t long before we were picking Scarlett up again and getting ready for dinner.

We were going just us four tonight and meeting them later. I had calamari, steak and sorbet. Scott had calamari, haddock and bread butter pudding. The kids chose pasta. The waiter saw Georgia stealing my calamari and asked her if she would like some. She said yes. Scarlett said she didn’t like them. He brought her out a plate twice as big as we had. We really enjoyed the meal tonight. The pudding was apparently really nice so I asked if I could have another as I know Scott wanted a second. Well we both got one so he ended up with thirds. He said it was the best pudding he’d had on here.

We had booked the comedian for 8.30 and wanted to get some seats around 8 when they opened the doors. As we had gone for dinner really early at 5.30 then we were out at just gone 7. The service was still slow but better than previous nights. I now have a little list of people going on my well done list they do. We sat in the emerald bar and listened to the piano man. I was trying to play guess that tune, aerosmith then s club 7. No idea the third one. Quick trip to the toilet with Georgia who had eaten a bit too much today.

We got some good seats around 8 and saved some for his parents. They showed up around 8.15. The comedy show was ok. I preferred the other guy the ventriloquist on the last iona cruise. After that we hopped over to the club house to listen to the 80s music on tonights. There were some people having a right good dance and I wish I had the bottle to do that sometimes too but I’d have to be a lot more drunk for that.

Long day for us. Back got the cabin and bed by 11.

 

[Vampiress88]

18 hours ago, galeforce9 said:

Novice here. Do you order an Uber through an app

yes hubby downloaded the app. 

[Durie1989]

Brilliant review and looks like you have had great weather up to now 😀
We are doing the same itinerary as you in June and was a bit stuck about what to do when we dock at Stavanger, if we can book a Uber then we will do that. Is it a local app that’s required to download?

We are also going to do the sky lift at Olden, what time in the morning did you go as we want to avoid the queues ? 

[Interestedcruisefan]

Brilliant review Vamps

 

Tut tut letting the kids walk past people inside with swimming costumes on.

 

Not very refined.

 

You will be on the naughty step

[Selbourne]

I’ve only just stumbled across this thread. As as always Vamps, it’s both entertaining and informative. It’s useful to know the show times in both the theatre and sky dome, as I want to try to time restaurant reservations around them if possible. We usually find the first night MDR menu to be poor, but it looked excellent on this cruise. I laughed at the bit about being woken at 0645 by the in laws to let you know they are going for breakfast 😂