Mewat

In the last couple of years we have booked a select fare and chosen a C deck cabin on Azura for the larger, part-covered balcony, but this year we went for a saver fare and were allocated a balcony on A deck. I had such balcony envy looking down on to the huge C deck balconies that next year we have gone back to a select fare and a C deck cabin again!

Michele

I'm a bit of a coffee snob and can't drink what they call coffee in the MDR. I take Lyons coffee bags with me for my early morning fix and then after my meal in the evening I always ask for a cappuccino. I'm not sure whether they get it from Costa or not, as the waiter goes off for quite some time to get it - but at least it is drinkable!

Michele

I also had a problem trying to book on-line recently when the system didn't recognise mine or my husband's Peninsular club numbers - saying "the number doesn't match the name".

As mentioned, looks like it will have to be a phone call

Michele

You have to register a credit/debit card when you check-in, but you can pay off some or all of your outstanding balance by cash at the end of your cruise if you want too. Just go to reception.

Michele

We have cruised two or three times on Arcadia in an obstructed view cabin on E deck and have carefully picked one that is "between" lifeboats giving a less obstructed view.

Would always go for one of these rather than an inside. The cabins have full length, floor to ceiling windows so let in plenty of light.

Michele

We booked on an early saver fare for our cruise in April and received our cabin allocation 4 weeks before. I think the e-tickets with embarkation time came through very shortly after.

Michele

I was looking into a wine package for our cruise in April and noticed that it states on the website "note that loyalty discount will not be applied when purchasing wine packages." Can someone clarify whether this is the case or not, as this seems to be opposite to what has been posted on here.

Without the loyalty discount it didn't work out any cheaper, so we were just going to buy by the bottle and get our loyalty discount - but I might have to have another look.

Michele

PS. There was a bottle of Rosé available in each package last time I looked.

Previously we have always booked a select fare and chosen a specific cabin and ticked the 'no upgrade' box, but this year we have booked on an early saver fare. We have got OBC and have just received our cabin allocation which is midships and 3 grades up from the grade we paid for. I am still a bit apprehensive about our dining allocation, not particularly wanting early sitting, but at the moment things have worked out very well for us on this fare.

Michele

We never have, but some friends of ours did on their first cruise last year on Arcadia. They missed the train back to Blankenberg and eventually arrived after the ship had sailed. They then had to catch a train back to Brugge, change for a train to Brussels and then change there for a train to Paris and then on to Le Havre. They arrived there about midnight, checked into a hotel and as soon as Arcadia arrived in the morning, got back on board!

We usually take 2 suit carriers with us and always put them through with the other luggage. They are not the flimsy types and in 10+ cruises we have never had any problems. (Touch wood!!!)

This is on ex-Southampton cruises, not fly-cruises.

Michele

I did the same trip on Arcadia on 21st November this year. There was 1 formal night which we had on the evening that we left Amsterdam.

Michele

We were on the Arcadia last week to Amsterdam and the covered pool was open for that sailing. I was intending to have a swim, but the water was quite cold and I chickened out:o There were some braver souls than me who were enjoying it though.

Michele

We did a back to back on Ventura in October and housekeeping came to help us move. They did ask us to pack everything from the drawers back into bags for moving, but said they would bring a rail to transfer everything from the wardrobe area. In fact, when they arrived the girl said she would carry everything and proceeded to grab all my long dresses off the rail! I didn't like the thought of them being dragged along the corridors and asked her to leave them for me to re-pack into the suit carrier for the move.

Certainly enjoyed breakfast that morning when people asked "How far have you got to travel?" and being able to reply "We're staying on for the next cruise". Tried not to look too smug :D

Michele

Totally agree with everyone that C deck offer the best balconies. We have just come back off Ventura where we had a C deck cabin, which we specifically picked after having one on Azura last year. Can't say I was ever bothered by the fact that part of it is overlooked by above - I never looked upwards!

Michele

They won't be serving Afternoon Tea in the Main Dining Rooms at all, but they usually have a selection of sandwiches, scones and cakes in the buffet on embarkation day as far as I can remember.

Michele

You can also access the adult only pool (Oasis) from the outside decks by the retreat. It is a very small pool but at the press of a button it becomes the water equivalent of a treadmill and gives you a very good work-out:)

Michele

We have booked an early saver for 10th October and received the booklet about a week ago, without luggage labels, as we haven't been allocated a cabin yet. Once that is allocated I will print both labels and e-tickets off.

(Or I might leave it to the last minute - hoping for an upgrade :))

Michele

We are waiting for a cabin allocation for an early saver fair at the beginning of October this year - the booking confirmation states the cabin can be allocated anytime up to departure. I keep checking the cruise personaliser daily now, hoping it will be soon.

Michele

I remember watching one of the Pirates of the Caribbean films in the theatre on Oceana in fairly choppy seas once and it really made you feel you were on one of the old galleons:)

Michele

We called at Casablanca on our cruise in 2011 and after taking the shuttle bus to town, visited the mosque and souk on our own, but I don't think I would do it at the moment - which is a shame really.

Michele

Hi RN1962,

We are also on this cruise and are planning on doing our own thing at every port. We have been to Lisbon, Cadiz and Gibraltar before and they are all easy to DIY. We haven't been to Valencia, Malaga or Alicante, but are just planning to wander round on our own.

Michele

Hi Florry,

No, we are going on 21st November for 4 nights.

Michele

We have recently been contacted with the offer to upgrade our balcony cabin to a suite for a total sum of £100.00 for our mini cruise later this year.

Snapped the offer up:D

Michele

Only if you have booked a select fare as far as I know.

I do enjoy getting the booklet - all adds to the excitement:)

Michele

We have booked an early saver fare for later this year and I am expecting to have to print off the luggage labels. We haven't yet been allocated a cabin number and even when it is allocated, I shall wait til nearer the time to print off luggage labels - just in case we get upgraded:D (which I know can happen right up to a few days before departure).

Michele

If you do click on the travel info. it just tells you that e-tickets and luggage labels won't be ready until 5 weeks before sailing.