Harters

Potentially, a lack of anywhere else for a stop in Wales - unless the ship's routing was going to take them to South Wales. A look at the ports before and after Holyhead may well give you a clue as to why Holyhead. And, if you're doing a British Isles cruise, then I think you'd have to have a stop in the principality. Croeso i Gymru.

When we were there last autumn, there were two HOHO companies. Both operate more than one route and both pretty much go to the same places (and charge the same). They are a good way of getting round the main attractions - we've been to the city on long weekends and have used them extensively. Equally, if you are short of time, you might just regard them as a sight-seeing tour without much actual HOHO. The last time was just for a day, pre-cruise, and that's what we did, only getting off to visit the Miro gallery which we'd not been to before (we're both fans of his art). The route takes about 2 hours, obviously plus any hopping off time, and as itsanita notes, HOHOs are a great way to chill out. We had a good day in the city. The bus, including a couple of hours at the Miro, took up much of it. We had a tapas lunch at a place next to the Boqueria market (which was itself closed as it was a Sunday), then a stroll down the Ramblas and a nice-ish dinner in the evening. If you're new to the city, you'd probably want to pack more into it, if you're only there for the day,

I have a family member who, of the many meats available, chooses only to eat chicken or turkey. I also have other members who choose not to eat particular meats - one doesnt eat lamb, another doesnt eat pork. It makes catering for family gatherings a complete pain in the arse - and pretty much guarantees we'll be eating chicken or fish. And even there it's restricted, as yet another member generally doesnt like spices used in Asian dishes.

I have absolutely no idea what this form might be. I visit Schengen area countries several times a year. Nowhere have I seen a form that would relate to my prescription medicines. Nowhere have I ever seen mention of such a form - until this thread. I have never been searched entering a Schengen country, so no-one at the border would know what I was carrying. CAK appears to be the Dutch organisation which, amongst other things, manages the European Health Insurance Card for that country's citizens (which allows EU citizens to access public health services in Union countries they might visit).

Am I right in assuming Oceania is your Vauxhall analogy - or is it the other way round. By the by, I used to happily drive a Vauxhall over many years. I've since changed to Skoda which some may think as a downgrade. I wonder where that may come in the cruise line analogies.

In my one experience with O, they do not. Even though there were direct flights from our local airport to/from the two ports, O insisted on wanting to route us through an intermediate airport, adding hours to the journeys and, IIRC, adding cost as well. I could not get a satisfactory answer from O, as to why they do this but assume it must be something to do with the commercial arrangement they had with the carrier. The next cruise for which we needed a flight, we asked our travel agent who, within 15 minutes, was back with entirely satisfactory proposals (and cheaper than we could have organised for ourselves).

I think Spain has similar requirements to here in the UK. They are designed to provide a legal basis for denying entry to people who are claiming to be tourists but the border control staff have suspicions they are intending to work illegally. As someone now aged in their mid 70s, I imagine no-one is ever going to think I'm arriving in a country intending to work.

I'm sure the more inclusive arrangements are a response to market research, as well as simply boosting the profits. The SM+ that we now have in the UK, with gratuities also being included in the headline cruise price, came about from pressure from the UK cruise travel agency industry, as reported, directly responding to customer demand.

Hope you quickly find a line that suits you better.

Thanks. Fully understood now. One of my unfulfilled ambitions in life was to have owned a Jag. Could never afford one. Although I suppose, we might have not gone on an O cruise.

I wouldnt dream of wearing it to dinner otherwise. 😀

Sorry, but that analogy means nothing to this Briton. Is one better than the other and, if so, which is which, please?

Most probably wear them for polo as well. Here's a link to a department store in your part of the world, so you can check out exactly what I meant. https://www.macys.com/shop/mens-clothing/mens-polo-shirts?id=20640

Most probably wear them for polo, as well.

Tell that to most folk who post restaurant reviews to Tripadvisor. To me, acceptable is fine. It's acceptable. That's not a negative. But I've been criticised by restaurant owners for only giving an "average" rating - average is acceptable. It's average - better than some, not as good as others. I can have a very nice time at an average restaurant. But the vast majority of people feels the need to rate a meal as "excellent". Here's an idea for folks. Pick a restaurant in your own home area. One that you consider to be only OK. Mediocre, if you will. Or "average". Then check it out on Tripadvisor. My bet is the vast majority of reviews will have given it an "excellent", followed by "very good". And you know it's neither.

The coastal tram is a great resource for that part of the world. We've only visited the area when we've had the car with us (and tend to be visiting out of the way place - like WW1 war graves cemeteries). But, if I was on a cruise, then I would deffo use it. De Panne is a nice little coastal town.

I was drawn to this thread as we're at an early stage of considering a Regent cruise (as a change from Oceania). Seems to me that Regent has a very straightforward and easily understood dress code, with which I'll have no problem complying, wearing chinos and polo shirt. That's my standard wear for a "nice restaurant" at home and has worked for Oceania. I have no problem with any business setting whatever dress code it wishes and, so long as it's clear (as it is here), I can then decide if I want to give them my custom. For example, I do not go to restaurants at home that require/request jackets. Fortunately, these are very few and none are in my home region (not even the Michelin 3* place).

A relatively small, but worthwhile, discount from the web advertised fare. A similar amount offered as onboard credit (can be used on the existing or booked cruise - we chose existing). A much smaller deposit than usual. The opportunity to transfer the booking to the travel agency of your choice (allowing them to "take care" of an existing customer and offering the opportunity for further discount negotiation). I'm sure there are other small benefits but these are ones I particularly recall.

Thanks.

My TA is almost as prolific as O in sending out sales brochures. But they never have mention of cruises with any of the three NCLH lines. That is , until this morning. When I received a brochure exclusively dealing with Regent offers. And there's some very keen pricing on a handful of Regent's European cruises. Keen enough to put them into consideration for us (which they previously havn't been). So, I'd appreciate your views on a comparison between Regent and O. What would I gain, in terms of the shipboard experience? What would I lose? Anything else for me to consider in deciding whether I'm going to enjoy the Regent ambiance, as much as I enjoy O's , or better? TIA John

The move towards O's more inclusive cruises has been advocated and welcomed by the UK cruise travel agency industry. As it says, that reflects customer demand. Britons (and, I think, other European customers) now join Australians and New Zealanders in having what I suppose you could call SM+ - with gratuities now also being "baked" into the upfront cruise fare that we pay.

Was there a particular reason you decided on that route, rather than the direct Barcelona/Manchester flight with Easy or Ryan?

Exactly how we look at it. No different from how we look at any holiday we might be considering, whether cruise or land. I really am not fussed that O now builds in the cost of alcohol at meals, yet I don't drink alcohol. It is what it is.

I like Caernarfon Castle. Interesting in itself, it is also home to the regimental museum of the Royal Welch(*) Fusiliers, which was the reason for my last visit there, pre-Covid. The Museum's displays record its long history, including fighting during the American War of Independence (or, alternatively, the successful terrorist attempt to overthrow the legitimate government) (**). It was at Bunker Hill and Yorktown (where it was the only regiment not to surrender its colours). My interest in visiting was the Great War, which is my military history field of study. (*) Not a typo. (**) joke - although I am an amateur military historian (and published author)

I think that would be the right decision for you. We've done three cruises with O in recent years (Marina, Nautica and Vista) and have another booked for next year (Vista). Whilst we enjoyed Nautica and would sail on the smaller ships again, we prefer the greater feeling of space on the larger ships, together with the extra restaurants. But I'd reckon that the general ambiance is pretty much the same regardless of size. I'm sure you will have read other threads and already be forming your own impressions of how well an O cruise will suit you.