LondonLad60

The world's largest cruise ship (Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas) is soon to arrive in Miami. From the cruisecritic news page: "Icon of the Seas is also the size of a small city, with the ability to carry up to 7,600 passengers (double occupancy is 5,610 people, but the ship is built for families so expect that number to be higher) and 2,350 crew. It measures 1,198 feet long – more than three football fields – and is 250,800 gross tons." It also has, "...the largest waterpark at sea, with six waterslides, and a suspended infinity pool" Any Saganauts fancy booking a cruise on her? No? Thought not...

Not really of any help to you, but I'm reminded of a thread when this question was asked some years ago. One gentleman replied, "On any cruise of longer than 7 nights I always pack a spare pair of underpants, just in case of an accident". I assumed his tongue was firmly in his cheek... On a more sensible note, I'm not sure how many electric sockets there are in Ventura's cabins, so a four socket extension lead could prove useful if you need to use multiple appliances at the same time.

On our last cruise (SoA ,Med in September), instead of cramming everyone into the Britannia Lounge, library and North Cape Bar, use was made of other venues - our tag no.was 14, and our venue was the Khukuri House. The Supper Club was also used.

I empathise with you over disembarkation, but at least it is organised, and to me it is preferable to the last time I disembarked from Arcadia, which was just chaotic.

It's worth a try, but don't hold your breath. I have written directly to Paul Ludlow at P&O, and also to the CEO of Sainsbury's. On both occasions, I was replied to by customer services executives.

I never fill in the questionnaire on the ship - I always do it from home; for the reasons you mention, plus, as far as I'm concerned, the cruise doesn't end until the chauffeur pulls up outside our house. By doing this, if there is any last minute issues (such as disembarkation) they can be mentioned.

Perhaps they appreciate that if you want the best, you have to pay for it.

I was on SoD's Christmas cruise last year. Take an additional small case or holdall - you'll need it for all the goodies you'll be given during the cruise. Either that, or don't pack your main cases to full capacity. This advice was given to me before the cruise last year, and I thought the person who offered the advice was joking. She wasn't.

If anyone is travelling to Cumbria they have every right to be concerned, although hopefully things should improve by tomorrow https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67604834

Followed by keelhauling.

On a New Year 2017 cruise, I can't remember for certain, but I think they started to come down on January 2nd.

I was on Aurora Christmas 2019. My Christmas Day lunch consisted of a hot dog and fries washed down by a couple of glasses of Rioja out on the open deck. Dinner was a much more grand affair - it was a formal night, and the dinner had seven courses - starter, soup, sorbet, main, dessert and cheese. For the seventh course waiters brought around trays on which were mini mince pies, slices of Christmas cake, dried and candied fruits, nuts, etc. Whatever else, you certainly won't go hungry. I don't know how or why this comment has been posted again - it wasn't me. Honestly!

I was on Aurora Christmas 2019. My Christmas Day lunch consisted of a hot dog and fries washed down by a couple of glasses of Rioja out on the open deck. Dinner was a much more grand affair - it was a formal night, and the dinner had seven courses - starter, soup, sorbet, main, dessert and cheese. For the seventh course waiters brought around trays on which were mini mince pies, slices of Christmas cake, dried and candied fruits, nuts, etc. Whatever else, you certainly won't go hungry.

I was on SoA in September, and Shane was the Cruise Director. Without wishing to tempt fate, I thought he was pretty good.

Three on each ship. For descriptions and sample menus see https://travel.saga.co.uk/cruises/ocean/our-ships/spirit-of-adventure/fine-dining.aspx and https://travel.saga.co.uk/cruises/ocean/our-ships/spirit-of-discovery/fine-dining.aspx

No, you can only book once on board.

There's a thread on this topic further down the page, however, it will probably raise more questions than it answers. The rule is, you can book each speciality once - this is to give all passengers chance to try each restaurant at least once. Once you have eaten in a particular restaurant you can try to book it again - you may get in, you may not. We've never had any trouble getting further bookings, especially on longer cruises. On a recent SoA cruise we ate in these restaurants eight times - three times each in the Supper Club and Amalfi, and twice in the Khukuri House. We were offered another evening in the Khukuri but declined, as the menu in the main restaurant was one we particularly enjoy. Also, if you don't mind eating late, if you go along to these restaurants after say 20:00 you may get in. Hope this helps.

So it sounds like what was alluded to on the Speciality Restaurants thread could be true then - it's one rule for suite passengers and another for the hoi polloi.

I remember black & white themed formal nights on P&O, but I've never heard of just a white night.

"...a Cliff Richard tribute act". Just when you think things couldn't get any worse. Haven't these poor passengers suffered enough? PS - to any Cliff Richard fans, comment made with tongue firmly in cheek.

With one exception, all my P&O cruises (25 or 26, I can't remember exactly, and I can't check my cruise history) were on smaller ships - Adonia, Oriana, Arcadia, Oceana and Aurora. The exception was one cruise on Ventura, and the size of that ship put me off going on anything that size ever again.

I can recommend the FX Restaurant and Sports Bar. It's on the Av Do Mar, opposite the Marina do Funchal, and it is easily walkable from the ship's berth. They do a very good steak on the hot stone, while my wife prefers the fried scabbard fish - a local speciality. https://www.fxrestaurantandsportsbar.com/pt/

The official policy is, one booking per restaurant initially. When you have eaten in a particular restaurant, you can try booking it again. If there is availability you may get in; if not I think you can ask to be waitlisted. Passengers have been known to turn up at the desks in the evening and ask if there's any availability, which is worth doing as there may have been a last minute cancellation. Some say they are willing to share and I saw this in action on a recent cruise. We were asked if we were prepared to have someone join us, and we politely said no thank you. On a cruise on SoD last year, one particular passenger made a habit of doing this in Coast to Coast. Also, on another cruise I asked the Food and Beverages Director about the policy. He said, if you don't mind eating later, go along at about 8:00pm and ask - you may (and he stressed the word 'may') be able to get in.

Try an email to: Executive.Correspondence@carnivalukgroup.com - and make sure you mention your dissatisfaction with the guy on the phone. After receiving unsatisfactory responses from customer services I emailed Paul Ludlow directly, and received a response from this address.

There were uke classes on SoD's Canary Isles Christmas 2022 cruise, but I think that was a 21 night cruise.