hansol1966

When we went on the first call to Amsterdam via IJmuiden the shuttle buses were free to all passengers because of the change and controversy of not docking in the centre of Amsterdam. I’m sure this must still be the same (free to all), more recent travellers to IJmuiden will have more up to date information.

We have been on both, the entertainment on QV was excellent, Roy Walker for two nights..just my taste. Arcadia was also very good. Guest speakers very good on both ships. Food in the pub on QV at dinner time a lovely bonus. The lovely company and people on Arcadia made the trip....I could go on... but room service menu on Arcadia needs a huge look at...QV excellent and complimentary. Ocean grill superb..well worth the money.  My sons favourite was Neptune’s grill Arcadia deck 9 by the pool with different burgers and dogs every day...but not advertised on their boards is fish and chips cooked to order 7 minutes...the batter excellent...the cod milky cooked to perfection...smallish portions..order two you won’t regret it.

We will post as many photos as we can.

Just back today and didn’t use the internet after Åndalsnes which was beautiful scenic town. I back all the comments about the weather...Relentless. After switching from Tromso to Narvik on the Sunday because of the extra bad weather near Tromso I said to my wife we would not make Stavanger. Narvik when we arrived was deep in snow with heavy snowfall blowing while we waited for the shuttle coach. With a long wait we were like the empourer penguins caked in snow. But was great this was what North Norway should be like. I felt sorry for anybody booked on a Northern lights tour as it was very cloudy and overcast. Will try to post a review over the next few days after getting used to sunlight...it’s a strange world up their.

Just off Arcadia today after the worst weather I’ve ever had on a cruise and continuesly. Will post some more about this cruise, after one day onboard the seaways were mainly force 9 with a couple of days force 8 until we returned and left Norwegian waters. I was so proud of my wife and son who while scared took it in their stride. Relentless.

Last 2 1/2 days very rocky onboard...force 9. Åndalsnes a beautiful village/town amazing scenery all around the fjords.

On leaving Åndalsnes yesterday (travelling from Southampton very windy ...next sea day force 9 along Norway’s coast) we were told the weather will continue to be bad or worse if we go to Tromsø as planned so Narvik is our next port of call with Tromso next....basically reversed.  Our Narvik overnight ..two days is now arrive at 0800 Saturday leave 0230 Sunday to Tromsø. Coaches stop at 2100 Saturday. What happens at Tromsø we will wait and see.

Onboard Arcadia and after initial literature about the past Novovirus problems the routine is now as normal onboard but with a more diligent attention to spraying hands everywhere.

The simple answer might be because of the New Years Eve celebrations coaches are banned from the normal drop off points.

Great place to dock at the cruise terminal a short scenic walk to the Grand Central Station and the canals. We have docked here twice and is as it should be all the time. IJmuiden is no comparison.Have a great time.

Im sure the change of heart while greatly received is mainly down to the logistics and the cost of finding numerous coaches (as most of the ship will be in Amsterdam through the night and early hours) to shuttle to and from IJmuiden on New Years Eve incurring extra payments for staff and vehicles, that’s if you can find enough staff to work that evening. Your good fortune have a great trip.

Thankyou a very in depth guide to blackjack, if I recall you are allowed to use the basic strategy tables to help you at the table. Also blackjack is the only casino game where you have the edge if you can count cards, not many can and are thrown out when spotted.

Just google / I did msn U.K. search Brittania cabin 738 and a few results come up one with 5 internal photos but none of the wraparound balcony.

Great photos got the same aft suite for April 2021...can’t wait.

Sorry this is not on topic but about water etc, we always take an old ladies wheeled trolley filled with sparkling water..assorted mineral waters and squash...10 bottles in total..always handy. Loaded with our luggage.

Have traveled as an adult since 1978  and have never had any damp/ condensation in my luggage ever...USA..Far East..Europe. 

I had a great day on Guernsey,..the tendering process was very slow but at least we got of the ship. 

By the original post these conditions won’t be implemented till at least 2026. Fill your boots over the next few years.

With all the drinks packages everybody in the cabin have to buy a package apart from children’s packages. I can understand partway the logic ie sharing drinks, but would like to think individual packages could be sold as we have cruise passes with our identity. Obviously trust is a big part of this but if found out some sanction could take place, ie their drink package is taken away. We are going on the Iona in 2021 for 7 days and we were thinking about giving the full package a go...Fine for my wife and I but we have a 34 yr old disabled son who is on fluid restrictions so the package is not applicable. I will in time contact P&O about this and I’m sure they will ...maybe...oblige. 

From Southampton to Fort Lauderdale via The Azores...Mid Jan the Bay of Biscay lived up to its reputation but as we neared The Azores the weather improved. From then on light clothes till we got to Florida....After the Azores we loved watching the flying fish near the bow escaping the waves. A great trip on the QE2.

After the safety drill passengers are asked to wait and let least able and disabled passengers to use the lifts first...Ok for ten seconds then it’s a free for all.

No tips are required... P&O advertise this comprehensively in there ads....So no tips are required...Ad Infinitum...

We are going on the Arcadia 26th November Arctic circle cruise. The tours are.

Andalsnes all tours are 29th Nov 19.

Rodven Stave church and the Troll Wall.     2 3/4 hrs.    £52 pp.

Norwegian mountaineering centre and waffle.     4hrs.       £62pp.

Scenic Rauma railwayby traditional railway.       3hrs.       £88pp.

The Atlantic Ocean road        7hrs.       £99pp.

Tromso all tours are 1st Dec 19.

Leisurely Tromso coach tour         2hrs.        £40pp.

Polaria and the Arctic cathedral +city tour of Tromso.       2 1/2hrs.         £52pp.

Arctic cathedral evening recital       2hrs.        £52pp

Discover Tromso.          3hrs.         54pp.

Sommaroy island.. traditional community visit.      4hrs.       £56pp.

Tromso sights and cable car       3 1/2 hrs.        £66pp.

Polaria and Huskies.      3 1/2 hrs.         £72pp.

In search of the Northern lights led by local experts          5hrs.         £85pp.

R.I.B. safari explore islands around Tromso          3hrs.          £92pp

Narvik all 3rd Dec 19.

Leisurely Narvik guide      1 1/2hrs.              £37pp.

Narvik sights and war history         2 1/2hrs.            £49pp.

Narvik by cable car          2 1/2hrs.             £52pp.

Norwegian coastal history         4hrs.               £68pp.

All aboard the Ofoten railway,

mountain plateau to the Swedish border         4 1/2hrs.           £85pp

Polar park visit           5hrs.         £86pp.

In search of the Northern lights           5hrs.            £99pp.

In search of the Northern lights by train        7hrs.             £120pp.

Stavanger all on 6 Dec 19.

Stavanger stroll and coffee stop          2 1/2hrs.            £40pp.

Leisurely Stavanger with coffee break, city and countryside            3hrs.            £49pp.

Stavanger highlights and Iron Age farm           3hrs.             £53pp.

Stavanger countryside            4hrs.             £54pp.

Nordic walking tour          4hrs.            £54pp.

Welcome to a Norwegian home          2hrs.            £65pp.

Lysefjord cruise and pulpit rock           3hrs.            £75pp

Lysefjord R.I.B.                                        2 1/2hrs.     £95pp

Hope this helps.

When we went it was free to and from Amsterdam. Rotterdam to Amsterdam shuttle/tour is £40+.

Could anybody who knows what the more information for no accessible coaches after 10.00 pm actually means. Why don’t they just print what is available for disabled guests.

The options are few I would think, a free taxi to and from the ship, a free minibus or no transport provided. I am intrigued by the wording, if anybody knows great. The photo of coach shuttles from Ijmuiden. The leaflet would look a lot different if you arrived at 1.30pm.

We book cruises with the best deal for us. We used to travel on Cunard but with the exchange rate we tried P&O. A few cruises late and great deals for the me, my wife and my 34 yr old disabled son we have some great cruises all on the £1 3rd person deal. My son has heart failure and is studying for a music degree...I will never forget sitting on the balcony in our suite sipping numerous hot chocolates with my son at 3.00am whilst gliding through the fjord...great memories.