July morning

My excursions became available on line 7-8 weeks before departure and the brochure with luggage labels didn't arrive until about 2-3 weeks before departure.

For the first time ever we didn't do any tour excursions they were ridiculously expensive. Last year while on Borealis you had to do an excursion to get off the ship but not this year but the difference in price was much higher for this year. When they became available on line I was sure they had made a mistake. I looked out last years tours for Belfast we went to the Giants Causeway which we enjoyed but this year the exact excursion was almost £60pp higher we were thinking of going to the Titanic Experience and it was grossly inflated as well.

I've just seen you question and while we were on board the trace bands were still in use I just carried mine in a small bag that I use on cruises which they said was acceptable and my husband had his in his pocket which is what most people were doing. They're a bit big and clumsy too big for my wrist anyway About the LFT they have changed the rules since we came home there is information on FO covid guide before you go. We always travel to the port (anywhere) the day before and personally after reading FO's guide I would take a LFT before leaving home (as we did this time) and take another in my toilet bag for us to use before leaving the hotel. They do say you can use the free NHS ones that you have at home taking the cassette with you 😉

We haven't been on Bolette but just returned recently from Borealis and have been told they are similar. We had an inside on deck two and never heard any noise from the ship or passengers this is the second time we have been on Borealis and both on deck two

We have always worn formal on the nights requested but on one formal night by chance before going into the MDR we looked at the menu at the door before entering and didn't fancy it so we went to the buffet and a passenger was really rude to us because we had formal dress on!

This is a shortish sum-up of our recent cruise. We had LFT before boarding once on board masks weren't required. Ports were Belfast, Rothsay, , Portree, Invergordon and Kirkwall. Rothsay was missed due to bad weather wasn't surprised as it was choppy. The weather was disappointing overcast with showers but we enjoyed the cruise. Didn't seem to be any shortage of staff in the bars etc our cabin was serviced twice a day with a nightly turn-down service with choccy on the pillow and fresh towels. Food was satisfactory, hot when it was supposed to be. Plenty of hand sanitisers and of course the "whirl sink" when entering the buffet. Most of the crew were wearing mask but very few passengers (we didn't) We went one evening to Colours & Taste which we pre-booked before boarding it was one of the best meals we've ever had for the main I had the lobster croquette my husband had the sirloin steak we couldn't finish them they were so big! We went to Neptune Lounge for the Show/Entertainers in the evening. The magician was Martin Daniels who we liked and a pianist/singer who was IMO OK but not really to our taste but popular with others on board. Then to the Crows Nest and took part in the quiz and stayed to listen to the house band and have a dance unfortunately Funky Blue were not on this cruise we really liked them on our previous FO cruises they played our sort of music. The band in their place was Oceans Trio and it was their first week on board some nights they were better than others (being polite) so perhaps trying to get an idea of what people liked. We were really looking forward to the cruise and it did not disappoint. We don't have another cruise booked at the moment but just watching how things progress travel wise. Ask anything if you think I can help.

We've been on Borealis recently on deck 2 inside cabin although not connecting never heard either of the adjoining cabins.

We were on the Scenic Scottish Isles 9-17th July so the previous one to the poster above. As they said plenty of waiters. We used the speciality restaurant (one night) called Colours & Taste it was one of the best meals I've had anywhere but the MDR was good as well. What we have have found is that the hot food IS hot even the buffet is civilised being shown to your table that already has placemats, cutlery and glasses and waiters ready to take orders for wine etc your food was severed to you at lunch time there were stir-fry that you could chose or avoid something you didn't like. We liked the grill on deck 8 at lunch time good burgers, fish& chips etc with nice desserts.

We don't have a balcony so that's not a problem for us 😉 We're going on Borealis again on Tuesday and looking forward to it and hope to enjoy it as much as previous cruises. The age graphic isn't a problem as we find that the older people tend to go to bed earlier anyway and there's still plenty of people in the venues to have a good atmosphere. I think the worst cruise we were on was Regal Princess round trip from NY to Canada & New England everyone disappeared by 9pm only a few people in the venues apart from the casino which holds no appeal for us.

I've been enjoying your updates keep them coming! Lovely photos of you both and your dress is beautiful 🙂

Balmoral only started sailing again at the beginning of May. Hope someone can help you that's been on.

Jean, hopefully won't be like this when we go certainly wasn't on our previous ones. We were keen P&O customers lots of cruises with them but when they went big and we had bad service on the last few cruise decided to try FO and found them to be better fit (IMO) we have been on three now two on Braemar, Amazon great time so different. The Caribbean but different ports from P&O as we've been to the Caribbean at least six times with P&O. Last August we went on Borealis and we are on her again on the 9th of June. We found the food to be hot when it was meant to be (LOL) and the entertainment was good thought Funky Blue was one of the best house bands we've had on a ship.