DGHOC

Thanks so much for sharing your experience SailorPaulH, I'm enjoying reading your posts and taking notes! We had been repeatedly booked on Russia and Baltic cruises which eventually changed to Scenic Scandinavia and there appears to be a number of ports shared by these two cruises. I'm keen to read your experiences of some of the new ports added to our agenda. We've neither of us done Berlin or Gdansk so whilst it'll only be flying visits I feel sure it'll be worthwhile. Thanks again!

Just to update the London news Topflightmonitor, just in case you'd like to experience some ceremony. This is the latest link. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62861617

We just book direct Crispy. I never have any trouble with getting through during the week, it is a bit slower at the weekend. I never email as so often those messages just get lost in the 'ether' but have found the London office to be really efficient. Maybe, as you say, staffing levels are affected by sickness/holidays?

I thought this might be useful to you, it's just been published by the BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62861617 Perhaps check out the daily planned activity and if you are free or interested, plan to be near the events as the pomp and ceremony might interest you. The Brits do this so well! Many tourists have been surprised by the Royal family taking to the streets yesterday and today to talk with the crowds amid the public mourning/celebration. There will be many ceremonial rehearsals taking place which, if you haven't been to London before, may delight you. If your planned V excursions are cancelled just do a DIY. There'll be much to interest you I feel sure. Use the TFL link to check status of public transport ie the tube lines. I would suggest that the transport system will be working well, certainly the tube. Bus lines may be affected by potential road closures. https://tfl.gov.uk/tube-dlr-overground/status/ Good luck and enjoy your trip.

Thank you, that's very sweet of you Topflitemolitor2. I'll post some info when it's announced.

We are awaiting the schedule of this mourning period. I'll post it here if you would like me to. If any excursions are cancelled, just wander through the streets. In so many streets you'll be surrounded by thousands of years of history. There are wonderful areas to stroll though and many suggested walks available free online. As Andy said, there will be national holidays announced and that will affect much BUT if walking you'll pass outstanding architecture, soak up the atmosphere of this wonderful city and mingle with us Brits at this time of great sorrow and yet celebration of a wonderful woman and a life well lived. I feel sure you'll have an outstanding visit and experience much pomp and ceremony as the City prepares for the funeral. I suspect it will be at least a week away but await the formal date.

Well pop into a bank then!

Well there is no reason why they wouldn't take them, perhaps they don't take cash as a deposit. Just pop into a bank and they'll exchange them for new notes just in case you don't have the opportunity to spend them elsewhere. You are here at a time of great emotion so the streets in Central London are very busy and will be considerably busier this weekend. People are travelling to London from everywhere around the UK to mourn the loss of our dear Queen together and to attempt to get a glimpse of our new King.

Dr Koob, I'm terribly sorry for the experiences you've had on board your first VO cruise but so surprised too. Did you speak with the catering manager about these events? I feel absolutely sure they they would be keen to address these issues to prevent them happening again. Certainly, if it was the sword fish that caused your wife a problem, that has to be investigated immediately. That could cause serious problems onboard. As someone else has suggested, I suspect that there were new crew teething problems with the catering teams but problems that should be highlighted to them. Folk learn from their mistakes. but only if they realise that they made them! We've never dined in the restaurant but have a number of times in Manfredi's. Our rib eye was always outstanding, tasty and tender, my only criticism might be that it was just too darn large. I might have misinterpreted your remark about the other steak and sauces on offer in Manfredi's as I wasn't aware that there is another steak offer or accompanying sauces. The menu is quite tight and doesn't appear to change. I wonder whether there was a hiccough happening? I hope your wife is fully repaired and that you better enjoy your time onboard without further negative incident.

Just a thought, if you have no luck with the above perhaps check out the Changing of the Guard website. Maybe you could do a DIY trip to see that? The bit at St James's Palace is a delight as the area is stunning, as is the Palace. You could maybe enjoy a walk around the area too as there's so much to see and enjoy. Check out the link. https://changing-guard.com/dates-buckingham-palace.html

I don't know your dates or why V has had to cancel this excursion Sempremare but do check the ceremony of the keys website. Very often there are cancellations and the tickets are then made re-available. Worth a try to do it solo!

Couldn't agree more Lorna, it would also flush out those who are refusing to admit they are sick and uncaringly infecting all around them! Shameful! Jeez I'm glad I don't have an imminent trip.

Sorry, just past the Louvre is the Palais Royal not the Grand Palais!! And cross the Pont Neuf! Pah, wish I was there!

Oh my, this subject could be much debated.... Gojagators, just have a walk, avoid all public transport. The heart of Paris is small and there's so much to see. The walk along the centre of what is Line 1 would be delightful. I don't know where you'll be dropped but pull up the Google Paris map and scroll in with the Tuileries at the centre of the screen. You could start at the L'Arc de Triomphe walking SE along the Champs Elysées, (personally I'd start at the Franklin D Roosevelt roundabout) and on this route you'll pass the Jardins des Champs Elysées on the left, you can turn off and see the Grand Palais and Petit Palace on the right if you'd like (minutes only) and then continue on through Place de la Concorde. The Tuileries are in front of you with Musee de L'Orangerie to the right. Carry walking through the Tuileries. The Seine is to your right, the Rue de Rivoli to your left . You'll pass by the magnificent Musee des Art Decoratifs on the left and the indescribable Louvre straight in front. Stroll and absorb the wonder! Just past the Louvre on the rue de Rivoli is the Grand Palais which has a wonderful little formal garden at the back, where you can wonder around the quad and grab a coffee. Great place to relax and people watch. This road could take you into the Marais which is a fab shopping district with niche shops or cut right back to the Seine and enjoy the river. Cross the Post Neuf and walk around the island. Obviously Notre Dame is closed but you can still see the familiar outline, Saint Chappelle is there as is the Conciergerie where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned. Great little walk around the island. Honestly, with coffee stops this alone would be a stretch. The area around the Tour Eiffel is not great and it's a little out of the way unless you really want to see it up close BUT you'll have frequent views of it popping up along this route especially along the river! What a wonderful day you'll have!

I'm so very sorry you've been struck down but I thank you for being considerate to everyone else around you. Take care of yourself, rest, drink lots of fluids and ask for some nourishing soups, I'm sure Viking will oblige and take really good care of you. Really hoping that you manage to shake it off very quickly. Sending all good wishes to you.

Haha, love the emojis!

We spend a lot of time in Paris and I'm inclined to agree, stay local, either Honfleur which is lovely or a dash to Rouen by train. The point at which the main route from Le Havre crosses the Paris peripherique is Porte Maillot where there is a major rail scheme being built. We were stuck there in heavy traffic for an age earlier this year. Paris is like any major city, traffic is very unpredictable. I can't begin to think how frustrating it would be to be so near so much and not have the time to enjoy it!! I know it's easy for me to say as we're a short hop away but why not determine to splurge and spend a full week in Paris in the future. You would not be disappointed.

You were extraordinary lucky janetcbl!! When did you travel through it? That said, we were through super quickly in May but that's when the chaos really hit. This summer has been truly awful with hundreds of flights being cancelled, frequently when passengers are at the departure gate. I think hell will freeze over before we use BA again, (well unless we have no other options! 😉) Jeez, oh for the good old bad old days.

Oh Giverny is totally fabulous. We visited in spring during the tulip season, I truly don't think I've ever seen anything so glorious. I think it has a different splendour with every season!

CCWineLover, honestly anything is possible at Heathrow at the moment. I wouldn't be surprised if a horse and cart was ferrying passengers out to their planes. It's always been a brilliant airport, what a nightmare at the moment!

Normandy is a delight and Rouen its capital city is definitely worth seeing. It's a two thousand year old city packed solid with history. It would be easy to happily occupy every minute of your twelve hour visit. The beautiful Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Rouen is one of France's finest. Monet was a fan and painted it many times. I think it was started in the late 1100s. There is a myriad of architectural styles in the city, but the medieval sections are to be experienced. Visit the Place de Vieux Marché where Joan of Arc met her end. Go visit the Gros Horloge built into its renaissance arch. Honestly, there is so much to see and do, you won't be bored. Just as with any city, make sure you prep before you go so you have a plan. The medieval streets are higgledy piggledy but google maps on your phone will handle it admirably. But my favourite thing in France is to settle in an outdoor cafe and watch the people go by. You'll be spoilt for choice there and typical Normandy fare is just so delicious. I've never done the journey by train from Le Havre but I know that the French train system works brilliantly well. Again, plan your journey ahead so you'll not be phased if your French is not up to scratch. As an aside the Normans and Bretons really love the Brits and Americans and are hugely welcoming (especially if you attempt to speak some French!) I'd hugely recommend a visit there, go and enjoy!

Thanks for your detailed post FlyerTalker. I stand corrected and fully admit I have absolutely no knowledge of the technicalities and correct terminology of flying.. To correct my post - I will only take non stop flights now and I'd still avoid LHR and BA like the plague. If forced to take multi stop flights, I'd leave a very lengthy gap between each. The recent stories from friends and family would make you weep; no one needs that hassle to go on holiday or travel with business.

I'm not sure what the state of play is in the US re airlines and airports but in Europe it's grim at the moment. My daughter recently flew from Paris to Hawaii via LHR and LAX. Every flight was delayed, missed or cancelled both going and coming back through San Fran. In some cases she had an expected layover of 5 hours and still the flight was missed. I will avoid anything but direct flights at the moment and avoid LHR and BA like the plague!! If a direct flight is not poss then I'll definitely allow plenty of time between flights and go grab a leisurely breakfast or lunch. Flying is just too stressful at the moment.

I agree. We had a wonderful time on The Mars, wearing a mask and social distancing is not a massive hardship. We sat outside to eat and chatted with many. We didn't do the show in the theatre, whilst great, one viewing of the Beatles and Abba is enough. One of the wonderful things about Viking is that there is plenty of room to find quiet spots to nestle, you're not packed in like sardines. Just mask up and enjoy being utterly spoilt!

No I'm a traveller like yourself! We are Londoners too, I buy it from Ocado. It's the only non alcoholic gin my hubby will drink.