TigerB

To be fair, from the drop off point it was a bit of a slog into the city centre, especially with a wheelchair; we went as far as the bull ring near the train station. When we visit this time we're going to stay in the park area, and may even visit either the Science Museum and the Oceanogràfic. And, as I've already mentioned, it's ideal for the Carrefour across the road.

Bear in mind that the GC grades include the two on the promenade deck, 8327 and 8331. Having stayed in a GC on deck 15 for our Fjord cruise, we wouldn't choose one on that deck again. When the sun was high in the sky on our side, we didn't see an awful lot of it due to the overhang of deck 18. If we ever consider a saver rate on a balcony on either Iona or Arvia, I reckon we'll opt for GB; that would suit us fine, but if we got allocated a higher grade then that would a bonus. I always get confused with left and right transfers. Is this a right transfer?.... If so, that was 15306, and we had a pole. It wasn't a problem though.

Not that many out of 28. Now you mention it, when we on Arvia earlier in the year and were looking at a cruise that included Key West, we were told that it was likely to be a tender port, but the current list doesn't show it as being so; I must be looking at an old list. Our lass cannot do tenders full stop, so any cruise that has a fair few of them is definitely out for us.

Is that the GBs on deck 12, or the EAs on deck 10, one of which Selbourne and his good lady had?

I've just had a look at the itinerary; it looks fantastic and, from what I could ascertain, not a tender port amongst them! 👍

As has already been written, it is generally fourteen days. However, like the last two replies, reservations for ours opened about midnight, which is fifteen days.

Let me get this right, young man! You've booked a saver rate on a cruise that ticks almost all the boxes. You got an accessible cabin that you previously considered paying £270 p/n for, but are now paying £174 for. You got a wad of cash transferred from another cruise. And your energy bills throughout will be tuppence ha'penny. Is that about the gist of it? Around these parts we would have this to say about folk like you: That fella would fall in dock and come out dry! 😯😂 Well done!👍 I would have done exactly the same if we didn't have a kitty that would turn her back on us as soon as we got home.

Just opposite is a shopping centre with a big Carrefour, in case you wanted to stock up on anything. On our last trip we got our eldest daughter a shed load of GF sweets.

In April, and on other cruises since, it has been next to the Science Park. I can't see it being any different.

Intriguing! Have you gone a fair bit over you £200/night threshold?🤫

I'll look forward to that. I take onboard the comments of @Denarius and others, and it's not just the table for two situation that gives me pause for thought. I feel we would definitely try the product, and that is why we have subscribed to the pre-registration scheme for the upcoming four seasons. But I've only been retired for a little over a year, and there are plenty of things we want to do before our lass gets fed up of me, and sends me back to work; so, we are doing those things that are higher up on our bucket list, mixed in with cheaper P&O cruises. Perhaps though, we will wait until my 60th, so we can justify the cost. I don't want to blow my lump sum too soon!🤭

@Dermotsgirl, I've finally gotten around to reading your review, and have found it very useful; thanks!👍 We too are averse to table sharing and the bank of two-seaters that are so close to each other that you can practically taste the food of the couple next to you. Although I am still looking at the pros and cons of SAGA v P&O for the particular Northern Lights cruises we are considering, I think your review has been instrumental in swaying it for us. When they call to see if we want to book, I'll probably decline, but will also pre-register for the winter season of 2028; I would feel more at ease spending so much money if it was for a really special occasion, like my 60th.

We've just had our deposit refunded; I didn't expect that, but it is welcomed. So, for those of you that have cancelled because you booked PE and can't travel in economy for medical reasons, it may be worth a few minutes of your time writing an email.

Thanks for the reply, silversurf👍 With four sailings this year on both Arvia and Iona, we are impressed with their accessible features, which are light years away from the older P&O ships; I would expect the newer SAGA ships to match or improve upon those accessible features. The only P&O ship that's offers a similar itinerary to the Northern Lights cruises with SAGA we are interested in is Aurora. The automated features in the SAGA accessible cabins, and those on Arvia and Iona, are really good, but not having them on Aurora is not the end of the world; I am there to assist my wife, and having sufficient space to manoeuvre her wheelchair is more important.

Thanks for the reply. I had meant to read her review, but got side-tracked with other things; I will do that later. Like you, and for the very same reasons, the included drinks and wi-fi aren't a big draw for us. And looking at the seating plans for the restaurants, the locations of two-person tables don't really appeal. I didn't know that about the included excursions, but I did read the small print about if transport isn't suitable then tough! I am though reassured by our recent Fjords cruise, when we had an issue with the charges for booked accessible trips, and the Shore Experience & Loyalty Manager said that all of Norway's buses/coaches have to be wheelchair accessible. We live just beyond the 250 mile maximum for shared transport, but when I pre-registered back in March, I was told they would cover us for that. When I spoke about a suitable vehicle, I was told that they would be probably provide a WAV, so that would be for our exclusive use. To be fair though, our lass's travel chair folds up easily enough, and she would father sit on a comfy car seat than in her chair for a five hour journey. That could mean we would be back to sharing, which neither of us would relish. But, before I talk myself out of it, I'll have a read of Dermotsgirl's review, and look properly at both the cruises - Saga and Aurora. Having read your previous reports, we do though really fancy trying Cunard.

You are taken to the airport from the ship; probably about lunchtime or a little later. Your luggage is taken separately

As it happens, it was the Northern Lights one that we would have been interested in. We've not looked at it in detail; I intend to do that in the next couple of days, and compare it to the one just released on Aurora. I really need to know in my own mind the pros and cons of both, so I can justify the hefty price tag of a Saga cruise. It's probably a moot point anyway, as it wasn't that long ago that I pre-registered, so expect to be lower down in the pecking order for that season when they call, and will either get a smaller discount or miss out on the accessible cabins.

This is a question for anyone who has stayed in an accessible balcony cabin on P&O Aurora and either of the SAGA ships, Spirit of Discovery or Spirit of Adventure... We are looking at a future cruise on Spirit of Discovery, and would probably select the standard accessible cabin, which I understand to be 350sq/ft. I am comparing the cruise with a similar cruise onboard Aurora. How does the accessible balcony cabin on the SAGA ship compare to the equivalent on Aurora?

This is a question for anyone who has stayed in an accessible balcony cabin on Aurora and either of the SAGA ships, Spirit of Discovery or Spirit of Adventure... We are looking at a future cruise on Spirit of Discovery, and would probably select the standard accessible cabin, which I understand to be 350sq/ft. I am comparing the cruise with a similar cruise onboard Aurora. How does the accessible balcony cabin on the SAGA ship compare to the equivalent on Aurora?

Given the flights debacle this winter, I wouldn't be surprised if they get a couple of Freddy Laker's planes out of the scrapyard for next winter.🙄

The longest queue I've seen on both Iona and Arvia has been about ten people, and that was for the fish and chips; Fusion is generally the quietest. If you haven't anyone in your party with a wheelchair you shouldn't have a problem getting a table. There are also additional tables outside on the port side and, a short walk away, on the starboard side.

Nor us

Spot on!👍

In this digital age, with folk being used to viewing stuff on screens, what we miss are the printed photos of folk from that day, displayed in an area of heavy traffic, for all to see; or, as we would call it.... The Munter's Gallery.🤭

Welcome to the CC forums!👋 If you've read all the posts in this thread you will notice that some folk don't need to try the sub-standard service offered by Maleth Aero to know that it will be of no use to them, and thus have a legitimate reason to moan. I am talking about those who may have severe mobility problems, and for whom the only comfortable and bearable way to fly is in a premium economy cabin or higher. For those folk, and we are included in that demographic, not having a seat in premium economy is a deal breaker. So, for us, cruise cancelled!😞