TigerB

Yes, they do. That 'around the world' cocktail menu is the same on both. Anderson's bar on Arvia does a few rum based cocktails, when she's in the Caribbean anyway, whereas Anderson's bar on Iona does gin based cocktails.

Just a quick one before I hang the washing out... On our last night we had a few quid of our OBC to spend. What better way to do that than getting a couple of those cocktails you've seen folk drinking, and thought, "I'll have one of those one night"? I started with... and our lass started with... I had to ask for a spoon to fish out the pomegranate seeds. They weren't going to waste! #Yorkshire To finish our lass had a glass of bubbly. I didn't know I had married a posh bird!😂 I had something that I had seen being made a few nights before, and the smell of it was intoxicating... VID_20230616_222019303~3.mp4 There was still a little bit of the smoke in the glass as I drank it. Delicious!😋 The perfect nightcap. And as I did a few nights previous, there were folk looking and probably thinking, "I'm going to have that one night". Our lass: "Brilliant! I thought I could get away without washing my hair, but now it smells like a #@%*£&?! bonfire".

None! It finished on 17th June.😉

I would think that most folk who need to take medication would have a bottle of water with them when embarking. Further to that, when you get on the ship there is always a bar nearby, where you can get a glass of water. On the bigger ships there are also water fountains on all public decks. So, plenty of opportunity to have water for your meds before you actually get to your cabin. Additionally, the water in the bathroom is perfectly drinkable. So, for us at least, and probably a lot of folk, not a great loss.

Further to the bar menu posted by JeanieC, you won't pay more than £5.40 for a draught beer; that is for Birra Moretti. Punk IPA, Jolly Olly IPA, and guest ales are £5.30. Lower priced pints are between £5.05 and £5.15. Cocktails are about £7, rising to £8.75 or more for premium ones. Mocktails are £3.75. A large (pint glass) lime and soda is £2.05. A splash of a mixed is a lot cheaper than getting a can. It used to be 95p (April), but bar prices have just gone up. If you want a free glass of iced water, those are available at all bars. Buying wine by the 250ml glass works out cheaper than buying a bottle. Buying sparkling by the 125ml glass does not. Costa coffee prices: Drinks prices have just increased, so the quoted prices should still be valid when you sail.

Same for us on the last two cruises, Arvia and Iona. I didn't ask the cabin steward as a thought it was due to more Carnival cut backs. Not a great loss really.

Likewise, we never had an incorrect bill; I always monitor it as we go along. The last time we had a mini-bar was on Britannia in 2018; I removed all items at the start and told our cabin steward.

Further to the above, if you need to query the statement, do so before you leave the ship; there has been anecdotal evidence from others on this forum of it being a 'mare to do so at a later date.

It really was good food in Olive Grove, on both occasions. After the disappointment of Olive Grove on Arvia, we were won over by it on Iona.

Dinner in Olive Grove – Thursday 15th As we would only be having dinner in the MDRs on four evenings, it was our intention to dine in all four. So far, we had eaten dinner in Aqua, Coral, and Opal; the last one was our favourite, and will likely be the one we choose for all our MDR dinners on our next Iona cruise. Tonight would have been Pearl. When we left Pearl earlier in the afternoon, after having a lovely lunch, we perused the menu for that evening; it was totally uninspiring. We decided to check out what else was available when we got back to the cabin. Looking on the My Holiday app, there were no reservations available for anywhere. We could have the option to start joining the virtual queues for those restaurants for which the queue opened at 17:15. We both fancied Olive Grove again, after having such a great lunch there the day before. I called the reservation line, and there was only one opening for a table for two, 20:15. That is later than we normally like to eat, but took it anyway. After making the reservation, I discovered something about the app; it may be a quirk with the app, or may have been because the lady I spoke with didn’t press the correct buttons. Our reservation didn’t show up on my bookings list. We already had a dinner reservation for Pearl at 18:00; I would have expected our new reservation would have been listed and that the existing one cancelled by the lady. Perhaps though it didn’t alert her to there being a clash, as there was over a two hour time difference between the two; perhaps the logarithms of the app thought, ‘One meal after another, there’s nothing unusual about that, especially for a fat knacker from East Yorkshire’. I cancelled the Pearl reservation myself, but the new reservation didn’t show. I was a little worried that we would get to the desk to be told we didn’t have a reservation. As it turns out, there wasn’t a problem at the desk. The couple ahead of us, who had also called the reservation line, were told that there was a clash; they had a show booked for 20:30. The host cancelled the show for them. It got me thinking again about the possible quirk with the app, or the person taking their reservation also not pressing the correct buttons; with P&O’s reputation with IT, it was probably more likely to be the former. We were seated promptly and had the same waiter as the day before, Clavon. The restaurant wasn’t particularly busy, unlike when we have been in or peered into the one on Arvia, which was rammed every night. Clavon remembered us from the day before, and asked if I wanted a Punk IPA fetching from Sindhu. What a good lad!😊 He sent his assistant waiter for it. With it being late for us to eat, we planned not to have a big meal. What is it they say about best laid plans and all that?🙄 Anyway, the food... The missus... That is supposed to be a grazing dish for two. So much for eating light .....greedy get! She liked this so much the day before, she had it again. She was almost stuffed, and did earlier say she fancied the baclava; she didn't think she could manage it though, so opted for something lighter... Me... We shared this the day before, as it is supposed to be grazing dish for two. But, what can I say? I'm 6' tall and as skinny as a super model. Honest!🤭 That was really nice. And to finish off my light meal... That rosewater ice cream was proper moreish; it made me want to pop out an buy a Turkish Delight. Our experience in Olive Grove on Arvia...👎 Our experience in Olive Grove on Iona...👍👍 So, if you're thinking, "They'll pay for that later", you wouldn't be wrong. I was sent to the buffet at midnight for a glass of milk to counteract the indigestion!

I’ve just looked back on this thread to find that there are a few posts about meals missing, which I had planned to do after we returned but, with one thing and another, have not yet had the chance to do so. Sorry for having a life outside of these forums!🤭 I’ll get our lass to give me a sound thrashing!😉 Anyway.... Lunch in Pearl – Thursday 15th We weren’t long in Haugesund on this day so, rather than grabbing a burger or pizza from Taste 360 and eating it on our balcony, we had a sit down lunch in Pearl. This is something we have done on previous cruises, and found it to be relaxing and enjoyable. As it was a port day, only the Pearl was open, but it really wasn’t that busy. We had a laugh with the fella charged with showing us to our table; we first went to the starboard/aft side – wrong area! We then went to the aft window area – wrong area! He was about to take us to the port/aft area, but asked a waiter where our table was. He was directed to the area where we were finally seated – literally thirty feet from the host’s desk! I thanked him for the tour of the restaurant. I reckon if that was a shore experience tour provided by P&O, it would have cost us at least £25 each! Anyway, the food... Me... The missus... It wasn’t a big lunch, but filled a hole until dinner. On our way out, we had a look at the dinner menu; no very inspiring at all. So, we decided that we would eat elsewhere that evening.

I have to say, we've never been to Halifax as a couple; our lass had many years ago, before she met me. Very hilly, isn't it? She was having a bit of a 'mare with that, and with the camber of the pavements. We didn't get too see much though before the concert, as it took nearly three hours to get there due to congestion on the M62 and the A58, and that's just from the other side of Hull. Piece Hall is a great concert venue, though; the staff were great and the accessible platform was the best we have been on at a concert, and quite close to the stage.

Epicurean Norwegian Tasting Menu - 14th June Selbourne, I’m sorry you’ve had to suffer my preceding diatribe to get to what you really desire, the full gen on the tasting menu.😉 Before I start, I want to get something off my chest... I think most folk will agree with me, some though may feel I am being a little prudish, but I really don’t care; I say it how it is, and this is how it is... Whatever night it is, motif and band t-shirts have no place in the Epicurean. Ironically, the two lasses with these two guys were really well dressed. The two blokes, in my opinion, were just poseurs, showing off their guns! Rant over! Back to the main event... I think I’ve let it known once or twice previously that we really wanted to try this menu. We love Epicurean anyway, but we hoped this would elevate our experience to a higher plain. It is one of those meals where, if you really want to try it, and you want a window table, you need to be still up when the restaurant reservations are released just after midnight. I was. Here is the menu you can see online: Menu from online.pdf Our reservation was for 18:30 on the day we cruised from Hellesylt; according to the online menu, it is always on the fifth day; so, unless the itinerary changes, the scenery will be the same, depending on the reservation time, and of course the weather. We arrived at 18:15 and were seated straightaway at a window table. Our all female waiting team consisted of Jerlyn, assisted by Aljen. They were fantastic throughout, and worked really well together; like two halves of a whole. This is the menu we were given in the restaurant, with wine recommendations: Restaurant Menu - with wine.pdf Restaurant Menu - with wine - veg.pdf The wines are priced as per the main wine list. Looking around, I couldn’t see anyone near us choosing the recommended wines. Our lass was just on water, and I had a couple of large glasses of an Australian Chardonnay. Although there are two separate menus, a mixed one and a strictly vegetarian one, you are free to mix and match from both. I am a pescatarian, so had everything from the vegetarian menu apart from the fish course from the mixed menu, which replaced my salad course. Our lass had everything from the mixed menu except for the main as she does not eat lamb; she instead had the vegetarian main. So, the meal... Disclaimer: I apologise for the photos of the views; I had words with Captain Dunlop about the dirty windows. Our lass had words with the photographer about the reflections. I also apologise for the food photos, in case they make you salivate this wet Tuesday, as you prepare your cheese and pickle butty for lunch. Amuse Me... The missus... Starter Both of us... Fish Course Both of us... Our view at this time... Main Course Both of us... Our view just before... Pre-dessert Both of us... Our view just before... Dessert Both of us... Our view at this time... Petit Fours (with coffee) Both of us... Our view at this time... Our view just before we left... Selbourne, I know you like to eat later than this but, if you want to enjoy a relaxed meal with beautiful views, I would recommend you booking an early reservation; probably no later than 18:30. By 18:40 all window tables were occupied. It was only as we were having coffee, at 20:15, that they reset just two of the window tables, that I could see. This cruise no longer takes in Geraingerfjord; you sail up Sunnylvsfjorden and then along Storfjorden. When we left the restaurant at 20:25, we were just entering the open sea. This meal was absolutely fantastic, and at £22 each (after pre-booking and Penisular discount), represented excellent value for money. I loved everything. There were a couple of things that were a bit hit and miss for our lass, but I won’t say what they were; I don’t want anyone to go in with any pre-conceptions. If I've whet your appetite, then book and enjoy... If I haven't, the buffet will be open!😉

We will be at Piece Hall; going to see QOTSA.

You're welcome🙂 Do they download okay? I can open them on my laptop, but not on my tablet; that may be down to a software issue on my tablet though.

@Selbourne I didn't forget... Horizon - 10th June.pdf Horizon - 11th June.pdf Horizon - 12th June.pdf Horizon - 13th June.pdf Horizon - 14th June.pdf Horizon - 15th June.pdf Horizon - 16th June.pdf We're in Halifax on Tuesday afternoon and evening, so it will be Wednesday before I sort the tasting menus, unless I get a chance in the morning

Sorry to disappoint you, but you won't have that pleasure; I've just cancelled that cruise due to a family event clash. Luckily, only lost £100. Feel free though to take part in your own late night tropical fruit shenanigans!🤭

@purplesea and other interested parties; I hope this will this assist you... Haugesund - options for getting from the cruise berth to the shopping area or the quayside with a wheelchair: There are no shuttle buses provided by P&O, but there is a local shuttle bus, which picks up very close to the ship. I'm not sure where it drops off, but is somewhere in the town centre. It costs NOK70 (currently £5.13) for a return, and runs every fifteen minutes. Every bus I saw could accommodate at least one large wheelchair, with access at the middle of the bus. There is a Hop-on/Hop-off bus, which does a tour of the town and goes farther afield, but I'm not sure where. I don't know how much that costs. There is a land choo-choo, which does a tour of the town centre; I'm not sure if it goes farther afield. I don't know if there is more than one, but the one I saw could accommodate a small/medium wheelchair at the back. I don't know how much it costs. For us, we walked/bouled to the quayside, but our lass does have a power chair. We saw folk in manual wheelchairs do it, and for the pushers it was easier for some than others, depending on their age and fitness, and the combined weight of the wheelchair and user. There are some gradients to contend with, but they are no problem for a power chair. There are also some rough areas on the footpaths, but not that many. For us, the biggest obstacles to contend with were several steep dropped kerbs, and the camber of the footpaths. The below maps show the most straightforward route. Step 1: Follow everyone else walking along Garpeskjærvegan. Most will walk along the footpath on the right, which appeared to be smooth and well maintained. It was though chock-a-block with folk, so, for fear of our lass taking out a few ankles, we took the footpath on the left. At the end of that footpath, at the right-hand bend, we crossed over Fløttmannsgata and on to Jens Risøens gate, which runs parallels to Garpeskjærvegan. That is a quiet residential street with a dead-end at the top, so there was no traffic; we walked/bouled to the end and crossed Vågsgata and headed towards the bottom of the bridge, Risøy broen. Up to this point there is a slight uphill gradient, but it is easily manageable. Step 2: Cross over the bridge, keeping to the left footpath. The uphill gradient to the summit is steep, so could be a struggle for some if pushing a wheelchair. The path is about 1.5 metres wide, and can accommodate two wheelchairs no more than about 60cm passing, with care. Be mindful of the camber on this footpath, and try and stick to the water side, so folk can pass on the kerb side; that is safer for the wheelchair user. Step 3: At the other side of the bridge it is a steep downhill gradient, so be careful, and watch for the camber on the footpath as it bends to the left. You will now be on Skippergata; if you want the shopping area, continue along Skippergata to the junction with Haraldsgata. It will take about fifteen minutes from the berth to this point, about five minute more if you are pushing a wheelchair. We wanted to go to the quayside first, so turned left from Skippergata onto Strandgata. We walked/bouled along Strandgata until we got to the junction with Torggata; the Bank Hotel is on the right. We turned left onto Torgatta, which is the only suitable route to the quayside for a wheelchair. It has a downhill gradient, but wasn't that bad. It took us twenty minutes from the berth to the quayside. The quayside has cobbles, so not ideal for most wheelchairs; there are paved areas either side. Continue along the quayside and there is a boardwalk at the water's edge. The bridge... A view of Torggata from the quayside, looking up to Strandgata.

Well, if you Wessies only put mashed taties, sage and seasoning in your fish cakes, I don't think I'll be visiting your chippies.😉

That guy with the binoculars two decks up and ten cabins down did though!😉

I'm not a lover of them, but our lass and a couple of the kids are. A lot of chippies around these parts have their own secret recipes.

And you'll have Social Services at your door when you get home.🤭

I booked four cabins for last September on Britannia, all the same grade. Ours was on a select fare so we knew the cabin and location. Our three adult children and their partners we on a saver fare, but we were all linked. I asked if they could be close to us, if availablity allowed, or failing that, close to each other. I also sent an email, but in the full knowledge that it would be pot luck. They were allocated cabins two decks below us, two of the siblings next to each other on the starboard side, and the other in the same section, but on the port side.

Nobody came up with the answer, John. I will tell it to just you though; don't share with anyone else on here.😉 Back in the day, when Hull was a major fishing port, a lot of the fish processing factories, or 'fish houses' as they were known, were based in the Hessle Road area, close to where the trawlers sailed from. While the men folk went out on the trawlers, a lot of the women folk would work in the fish houses; they would do all sorts of jobs such as smoking fish, salting cod and making a local delicacy called a pattie. A pattie is essentially a ball of mashed potatoes, sage and seasoning, which is flattened (slapped) by hand and deep fried. So, the term 'pattie slapper' refers to the women who would work in the fish houses, making the patties and processing the fish. The traditional fish houses have long since disappeared, and these days the term 'pattie slapper' is frequently used as an insult, usually directed towards a rough and hard woman from the Hessle Road area. "Listen to the gob on her, she's a right pattie slapper that one".

Ah, the papal pineapple! 😉