TigerB

This thread is particularly relevant to Selbourne, who has an interest in the above. Dining reservations are now open for our upcoming cruise, G318, and the Norwegian Tasting Menu is one of those available for pre-booking. For us, it is on the 14th, when we dock in Helleslyt and do the cruise-by of Geirangerfjord, Sunnylvsfjorden and Storfjorden. The price is as per the regular menu, so £24 each when pre-booking, and the Peninsular discount to come off that. We've chosen an 18:30 slot, so should hopefully get a window table. It's made my weekend being able to bag that now, with the discount, and without the stress of trying to do it onboard 🙂 Hopefully, it will be the same for you Selbourne. I've booked Epicurean again for the 16th, our wedding anniversary. I've decided not to take my tux for the single celebration night, so we've booked Sindhu for that night. The only other restaurants open for pre-booking are Beach House, the Limelight Club, and the Chef's Table.

Thanks for that. I had a feeling the aircraft, with it being short haul, may be economy only.

I don't think they restarted them after Covid. On our last trip on Arvia in April, there was a talk from one of the bridge crew, with a virtual tour of the bridge. I was looking forward to that; unfortunately, it was cancelled last minute.

I'm looking at several cruises on Azura, one with an outbound flight to Valletta and a return flight from Tenerife. We would choose Manchester rather than London. Is it likely to be TUI that are used for both those routes? Do the aircraft they use have PE cabins, and if so, does anyone know the approximate cost for the upgrade? Thanks in advance.

Thanks. Yes, please come back to me on the smaller ones. I like a tablecloth; the stains show you've enjoyed a good meal! I'm not sure about the Meridian on Arvia, without the tablecloths; it felt like we were in a 🥄🥄🥄 😉

It's good that you've tried the MDRs, and have found them to your liking. By the way, have you been in them all? If so, or if you've had a nosey at them all, do any of them not have tablecloths? On Arvia it's the Meridian.

For £50 I wouldn't bother just yet. If you're on a sailing at the beginning of October your balance will be due in July, won't it? If it was me I would wait until the last possible moment. If it drops more by then, go for it.

When I first read this, my eyes read Radio Norway but my brain read Radio Norwich. Then I couldn't shake the image of you sat next to Norway's very own Alan Partridge, with his driving gloves and Casey Jones hat.

We were on the TA cruise in January and a white shirt told me that they had just shy of 4400 onboard, so only about 80% full. I get what you mean about the queues though, but that was more to do I think with the staff getting used to it and the knock on from early diners. We were on again in April, just after most kids had gone back to school, and although there were about 1200 more folk onboard, the actually ship didn't feel any busier. The queues though we're still there. I would expect the quieter times to be when all kids are at school, when it doesn't straddle any holidays, what with different authorities having different term breaks.

I'm no gardener, but wouldn't he better watering the plants rather than the glass?🫢

I think we do so also, on one of the sea days.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Olive Grove on Iona open from lunchtime onwards? I may have dreamt that.

We weren't keen when we ate in there on Arvia, but that was mainly down to the menu. I understand the one on Iona is a different experience, with a different menu. Perhaps folk may steer away from it because it charges for some dishes. I'll find out about the pre-booking after ours opens at the weekend.

Not to be pedantic Selbourne (but then he is), Olive Grove on Iona is classed by P&O as an included restaurant in which you can eat a full meal without putting your hand in your pocket. It's just a few dishes that carry a surcharge. (Pedant mode off)

If you want to be in bed before midnight and are a light sleeper, you should avoid deck 9 as you will be above the Clubhouse, and it can be loud in there. I have read posts on here that the sound from the Clubhouse sometimes reaches the cabins on deck 10.

Further to Selbourne's post, I can confirm from experience that it will still be the early slots only that are available on the My Holiday app. For anything later than 18:30 you will have join the virtual queue, which opens at that time, or attend the restaurant and join the physical queue. If you choose to share a table then you are likely to get in sooner.

On Britannia last October, the excuse was Covid. On Arvia in January, one excuse was no propane. On another day it was H&S. On Arvia in April, the excuse was the waiters still need training. At least on our last visit the trollies were out in the restaurant, albeit unused; hopeful for the future.🤞

I see your missus has taken over camera duties, fella.🤭

Tell that to the Horizon editor; they keep referring to it as a app in there. 😉

That is something that we really want to do. I'll be up at sparrow's fart the morning our dining bookings become available. I hope it isn't, but if it's held back for booking onboard, I'll be at the terminal at 7am and logging on.😉

We had our cards scanned just once on that trip, the outbound shuttle in Valencia. I can understand why they were perhaps not doing it on the return trips, as it was a bit of a 'mare at Valencia and Marseille, but it appeared to be very inconsistent on the outbound shuttles.

So, preparing crêpes on the trolley but not at the table, and allow you to go and watch it? What an upside down world we live in!🙄

I note the ham is on a trolley, so I guess they're back to preparing some dishes at the table. Was it the case for the crêpes too?

That's a shame about the weather; hope it clears up soon.

Been done! Although I did struggle. No, if you want the winner's rosette for Operation Double Dessert in Epicurean, it's got to be two sweet desserts.😉