Fionboard

Anyone see Rip Off today on BBC? Article about cruise cancelled for taking wheelchair on board.

Love Rum Therapy!

Lyme Bay is relatively sheltered which is why we see so many ships sheltering in there during stormy weather.

As I mentioned before, word is that chefs are particularly in short supply, affecting operation of speciality restaurants. Maybe P&O is not offering them enough money!

Glad they got rid of those wooden? menu covers. Unnecessary and bacteria sponges!

Just send an email wishing everyone a good Xmas and then go off on a cruise!

I try to stick to Arcadia or Aurora. Only aggressive people I have come across were on Arvia. Don't be put off.

Believe she left in the early hours today, for Amsterdam, due to bad weather in channel.

There appears to be a shortage of chefs. Maybe this is why we are told the speciality restaurants are fully booked when actually they are pretty empty. Maybe the cabin stewards are working in the kitchens?!!!

Maybe because it takes time for the virus to "kick in" and you are not on the coach or plane for long before you embark.

I was on that cruise. March on Aurora. Two coaches very late due to problem on motorway. Waited for ages. Intercruises turned up but ship did not wait for Eavesway one. Felt so sorry for passengers involved.

On Arcadia they will keep your wine, but only in fixed dining of course.

Original Pulse on Britannia (2015?) were the best band I have ever heard. Pulse groups vary a lot nowadays.

Agree about noise. Live and recorded music in bars is uncomfortably loud and makes conversation impossible.

Have been to hotels in Caribbean where pool towels are obtained from a kiosk where a deposit is required, which you get back when you return the towel.

My sister and I did the same once. Threw all the towels in the pool and went to bed!

Just off Arcadia. Lack of staff, particularly in MDR. Waiters overstretched and unhappy looking. Speciality restaurants "fully booked" for entire cruise (but reportedly fairly empty by those who managed to get in!) , coffee bar, grab and go, and deck grill closed. No pop up glasshouse. Dreadful entertainment scheduling and only 4 hosts. Generally not up to the normal excellent cruise experience on Arcadia. Lots of complaining going on. We put it down to upcoming refit (which had already started judging by the banging going on around the ship!) More than the usual number of toilets out of use. Trimmed back cruise without a trimmed back price! Hope things get back to normal after refit as she is still my favourite.

Just off Arcadia. First cruise where steward said he was not allowed to supply facecloth. Friend on another deck got me one from her steward. ?? Not allowing face cloths is really going to save on the laundry, isn't it?!

Behind the scenes tours used to be free, like lots of other things (did them all on Celebrity). Quite pricey now but interesting.

I find Arcadia and Aurora cope with wind and waves better ( and I have sailed on all ships too) plus I like the movement as it reminds me I am on a proper ship. Each to their own, as you say.

Agree entirely. However, I am 76 and on my 80th cruise. Wish I liked the different type of cruising on the new ships ( would save me a packet!) but I don't.

Currently on Arcadia. No pop up lasshouse, Sindhu and Ocean Grill "fully booked" for whole cruise, but apparently fairly empty. Lack of staff. Presumably because of upcoming refit. Cruise trimmed down. Price of cruise was NOT trimmed down though. Not good enough P&O!

Very hot everywhere on Arcadia now. Another thing for the refit maybe!

Yes. Pointless!

I have been Ligurian for many years and, believe me, there is virtually no difference from Caribbean. Nothing to get excited about!