Fionboard

Yes, and they are tasteless! However, in Anderson's on Aurora, I find they can make you any cocktail you want from scratch provided they have the ingredients.

Don't go on Arvia or Iona then . Pay more and use one of the smaller, adults only ships if you prefer a more formal cruise!

I have done BoB over a hundred times and have had much worse in North Sea, Atlantic and Med. Mind you BoB on Dad's sailing yacht (when I was young) was the most scary!

Got rid of landline as we only use our mobiles now. Don't need it for internet and it was just a waste of money.

This always used to happen. Maybe to save on their recycling costs! I never kept any of them.

Wind seems to have reached its peak here in South Devon. Lots of ships sheltering in Lyme Bay.

There is a ferry from ship to Toulon waterfront. Toulon old town is lovely. There is also a lovely beach which you can get to on the land train. Nice place for lunch.

Never been in port on a Christmas Day. Always been a sea day. Lucky you. Maspalomas beach is enormous and only a small part is nudist. Nice place for a wander and lunch.

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.