Fionboard

Unfor Agree absolutely. Bad things can happen on holiday - fires, storms, floods, tsunamis, even terrorist attacks. Those of us who love to travel must accept the risks or stay at home. Just hope those involved in this incident eventually get home soon and safely.

Aurora has big TVs, unlike Ventura ones which I have to put my driving glasses on to see!

Have been cruising solo for 12 years. Have always had fixed dining and made some long term friends from it. Hate Freedom dining. Personally I prefer the small ships as I always meet people I have cruised with before and find the ambience much more sociable and friendly. You meet the same people around the ship and even when ashore. Have never needed the solo get togethers. I have enjoyed all the ships except Iona on which I had the most lonely and boring cruise (only went on it because it was a giveaway price!) However, these are my personal preferences and I would not want to put anyone off trying the big ships as we all have different tastes. Luckily, there is something for everyone.

Shown on the bar code on your boarding pass.

Storms in the Med can be sudden and violent. Probably made worse now by global warming. Was visiting my father who lived in Majorca once after worst storm for 100 years. Dead livestock and trees in the marina and most of the crops and soil washed away along with roads and bridges. It took everyone by surprise then, probably the same now.

Of course not. I meant I would pay for it myself! Just enquiring about flights as my car would be in Southampton.

Can you fly from Majorca to an airport near Southampton? If so I would be happy to get off and extend my holiday with a week in a nice hotel and return at my leisure.

Not on Ventura so probably not, but midship ones have an automatic opener.

Hope you can make it. Wonderful trip. Amazing views and Soller is beautiful. You will enjoy it.

Oh dear. Hope it does not affect pax too much. Remember when Oriana (I think) hit the dock in Kristiansand and dented her bow?

Good for you. Won't list all mine. It is not a competition! 😊

Absolutely! Funny, I get all the other emails from them!

Always told by captain in his last address that we will be getting an email questionnaire when we get home. Never had one for the last 12 cruises I have done! Only Feefo which is a waste of time!

Sorry, just my experience on the various ships. I average about six cruises a year so get to know some of the crew quite well and listen to their opinions.

It also adds value as a lot of drinks are served at this quiz.

Never do them.

Lifeboats are well fixed and do not move around. Don't worry, sure it will be no problem.

Maybe choose fixed dining and remove the stress.

Yes, they have to travel a long distance down to galley and hate it if you ask for something additional making them go back there again. Always seemed rushed. Maybe that is why they looked so tired! Definitely not happy bunnies!

Got similar comment from Assistant Entertainment Manager when I complained about no late night Syndicate on Britannia. She said "this is a family ship and there is no call for it". What rubbish. The afternoon quiz was packed every day, even in good weather. I think these ships just do not have suitable venues for the number attending and not enough staff to run it. Glad it still continues on the small ships.

When on Iona I met a waiter I knew from Ventura who said he wished he was back on her! He said the staff hated working on Iona for several reasons, too busy, understaffing and unable to return to their cabins during break time as it was just too far to go in the time allowed! Such a difference on the small ships where staff are much happier and have time to interact with pax. Makes a difference.

On Aurora this month Syndicate was packed every night. 20 teams some nights. Lots of younger people joining in too. Very entertaining. Nice sociable way to end the night if you are not interested in the late show.

The water is expensive and comes in cans. Has a metallic taste and actually the tap water, once chilled, tastes better!

My favourite late evening entertainment. Always fun, sociable and very well attended. Unfortunately, Britannia holds it in the afternoon (not good) and the two big ones do not hold it at all.

Another factor, surely, is that the lifts on the three big ships are smaller than those on the older ones (which also have fewer passengers). Lifts on Aurora, the smallest, are huge compared to Britannia, etc.