Cheshire Blue

1 hour ago, Seagust said:

Hi, have booked Azura parking meet and greet. Has anybody else used them? Comments please

Which port are we talking about ? 

3 hours ago, LittleTinker said:

We’re not hearing it about Arcadia and Aurora which really do attract an older demographic.

It was pretty bad on Arcadia in November.   

"I have done over 30 cruises and never caught noro, neither has my husband.  We don't spend our time running round with antibac cleaners at home and we have a dog.  Maybe our immune systems are just very good".  

Not quite as many but I had done over 20 cruises with no issues - until the last one on Arcadia.   I believe my own immune system and hygiene standards are good but I did notice a number of (older) passengers failing to take any care whatsoever.  Simply would not listen to / abide by the rules !   Seem to think they know best ! 

Sadly I picked up Noro - lasted less than 24 hours - but confined to cabin and the symptoms are extremely unpleasant.  I wouldn't wish this on others - so would ask you all to be careful and take whatever precautions you can.   

On 6/11/2024 at 2:27 AM, Koohiichan said:

 

I agree with the other poster that you can always add some specialty restaurants after boarding but you should book Eden beforehand if you know you want to try it. Eden will not leave you over filled, though. It is more about presentation and flavors over quantity. 
 

 

Thanks you all for your guidance as to the dining on the Edge class. Sounds like I will be booking Eden before we sail (as definitely will want to try it) but perhaps hold fire on the other speciality restaurants until we are on board (and perhaps sample the four MDRs first).

As regards the MDR on the Eclipse, I suspect you may be underwhelmed.  Its OK - but the food gets boring (which is why we tend to alternate between it and a speciality for our evening meals).    

3 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 If you are willing to accept the chance that you will not be able to get the date/time you want in the specialty restaurants, you can save money buying the package and then booking the meals once onboard. 

 

Appreciate this - but generally when on board Silhouette and Eclipse we have not had too much difficulty getting reservations when we wanted them. 

Are there any particular restaurants on the E class ships which are very popular (and so we would be best advised to book in advance pre boarding ?)  

We have taken several cruises on Solstice class ships (Silhouette / Eclipse) and our normal modus operandi has been to book a veranda cabin (add AI for drinks / WiFi / tips etc) and then usually purchase a dining package for approx 50% of the dinners.  On this basis on a cruise of 14 nights we would aim to eat in the MDR approx 7 times and on 7 occasions (alternate evenings with the MDR) eat in one of the speciality restaurants (Murano / Tuscan grill etc).  We book the 7 nights in the speciality restaurants once on board and usually have been ok getting generally what we want.  

Am now about to book the Apex (Edge class) and so looking for advice as to how to manage the dining.  I understand there are several MDRs as well as some speciality restaurants.  When and how should I be booking all of these and do I need a package (as above). 

Any help / advice would be appreciated.    

No problem at all with the City of Liverpool being given the honour of being God Parent to Queen Anne (it's my home town, so am biased) but do think they could have got rather better representatives. Most people were underwhelmed by the five (so called) "icons" chosen to represent the city. 

At least the fireworks were good - and the reception is always good in Liverpool.   

On 5/25/2024 at 10:09 PM, Son of Anarchy said:

tailored shorts for men weren't allowed.  A couple of guys had to go and get changed.

Quite right too ! 

4 minutes ago, snaefell said:

The weather is so variable everywhere so that is so hard to say,a few years ago we went to Portugal in November,the first half of the holiday was t shirt & shorts weather but after a storm the second half of the stay might as well have been back in the UK!

Thanks - weather seems still very warm in the Med at present (but no doubt in three or four weeks it will be like the Arctic !).  I'll be prepared for whatever 😀 

On 10/3/2023 at 7:49 AM, snaefell said:

Some years ago our first cruise was with Princess to Iceland & Norway in July,you just knew that the other passengers were not a hardy bunch when in The Irish Sea on the first day many were dressed for the Arctic,it was very lonely up on Deck by the time we reached Iceland!😁😁

Perhaps a daft question - but have previously only sailed during the summer season (or in warm climates). This year we will be on Arcadia in the Med in November.  🙃.  During the day time (when its warm) - normally I would be wearing Tee Shirts and shorts but assuming climate will be more autumnal than summer - I assume most people wear jumpers and jeans during the day ?   

On 6/30/2023 at 4:52 PM, Cathygh said:

The wine selection is vastly reduced IMHO but it still has most of my favourites listed 

Could someone upload a copy of the wine list for the GlassHouse on Arcadia please (no doubt showing what is in / out of the packages and the prices etc).  

17 hours ago, Dobbers said:

Barbados overnight at the end of the cruise is great for an evening in Oistins, fantastic atmosphere.

Harbour NIghts club is good on Barbados as well.  Its not a "night club" - more an evening meal and then dancing (and lots of rum) - great times.   Oistins is great atmosphere too - can do that independently by taxi easily (might need to pre book the Harbour Lights club thing). 

Swimming with the Turtles was great on Barbados (West coast) but assume this can be done in other places in the WI as well   

6 hours ago, tring said:

 

You cannot book on advance for Arcadia pre cruise, although "manage my holiday" said we would be able to do so.  I know this is not relevant to your cruise, but it does not apply to all ships as you asked.

 

Thanks - that's helpful (to me anyway) as I will be on Arcadia later this year. 

What is the procedure for booking speciality restaurants on Arcadia ?  Is there a mad rush on embarkation (as with Celebrity) ? 

My wife celebrates a big birthday is 60 on our cruise - so need to ensure we can get reservations at least for that night but we would normally eat in the specialty restaurants many times over the course of a cruise so keen to understand the booking system / tips as to this  !  

Are the (two) restaurants likely to sell out (i.e. are they full every evening ? or can you get in most nights (even if you don't book immediately on embarkation) ?   Perhaps someone on Arcadia now (or recently) could advise as regards this please 

I appreciate it depends on the actual cruise - but am looking for generalisations as to this  (i.e. if they always seem to be full ........)  or indeed if they are trying to push people towrads them with "special offers" etc throughout the cruise ?    

Now that the new drinks packages are generally operating on most of the fleet - could someone please post a set of full drinks menus for the various venues / bars / lounges - so we can see what is included in each package  (and what is still excluded) please. 

Apologies if this has already been done - please steer me in the right direction. 

Also anyone now using the drinks packages - any views / issues on the new arrangements ?   is the Deluxe package worth the extra over and above the Classic (approx £9 per day) ?   

Assuming the new drinks packages are now in force on Arcadia - could someone post a set of drinks menus for the various venues / bars / lounges - so can see what is included in each package  (and what is still excluded) please. 

Also anyone now using the drinks packages - any views / issues ?   is the Deluxe package worth the extra (approx £9 per day) ? 

Thank you 

On 5/25/2023 at 1:18 PM, lordbyron said:

Hi Travelling from Southampton on the Anthem of the Seas on 28th May and wondered if anyone knows how easy it is to get into La Rochelle from the Cruise ship berth. Never managed to get to that port before, Rough weather or Dock strikes scuppered previous cruises. 

Did it about 9 months ago on the Celebrity Silhouette.  Very easy 

Short trip on shuttle bus (say 15 minutes) from the ship / port to La Rochelle itself 

Lovely little town / waterfront - well worth the trip 

22 hours ago, snaefell said:

So true,sadly with so much traffic on the road these days getting to & from them can make it seem not worth the effort!😎

The national rail strikes will have contributed to some of this on Friday  - so hopefully not the norm ? 

8 hours ago, daiB said:

On most P&O ships the set dining comes in two sittings 18.30 and 20.30. The shows are at 20.30 and 22.30. The shows last 50/60 mins 

Thanks - that's helpful.  Can someone on Arcadia confirm this applies to that ship (or any differences) ? 

Just a quick question or two for anyone currently on board : 

1 what time are the theatre shows on board ? 

2 Also what are the fixed dining times ?   

Just so we can plan in advance - thank you 

2 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Yes, it’s very much like Champagne but IMO slightly nicer. It’s maybe a tiny bit sweeter than Champagne. The grapes freeze on the vine. I don’t like sparkling wines (other than Champagne) but love Peller Ice Cuvée. They do a Rose version as well, which I’m not as keen on, but my wife loves. We’ve recommended it to a few people and all have liked it. Unfortunately it’s quite difficult to source at home. 

Thanks - seems to be available from a few wine merchants for about £30 per bottle.  Hoping they have it on Arcadia later this year for me to try  

Is the Arcadia fairly full at present ? 

If so - how easy is it to get reservations in the Speciality Restaurants ?   or do you have to book pre boarding ?   We tend to prefer them to the MDR at least for a good number of nights    

Understand the Arcadia has a pop up Glass House ?   If so, could someone on board possibly upload a copy of the wine list - so I can see what' s available (at present).  I appreciate things may change when the new packages come into play on the ship next month    

21 hours ago, rattla said:

Sorry, yes this is the same, apologies this isnt the clearest photo, but it’s a Canadian Sparkling wine, only available in the Glasshouse.  It’s on the Deluxe only.

Thank you - that's helpful.   It appears to be a decent Canadian "champagne".   Is that fair ? 

Would it be possible for you to upload copies of the full menu for the Glass House (so i can see what other good wines are available on the Classic or the Deluxe packages).   other menus (e.g. from Crows Nest etc) would also be helpful.  No worries if you have better things to do 😊  

55 minutes ago, Mad4WDW said:

They didn't serve Cante on Arvia a few weeks ago its was something else. Probably cheaper. The Peller Ice in the glass house is nicer I think

Can someone please educate me - what is Peller Ice ?  

Also (from an earlier post) - what is Peller Ice Cold Cuvee ? 

Is it the same and are they available on the Classic or the Deluxe packages ?   

2 minutes ago, Landon90 said:

Purchased 100 shares of carnival group
Emailed proof to carnival 

Received £60 OBC for my 10 day cruise 

Purchase 12 pints with said OBC

Thanks understand.  I thought the £60 was an additional benefit (on top of the shareholder benefit) - hence my FOMO 😀.