KforKitty

Yes, I purchased the drinks (and Wi-Fi) packages post booking during a “Flash Sale” with a 40% discount. Purchasing the package in the UK, also includes gratuities. Catherine

We’re on the Infinity in 6 week’s time and I’ve just checked the X app which gives menus for each night in the MDR. There are classic dishes served every night which includes steak and chicken, so I don’t think your wife will have a problem. I cannot compare X with P&O as I’ve not sailed with the latter but can confirm that my husband has never taken a suit on a cruise holiday and was fine with a formal shirt and long trousers even on formal nights. Entertainment is not yet loaded in the app but from previous experience there will be a West End show and cabaret style entertainment in the theatre plus regular music and events around the ship every day. I hope this helps Catherine

I had the DB duck Char Sui on the Eclipse. It was OK but not stunning as I found it a bit salty rather than the umami I was expecting. I enjoyed most of the amuse bouche we received. Catherine

On the 2023 cruise it was showery 1 day out of 10. On the cruise this year we did not have any rain in Norway on the cruise days, but again had showery rain one evening on our post-cruise stay in Trømso. I’m not a hot weather lover anyway so I like the cooler temperatures for sightseeing. The photo with the emerald green water is Trollfjord that we cruised from Svolvear. It was so beautiful that I really couldn’t believe I was actually there. Catherine

I’ve cruised Norway twice in June this year and last. Last year included Orkney and Shetland and southern Norway, this year from Reykjavik over to Svalbard and over to the North Cape and down to Trømso. The weather was fine both times with daytime temperatures between 15-18°C, with the exception of Svalbard that was nearer to freezing with the windchill. Whilst the southern fjords are beautiful, I prefer the stark wildness of northern Norway. I loved that you could still see the snow capped mountains contrasting with the greens and turquoise of the coastal areas. Lofoten Islands and a Trollfjord cruise are not to be missed imho. I love Trømso and could happily live there, at least in summer 😂. Here are some photos to whet your appetite.

Following on from this the City of London only refers to the Square Mile that comprises the central business district where the main trading and financial business reside. So, as Cotwold Eagle says, you’re best to state the ‘borough’ that you are staying in. Catherine

Premium Drinks package on board will be £94 ppd full price or £14.10 ppd to upgrade the Classic Drinks to Premium. As others have said you can get 35% off at the moment in the flash sale. Pre-paid packages bought in the UK includes gratuities. Catherine

sorry I mean LEFT not right

It’s not within the daily planner but you click on the ship icon on the right of the planner icon. This takes you to a list of “Things to do”. Catherine

I can certainly make a reservation for spa treatment in the app. It sound like you’ve found the Spa landing area within the app but you need to scroll along the categories at the top: Massage, Cosmetic Treatments, Hair etc. This brings up the items and prices under each category and allows me to ‘reserve now’. Catherine

MacDonald’s Elmer Court Hotel on the edge of the New Forest or Botley Park would fit the bill. Stayed in both a couple of times. Catherine

My husband does not eat red meat but there was enough for him eating chicken and pork. There’s cooked (cold) salmon fillet in the buffet too. Catherine

You’re very unlikely to make the first excursion without any status or priority - I’d not risk it. The Bora Bora one might be doable as tendering is likely to start quite early if anchored overnight. Maybe 6.30 or 7am start. If they are issuing tender tickets the evening before, get into the queue early for early tickets. Catherine

We took an independent tour from Warnemunde to Rostock which was heavily focussed on life in East Germany following WW2, the Cold War and reunification. I found it very interesting. Warnemunde really was much better than I had anticipated and the surprise highlight of our Baltic trip. Catherine

I’d like your views on your stateroom when you get there for 3. We’re travelling with our adult daughter on Infinity in November and a little worried about space having previously been in a Celebrity Suite on Eclipse, but, as you say, couldn’t justify the more than double cost for a suite. Thanks Catherine

They are pagan ‘Druids’ celebrating the summer solstice. Catherine

Ship Star Deck - 12 Stateroom # - 12010 Stateroom Category – SC Family Suite with Balcony Starboard or Port Side - Starboard Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes, other than the occasional pounding from runners on Deck 13. Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - n/a Balcony View - Good, covered by deck above Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Small for a suite but this is one of only four cabins that has a balcony on this deck. The other half, of what could be a balcony is the inside sitting area with floor to ceiling windows. As we were on a cold weather cruise I really appreciated the sitting area with the large picture windows - best of both worlds Was wind a problem? - no If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - n/a Any specific problems with this cabin? - only problem with it being high deck and forward, I felt quite queasy the first few days but with patches and tablets I managed. Any other comments? - I really liked this cabin which compared favourably in size with the Celebrity Suite that we’d had on the Eclipse in January (at much less cost). The bathroom was really nice and large (double sinks, bath and separate shower) and loads of storage space. I would definitely book this category again. Catherine

We were in Reykjavik for 3 days precruise and hired a car and purchase a self-guided tour from Get Your Guide (AOYO). We could stop and see what we wanted, when we wanted, and tbh these were the best 3 days of our 19 day trip. Driving in Iceland was easy and relaxed. Would recommend. Catherine

They are not screw type bottles on the Star but a pull-ring can, so cannot be resealed once opened.

Same but unlike you we’ve had to seek medical advice on a number of occasions from bites. I needed antibiotics in Milan after a bite on my foot got infected and the bite started to track up my leg. My daughter similarly in Venice needed cortisone and antihistamine injections. This is despite always carrying antihistamine tablets and hydrocortisone cream. I think some people are just more attractive to the little critters or react more strongly. As others have said, the Scottish midges have a fearsome reputation, although they’re mainly as issue for just a couple of months. Catherine

August is peak vacation season in England with schools out until September. In Scotland however, the kids will be back at school. I think there’s a good chance that there’ll be a fair few children on board. I disagree that European families will be put off by a ‘longer’ cruise. With at least 4 weeks paid time off in the UK, it’s not unusual for families to take at least a 2 week vacation in the summer months. Catherine

On my Eclipse cruise earlier this year, anytime dining was on the 2nd floor of the MDR. I made reservations for every night when we weren’t in specialty restaurants and then cancelled them all when our Move Up bid to a Celebrity Suite was accepted. Catherine

In January it took us just under an hour to clear immigration at Miami. Catherine

From which port? Edinburgh is served by four.

From my experience at JFK 2 years ago the answer would be an emphatic ‘no’. It took us 2 hours just to clear immigration alone, never mind collecting bags and re-checking in. However, I don’t know if there’s any immigration priority for transiting passengers as NY was our destination. Things may have improved recently but it was the worst airport experience I’ve ever experienced. Catherine