Samrennie

Hi Paris I’m not sure about the coaches, it would make sense that the coaches are for only that cruise but don’t know for certain. I’m coming down by car, so will have to juggle the timing as i know if i get there too early i will have to wait in a queue but don’t want to get stuck in traffic around Southampton!

I’m thinking raincoat and umbrellas may be the order of the day looking at the long range forecast, hoping the scenery will be just as beautiful though! Sam is just my username, not my real name, when signing up is says not to use real names, I’m guessing for security reasons.

Hi ParisHilton I don’t think so, unless you have a suite. I’m sure i read somewhere that they are provided for Suites so assume not for any other cabins. A regular cruiser may be along to confirm this though! Thanks

Sorry, that would help wouldn’t it! Stavanger - Olden - Helleslyt - Haugesund I know for certain i will just walk round Stavanger, but no idea what else there is to see in the other ports Many thanks

Gosh, i haven’t thought about the luggage labels, but will be on Amazon shortly looking at the Hemto ones! I also like the sellotape/stapler combination but that will be a bit of a faff for when coming home. ParisHilton - i looked at the excursions but didn’t decide on anything due to budget, i may well just stay in the ports and wander around each time, if people have got any specific ideas on what to do in each port, which doesn’t need a paid excursion, that would be great!

Hi everyone, I’ve been up early and got myself booked on the chefs table and a few theatre shows. I’m really pleased with the chefs table as i like the opportunity to put my party frock on, i don’t get many of those nowadays! The Limelight club seems to be Gareth Gates all week, with a charge. I’m not that keen on him so I’m not going to bother with this. Couldn’t see any other MDRs available to book, other than the speciality restaurants so I will just go with all your great recommendations and not worry about this until i’m actually on board. I’ve abandoned the idea of taking bottles of fizzy water on board, i will use my reusable bottles to fill up as i go, but will take some cans of Coke with me, in my hand luggage as you have mentioned! Not long to go and not as worried as i was based on the support received, thanks all!

Thanks everyone, what a lovely supportive community on here, much better than some of the reviews i have seen on other sites! Noted about the hand luggage and the water bottle stations, which will make it much easier as i can take my hiking bottles with me and fill these as needed. I am also planning to spend a proportion of time on the balcony and I’m going to avoid the particularly busy areas of the ship. Sounds like i may be overthinking the food part and i will hopefully have minimal problems. Thanks again everyone!

Thanks everyone for your replies, these are really helpful. I didn’t realise i could book the MDRs in advance and entertainment in advance and was worried that, with a 4pm embarkation, by the time i had the onboard app everything would be booked, so this is good news! Yes, looking at taking 6 bottles fizzy water, I’m not sure whether they would sell this on the boat and how expensive it would be and i drink a lot of water. Putting in hand luggage sounds a good idea, can i take 2 small cases on with me as hand luggage or is it like planes, restricted to one? I wanted one to also put things in such as headphones, change of clothes etc just in case my main luggage doesn’t turn up for a while. Many thanks everyone

Hi everyone I have my first ever cruise coming up in August, booked on a bit of a whim as i trip i have always wanted to do but never had the chance befor, solo from Southampton to the fjords on Iona. Since booking i have come across a lot of reviews that are now giving me a lot of anxiety. I have read ICf’s very good review but aware that i have booked in the height of the school holidays and my first concern is that the ship will be over subscribed with over 6k passengers on a ship advertised as holding 5.2k, is that right? I’m not going to be able to afford or want to dine in speciality restaurants, i blew my budget by upgrading to a balcony cabin (have been allocated on deck 5) but i now have serious concerns about being able to find somewhere to eat with half decent food, i tend to eat fairly early at home - 6.30pm-7pm and need to try and maintain this if i can, do i just use the app to get in a queue an hour before i want.to eat? Happy to share tables and also saw a comment that mentioned picking up a pager early and stating when i would like to eat, does anyone know if this works? How does this all work for breakfast and lunch as well, which i tend to be a bit more spontaneous about depending on whether i am hungry or not. Would like to see some entertainment as well so any tips on how this might work would be gratefully received. I am also hoping to take some 2ltr bottles of fizzy water on board as i like to drink this during the day, has anyone done this and it is best packed in cases or just as packed from the shops i.e. the 6pack you can get shrink wrapped then covered in luggage tags? Thanks for any help as starting to feel would have just been easier to book a week in the sun!