Sancho_proudfoot

We watched ep 1; to be Frank, I didn't see much that would encourage me to cruise with virgin, and I did see a few things that would actively discourage me! (The "Foodie" guy greeting 'sailors' as they boarded would turn me right off!)

We've used Assured Screening on the past, especially when we needed PCR tests before travel. Just looked at their website for LFTs ahead of our cruise in September. £11.99 each. Order inside 30 days of departure. They post the kit(s) out. When you're ready, do the test then email a photo of the test cassette alongside your passport ID page. Certificate emailed back within 12 hours ( or minutes if it's in office hours).

Not necessarily. We're booked in a guarantee cabin sailing on 11 September, and we already have the cabin number!

We live in the North East so its a 7 hour drive to Southampton for us, so we always travel the day before sailing. We use the Premier Inn in Eastleigh fir overnighting. Easy to find, off the motorway, clean comfortable room, decent bar/ restaurant for dinner and breakfast. ( they use dynamic pricing, so keep checking). We book parking with ABP (as has been mentioned above). Right alongside the terminal and retain your keys. These arrangements may cost a tad more, but it works for us.

I'd say Yes, a good CD can impact positively on a cruise. On our first ever cruise, 14 years ago, on the brand new Indy, we had Ken Rush. I know he's loved and hated equally on CC but we loved everything he did. We've had a few good 'uns since - Marc Walker, Joff Eaton, who have helped make our cruises memorable, and of course we've had a few instantly forgettable CDs.

Thankfully, I have yet to be seasick - ever.

We find that cruises in Europe (or the Far East) garner much more formal attire among passengers than cruises in the US or Caribbean. We're on the Anthem in September ( out of the UK) and I fully expect a significant percentage to be in tuxes/gowns/etc. I'm certainly taking mine!

We've sailed out of Southampton many times. With a few exceptions we find the Bay of Biscay to be rough/windy/cool. We plan ahead for inboard things to do on those days.

We are (finally ) getting back to cruising for the first time in over 3 years, sailing on Anthem of the Seas in September. I gather that in addition to our vaccination certificates we need a negative covid test, no more than 2 (3?) Days before sailing. Do we need a full PCR test or can we book a Lateral Flow Test ( both Boots and Lloyds locally are offering these).? (I've had a read of the Royal caribbean pages, and got confused by our American cousins talking about NAAT) Thanks