Blackrat

Tom, Eddie,

Thanks for the replies, I will give them a call

Cheers,

BR

I have been thinking this over and over the past few days. You have to be incredibly learned and literate to give out the A-Z letters. Probably the entry point for newcomers to this employment Blackrat. However could you honestly say that despite being over forty you are a stunning gorgeous lady that will fit in with the other babes at the barrier?

 

Regards John

John,

I can very honestly say NO to your last question.

Cheers,

BR

You could always ask at the terminal about which company employs the staff and how do they recruit. There are also jobs for the wheelchair guys, the luggage porters etc. I should ask if you live near or are moving that way.

 

Regards John

Thanks for the reply John, but I am quite a distance away at the moment. Perhaps if anyone is reading this and leaving soon they could ask the question on my behalf?

Cheers,

BR

Thanks for the replies, I will give them a go.

Cheers,

BR

Hi,

Anyone know how to sign up as check-in staff at Southampton? Is there a special place for adverts? Can't find anything on P&O but it's probably nothing to do with them. Thanks

Cheers,

BR

It's a few years ago now but we really liked the cabin. Non of them are huge and this was no different.

One thing we did like about it was if you turned right out of the cabin door, there was a door to one of the front balconies on the ship. We thought it might get busy with people slamming doors but no one went out there. In the end we used it as our own private balcony taking cups of tea out there in the morning.

Of course it's all weather dependant, we had flat calms for the whole holiday and lots of sunshine. If it was rough I can imagine it might move a bit at the front and they lock the front balconies even in the slightest huff but then if the front goes up and down so does the back. Unless you are in the dungeons in the middle you will get movement. Apart from normal ship's sounds we had no problems with noise, above, below or to the sides...ah there was my snoring but that wont be an issue. Probably was for the people next door.

Would I book it again, YES! Have a lovely holiday

Cheers,

BR

My first cruise was on the Canberra in 1970 from Hong Kong to Southampton and was about 3 months long. I never forgot it.

My next cruise was several decades later and I haven't stopped since. My next cruise is the day after tomorrow!

Cheers,

BR

Could it be that some cruises have a younger age group than others and it is this that drives the roll calls? A summer Med cruise is likely to have a younger average age than say a Baltic cruise at the end of the season.

Although there are plenty of silver surfers it may be that they haven't found their way here yet.

Cheers,

BR

I have always thought P&O are mad with their prices, just over £11 for a single photograph!

As you know they print them all which must cost a small fortune, why not sell them for £3-4? At that price I would probably buy some. £15 for a cardboard folder with all your cruise pictures? Yep I wouldn't hesitate and I'm sure most would buy them as well at that price even though they will go in a drawer when you get home never to be looked at again. At the very least they might cover their printing costs if not the wages of the staff.

Some ships have digital displays which clearly save a fortune on printing but with most people having a half decent camera in their phones they are doomed to become irrelevant.

We used to try and avoid the ships paps but now find it quicker to throw up a cheesy grin and walk away.

If it's your first cruise and you've got some on board spends burning a hole in your account I get it, but how many tuxedo/smart frock shots do you want? At least my own snaps have a special meaning to me.

Cheers,

BR

We are on the Oriana next week just got our cabin on F deck has anyone had any problems we are mid ship

If it gets choppy its a great place to be, low down and in the centre of the ship. Have a great holiday

Hi,

Yes we are on this one as well, been to Norway before but never as far up as this cruise goes.

Never been on this Oriana but sailed on this previous one.

Looking forward to it

Cheers,

BR

I agree with Jon, you can notice it sometimes in the Meridian restaurant under certain conditions, but even then its not bad and not something to worry about. I suspect most people don't notice it at all

We were on Grenada deck in an inside cabin, midships, never felt any vibrations other than normal ship noises/movements ect. Didn't notice it any where else either. Hope this helps put your mind at rest. It's a great ship and we would go on it again without hesitation.

Blackrat

Hi there! The many times mentioned Market Square is en excellent starting point. There are lots of Finnish products on sale and quite unique Finnish dishes to be eaten. Esplanadi and Kaivopuisto parks are close, as it the Senate Square with the Cathedrals.

This is a great area or people-watching and you can catch a tram to see more sights or visit Suomenlinna fortress by ferry.

The latter is to anyone interested in history and/or nature.

 

The Main Railway station has an interesting design, as does our National Theatre. They are located next to each other and a 10-minute walk from the Market Square.

 

Two very popular dishes are paistetut muikut (fried small fish) and poronkäristys (reindeer stew with mashed potatoes and lingonberries). Coffee is nice with a munkki (big sugar-coated doughnut with jam inside) or some ice cream. All these you can find in many stalls at the Market Square. There are also many stalls in the city centre that sell fresh fruit and berries, these can be paid in euros and are very popular.

 

Hope this helps!

Hi Sinny,

Thanks for the reply and sorry it took me so long to answer I have been busy at work and sooo looking forward to a break and the cruise in June.

Thank you for the suggestions which we will try. Munkki and a coffee sounds good and I am looking forward to visiting some of the sights.

Can I just say a big thank you for providing all this information to us, the tourists, it must take up quite a bit of your time.

Blackrat

Hi Sinny,

We have never been to Helsinki and will be arriving there on the 15th June for the day; we like walking and are reasonably fit. If you had never been to Helsinki before where would you pick as must-see places, things to do, things to eat?

Blackrat

Have you stayed in this cabin or nearby?

What was it like? Pros/Cons

Thanks

Blackrat