silkworms

Booked for Feb also. Itinerary looks much better on Britannia than Arvia.

Ship is filling up fast!

On 2/16/2024 at 7:40 PM, Slugsta said:

We went here for a meal when we had an overnight in Helsinki last year https://www.myhelsinki.fi/en/eat-and-drink/restaurants/restaurant-kuu

 

It was a good meal and an easy tram ride from where the shuttle bus dropped us off.

Thank you Slugsta, sounds good. Will look at their website.

Thank you for that info Tommart, much appreciated.

Hi Annefield

We are overnight in Helsinki this June on Arcadia.

Tips please as to what you did during the day? during the evening?

We are thinking it would be nice to eat out for a change rather than onboard?

Any recommendations gratefully received.

4 hours ago, Josy1953 said:

Another early morning, I woke up at 3:40 this morning and couldn't  get back to sleep so at 4:15 I got up and prepared the vegetables for today's lunch and put them in the slow cooker with lamb shanks.

We decided last night that we are going to start looking for a new car even though the one that we have was only bought last September but we both dislike it and have decided that Toyota is to be avoided for us in the future.

DH wants another Mazda because the last 3 were Mazdas and much nicer to drive and more comfortable.  The only reason that we didn't have another Mazda was problems at the dealership but we are going to look at the dealership in Stafford hoping that they are better than the Stoke one.  It seems like a waste of money changing so soon but at the end of the day comfort is important as we get older.

We have always been very satisfied with Mazda garage at Northwich (Oakmere) not too far.

Have to agree, very comfortable cars (CX5]

This thumping music was unbearable on Arvia last Caribbean season. We complained to the butler and because other aft cabin/suites had complained to him, he had it stopped. It was such a shame to have the fabulous wrap round balcony but having to retreat inside when the DJ started. We now cruise on Britannia aft suites as they have no bar or hot tubs beneath, just the lovely swaying wake!
 

2 hours ago, Barbadossunshine said:

Booked for the Caribbean last March 2023 on an early saver fare on Britannia for 7th February 2025 room to be allocated for balcony cabin and now paying £1,000.00 more compared to a saver fare with OBC pick your own standard balcony cabin. 

 

Ouch…lesson learned.

Only reason we did this early was so we could fly direct from Glasgow.
 

We know we can do the same cruise if we hold off but would have to fly from Manchester as Glasgow flight goes fast and we have now decided no longer going to go from Manchester to the Caribbean as just too long a journey home.

Did it last year and it was 24 hours from leaving ship on Saturday and Arriving home on the Sunday afternoon. 

 

Hi there Barbadossunshine, we are on this cruise also. Have just started a roll call for this

cruise. Don’t blame you not flying from Manchester, much easier for you if you live nearer

Glasgow. We won’t fly from Manchester anymore either, think it’s a horrible airport now

T2 is so huge, we love flying from Birmingham (it’s an airport like Manchester used to be).

Looking forward to sailing on Britannia again.

47 minutes ago, D&N said:

On the assumption that you mean that you had a dress/gown suitable for a Roaring 20s theme. Perhaps with beading and tassels. Then why not choose to wear that on any night you like? It won't look out of place.

We wore masks for photos on one of two Roaring 20s nights as the first one had originally been designated masquerade but Cunard changed it because they didn't think folk wanted masquerade while wearing Covid19 masks was still being advised.

 

I'm hoping you weren't making the mistake of thinking that the theme refers to gangster outfits!

 

I just love the short tasselled dresses with pearls and feathery headdress and no, never

even entered my mind to think of gangsters! Will do what you suggest and wear for formal night.

17 hours ago, Purdey16 said:

Thank you both for responding quickly you have eased my anxiety now so I can chill out about it now , we have silvers and blues so il just buy some masquerade mask now to put ready in my bag if I need to put one one if need be .

Hi Purdey

Bill and Terri here (from Arcadia Oct 2022} We too are on our first Cunard on Queen Anne

for Xmas 2024 and have been slightly perplexed with dress code, we have red and gold for Xmas Day and Masquerade for NYE.  Am disappointed we have no roaring 20s, was looking forward to that!

Whatever, we will enjoy a new ship on a different cruise line although we are on Arcadia in June of this year for Baltic.

Best wishes, hope you enjoy.
 

8 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

Masquerade is not a costume party. It's mainly about dancing at the Masquerade Ball in the Queens Room. People wear Venetian or Mardi Gras style masks. 

Thank you for the info

QA 501 Xmas cruise 22 Dec 2024 to 5 Jan 2025

25 December.  Red and Gold

31 December.  Gala. No theme

2 January.        Masquerade 

This will be our first Cunard cruise and I am disappointed there is no Roaring 20s, I was 

really looking forward to it! Would someone be kind enough to give me a guide to the Masquerade evenings please.

16 minutes ago, sandancer said:

No, he wasn’t on our cruise, we came back from Barbados in April. We had heard about the noise before we went and were anticipating it. It didn’t happen though.  Must have been a one off - we have an Arvia cruise in September and will now probably cancel. 

We were on a B2B incorporating the repositioning cruise in March/April on Arvia in an

aft suite.  For the first few days the noise was horrendous, we had to retreat into the 

cabin and close the doors. We complained vociferously to the butler who,  because he had

other complaints, dealt with it and the noise ceased thereafter. So that is why you were not

affected, it was stopped during our first fortnight and did not recommence. The weather over

the Atlantic was fabulous every day and we were able to enjoy the splendid balcony in peace.

We are in Aarhus next June and Den gemle By sounds fascinating. 
have noticed it is not on the excursion list so will def. visit independently 

Thank you for your input.

Thank you Slugsta, that restaurant looks great. Will certainly book it nearer the time. We are

there overnight so no rush in the evening. Will the tram stop nearby or is a taxi recommended.

It is the first time to Helsinki for us so we know nothing!  Is the ferry to the island you mention 

fairly close by? It is June so should have lovely long days.

Thanks again.

On 11/19/2023 at 10:48 PM, Slugsta said:

Great review, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.

Hi Slugsta, just noticed your query on Helsinki overnight on another thread.

How did it work out? We are overnight in Helsinki next June and am finding it

a bit difficult on what to do both during the day and in the evening. Would welcome

your thoughts.

2 hours ago, Eglesbrech said:

Well I have been harvesting green apples this afternoon. The September variety are more than ready and the October reds are well on their way as well with all the sunshine.

 

I will get out the mandolin and make thin sweet apple crisps which OH loves.

 

I also have all the ingredients for apple chutney but that will be for next week. I make a vast “caldron” of that, it takes hours to sterilise the jars!

 

Plums have been poor so I’m having to buy some to make plum preserve to go with cheese over the winter. Some small pleasures in life are just essential and that’s one of them.

 

Autumn is definitely here. It has been really hot today but last night the temperature dropped like a brick.

Isn’t it strange with plum trees, last year I had not one plum, but this year I’ve just picked nearly

30lbs off one tree, all destoned and now in the freezer!

The Nationwide package covers only UK citizens who also have to be registered 

with GP in the UK.

Cannot remember price

Try bonairecruisers.com

Have had excursions at all your ports and the two outstanding ones were

Bonaire, hired a golf buggy (with top cover) to drive wherever you want , the roads are

quiet and you can stop at your convenience, you will pass loads of beaches where you

can park up, swim,and get back in.  You are given a map, two alternatives, east or west.

plenty of time to do one of them.  We are looking forward to going again so we can do the

other direction. The place to hire the buggy is only a five minute walk from ship.
 

Not a lot to see at St Vincent but one of the neighbouring islands is Mustique! Fabulous.

We went on a catamaran (p and o excursion) took about one hour to get there, land near

Basil’s Bar, a favourite of Princess Margaret. Lunch was organised. Everything was top notch.

BUT you will need to book the excursion asap because there are only 25 visitors allowed on

the island daily.

Enjoy!

Many thanks Roger b, much appreciated.

Hi Roger b

in Palma off cruise ship Saturday 10 June. In port 10am to 8pm

we wish to meet friends at San Joan Restaurant, Carrer de Sant Joan for tapas lunch.

If we meet them at Cathedral is the restaurant walkable (I have booked it for 1.30] or do you suggest getting a taxi from port direct to restaurant.Many thanks.

48 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

I had wondered whether these upgrade bids would stop normal upgrades however it appears not.

 

On 31 March I booked the lowest grade select fare inside cabin mainly to get my welcome back OBC, port buses and the current OBC offer. I could have picked a specific cabin but as the price rose considerably took a chance. 

 

This morning I've received a cabin upgrade notice - I never even knew where my forward inside cabin was located - which to my surprise has moved me to a deck 9 GE aft balcony cabin.  Looking at the deck plan I assume this may be one of the less desirable places due to possible noise issues but as it's one huge upgrade I can't really complain. Does anyone have experience of a cabin in this area, the one I have is 9727. Thanks.

Yes, you will get a lot of noise from the Club House, both in the evening and during rehearsals.

However it will be nice to hear the hymn singing at the Sunday Services.

We are on this very same journey now. We are due in Soton on Sunday. We have one more call in La Coruna tomorrow.

I cannot praise Arvia enough. She is a fabulous vessel. We are wondering if we can ever do a normal P and O ship again!  The dining venue options are amazing. Would recommend to all of you. I am really surprised how much we love it.

However, we have just received a letter in the cabin stating that Border Force need to see all guests and we are required to attend a face to face inspection on board prior to leaving on Sunday. Has anyone come across this before? We have sailed loads of transatlantics and never had to do this.
 

It’s no problem because we are booked on the coach to take us back to airport we flew from,

to the OP, go for it, it’s fantastic.

Also Paula, as you have not cruised before do not hesitate in asking

your cabin steward, they are usually lovely people and only too willing to help out.

We sometimes go in a lounge at Birmingham but we are not doing this time as we quite like Birmingham airport, it is how Manchester used to be but is now awful.

Depending on the weather, will probably have a red anorak on, we are

getting a taxi from Redditch.

Any other queries, glad to help, we have done this cruise very often so as you can tell, we like it!!

Terri

6 minutes ago, Paula2023 said:

Hello, having never cruised before I am wondering what happens to my case on the return journey. I know you leave it outside your cabin the night before but when do I see my case again? Outside the ship or Barbados airport or even not until Birmingham airport? I just need to plan accordingly. Looking forward to my Arvia cruise departing 4 March. Not long now!

 

Many Thanks

Hi Paula

We are also travelling from Birmingham on the 4th.

I presume you are on for two weeks so you will be flying back to 

Birmingham on 18th.

You will leave your cases outside your cabin and you will not see

them again until you arrive at the luggage carousel at Birmingham.

So be sure to keep things out for your journey!

If you wish you can hire a day cabin on the 18th so you can shower etc

before your flight back, you normally get taken to the airport around 3.00pm.

We are actually sailing back a couple of weeks later and the coach

from Southampton will drop us off at Birmingham airport on 2 April.

Good luck and hope to see you around.

Terri