silkworms

You cannot go to Madeira and not do the cable car/sledge run. You will be absolutely fine, it is not strenuous, you can take your time. If you do the excursion with P and O you will not need to get a taxi back or walk down to town. Thoroughly recommend it. Terri

We are on the same cruise, have just printed everything out OK. Did not download photo because they normally end up doing it again at terminal. Why not join our roll call under Arcadia J219. Terri

Really looking forward to your updates as like Purdey we are also on the next cruise on Arcadia and really wanting to know what is open and what is closed as well as what shape the ship is in. Very disappointing that despite being out of service for many months, none of the ships seem to have had any kind of makeover.

Oh that’s a shame, the view from your window/balcony looks identical to ours. We were probably on floor 7 or 8. Never heard a thing. I am wondering if there was a wedding on? I did double check before we booked to ensure there wasn’t a function on because I had heard of other noise complaints. It is such a handy hotel, so close to the ship. Hope you enjoy your cruise more than the hotel.

I agree, Ocean Village Hotel hard to beat. Food, accommodation, views, all are splendid. A bit pricey but worth it!

I’ve been trying to think of adjectives which describe what I’ve been watching on TV all day, I can only say MAJESTIC and POWERFUL. I had better go and wash the breakfast pots now! Terri

Hi Sandra, I hope you are feeling better soon, we have also had our latest boosters so we should all be good for Arcadia next month, just over four weeks to go. Our roll call is so quiet considering the short time left until we go. A sad day today, am expecting quite a few tears. Terri

Hi Margsbolton, how was Arcadia ? We are on shortly and wondered if all is OK. Are the speciality restaurants open, Ocean Grill, Sindu? How was the entertainment ? We are on second sitting hopefully and normally go to late show at 10.30. Would appreciate your thoughts. Terri

Normally no invoice is provided, an envelope is in the cabin to remind you how to connect up. I just got a price for a 19 night cruise payable in advance and the saving is hardly anything compared to price on board. Hope you don’t have an icloud account because the Britannia IT system does not accept the icloud platform!!! The exact words from the IT manager on board. Very strange. Have a brilliant time anyway! Terri

The amount is included in the balance, we are on same cruise and booked PE seats when cruise was booked over 12 months ago. Actual seat bookings are not able to be done until 14 weeks prior to cruise except of course higher tiered cruisers have a couple days before that 14 week period commences.

Thank you for your info, most helpful. We are on Greek islands cruise for 19 nights so hoping very much that Ocean Grill is open, it is middle to late October and we really like a change from the MDR.

Thank you for the update. We are on Arcadia J219. Would you please let me if the Ocean Grill is open and/or the Asian restaurant at the top of the ship? We are on second sitting club dining, I believe that is now upstairs whereas previously the freedom dining was upstairs. Any other thoughts you have gratefully received.Thank you. Terri

I do find these things are strange, I don’t know who to believe. Last October on P and O Britannia, I was told in no uncertain terms that P and O wifi was not a platform I could use for icloud. I had so many meetings with IT manager, I could never figure out anything he was telling me. He said icloud was not that popular!!!!! I have cruised for many,many years and never had a problem prior to this cruise. Has Carnival taken a new satellite system on? Why won’t it work? In the end I had to go on iCloud’s website and go through a long procedure to get what I wanted! I have just come off Emerald Princess and there was absolutely no problem. I just wish they would tell me the truth.

After all your recommendations we did indeed stay here and totally agree with all your comments, it was great. Thank you. Terri

Tatton Park is lovely, on the outskirts of Knutsford. It is the show ground for the RHS Tatton Show held every July. But apart from that, it is acres of woodland with deer and the house itself of course, especially if it s raining!

We tendered into Dun Laoghaire for Dublin, right across the road is the railway station where trains to Dublin are frequent and the cost only 5 euros pp return. Very good service. Get off at Pierce Station. Hoho bus in Dublin is just round the corner. Brilliant Irish humorous bus drivers.

We arrived back from Emerald last weekend. It was a super cruise. We wore masks all the time even though they were not mandatory. It is not a problem having to wear a mask. It is common sense. Our ports of call were similar to yours except we did not visit Liverpool. The Edinburgh Tattoo was a slight disappointment as it is called Military Tattoo and that it was not. Far too many singers and Mexican dancers. Favourite excursion was in Orkneys. Don’t miss the Italian Chapel. We did not do Princess Plus. The cruise was so port intensive we were off the ship more than we were on and it was just not financially viable. Hope you enjoy as much as we did.

On Azura over Xmas last year. The refit you mention was mechanical only. The ship was a disgrace and was not fit to sail on, our cruise was the first one since being out of commission. The cabins were not fit, dirty carpets, bathroom grout all falling apart, the food was a joke, especially over Xmas. Have just returned from cruise on Emerald Princess, identical design to Azura, cannot describe the difference, it was so much improved. Will not be going on Azura again.

Appalling service from Princess. We applied for obc nearly three months ago. Kept sending a reminder and the investment company also rang them twice. Absolutely no response. Arrived back from cruise today, guest services emailed them twice whilst we were onboard. So we have had no obc. Cannot understand it. We never have this problem with P and O. However, I have to say this last cruise on Emerald Princess far exceeded anything P and O offer. Such a shame.

Just to say we are on Emerald now and it has obviously improved since your holiday. Cannot tell you how much better shape this ship is in than Azura at Xmas. No comparison.And dont forget the ships are identical. The food is great, the cabin very comfortable and the staff are superb. Our next stop is Dublin and we have been blessed with good weather. Princess a step up from P and O no doubt. Terri

Thank you so much for your tips. We were thinking a black bin bag with holes cut out for the eyes! But your tip to take them for sitting on is great, and we will just have a waterproof hoodie! it is a Princess excursion and we leave at 5.30, so will not be eating dinner on board. We will have a big lunch, I don’t think it will do us any harm not eating for one evening! Evidently it takes a couple of hours from Glasgow to Edinburgh and the ship does not sail until 02.00 am. Really looking forward to it and thank you again. Terri

Hi Josy Please let us have more details as you have me very worried! We are due on Emerald around the UK next month, we were looking forward particularly to the Edinburgh Tattoo for which we have great seats booked. We are in a mini suite on D deck and have booked Crown Grill for several evenings. Would be really grateful for a follow up from you! Terri

Thank you both so much. Terri

Does anyone have any views on this newish hotel? Is it five star as promoted. Seems a bit pricey but sounds perfect for a pre cruise one night stay. Recommendations (or otherwise) greatly appreciated. Terri

We were on Aurora, up to Spitsbergen and the fjords. When we arrived back in Soton we had to be bussed up to Hants cricket ground where all our cars were ready for collection because there was not enough room at the docks for all the ships parking. Great cruise. 24 hour daylight. Rama train was best excursion. Spitsbergen was fascinating with all the signs warning of polar bears. Can’t believe it’s 10 years ago!