Clodia

We are also naturists, but do dress up on cruises.

At the moment I am not considering fly cruising on any line.

So would I; been to Lisbon 19 times and don't even get off now.

Got mine today too. A bit disappointed with the photos of people rather than scenery.

I took 2 long dresses for the formal nights and was by no means the only person wearing long. You won't look out of place.

And they sometimes get it wrong at the port. I am Baltic tier and was in a suite on my last cruise, and was still directed into the cold outside queue by a member of staff. Some people just accepted it; I didn't and walked round to the front to show my boarding pass, which said "priority boarding" quite clearly, to another lady, who sent me straight upstairs to the check in desks and then to the suite area; they were just boarding suite guests so I just merged into the queue for security. If I hadn't queried the actions of the first staff member I could have been out there in the freezing cold for hours!

I am now wary of the " on your own" P and O tours where a bus takes you to a town or beach and picks you up at a pre arranged time to return to the ship. I booked 2 of these in the Canaries on my recent Iona cruise. Both pick up buses were late, leaving people waiting with no seats or shade. One was just late because of traffic, the other broke down and it was nearly an hour before a replacement was sent. The only good thing was that the ship waited for us. But the shine was taken off 2 otherwise enjoyable days out by a hot, tiring wait with nowhere to sit and no shade. I shan't do it again.

The Take That inspired show on Iona was one of the best I've seen on P and O.

The only time I did a "Christmas cruise" was on Oceana about 5 years ago and we were asked to bring Christmas jumpers. I didn't bother as it's always far too warm on the ships to wear a winter jumper. The bright red face is not a good look. Totally agree that it's absurd to combine jumpers with a black tie night.

There is no way I will fly cruise now because of these issues though I've done so prior to the Great Lunacy. Considering the no fly itineraries to the Caribbean now.

I forgot to go down to the bookcase area in Anderson's on my first day. By day 2 the bookcases were virtually bare.

Formal nights can generally be worked out. Usually 2nd night at sea on way down to the Canaries, and penultimate night coming back. That all changed on current Iona cruise because of itinerary change, but I changed my hairdo without problems. Had Costa coffee a lot of mornings and rarely waited more than 5 minutes.

Yes the drinks service works VERY much better this way. I've been served promptly and efficiently every day this cruise. By the way, the goat curry (yes) in the Beach House on Iona is one of the best curries I've ever had!

One thing on Iona that a few people have missed is that the Asian Fusion counter at the Quays does eggs to order at breakfast time: scrambled eggs with or without smoked salmon, poached eggs or omelettes with various fillings. I've been having a cheese omelette cooked to order, with a wholemeal roll, on sea days. Delicious.

I am envious of the OP having Gervase Phinn onboard. I met him when I was a Headteacher at the Secondary Head's annual conference where he was the after dinner speaker. He's funny and sensible. I have At the Captains Table on my kindle and completed reading it yesterday. A few amusing cruise stereotypes expertly portrayed.

And I had one last night. Scrumptious!

Now at Maspolomas in Gran Canaria finishing lunch. This is a 14 night cruise to the Canaries and Madeira which had the homeward itinerary changed due to strikes in Lisbon. We lost the overnight and 2nd day there and Cadiz was replaced by la Coruna with an extra sea day. The first 2 days down here had rain but only moderately rough seas. Then the sun came out on day 3 making it warm enough to sit out on deck. It's 30 degrees here. Feels strange for mid November. Food and entertainment have all been very good. The jazz group in 710 club are outstanding. Epicurean was superb and glad I have another booking. Glass House and Olive Grove good. Sindhu tonight.

On Iona at the moment. Booked Epicurean, Sindhu, Beach House and Chef's Table 2 weeks ahead but didn't do it at midnight. But there's only one of me. I also booked the Limelight both weeks. Next week is Gareth Gates whom I wanted to see ,but I like the food and ambience there so booked La Voix on Tuesday and s/he was actually very funny and enjoyable. Did a booking at Olive Grove for tonight, and also got a couple of sessions at the 710 club. These go very quickly on boarding day, but are worth going to. So far I've only eaten in the MDR once, perfectly acceptable food but I like the variety on Iona. Bought the Deluxe drinks package and finding it better value than the Classic one. It includes doubles of premium spirits and mixers, premium cocktails and large glasses of the nicer wines. A beer drinker might not get such good value.

Very entertaining blog which I finished reading on Iona. Regarding the lifts, after talking to a couple of wheelchair users having problems, a group of us, mainly women travelling solo, are holding lifts and raising awareness, trying to lessen the problems. If the lifts weren't so small I don't think there would be so many issues.

I'm on Iona at the moment using the Deluxe package and finding it better value than the Classic one because it's about quality rather than quantity. You can have premium spirits and mixers, a large glass of my favourite more expensive wine which often means I don't need another, and I'm getting good value with coffee, water. winrs and spirits. If I were a beer drinker, not so good. The premium cocktails are also nicer. Just enjoyed one on my balcony in Tenerife!

I think that's very true. I have an injury at present which will heal but at the moment I struggle a bit with stairs and queues. My physio told me NOT to use a stick as I'd get dependent on it, and with this new rule I'm glad I didn't. I am using the lifts more than usual because of the pain, but I did make a point of walking to my Muster Station from my cabin on Iona on day 1, just to check I could do it unaided.

I was horrified to see the Christmas decorations go up on Iona a couple of days ago, 6 weeks early. Don't even want to think about the C word till I get home from this cruise on the 25th. The Biscay transit was only moderately rough, not like the last Iona cruise and the Ventura one Selbourne was on! There are some people doing back to back and I had lunch with another lady travelling solo yesterday who told me all about it. It's over 30 degrees in Tenerife today and Christmas seems a long way away outside the Atrium. I hope the OP does see the Northern lights and I think it's very likely. I live in the North East and have seen them twice in the last evenings before I boarded Iona last Saturday.

In Southampton now. Barely a breath of wind.

Been to both. More than happy to go to Alesund whenever. The other one, I'd be staying onboard.

I have taken my daughter on 4 Norway or Iceland cruises from when she was 7 to 18. She loved it at all ages, plenty of interest for both younger and older children.