AlanCruise

It's just a styling decision. The other has tables with place mats. They both serve the same food.

When we went there on P&O a couple of years ago there was a free shuttle to the city, it's quite a long way from the port. It dropped off near one of the Wine caves on the south of the river (I think they funded it)

To Davecttr: If you are coming from Kent and already getting the train to London, I would choose to then get a train to Southampton. There are hourly services from Victoria station and quicker services from Waterloo. It seems a lot of work to get a train from London to Heathrow and then a coach. There are a lot of Taxis waiting at Southampton station and it is about £10 to the cruise terminals.

For a late flight on the return you will have to leave your cabin in the morning, but can stay on the ship until transfer to the airport which is typically about 3 hours before flight time. You are free to visit Malta before then and they should make available a secure storage location for hand luggage during the day, for you to pick up when you return to the ship.

If you leave a phone on, but with Data roaming disabled, then it is always free to receive a text message. But don't make or receive a call and also disable voicemail as you will pay for the time people take to leave a message.

If you want to push it (against the rules of course) you could have a litre in both hand luggage and suitcase as they are inspected separately and not connected!

If you are talking about the Expedition cruises to Antarctica, then the drink prices are not the same as the Norwegian coastal cruises as Norwegian taxes don't apply. Last year typical prices for a glass of wine, beer or spirits were 7 Euro.

Experience (on a different cruise line) is that if there is no cabin number you hopefully have your name on the luggage. They can use this to work out your cabin number once the bag is on board. If the cruise involved a flight then the airline baggage label gives your name. If all else fails then the bag will end up near the reception desk.

We like Marella (which is part of the TUI holiday company). They are not up to the quality of the main (mainly US) cruise lines but are normally significantly cheaper. We like that there is normally only one sea day per week, the standard drinks package is included, there are no added tips and plenty of choice of UK departure airports. The ships are not as big as some of the lines (which we think is better) but this means that they do not have as many on board attractions. The main attraction should be the destinations!

We were on Ariva at the end of August last year. We found the Beachcomber pool area a peaceful area to sit and always managed to get chairs. The ship was full with lots of children but OK in that area.

Last september it was on the road North of the old port, opposite the cathedral.

The Chase card will be accepted in general in the Caribbean, it's a Mastercard debit card. Cuba is a special case and the Chase UK website specifically says it cannot be used there and even that the app does not work.

You can turn up earlier and drop your luggage (I think from 11am) and if they will not let you board earlier than your specified time go for a visit to Southampton.

You can't walk into the port, you can get public transport nearby but will still probably need a local taxi for the final section. There is a bus service (X4) from Bristol Bus Station to a bus stop about .half a mile from the port Entrance or to the centre of Portishead where the entrance is about 3 miles away - more likely to be able to get a taxi from Portishead. In a few years time there may even be a train service to Portishead!

The safe mode is to put the phone in flight mode, but you then may need to turn WiFi back on. The important thing is to disable data roaming as if the phone connects to the Maritime network (which is created by the ship and satellite connection) then you can be charged a fortune. I have found that some phones can connect to the Maritime network and if you have other network suppliers it won't allow that connection. I do enable the connection on my phone with Data Roaming off. You don't get a charge unless you make or answer calls or send a text - it is always free to receive texts which is good for emergencies at home, It is also recommended to turn off Voicemail when abroad, Depending on your suppliers you may be charged by the minute if someone calls you and leaves a message and then charged again if you listen to it!