thriftycrafter

We managed to get a late booking and this was our cabin so some poor person must have cancelled.

The cabin is the one nearest the lift and Neptune bar but there was very little noise, only from another wheelchair reversing (beeping) as they came away from the show at around 11pm.

The restricted view is actually no view if you are in a wheelchair as there is a tender boat outside, there is a little triangular gap if you position yourself carefully but adults standing could see over the top.

There is plenty of space and a bunk, so 3 could use this cabin. No problem with getting large cases under the beds (single).

The wet room is up a ramp which has a slope only from the front so we had to be v careful if stepping up it from the side, it would be easy to stub your toe on the side of the small ramp.

The coat hooks are ridiculously high, apparently H&S, no way could a wheelchair user use them and I had to stretch, I'm 5'5".

The shower has a moveable chair and a rim to the shower area to prevent most of the water coming out. There are hand rails positioned in good places but none near the beds.

The cabin steward was very helpful and made up the bed for day use with a blanket rather than quilt, for us as, a nap was required in the afternoon and again with the duvet for the night.

We found it an east to use room, if we had to find fault then a bit more space to manoeuvre getting in and out of the corridor would be handy.

Thanks everyone, unlikely that the hairdryer would be a problem as only one of us is likely to use one, but valuable information everyone.

We managed to get an offer we couldn't refuse on 2 cabins, but this is useful for future reference.

That's helpful, thanks.

Watching with interest, we have been told that it's tender to Andelsnes sp? Are you stopping there?

We are looking at a last minute family cruise and this is an option, has anyone tried 4 adults in a cabin, did you all survive? Is there enough room?

Black Watch.

We sailed late with BW last week, I'd done the sums and realised we had limited time before dinner. I took my frock on with me and DH took his change of clothes, however the dress code was relaxed that evening as the cases hadn't been delivered to the cabins before dinner.

We weren't informed of this until arrival at the restaurant so we'd changed unnecessarily, felt better for it though.

The emergency drill took place after 2nd sitting, so it is all fitted in.

Take smart clothes if it's easy, but don't worry if it's not.

In answer to the question; 'Why do people book in the school holidays?'

It's because some of them work in schools.

I'll admit my heart sank when I saw small children on last week's cruise, Fred is renowned for being popular with older people so we didn't think there would be many. However, the children we encountered were well behaved and only rarely crying. They did not run around being a nuisance and enjoyed the club provided.

They did attend the evening entertainment which I was surprised at, as it was aimed at adults, and past bedtime for little ones, but they weren't a nuisance.

I'd love to cruise in school time, but my boss wouldn't appreciate that.

We're just back from a week on Black Watch in the Fjords, fabulous.

The dress code was, we thought quite relaxed, but we prefer formal, you might not feel it is so. In the cafe you will be fine in polo shirt and jeans, just not shorts or vests.

The drinks were a good price, it was £20 pp for the AI last week, not worth it especially as Boddingtons was half price £1.60 a pint. Expect pub prices, cocktails £4-£5 and speciality coffees in the Library/coffee shop very reasonable at £2.40ish, lovely hot choc there too.

I like to know as much as possible too, Fred can be quite secretive about some things. There is a cocktail of the day but you have to ask what it is.

Enjoy your cruise, and don't get worried about Noro, just be sensible. At the gym intro they go through all the requirements for hygiene and there are sanitising sprays everywhere.

Thanks, that's helpful, I'll give the exercize pools a go, won't expect too much though, forewarned is forearmed.

That's helpful, thank you. Often cruise ships just have dip pools, no good for exercising in.

I'd be interested to know if the pool is actually big enough to swim in, looking forward to hearing how you got on.

You can only use it once on board, so you can't use it if you pre-book trips or treatments eg hairdressing.

We imagined that we would choose what to spend it on, however it is just taken off your bill as you add to it.

That's a good idea, we just about found time to keep a diary and I'm still struggling to narrow down which pics to print for PFL type pages, cheating I know, but I'll do a few 'proper' LO's too, 685ish to choose from so I certainly won't be scrapping the lot.

Do make sure you get a photo of the two of you on your anniversary, we just had our 30th on our cruise and it was about the only day we didn't get a photo together, doh!

Enjoy the anticipation.

Book looks great so far.

Yes, and keep it in the fridge in your stateroom, we brought on a bottle we'd been given for our wedding anniversary, no problem.

You don't get tea or coffee in your room, but you can BYO booze. Cunard logic.

Good idea taking the scrapbook page along for signing, looks like you had lots of fun, nice pages.

Very useful information, thank you all.

Thank you V2 I'll do likewise.

Thanks, hoping we won't require the waterproofs as we're going to the Med.

We'll certainly be 2 of the handful masking up for the masquerade.

A helpful thread, great pictures of Maggie, thanks.

I was toying with trying to make my full skirted ballgown into a Victorian costume by making a blouse to wear until I wanted to dance and it got too hot. Still think I may, If I get time, but am aware that I will be in the minority, won't be the first time for that though.

Can anyone tell me how cool it gets in the evenings? I'm guessing there will be some air-con on due to the men having to wear jackets, will I need a wrap in July/August or is it an option (I am a cold mortal by nature).

I really want to know what your decision was, I think it's lovely and I do hope you wore it. Perhaps the Americans are not very adventurous or have a sense of fun, but I think it's great. Pics please.

An interesting thread, in agreement with the above ladies, in GB large mesh nets are worn by hookers and pole dancers, or for fancy dress parties, I have a pair for pantomime. Would also agree with the gentleman, many men find them very attractive.

I haven't seen the smaller mesh ones, they sound a bit lumpy, but reading with interest as my legs are not display worthy so thick hosiery is a must for me.

Over here you can get them from ebay, or in department stores, see through is not a good look even if you have wonderful legs, perhaps it's because I'm British but underwear should be keep under, preferably unseen, a slip helps with that.

I'm guessing that you'll see all sorts of things being paraded as acceptable though, so go with what you're comfortable with.

Scrapnana; You might like a glance at this I found when googling; http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vintage-Sept-1953-Travel-Cunard-scrapbook-London-And-the-Continent-/181431861740 How lovely, not quite as artistic as today's versions but what a super thing.

Thank you everyone, particularly with the recent travellers, always good to hear what is happening currently.

Very helpful advice given, we'll plump for a better menu and larger table.

Always a pleasure to see people's pictures.

Scrapnana; I'd love to see any LO's (pages) you have on your cruises, do you have any online anywhere? I'm a scrapper too.