purplesea

We were in the queue waiting to check in.

Arriving on time doesn't mean you will get in on time. Our last boarding time was 12.15 and we were still waiting, when going to enquire nearer 12.30 we were told they haven't called 12.15 yet!

The Cornish Arms, I often walk past it!🤣

We are travelling up and staying at Premeir Inn the day before we are due to board Britannia on the 15th September as it takes at least five hours, if there are no traffic problems. It will possibly take longer than normal then as there are major road works and road closures down here. It will be interesting to see what boarding times we get as there are six of us in total, with three different loyality tiers, plus we have requested assistance for my mother!

Hope you have a lovely time. We're making a return trip in September. The first time we sailed to the Fjords it was wet and horrible in Southampton, but we had sunny weather and temps of 23c the whole time we were in Norway and returned home to the same weather that we had set sail in!

Sorry I'm not going to be much help but, I don't remember seeing any young children when we went to the Chef's Table on Arvia. I had the lobster for my meal and it was not what I imagined!

I've been thinking ahead to Christmas too, especially as we have lots of birthdays in that month and quite a few in the preceding month too!

That's were they are! On the wrong route🤣

We are mid-ships when we sail in September and will probably be using them more than the aft or forward lifts as Mum is a wheelchair user!

I suggest that you look into National Express, as has been suggested and possible book in advance. We were due to travel to Southampton by train for our cruise in May (departing 14th) and as we live so far away we travel up the day before. The trains were on strike for two days (12th and 13th) and by the time the strike days were confirmed we were unable to get booked with National Express.

It's like that down here, as the buses only run on the main roads if they run. I waited for three quarters of an hour for a bus into St Ives the other day and my return journey over half an hour. I knew I hadn't missed the bus as it goes down the road, then turns round and comes back up. When it did turn up, there were two of them. Making the old addage 'if you wait long enough two come along', true!

Congratulations to your granddaughter. It's been raining heavily down here this morning, at present the sun's trying to get out, but it is still windy. We seem to have had a lot of windy days recently and heavy rain is forecast again for this afternoon. I'm not doing much these days as still struggling with tiredness,I've got just over ten weeks to get back to fighting fit for my cruise.

You could book through reception.

Being given a pager on Ar After being given a pager on Arvia we were advised to wait in Andersons Bar as that was basically the range of the pager, so not actually standing in a queue! I have been on Iona, and didn't have any problems with the app. Although as there were three of us, in two cabins we didn't use if for booking meals. We didn't have any problems as walk-ins either, but so saying that the ship was only sailing with about 50% occupancy. Having sailed on both Arvia and Iona, I tend to think that the main problem is the lack of main dining rooms. The 6th Street Diner and The Olive Grove, which replace two of the dining rooms on Iona, don't seem to have the seating same compacity. I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong!

I was on the same cruise as Megabear on Arvia in May and had problems with the app as it kept crashing. On about 3 occasions we went as walk ins prepared to share a table, and were given pagers. On one occasion the wait was so long that we got fed up of waiting and went and handed the pager back. One morning for breakfast we were in the queue of those that had been told that their table was ready and the walk-ins were being shown straight in. When finally getting to the desk we were told that we shouldn't have been able to book as there was "a glitch in the system"!

Again we had rain overnight, but no thunderstorms. Although we have had some rain the ground is still dry and OH commented this morning, when he went out, that the plants need watering. A few years back we were struck by lightening, and although there was no stuctural damage we did have minor electrical losses, TV, etc.

Thank you for your summary and it was an enjoyable read. Hope you continue to have a good cruise. I am counting down the weeks til we board. Here are a couple of photos of the atrium - a before and after the refit.

I also found a purse of mine yesterday, in a handbag I don't use much with some money in it.🙂 Today the postman has just been and delivered three brown envelopes. Only one is mine to tell me the tax man owes me money!☺️ Now, should I play the lottery?🤔

No thunder down here, although there was rain overnight and we have do have a weather warning out for thunder. It is sunny at 18c, but breezy.

Thank you for your balanced rewiew.

Thanks, I've got that one. My holiday is still on my phone from my last cruise, so just need to log in.

Good to hear everything is going well. We are on Britannia in September so am following this thread as well as having followed Andy's, for any hints and tips, etc.

I am so sorry to read about the loss of your son. It must be heartbreaking. Sending you my condolences to you and the family.

It's the same on Arvia!

That's what I do too!