showingdiva

I knew there was something else I needed to mention - you will need a plug adapter - Virtuosa has European and US plug points along with USB ports.

Which you can have with an ice cream taco chaser. Formula 1 simulator is great fun, and quite addictive. Other addictions include the various flavours of panna cotta (as one would expect on an Italian ship). The Battle of Planets light show is mesmerising. I will be up to see Balmoral sail past my window in the morning before I go off to meet Norwegian Dawn's passengers.

Delighted to hear that you have something booked, and especially on the beautiful Virtuosa in Yacht Club. She's a truly stunning ship. Of the supplementary restaurants, the Hola! cantina £17 all you can eat is superb, and well worth the extra. I've developed quite the addiction to the warm salted caramel sauce with the churros. Have a fantastic time (which I'm sure you will) and hopefully Fred will do the right thing by their passengers.

About to enter the North Sea doing an unimpressive 10 knots. Scheduled to enter A&P's dock on the Tyne at 3.30am on the 30th.

No. I believe she's going back the long way. Due into Rosyth as scheduled on Monday at 4am to disembark.

I just saw the 7 night Borealis one, also leaving Monday, but from Liverpool. To Shetland and Norway though. Between the Balmoral cancellation and dry docking, and Bolette's autumn schedule being cancelled, Fred haven't had the greatest week.

I was sorry to hear this. Although I don't work at Rosyth personally, I'm part of the volunteer hospitality team on the Firth of Forth. We still have a NCL ship on Monday, but are disappointed for those - like yourselves - who appreciate the convenience of embarking / disembarking at a Scottish port. Is Borealis doing anything of interest from Liverpool (I know it's not as convenient as Scotland, but I did the journey there last September to join Virtuosa, and it was relatively painless on the train?

As Molecrochip has said, ship yard fires do happen. Perhaps more frequently than most people think. This happened on what was, at one time, the world's largest container ship, while she was being built. Once rebuilt, I'm sure she was on a regular Southampton run at one point.

Nope. Am finalising plans to bounce my Iona one into the future, as late yesterday afternoon, MSC announced Virtuosa is staying in the UK for the 2022/3 winter season and all through the 2023 summer one.

I've looked at this hotel a couple of times, but ultimately end up in the Premier Inn at West Quay, because I like its proximity from the station, for a pre-dinner wander down to Mayflower Park and for a pre-cruise evening sortie downstairs to the Co-op for kettle chips or popcorn.

I've also done my fair share of research before choosing a cabin. My one and only reason for ensuring I've not consented to it with any cruise line, not just P&O, is that when it comes to location, my idea of an upgrade will definitely not be the same as theirs.

I would hate to think (or for that matter, dare) any cruise line, for any reason, would challenge any person, with any disability, inability or otherwise for the sake of dinner in the main restaurant. If your OH has a shirt / tie on, I imagine they will look more than smart enough. Have a wonderful time.

Mobility Not good travelers at extreme ends of a ship Convenience ...

I'm one of the volunteer guides at Newhaven Harbour and Leith. Yes, Splendor will be tendering from Newhaven Harbour (she's a little too big to fit through the locks in Leith, unlike Navigator, which is here at the moment). From Newhaven, the Royal Yacht Britannia is a leisurely 15 minute walk away - but as has been said, there are major roadworks due to the Edinburgh tram extension. The Hop on/off ticket can indeed include entry to Britannia. The bus ticket sellers should be at Newhaven when you arrive from the tender to help you with ticketing for this. The bus stops in front of the Ocean Terminal shopping centre - entry to Britannia is via this on level 2. Should you not wish to incorporate the Hop on/off, the No.11 local bus will take you from the harbour straight to Ocean Terminal (£1.80pp). All our buses take cards, similarly do our taxis. As for being up to walk up on the day. At the moment with the Edinburgh Festival on and the city really busy, it is more difficult. However, by Splendor's arrival in Edinburgh on 19th September, I would anticipate things being a lot easier. However, I would recommend you go their first when you arrive, then plan the rest of your day. Hop on / off, local buses into Edinburgh and taxis from outside Ocean Terminal. Britannia opens at 9.30am. We look forward to welcoming you to Edinburgh.

Cherbourg. La Cite de la Mer. Right next to the cruise terminal. https://www.citedelamer.com/en/

I was in Cherbourg a few weeks ago. It was a planned destination, not displaced from Guernsey. On MSC Virtuosa, which is 181,500t, so can take a fair size of ship. Always knew Cherbourg as a ferry, fishing, yacht port, but was very pleasantly surprised. Lovely place. That said, she was clearly as big a cruise ship as the locals have seen in a long time, as many arriving to see her overheard with exclamations of "merde!" Last time I was in Guernsey with P&O, huge queues, tender was rolling all over the place, then hit the side of the ship.

I cruise from the UK which may be different from the US, but yes the non-alcoholic frozen cocktails are included (I drank SO much of the strawberry daiquiri zero on Virtuosa). The ice cream is the soft serve / sprinkles / sauce etc which is available on the pool deck. It doesn't include the gelato / pancakes / waffles.

Yes, but not with P&O. Took £250 off a debit card. Due to drink package and having been on the particular ship previously, I didn't spend anything ... well £17, but I paid that off by cash. Nearly two weeks later, and the balance on a different cruise line pending, I went ballistic. Payment refunded within 24 hours + a refund of the list of charges I had incurred as a result of dipping into an overdraft. Personal email apology from the top (well, the UK top).

Sorry to hear this, on both counts.

I've done two disembarkation and one embarkation at Horizon. As large aircraft hanger-type sheds go, it's got easy pedestrian access from Gate 10, many twists and turns on the air bridge and a straightforward walk through on exit.

Her virtually identical sister Grandiosa is doing it again multiple times in 2023. Southampton / Haugesund / Olden / Flam / Kristiansand, Norway / Southampton

Stornoway is the next destination on the magical Arcadian mystery tour. A lovely part of Scotland, with forecasted sun and calm seas for her visit.

That will be our fabulous Forth Belle. One of two used to help tender passengers on board the larger ships from Newhaven Harbour and South Queensferry. Both she, and the other one - Maid of the Forth - are primarily local excursion ships which run sightseeing tours and jazz cruises in the Firth of Forth. Both popular with cruise passengers compared to the usual cruise ship life boat tenders, for the very smooth journeys you mention.

And here she is ... my work for today, anchored outside my house window. My wonderful Arcadia at Newhaven Harbour, Edinburgh.

She's definitely on the way to Edinburgh .. well, the Newhaven Harbour anchorage anyway. Tendering. We - the Leith / Newhaven Harbour port team, including our volunteer team - were told yesterday lunchtime that she's heading our way. She's too big for Leith, and apart from anything else, we also have The World in there for two days. We're hoping everyone has a lovely day in Edinburgh / Lothians (and possibly further afield), and we're happy to help the passengers and crew with any information.