Cardiff girl

I think they're two different processes, and if you're happy with what you've got I'd cancel your balcony bid and save the ££. When are you going? Hope you have a lovely first solo cruise. There should be plenty of opportunities to meet up with other solos.

Google maps has the 24, 25, 35 and 95 buses into the city from Museu de les Ciences stop. Then the challenge is finding the bus stop back 🤔...

Goes to show you can't assume - three different times we've experienced between us. Maybe it's earlier on the bigger ships? Anyway, a cab back from Reid's shouldn't take long so as long as you book a sensible time you should be OK. Loads of other diners will be going back to the ship.

I've emailed P&O customer service in the past and got arrival and departure times, though with the caveat that they could change. Sandancer, in the past Funchal has been 9.30 aboard for 10pm sailaway on the standard Canaries/Madeira route, but on repositioning it's 5.30 for 6pm. Does it say 'early evening'?

Thanks for this. Jumping on this, what about shuttles for Palma de Majorca and Cagliari?

We got a pair of swans on Azura in December. I think it's down to the steward, if there are kids or an occasion, but generally speaking, don't expect towel animals. MSC still do them, along with turndown.

Thanks very much - really useful. I read about local wine sold at the market, though if they mainly sell produce then it's less of a priority. The 'nature park' area sounds quite undeveloped, so it sounds like you got the best of it.

Thanks, Edinburgher. Any particular highlights in Cagliari? Did you go to San Benedetto market? Were the local buses easy to work out, and is there an obvious 'top of the hill' stop to aim for? Also, did you see flamingoes? The reviews of Molentargius nature park seem a bit mixed. Thanks.

SuperDino has lots of choice, is slightly cheaper than the Spar, with a nice 30 min walk back to the ship.

Was the market in Cagliari? Can you remember where it was? Sounds interesting, thanks.

Hi Tom, are you still blogging? I can't open that link - would be great to see it, if possible?

Hi Tom, six years on it's still in demand! 🙂 That link didn't work for me - is the post still available?

I always try to praise the main crew I've met on those forms but haven't had one after three P&O cruises. Around a quarter of the people in the Facebook group for my recent Aurora cruise had an email a day or two after getting home - no clue why it's so random. P&O said I could send feedback to po.guestsupport@carnivalukgroup.com. It used to affect crew pay - maybe that's with other lines. We fill in the Shine Awards slips by reception for cabin crew, waiters and others who make a great impression.

Last year I was asked to show my insurance with cruise cover & covid cover highlighted, but haven't been asked recently. I print the main summary with my details, plus the numbers & details on how to claim, and I keep a copy on my phone.

Also, on our return, we stopped to take photos of the ship but were told off by a port official and told to get straight on the ship - so it seems the shuttle across the port is unavoidable.