Waju

kalos, just wanted to tell you - the time 11.11 has 'haunted' me for years - I see it everywhere, when I look at my phone, my watch, turn the tv over etc etc its so weird! It happens to others as well with other double numbers. My son used to work on the airlines and he has the same thing with 7.37 (737) Wonder what it all means?

I don't think you will, my only problem with Ambassador is the price of the service charge (which has also been increased from 1st September) when you add it to the bargain prices you can sometimes find with Ambassador they're no better prices than a cruise line that has them included! I don't want to start another tipping thread but I find them really 'old fashioned' in this day and age - pay the staff properly and don't expect customers not to notice that your good lead in price isn't really the bargain it might first appear to be!

The thing is we're supposed to be on holiday and not faffing about trying to find somewhere to eat. I may as well be in a B&B in Margate (other seaside towns are available 😀) and wandering around looking for the nearest 'spoons!

I'm loving reading this too DamianG, you write really well. I do have some concerns though - we've been on Iona a couple of times when she sailed far from full and I was really surprised how much I enjoyed the larger ship. I thought we might try Arvia one day - maybe out of school holidays - but the talk of queueing to get into dining rooms, booking (or trying to book on the app) and using pagers worries me! I'm supposed to be on holiday and probably just an old f*rt but I want to leave my phone in the safe until I get to a port. I'm just better suited to MDR's that offer club dining so I know what time I'm eating and where my table will be 🙂

I think they're missing a trick - it would be a good money earner for some of the bigger hotels with large rooms doing nothing all day!

Just wanted to 'chip in' and say what a great idea this is - I've just looked on the hotel website and can't find any mention of it though - but for a local hotel to offer lounge facilities similar to the paid for airport lounges is a great idea. It would be perfect for those who arrive early in Southampton due to train/flight times or having to leave hotels at 10am and not being able to board till later in the afternoon. To pay a few pounds to be able to sit and have coffee/snacks in comfort sounds perfect to me.

There were a few people that I know of on the previous Iceland cruise that had 'sicky bugs' too. Shame really as it probably mainly due to people not hand washing, we sat close to the buffet entrance and probably only 2 out of 10 used the sanitizer.

Yes there is a small one, sorry can’t remember which deck - maybe 9?

Us too when we were on Aurora (just before covid)

Faroe Islands, Iceland and today we’re in Belfast!

There have been none on the current cruise.

Such a shocking post to see, the loss of a child, no matter what age, is heart breaking. My sincere condolences to you and those close to you.

Just had a text from Ambassador - due to bad weather today in Belfast, our embarkation in Liverpool tomorrow is delayed by 4 hours ☹️ it's going to be a late night! Safe travels to those leaving Belfast this evening x

We are sailing from Liverpool and the chance to book parking came on one of the pages during the booking process.

Or even just for yourself!

Has anyone taken or tried to take alcohol on board for the cabin? How did you get on?

Vinted is amazing for cruise dresses - I recently got a £85 M&S evening style dress for a fiver - still had the labels on 😀 My top tips though would be only buy a brand that you know fits you well or ask the seller to measure for you. I made mistakes in the beginning but you can always resell - sometimes for a profit!

Take the looser ones!

Everyone probably already knows but just in case you don’t - I booked a cruise on Ambition this morning and used the code ESSEX5 - it gave me a 5% off which is a good few cocktails 🍹

We all like cheaper holidays (well we do 😉) but it would appear that with lower prices comes passengers that I don't want to share my holidays with. We have seen this behaviour on the bigger ships and it isn't nice. Our recent Aurora cruise was fine, everyone was very well behaved. It seems that if you want a peaceful holiday you have to pay a bit more for it sadly.

As 9265359 says you are each allowed 1 litre of spirits or wine when you board in Southampton - you can also take as much water or fizzy drinks as you can carry. The water and fizzy drinks can be replenished as you return to the ship on a port stop. This is all for consumption in your cabin. I would also say that P&O bar prices are really quite reasonable and IMO you wouldn't spend anywhere near what the drinks package would cost if you only drink what you mentioned above. Remember, for quite a few days of your cruise you will more than likely be ashore anyway. I can't comment on Arvia but we have sailed on other P&O ships and always have a great time - cruising is addictive!

A good while ago I spoke to a bank about their insurance with 'paid for' current accounts. I'm 99% sure it was Lloyds and they told me you must declare everything BUT you can choose not to have it covered.

Yes I think that would be best, although I don't think anyone will have a problem getting an insurance company NOT to cover you for something 😉

Bah humbug!

Perhaps we could start wearing masks again just so we can have the parade 😷🤣