JeanieC,Aston

Hi Jim Keukenhof Gardens are absolutely beautiful this time of year. Last time we went there were coaches from Central Station direct to the gardens,,otherwise it’s a convoluted journey with changes by train. Or you can book tickets for gardens/coach included with maybe a 1.5 hr optional canal boat trip for €50.

Just for info….. When the show finishes in the Limelight Club,,,at 22:30 they open the doors to the non paying public. In Feb there was a trio and lady lead singer,,a good way to end the night with a bit of live music and there is a small dance floor. I think it was overlooked by a lot because it was never crowded in there. A couple of nights it was the venue for karaoke.

Hi I don’t think they do. We embarked at 13:30-14:00 and immediately tried to book a time for the 710/ club. Every single day was fully booked except the 00:15 slot,it had availability for every nigh. ps,I don’t think it was all jazz,one night it was the guitar playing busker from the pub.

See my post just posted above.. You might not need to but some people do,,,,,

Hi It’s open from 23:00 to 01:00. As a diabetic having eaten at 18:30 I like some carbs before I go to bed,,my wife likes to get a hot chocolate. I don’t suppose you will ever get to the 00:15 show in the 70/club then.If you could manage to get a slot that is.

I was on Iona in February,was very disappointed,they seem to have sacrificed music venues for eating outlets. The one caberet room the Club was packed every show,,,70/Club totally booked by 13:00 on embarkation day. Where was the Ballroom dancing? None,,,why not in foyer like Ventura a totally waste of space. Britannia and Ventura I love the entertainment venues,,,,,,Iona not so much. Tried all 4 MDR’s and found food and menus far inferior to other P&O ships. The Olive Grove was good,,Fish &Chips in the Quays good. But queuing up for 20 min in the late buffet to get a sandwich was a joke. A few of us complained to the restaurant manager as he walked through,,,,,I agree he said,it’s because there’s only one station open.,,,,,well you are the manager open two,he never did. Another idea that didn’t work,,,,,ordering drinks via waiter with iPads was a shambles. Taking orders from those stood at the bar ignoring the room. The music in the Dome was another idea that doesn’t work,,,the poor girl group may have been good singers,but in the Dome they sounded awful. I will cruise on P&O again,but it would take a big improvement to get me on Iona again. I don’t think P& O has yet got the handle on managing such a big ship.

This is what shows in my Cruise Planner,,,,,Cruise in 32 days on Silhouette. Its £280 for the both of us,,,my wife drinks Prosecco and I am happy with Guinness and Jameson’s so stick with CP.

You can pay a few £££ to select the location on a Saver fare. Forward/Mid Forward/Midships/Midships Aft/Aft.

This is better. ps..that bottle of Canti PG is £6.5 ($8) in our local supermarket. Following along,we are on Silhouette in 5 weeks from Southampton.

If decide on this tour book the ship excursion,,,the coaches go in convoy with armed guards in vehicles front and back and a guard on coach. This is a response to the terrorist attack on tourists in Luxor in 1997. I have done this trip from Port Said and Alexandria,,,,,,great trip.

Thanks all,,I think I need to look at other ways to spend my OBC.

Please be aware train strikes are frequent in Italy,luckily they are announced beforehand. There are websites you can check if there are any on your dates of travel. This website explains more….. https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiMns2hs-39AhWtREEAHa0xAGQQFnoECCkQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.italiarail.com%2Ftrain-strikes-italy&usg=AOvVaw0DR0WShYFy2sXxe63OGN8U

Saw iPads on past cruises just wasn’t sure about iPhones. A crate of Jameson’s for me and a nice Apple watch for OH it is then. Oh no!!!.no Apple Watches either?

I am on Silhouette in a few weeks from Southampton. I have $800 OBC and I need a new phone,,,,do they sell iPhones in the shop?

I am on Silhouette sailing May 3rd,,,check-in opens 19th March,,,so yes 45 days.

Shuttle from ship to city,,,,take your pick there are many Tapas bars. Try this site for ideas….. https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwif757x6-D9AhUaUsAKHcFLCggQFnoECA4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.esprincep.com%2Fen%2Fblog%2Fthe-10-most-authentic-tapas-restaurants-in-palma&usg=AOvVaw0JAoRxmXd5SiDjwcwoamL0 Linked article from Es Princep, by Xisco Mateu June 19, 2018

Hi Just used the pro former at Nationwide,,,,,,computer says No!! Will not cover me,,,,big problem is Heart By-Pass and Diabetes plus others like BP. Im with AllClear and quite happy with them for European cover inc cruises,,,no inclination to travel to the Caribbean or USA. Thanks for your suggestions.

Hi Depends on the level of pre existing medical conditions. I asked Nationwide if I opened the Flexi Plus account re insurance,taking into account my conditions they said they wouldn’t cover me.

P&O cruises in the UK req minimum £2m medical cover insurance for you to be allowed to cruise. I suspect Cunard will be the same. “Your policy must include medical cover of £2 million minimum that includes cover for emergency evacuations and medical expenses related to COVID-19. You must also ensure your policy includes full cover for any and all pre-existing medical conditions worldwide, or as a minimum, in the countries you are due to visit.” I have unlimited cover with my insurer for £600 a year for both of us but does not include travel to the USA. It covers lots of pre-existing med conditions. Some UK companies won’t even consider cover for the US or Caribbean for over 70’s or if they do the cost is prohibitive.

HSBC has bought the SVB subsidiary in the UK.

There was an advert in my local paper here in the UK for jobs on cruise ships. Mostly for work in kids club or nursery,,,starting wage =£1760 a month board & lodging included.

Thanks all for advice. For info…Jet2 is now the largest airline using Manchester,overtaking TUI. Flew with them to Alicante for NYE holiday…staff and organisation brilliant.

It will rain in Bergen ,,,it always does!!!

Thanks guys.appreciated.

I know it doesn’t help for this year but we docked in Flåm last year on Borealis.