Planning to cruise

We too have spoken direct to Viking to book in the UK. On finding our chosen room grades full they have been forthcoming with additional dates. Initially the web site often shows a selection of dates with an option to click Show all dates.

As one who has hearing problems, raised noise is the worst thing. I often have to ask people not to shout, it just distorts things. Quiet but clear is the way to go. Loud noise can actually be physically painful. I agree the larger tables dont help.

No lifeboats / tenders on deck 13. It would be a big drop for them to lower into the water.

I havent checked but there is surely a UK Government web site on this setting out the official requirements. That will be more definite than varying views of CC posters.

In Wales we might say "like Barry Island on a bad day". That seaside resort known for its day visitors and funfair has had a visitor renaissance thanks to its location for the British TV comedy Gavin and Stacey. Many have happy memories of childhood treats of a day trip to Barry beach.

We have sailed AMS to Basle with Viking. Im almost sure we went via the Waal. It no doubt depends on your exact stops. If like us you go to Kinderdijk, first stop, you need to enter a canal system. From there it was Koblenz wnd onward south.

Dont forget that fjord places can be hot as well as wet and cold. Lighter clothing, sunscreen, sunhat also needed.

In the UK the time falls in the night or at best late at night.

A good more detailed explanation of the VO entertainments. It sounds good to have had so many specialists. Two has been the norm on my cruises, our last had 3 although 2 of them were historians and a bit too similar. Maybe it depends on the itinerary and number of sea days.

The Monday is the actual day off from work, the Bank Holiday. These days, it tends to be Bank Holiday Weekend when people get away from Friday onwards with heavily trafficked roads and transport systems. With the Spring BH (last Monday of May) the schools take their half term holiday that week, BH Monday to the following Friday with both weekends. Many families go away or out for trips. Its generally a busy time for transport, holiday spots and attractions.

Very true. Not only will Windsor be busy but the roads will be crammed. Factor in more time for a transfer.

I dont think Sunday will make much difference. Its always busy. St Georges Chapel in the grounds and norma,ly seen woth castle admission may be closed to visitors, certainly for part of the day. It is an active working church with services. Check online. Windsor Castle is worth seeing but it is a big place. It can take several hours to see it all. Admission queues can also sometimes take time even with pre booked tickets because of security checks. Factor in transport between Southampton and LHR and the need to arrive at the airport in good time for security etc. You need to work out how much time you have and if sufficient time can be devoted to a Windsor visit to justify it.

Entertainment. Low key. There is a lecture early evening, the topic depending on who are the guest lecturers on a particular cruise. There is no large theatre, no glitzy shows. Once per night a show by one or more in house singers. Possibly a local entertainer if the ship is staying in port longer. Outside the theatre, maybe once per cruise an open air film, always classical musicians in one or two lounges, a trivia quiz. Passengers meet in bars, play board games, read, turn in early. There is late night music in the Torshaven venue. As has been said Viking does not provide the usual cruise line product. Included excursions. Unlikely to go far or be long. A typical one is a bus or walking orientation tour of around 2 or maybe 3 hours. There are exceptions. This year we took the included 12 hour rail trip to Berlin where we then explored on our own. Where we have visited before we have often used the included tours as transport before leaving the group (after telling the guide) before the end to do our own thing. They do vary. It depends on the local tourist company and individual guide. Some have been very good, others less so.

Shows dont bother me either. I dont think I went to any on our last 2 week VO Venus cruise this summer other than a local entertainer. I was happy with the classical duo and pianist or my book with a drink.

In Britannia, Club and PG I have found it possible and acceptable to ask for, and be provided with, always available staples such as salmon, ice cream or fresh fruit platter (as starter or dessert) if not much else appeals.

On Queen Anne our steward asked if we could have our bags ready and to one side before 8 30. I did think, well the room is ours until then, but as it made little difference to us we obliged. On return from breakfast we found the double bed had been made up as two singles with bedside tables moved. That made the room even tighter on space. The corner of one bed was very close indeed to the corner of the tall desk unit. You would need to try to pass between the two with care.

I suggest you look at street maps and London tube maps online. Also consult the Transport for London web site. There is no direct link from Tower Bridge to LHR. Changes are involved, not necessarily advisable with luggage. Changes at Underground stations may mean transferring lines on different levels by long escalators and central London stations can be very busy.

Our sentiments exactly. I am aware from posts on this site that the new Cunarder hits the spot for many but definitely not for us. I ll stick to the other 3 Cunard ships as and when they are in Southampton.

Thanks for the explanation. It didnt register with me and I passed it a fair few times. It ws just something in the way!

I wasnt too keen on the statue / fixture by a corner of the Pavilion Pool on QA. To me, it was like a pile of lego that seemed more appropriate in a nursery school and just got in the way of circulation.

I agree. We have just been in Copenhagen and our activites and transport cost little as once we were in the centre we walked and visits did not justify the cost of a card. It was different in Oslo. I calculated our planned transport and admission costs and discovered we would more or less break even against the cost of a card. We bought cards for the convenience on the transport system, using them on ferries and buses, and for museum entries. We were not out of pocket but neither did we save much if anything. There is only so much you can do in the time. We bought 24 hour cards that sufficed for a 48 hour stay as they start from the time of first activation and end 24 hours later.

I have enjoyed Isafjordur twice and will be there again next year. Surrounding scenery is wonderful. There were a couple of shops and small museum on our visits, pre Covid Be aware this is northern Iceland, a fairly remote town where good footwear and weatherproof clothing may be sensible.

No show is compulsory!

Just bear in mind that Sunday rail travel in the UK can be less reliable. Ubiquitous "Engineering Works" can mean delays, cancellations or part of rail journey being on replacement buses. Any works and timetable alterations are usually scheduled and advertised in advance.

On both cruises all day during all port calls one of the crew stood on the ship by the exit to the gangway holding and offering bottles of water to passing passengers, goingboff or returning. Alongside him was a large refrigerated bin full of bottles. Another crew member gave out towels to passengers returning on board.