Kangakid

Last year on Journey I did get a hair cut, as I was too busy at work to take the time for a cut before I boarded Journey.  I booked in with a guy and was pleased with the result, not the best hair cut I have ever had but definitely not the worst either.  I booked in on a sea day and the experience was non rushed and pleasant.  There was no hard sell of products, so all in all a good experience, not great but good.

PO UK a great option they will have many cruises heading from the UK to warmer climates like the Canaries, Spain around that time.  We sailed Brittania and thought it great.  Cruises around holiday time will have plenty of activities for the kiddies as well.  Have sailed Cunard many times but not at Christmas but I hear they do Christmas well on board.

7 hours ago, NSWP said:

We were at Heefrow last May, landed on Cathay Pacific about 3pm, must have been lucky this time, 30 minutes only to get processed, I was in the LHR Premier Inn by 4.30pm having an icy cold pint of Thatchers cider.

My mistake was early morning flight arrival from Zurich with the early morning Asian flights arrivals.  I was travelling without HWMBO or else could have gone through the UK citizens path, which had no wait time....wish me luck in July....and yes Uncle Les will definitely bring food parcels.....just in case the relos are in need of substance....

I have sailed both, Celebrity fantastic shows and entertainment, speciality restaurants very good.

Azamara food in all venues excellent, main dining room very good to excellent.  Entertainment pretty average does not compare to Celebrity but then again I knew Azamara was not known for their entertainment.  But saying that, loved the white night and Azamazing evening.  

Very different passenger demographic as well.  Found a much older group on Azamara, but that’s fine.  You do have plenty of interaction with officers, as they are very hands on.  Mosaic coffee lounge a big hit.  No bar bills also a bonus.

You can’t go wrong with either cruise, but if you are after port intensive maybe Azamara would be the preferred option.

Fingers crossed change is in effect before my trip in late July.  Last time I was in the immigration queue for nearly 2 hours, yikes, driver we had organised had left as he thought we weren’t coming, luggage was left in the aisles for collection, so then another 45 minutes wait for driver to come back and collect us, just a nightmare.  Custom guy was friendly and apologetic but after nearly 2 hours wait On top of a nearly 24 hour flight I was passed smiling and small talk....

The tickets for your second game in the Ponsford stand are premium seats.  I would grab those of still available.  You will be on second level with a great view of the ground, behind the goal area.  This seating is prime, in fact where I sit for all of my teams home and away games at the “G”...

cheers V

I have only encountered young children on one Oceania cruise and have to say it definitely was a breath of fresh air so to speak to hear a child’s laugh every so often mainly around the pool.  Saw them at the dining room one evening and from what I saw they were perfect diners.

I am pretty sure a few of your fellow cruisers will enjoy seeing your baby/toddler,  not all Oceania cruisers are anti children.  I am also sure the crew will treat him like a little prince.

We have L301 and it appears the doorway is next to this room.  Am I right in presuming these are fire doors only.   Also I have never been this forward in any cruise, but as we are cruising the Med in July I am hopeful for calm seas.

Thanks to all so far, only very positive comments, so that does ease my mind somewhat.

Cheers Vicki

Hi all just wondering if any one has any info or photos of this area.  We have a hold on L301 but need to pay tomorrow and my concerns are, as from the deck plan it appears this room is forward of some doors and forward of the elevators.  This being on the same deck as the pool area and buffet, would we have a fair amount of foot traffic and noise at all hours.  Very hesitant to book if this may be the case.  Any insights would be very helpful.

thanks

Hip hip hooray, thank you everyone for your invaluable advice culinary classes booked.  Without your learned advice I would have probably left it all too late and missed out on the opportunity to partake.

Many thanks to you all...

Cheers Vicki

Thanks Orv will check my account again, but didn’t  notice any ability to book when I checked prior to posting.  My cruise is in August and only in B verandah stateroom, so I wonder if that impacts on time lines?

Thanks everyone I will check about the same time my bookings open up for the specialty which is end of June

cheers V

Hi All - I was just wondering how you go about booking a session in the culinary centre.  Do the bookings open up prior to the Cruise or do we make the bookings once on board.  Any info would be appreciated, also do these sessions occur on every cruise or only select cruises.

Cheers V

We received our refund cheque end of last week, disembarked end of December, so roughly 2 and a bit weeks...thought that was pretty good going..

Have to agree with Margo, we were not impressed with Chops really average meal and paying $35pp extra just not worth the money.  The kids went to Harmony and really enjoyed it.  So on averages if you had to only try one specialty Harmony would be the obvious choice.

Agree with Apex Hotels have stayed at 2 in Edinburgh and are definitely our hotel of choice, very happy with price booking direct with the hotel and that price usually includes breakfast.

Just wondering what would be the earliest we could drop our luggage at Southampton port.  We should arrive between 10am and 11am and want to see a bit of Southampton before we board later in the afternoon.  Any ideas...

cheers V

Lee Anne - Seating at the “G” is :

• M = ground level
• N = Second level
• P = Mezzanine between level one and 2
• Q = third level 

Any of these areas provide good viewing, but Q level you can be seated too far up and back, so not ideal in my opinion.

Comedy festival always has last minutes tickets on the day for reduced prices.  So if you are not fussed about who you see you will get to see a good show for a great price.  

Cheers V

Lee Ann my suggestion is definitely the Collingwood game as Collingwood have a guy called Mason Cox playing who hails from Houston.  He played College Soccer for Oklahoma State.  He is one of the stars and when he is playing well the crowd chant USA, it really is something to see and hear.   His parents often travel over for big games, and as this is a replay of our GF I would anticipate a big crowd and the atmosphere will be fantastic.

cheers V

We just got off a cruise to NZ and found only 2 ports that checked ID.  They were happy with photo ID and cruise card for the adults and just cruise card for the children as long as same surname on the children’s cruise card.   

We sailed on Solstice during school holidays (January) and there was over 500 kids on board.  The most they had ever had, but have to say all seemed well behaved and yes Celebrity did cater for them with many activities we noticed pool games and disco at night.  You will be fine, I am sure your children will have a great time.

Reviews can definitely provide insights especially with respect to cruise lines we haven’t cruised with before.  We are all different and our expectations can vary greatly.  I read reviews and definitely take on board those reviews and then once on board either come away agreeing or come away thinking some people are hard to please.  But overall have benefited from both positives and negative feedback.  For example on our recent cruise negative feedback re how long you had to arrive before a show was raised by many, and have to agree you should not have to arrive in a theatre 45 mins prior to get a seat, but found this spot on.  We are all individuals and everyone sees things slightly different, but  I do take on board negatives as well as positives and just hope the positives outweigh the negatives and we have always enjoyed our cruises some more than others.

Brilliant review love the photos and glad you enjoyed HAL have sailed them to NZ and also in the Med and have enjoyed both cruises.

Currently on Majestic yep think it may be the large number of North Americans is the reason we were offered move down offer.  Also large groups of Chinese travellers on board.  We are more than pleased with what we were offered and our cabin obstructed balcony.  So far the food has not impressed us at all, and we are a group of 8 and everyone disappointed with the food quality and offering.  This is our first time on Princess.  The ship itself is lovely and has a lot to offer.  Will do a full review on my return.

Cheers Vicki

I would suggest getting some Fiji Dollars as you have a couple of stops in Fiji, the looks calls do prefer Fiji dollars.   Larger type department stores will welcome Aud, but smaller businesses and cafes prefer local currency.  When we were cruising in FP we had local currency FXP and used that, especially the smaller islands would only take FXP.  

Enjoy this amazing part of the world, have to say our cruise on Marina to FP was one of our all time fav cruises.

enjoy