Wetherby Whaler

Thank you, guess we can leave the iron at home now😀

Is there still a self-service laundrette and ironing area on the Spirit? We used these the last time we were on board several years ago and are considering one of the farewell cruises this autumn, but I can’t see any in the deck plans. My husband is a demon for pressing and likes to do it himself! Thank you.

Thank you Vitalsign, I hope that Discovery 1 has the same facilities in the shower area.

I was a bit surprised that Discovery 1 doesn’t have self-service laundry facilities so I wondered if anyone had sailed on her, what was the scope for hand washing and drying things like smalls, tights, running shorts, technical t shirts and gym kit in the cabin? Stuff that wouldn’t normally go to the on board wash and press service. Would it be possible to hang a drying line up in the bathroom? We have booked an inside plus cabin. Thank you!

Thank you, sorry for the delay I wasn’t notified of replies. I also complained and asked for more detail other than a one liner but not much was forthcoming. I will just have to talk to the team on ship on the first day to decide whether to go ahead, I understand we can cancel with some notice. It was a very expensive trip for them to get it so wrong.

Ha ha, especially for me would be a nice thought! Marella haven’t supplied any further details and my next step Is to contact them as it’s not a standard excursion offer but I just wondered if anyone else had experienced them in the past.

We are booked on the Kremlin excursion during the Baltic Capitals cruise leaving Newcastle on 23 June. I have just been informed that this has been cancelled as the Kremlin has a holiday that day, and has been replaced with a Moskva River cruise and a visit to the New Maiden convent. I am rather disappointed, and wondered whether I should cancel or if anyone had an opinion on whether the alternative offered is of equivalent value? It’s not a cheap tour (the original), costing £300. Thank you.

Oh gosh yes the airport, on the way back we were told it was 60 minutes, 90 minutes later the driver was lost on the many approach roads and I was never so desperate for a loo!

Nothing to see in Khor Fakkan, although it has a lovely beach and promenade and could be like Nice if it was in Europe. Whether you go on shore or not you have to undergo the slightly ludicrous portside passport check.

In Muscat we walked all the way to the museum to find they wouldn't take dirham, neither would the bus, and more fool us, we didn't have a bank card so a long walk back! We had been led to believe by the ship reception that dirham would be acceptable (they didn't sell rial) so we were a bit annoyed. I guess that official places want rials or card payments but they seem to take just about anything in the souk and there is a money exchange office there too.

I also found the hoho buses ridiculously expensive, about £45! Maybe I'm a cheapskate (actually no maybe about it!) but we had an interesting adventure using public buses and chatting to locals and only for about a fiver for the day.

On your muster point, there wasn't a seaday muster, so you had to go to the pre-sail one.

Waney, we are just back from Arabian Nights and didn't even bother with taxis, used public transport in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, you buy a ticket from a machine for about 20 dirhams and it does for the day, swipe on and off like an Oyster card, the buses are new, air-con and comfy with an area reserved for ladies. The buses are frequent and all drivers speak English and announcements are in English. We visited the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi this way, and also Burj Al Arab in the short time we had between the shuttle going back to ship. If you are doing the Dubai by Night tour though, you get taken to Burj Al Arab first so you might want to see something else during the day. If you get too hot in Abu Dhabi, jump into a bus shelter, they are super air conned!

Thank you for the quick response, very helpful and really looking forward to it now, about to hit the charity shops today to stock up on XL men's shirts to convert to modest tunics for daywear (I am female)!

Hello Pridepark, we have just booked this cruise for some much needed winter sun, fly out on 28th at 22.30 and arrive 9.30am on the 1st March. Never been on Celebration or to this area before so any tips would be welcome from anyone. We plan to take organised trips without independent travel so wondered how much actual cash might we need for a week, given we won't be buying alcohol:) and would US dollars be OK for all the ports? Many thanks