JunoAtSea

We have just returned from our second trip on the Braemar, having also cruised twice on the Balmoral. We have not cruised with P & O, but this time we have met several people who have moved from P&O to Fred. Olsen and much preferred Fred, seemingly for the better food,  atmosphere, pleasant decor and excellent service.

We were on Bequia a week ago, and just took a water taxi to the beach and when we saw the boardwalk we were pleased we had done so. $20 two people return, just us, no waiting for others to fill the boat, picked up at the time we had specified.

Sorry to hear Thomson will not be returning there, we thought it was the best place on the itinerary.

Lots of questions swimming round my newbie head! What is the nature of the Sail Away party please and do people dress up? Is the Captain's speech event in the middle of the week, presumably it won't be on the Sailaway evening? When you leave to come home, are the luggage arrangements the same as for arrival, are your bags transported from your cabin to the airport and you reunite with them there to check them in?

Thank you. Yes, we have been to Barbados before but have not enjoyed the slick Thomsn baggage procedure. Looking forward to not lugging the cases around.

I think that I can cover the casual outfits, but have looked at the M&S site and might have to go in search of one of those long jersey dresses on Monday! Thank you for drawing attention to it.

Thanks for your help. So a capacious sarong would probably be frowned on except in the casual areas and I should be taking proper dresses for lunch as well as smarter ones for evening? Not a problem, I am just glad I asked. I will also take our thin-fabric dressng gown. Forums like this are such a godsend.

Hello, we will be joining the Discovery next Sunday, 26 February.

Apart from cruising on some very small boats in the Indian ocean, this will be our first experience.

One or two queries - we have an inside cabin. Will bathrobes be provided? I gather toiletries are limited to shampoo and shower gel. We are used to holidays in the Maldives where apart from dinner in the evening, it is quite acceptable to have lunch in a (dry) swimsuit covered by a sarong or similar. Will this be OK ? I am wondering how many swimsuits to pack.

I am looking forward to this trip with a certain amount of trepidation, it was a last minute impulse buy!