Technoman2

Looks like Marseille and Palma are the worse 2 ports for bottlenecks. There was a double line in Barcelona outward but it did clear very quickly with lots of shuttle buses. Return at 2pm straight on and no waiting.

Both on Iona and Arvia we docked right next to the port exit and it took a leisurely 20mins to walk to cathedral. Perhaps we were lucky on both occasions.

I think that onboard feedback that both Tiger B and myself presented while we were onboard Arvia gives a balanced view to the current experiences that MB is having at the moment. After the dissapointing experience we had on the December 8th 2 week cruise on Azura around the canaries with the standard of food, poor supply of wine and beer and also the level of sickness onboard we were in 2 minds whether to cancel the Arvia cruise. What tipped the balance there for us what the lovely experience we had on Iona a year last September as we were coming out of covid. I dont think we will be doing anymore Sea cruises this year probably a land based hol in late september or maybe a Danube river cruise taking in Vienna in July. I truly hope that the irritating experiences that MB has endured are going to stop and she can continue to have a better holiday. The ship normally docks walking distance to the town in Cadiz and turn left out of the port and walk about 400yds til you see Burger King on the right across the road and this road will take you to the old town and cathedral. Simples.

I wonder if this is the reason why our Stop at Palma was cancelled . Perhaps operational reasons are not enough buses. I think that stick of yours may come in useful when you get back to the ship MB. This is not what you need when you thought things were improving. If you have not booked anything for La Spezia yet i can recoomend taking the train (every 20 mins apx) to Monterosso and just spending 4 hours there then return to the station and get a taxi back to the ship. Return fare on train is 10 euros 5 euro each way taxi 10 euros each way but agree price. At the station walk past first lot of queues to the machines near the tolilets to get tickets or there is a kiosk just after the first machines where you can buy drinks and tickets. An all day ticket is 18 euros but if you want a relaxing time in a nice place i would with hindsight stay here . It takes about 25 mins to get to Montesorro. By the way toilets at the station are 1 euro. The station is a good 30 min walk from port.

Nelly, you can book your main Dining Room and speciality restaurants 14 days before you travel and in our case even at 6am on that morning we could not book any meal times in the MDRs after 6.15pm and i think the latest you can book in advance is 6.30 . You may get a bit more flexibility if you are prepared to share a table. While we were on the Menu in Olive Grove only changed once and that was on the following Sunday evening so booking in their maybe 3 times is probably enough due to limited choice. Found the service in Zenith to be better than Meridien and yes you do get table cloths. Entertainment can be booked 15 days in advance but things like limelight and 710 i think have to be booked when on the ship. Some have said you can get to book them while waiting to board in the queue using the numbers on your boarding pass as you will not have your room card. All in all we found the food in MDRs to be fine and much better than on Azura in December.

Maybe thats why its called the Clubhouse , you need a big stick to beat your way in before everybody else. I have this image in my head now of the Allo Allos series and the old lady banging on the bedroom floor with her stick calling for edith. Hehe

Good luck getting a seat in The Clubhouse MB after the 710 club. We struggled getting seats after the 8.30 show at 9.20 in the theatre. This was also the case when comedian was on.

So i guess it wasnt Raining Men in the the dome MB lol what a palava. I think the girl with guitar you are talking about is The Busker on board and we found her to be very good but a waste of time in Brodies with all the chat going on. She had to know 200 songs before they would let her perform on the ship. Good job you got your meals booked, we didnt have aproblem getting straight into Zenith for Breakfast at around 8.45 on either port or sea days. Much more civilised than the bun fight Buffet at 10am.

Good news that they have hopefully found you a cabin that is quiet and you are able to get some sleep in MB. On the way back where you are now we had 50 Knot winds on the nose and 5 metre swell but in all honesty the movement was not too bad and not a sick bag in sight. The Crows Nest is a good sanctuary after breakfast and you have direct access to it via the lift from the front of the ship.

Well i guess if you are still short of toilet paper it could be put to some use .Keeping all things crossed for you. I wonder if there are any other P&O ships docking in Palma on Friday or Saturday that you could switch too. It may mean an overnight or 2 stay but lateral thinking may be a possible option?

OMG MB that sounds like you really are going through the ringer. I guess you may end up in disembarking in Italy after all. What a shame. This adds fuel to the fire about so called upgrades.I really hope they can find a solution. Perhaps they should do a silent disco in the clubhouse from midnight.

Might be a good time to visit the Tulip Fields Sue, spectacular. https://www.tulip-garden-tickets.com/?msclkid=c552297a398e12f066a64d1911ff574f&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Amsterdam - Keukenhof - English - Netherlands - Search - All - All - cid1549&utm_term=keukenhof&utm_content=Generic - Exact - English - All

If you are in the Olive Grove by 6-15 MB then dont be surprised if you are there for 2 hours if having 3 courses and coffee. I enjoyed the Tuna Steak first week and the Gyro the second week my wife enjoyed the Carbonara. The room situation is a bummer i truly hope something gets sorted for you.

A couple on our cruise was offered an inside cabin to sleep in and keep the bacony cabin for daytime. Now thats Random! Good luck🙂

Thats great the illusive bag has returned MB , Its 6am my body clock has not adjusted yet and ive got the first lot of washing in lol. When i ate in the Quays a couple of times i tried the Katsu chicken Curry and the Thai green Prawn curry. The Katsu is Breaded Chicken slices over rice with a mild curry sauce on top. It crossed my mind to ask if i coulld mix and match i.e Prawns instead of Chicken and they will do that for you. Just letting you know. We were on Deck 15 and any rooms between 15500 and 15400 had the noise from the dome in the evening BUT luckily lthis only seemed to be an issue upto 11.30pm. Worth taking earplugs and the cabin steward will get you some if you ask him. Well ours did.

Have a great time MB. We disembarked at 10.05 a bit of a queue getting out through customs. Lots of people moaning about not enough trolleys only 15 mins to get cases and get outside. Home now the garden is a forrest and the birds needed feeding. Brought some good weather home.

Captain just been on 50mph winds tomorrow and 5 metre swell so may be a cinema or duvet day looking better saturday. His thought for today is if at first you dont succeed then Skydiving is not for you. Haha

So Cadiz was nice 25c got a map before leaving port which helps photo attached. The easiest way to get to the cathedral and old town is to turn left off ship walk about 400yds and Burger King is across the road. Follow that road and it is the easiest way to get to the cathedral and old town.. Just a heads up on drinks pricing. You are charged an additional 10% on drinks while in spanish ports this also means if your still in port at Dinner time you will be paying 10%extra for your bottles of wine beers. This may also apply to soft drinks but not sure. Thats all folks.

At sea yesterday 25c and smooth sea. I went to reception and they confirmed you could not book any meals in MDRS after 6.30 you just have to join virtual queue when on board. Saw the Headliners Take That tribute band show last night. For me the last 20 mins were the best part of the performance. Not one of their best shows. Good singers but dodgy storyline. Just a heads up particularly for Megabear. Bring cough and cold remedies. Its bern like Freshers week at uni on here with more coughing and sneezing as the two weeks progressed. Sorry if that's a bit negative but both of us have contracted it onboard but it hasnt spoiled our cruise just a niggle. Last port in Cadiz today so if i get chance i will let you know how it goes. Its a port we really like. We then have to days at sea before home on Sunday.

Ok so we got free shuttle bus no charge even for saver fare to Barcelona. Queue in 2 lines but cleared in 5mins like clockwork. From where we got off we turned right and followed marina and beaches to Port olympic which took 40 mins had a capuccino and small draught beer for 9 euro. Two newzealanders paid 27 euro on las ramblas for 2 beers. No prices displayed A nice walk on a nice day but 15000 steps so im cream crackered. Just having another Birra moretti now. Its a hard life

A little celebration gift was left in a gift bag in our room yesterday. 2 gin and tonic and two packs of strawberry popcorn. Nice gesture

Didnt get off in Marseiile yesterday as it was Victory in Europe day bank hol. Places said to be busy, courtesy bus queues ok after 11.30 from what we could see. Nice to be on a less crowded ship to relax. In barcelona today so will get the chargeable courtesy bus as i think too far to walk. Saw the Privateers last night in main theatre. They were good. Here are the main dining room and olive grove menus for last night.

The places marked on map recomended by tourist info guy.

The houses pic was Manarola. Beach etc was Monterosso.