Trulee Scrumptious

Hello - first post on this board, from a little naive river cruiser (never done one before, and only a couple of others under my belt). Last year I had two out of hospital cardiac arrests, CPR both times and now have an internal pacemaker/defibrillator fitted. I am a little cautious of booking another 'ocean' cruise at the moment, even though I know they have medical staff on board. I think I would feel 'safer' first time back on the water on a river cruise, where I could see dry land and be got to it much quicker than from the middle of the ocean, but then it occured to me that I have no idea what medical staff, if any, most of the river cruise lines carry as standard.

Wonder if anyone could enlighten me please? (and thank you for reading so far)

On 10/29/2019 at 2:40 PM, sheriff's wife said:

Your local shoe repair shop or cobbler should be able to apply non slip rubber soles onto your favourite shoes.

I think they cost about £6 a pair.

 

I had them put on to kitten heels and felt quite confident walking etc and on the stairs which can sometimes be

a little slippery.

 

 

 

 

 

Thats a good idea, hadn't thought about that - have a short cruise coming up early next year might try it with one pair and see

As I said, new to P&O and fairly new to cruising too!!!!

Can anybody give me an idea of costs of excursions on Norwegian, Northern Lights cruises please?

many thanks

6 minutes ago, pete14 said:

An excellent choice if you don’t mind the cold. When we went there in winter a few years ago, there were some who didn’t realise it would be cold and didn’t take appropriate clothes and footwear. They spent most of their time inside in the warm when we and many others were outside in order to get the best of the Northern Lights experience.

We were in New York this last March Pete - absolutely freezing - fleeces under jackets and thermal gloves etc., but it was glorious - don't mind the cold as long as its anticipated!!!

22 minutes ago, pete14 said:

We all have to start sometime, you will soon be addicted like the rest of us. When are you planning on going to Norway?

Late October 2021 - without checking cant remember whether its Arcadia or Azura|!!!

10 minutes ago, pete14 said:

It can depend when you are travelling and whether other ships are visiting on the same day. Ships dock in Stavanger and it is a 2 minute stroll into town. Andalsnes can be a tender port, we will be there at the end of this month and as the only ship visiting I am expecting us to tie up alongside. Romsdalsfjord is not a port and your ‘visit’ will be a scenic cruise down the fjord. I have not been to Narvik, I think it is a bit like Andalsnes and dependent on demand (which appears to be quite light) and you will dock in a Tromso (more accurately about 3 miles outside the city). Tendering in Norway is quite easy because the fjords do not have the potential for rough seas like places such as Monte Carlo and Guernsey.

Thanks very much for the info Pete - can you tell I'm new to this!!

Just now, terrierjohn said:

Sorry no, you only become eligible as a past passenger once your first cruise has been completed, and at the time of a new booking.

Thank you - I did wonder if that would be the case, not a deal-breaker by any means but just good to know!

Can anyone tell me if there is somewhere I can go to find a list of tender ports?

Alternatively could anyone confirm if any of the following are tenders:

Stavanger

Andalsnes

Romsdalsfjord

Narvik

Tromso

many thanks in advance.

Little bit cheeky really, but if I have booked, paid deposit, but not balance for my first P&O cruise for next year, would I be entitled to the full 10% discount on the 2021/22 prices as a 'past customer' or not?

thanks, I know you lot know just about everything!

Thank you all, plenty of food for thought there.

Had considered dance shoes, may go down that option - something under 2 inches without a 'stiletto' type heel, Cuban or something similar would probably work.

Otherwise flatter sandals would work with some things, but I'm not that tall so need a bit of height!

Having spent all of my last cruise sliding around on the highly polished decks around the ship (even though I followed all the usual rules for new footwear - sand the bottom to rough it up/spray with hairspray etc.) wondered where you ladies found your evening shoes and how you stop yourself landing in untidy heaps all over the place.

(Almost managed to break my hip I fell so badly at one point)

I take a largish tote that I use on embarkaction/debark days and around the pool.

A Travelon medium cross body bag that is almost theft proof (you'd actually have to be held up at knifepoint and hand it over for someone to get something out of it - double lock zippers and slash proof fabric and strap!!!), that I use day to day and on shore days (am diabetic so need to carry a few bits around with me that most don't!!)

2 or 3 clutch bags (again need insulin/test meter as well as cruise card and lippy, even just for dinner!!) but select them on which ones best go with what I'm taking that particular cruise to keep them to a minimum.

Likewise, only ever take a max of 3 pairs of evening shoes (2 if I can get away with it) - black, silver and either gold or bronze.

As for hubby's glasses - he has pockets for those!!!!!

On 9/29/2019 at 9:44 AM, philsuarez said:

On a two night cruise it may be worth just taking carry on luggage. My only word of caution would be that a two night cruise may not be the best way to introduce him to cruising. These can tend to turn into party cruise with everything pretty full on due to the limited time. We've done many short cruises but vowed not to do two nights again. I would try find a three nighter. That extra night makes a huge difference and allows you to relax. 

Thanks for the word of caution Phil but already booked - will have to go with the flow. The main problem is persuading him that there is enough to keep him occupied during the day on a sea day rather than anything else - sure he thinks I'm lying about the amount of stuff going on and really want him to see a ship for himself

8 hours ago, philsuarez said:

look I know each to his own but seriously you've likely spent a small fortune on a cruise in the first place so why be so tight that you actually want to carry water onboard! Sorry I don't get it!

As stated earlier in the thread, not that bothered about water but as a diabetic a stock of something I KNOW won't spike my blood sugar in the cabin can be a lifesaver, but unless you have a chronic medical condition you probably wouldn't get it!

10 hours ago, Thejuggler said:

No need for any luggage.  Medium rucksack each.

Interested to know how on earth you pack for a formal night in a rucksack?

7 hours ago, AndyMichelle said:

Luggage is not an issue, usually there around the time you get access to your cabin. 

Formal night will more than likely be the second night, so wouldn't worry too much. 

You are very brave putting him on a tender for his first cruise!!! Good luck with that... 😊

Andy 

Think he will cope with the tender fine, and he is looking forward to St Peter Port

7 minutes ago, BrianI said:

My recent experiences on longer cruises is that the luggage arrives within two hours at the most, often within an hour. On a two night cruise, the amount of luggage will be considerably less so it should be quicker. You should not have any problems.

Brian

Cheers Brian - I was thinking the same, but wondered if anyone had experience. Only cruised with Princess myself and they are usually very quick, cabins were ready at 1pm and luggage was waiting for us. Just want him to have the smoothest possible experience to encourage him to book something a bit longer next time.

Pop-up laundry basket - tucks in corner of hanging space and really helps when packing for return - dirty in one case, clean and everything else in the other!

Hi, am new to P&O, and trying to persuade hubby that cruising is a good holiday (I don't need convincing), so have booked a 2 night Guernsey next year on Ventura so he can try it out. 

Trying to organise everything so he gets the 'best' experience he can, but am wondering about what time luggage usually gets to a cabin on these short cruises. I know there is a formal night, and that it can vary on which night it is, but wouldn't want to be stuck without luggage til late if formal is the first night.

Conversly don't want to make him carry a suit carrier and his shoes during embarkation etc., if I don't need to. 

Opinions genuinely wanted please. Thanks

1 minute ago, pete14 said:

As a fellow diabetic, I understand your concern about mixers. However, if you take sugar free mixers and put them in spirits bought and drunk in bars, you may be asked to desist. Sugar free mixers can be bought with spirits but of course, as with all mixers, they are sold at inflated prices. 

Hi Pete - totally understand, can tolerate what they have on board in the bars etc., just like to know what I have in my cabin as a pre-dinner drink, or late night wind down wont spike my BG's unnecessarily.

16 minutes ago, wowzz said:

I'm another one that doesn't understand the need to buy bottled water. The water out of the taps is probably purer than the water from the taps in your house.

Save your money for wine instead!

Please see reply below - bottled water was not my initial main interest, but being diabetic not spiking BG's is!!

1 hour ago, pete14 said:

It a makes me wonder why people who are paying a lot for their cruise holiday are considering inconveniencing themselves by taking water aboard rather than paying around £10 (before Peninsular discount) for 6 large bottles of water, delivered into your cabin. A pint of beer and a glass of wine costs about the same. 

Hi Pete - not bothered about bottled water tbh - but as a diabetic I prefer to have mixers I can drink without spiking BG's which was why I asked the question.

Quick follow up - where/how do you normally pack any soft drinks you take with you?

8 minutes ago, AndyMichelle said:

Yes, you can take unlimited soft drinks on board. 

As for water, they do a package on board of 6 large bottles for about a tenner that your cabin steward will bring to your cabin. 

Not the cheapest, but saves you lugging it around. 

Andy

Thanks Andy

1 minute ago, Harry Peterson said:

None that I know of. We always take a good supply of bottled water to avoid the high cost onboard. 

 

Some, I believe,  even have the stewards/porters take it to the cabin, but I think that's a little unfair. 

Many thanks Harry