TigerB

Sindhu restaurant and bar are 'evening casual' on a formal night, although some still like to dress up for them.

Exactly eight decks below you, using the midship lifts. I'm thinking about asking that, if the ship isn't in port, to change the designated deck for the star button in the lift; instead of going to the gangway deck it will go to deck 4, the party deck, and right near out cabin.😉

Ah, see what you did there!😉

We've been home just over an hour, after picking up Her Highness; we've just had a brew. After the nightmare disembarkation from Arvia in April, this was a breeze. We were allocated 10:15 for assisted disembarkation, and told to meet in the Limelight Club. I called reception to change that, saying that our lass can manage in her power chair and she didn't need full assistance to get off. We were then given 08:45, with the muster point being the Club House. We vacated our cabin and were down for breakfast in the Pearl at 07:30. Getting a lift from 15 to 6 was a right pain in the proverbial, with self-disembarkers claiming all the lifts and not giving two figs about the wheelchair users or infirm. You certainly know you are eating a disembarkation breakfast when you only get one pineapple chunk in you fruit salad, and the grapefruit juice is so watered down, it would probably taste better by drinking from the tap. There was no way our lass was going to attempt to go up two decks to the Club House to check-in, and try to get back to the gangways near the atrium on deck 6. I went alone and just as I entered at 08:28 the guy announced that those with a time between 08:30 & 08:45 could now disembarked. We walked/bouled off the ship, using the ramp in the terminal, rather than the lift. Good choice as we entered the baggage hall very close to our cases; I found them straightaway. So, whereas in April it took us at about thirty minutes or more from stepping into the baggage hall to getting outside, this time it was barely ten. Once outside, I left the boss at the far end of the drop-off area, and took the two cases to the car (in (Triangle). I returned on foot for her and the smaller items, and back again to the car. We were driving off at 08:58. What an absolute breeze!🙂 So, I've finished my brew and I'm now going to have five minutes.😴 After all that rich roof this week, I'm looking forward to my go-to comfort tea of chips and dippy eggs.😋 I'll catch up with you all soon, and will fill in the blanks over the next couple of days.👋

I seem to recall, when I booked the outside cabin on Arvia for September 2024, being told that one of those four cabins has a pole in it.🤭

You know it! Don't forget your pineapple magnet, Michelle! 🫢

Folks, there's just enough for just one more post before I lose my data altogether. It's a corker! So, for all you ladies, and some of you guys, here is a little treat to keep you going until I get home on Saturday and start posting again... That's the clean version; the full version, where I am stripped down to my thong and oiled up, is on Redtube. Search for SexySexyTiger, but perhaps not on a work computer.🫢

Folks, I am having problems with t'internet so haven't been able to post the information about getting from the port to Haugesund town centre; nor have I been able to upload all the information about the Norwegian tasting menu. I'm going to lose data soon, and will not have it tomorrow (sea day). If you can stand to wait a little longer I will upload them at the weekend, once we are home. Thanks for your patience.🙂 @purplesea I take it you are not travelling this Saturday; can you wait a little longer?

See my next post...

710 Club This remains a challenge for many to get in and, with the exception of several of the 00:15 shows, all shows are fully booked by the early evening of embarkation day. Consequently, folk who wanted to go but couldn't because each show was showing as fully booked on the app, would probably resign themselves to thinking that is a lost cause. Don't! On the first night we attended, last Sunday, the host allowed seven couples as walk-ins. I went to see them on Wednesday, alone; it's not our lass's bag. I spoke briefly with the host. I asked how many no-shows they get for each performance. She said it was fifteen to twenty, which, on the basis that the venue can safely accommodate up to sixty or so audience members, equates to between 25% and 33% non-attendance. She suggested that some guests may book so much that they simply forget. I told her I wasn't having that, and she doesn't have to make excuses for their selfishness. I told her about my suggestion that I had floated on here before, a £5 booking fee that is lost by non-attendees, and refunded to those that turn up. She had thought the same herself, and agreed, saying it was a workable solution that could be implemented. She did say though that there were always sufficient walk-ins to cancel out the non-attendees. I was sat near her station, and she had a good system. She would assign a number to walk-ins according to their times of arrival, and told them to wait outside, but nearby. At five minutes before the set started, she would call in the walk-ins by number order. It appeared to work well. She let in about sixteen walk-ins. The experience... The current band consists of: Sebastian - pianist, lead vocalist, and MD Adam - guitar Ellis - bass Ryan - drums. The arrangements suit the talents of each of the band members. Some of the arrangements result in a jazz/funk feel, which I am fine with, but the missus isn't. Last night's set was On The Rocks; their interpretations of classic rock songs. At the 22:30 set they played: Eagles - Hotel California Led Zeppelin - Rock and Roll Queen - Another One Bites The Dust Boston - More Than A Feeling Radiohead - Creep Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child Of Mine Prince - Purple Rain I don't think they stick to a rigid set list; Sebastian did ask for requests. They are all good musicians and singers, and gel well together. As I have said, their interpretations of songs, because of the way they play, does have a slight jazz/funk feel, which may not be to everyone's taste; definitely not our lass's. I don't particularly like jazz, but I liked the way they played. If I had one criticism, it would be that Sebastian's mic needed to be higher on a couple of songs. So, if you fancy it, but can't get a reservation, don't be too disappointed; if you get to the venue when the doors open, and don't mind waiting outside a little while you'll likely get in; you almost certainly will if you are in the first dozen to do that. When I left the venue at 23:15 I was greeted by this sight in the atrium... VID_20230614_231315433~2.mp4 The silent disco is really popular on this ship, and was on Arvia. Our adult children and their partners did it on Britannia last September. On our next cruise, if I have several shandies beforehand, I will have a go myself. 🎤🕺

No, working on it this afternoon to post later

As it happens, there are local shuttles provided, as you say. They are wheelchair accessible but, from what I could make out, would only accommodate one large wheelchair or two slim ones. We didn't use it, but I enquired about the cost. NOK70 / £5.20 return.

Just got back to the ship; I'll do a longer post later, with photos, that should assist you.

Thanks for the replies, folks; that is useful information. We're going to give it a go, she has a power chair; I'll take the spare battery.

Morning folks from Haugesund; it's 15°C at the moment with clear skies; in his announcement earlier, the DC said it would get warmer. He mentioned how lucky we were and that in the seven weeks he has been doing the Fjord cruises this season, this one has had the best weather. Our wet weather gear has remained hung up, and when we've been ashore we've worn nothing more than a t-shirt or shirt. Well, not just that; knickers, trousers and shoes too, for our lass anyway!🫢 Breakfast in the Aqua this morning was a bit of a mixed bag, service-wise. The young assistant waiter was full of beans, and couldn't be more attentive. The older waiter though appeared to have a CBA attitude; one of those that is all smiles and platitudes for his regulars, but can't be doing with interlopers. I suppose on a ship this big, you are going to get one or two like that. We're back in the cabin just chilling; our lass is still feeling a little out of sorts, so we're not in a rush to go anywhere. Our original plan was to have a bimble in the town this morning and take our tour this afternoon but, having cancelled that tour, we may just go into town after lunch. The DC says it is about a twenty-five minute walk in the main part of town; no mention of gradients. There are no shuttles provided by P&O, not even for those needing assistance. I'll report back on whether that is okay, or if they've dropped the ball on that one. We are just having a brew and enjoying the fresh air coming through the balcony doors, and the total silence on our side of the ship; there is nobody on the promenade deck or on their balconies, due to this...

Thank you for that, I think you may have got the wrong end of the stick. It was the mother of the best friend of my wife, not my daughter. Perhaps, when I write 'our lass' you thought I was referring to my daughter. No, around our way that term is used to refer to someone's wife, girlfriend, fiancée etc.😀

That baclava selection does look nice; our lass loves it, so one for the future.

Well done, fella. A ⭐ for you. I am surprised to still have a signal, but am going to the 710 Club just now; here is just one more for tonight... Pattyslapper

Last post of the evening as about to lose signal. We are now in the open sea, and guess who we had just past port side to port side... Sorry for the quality of the photo; my phone camera is pants. Night all

Here's one to be going on with... Nithered I'll leave you to mull on that one overnight 😀

@Selbourne Just a quick post to say that, so far, the tasting menu is living up to expectations. You can expect my homework to be handed in tomorrow!😀

I'm pretty sure it is now £2. #Carnivalsqueezingcustomers

Oh, you know I will.😀

Olive Grove... I've mentioned previously that we had a poor experience in Olive Grove on Arvia in January. Many folk have said that the one on Iona is different altogether. Yes, it is! We were back on board just after midday, and with us having the Norwegian tasting menu tonight, which I don't expect to be too heavy, I suggested we go to Olive Grove for lunch. I know that our lass was keen to try the beef ragu lasagne, and I wanted to try the tuna dish; both of those were on the menu that we missed on Arvia in January, and again in April. It was a walk-in and we were seated immediately; there were plenty of free tables. What struck me was how light and airy the restaurant seemed. To the best of my recollection, the one on Arvia has darker colour tones, with more subdued lighting. I could be wrong though; I've slept since then. The tables and chairs near to the windows were of a different design, tiled topped tables and what looked like wrought iron seat backs with cushions. That area had a courtyard feel, which I guess the designer was going for. Apart from the end two tables with seated four each, the two rows of tables in the middle of that area were all two-seaters. It would have been nice to have sat there, but the ones that were easily accessible for a wheelchair were occupied. Service was quick and our waiter was very customer focused. My preferred drink wasn't available on the drinks menu. I said to him that I'll pop to Sindhu and get my own as they don't have it. "What is it, sir"? "Punk IPA". "Don't worry sir, I'll go and get it". Back on Arvia, when in the 6th Street Diner I was told that they only serve what is on the drinks menu; so I popped to the nearby Anderson's bar for mine. Again on Arvia, when we were in Beach House, the drinks were supplied by the Crystal Bar. I knew they didn't serve Punk IPA in there, but they did in the Laguna bar, not fifty feet away. I said to my waiter that they don't sell my preferred drink in the Crystal Bar, but they do in the Laguna bar; he didn't take the hint!🙄 So, hats off to Calvin for going the extra mile. 👍 Anyway, the fudd... We both shared this starter... The missus... She said that was the best lasagne she has ever had. I knew though that she wasn't including my tuna lasagne. Me... That was beautiful. The missus... Two Pud Tiger strikes again... The tiramisu was really nice, but the crème brulée was absolutely fantastic. No doubt much better than the one ICF was disappointed with when he visited Rick Stein's place. So, from both of us, a big 👍👍 for this version of Olive Grove.

Typical! You find a premium campsite with a fantastic view of the fjord, then some inconsiderate t#@t parks a great big boat next to you!🙄