paulatsea

Last year I had 2 episodes of chest infections - needed 2 courses of antibiotics for the first and another one for the second. Very unusual for me. x-ray showed infection in first case but all clear after antibiotics. Took ages to shift. Both cases were after Marella cruises with loads of people coughing - fly cruises. Doctor said there were some very nasty infections going around last year. Tested negative for C both times. Hope things improve - best of luck.

Wondercruise23 - how did the cruise go ? Did you enjoy it ?

Thanks Pink15 - enjoy !

You are right - it’s pathetic - but I am addicted ! At least I stopped smoking cigarettes. Well done for kicking it.

Decided - I’m not going anywhere that bans vaping/e-cigs - I use IQOS heated tobacco which is also banned - so sod em all !

Bizarre rule - same for Thailand I think.

I need to know this as well ! Did you find out ?

Agent today said April

Hi - looking at doing this cruise in Jan 2026. Can anyone let me know - was it good ? !! ? Also - this was an adults only cruise ? The 2025 ones say adults only - which is ideal for us. I looked at visa requirements quickly and it said none required for Singapore Thailand Vietnam Malaysia ? Is that correct ? Seen SG card mentioned above ? Also looks like no vaccinations required but tetanus diphtheria up to date is good to have ? I would be very grateful for any feedback as this cruise looks fantastic. agent I chatted with said 2026 Marella cruises come on sale April ish.

Thanks Selbourne - really good blog.

The table in the library was there when I went on Aurora last December 2023. Next to the main desk. Lots of books left there to share.

Absolutely - we have a common love of the sea and cruising - whoever we are.

They still do their own entrance exams as school exam results don’t mean much anymore.

Reverse snobbery. Snooty graduates ? Please.

Because they are (were) the top universities - proven track record. Obviously makes a difference in an interview as they are (were) the hardest to get into. Absurd to object to anyone from anywhere wanted to arrange a meet up with anyone they want to. Freemasony has nothing to do with anything in this context. Simply people with common interests.

The open top hop on / hop off bus trips in Madeira are excellent - the regular red bus or yellow bus ones. Last time in Madeira we decided to go out on our own and right outside the ship was a yellow open top bus waiting with P&O signs next to it. We just got on and you could pay using onboard credit. It was just the regular yellow bus but boarding at the port was just for our ship - and it came back to the ship. It wasn’t a booked excursion. thanks for updates Selbourne.

Use the luggage as large double trays for the buffet.

Thanks - In case you didn’t know Selbourne there is an option box on the WiFi login page(and the main myholiday page) to “remember me” so you don’t have to keep entering all the details. I saved both these pages to my Home Screen and then you can just open them and press enter. Details are already set.

Are you on a WiFi package Selbourne ? If so which option ? Starlink went live on Aurora at the end of our last cruise and I tried the “ultimate” for a few days and it was very fast - as good as at home - but I didn’t try “standard” on Starlink - which I expect is easily good enough ? thanks

Also hopefully some sunshine and drinks will help you feel a bit more cheerful re the things going on at home. Hope it works out for you - let us know !

Go ! You might be able to upgrade to a balcony again on board if there is a no show perhaps ? - even at a cost it would be worth it ? I expect you would be first in line given the circumstances ? if it was us we would be very disappointed not to have a balcony like we usually do - but for free we would go anyway and and make the best of it.

When we went on Aurora on the December 1st canaries cruise (dec 23 last) they let everyone in almost straight away to check in and we just sat inside waiting for our turn to board - like the old days ! So no queuing outside. Priority boarded first and then by a combination of arrival time/peninsula status and not necessarily what was on the boarding pass ! It worked very well. Good luck - thanks for sharing your adventure with us.

Yes - and they are both adult only ships

Not a problem for you - but it is for me. If you like children on cruises then family ships are for you - and there are several. This is about replacement of adult only ships.

Sounds good to me. I would be on it.