Fionboard

Absolutely. Still more or less is the case.

No, you pre book your dining only. Everything else is spontaneous and you can choose to eat elsewhere from the MDR whenever you like. If I want to go to entertainment at 8.30 I just tell my waiters I will not be at the table that night and eat elsewhere. Free to do what I feel like at the time.

My experience is of Iona. Twice as I gave her a second chance to make sure she was not for me. Have not been on Arvia but assume the experience would be the same.

Suppose so, however my one and only time on "Freedom" ( oxymoron!) was on Iona.

Britannia uses the app as well. Ventura, etc. do not. I have walked into the Glass House on Ventura, Arcadia, and Aurora for lunch in the past year, no booking required.

Not being disrespectful at all. I have done 74 cruises with 5 different lines but most with P&O. As I have said before, I travel alone and have had fixed (late) dining on all cruises, except Iona of course. I use the MDR for all meals, never the self service buffet. I do not want to dine alone, so obviously do not use the speciality venues either. Try to understand that successful, sociable cruising solo is far more enjoyable on the smaller ships which you, as a couple and younger, would probably dislike.

Good points. Eventually things may improve on these ships when many traditional cruisers have tried them never to go back again. leaving them to the new cruisers happy to either use the self service venues or book and pay for the special ones.

Spontaneity still available on all ships other than Iona and Arvia. Please try to accept that not all of us are in awe of the style of cruising on these two. So we stick to the other ships which suit us better. More room for you.

That is the whole point. Many do not want to pre organise every aspect of their holiday.

Lucky you. Looking at all these posts, many obviously were not.

Not having to pre book everything. Deciding where or when to eat or which entertainment to attend depending on how you felt at the time. That is the meaning of "spontaneity"!

Working in the restaurants!

Totally agree. Venues too small plus not enough staff.

All pools should be child free IMO. That's why we have adults only ships!

Oh dear, still the same problems I experienced on Iona two years ago! Whatever they do to try and improve things on the two leviathans, I will stick to the "tiddlers" and have a stress free holiday.

Just pray you never dock at QE2 terminal, it is atrocious!

Don't want to see this!

Thanks for your responses. It is a conundrum stopping me from cruising outside Europe at present.

I have been told if a condition is mentioned on medical record it must be declared, even if not definately diagnosed. Will talk to them again.

Thanks. Have spoken to a few. All conditions on medical record, or none has been the answer so far. Will keep trying!

Anyone know of a company who will exclude certain conditions? I have a condition with conflicting test results (i.e. might or might not have it) but if I declare it my premuims quadruple!

Over the past 11 years I have parked my car at Holiday Inn over 50 times using their package. Never had a problem although I do not leave anything "knickable" in it. I like to keep the keys with me.

Reading all these posts about organising dining and entertainment in advance, I am glad I stick to the smaller ships where spontaneity is still possible. Far more relaxing!

Martin Sharples on Arcadia is also seen around the ship often chatting to pax. He makes a point of praising his crew at every opportunity. A really nice chap.

He was involved in everything. Saw him in the pantomime and rollerblading down the quay at one stop. Most sociable captain.