Fionboard

So glad I only cruise on the smaller ships!

Boarding pass has loyalty level on it. Cruise cards are outside cabin door when ready. They do not have loyalty level on.

If you are talking about the embarkation lunch you just turn up. Ask where it is being held when you go to register at your muster station.

Terrible noise on Iona last year. Did not sleep for three nights. Big queues at reception complaining about it. Seems Arvia has the same problem!

Also, don't forget if you are going away for a long spell you may have to inform your home insurer.

Thank you. May try that if I want to do a cruise outside Europe before my next scan (which is not due until January next year!) Meanwhile I have four cruises in Europe booked for this year to keep me going!

I cannot get insurance for worldwide travel due to mild liver damage. Am quoted premiums in the £2000 range! Annual Europe only is about £400! Annoying thing is that I do not know if I have it as two scans showed different results! It is on my record though so have to declare it. Wonder if it is possible to get insurance which excludes certain conditions? I often wonder how many people travel with insurance for which they have not declared conditions. I would not dream of doing this though, too risky!

I must admit that on Iona I found the food to be lower standard than on the small ships. Maybe because of the difference in cruise prices? Iona cruise was a third of what I pay for Aurora and Arcadia! You get what you pay for, it seems.

I find the food on the small ships about the same as it was pre covid. Quite sufficient for me. I only use the dining room so cannot comment on the standard of the buffet. Miss the prawn cocktail and fruit salad though!

It is a fair walk to the beach but all flat.

Valencia. Yellow bus takes you to port gates. From there you can walk to the sea front (very nice) but to city centre it's a long way. Depends on where you want to go.

Why can't they have one dining room with fixed dining like the other ships. It is obviously wanted and would solve some of the problems!

Would rather have a day in Malaga than half a day in Gibraltar.

Just back from Norway and took no currency. Only place you could not use a card was on the bus in Tromso, but I bought my ticket with a card in a shop.

Loyalty tier is on the boarding pass.

Maybe someone can then.

See post 730. I cannot answer as I only do fixed on Britannia.

Poster is asking about Britannia.

Maybe you have not cruised with P&O. They have always had tea and coffee in cabins.

A walking tour of the whole of Iona would tire me out. And I am reasonably mobile! Prefer the smaller ships!

Solo meetings in one of the bars every day on all ships. No tours!

I can only echo the sentiments above. I have been holidaying solo for 20 years. Cruising is the best for solos (have done more than 70) and have found the smaller ships to be the most friendly and sociable. Go for it and you will have no regrets. Happy cruising!

The canning museum is actually very good. Interesting but maybe not to kids.

Read it all. Lovely post. Well said.

Lots to see within walking distance of ship. If you have been there before, I can recommend the Stavanger countryside trip. Very interesting, covers everything and good value. Fjord boat trip not worth it if you are cruising in the fjords anyway!