Cheshire Blue

We had the same problem - but it then opened for pre bookings a few days before we cruised last year. Suggest you keep checking the planner. We had three meals in Ocean Grill (on an 18 night cruise) - the first was simply superb; the second extremely poor - hugely disappointing for my wife's birthday ; and the third just about ok. Bit of a mixed bag overall. Not sure why things went downhill (other than it became much more popular as the cruise went on and perhaps they struggled to cope with the numbers). We also had three meals in Sindhu - excellent (and fairly quiet). the only problem with Sindhu is there is a limit of how often I want to eat Pan Asian food, which is why I am still hoping they may add a further speciality restaurant when they do the refurb later this year. Enjoy

Likewise we did an 18 night cruise in November 2023 and had no problems whatsoever. Whilst not quite as good as Aurora, she is much better than the big ships and being "all adult" means no children. I am not against children (I've had three of my own but now prefer to cruise with adults only). No sign of the booze cruise types on any cruise more than 3 or 4 nights so you will be fine. The only issue for us on a longer cruise is the limited speciality restaurants - only 2 plus a pop up glass house on some sea days. We like to eat in the speciality restaurants every other night (MDR on the other nights) so having only the two available for dinner can be limiting. I hope a further restaurant (Beach House or permanent Glass House) will be added in the refurb. She was perhaps looking in need of a minor refit in some places (and pleased to see this is scheduled shortly) but nothing major. We would book again without hesitation Enjoy

Is the infection / hospitalisation related to the norovirus ?

Which port are we talking about ?

It was pretty bad on Arcadia in November.

"I have done over 30 cruises and never caught noro, neither has my husband. We don't spend our time running round with antibac cleaners at home and we have a dog. Maybe our immune systems are just very good". Not quite as many but I had done over 20 cruises with no issues - until the last one on Arcadia. I believe my own immune system and hygiene standards are good but I did notice a number of (older) passengers failing to take any care whatsoever. Simply would not listen to / abide by the rules ! Seem to think they know best ! Sadly I picked up Noro - lasted less than 24 hours - but confined to cabin and the symptoms are extremely unpleasant. I wouldn't wish this on others - so would ask you all to be careful and take whatever precautions you can.

Thanks you all for your guidance as to the dining on the Edge class. Sounds like I will be booking Eden before we sail (as definitely will want to try it) but perhaps hold fire on the other speciality restaurants until we are on board (and perhaps sample the four MDRs first). As regards the MDR on the Eclipse, I suspect you may be underwhelmed. Its OK - but the food gets boring (which is why we tend to alternate between it and a speciality for our evening meals).

Appreciate this - but generally when on board Silhouette and Eclipse we have not had too much difficulty getting reservations when we wanted them. Are there any particular restaurants on the E class ships which are very popular (and so we would be best advised to book in advance pre boarding ?)

We have taken several cruises on Solstice class ships (Silhouette / Eclipse) and our normal modus operandi has been to book a veranda cabin (add AI for drinks / WiFi / tips etc) and then usually purchase a dining package for approx 50% of the dinners. On this basis on a cruise of 14 nights we would aim to eat in the MDR approx 7 times and on 7 occasions (alternate evenings with the MDR) eat in one of the speciality restaurants (Murano / Tuscan grill etc). We book the 7 nights in the speciality restaurants once on board and usually have been ok getting generally what we want. Am now about to book the Apex (Edge class) and so looking for advice as to how to manage the dining. I understand there are several MDRs as well as some speciality restaurants. When and how should I be booking all of these and do I need a package (as above). Any help / advice would be appreciated.

No problem at all with the City of Liverpool being given the honour of being God Parent to Queen Anne (it's my home town, so am biased) but do think they could have got rather better representatives. Most people were underwhelmed by the five (so called) "icons" chosen to represent the city. At least the fireworks were good - and the reception is always good in Liverpool.

Quite right too !

Thanks - weather seems still very warm in the Med at present (but no doubt in three or four weeks it will be like the Arctic !). I'll be prepared for whatever 😀

Perhaps a daft question - but have previously only sailed during the summer season (or in warm climates). This year we will be on Arcadia in the Med in November. 🙃. During the day time (when its warm) - normally I would be wearing Tee Shirts and shorts but assuming climate will be more autumnal than summer - I assume most people wear jumpers and jeans during the day ?

Could someone upload a copy of the wine list for the GlassHouse on Arcadia please (no doubt showing what is in / out of the packages and the prices etc).

Harbour NIghts club is good on Barbados as well. Its not a "night club" - more an evening meal and then dancing (and lots of rum) - great times. Oistins is great atmosphere too - can do that independently by taxi easily (might need to pre book the Harbour Lights club thing). Swimming with the Turtles was great on Barbados (West coast) but assume this can be done in other places in the WI as well

Thanks - that's helpful (to me anyway) as I will be on Arcadia later this year. What is the procedure for booking speciality restaurants on Arcadia ? Is there a mad rush on embarkation (as with Celebrity) ? My wife celebrates a big birthday is 60 on our cruise - so need to ensure we can get reservations at least for that night but we would normally eat in the specialty restaurants many times over the course of a cruise so keen to understand the booking system / tips as to this ! Are the (two) restaurants likely to sell out (i.e. are they full every evening ? or can you get in most nights (even if you don't book immediately on embarkation) ? Perhaps someone on Arcadia now (or recently) could advise as regards this please I appreciate it depends on the actual cruise - but am looking for generalisations as to this (i.e. if they always seem to be full ........) or indeed if they are trying to push people towrads them with "special offers" etc throughout the cruise ?

Now that the new drinks packages are generally operating on most of the fleet - could someone please post a set of full drinks menus for the various venues / bars / lounges - so we can see what is included in each package (and what is still excluded) please. Apologies if this has already been done - please steer me in the right direction. Also anyone now using the drinks packages - any views / issues on the new arrangements ? is the Deluxe package worth the extra over and above the Classic (approx £9 per day) ?

Assuming the new drinks packages are now in force on Arcadia - could someone post a set of drinks menus for the various venues / bars / lounges - so can see what is included in each package (and what is still excluded) please. Also anyone now using the drinks packages - any views / issues ? is the Deluxe package worth the extra (approx £9 per day) ? Thank you

Did it about 9 months ago on the Celebrity Silhouette. Very easy Short trip on shuttle bus (say 15 minutes) from the ship / port to La Rochelle itself Lovely little town / waterfront - well worth the trip

The national rail strikes will have contributed to some of this on Friday - so hopefully not the norm ?

Thanks - that's helpful. Can someone on Arcadia confirm this applies to that ship (or any differences) ?

Just a quick question or two for anyone currently on board : 1 what time are the theatre shows on board ? 2 Also what are the fixed dining times ? Just so we can plan in advance - thank you

Thanks - seems to be available from a few wine merchants for about £30 per bottle. Hoping they have it on Arcadia later this year for me to try

Is the Arcadia fairly full at present ? If so - how easy is it to get reservations in the Speciality Restaurants ? or do you have to book pre boarding ? We tend to prefer them to the MDR at least for a good number of nights

Understand the Arcadia has a pop up Glass House ? If so, could someone on board possibly upload a copy of the wine list - so I can see what' s available (at present). I appreciate things may change when the new packages come into play on the ship next month