bobstheboy

Our boiler is nearly 20 years old and serviced yearly by British Gas. Engineers have been excellent and honest and no hint of trying to condemn it, fitting new parts as necessary.

Having cruised to the Canaries on Iona last month, I agree with almost every comment, especially regarding food in the MDR. I have two more booked, Arvia to the Med in September and Iona in Jan 25 to the Caribbean, booked because we wanted to visit the Caribbean without flying. If the Arvia MDR is similar it will be goodbye to P&O.

No comment.

I am an unapologetic Royalist, so will watch history unfold on the tv.

We were in Lisbon 10 days ago. Took the shuttle from the ship, took nearly 30 minutes going around in a three quarter circle before we alighted. Walked through the city towards the river, looked to our right and there was the ship about 15 minutes walk away. Moral of the story, don't both with the shuttle, off the ship, turn left and a casual walk.

Our NHS is very good, however, I am getting more annoyed with our GP's. I've had a cold which caused an infection on my chest, and an annoying night cough. I phoned the surgery first thing, gave my particulars and was told these ailments are dealt with by the local pharmacist and said they would refer me and they would phone. They did and prescribed antibiotics without seeing me. I am 76 and would have thought a doctor would have checked me out.

Just returned from Iona. My wife took Dr Beckmann leaves, bought in Home bargains. Very good.

Sorry, I forgot to take my phone, no Prawn cocktail, but salmon steak and pan fried chicken was but not listed as always on !

You assume correctly I am sorry to say. I will photograph tonight's menu and post tomorrow.

I have had a meeting with a member of the Hotel Managers team. I showed him a copy of the menus given as an example on the current P&O site, showing the always on items. He was not amused and agreed it was false advertising and raising people's expectations. He photographed the menus and assured me it would be passed through management to shoreside. The bad news is the current menus are permanent and the only item repeated daily will be sirloin steak. This applies across the P&O fleet.

Worked for us Graham

I booked whilst waiting to board in Southampton. Top tip the number under the barcode on your boarding form is your onboard customer ID and can b.e used to log in and book before you board

An excellent meal in the Olive Grove last night, small supplement for some items but most are included. The resident group in the Club House are very good, different era each night. The times are 2000, 2130 and 2300, with each set lasting about 50 minutes.

Both. I don't want to be negative but it's how I see it. Very little seafood of any type and although we have found something to eat every day, it is underwhelming. Others may disagree, each to their own. An example in Horizon is curry, always a P&O standard and with poppadoms, chutney etc. Yesterday it was a try of rice and a dish of curry, looking very plain and uninviting. Tasted okay but not what used to be served.

Good luck Jane, I have never met anyone who regretted giving up smoking.

We are onboard and the MDR menu has deteriorated in 12 months. Best meal by far was Beachhouse last night, fillet with prawns was excellent, but you pay for it..Service is slow, not enough staff.

Quick post from sunny Funchal, with a threat of rain over the hills. A pleasant 20c so a little warmer than the UK. Very heavy seas for two days with gusts up to 70 knots,. but hopefully a better few days to come. First thoughts, as always I love cruising and Iona is a lovely ship, but I have noticed how things have changed in the past 12 months. Menu in MDR doesn't have the choice it used to have. They stopped the "always on" items such as Prawn cocktail and Salmon steak. I know the always on list was stopped about three years ago but some items were included daily in the main list, most have now gone, apart from the steak. The service time is unpredictable, on average 2 hours. The staff, as always, are great but stretched to breaking point. Drinks service in bars has been good, lots of moans about the drinks package, with newcomers buying it not realising the silly restrictions. Entertainment okay considering the late changes because of rough seas. Dining in Olive Grove and Beach House this week so will comment later but the Limelight menu hasn't changed since Iona was launched and is boring, IMO. We have Arvia booked in September so will see how that compares, any further detrimental changes will probably mean goodbye P&O after 25 years, I hope not.

Thanks to all for your good wishes. I won't do a full blown review when I return but will comment on my essentials that make a cruise for us, service, food and entertainment. I always find the staff respond to your attitude to them and have met many lovely people and very few we haven't taken to. Pleased to say weather has changed, no rain and wind dropped.

Good morning, well not so good weather wise here in Southampton. Iona arrived early at 2300 last night to beat the high winds. Currently, 0945, blowing a gale, but forecast to subside around midday. Good nights stay in Grand Harbour Leonardo, I would recommend it but watch the price, it varies enormously. Looking forward to boarding Iona again and hope for some warm weather in the Canaries.

So sorry Graham, you are obviously very close to Sarah. You always have a kind word for others when there are family problems, so I hope the words of this community help you and Pauline.

My wife loves Hi Ho Silver Lining being a Sheffield Wednesday fan !

Thank you. Hope things improve with your Mum.

Lovely photos Graham. Will be there next Wednesday, lovely town to stroll around. Done the tourist must does in the past, so a nice chill walk.

What time was this ? Thanks

Mixed reviews on current Arvia cruise. Just read comments post on another social media site full of praise, so I will do as I always do and board with an open mind, as I will on Iona when I board on Saturday, I need some warm weather !