Photo Andy

We went to Haugesund Thursday 12 My 2022. We visited Aakrafjord to see the Lang Fossen waterfall (610m high). Sailing on P and O Iona with a bow cabin (photo attached), and photo of Lang Fossen waterfall on an open boat with a rain storm (yes I know good clothes negate bad weather - Gore-Tex head to toes). Of interest the image looked black and white in the camera but post production brought out the colours. Would recommend this visit if you are a photographer or just interested in seeing raw nature.

This was in the Sunday Times (UK) yesterday and eventually the person cancelled the holiday and Cunard returned the deposit.

Thank you for this topic. Made me laugh, even the slouch wear? Strange considering Cunard sell Hoodies on board, have all three Queens Hoodies they keep me warm in the house in winter, pleased people on this site have a sense of humour. We have just come through a Global pandemic, UK has soaring inflation of food and energy costs so anything for a chuckle is good. We embark on QV sailing to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge and are choosing our shore excursions, looking forward to cruising since last cruise in Dec 2019. Happy safe cruising to everyone.

Sailing on Queen Victoria short break to these places (Rotterdam and Zeebrugge). Taking my camera gear DSLR and 24-70 and 70 -200. Will take my tripod for the battlefields but not sure about Amsterdam. Questions. Amsterdam - carry a tripod or a table top tripod or even a Platypod plate? Any views? Amsterdam - notable things to photograph or rather your recommendation if previously been. Amsterdam - planning on visiting the Van Gogh museum and or Rijksmuseum appreciate cannot use a tripod but may it be stored as you walk around and wear a photo backpacks - ok ? If this is the wrong forum to ask please do not attack but I will move my questions to another forum.

People have discussed Covid so will not enter that discussion but NY and UK in winter may have snow / ice and bad travelling weather. The UK is lousy in dealing with snow so be aware, personally I have a 4x4 car with snow tyres so I am ok, (I had to get to work regardless of the weather). I have been in NYC, Cardiff and London in January with snow (no 4x4 car) and not fun as I was working and conferencing. January in UK is quiet post Christmas and New Year celebrations, most people just hunkering down waiting for spring. Good time of year to be out walking and getting fit for the spring and summer. Personally I would go for May - warmer, lighter nights, spring has sprung and just a better feeling.

Will you be able to obtain travel medical insurance post your surgery. 2016 I have closed heart surgery (an ablation for an cardiac arrhythmia) cardiologist was happy for me to travel but travel insurer stated NO NO. I recuperated at home in UK and had days away and a few days in a hotel. The travel insurer accepted me for insurance after 6 month and we flew to Florida. My wife and I sailed on QM2 in 2009 and the ship lurched throwing her out of the bathroom falling onto her nose. Medical centre were happy to see her outside of surgery hours but the cost 13 years ago was £70 approx. (Quick check of nose, and blood pressure). UK people with the NHS do not realise how costly private health care is so be careful.

Host Sharon I am logged into the P and O board and cannot leave- keep pressing the ‘sign out’ button many times, even switched off phone for 3 hours and still logged in. Tried to find a help button but no luck, can you help or pass my message on. If it is any help it is only on my IPhone, can log in and out on my laptop. People do not respond unless you can make helpful suggestions. Thanks.

Sarah sorry did not notice, only weight trained.

Thanks to people for responses. I would update my original post as I was on Iona last week sailing to the Norwegian fjords, visited the gym and trained. I will give a description of the weights area though did look at the bikes and running machines but considering how many flights of stairs and steps you walk on the promenade decks doing aerobic exercise in the gym seemed superfluous, decided just to do my aerobics (walking and stair climbing) outside on deck. The gym is on deck 5 and is massive, all on one level, with 5 areas, an aerobic machines area, weight machines area, free weights area with Olympic bars and Dumbbells, a stretching / Swiss ball area and finally an area sectioned off with a hardwood floor and spinning bikes, ballet or yoga? Each area described. An aerobic area with rowers, bikes and treadmills, - plenty to use. An area with spinning bikes, yoga studio(?), ballet practice / training, fitness classes etc. An area for using Swiss balls, stretching etc. The weight machines area, with many machines to cover all muscle groups. The free weights area, incline bench (incline bench press), flat bench (bench press and close grip bench press and an EZ curl seat, 3 flat benches that are adjustable from horizontal to 80 degrees, 2 straight bars, 1 EZ curl bar, maybe not enough light weights (1-10 kgs), plenty of 20 kgs but the people training were not power lifters so lighter weights would be more useful, though they were Olympic weights design. Dumbbell area with dumbbells from 1 kg to 30 kg so plenty of choice for training unless you are powerlifting but did not see any of those on board. If I was on a longer cruise would have used it more and if weather on deck had been awful would have used the aerobic machines. Recommend this gym.

Would be grateful to know about the gym equipment - machines, free weights, dumbbells, bikes etc. Embarking on Saturday and sailing to Norway, yippee! Many thanks.