snaefell

In those pre pandemic days Amsterdam was one destination that was getting serious problems with overcrowding,cruise passengers were seen as filling the streets but not the tills (not many spend in cafes & bars when it is free on board),seems somebody thought it may keep the numbers down,sadly it also added a load of extra buses into the crowded mix.

We had a large part of a P&O cruise itinerary change after we booked a few years ago,that was after a hurricane hit the area so that was quite understandable,Royal Caribbean have altered the itinerary of all three cruises we have booked with them,with nonsensical reasons,so it isn't unknown in the industry. I can't help but feel that in the case of Venice & Amsterdam there was a desire on the part of people in those locations to see the cruise ships berth elsewhere so it wasn't that clear cut. Also can we not expect changes to itineraries right now as the world in general recovers from the pandemic at different rates,we have seen Covid situations change at very short notice a number of times in recent past,I don't think it unreasonable to expect things to be that way for some time yet!

She is a beautiful ship IMO,we found her so light & airy,real quirky artwork. The 270 is a lovely room,yes sitting in the Solarium hot tubs looking out over the bow is lovely,as is going out on the ' wing's & getting a great view down the sides of the ship. We found sitting watching the Flowrider & I-Fly fun but do' t really see the point of the Northstar,looking down on a cruise ship from a great height doesn't t really excited me- we are all different! As for dining,we were on her repo cruise from China to Singapore,after a bad experience in the MDR on the second night of the cruise we ate at the Windjammer,usually outside at the stern where we enjoyed many nights watching electric storms lighting up the Night sky,beautiful,may not be quite so magical in Alaska as it was in the South China Sea though,it was pretty warm there! Thanks for the great photos guys👍👍