Thejuggler

Using "Significant" is weasel wording from P&O. If you want to cancel you are entitled to all your money back as the terms have been changed to what was offered.

 

An official letter of complaint, requesting refund of the full amount with 14 working days may make them see sense.

Towns and cities are easy to DIY. Fjord ports not always so.

 

There are numerous independent operators in Olden as you leave the ship doing trips to the glacier, helicopter trip, rib rides on the fjord, tourist train running to the lake.

 

Flaam railway is OK, but better when done as part of the Norway in a Nutshell Tour. A full day where you see much more and go on a further rail trip from Voss. It may look expensive, but does include an excelent buffet lunch.

Just out of interest are you covered on your car insurance if you leave your car on someones drive. Just that had to re new car insurance and it asks where car is parked overnight and I said garage.

 

Yes you are covered. The question asks where it is 'usually' or 'normally' kept overnight.

April is early.

 

My parents went in early May a few years ago and due to the heavy snow a lot of trips were cancelled or shortened to such an extent they saw very little. I would leave it until June through to early August to get the most out of the area.

You can still buy in the airport shops. All the products are double priced, you will pay the higher of the two.

 

No problem with bottles in a case. Push it into a trouser leg and wrap the trousers round, place in middle of case.

I've viewed the Stavanger webcam today a few times, two MSC ships in. This morning it was very dark, choppy sea and absolutely throwing it down.

 

A few hours later and it looks like you could be on deck sunbathing.

A short haul scheduled flight is a lot more civilised and as there are fewer passengers with less luggage check in is quicker. Security however can still take time.

 

Lomg haul scheduled can be lengthy due to extended security checks.

 

Charter is a different experience. 1500-2000 passengers in terminal 1 or 2 all checking in for flights which leave at similar times.

Check the roads situation.

 

If you are driving there were major roadworks around the terminals, I don't know if this is still the case, but it took me 20 minutes to get from the end of the M56 to terminal 3 car park using a diversion route and this was in March at 7 in the morning.

 

Once inside if the check in areas are busy it can take at least two hours to get from check in to airside. The new auto scanners mean lots more people and hand luggage gets checked which slows everything down.

Copenhagen is very compact. We walked around the whole of the city and saw most of the main sights over a day and that was with a 5 year old in tow.

Very similar to north west Scotland. Four seasons in an hour is quite possible and over a week or two it is probable!

Is currently in Stavanger.

 

Nice day too:

 

http://stream.aftenbladet.no/live/ankerbygget1/playlist.m3u8

I was up on Deck 19 when Azura did its 180 degree turn, and was very surprised when it started to go foward. The person with me joked that the Captain obviously couldn't find reverse gear, and he then came on the tannoy to say the port was saying that the ship could not use the previous mooring arrangements.

The schedule of cruise ship visits to Geiranger shows only Azura on 7th May and I was surprised when it was annouced that we would be using tenders. I thought that the new Sea Walk would be used. Is it not working or is it more expensive to use?

 

IIRC from Celebrity last year when they joked about having a whip round to get the money to pay for it, the Sea Walk cost is a about 10p per ship tonne. So a large cruise ship would be £8,000- 10,000.

If you are on a fare where shuttle buses have to be paid for I suspect Reykjavik will be one port where the charge will be levied as you are able to walk off ship onto a quiet dock area. Celebrity charged last year.

 

If the weather is fine it is a pleasant walk along the front from the far dock to the centre, taking about 30-40 minutes. We walked both ways as it was warm enough for shorts and T shirts.

As you are looking forward to Madeira it is worth a half day tour to see some of the Island, I can recommend a trip to Nuns Valley. Funchal can be seen in the other half.

 

Strawberry Tours are well regarded.

Always take passport and EHIC card ashore. You never know when you will need it. Some Countries need a passport when using a credit card.

I did an Ypres and Paschendale/Tynecot tour with Bruges in the afternoon. Truly thought provoking helped by a guide who was extremely knowledgable and I imagine this year it will be even more worthwhile as the ypres museum was closed for refurbishment.

As for chocolates all the shops sell the same things.

If we were presented with a 1970s TV has been as entertainment we wouldn't be snotty, we'd be disappointed to think P&O must have got to the end of their contacts for entertainers.

 

We had a washed up 1980s 'entertainer' on Celebrity who was obviously desperate for the work if he thought his racist act worked in front of an international audience.

Celebrity Eclipse only has two staircases, but we never had a problem getting a lift.

 

Not having them immediately outside the theatre does reduce problems as once the show finishes passengers have to get from the bow to the Atrium lifts, this gives an opportunity for the crowds to disperse before needing a lift.

 

Freedom dining also means passengers aren't all leaving and arriving in small areas in large numbers.

ATM, but in reality Norway is so expensive it is easier to use a fee free credit/debit card as spending less than £5 on anything is difficult.

Bars, cafes, hotels, and in larger towns Burger King and McDonalds all have free toilets.

If you want mass market spirits go to the supermaket this weekend. Cheap deals everywhere. £11 a bottle in Morrisons, airports won't be cheaper.

The first reply is always a denial. You will need to pursue, moneysavingexpert has a forum with lots of advice and template letters.

Seen it many times, usually children, but some adults. Pack your swimming stuff in your hand luggage.

Yet on Grand Princess the screen was only used sparingly and we really enjoyed it. I suspect the weather makes a difference. We were in northern waters so limited opportunity for passengers to watch it.

 

Movies Under the Stars, the Jubilee Concert was shown live and they put TinTin movie on as we left Oslo. Other than that it wasn't used.

My thought is to Book when you see a deal you are happy with and don't check the price again.