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Thejuggler

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Posts posted by Thejuggler

  1. From experience it may be worth waiting until you arrive.

     

    We did just that and chose a cheaper option as the weather was so poor it wasn't worth spending a lot of money to be on a bus seeing nothing but thick fog and heavy rain.  We did go to the peak above the fjord and saw the ship for a few seconds!

  2. If you want to see the Fjords in all their glory,you need to find cruises which stop at ports in them, so check Google maps for locations of each port.  Norway has significantly reduced the number of larger ships which can visit each port, so many 'fjords' cruises are now very coastal port focussed.

     

    Flam, Olden, Gerainger and Skjolden are deep inside fjordland so look for trips which include those.  Bergen and/or Stavanger are expected.  I've been to both and happy with either.

     

    Cruise by doesn't mean much, but its time spent crusing the fjords.

     

    Of your list I'd look at 1 and 3 and it may come down to which ship you prefer.  Trip 2 looks a pretty poor offer.

  3. All P&O will do is source your flights and book them as part of a package.

     

    I'd make the flying part of the holiday and search out cheap flights with layovers and consider premium economy or business class with a less popular airline using a codeshare. 

     

    If you want to fly to one airport and return from another after the cruise you will need an open jaw ticket.

     

    Google flights is a good wesbite to play with, just change ticket from 'return' to 'multi city' to research open jaw fares.

  4. Its a few years since we used Manchester and there have been a lot of changes since our last visit about 6 years ago.

     

    I've have been there three hours before and airside in less than an hour.  I have also been there three hours before the flight and been subject to queues so long we arrived at the gate as boarding started!

    • Like 1
  5. Holiday in March is the Easter break which is 2 or 3 weeks depending on the area and the school.

     

    Some areas have the Easter weekend in the middle of the holiday so will finish on 22nd.  Other areas have first two weeks of April regardless of when Easter falls,so will finish 28th.

     

    In West Yorkshire we have five local Authorities, only one, Leeds finish on the 28th.  All the others finish on 22nd.

  6. Cancel and claim on the current policy.

     

    They will need a doctors certificate advising they are unfit to travel due to investigation into a new medical condition which has arisen since the holiday was booked.

  7. The 0.05% is a similar figure to the "99.9% germs killed" on cleaning products.  You can never promise 0% or 100% so a very small leeway is permitted.

     

    As a Guinness drinker I don't like the Guiness 0.0% because I have a taste for the real stuff.  
     

    However I don't drink much lager so I will happily drink the 0.0% lagers as I have no real idea of what the normal lagers taste like.  I have found some taste 'soapy' and others are like a shandy made with soda water rather than lemonade.

     

    As regards cost I pay £3.20 for a pint of 0% lager at a local sports club, a pint of beer, Guinness is £4 to £5.

     

    You can however keep 0% Gordons gin, its vile!

     

     

    • Like 1
  8. No need in Alicante.  The town and beach is a stroll from the port.

     

    The Round the World yacht race exhibition, which you will pass on the walk, is worth a look, there's also one of the yachts on display outside, but access is limited to a few hours a week.

     

    Castle is worth a visit for amazing views.  Again you can walk to the lift which is off the main coast road parallel to the beach,  be aware the lift doesn't go right to the top, you need to walk through the castle grounds and up plenty of steps to get the best views.

     

    You can walk back into town, takes about half an hour from the top.

    • Thanks 1
  9. Question is a little confusing as it states being in Brussels, but also says it is three hours away.  
     

    Assuming the OP is docking at a port, usually Zeebruge, there are options as of all Belgian cities to visit Brussels would be near the bottom.

     

    Bruges is the usual visit from Zeebruge, but Ghent is also and option (and nicer).

     

    There is also WWI history with Ypres being a centre for museums etc.

     

     

    • Like 1
  10. There's not much in Stornoway town to fill a day, so you need to get out, but there isn't much on Lewis (I stayed for a week a couple of years ago)!

     

    Callanish Standing Stones, Gearannan Blackhouse Village and maybe a Harris Tweed weaver.  Scenery isn't as spectacular as other areas of Scotland, largely flat peat moorland, but some of the beaches are spectacular if the sun is shining.

  11. There are a number of tour companies operating tours from Greenock Port.  A google search will reveal them.

     

    Contact them directly and see if they will quote for a tailor made day out to Falkirk Wheel.  They may also suggest a visit to The Kelpies as that attraction isn't far.


    Journey from Greenock to the wheel is about an hour and the boat trip on the wheel is also an hour.

     

  12. I've enjoyed all our Norway cruises, but they have all included actual fjord cruising deep into the heart of the country.

     

    The ports on that trip are all more or less coastal.  Andalsnes is at the end of a short fjord, which is little more than a coastal inlet.  The town offers very little to do, but it is good to get to see Troll Road and Trollstigen, but both need good weather.

    • Like 1
  13. Similar response to another post.

     

    Premierinns are all very similar.  Plus rooms have fridge, coffee machine and faster wifi.  There are plenty in central London, none will be far from sights.

     

    To get from Heathrow to central London take the Elizabeth line service to a station near your hotel (Tottenham Court Road is central for Westminster/Waterloo) then jump in a black cab which will take you to the front door of the hotel.  Easier than changing trains and lines on the Underground and then still being left with a walk, this can be an issue at larger tube stations which have multiple exits.

     

    A black London taxi to central London is £80+.

    • Thanks 1
  14. 13 hours ago, Harryjacobs said:

    Will you be able to afford to pay the helicopter fee if you need to be airlifted onto the mainland?

    Always have insurance.

     

    However helicopter airlifts from UK waters are generally undertaken by UK Coastguard service for which there is no charge.

    • Like 1
  15. A black cab from the rank outside the terminal will be about £80-90 and take about an hour.

     

    Most popular way is now Elizabeth Line, but rather than navigate tube station interchanges which can involve long walks and escalators I'd get to Tottenham Court Road, exit the station, hail a black cab and they will take you to the hotel front door less than 2 miles away in 10 - 15 minutes. £15 or so.

    • Like 1
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