blumfette

We had a balcony with a metal front for Norway in June. It was completely enclosed and we loved it. You can't see the sea when seated and obviously it's very shaded but we're not people who like to sit in the sun anyway. Not that we had much - it did allow us to go out in the rain without getting wet though :)

I'm another who was disappointed by the menu on the second formal night especially as we really enjoyed the MPW menu. This was on Azura in June.

In June, we had a 09:20 disembarkation. After having breakfast at around 07:30 we had a nice walk around the ship and then relaxed on the promenade deck. At 09:20 we joined the queue in outside the meriden restaurant and were off the ship and collecting our bags within 10 minutes and the coach left at around 09:30. I thought it seemed very organised with groups in different places getting off all morning. Far better than the 3+ hours it took to embark.

If the brochure is the same as your original cabin it sounds like they have upgraded you after they printed the brochure.

I was on Azura at the beginning of June and I thought B&W night was very well observed - I'd say at least 80%, it looked lovely round the ship. Perhaps it depends how much cruisers know - on my first cruise I was just lucky I took a black dress and wore my red one to the first formal as I had no idea!

I guess it might be very dependant on the the type of cruiser a particular cruise attracts. I was on Azura in the middle of June (Fjords) and the number of people dressing in black & white was very low. However, on my first cruise a few years ago to the med I'd say it was in excess of 90%.

oops I guess you live and learn. Although to be fair there was nothing to say any quantities should be written next to the item and with there being a box for number of people in cabin I extrapolated from that that it would be these items for these people. Seemed logical to me at the time :p

I think we made a mistake when ordering room service breakfast as we just ticked the items, said it was for 2 (against number in room or something like that) and ended up with a very small breakfast for one. Maybe it was to put us off - we never did try again :p

I really liked breakfast in the peninsular restaurant. Especially on the last day to avoid the bun fight of the buffet (and the corned beef hash was lovely).

We got the email yesterday and hubby isn't impressed as he's convinced he's going to get norovirus or something to make him sick anyway (it's his first very reluctant cruise). I told him all we need to do is maintain good levels of hygiene and he'll be fine.

I don't think I'll be keeping to the suggestion of only using the loo in our cabin. We're right at the front and my IBS would mean we'd never go pretty much anywhere on the ship.

With a week to go just received another invoice and with it an upgrade from LC to HF. Seen a pic of the balcony and it looks rather nice as we don't do sitting in the sun and it's almost completely enclosed. Anyone had any experience of E118 on Azura?

I've decided to leave hubby on ship an go kayaking in Geiranger. It was the only ship excursion that appealed to me so I'm really looking forward to it. Not long to go now :)

Thanks for the replies. Lots to think about. I think we'll definitely try the hoho bus and funicular in Bergen. Just got to figure out the other two ports now. I'm sure I read somewhere (maybe on here) that in one of the ports there isn't much to do if not going on an excursion but typically I can't remember which one. Maybe Geiranger?

We're going on a Fjords cruise in a few weeks and although we have decided on going to the canning and oil museums in Stavanger we're not sure about the other ports. I've had a look at the ports of call section but it's quite overwhelming so would really appreciate it if anyone had any ideas on what to do in Skjolden, Geiranger & Bergen.

Maybe the funicular at Bergen? Would we need to go to the tourist office to get tickets or get them at the funicular if we go mid-morning?

Thanks in advance

J

I'm not sure how up to date it is but there's a list here:

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/fleet/balc_fac

I'll be on Azura in June and was wondering what people do with their things when they go for a swim. I'll probably be swimming in the morning and it's a fjords cruise so maybe not such an issue but I'd hate for my things to be moved just because I want to swim for more than 15 minutes.

I was also wondering what I should do with my things anyway. I'll be on my own as H doesn't do swimming or sitting out in the sun. Are things generally safe to be left?

I think most policies just state Europe as the destination and then you have the cruise add on for a couple of extra quid. At least this is what I did a couple of years ago.

My parents were upgraded months ago for their upcoming cruise next month to a worse cabin (they really didn't want fixed single beds). They rang p&o and got put onto a wait list. They were really happy to get a large unobstructed view in the end (had booked partially obstructed I think).

I'm hoping they look for special occasions when deciding on upgrades - I'll be cruising for my 40th next year so have my fingers crossed the fairy will visit me.

Check you details when you login under your husbands name. I had to do that as I couldn't get on using my own and it turned out my date of birth was wrong.