pinkpanther52

I wonder what the phsycological effects on people trapped in inside or ocean view cabins with no access to sunlight or fresh air never mind the trauma of being kept a prisoner in solitary confinement will be. With no proper access to food and drink. 

I certainly know if this happened to me I would need significant counselling afterwards if I was in such a situation.

Horrific situation for all passengers on board. 

Did this on the Epic. 

It was pretty Meh!!

Sugary sweet faux  premixed drinks and not even very cold could have stayed in there for a good half hour in normal clothes!!!.

Still it was an experience and I got it at a discount and had a good laugh when others found it COLD!!! 🤣

G Oooooh I am looking forward to this part of your trip report as I will be reliving my favourite day of my Fjords cruise in May.

That tunnel in Flam is loooong!!! I thought it was never going to end.

It sounds like you are enjoying Norway when you get back I would recommend Flam again to cruise on the “Vision of the Fjords” and stop in the “Pub” and Geiranger and Olden 🙂 And the Lofoten Islands. 

Enjoying your fabulous review Norris and Carol. Your writing style and sense of humour is great. 

Loved you videos of Le Petit Chef 😀 It cheered up a very wet day in Edinburgh.

Looking forward to your pics and review of Flam it’s one of my favourite places.

Did you get the chance to go into the Brew House/Pub?

2 minutes ago, SausPud said:

 

Nice idea, might not be practical every week, but each ship could do a few of these a year and with good planning, it will work.

Baltics and Norway spring to mind for great destinations to do this on.

I would book on one 😀

16 minutes ago, SausPud said:

 

This isn't the only forum, group discussion taken place. But thought you all deserve a voice, opinion on the matter.

 

Hate when I see a 'voted best' on stuff and think, how did they ask?

 

Also, based on your other valued comments, a traditional cruise experience could be the unique thing for Marella.

 

How about a venue that is indoors with huge glass viewing windows, comfortable seating and bar, but when looking through the glass at the sights, an augmented display pops up on the glass and explains what you are looking at with more facts. Now voice announcements, so it's a quiet room, and when no sights to see, can be used for guests to have a drink and chat and socialize in.

Now I DO like the that idea especially if it was a quiet zone.

OK totally radical idea, how about scenic cruising during the day and stay overnight in port.

Excursions offered could be evening walks, night at the theatre etc.

24 minutes ago, SausPud said:

 

The buffet can feature a different world dish service area and change everynight. But this is already done on various of other cruise lines.

 

A world buffet restaurant, now that is a good idea and can be a paid surcharge as well. But as Jimmy Buffet failed at this on the high street, the public doesn't want it, and they were cheap.

Ah but I detest having my meals at the buffet. Part of my holiday is sitting down and being served a nice meal.

And Cosmo do a great world buffet and the are doing pretty well.

Not entirely new I think Virgin may be using this idea but how about “Food of the World”.

By that I mean rather than one main restaurant they have several smaller ones offering food from different parts of the world, Indian, Chinese, Brazilian etc included in the price not as extra pay venue.

And the could tie one in with the area they are sailing in.

39 minutes ago, mnocket said:

It may very well have something to do with American vs European culture and service expectations.  In my experience (and I may be an outlier) I have found very different service paradigms, especially in restaurants and bars, in the US vs Europe.  Your experience is a prefect example.  Service providers in the US tend to respond to a customer issue with a "so sorry, let me see if I can fix that for you" attitude.  In Europe that's less often the case.  In the US the waiter approaches your table and introduces himself "Hello I'm Donny and I'll be serving you today".  In my experience that is not the norm in most of Europe.  There the waiter is not trying to be your friend, is paid a good wage to do a specific job, isn't dependent on tips and does not see himself as "at you service" (i.e. no served/servant relationship).  I know, I know, at tourist oriented destinations European waiters often introduce themselves - but this is for the sake of the American patrons.  

Loving your review but I think the majority of differences you are experiencing are cultural differences.

As Mnocket said waiters in the UK and Europe do Not tend to incessantly hover over you, chat to you or try and become your “friend”. Thankfully this would be classed as extremely rude and poor service. 

Also regarding the Dutch couple THEY would have probably thought it very rude if the had been in the restaurant first and you had sat next to them. They would be there to dine not make friends. Heck I would have found it weird if the whole restaurant was empty and someone sat next to me.

I don’t think a lot is poor service although I agree you have had a few minor issues but in the main you have just been experiencing a different service model. 😀

Fabulous review Shoppie 

What a love Adopted daughter you have. 🙂

Really enjoyed the handstand photos I remember when I was young enough to do those 🙂

Just watched a program on UK TV claiming  that Regents Seven Seas Explorer is the worlds most luxurious cruises ship!!

Agree or disagree??

Welcome to Edinburgh Flossie.

Looks like you are just off shore. Unfortunately the forecast is for heavy rain and localised flooding 😟 but at least the thunderstorms appear to have passed.

Hope you enjoy whatever you are going to do.

And have enjoyed your wonderful review 

Train from South Queensferry

or 

Shanks’s Pony from Leith 😀😀

6 hours ago, majortom10 said:

I have been cruising for over 20yrs and never known a cruise line to provide packaged lunches on excursion. We did do one excursion in Madeira which provided a packed lunch but this was provided by the local tour company who did the excursion and not provided by the cruise line.

Fred Olsen do them for their “Cruise and walk” holidays 🙂

8 hours ago, CaribbeanIsland said:

Not to sound stupid but you are not allowed to take food off of cruise ships, in any country. There are agricultural laws. This is true on every cruise. Just because it is not posted every day in the Princess Patter doesn't mean it is not illegal. There are reasons for this.

Completly untrue I have on several occasions been provided with a packed lunch by the cruise line to take on an excursion. 

Maybe be the difference was the ship provisioned in the UK so both within the European zone.

On 4/6/2019 at 9:28 PM, piemom9397 said:

Might I ask for recommendations for restaurants around the hotel my DH booked - Room2 Southampton? Plus, any thoughts or feedback on the hotel itself? I’ve read reviews and it seems nice, but I’d be curious as to its location, safety, etc. We will be there the night before our cruise departs Sunday, September 1 of this year. 

 

Many thanks!

JB has mentioned the location of the hotel and I really liked the location.

The hotel it’s self is really great. Absolutely loved the big rooms and kitchenette area even though Just staying for one night. 

You can choose your mattress and pillow type before you go and the bed was one of the most cofy I have slept in. 

The late check out is great if you are going on a cruise 

This would definitely be my hotel of choice in Southampton.

16 hours ago, miched said:

How do you know that they weren’t really passengers on the Equinox?  

 

To give people a thrill like you many times we will pretend to run after a ship that is leaving.   Stand there and then walk over to our ships and talk to an employee deliberately pointing toward the ship that left and just talking about nothing and then get on board.   A few times passengers in front and behind us in line boarding ask us about missing the ship and we tell them that X is allowing us to sail with them.   

 

ROLF

If I am ever on a cruise on 1st April I am going to do this 🤣

If you want to se the Fjords the Celebrity Itinerary definitely gives you the best choices in my opinion 

Thanks all Late it is 🙂

Hi all

I am struggling to decide between Early or Late Dinner.

At the moment I have late booked but considering changing to early (if available).

18:00 is on the early side for me but starting to think 20:30 would be too late.

I would normally dine about 19:30.

What experiences have folks had? Are there any advantages to one or the other e.g. On Formal night you could have longer at the masked ball.

I know a lot is personal preference but any input would be great.

Of course if I stick to late I could always go to the buffet for a snack to keep me going 

Many Thanks

Oh And it is a port intensive itinerary to Norway if that makes a  difference.

4 hours ago, newport dave said:

British school kids only finish for summer holidays roughly around 3rd week of July.

Not entirely true, schools in Scotland finish at the end of June 😉

Oops getting ahead of my self though it was only on for an hour 🙄

I am a bit gobsmacked TBH and I am going on the Iona next year which is about the same size 😱 LOL 😆 

Well that was very interesting 🙂