Megabear2

I believe neither Arvia or Iona has ever tendered and aren't intending to. Pretty obvious it wouldn't work. Not sure what would happen with a port change in the Caribbean for Arvia, assume it would have to be another relaxing day at sea. I may be wrong but I can't recall any of the big RCI ships tendering either, basically impossible I'd guess.

Sounds like Malta is Marmite then! Only went once in 1983 so no idea personally. Had hoped maybe a cruise calling there one day, who knows!

You have a fellow CC member on Board Interestedcruisefan. ICF is running a blog in another thread. Would be great if you could post in there so we can see your two differing experiences - he's fully app booked and not queuing etc so would be great to hear how you're doing too. Glad you got the cabin sorted. I assume you aren't sailing full.

Left here 9.45 this morning, used from exit. To get to exit for bus this queue mixed in with one coming from.midships. lots of sniping from fellow passengers about queue jumping! Couldn't find the sign for the bus but shuttle queue was huge. Had a vague recollection of a free port bus from last July on Princess and followed the passengers from MSC ship to see. Low and behold 5 mins walk a bus stop, small queue. No idea if it was for all but no one questioned me. Coming back as rain was starting, saw queue and thought here we go again. However after 15 minutes noticed an officer appear shouting anyone want to come for the boat so I followed him and the crowd. Much more civilised. Pictures taken at 10.05, one queue doubled back along most of the ship.

You mean specialist restaurants? If so not at this time (that's the Keep & Cow manager saying that).

Spoke to a lady on here this morning who recently went to Malta. She told me it was filthy with dog mess everywhere and she hated it. I've not been to Malta since the days of their Libyan tie up but I can confidently inform readers Arvia is most definitely clean with not a sniff of dog mess.

I have similar. I called P&O and obtained the disability form. As it didn't have specific hidden disability questions when I emailed it back I wrote a full explanation of my symptoms. 48 hours later I was emailed confirmation of when to arrive and where to go. I was treated very well, given a seat and had no problems at all. It was a very quick and pleasant experience. Incidentally I did arrive early and could have jumped the queue as they were happy to allow me to. I chose not to and used my 30 minutes waiting to log into the app and book the remainder of my entertainment and dining.

Ask ICF, you never know he might spot someone on Arvia while eating his deserts

Everything is going up though to be fair. Bar man told me yesterday between 5% and 10% on everything from next week.

Rather than use up ICF's live thread with this I'll reply on the defunct Arvia one later. Hope that's okay.

I assume today is a port day? I can see the attraction of outside if you're not moving. On here we could not have eaten outside on several days before yesterday for biting wind and driving rain. If the weather improves I'm sure more will do and will relieve the pressure on everywhere else. Our last seaday I ended up at lunchtime in Sindhu with two couples who brought their fish and chips in because the staff took pity on us for lack of seats! Looks beautiful scenery and your food nicely presented. Have a great day.

I've never queues with Cunard from my very first cruise apart from when I had my.mother with me in her wheelchair. My longest Cunard boarding was in Hong Kong which was a nightmare of 2 hours. In fairness I have taken very few P&O ex UK sailings but I've never had a long wait at any time.

From what I observed if you were.on time you went straight into the queue to go into the building. I've no idea why they have adopted this system.for the smaller ships but there simply wouldn't be enough room inside to stack up all the early arrivals for Arvia and Iona. One thing I did hear from my assistance man was that their company has less staff now and he has to work longer hours. It was also noticeable inside that there were far fewer "guiders" than previously. I do appreciate I'm lucky to have a relatively simple journey but there really isn't going to be anywhere to put several thousand people inside if they're early. All I can say is I agree with ICF and others that the experience was not bad. It wasn't as quick as my Cunard one the week before but I enjoy Diamond priority with them in much the same way as others here do with P&O. If anything I'd say the people who may have problems with the new P&O system are the middle boarders and coach arrivals. Early and late seem.relatively okay.

The entertainment here on Arvia has in my opinion been outstanding. I haven't seen anything even remotely not very good. The main theatre has to date offered excellent music including an international music star and West end musicians, a comedian, a juggler/comedian who dod very well on Britain's Got Talent and one very clever electronic show with the Headliners. I couldn't fault any of that and am looking forward to more of the same in the coming week. I've not heard one bad word about any act who have appeared in any venue which is a far cry from in the past.

The other thread is no more, hasn't been for several days and won't be reopening exactly because I have no desire for anyone to worry or cancel cruises based on my experience. I'd be very grateful and ask politely if you could kindly drop it now. I booked my trip based almost entirely on ICF's enthusiastic reports from his Arvia cruise as I enjoyed hearing about it. I'm wanting to hear his experience this time too without digs at me. Thanks.

I think the pictures cause panic when you look at them but actually it's nothing to worry about. Our queues looked similar on 14th but everything ran very smoothly. A lot of the problem when looking at them is until you've actually experienced it you may think it's horrendous. Personally I thought it was well managed. I particularly liked the two sections to board which led, as you say, direct to your muster check in. The ship sailed on time which to me indicates no problems.

See you have something in common after all - ICF spent his on food too!

2 hour delays and massive queue. We were getting worried you'd missed the ship!

We're filling time while ICF is in the queue on-board Iona! It's the anticipation that makes the thrill.

We have Marseilles tomorrow. Current forecast 25 degrees with thunderstorms with Barcelona the day after. We will probably get wet again!

That sounds pretty dire, this is clearly a bad couple of weeks for a few ships. Sorry you lost your favourite port, that's always very disappointing. Understand this bad weather in the Med may hang around a while as well. We were very lucky today, brilliant sunshine but yesterday was dire and this ship ain't a good place for 6,000 people when they can't get out the door. On the good side everyone so far seems very well. No sighs of anyone coughing or sneezing either so the aircon kennel cough hasn't got anyone yet.

Maybe they forgot to pay the bill ... I can confirm Brodies on here overflowing with football fans yesterday and today. Bit quieter than yesterday but still packed when i passed through 15 minutes ago. Sounded like a good game from the cheer that went up when I reached the stairs.

Sorry to hear that. Is it the sickness problems again?

Perhaps he's found a queue onboard ... and isn't sure what to do as he's never seen one.