Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted May 23, 2023 Author #276 Share Posted May 23, 2023 3 minutes ago, carlanthony24 said: Did they go during school holidays? Didn't ask tbh 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsgoggins Posted May 23, 2023 #277 Share Posted May 23, 2023 3 hours ago, Interestedcruisefan said: No Although it's on the trolley they didn't wheel it to us which was disappointing Nor crepes suzettes. I had to go to the trolley to watch it being made Health and safety gone mad!!! I am surprised at this because I had crepes Suzette on Iona in March - brought to the table ready made, and then again on Ventura recently, where they were made table side very skilfully. Also the server assured me, confidently, that this service was once again being rolled out fleetwide and was now happening on Iona! Guess it’s in progress, but heaven only knows why 🤷♀️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TigerB Posted May 23, 2023 #278 Share Posted May 23, 2023 1 minute ago, mrsgoggins said: I am surprised at this because I had crepes Suzette on Iona in March - brought to the table ready made, and then again on Ventura recently, where they were made table side very skilfully. Also the server assured me, confidently, that this service was once again being rolled out fleetwide and was now happening on Iona! Guess it’s in progress, but heaven only knows why 🤷♀️ On Britannia last October, the excuse was Covid. On Arvia in January, one excuse was no propane. On another day it was H&S. On Arvia in April, the excuse was the waiters still need training. At least on our last visit the trollies were out in the restaurant, albeit unused; hopeful for the future.🤞 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gettingwarmer Posted May 23, 2023 #279 Share Posted May 23, 2023 11 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said: Today we got the land train in Olgen I thought I recognised the video. It is a nice trip and I think you are right about the lift, the clouds look low in your photos. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlaMarie Posted May 23, 2023 #280 Share Posted May 23, 2023 12 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said: Today we got the land train in Olgen 1 hr 15 mins one hour round trip the cost was 25 pounds each approx We looked at a bus to the cable car 1.5 miles away with cable car included That was 70 pounds each per person. Seemed very steep (excuse the pun) plus the clouds are low today Not sure we would have seen a lot from up there and I thought the price was more exploitative than Cadburys dairy milk on iona The Loen skylift is well worth the money if you ever get to go again. Cloud can interfere with the views, but that is the fjords for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted May 23, 2023 Author #281 Share Posted May 23, 2023 2 hours ago, mrsgoggins said: I am surprised at this because I had crepes Suzette on Iona in March - brought to the table ready made, and then again on Ventura recently, where they were made table side very skilfully. Also the server assured me, confidently, that this service was once again being rolled out fleetwide and was now happening on Iona! Guess it’s in progress, but heaven only knows why 🤷♀️ On the menu here on Iona both the Iberico Ham and crepes suzettes said they would be served at the table Hence why I ordered them When the meat wasn't carved at the table I made sure to double check on the crepes suzettes Hence getting the offer to go and watch 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted May 23, 2023 Author #282 Share Posted May 23, 2023 2 hours ago, CarlaMarie said: The Loen skylift is well worth the money if you ever get to go again. Cloud can interfere with the views, but that is the fjords for you. Now you've made me regret not going!! Lol What you've not seen you don't miss I guess We enjoyed the road train though. It came with a nice interesting commentary 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted May 23, 2023 Author #283 Share Posted May 23, 2023 Ive made a schoolboy error and booked limelight for Saturday night when we've already left the cruise Just had to cancel Tonight we were booked for beach house but that clashes with a 710 Club booking at 7pm so instead we are going to do 710 club Then join the queue for MDR and give that a go I'm confident it will be fine as weve used the app for MDRS on Britannia before and GlassHouse on Arvia But will let you know of course It should be peak time when we need to use it 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlaMarie Posted May 23, 2023 #284 Share Posted May 23, 2023 (edited) How did you manage to book the limelight for Saturday when you aren't on that cruise? I wouldn't have thought that was even possible as it shouldn't appear as an option to book. Enjoy your evening Edited May 23, 2023 by CarlaMarie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted May 23, 2023 Author #285 Share Posted May 23, 2023 7 minutes ago, CarlaMarie said: How did you manage to book the limelight for Saturday when you aren't on that cruise? I wouldn't have thought that was even possible as it shouldn't appear as an option to book. Enjoy your evening It allows you to book til end of play Saturday I did something similar on Arvia in Feb as well I bet I'm not the only one who makes these errors I was wrongly thinking it was my last night. When in facts it's my last day. Not only that we are getting an early departure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted May 23, 2023 Author #286 Share Posted May 23, 2023 Look how bright it is here now!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gettingwarmer Posted May 23, 2023 #287 Share Posted May 23, 2023 (edited) 45 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said: Ive made a schoolboy error and booked limelight for Saturday night when we've already left the cruise Just had to cancel Tonight we were booked for beach house but that clashes with a 710 Club booking at 7pm so instead we are going to do 710 club Then join the queue for MDR and give that a go I'm confident it will be fine as weve used the app for MDRS on Britannia before and GlassHouse on Arvia But will let you know of course It should be peak time when we need to use it How long is the 710 set? 3/4 of an hour and you’ll be joining queue at 7.45 near end of peak time? Edited May 23, 2023 by Gettingwarmer Question mark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cathygh Posted May 23, 2023 #288 Share Posted May 23, 2023 3 hours ago, Interestedcruisefan said: Today we got the land train in Olgen 1 hr 15 mins one hour round trip the cost was 25 pounds each approx We looked at a bus to the cable car 1.5 miles away with cable car included That was 70 pounds each per person. Seemed very steep (excuse the pun) plus the clouds are low today Not sure we would have seen a lot from up there and I thought the price was more exploitative than Cadburys dairy milk on iona But much cheaper than going with P&O. We are doing that next week through Olden Adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted May 23, 2023 Author #289 Share Posted May 23, 2023 Just arrived 710 club. Front row Shocking half the seats are empty But sold out People just don't turn up That's a smoked cherry negroni "Gary's favourite cocktail" lol 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Windsurfboy Posted May 23, 2023 #290 Share Posted May 23, 2023 When you say sold out , did they have to pay for them or just book via app 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cathygh Posted May 23, 2023 #291 Share Posted May 23, 2023 @Interestedcruisefan how many people can you add to a virtual queue for the MDR please? Also have you seen any sign of a chocolate buffet in Horizon? Pre covid I found it by accident as it was never mentioned in Horizon. (Why call the buffet and the entertainment schedule Horizon?- rhetorical question, no answer required unless someone actually knows!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted May 24, 2023 Author #292 Share Posted May 24, 2023 (edited) 13 hours ago, Windsurfboy said: When you say sold out , did they have to pay for them or just book via app No cost to book I would say it was only 60 per cent full But has shown as fully booked since end of embarkation day. People must greedily book all the slots then not turn up (They should add a cover charge that you get as credit to spend on drinks when you arrive) We were about the last to arrive and the entire front row of tables (7 tables for 2) was still empty And plenty more tables dotted about The singer (a femaie singer/guitarist) was really great Really classy and intimate experience We have a couple more booked Edited May 24, 2023 by Interestedcruisefan 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Selbourne Posted May 24, 2023 #293 Share Posted May 24, 2023 14 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said: No cost to book I would say it was only 60 per cent full But has shown as fully booked since end of embarkation day. People must greedily book all the slots then not turn up (They should add a cover charge that you get as credit to spend on drinks when you arrive) We were about the last to arrive and the entire front row of tables (7 tables for 2) was still empty And plenty more tables dotted about The singer (a femaie singer/guitarist) was really great Really classy and intimate experience We have a couple more booked I know that you won’t agree, but this is further evidence that they should ditch this pre booking entertainment palava and return to first come first served, allowing the return of spontaneity which, for many of us, was one of the joys of cruising. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted May 24, 2023 Author #294 Share Posted May 24, 2023 14 hours ago, Gettingwarmer said: How long is the 710 set? 3/4 of an hour and you’ll be joining queue at 7.45 near end of peak time? It was a 45 minute set. I wasn't sure until the singer said at 7.40pm this will be my last song So I opened the app at 7.40pm to book MDR table for 2 I joined a queue with 20 guests on it in Coral MDR At 7.43pm (a full 3 minutes later) our table was ready and waiting When we got to Coral about 7.55pm it was probably 60 per cent full There was signs for 2 queues (one if you had pre-booked and one if you wanted to get a pager) There was nobody in either queue There were about 4 staff waiting to take you to tables Once inside I reckon 60 per cent of tables occupied were 2 people, 20 per cent were 4 people, 10 per cent were 6 people and 10 per cent were 8 people Vast majority were choosing not to share as half the tables for 6 and 8 were several Asian and Indian family groups that I saw We enjoyed the MDR experience and will likely do it again The food was different to the buffet and nicely presented and served. I had Chicken terrine Roast lamb Honey Panacotta My wife had: Goats cheese terrine Norwegian Cod Chocolate Marquise (I shared that with her) And cheese and biscuits! She had brie, cheddar, red leicester and stilton several biscuits, grapes and various other fruity garnishes The marquise was delicious!! MDR is very good quality stil IMO and it was extremely calm in there and well organised The app booking could barely have been quicker and like I say it was prime time We were in there for about 75 mins due to having cheeseboard as an extra When my wife asked what was on the chessboard the waiter himself suggested order a dessert and I will bring a cheeseboard as well The couple next to us ordered starters and soup and that was not even questioned at all MDR is a nice option above buffet and below Epicurean in terms of time taken for the meal and quality If time wasn't an issue then I could eat MDR every night for sure Booking on the app once you understand how the app works is so simple it's untrue We were expecting a much longer wait and wouldn't have minded. We would have just gone to Andersons bar for a cocktail if the virtual queue was long I continue to never have experienced the app being a problem at all on my P and O cruises I'm either lucky or others are unlucky 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted May 24, 2023 Author #295 Share Posted May 24, 2023 (edited) 12 minutes ago, Selbourne said: I know that you won’t agree, but this is further evidence that they should ditch this pre booking entertainment palava and return to first come first served, allowing the return of spontaneity which, for many of us, was one of the joys of cruising. Sorry that means queuing and getting places early when not needed There's many many places on the ship you can head to with spontaneity still but this is a small venue and it needs a system At the end of the day it didnt spoil our enjoyment the fact it wasn't full And my tip is if you fancy 710 club at any stage during your cruise just turn up at the advertised time and ask if they have space if you don't want to pre-book (They almost certainly will have space as people who have booked without a cost just either forget or don't make it there for whatever reason) It's a brilliant experience in there The drinks are great and the entertainment is amazing They only put really proven singers/musicians in there Edited May 24, 2023 by Interestedcruisefan 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Selbourne Posted May 24, 2023 #296 Share Posted May 24, 2023 7 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said: It was a 45 minute set. I wasn't sure until the singer said at 7.40pm this will be my last song So I opened the app at 7.40pm to book MDR table for 2 I joined a queue with 20 guests on it in Coral MDR At 7.43pm (a full 3 minutes later) our table was ready and waiting When we got to Coral about 7.55pm it was probably 60 per cent full There was signs for 2 queues (one if you had pre-booked and one if you wanted to get a pager) There was nobody in either queue There were about 4 staff waiting to take you to tables Once inside I reckon 60 per cent of tables occupied were 2 people, 20 per cent were 4 people, 10 per cent were 6 people and 10 per cent were 8 people Vast majority were choosing not to share as half the tables for 6 and 8 were several Asian and Indian family groups that I saw We enjoyed the MDR experience and will likely do it again The food was different to the buffet and nicely presented and served. I had Chicken terrine Roast lamb Honey Panacotta My wife had: Goats cheese terrine Norwegian Cod Chocolate Marquise (I shared that with her) And cheese and biscuits! She had brie, cheddar, red leicester and stilton several biscuits, grapes and various other fruity garnishes The marquise was delicious!! MDR is very good quality stil IMO and it was extremely calm in there and well organised The app booking could barely have been quicker and like I say it was prime time We were in there for about 75 mins due to having cheeseboard as an extra When my wife asked what was on the chessboard the waiter himself suggested order a dessert and I will bring a cheeseboard as well The couple next to us ordered starters and soup and that was not even questioned at all MDR is a nice option above buffet and below Epicurean in terms of time taken for the meal and quality If time wasn't an issue then I could eat MDR every night for sure Booking on the app once you understand how the app works is so simple it's untrue We were expecting a much longer wait and wouldn't have minded. We would have just gone to Andersons bar for a cocktail if the virtual queue was long I continue to never have experienced the app being a problem at all on my P and O cruises I'm either lucky or others are unlucky Encouraging that you didn’t have a queue. For future reference, it’s worth doing the MDR on the formal night. They usually have a Marco Pierre White menu and the food is better than the other nights. The queues will be longer (as the MDRs are more popular on formal nights) but worth it IMHO. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Interestedcruisefan Posted May 24, 2023 Author #297 Share Posted May 24, 2023 3 minutes ago, Selbourne said: Encouraging that you didn’t have a queue. For future reference, it’s worth doing the MDR on the formal night. They usually have a Marco Pierre White menu and the food is better than the other nights. The queues will be longer (as the MDRs are more popular on formal nights) but worth it IMHO. Yes it's the dressing up for formal that puts me off We actually feel smart on all the other nights but without the black tie I always wear a nice shirt and trousers and my wife a nice dress every night 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Selbourne Posted May 24, 2023 #298 Share Posted May 24, 2023 5 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said: Sorry that means queuing and getting places early when not needed There's many many places on the ship you can head to with spontaneity still but this is a small venue and it needs a system At the end of the day it didnt spoil our enjoyment the fact it wasn't full And my tip is if you fancy 710 club at any stage during your cruise just turn up at the advertised time and ask if they have space if you don't want to pre-book (They almost certainly will have space as people who have booked without a cost just either forget or don't make it there for whatever reason) It's a brilliant experience in there The drinks are great and the entertainment is amazing They only put really proven singers/musicians in there We have gone to the theatre on all our cruises and whilst we have to get there early to get a wheelchair space, we have rarely known a situation where able bodied folk have to do the same. It’s almost always possible to walk in just 5 minutes before the show and get seats. In fact, it’s often possible for people to walk in after the show has started and still get seats - irritating though that is for others. The 710 Club doesn’t particularly appeal (never that keen on cruise ship singers), but I’m inclined to agree that they should introduce a more robust system (perhaps with a refundable fee when you arrive) to avoid the scenario you describe. There will have been passengers who were disappointed at not getting seats last night who were oblivious to the fact that they could have been admitted had they just turned up. Is there any chance that you could please post photos of the daily schedules (Horizon) - but only if you can post them the right way up! I was wondering, do they have two or three showings of the theatre productions? On most ships there’s two (8.30pm and 10.30pm) but I felt sure that I’d seen a Horizon listing for Iona or Arvia that also had a 6.30pm slot? Thanks. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DamianG Posted May 24, 2023 #299 Share Posted May 24, 2023 (edited) My work colleague who was onboard last week went to the 710 Club several times and on each occasion just showed up at the last minute to ask if there was any space (and was always accommodated). We didn’t have any issues using the app when onboard last year and the longest wait we had for any MDR was around 10 minutes. I honestly believe that most of the reported delays and queues for the MDRs on Iona and Arvia are due to the demand for tables for two in the first couple of hours after opening. Edited May 24, 2023 by DamianG 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zap99 Posted May 24, 2023 #300 Share Posted May 24, 2023 1 hour ago, Interestedcruisefan said: It was a 45 minute set. I wasn't sure until the singer said at 7.40pm this will be my last song So I opened the app at 7.40pm to book MDR table for 2 I joined a queue with 20 guests on it in Coral MDR At 7.43pm (a full 3 minutes later) our table was ready and waiting When we got to Coral about 7.55pm it was probably 60 per cent full There was signs for 2 queues (one if you had pre-booked and one if you wanted to get a pager) There was nobody in either queue There were about 4 staff waiting to take you to tables Once inside I reckon 60 per cent of tables occupied were 2 people, 20 per cent were 4 people, 10 per cent were 6 people and 10 per cent were 8 people Vast majority were choosing not to share as half the tables for 6 and 8 were several Asian and Indian family groups that I saw We enjoyed the MDR experience and will likely do it again The food was different to the buffet and nicely presented and served. I had Chicken terrine Roast lamb Honey Panacotta My wife had: Goats cheese terrine Norwegian Cod Chocolate Marquise (I shared that with her) And cheese and biscuits! She had brie, cheddar, red leicester and stilton several biscuits, grapes and various other fruity garnishes The marquise was delicious!! MDR is very good quality stil IMO and it was extremely calm in there and well organised The app booking could barely have been quicker and like I say it was prime time We were in there for about 75 mins due to having cheeseboard as an extra When my wife asked what was on the chessboard the waiter himself suggested order a dessert and I will bring a cheeseboard as well The couple next to us ordered starters and soup and that was not even questioned at all MDR is a nice option above buffet and below Epicurean in terms of time taken for the meal and quality If time wasn't an issue then I could eat MDR every night for sure Booking on the app once you understand how the app works is so simple it's untrue We were expecting a much longer wait and wouldn't have minded. We would have just gone to Andersons bar for a cocktail if the virtual queue was long I continue to never have experienced the app being a problem at all on my P and O cruises I'm either lucky or others are unlucky This isn't really acceptable. There are a few people steaming that you are enjoying things. Why should they need to book, they can turn up at any old London theatre, or restaurant, shout ' don't you know who I am " and walk right on in. Thanks for your review. Enjoy.🤣 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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