FionaMG

Somebody posted about it over on cc too. Sounds like they've left the intern unsupervised again.

@KristiZ might be able to help. She is actually sailing in that area right now. You should pop over to the live blog section and read what she's doing.

I tried those arancini for the first time on Anthem back in September and really liked them so I'm glad they're still around and still good. They are very filling though. I could have just them with a salad and that would be my dinner. No need for a main course!

I feel your pain. Wouldn't that be wonderful!? Thanks for sharing. Safe travels home.

My pleasure. Sounds like a good plan to me. I don't have any experience of independent dining in Norway. The last time I was there was over 40 years ago () and it was an organised group. One thing you might (or not) like to try is the brown cheese. It looks like fudge. I'm still traumatised by it all these years later. Apparently, it's one of those things that you either love or hate! https://www.lifeinnorway.net/the-norwegian-phenomenon-of-brown-cheese/

Originally. Ex-pat Scot. I've been in Portugal since 1986. DH is Portuguese.

You know what they say... Happy wife... Who knows, maybe you'll be converted!

Aw, that's a pity. But definitely keep checking the planner and when you get on board. Cancellations happen often so you might be lucky. I know what you mean about maybe not getting another chance any time soon so you might indeed have to bite the proverbial bullet or you could be kicking yourself for ages afterwards. Fingers crossed for you.

I did it first thing when I got up this morning. We're 5 hours ahead of you so that would have been about 3 am your time! I picked that time slot too.

What a cool room! I love Barbados and Saint Lucia, would really like to make it back someday. I haven't been to any of your other ports so will be interested to read about them. Thanks for bringing us along. Have an amazing time!

Checked in!

It sounds ambitious but not overly so. I read on another site that it should be possible to fit both into a single port day. Just be sure to watch your time closely for getting back to the ship at the end of the day. All aboard is normally 30 minutes before departure and if you're doing your own thing it's usually best to plan to be back at the ship an hour before as that provides a buffer in case you get delayed.

Bummer.

I will but to be honest I'm not holding my breath that they will actually ship it to us in Portugal. I'd say your chances are significantly better than mine! I may have to hound the LA when we're back on Anthem next month.

Ah, right, yes. That makes sense.

How can that be more than 30 days?

So cool.

No.

Oooh, nice! That's the one I'm waiting for, our very first, earned last September.

I'm in that minority too.

Now there's a coincidence. That exact same thing happened to us too, although a good few years ago now, on Splendour OTS. In our case it was an anniversary cake. I can't help wondering if he took it to eat himself and/or share with colleagues. We didn't say anything because in all honesty we probably wouldn't have eaten any more of it anyway, with all the other food we were eating, but still...

Hi @RevRyan and welcome to the boards! We will be getting off Anthem as you get on. We were actually planning on doing this TA back in 2021 but of course it got "covidated" and we couldn't make the timing work for us this year. Anyway, on to your question. I have not done this excursion myself but I can tell you that just by looking at the logistics it's likely to be a huge waste of money. To start, it's about a 2-hour drive from Le Havre to Paris, plus at least an hour for your lunch stop and time wasted waiting for the inevitable stragglers at any stops you make. That said, I agree that it's a good idea to use a ship-sponsored excursion when you're that far away from the port. If you really want to visit Paris while you're there, see if there is a "Paris on your own" excursion showing in your cruise planner. These "on your own" excursions are typically the cheapest option as they effectively are just a transfer from the port to the city centre. There will usually be a guide on the bus, who may (or may not) point out a few landmarks during the ride. Once you get to the drop-off point in the city, the guide will tell you what time to meet the bus for the ride back to the ship. And then you are literally on your own, hence the name. You're free to see and do what you want to do, without having to wait around for 50 other people. Just be sure to keep an eye on your watch and leave yourself enough time to get back to the meeting place for the bus back to the ship. If you miss it and have to get a taxi, you'll need a bank loan to pay for it! If there isn't an on your own tour, see if there's another cheaper excursion that will get you to Paris, maybe without an included lunch. While you can't avoid the time lost on the drive there and back, you really don't want to be wasting a further hour of your limited and precious time on a lunch you don't need. Instead, grab a freshly-baked crispy roll from one of the many bakeries with windows open to the street and eat it as you go or while you rest your feet for a few minutes on a park bench. I hope this helps and you have an amazing trip!

@Katiemay Take a look at the thread linked below in which I've been sharing my research for our Norway cruise in July. The links I've posted in the thread will hopefully give you a starting point to find something suitable for your family. I haven't done Haugesund yet, if that's one of your ports too, (work keeps getting in the way) so that one is still to come. If you follow that thread you should get a notification when I get it done. Hope it helps.

Perfect. Thanks very much. Really appreciate your insight.

@KevinK do you live in the NJ/NY area? If you do, or if you're pretty familiar with the area, maybe you can give me a bit of advice. I was wondering how long roughly to allow for a transfer (likely using a car service) from our pre-cruise hotel in downtown Manhattan/Chinatown (Henry Street) to the port? I looked on Google maps and it suggests between 30 and 40 minutes. Does that sound about right to you? I don't want to snag a decent check-in time and then miss it by not allowing enough time to get there. Thanks a lot.