dougalsgirl

I approve this message Also, those pakoras look great! Perhaps on your next leg, you can explore the chutney station next to the curries etc!! I love lime pickle with paddadums! It’s very salty and tangy and spicy, You dont need much! The other runnier chutneys serve as great dips for pakoras as well. In the uk, we defo don’t use the Indian chutneys “correctly” And most use them for having with pappadums or dipping pakoras in! It’s a great choose your own adventure situation!

Booooooooo!

Big D was a fan of this on Anthem, he went bar crawling at night when it wasn’t his turn to put the little one the bed

Yeah so alien feeling!! Ewwww!! I spoke 3 words in Lisbon Bon, dia, obrigado

Love any excuse to sound pretentious Also, “bom dia” is Portuguese! Pronounced bon gia. The only thing I learned in Lisbon Glad you are feeling better today! You’ve got lots of making up to do after missing last night!

It’s actually pretty hot here (relative to Scotland!) and only getting hotter over the weekend, so to celebrate, I made my goalpost marg! @OCSC Mike hope to see one posted over in your blog in the coming days! Tin of Aldi spicy marg Twice slices green chilli Some pineapple Muddle the pineapple and chilli Ice Add the tin, top with some pineapple juice. God tier level. Actually spicy. 10/10. No notes.

Happy cruise day @OCSC Mike Not jealous at all

Wait… no asparagus? Boooo!!

Thanks, I appreciate you coming back to me!

Apologies for asking this in the Casino section, but just wanted to check, you could smoke in the Casino on a cruise out of Italy? My parents are sailing out of Ravenna on Explorer in September and my Mum has a health issue that means she can’t be in an enclosed smokey space, would just be good to forewarn them as she enjoys a flutter so would rather prepare her for the disappointment if she won’t be able to go in!

Too kind @WAAAYTOOO

Overall thoughts about our cruise, and apologies for the lateness of this post compared to the end of the trip! Ports- We loved nearly all of them. As previously stated, the Spanish are all normal cruise ports, however, off the beaten path for flying to for us. Cadiz and A Coruña were our highlights! I would be interested in spending more time in both places. I’m glad we seen Lisbon, but honestly, it was dirty and smelly in a lot of places, which was so disappointing. I’m also glad we did invest in the Tuk Tuk tour! It’s way more than we spent in all our ports last year, but it really has made me feel I can call Lisbon one and done. The… crowd- May I state now clearly for the record. I am a snob. My heart genuinely sank with the amount of Scottish voices I heard around me on the pool deck on boarding day (we were the only people thinking it was warm enough to be out there ) and I am not a fan of the “package holiday” crowd, which I feared greatly we had stumbled into. It was quite close to Scottish school holidays, so that explained our great numbers, but also the crowd that were on board differed greatly from the Norway sailing. There was very much a feeling of sun, sea and sangria. I didn’t personally witness any poor behaviour, but the Facebook group Big D joined reported a lot of anti social behaviour in corridors etc, and also a bigger incident that involved ship security and someone being confined to their stateroom for the remainder of the sailing. We did see police boarding as we disembarked, could be completely unlinked however. I’m sure there are plenty of reasons police may need to board in port. I don’t think I have articulated this point particular well. Can you just trust that there was a very different feeling on the ship? And we preferred the atmosphere on Anthem despite nothing ill happening near us or to us. We thinking the chance that there should have been quite sunny weather is what attracted that all inclusive holiday crowd who perhaps wouldn’t be attracted to the unreliable weather in Norway. All this being said, we would be hesitant to sail out of Southampton with Royal again for a warm weather cruise! Just our personal preference. Packages- I again, did not get full use of my DBP. We have had discussions that perhaps in the future, we could try the UDP instead, because we really enjoyed Chops and we really enjoyed the lack of people!! That being said, making a la carte selections during cruise planner sales might work even better for us. I had to change my Chop reservation and the staff couldn’t be more helpful, so I wouldn’t worry too much about being stuck with times. Obviously if one person can flex the DBP it can help make up the shortfall for the other person. But I think we should genuinely do the sums and figure out if it is truly worth it for us. We got it for an absolute steal there we felt, but I think you feel you need to order more drinks to get your monies worth when I probably would be fine with 2 drinks total. I do like that the DBP means you are covered, no dreading the final bill! The ship- I liked Independence overall, in particular the Royal Promenade worked well for us. I think, though, sailing out of the states, you would get so much bleed of smoke from the casino which would bother me massively. You’ve not been able to smoke indoors here for more than 20 years, I don’t want it near me. Playmakers and the Schooner Bar are either side and Vintages and The Pub. I glad we didn’t need to deal with it! The Viking Crown lounge, we went once, it lacked completely in atmosphere, no music being played and felt cold. The Star Lounge we used a few times and done the job fine! Food- A run down by venue Sorrentos- exactly what it needed to be, perfection every time Cafe Promenade- excellent staff at the coffee half, I gave them high praise in the post cruise survey, so many rude and overly demanding people and they dealt with them with such grace and politeness. Every beverage they made me was exactly what I asked for. The cookies and fruit was always plentiful and stocked well. We went through copious amounts of watermelon for 3. It was great to know it was so easy to grab and they would always have it. WJ- Totes fine. Layout was convoluted, but we always found a seat even at busy times. GET BETTER CHICKEN FINGERS!! MDR- Food was fine again, 3 stop us from going there more with their fussiness on overdrive. Our waiter and assistant waiter were wonderful and went above and beyond. Drinks- I drank a lot of ginger ale (can’t get it in cans here and bottle are quite spenny!) I love how available it is added benefit of keeping me settled. The piña coladas were so dependable. We generally had one each day! The wine was exactly what I needed every time and the standard is good. The IPA selection was just ideal again and Big D was contented with what was available. It’s so strange they don’t advertise the IPA’s really pre cruise! I’m sure that’s to do with their Diagio deal GOAL POST MARGS RULE (made with Patron, of course!)

This would be me or Big D, we rarely need much encouragement Althought, if it’s my usual Sav Bla, not a chance, chugging wine seems grim. I’m not sure why that’s my line, but here we are!

Hereforthistitle Also, you and your wife are so incredibly sweet to bring such thoughtful things to all the crew you made connections with. Honestly, my eyes teared up a bit! Looking forward to reading along, so rainy, cold and miserable here!

So a sailing that goes that goes to Nassau and PDCC. PDCC you can get off, get free food and free limited selection of drinks, enjoy a free beach and a free pool and free splash park for the kids. (obvs, you’ve paid for this privilege within your cruise fare) Or… Spend a (relative to me) fortune on what seems to me, the same product? Nah. I’d stay on the ship, access to all the food you’ve already paid for, use you DBP or vouchers or the free drinks and have quick access to air con? There must be a market for it, but it’s certainly not me or my family

Who am I to argue with the Duchess @asquared17? SHEIN’s finest, we have a trip to Lanzarote before Christmas, you better believe they are coming with us!! Also, Aldi here has started stocking AMAZING cocktail tins I think @asquared17 and @OCSC Mike would appreciate… pictures below… trying to live my best life during what is looking like a very long extended dry dock… I’m now thinking it would be super easy to turn this into a goal post! I now have a task for the weekend!

Underrated- this is controversial… but fish and ships! Just the fish option though. Every time it was crispy, hot and fresh, and the chips were perfectly acceptable too! Was really surprised, we got it A LOT due to a 3 year old whose favourite food group is fish fingers!

Yes, Oasis Class would likely suit us! It is the obvious answer! WISH THAT ROYAL WOULD SAIL THEM OUT OF SOUTHAMPTON I would have loved to try Legend next year, alas, it’s looking like a land based holiday next year visiting family in Canada! I either need a fabulous easy side hustle or a really nice lottery win!

Ok. Here goes! After much discussion with Big D, our first post cruise thoughts are Independence vs Anthem! Some would think an unfair comparison, but let’s see!! Rooms:- Because we opted for the panoramic OV, our room was relatively new with new decor (Indy’s cabin otherwise are badly in need of a refresh, imho, the decor of the other staterooms is howling!) and was more spacious than our balcony on Anthem. We also loved the way the POV gave uninterrupted views and with no overhang or next door balconies, they was no time light didn’t just come pouring in! The con is most defo the location of the POV, we had two rough sea days and the movement was intense up there! But, it didn’t make me feel any worse than I did last year, so perhaps I am en route to gaining my sea legs. This is perhaps an unfair comparison of ships, this is more a stateroom comparison. I would not hestiate in booking another OV room, I think it would be my preferred room class now, especially since I’ve now discovered the spacious OV classes!! A suite without the price tag! So for us, we didn’t miss the “fresh air” POV wins and will inform our cabin choices in the future! Food:- The standard of food was broadly the same. Props to Anthem for the superior chicken fingers, the reconsituted chicken shapes they foisted upon us on Indy were genuinely vile Having Playmakers gives Indy the best in this one. Casual eating place we could spend time in with sport and music and space. Big tick Drinks:- Nothing really to separate apart from the availability of Goal Post Margs on Indy. I’m sure I could have asked on Anthem (in fact I believe @OCSC Mike did tell me there was no harm in asking last year!) but it being in Indy gives it the edge. Indy crew were also clued up about the beers Big D was drinking and always offered viable alternatives the IPA’s etc, not just a pint of bud or worse Heineken . Indy takes this point too!! Activities:- Despite not taking advantage of them all, Indy wins this easily and hands down. A lot of Anthem’s activities were gimmicky and one use, North Star, iFly. The Pringle climber, ice skating, mini golf, water slides and splash away bay edge Indy way out ahead of Anthem! Entertainment:- No captains talk on Indy which was disappointing, we’d really enjoyed that on Anthem. Both have West End/Broadway productions on board. We personally loved the show conductors sets in the Schooner Bar. I think I’ll call this one a draw! Crew:- Zero complaints, everyone was sweet, kind and lovely. They treated the kids like royalty as well. I’m glad this wasn’t ship dependent! Other things:- Anthem has the solarium and of course, the Solarium Bistro, an extra place to push people for meals, especially breakfast! The solarium on Anthem is superior and much more spacious! Not much use for sunny climes tbf! But we LOVED it! The Royal Promenade on Indy had a much nicer atmosphere cafe street culture compared to Anthem, Anthem felt more focused on the retail outlets! We much preferred the MDR on Indy open and bright and lovely. The Quantum Class concept is a bit closed in and dark. We also preferred the lack hassling you about the post cruise survery in the MDR and the WJ! Anthem went HEAVY! The outcome:- Despite Indy clearly coming ahead in many points, Big D and I both had the gut reaction we liked Anthem more!! Perhaps it was the first cruise effect? Overall, Anthem is a much newer, sleeker and modern ship. It is simply beautiful to walk around. If it came down to choosing one ship over the other? It would I definitely be a question of itinerary, I don’t think we would discriminate one class of ship over the other. Perhaps though, a quantum class ship with playmakers and splashaway bay might be our absolute ideal… Odyssey of the Seas… I’m looking at YOU!! More just Indy thoughts to come! And our experience overall, and why we will likely never do a sailing like that again!

I would have been crying

Had this discussion with my 13 year old after we watched it on Indy a few weeks ago. The songs are great though

Your ski lift pictures were so dramatic! What a drop!

It kinda does? They all want to go to the Jellicle Ball, and the heavy side layer and Grizabella isn’t allowed to and then she is. I saw it in 1992, apologies for the lack of details

These are immense, deep frying them turns them into a completely different thing. Like fudge cake We call it the pizza crunch! We do batter and deep fry a lot of things tbf, sausage, black pudding, haggis, hamburgers, king ribs. Apologies @mashley1021 for contributing so much to a massive tangent