hayley_bopp

Thanks! And yes you remembered correctly - it was our 6yr anniversary last week (18.5 years together).

Well, I'm pretty much all packed. Everything's all printed off. I've painted my toenails (twice! ). I've just got a manicure and a facial tomorrow morning to ease me in to the holiday relaxation before we head down to Southampton.As it's not an RC cruise, I won't blog it here. However, I enjoyed blogging my cruise on Independence so much last year I've decided that I will blog this cruise on my own (until now largely defunct) blog which you can find at https://fat-fighting-foodie.com/ I'll be visiting: Cadiz, Spain Barcelona, Spain Livorno, Italy Civitavecchia, Italy Cartagena, Spain Gibraltar, UK I'll also be Periscoping. My user name is hayley_bopp . Both blog posts and scopes will be intermittent as I'm probably not going to get an internet package (but never say never...). If you've got any questions feel free to ask on here or on the comments section on my blog. After the cruise, I'll post a review of the cruise on here comparing it to RC. Who will win...? ? Fingers crossed the gales that are forecast to hit the south coast all day on Saturday (50-60mph gusts of wind!) don't delay our sail away for too long ?

I LOVED it and would definitely do it again. Disclosure: I am a real foodie - fine dining and fine wine is something I am passionate about.

Thanks so much for yet another awesome blog @twangster Looking forward to the next one

Your sunset pictures are always worth seeing IMO ?

I'm not in a cruise at the moment but this weekend I'm in Edinburgh, Scotland and today I've been to the Royal Yacht Britannia. I tried to convince my husband that buying it would be the ideal souvenir of our weekend but living in the land-locked midlands, we'd struggle to sail her home. It was really interesting to see the workings and state apartments of this famous vessel. My husband and I found it particulary interesting how basic the royal accommodation is. The cost is £16.50 per adult and includes an audio tour which was really well laid out. There was also opportunity to have afternoon tea in the room where royal cocktail parties were over held. If anyone is ever on a cruise that stops in Edinburgh, I'd highly reccomend this attraction.

Thanks so much for your blog. I really enjoyed following along. Hope your dry dock passes quickly.

But cruise calories don't count. Isn't that the rule?!

L?ve that wine glass sunset shot too! ?

What nonsense is this you are speaking @twangster?! ??

I hope I'll be able to try this on Allure in December ?

Have a fabulous cruise! Hope you don't have to wait for too long to sail away - the harbour is long and narrow and we had to wait for about 30mins for a 'gap' in the harbour traffic. It's a nice sail away if other cruise ships are in though because you get to sail right next to them.

Happy Anniversary to you both ?

But does it smell like a gym when you walk into the VCL? ?

L?ve that second-to-last sunset photo ???

Similar to Venice, there have been a number of protests by locals in recent years against the number of tourists who visit Barcelona each year - 30 million compared to 1.6 million inhabitants. The authorities have introduced new laws to stop the building of new hotels or issuing of new licences for tourist accommodation due to the impact on property prices and local services. You HAVE to drink cava whilst in Spain. It's the law. I'm glad you enjoyed it ?

Lint roller (I have a white cat whose fur gets everywhere!)

You can do it! ?

I've just had a fall from my TA advising that our 22nd Dec itinerary has been changed with St Thomas replaced with San Juan. For me it's not an issue - it will be my first time in the Caribbean and from everything I've read on here, San Juan looks like an interesting place. Plus I'll get to try some Pueto Rican food ? Now my only problem is trying to allay the fears of our first-time-cruiser friends who are sailing with us that the ship is not going to sink/drift off around the globe...

Glad you're enjoying Barcelona. It's one of my favourite cities. If you get chance, have a wander arpind the gothic quarter. There are lots of quirky little shops and amazing tapas bars (and it's nice and shaded!)

They are not near one another. It will take you the entire day to travel to and from Chitchen Itza and is an an excursion I'd definitely book through the cruiseline in case of delays. We went on an excursion when staying at a hotel in Costa Maya and although it was a long day, it was well worth it. a very impressive site and, if you're lucky, a chance to swim in a cenote on the way back.

I was intending to scope but after last night's furore I'm not so sure...? (probably will though!) I will definitely post a review on here with comparisons to RC. I would like to live blog it somewhere as I like it as a way to remember the cruise but I'll have to have a think about how/where is best to do that ?

I've not done Caribbean cruise yet but have done 2x Med cruises. Getting off/on the ship at the ports is hassle free: You walk straight off and through the terminal building. Getting back on, you just show your sea pass card. In a couple of ports (can't remember which) you had to go through 'airport style' security (metal detectors and bags x-rayed) before then going through the same process on the gangway. You'll have a great time!

We've done 2x 14 night Med and 1x 7 night Scandinavian. All were fantastic. If you've got enough holiday available from work, I'd say go for it!

I'd be interested to hear your experience of Norwegian as this is who we're having to fly London to Miami with in December after BA cancelled their London --> FLL route (sorting the flights was such a hassle, even with a TA, that I can't even remember which London airport we fly from!) Safe travels and I hope you enjoy our continent.