Sarah

When I cruised to Norway with P&O last March we had to miss Stavanger on the way back as we'd got stuck in Alta in a storm and were several hours late leaving.  We had an excursion booked for Stavanger and had that money refunded.

I'm not sure which "offer" you're talking about.  If you're a member of C&A there are benefits e.g. buy one get one free (one time use); if you are a diamond C&A member you get 3 free drinks in the evening. 

Included in your cruise fare are your meals in the Main Dining Room (MDR) and Windjammer (buffet) and the cafe and pizza place on the Royal Promenade.  Water, lemonade and tea and coffee are included - but you pay for speciality coffees.  There is a self-serve ice-cream machine on the pool deck.  You pay for dining in the speciality restaurannts, Ben & Jerry's.  Most entertainment is included - theatre shows, quizzes, cinema, ice shows etc. 

 

Each night your cabin attendant will leave the "Compass" in your room - this details activites onboard for the next day - times, places and what will incur a charge

 

Enjoy!

Love the Indy.  I've sailed on her 3 times now.  I think cruising from the UK is a different experience.  I have always found the staff to be great - from the cabin steward, to the waiters etc.  Food is very subjective but we like dining in the main dining room for breakfast (the buffet not a la carte breakfast) and evening meal.  Grease is great and not to be missed.

 

Enjoy your cruise

I've heard that the best times are September to April.  My Cruise was In March. My parents went in February and saw them too.

Answer for BillHoo:

 

The main dining rooms on Anthem are Chic & Grande - traditional first and second seating and American Icon & Silk as My Time Dining

 

Hope that helps

 

Sarah

Yes!  I saw them twice from the deck of the ship - stunning

Usually you get a designated area for departure too - and breakfast of some sort is usually available there!

I cruised to the Norwegian Fjords a couple of years ago with Royal Caribbean - absolutely stunning scenery.  Earlier this year I sailed with P&O (only because RCI weren't doing the trip!) in search of the Northern Lights, again in beautiful Norway.  I would certainly recommend Norway - the ship can dock right at the port and some of the excursions are fantastic.  If you pick Norway let us know the ports and we might be able to make excursion recommendations.

Yes, that's right, remember to sign out of one before logginh into the other.  In fact, my friend and I shared a package on our recent cruise by doing this

I had a VOOM surf package on my recent cruise to the Canaries on Indy.  I have to say it generally worked ok - I didn't notice much slowness.  I don't have fibre broadband at home, only the standard broadband and speeds seemed as quick as at home

I'm from the UK and never have a drinks package included in my booking!

I was on Indy last week!  I love that ship.

 

Check your booking re drinks package as it depends when you book/what offer if you get drinks included.  I got a quote on the ship for next year and it didn't include a drinks package

What a great collection - please post more pictures as you complete the set

Hi,

 

In case you're not aware your cruise fare includes all of your food on board (unless you choose to dine in a speciality restaurant) - and there's lots of food available!  So unless you want to eat whilst you're ashore you don't have to.

 

There are usually 2 shows each evening timed around the meal times in the main dining room (MDR) - so that all guests can attend if they choose to. 

 

Each evening you will have a Cruise Compass left in your cabin which tells you about the activities on board for the next day, the shows / entertainment, times restaurants open - it's something I carry with me so I don't miss out on anything!

 

Enjoy your cruise

 

Sarah

How does it look different?  I printed mine a couple of weeks ago for my October cruise on the Independence and it looks the same as usual to me

In May booked a "guarantee" inside cabin on the Independence, I'm due to sail in October.  Within days of the booking I received notification of the cabin number.  I know that this can change; although unlikely in my case as there are only suites left - what a great upgrade that would be!

In your hand luggage pack anything you may need before your cases are delivered to your stateroom.  E,g, swim wear, medication, change of clothes etc.  Cabins are usually available from 1pm but it may be a while before you get your case!

Great idea!

Hi all,

 

I'm sailing on the Independence in October.  Ports of call are: Vigo, Lisbon, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Madeira and La Coruna.  Can anyone recommend any excursions for any of these ports?

 

I've been to Vigo before and just wandered around the town; not much to see so will be looking to book a ship's excursion this time

 

I've also been to Lisbon and did a brilliant RCI trip - and looking at the website nothing is available that will match that - thinking of doing the HOHO bus.

 

I haven't been to any of the other ports so open to suggestions.

 

A little about me and my friend to help with the recommendations - we're both 42, British girls, don't mind a bit of culture, we can be reasonably active, don't really want anything centering on food or drink.

 

Thank you in anticiptation

 

Sarah

Excuse my ignorance - what is a "hump room"???

I'm not sure if you can book shore excursions right up until you sail - there may be a cut off X number of days beforehand.

 

I'm in the UK and used the website a couple of days ago without problem to look at my cruise planner schedule

I'd love to sail on an Oasis Class ship and the Caribbean is on my wish list; maybe next year!

I'm sailing on Independence on October and have opted for an inside staterrom with a guarantee - in other words wherever they put me!  I've got deck 7 - great - cabins above and below.  But... at the back - will it be rough going thorugh the Bay of Biscay?!  I don't think I can change the location if I don't like it.

My friend and I share a stateroom but always register separate credit cards before we board so we each pay for our own purchases.  When we buy drinks we each hand over our sea pass to pay