Arcadia J306 - fjords 1st time cruiser report

[Jacknian]

Yes I agree about the roasties, they are never cooked enough and are only slightly browned and definitely not crispy.

[Kendhni]

Just catching up .. great reports bellybee.

[kaymar]

Thanks for the excellent reports, bellybee.

Tell me, did you get used to your inside cabin or next time, will you go for an outside, or maybe a balcony?

[bellybee]

21 June 2013 – Bergen

This was our wedding anniversary (9 years) and we got up early about 7am and went down for a nice early breakfast. We sat with a nice couple and an older man and had a nice chat.

We got ready to go into Bergen but had made the foolish decision to leave coats behind. It took around 15 minutes to walk into town. We walked to the funicular but as the weather was pretty rubbish we decided to give it a miss.

Bergen was lovely just a shame we weren't prepared for the weather. We went in one of the shops on the way back and bought ourself a christmas decoration in a box and got my mum one too. It wasn't too expensive but nearly everywhere in Norway was. We had lots of fun working out prices and gasping lol.

After walking through the grounds of Bergen castle we made our way back to the ship by which point we were soaking wet.

We rested and showered then we went to neptune grill for lunch. I had tandoori wrap and Dan had hot dog. Then we went to reception and changed our Norweigian Money back up.

We popped to the internet then had a costa with free cake. I can't believe we only found this towards the end of holiday this was amazing we would have been there everyday otherwise.

We sat outside for sailaway but they had moved the party due to the rain. We went in to get ready for our second formal night.

We went to intermezzo and Dan had a martini vesper and I had a bucks fizz to celebrate our anniversary then we had some photos taken. We mentioned it was our anniversary to the photographer and she asked if we had told someone but we said no and she wished us happy anniversary. Then we went to the piano bar for a cool colada before dinner.

Then we went to dinner and there were balloons at our table. It was a gala dinner tonight. We ordered a bottle of Asti which we shared with our table mates. We both had atlantic prawn cocktail to start and then we had champagne sorbet (which was horrid tasted like perfume we all agreed). Then we both had beef wellington yummy and baked alaska amazing. Then the chefs did their parade. Later the waiters came and sung congratulations to us. I am unsure how they knew but it was very sweet.

We went to see the show called reel to reel which was amazing we enjoyed it so much, then we went for a cocktail with Derek and Sandra.

Afterwards we went and got changed and had a nice late night snack and waited for the sun to go down. It was still up until midnight so we took some pictures then headed to bed. What a lovely anniversary.

[bellybee]

We never really got used to an inside cabin, we will definitely try and get a balcony next time but this would make us more anti social I imagine as we would be on there the whole time.

[Susan Watt]

We always go for at least balcony grade but don't sit on balcony all day. If hubby isn't too good and needs to go back to cabin I sit out on balcony then, weather permitting. Unlike most I prefer shaded balconies as I burn easily. Nice to sit and read there too without distraction of people walking past as they would on deck or other public areas.

[kaymar]

We never really got used to an inside cabin, we will definitely try and get a balcony next time but this would make us more anti social I imagine as we would be on there the whole time.

No, I don't think so, bellybee. If you are naturally sociable people then you will remain so. You will possibly find that you just enjoy being able to got outside first thing in the morning, to see what the weather's like, maybe late at night and occasionally on sea days when you fancy a little peace and quiet.

[jay-ell71]

Congratulations on your Nine Years.

I am so glad you had a good first cruise and you are now just taking it for granted that there will be more! BTW a balcony will not make you unsociable, but it is great as a "retreat". I find that sometimes, just occasionally, people get overwhelming and the balcony is there to refresh and enjoy the quiet calm. I certainly wouldn't spend the whole cruise there.

Thank you for taking the time to post all your experiences, i have enjoyed reading it . I think there is a bit more to come??

[sandie3]

Great report Bellybee. You obviously had a wonderful time and been "bitten by the cruise bug". We too had an inside cabin on our first cruise, but it was the only time we have, I`m not claustrophobic, but I hated it. Since then we've had either a balcony or an outside cabin with an obstructed view, having the safety equipment outside didn't bother us at all, it was the fact we could see "daylight". As for being "antisocial" by having a balcony, I think youll find that's not the case as previous posts have said, its good to have when you just want a bit time to yourself. Its lovely to sit on your balcony at the end of the day (weather permitting) and sit to watch the sun go down, maybe with a nice glass of wine. Congratulations of your wedding anniversary.
Sandie

[bellybee]

Last bit peeps

22 June 2013

Got up a bit later today as it was our last sea day and we were heading home (boo). We had a really chilled out day today grabbed some pancakes and waffles for breakfast.

Weather was a bit rubbish so we decided to sit by the neptune pool and have a coke and just take in our surroundings and who do we see but Derek and Sandra our dinner buddies. They sat with us for a bit and we had a good chat and some lunch from the grill.

Afterwards we split off and Dan and I went to play low limit blackjack and use our match play vouchers. We had £10 each changed up and played for over an hour. I walked away with my original £10 and Dan had £30 so that was excellent.

We went by the photo gallery and saw our photos from the other formal night and there was one lovely one but we just couldn’t justify spending the money.

We went back to the room so Dan could get most of his packing sorted then just walked about the ship now that we finally knew how to find everything lol.

We popped by the buffet for toasted teacakes and scones etc and sat outside by the Aquarius pool. Then we headed back to our room for showers before dinner.

We went to dinner which was a quiet affair, I had steak again and can't remember Dan's dinner, then we went to see the Destination Dance show (moved due to a strained ankle) and it was excellent really enjoyed it.

We showed Derek and Sandra our fave spot for late night snacks and chatted with them for a bit then turned it ready for an early start.

23 June 2013 – Going home

Got up crazy early today to have breakfast I finished with a fry up and Dan had weetabix lol. We had packed our room up so didnt bother going back. We made our way to the theatre and sat and waited and waited. Derek and Sandra turned up so we sat and waited and waited with them. Eventually after delays we were off around 10.30am one of the last ones off.

We found our cases very easily walked through and got in the first queue we saw. After 30 minutes of waiting without moving for what we assumed was CPS we realised we were in the Cruise Parking line a different one altogether. Went to CPS and they gave us key pointed opposite we got in car was on way just after 11am and after stopping for brief lunch at home by 13.30pm. Saw the cat unpacked and relaxed very pleased I had next day off.

[Belle53]

Great reports, thank you for taking the time to do them, they made really good reading

[jay-ell71]

When are you going on the next one?

Really glad you had a good time, and thanks for telling us all about it.

Had to smile about your waiting in the wrong queue to collect your car, but of course next time it will all be a breeze!

[bellybee]

I am not sure lol probably next year fingers crossed since a Baltics one and a European cities as we aren't really sunbathers the beach places don't appeal

[qbman1]

Saw the cat unpacked

That's great news - didn't know we could take the cat in the luggage with us !

Joking aside - great to hear your take on your first cruise. Time to book the next one....!

[Dark Knight]

what a great review