Arcadia - Iberia November 2016.
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Topic author - Able Seaman
- Posts: 2
- Joined: September 2015
Arcadia - Iberia November 2016.
Hi, just joined the forum and we are thinking of booking a cruise sailing from/to Southampton mid November 2016 to Iberia. Have cruised a couple of times but never this late in the year from Southampton. We know it's pot luck with the sea conditions but wondered if the Arcadia is up to the job Will we be required to take raincoats/fleeces at this time of the year. Thanks.
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- Deputy Captain
- Posts: 5613
- Joined: March 2013
- Location: Instow Devon
Re: Arcadia - Iberia November 2016.
Take everything to cover all eventualites
We did Iberia in mid/late October on Oriana last year and it was 'Scorchio' all the way and back.
We couldn't believe our luck.
We went up as far as Valencia and it was low 30's
Arcadia has the covered pool so if it's not so great outside, at least you can sit in the warm and relax and swim.
Whatever the weather, you can almost guarantee that November in the Med will be much nicer than November in the UK
We off on Arcadia in early November this year to the Canaries.
I expect drab weather until Madiera, then wall to wall sunshine until well on the way back.
Last call is Lisbon and that will be pot luck.
If it's horrible, we'll just stay on board.
As you well know, you pays your money you takes your chance.
PS, welcome to the forum !
We did Iberia in mid/late October on Oriana last year and it was 'Scorchio' all the way and back.
We couldn't believe our luck.
We went up as far as Valencia and it was low 30's
Arcadia has the covered pool so if it's not so great outside, at least you can sit in the warm and relax and swim.
Whatever the weather, you can almost guarantee that November in the Med will be much nicer than November in the UK
We off on Arcadia in early November this year to the Canaries.
I expect drab weather until Madiera, then wall to wall sunshine until well on the way back.
Last call is Lisbon and that will be pot luck.
If it's horrible, we'll just stay on board.
As you well know, you pays your money you takes your chance.
PS, welcome to the forum !
Empty vessels .. and all that
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- Captain
- Posts: 12153
- Joined: January 2013
- Location: Oxfordshire
Re: Arcadia - Iberia November 2016.
Welcome - you will certainly find plenty of kind people here who are more than happy to offer help and advice on a variety of topics !
We have taken several winter cruises on Arcadia from Southampton and the journey south can be unpredictable, as Barney has said. We have had some really calm crossings but a few rough ones too but Arcadia rides the seas very well and we would never think twice before booking a winter cruise on her (in fact we already have this year!). What the north Atlantic throws at you is in the lap of the Gods though!
The weather in northern Spain is much like home - certainly expect La Corunna or Vigo to be damp and cold. Lisbon will be a bit warmer but could still be a bit chilly if you are unlucky. Take an assortment of layers!
Most of all, just enjoy the experience!
We have taken several winter cruises on Arcadia from Southampton and the journey south can be unpredictable, as Barney has said. We have had some really calm crossings but a few rough ones too but Arcadia rides the seas very well and we would never think twice before booking a winter cruise on her (in fact we already have this year!). What the north Atlantic throws at you is in the lap of the Gods though!
The weather in northern Spain is much like home - certainly expect La Corunna or Vigo to be damp and cold. Lisbon will be a bit warmer but could still be a bit chilly if you are unlucky. Take an assortment of layers!
Most of all, just enjoy the experience!
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- First Officer
- Posts: 1854
- Joined: January 2013
- Location: Poole Bay, Dorset
Re: Arcadia - Iberia November 2016.
Got2 . . . .
Welcome aboard our friendly ship
Usually the weather beyond the BoB is OK in November
Arcadia is a very large but a good cruise ship
All the best
Graham
Welcome aboard our friendly ship
Usually the weather beyond the BoB is OK in November
Arcadia is a very large but a good cruise ship
All the best
Graham
Gentle Giant of Cerne Abbas
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Topic author - Able Seaman
- Posts: 2
- Joined: September 2015
Re: Arcadia - Iberia November 2016.
Thanks. Special birthday for the wife on 21 November 16 and she does like cruising! My GP reckons that my fly cruising will be over this year so it's Southampton - Southampton.
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- First Officer
- Posts: 1126
- Joined: January 2013
Re: Arcadia - Iberia November 2016.
Arcadia is one of the most stable ships in the fleet when in bad weather - something to do with its 'azipods'!! Like everyone else - BOB - nobody can predict but we have always had lovely weather and we normally go in November.
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- Deputy Captain
- Posts: 5613
- Joined: March 2013
- Location: Instow Devon
Re: Arcadia - Iberia November 2016.
"My GP reckons that my fly cruising will be over this year so it's Southampton - Southampton."
Southampton & back can be somewhat limiting unless you have time to do a long cruise but the trade off of avoiding the airports seems to attract many.
We still take annual land based holidays that involve flying out & back but we are both slowly moving away from this.
Cruising to and from the UK is just so chilled and stressless.
Now I've retired from Scuba diving, I expect that even our shorter breaks may become cruises
I had an 'issue' on my last dive with a faulty regulator at 35 metres which has led to A. a loss of confidence & B. having to swear to the missus that I'll call it a day.
We both love sea days so that's not an issue although I know that others find them uninteresting.
We're still to go north so that we eventually be something new.
What is the special birthday on the 21st Nov 2016 ?
My 60th is 20th Nov 2016
We currently have a cruise booked for that but I'm thinking about changing it to a longer and therefore more special one
Southampton & back can be somewhat limiting unless you have time to do a long cruise but the trade off of avoiding the airports seems to attract many.
We still take annual land based holidays that involve flying out & back but we are both slowly moving away from this.
Cruising to and from the UK is just so chilled and stressless.
Now I've retired from Scuba diving, I expect that even our shorter breaks may become cruises
I had an 'issue' on my last dive with a faulty regulator at 35 metres which has led to A. a loss of confidence & B. having to swear to the missus that I'll call it a day.
We both love sea days so that's not an issue although I know that others find them uninteresting.
We're still to go north so that we eventually be something new.
What is the special birthday on the 21st Nov 2016 ?
My 60th is 20th Nov 2016
We currently have a cruise booked for that but I'm thinking about changing it to a longer and therefore more special one
Empty vessels .. and all that