hi everyone!
are there other cruise formats besides the coastal express to see the northern lights in Norway in winter?
Cruise Review: Regal Princess in the British Isles
by Poupou10
Translated into English.
Hi Isabelle,
Belfast will be a first for us next time, since CFC just canceled the cruise we were supposed to take with stops in Liverpool, Glasgow, and Portsmouth....
As usual, we traveled with the help of your reviews.
Thanks for sharing! Mum49
So sorry for you!
Looks like they frequently cancel itineraries 😕
Given their recurring issue with filling up, wouldn’t you be tempted to book closer to departure for a good deal?
Hello Isabelle,
I agree with you, but since we wanted a cabin with a shower, it was difficult to book so close to departure because most cabins have a bathtub, which isn’t practical for us two "seniors aged 86 and 74." Only the interior cabins have showers, and a few ocean-view cabins (10), plus showers in 2 balcony cabins and 1 shower in a mini-suite—unless I’m mistaken, as it’s not easy to see on the deck plans.
The cruise "Escape to Southern England" from 11/04/26 to 16/04/26, departing from and returning to Dunkirk, was replaced by "Tulip Festival" with stops in Ijmuiden (Amsterdam) for 2 days, Rotterdam, and Antwerp. We’re going to do this one with our eldest daughter, son-in-law, and their 2 kids, for whom it’ll be their first cruise.
For the June cruise, we’ve received several proposals from our agency Croisiland, and we’re going to keep the same dates but choose a different itinerary. I’m waiting for the firm confirmation to book.
Have a great weekend! Guylène
Hi Isa,
I caught up with a good coffee and I’m ready for the rest!
However, the boarding was really chaotic, which is unusual for Princess.
As for me, I’m not a huge fan of Princess cabins (even the superior ones) because they’re a bit small and the shower curtains in the bathroom don’t close properly. I slightly prefer Celebrity or Royal cabins.
My last cruise with Royal Princess was a real success, despite a canceled port stop, and I’m ready to give them another try.
I’m looking forward to the rest of your review, especially your conclusion on Princess, since I’ve read recently that their service has declined even more.
Alfred
I caught up with a good coffee and I’m ready for the rest!
However, the boarding was really chaotic, which is unusual for Princess.
As for me, I’m not a huge fan of Princess cabins (even the superior ones) because they’re a bit small and the shower curtains in the bathroom don’t close properly. I slightly prefer Celebrity or Royal cabins.
My last cruise with Royal Princess was a real success, despite a canceled port stop, and I’m ready to give them another try.
I’m looking forward to the rest of your review, especially your conclusion on Princess, since I’ve read recently that their service has declined even more.
Alfred
HEY Alfred!
Thanks for following along!
It’s kinda weird they still have shower curtains on such a modern ship...
You’re right, the cabins are smaller.
good evening
I didn’t know there were cabins with bathtubs and others with just showers
so the bathrooms must be more spacious than elsewhere 😉
Here are the last 3 stops:
CORK, Ireland
The REGAL PRINCESS docks at Cobh.
The train station is 100m from the terminal, we take the direct train to Cork, the journey takes 45 minutes.
The city center isn't very far from the station, I don't know if there was much else to see, but this city was a bit disappointing. We couldn't visit the cathedral because there was a funeral. We spent the morning there.
We then went back to have lunch on the ship and took a stroll in Cobh, which is a lively little town with colorful facades and, this time, a pleasant surprise! The afternoon is bright, which makes the visit even more enjoyable! Since my mom couldn't visit the TITANIC museum in BELFAST, we decided to check out the one in Cobh. While the one in BELFAST is incredible, the one in Cobh is a total letdown!! Don’t waste your time or money! We visited the cathedral and wandered through the little streets, then walked back along the seaside promenade and did a bit of shopping to finish off—it was really nice!
We then went back to have lunch on the ship and took a stroll in Cobh, which is a lively little town with colorful facades and, this time, a pleasant surprise! The afternoon is bright, which makes the visit even more enjoyable! Since my mom couldn't visit the TITANIC museum in BELFAST, we decided to check out the one in Cobh. While the one in BELFAST is incredible, the one in Cobh is a total letdown!! Don’t waste your time or money! We visited the cathedral and wandered through the little streets, then walked back along the seaside promenade and did a bit of shopping to finish off—it was really nice!
PORTLAND
Portland is a peninsula located in the south of England, connected by a bridge to the British island.
A free shuttle takes you to the charming seaside resort of WEYMOUTH.
A small port, colorful facades, a very large beach, and in the center, a few pedestrian streets—I loved it!
Since the weather was nice, we decided to take a taxi to explore the granite coast, the cliffs, and the famous arch "DURDLE DOOR."
First stop at WEST LULWORTH, a stunning horseshoe-shaped bay with trails to explore the area.
Second stop at DURDLE DOOR, accessible via a steep path—Mom waited at the top because it was too difficult, especially on the way back! It’s worth breaking a sweat—it’s so beautiful!
Originally, we wanted to make a third stop, but I’ll admit we were wiped out! We asked the taxi to take us back to WEYMOUTH to grab a drink on the pier and stroll around the lovely seaside resort a bit more.
This is a stop I’d happily do again!
LE HAVRE
We decided to go to HONFLEUR—we already know it, but it’s been a long time since we last visited. I thought we were close to the bus station, but no such luck! So we took an UBER to the bus station, then caught the 9:30 bus. The trip takes about 45 minutes.
The weather is GORGEOUS! And I’m THRILLED 😎
We rediscovered the lovely port, the beautiful facades, the pedestrian streets, and all the charm of this town where it’s so pleasant to wander. There are some really beautiful shops—it’s a feast for the eyes! We decided to head to the beach we hadn’t seen before, about a 30-minute walk from the center. Since the weather was nice, we could sit on the sand and look at the sea—I never get tired of it!
The sun is shining, it’s so pleasant!
You could say the weather kept getting better and better during this cruise—we started with a storm and ended with a beautiful summer day. It feels amazing!
We took the bus and a taxi back to the ship. It’s 3:00 PM, and the buffet is still open! Isn’t that a great transition to the next chapter? 😉 TO BE CONTINUED: DINING ON BOARD THE REGAL PRINCESS!
We took the bus and a taxi back to the ship. It’s 3:00 PM, and the buffet is still open! Isn’t that a great transition to the next chapter? 😉 TO BE CONTINUED: DINING ON BOARD THE REGAL PRINCESS!
Hey Isa, still here—weather’s always a big deal on a cruise! 😎
hi there!
Thanks for following along!
I totally agree with you—weather makes up 50% of a trip’s success! 😎
DINING ON BOARD THE REGAL PRINCESS
A factor that’s so important on a cruise—dining!
Back in 2017, we ate really well on board.
I’d say that 8 years later, the quality has dipped a bit, but overall, it’s still good.
THE BUFFET We often went to the buffet for breakfast and lunch. I checked out the dinner options a few times—they’re decent but not as good as the main dining room. There’s a ton of choice for breakfast: hot and cold options, loads of variety. A special shout-out for their little quiches, which were always super appetizing. But a HUGE RED CARD for the fruit juices—I’d call them UNDRINKABLE! During one port stop, I bought some juice boxes to have with breakfast. We splurged once and ordered fresh orange juice for $10—worth it! Other than that, everything at breakfast was good. The pastries were decent quality. It was also really nice that they went table to table offering water, the undrinkable fruit juices, coffee… the hot chocolate was good, though!
For lunch, the opening hours were pretty generous, so we could often have lunch on board. Again, lots of choices, and it was tasty! We had delicious creamy mussels several times, new dishes every day, and multiple carved meats—not just one like on most cruise lines. Seriously, we were spoiled! One small downside: the desserts were a bit repetitive and just okay. The soft-serve ice cream wasn’t great—too bad!
Those who wanted to dine there for dinner also found plenty of options, though fewer new dishes than in the restaurant.
A unique feature on PRINCESS is how the buffet is organized into separate sections: one for fruits and desserts, one for sandwiches, salads, and raw veggies, and one for meat, fish, grill, etc. It might seem confusing at first, but you get used to it quickly. What’s smart is that the cutlery and napkins are already on the tables—so convenient! We never had trouble finding a table for four. The flow was smooth, even on sea days—really nice!
SOME PHOTOS OF THE BUFFET:
THE BUFFET We often went to the buffet for breakfast and lunch. I checked out the dinner options a few times—they’re decent but not as good as the main dining room. There’s a ton of choice for breakfast: hot and cold options, loads of variety. A special shout-out for their little quiches, which were always super appetizing. But a HUGE RED CARD for the fruit juices—I’d call them UNDRINKABLE! During one port stop, I bought some juice boxes to have with breakfast. We splurged once and ordered fresh orange juice for $10—worth it! Other than that, everything at breakfast was good. The pastries were decent quality. It was also really nice that they went table to table offering water, the undrinkable fruit juices, coffee… the hot chocolate was good, though!
For lunch, the opening hours were pretty generous, so we could often have lunch on board. Again, lots of choices, and it was tasty! We had delicious creamy mussels several times, new dishes every day, and multiple carved meats—not just one like on most cruise lines. Seriously, we were spoiled! One small downside: the desserts were a bit repetitive and just okay. The soft-serve ice cream wasn’t great—too bad!
Those who wanted to dine there for dinner also found plenty of options, though fewer new dishes than in the restaurant.
A unique feature on PRINCESS is how the buffet is organized into separate sections: one for fruits and desserts, one for sandwiches, salads, and raw veggies, and one for meat, fish, grill, etc. It might seem confusing at first, but you get used to it quickly. What’s smart is that the cutlery and napkins are already on the tables—so convenient! We never had trouble finding a table for four. The flow was smooth, even on sea days—really nice!
SOME PHOTOS OF THE BUFFET:
THE RESTAURANT
We went there three times for breakfast, and it was really pleasant. The speed of service varied a lot—from perfect to painfully slow. The time you arrive definitely makes a difference: there are fewer people at the end of service, so it’s faster.
The food was good and varied, but unlike dinner, there’s more choice at the buffet. Still, it’s nice to be served at your table.
Like on other cruise lines, we missed the longer morning hours—you can only arrive until 9:00 AM.
For dinner, there are three options: the first seating at 5:30 PM, the second seating at 8:00 PM, or open seating.
We chose the third option. With open seating, you can reserve a time, but it fills up fast, so we only managed to book three times.
The main restaurant is divided into three smaller restaurants, depending on whether you choose a set dining time, open seating, or open seating with a daily reservation. The rooms are smaller than a single large restaurant, which is great because it’s much quieter!
No French translations for the menus—we’re getting used to it, but it can be tricky for those who don’t speak the language well enough. Like on all cruise lines, there are always some staple dishes available (beef, chicken, fish, pasta, etc.). I don’t know if it was because of the itinerary, but there was always FISH AND CHIPS available, and I was blown away by how good it was—the best I’ve ever had! The fish was thin and flavorful, not dry at all. I’ll admit, I couldn’t resist ordering it a second time! 😉
Overall, the quality was excellent. The meat was plentiful and really good.
The portions are generous. There’s often an American influence in the dishes, but you’ll definitely find something you like. The desserts are way better than at the buffet—no contest.
The quality of service varied. We never had to wait long for a table, but after that, it could take a while depending on the night. Overall, we were happy. ONE DOWNSIDE: NO LOBSTER OR LANGOUSTINE on the last gala night—that was a letdown. We didn’t see the point in eating at the specialty restaurants that cost extra. Here are some photos of the dishes:
TO BE CONTINUED: the ship and onboard entertainment[;]
The quality of service varied. We never had to wait long for a table, but after that, it could take a while depending on the night. Overall, we were happy. ONE DOWNSIDE: NO LOBSTER OR LANGOUSTINE on the last gala night—that was a letdown. We didn’t see the point in eating at the specialty restaurants that cost extra. Here are some photos of the dishes:
TO BE CONTINUED: the ship and onboard entertainment[;]
Hi Isa,
Thanks for taking the time to detail the dining options—I’ve been really looking forward to this part! From what I see, the decline is pretty widespread, but it still seems quite decent and acceptable with Princess!
That said, charging $10 for fresh fruit juice is a bit much!
For my part, I never drink juice or tea on cruises (I avoid sugar for health reasons). But I do prefer eating fresh fruit—way more vitamins and healthier.
As for menu translations, sometimes the English version is better because the French ones are often poorly translated. That said, with a good translator on our phones, it’s an easy fix!
Nowadays, it’s becoming common not to offer lobster at the end of the cruise to encourage us to go to the specialty restaurants... What a shame!
So, in conclusion, Princess still offers a great value for money despite a few minor imperfections, right?
Have a great Sunday!
Thanks for taking the time to detail the dining options—I’ve been really looking forward to this part! From what I see, the decline is pretty widespread, but it still seems quite decent and acceptable with Princess!
That said, charging $10 for fresh fruit juice is a bit much!
For my part, I never drink juice or tea on cruises (I avoid sugar for health reasons). But I do prefer eating fresh fruit—way more vitamins and healthier.
As for menu translations, sometimes the English version is better because the French ones are often poorly translated. That said, with a good translator on our phones, it’s an easy fix!
Nowadays, it’s becoming common not to offer lobster at the end of the cruise to encourage us to go to the specialty restaurants... What a shame!
So, in conclusion, Princess still offers a great value for money despite a few minor imperfections, right?
Have a great Sunday!
Hey Joseph,
I’ll save the value-for-money verdict for my conclusion 😉
On CELEBRITY, lobster’s still on the menu, but the quality of other dishes like the New York steak has dropped—it’s way better on PRINCESS...
When you say lobster’s no longer a thing, are there other cruise lines that have dropped it too?
Hi Isa,
Once again, we can see that when it comes to dining, the experience can vary greatly from one ship to another within the same cruise line and even during the same season. While the guidelines may be the same, the execution depends on the Chef, the talents on board, and can lead to very different results.
Hey Isabelle,
You're right, the food really matters on a cruise 😉. Since I don’t know this company, I see it doesn’t look bad at all.
The dessert photo looks amazing—they’re so pretty! I’ll let you know if there’s still lobster on my next Celebrity cruise 😉.
Mich74
Hi Joseph,
I’m saving the value-for-money verdict for my conclusion 😉
On CELEBRITY, lobster is still served, but the quality of other dishes like the New York steak has dropped—it’s much better on PRINCESS...
When you say lobster isn’t really a thing anymore, are there other cruise lines that have also dropped it?
On the NCL Sky, there was no lobster (except in the specialty restaurants). On the Royal Princess (in the Pacific), I didn’t get any either, and from what I remember, I don’t think I had any in 2023 on the Ovation OTS (also in the Pacific).
I asked a server about it, and he told me it depends on the destinations and the ships. For example: in the Caribbean, Princess still serves lobster before the end of the cruise. On some Royal ships, they even have all-you-can-eat lobster at the buffet on the first and last day. Go figure!
Alfred
On the NCL Sky, there was no lobster (except in the specialty restaurants). On the Royal Princess (in the Pacific), I didn’t get any either, and from what I remember, I don’t think I had any in 2023 on the Ovation OTS (also in the Pacific).
I asked a server about it, and he told me it depends on the destinations and the ships. For example: in the Caribbean, Princess still serves lobster before the end of the cruise. On some Royal ships, they even have all-you-can-eat lobster at the buffet on the first and last day. Go figure!
Alfred
Hi Isa,
Thanks for the photos and their always interesting descriptions. That fresh orange juice for $10 must be well digested by now. Have a great evening! Guylène
Thanks for the photos and their always interesting descriptions. That fresh orange juice for $10 must be well digested by now. Have a great evening! Guylène
Hi Catherine,
what notable differences do you notice compared to yours?
Are the menus in the restaurant similar?
Was the orange juice good? 😉
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Hello everyone!
Just a little backstory—my username comes from the year I took my first cruise.
Sixteen years and nine cruises later, I’m currently on my 10th, this time in the Yacht Club interior.
I’m taking you along with me!
Left Marseille on Wednesday, October 21st. After train troubles (issues on the Paris-Marseille line), then getting lost at La Joliette—years ago, I’d taken the metro and the port bus, thinking I had to go left once near the port, but no, the little gate is on the right after the shopping center.
Wait, she took the metro and bus to the Yacht Club? Yep! After waiting 15 minutes for the shuttle, once the bus dropped us off, it was a 15-20 minute walk to the ship. Finally, we made it to the boarding dock. Headed toward the little Yacht Club flag, where a nice young woman checked our IDs and gave us luggage tags. She walked us through security (we got to skip the line). After that, we went to the Yacht Club lounge, where two butlers were waiting. They offered us drinks, and a third person arrived to check passports and handle registration. Then, they gave us a form to pick a complimentary bottle—I didn’t do it right away. I felt a little rushed by everyone. I’ll explain more later in my story. Today, we’re in Barcelona. A few photos to come in the meantime.
Left Marseille on Wednesday, October 21st. After train troubles (issues on the Paris-Marseille line), then getting lost at La Joliette—years ago, I’d taken the metro and the port bus, thinking I had to go left once near the port, but no, the little gate is on the right after the shopping center.
Wait, she took the metro and bus to the Yacht Club? Yep! After waiting 15 minutes for the shuttle, once the bus dropped us off, it was a 15-20 minute walk to the ship. Finally, we made it to the boarding dock. Headed toward the little Yacht Club flag, where a nice young woman checked our IDs and gave us luggage tags. She walked us through security (we got to skip the line). After that, we went to the Yacht Club lounge, where two butlers were waiting. They offered us drinks, and a third person arrived to check passports and handle registration. Then, they gave us a form to pick a complimentary bottle—I didn’t do it right away. I felt a little rushed by everyone. I’ll explain more later in my story. Today, we’re in Barcelona. A few photos to come in the meantime.
Hi everyone, I’m going on a cruise at the end of January with MSC and I’m looking into the excursions I could do. I’d like to know if I can do the excursions on my own or if I absolutely have to go through MSC based on safety levels.
We’ll be stopping in Montego Bay in Jamaica, Cartagena in Colombia, Puerto Limón in Costa Rica, Belize City, and Colón in Panama.
Thanks!
Emeline
Hi there,
Has anyone here tried GigSky’s “Cruise + Land” eSIM during your cruise?
I’ve seen on various forums that they offer some great deals. For my part, I found a one-month plan (5 GB) for 78 €, whereas MSC charges 290 € on board.
Since we can’t afford to go completely offline (especially my wife—we need to stay in touch for several reasons), we absolutely need an internet plan.
Thanks in advance
Has anyone here tried GigSky’s “Cruise + Land” eSIM during your cruise?
I’ve seen on various forums that they offer some great deals. For my part, I found a one-month plan (5 GB) for 78 €, whereas MSC charges 290 € on board.
Since we can’t afford to go completely offline (especially my wife—we need to stay in touch for several reasons), we absolutely need an internet plan.
Thanks in advance
Hi there,
I’m looking into a Mediterranean cruise on the Splendida in YC.
I’d love to know if it’s a ship with a lot of triple and quadruple cabins in the Yacht Club. The thing is, I’m planning to depart from Malta, and either the cruise ends during the French school holidays in October with a departure from Marseille—which means there’s a risk of lots of kids on board—or the other option is a departure on October 30th, which might also have some French kids during the first part of the cruise.
I read that some ships in the Fantasia class have more triple or quadruple cabins than others, but I’m not sure if the Splendida is one of them.
If anyone has that info… PS: This isn’t about starting a debate on traveling with or without kids… I’d just like a quiet week, and that’s not always easy in a small space with lots of children around.
I’d love to know if it’s a ship with a lot of triple and quadruple cabins in the Yacht Club. The thing is, I’m planning to depart from Malta, and either the cruise ends during the French school holidays in October with a departure from Marseille—which means there’s a risk of lots of kids on board—or the other option is a departure on October 30th, which might also have some French kids during the first part of the cruise.
I read that some ships in the Fantasia class have more triple or quadruple cabins than others, but I’m not sure if the Splendida is one of them.
If anyone has that info… PS: This isn’t about starting a debate on traveling with or without kids… I’d just like a quiet week, and that’s not always easy in a small space with lots of children around.
Hello,
I'm considering a cruise on the Hurtigruten Coastal Express from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Bergen over 11 days in mid-March 2027. Has anyone already done this trip? I think it’s a great way to discover the Norwegian coast with the chance to see magnificent northern lights, but isn’t the trip a bit *too* long? There are about thirty stops, but most last only a few minutes, with just one daily stop of over 2 hours, which gives a quick glimpse of a few towns but doesn’t allow for a full excursion. Is the supplement for an outside cabin with a porthole (800 € for 2!) really worth it? It’s more pleasant than an inside cabin, but do you spend enough time in your cabin to make the most of it? Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this journey. Best regards.
I'm considering a cruise on the Hurtigruten Coastal Express from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Bergen over 11 days in mid-March 2027. Has anyone already done this trip? I think it’s a great way to discover the Norwegian coast with the chance to see magnificent northern lights, but isn’t the trip a bit *too* long? There are about thirty stops, but most last only a few minutes, with just one daily stop of over 2 hours, which gives a quick glimpse of a few towns but doesn’t allow for a full excursion. Is the supplement for an outside cabin with a porthole (800 € for 2!) really worth it? It’s more pleasant than an inside cabin, but do you spend enough time in your cabin to make the most of it? Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this journey. Best regards.
Hello, I’ll be on the Costa Serena from April 27 to May 4, 2027. Given that the excursions offered by Costa can sometimes be pricey, what would you recommend for the following stopovers?
Cagliari.
Tunis.
Palermo.
Marseille.
Thanks for keeping in mind that we’re in our sixties and one member of our small group can’t handle very long walks (so no more than 6 km in a day).
Thank you for your help.
Hi,
QWhen a cruise ship stays overnight at port, can we spend the night off the ship?
Thanks!
hi there
Here’s the cruise schedule for 2026.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members.
2 essential rules:
1) never "quote" the calendar when replying—this’ll avoid any confusion 2) follow the format below DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry!PLEASE respect the templates! COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / / It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF CRUISES 2026: JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
1) never "quote" the calendar when replying—this’ll avoid any confusion 2) follow the format below DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry!PLEASE respect the templates! COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / / It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF CRUISES 2026: JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Hi, I’m about to go on a cruise on the Costa Smeralda but I’ve never been on a cruise before. Could anyone share the à-la-carte drink menu? I’d like to know if the prices are excessive, since the MyDrinks drink packages, for example, cost 266 € per adult.
Have a great day! 😉
We're leaving on August 25th for a Danube cruise from Vienna to Bucharest. The travel agency refuses to postpone this cruise despite navigation changes due to the exceptional drought, which include bus transfers that don’t interest us.
Have you had any experiences with this that you’d like to share?
Just back from our first cruise on the Renaissance, and I’d like to share a few thoughts about life on board. Our feelings are mixed—we wanted a change after several MSC cruises, but the value for money on this repositioning cruise left us torn.
After taking advantage of successive promotions, we finally secured a well-located balcony cabin for 2600 € (almost 50% off the brochure rate). Given the amenities and the ship’s age, this now feels like the absolute maximum we’d pay for that period.
Overall, we were happy with our vacation on board, but a few details—when added up—left us with a somewhat mixed impression.
The pros: - Ship size - Reasonable noise levels, except in the restaurants (aside from the covered pool area) - Spacious balcony cabin (20 + 5 m²) with plenty of storage and a bathtub with jets - Understated, tasteful decor - French language spoken on board - Friendly staff for the most part - 100% French-speaking clientele - Decent food with French dishes (even with an Indian chef) - Tables for two available (though the ship was full, so no changes possible) - Some high-quality shows, thanks to an excellent English-speaking troupe - Interesting lectures (especially on history and cetaceans)
The cons: - Unreliable air conditioning in common areas (you’d go from a freezing lounge to a hot one, as if the system only worked in certain spaces at certain times) - Aging ship with a few glitches (noises, AC, toilet flushes, lights) reported at reception (luckily, our only issue was the bathroom door not closing...) - Industrial, thawed-out bread and pastries (a letdown for a ship with a French image) - Limited fruit selection (often just apples and watermelon/melon) and not much variety in vegetables - Worn, sometimes stained restaurant towels
We’re not ruling out another cruise on the Renaissance—their itineraries are unique—but only at a very competitive price.
The pros: - Ship size - Reasonable noise levels, except in the restaurants (aside from the covered pool area) - Spacious balcony cabin (20 + 5 m²) with plenty of storage and a bathtub with jets - Understated, tasteful decor - French language spoken on board - Friendly staff for the most part - 100% French-speaking clientele - Decent food with French dishes (even with an Indian chef) - Tables for two available (though the ship was full, so no changes possible) - Some high-quality shows, thanks to an excellent English-speaking troupe - Interesting lectures (especially on history and cetaceans)
The cons: - Unreliable air conditioning in common areas (you’d go from a freezing lounge to a hot one, as if the system only worked in certain spaces at certain times) - Aging ship with a few glitches (noises, AC, toilet flushes, lights) reported at reception (luckily, our only issue was the bathroom door not closing...) - Industrial, thawed-out bread and pastries (a letdown for a ship with a French image) - Limited fruit selection (often just apples and watermelon/melon) and not much variety in vegetables - Worn, sometimes stained restaurant towels
We’re not ruling out another cruise on the Renaissance—their itineraries are unique—but only at a very competitive price.
Hi everyone,
I’m going on a Mediterranean cruise in November and I’m looking for some "tips" to visit the cities of Naples, Messina, and Valletta in Malta without booking the ship’s excursions, which are really expensive.
Thanks so much for your advice and suggestions. We’re a group of 6 people.
Looking forward to hearing from you...
Best,
M
PS: We’re also stopping in Genoa and Barcelona—even though we know these two cities, we’d still love any tips for visiting them! Thanks
PS: We’re also stopping in Genoa and Barcelona—even though we know these two cities, we’d still love any tips for visiting them! Thanks
Hello everyone,
We’re a senior couple signed up for a 13-day cruise in Japan on the Princess Sapphire, departing from Yokohama on April 8, 2027.
Are there any other French speakers on this forum who’ll be on this trip?
Hoping for a reply...
Hi, we're heading to Venice soon. We have a hotel in Mestre and we'd like to know which bus can take us from the Mestre hotel to Marghera Port. Thanks.
Hi everyone ...
We’re planning to do the 83-day Cunard cruise ...
departing from Southampton on January 10, 2027 aboard the Queen Anne ...
has anyone done it ... or have any info ... or tips ...
for example ... deck and cabin choices ... drink packages ... excursions ... etc.
... anything good to know about this ship???
Thanks everyone ...
Hi there,
Here’s the 2027 cruise schedule.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members!
2 essential rules:
1) Never "quote" the schedule when replying—this avoids any confusion. 2) Follow this format: DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry about that. IMPORTANT Please respect the templates! PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE HAVING TROUBLE DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / / It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF 2027 CRUISES: 1 JANUARY 14/01 - poupou10 / AZAMARA JOURNEY / 74 days / South America Tour / Miami FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
1) Never "quote" the schedule when replying—this avoids any confusion. 2) Follow this format: DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry about that. IMPORTANT Please respect the templates! PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE HAVING TROUBLE DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / / It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF 2027 CRUISES: 1 JANUARY 14/01 - poupou10 / AZAMARA JOURNEY / 74 days / South America Tour / Miami FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Hi,
We’ll be visiting Barcelona for the first time on our upcoming cruise.
I was wondering if it’s better to book a taxi in advance to get from the train station to the cruise terminal, since there’ll be four of us. Are there enough taxis around that we won’t have to wait too long?
For the return trip, same question—are there enough taxis, since we have a flight to catch? Though I doubt we’ll know in advance which terminal we’ll dock at.
I came across this site below—has anyone heard of it?
https://taxibarcelona.taxi/fr/
Thanks! !
Thanks! !
Hi everyone, we're going on a week-long cruise and I have a question: can we travel by train and on a cruise with small refrigerated injectable syringes?
Do we need to complete any formalities?
And how should we store them?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Hi,
Thanks for sharing the sites to discover.
Best,
Hi everyone! I’m used to sailing on a sailboat with two or three people—it’s amazing. But I’d love to try the experience of a cruise. Just to clarify, I’ll be going alone. My first question: are there other solo travelers on these cruises, or is it mostly couples and families?
For a first cruise, I’d prefer a short one (maximum 8 days). Do those exist? And on the smallest boat possible. I live in Marseille, so a departure from Marseille would work, but I’m open to other ports too. If you have a cruise line to recommend and a destination you’ve enjoyed, or if you’ve had a great experience on a more intimate-sized ship, I’d love to hear about it!
Thanks a million for your replies! Marie
For a first cruise, I’d prefer a short one (maximum 8 days). Do those exist? And on the smallest boat possible. I live in Marseille, so a departure from Marseille would work, but I’m open to other ports too. If you have a cruise line to recommend and a destination you’ve enjoyed, or if you’ve had a great experience on a more intimate-sized ship, I’d love to hear about it!
Thanks a million for your replies! Marie
Hello,
We just returned from a cruise from 08/13/26 to 08/20/26 on the MSC ORCHESTRA with stops in Tarragona, Valencia, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Genoa, and back to Marseille. The ship was fully booked. Deck chairs were already occupied by beach towels early in the morning, and there were only 1 or 2 people in the pools... However, on the day the Italians disembarked, there were very few towels on the deck chairs. We found the Italians less talkative.
We had a balcony cabin on deck 9, starboard side. The cabin was spacious, but the sofa was facing the desk, making it a pain to watch TV (neck strain guaranteed). So, we changed the sofa’s orientation to face the TV (we put it back in place on disembarkation day). There were 325 French speakers on board, and a lot of staff from Mauritius, which made communication easier.
No annoying announcements about bingo, etc.—a nice change from COSTA.
For dinner, we were at the first sitting at 7:45 PM, at a table for 6. On the first night, we were two "gray-haired" couples at the table. The second night, two young women joined us but asked to change tables after seeing us... The show for our dinner time was at 10:15 PM and ended around 11:00 PM. We found that a bit late for us. The shows were varied and of good quality. The restaurant menus offered plenty of choices, but at the buffet at lunchtime, there were a lot of dishes with quite a few carbs. Afternoon tea from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM included some great pastries, among other things.
We had an issue with the air conditioning and bad odors in the cabin one afternoon. I reported the problem to the reception, and staff along with our cabin steward came to check the cabin. The issue was resolved that same afternoon. Two days later, we were surprised to find a bag with items inside: 2 MSC mugs and 2 MSC thermos flasks that keep drinks hot or cold for 10 hours. It was a gift from customer service following the bad odors in our cabin. We weren’t expecting this at all and thanked MSC’s customer service.
For excursions, MSC always offers port-to-city-center transfers for 14 € per adult in Valencia and Tarragona, and 12 € per child. In Livorno, it was 10 € per adult and 7 € per child. In Civitavecchia, there was a shuttle to the train station for 6 €. On the MSC for Me app, there were "promotions" on certain excursions. We really enjoyed this cruise, but we couldn’t revisit some stops (Tarragona and Valencia) on our own because it was too hot. Great evening: Mum49
We just returned from a cruise from 08/13/26 to 08/20/26 on the MSC ORCHESTRA with stops in Tarragona, Valencia, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Genoa, and back to Marseille. The ship was fully booked. Deck chairs were already occupied by beach towels early in the morning, and there were only 1 or 2 people in the pools... However, on the day the Italians disembarked, there were very few towels on the deck chairs. We found the Italians less talkative.
We had a balcony cabin on deck 9, starboard side. The cabin was spacious, but the sofa was facing the desk, making it a pain to watch TV (neck strain guaranteed). So, we changed the sofa’s orientation to face the TV (we put it back in place on disembarkation day). There were 325 French speakers on board, and a lot of staff from Mauritius, which made communication easier.
No annoying announcements about bingo, etc.—a nice change from COSTA.
For dinner, we were at the first sitting at 7:45 PM, at a table for 6. On the first night, we were two "gray-haired" couples at the table. The second night, two young women joined us but asked to change tables after seeing us... The show for our dinner time was at 10:15 PM and ended around 11:00 PM. We found that a bit late for us. The shows were varied and of good quality. The restaurant menus offered plenty of choices, but at the buffet at lunchtime, there were a lot of dishes with quite a few carbs. Afternoon tea from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM included some great pastries, among other things.
We had an issue with the air conditioning and bad odors in the cabin one afternoon. I reported the problem to the reception, and staff along with our cabin steward came to check the cabin. The issue was resolved that same afternoon. Two days later, we were surprised to find a bag with items inside: 2 MSC mugs and 2 MSC thermos flasks that keep drinks hot or cold for 10 hours. It was a gift from customer service following the bad odors in our cabin. We weren’t expecting this at all and thanked MSC’s customer service.
For excursions, MSC always offers port-to-city-center transfers for 14 € per adult in Valencia and Tarragona, and 12 € per child. In Livorno, it was 10 € per adult and 7 € per child. In Civitavecchia, there was a shuttle to the train station for 6 €. On the MSC for Me app, there were "promotions" on certain excursions. We really enjoyed this cruise, but we couldn’t revisit some stops (Tarragona and Valencia) on our own because it was too hot. Great evening: Mum49
Hi there!
I’m going on a cruise with MSC on the World Europa this coming October.
Stops: Genoa, Naples, Messina, Malta.
Has anyone visited Mount Etna and Pompeii?
Could you share some tips for each of these stops?
I’d like to explore on my own without booking the ship’s excursions.
Thanks for your advice!
We're considering a Danube cruise that stops in Bucharest.
Are there any travelers currently on the river, which is at its lowest level?
Hi there,
I’m taking a cruise on the Costa Pacifica in December—what should I expect in terms of rough seas?
contact me to get referred at MSC, for your first cruise or if you haven't traveled with MSC in over 5 years
Hello!
After a lot of hesitation between different cruise lines (Explora, Oceania, YC, HAL, NCL) and several destinations like Norway, Ireland, and Iceland,
I finally chose NCL’s Star for Iceland. I had already looked at this itinerary when I went to Scotland in April with CFC, but it was really expensive. You should know that CFC often offers last-minute deals 45 days before departure (the point when you can no longer cancel or modify). So, I got a great opportunity and grabbed it. Departure is on August 23rd.
I finally chose NCL’s Star for Iceland. I had already looked at this itinerary when I went to Scotland in April with CFC, but it was really expensive. You should know that CFC often offers last-minute deals 45 days before departure (the point when you can no longer cancel or modify). So, I got a great opportunity and grabbed it. Departure is on August 23rd.
Hi everyone,
I’m staying in a suite on the Pacifica in October and I can’t find any details about the suite benefits beyond the elite restaurant, the butler, and the espresso machine.
What about breakfast and meals served free in the cabin, and the spa?
Costa’s been cutting back on perks for Gold members, and it seems like suites are next.
Thanks for your replies!
Hello,
We’re back from this cruise.
Boarding in Dunkirk: The doors opened around 12 PM. Since we were a bit early, I asked if my husband, who uses a walker, could wait inside instead of outside. I left him with the two suitcases and our two backpacks in the small hall while I parked the car in the reserved CFC parking lot for 10 € per day.
The shuttle that was supposed to take people from the parking lot to the model pavilion was supposed to arrive in 5 minutes, but after 15 minutes, nothing. After waiting 15 minutes, I saw a man walking and asked if I could follow him. In 15 minutes, we arrived, and still no sign of the shuttle—it must have passed us. Arrived at the model pavilion.
My husband had already checked in the suitcases with the help of a CFC staff member. The remaining formalities were completed quickly. We were on board by 12:15 PM. Headed to the buffet on deck 11 and waited in a lounge to access our cabin.
At 2 PM, we discovered our balcony cabin on deck 9 at the rear: spacious with a large balcony compared to MSC/COSTA.
Since we were at the rear, cabin 9202, there was always an issue with elevator number 4: "priority."
Elevator number 2 stops at deck 10... and elevator number 3 was often out of order, leaving only number 1 for those with mobility issues to reach the buffet, especially for people who struggle with stairs. Note: only one child on board and lots of "gray hair."
DAY 2: At sea. Lots of activities offered.
Day 3: GOTHENBURG (Sweden). Sunny, 19°C at 11 AM.
Excursion booked with CFC: Gothenburg and Haga for all.
Interesting visit with a great guide. The HAGA district, in our opinion, is full of cobblestones and nothing special, not suitable for people using a cane or wheelchair. Elevator number 3 was out of order again.
Day 4: Copenhagen. 15°C in the morning, showers in the afternoon.
We didn’t book an excursion since we’d already stopped here with CFC in 2025, and based on advice from this forum, we took the hop-on/hop-off bus right in front of the ship. I still went to see the Little Mermaid again.
No TV, but the elevator was fixed.
DAY 5: At sea. Still no TV.
DAY 6: GDANSK (Poland). 15°C, rain all day.
There’s a shuttle to get to the city center.
We took the excursion: Panorama of Gdansk.
The guide left us at the entrance of the city center for 45 minutes, telling us what to visit. Meet-up for the rest of the tour at 3 PM. The bus left at 3:15 PM to cover 10 km to see St. Mary’s Cathedral. We arrived at 4:16 PM... The guide said there are often traffic jams in that direction. We had 10 minutes on site before heading to see the lighthouse and the Westerplatte monument, where we also had 10 minutes.
Many of us wondered why we didn’t do the tour in the opposite direction since they knew there would be traffic...
I went to reception to complain about the organization. The staff member read me the program: we were supposed to start with the lighthouse, then go to the cathedral and stay for 30 minutes before heading to the center of Gdansk for a short guided walk with some free time to buy souvenirs, etc.
The guide did the complete opposite of what was planned and didn’t even give us a guided tour—just dropped us off in the city...
DAY 7: Bornholm Island (Denmark). 14°C, a few sunny spells.
We saw in the excursions that there was a walking tour of RØNNE. So, like many others, we explored on our own. There was a small orchestra welcoming us at the port and two people with city maps. We took the shuttle to leave the port—it ran every 15 minutes. The tourist office was next to the "shuttle bus." A pleasant visit at our own pace.
DAY 8: KIEL (Germany). 18–23°C, nice weather.
We took the "Kiel for all" excursion. Great guide and interesting visits.
The port is in the city, and in 10 minutes, we were in the city center by following a blue line on the ground from the port. Elevator 3 was stuck again... and the TV was back.
DAY 9: At sea. Elevator 3 works.
DAY 10: At sea. Elevator 3 is out of order again...
DAY 11: Disembarkation in Dunkirk.
Cabins had to be vacated by 7:30 AM. Buffet open until 9 AM.
Elevator number 1 was "reserved," leaving only number 2, which doesn’t go up to deck 11... a problem for people with mobility issues who had to cross the entire deck 11 and try to use one of the four working elevators at the front, which were crowded.
My opinion: Interesting stops.
The onboard staff were always welcoming, smiling, and mostly French-speaking.
Evening shows were better than in March/April 2025—better singers, dancers, and presenters, and the costumes were improved.
I liked the "magician" shows less.
There were three onboard lectures by a very cultured person, but they went off-topic and were too historical for my taste. I didn’t attend the other two; my husband went to the second but not the third.
For this cruise, there was a bridge theme, but we’re not players or interested.
We didn’t take a drink package on board—water, coffee, tea, and herbal teas were available.
We had a water leak in our cabin the night before disembarkation. We reported it, and after the technical staff came (with a translator who didn’t speak English), we were asked to leave the cabin for a while for repairs. We went to a lounge, and after 1.5 hours, I checked in at reception. The repair took longer than expected... we had to change cabins... not ideal the night before disembarkation. No balcony cabins were available, so we got an ocean-view cabin, 6075, with a bathtub (impossible for both of us to use). We packed our suitcases, took a shower in our cabin, and moved to the new one. Noise from chairs until 12:30 AM because the cabin was under a lounge, and constant ventilation noise in the hallway... sleep was hard to come by. Disembarkation: Well organized. We were helped with transporting the two suitcases and bags to the waiting room while I took the shuttle to get the car. Guylène
We had a water leak in our cabin the night before disembarkation. We reported it, and after the technical staff came (with a translator who didn’t speak English), we were asked to leave the cabin for a while for repairs. We went to a lounge, and after 1.5 hours, I checked in at reception. The repair took longer than expected... we had to change cabins... not ideal the night before disembarkation. No balcony cabins were available, so we got an ocean-view cabin, 6075, with a bathtub (impossible for both of us to use). We packed our suitcases, took a shower in our cabin, and moved to the new one. Noise from chairs until 12:30 AM because the cabin was under a lounge, and constant ventilation noise in the hallway... sleep was hard to come by. Disembarkation: Well organized. We were helped with transporting the two suitcases and bags to the waiting room while I took the shuttle to get the car. Guylène
Hi there,
I'm looking at a cruise in the north.Which one do you think is more interesting? Thanks