I'm on a cruise ship going round Iceland AMA

[Imdunfer]

As title and we have a day at sea tomorrow so I'll be around to answer.

The evening show starts soon so you might not get a quick answer tonight.

Why are you on Mumsnet instead of enjoying your cruise?

I'm tempted to ask if they have any children, because the carbon footprint of any offspring swamps my holiday into invisibility. Only Mumsnet, as you say 😂

Hoping to see dolphins soon.

I am enjoying my cruise, immensely. We are sailing along in the Arctic Ocean right now, no land in sight, lunch a pleasant memory. I'll probably have a snooze, a swim and dress for dinner.

Absolutely love Iceland! No place like it on Earth. Would live there if I could.
Very envious- do post a photo if you can OP. (Not of Mr Dangly bits!🫠😆).

Yup and thats the problem. Millions of people doing so. Hence we are experiencing a super hot summer (that is making me and many others feel really unwell and miserable) Climate change caused by human activity and lack of regard for the planets wellbeing.

Whataboutery in action. Congrats. I seem to recall you doing similar on your "Ive got plastic grass" thread.

You must live in some kind of weird echo chamber if you only encounter any kind of environmental awareness on Mn. Yes, millions of people take cruises and flights. This is precisely the problem. What part of that do you struggle with?

Do you have children?

You're the one doing the AMA!

I'm not the one using it to beat a Mumsnetter round the head for doing something perfectly normal.

What cabin type have you gone for? What's the food like? Is it easy to get seats in the bars? Anything you'd recommend doing? We're doing the same cruise in Aug and it's a holiday of a lifetime. So excited

Which cruise line and how much is a pint of beer - I’m thinking of booking one and prices vary so much

@Ondeverge in response to your questions
Holidays - rarely and only ever in the UK.
I dont drive
I own one laptop, one ipad, no tv, no mobile phone.
Two adult offspring who both live minimally on the earth. Both own little tech, are minimalists, buy most of their stuff from charity shops, travel by bus/train. They like me are vegetarian.
:)

How much are you paying for your internet package? Kidding. I did that cruise on Queen Anne a couple of years ago, and enjoyed it immensely.

We booked it as a treat to celebrate my husband being well for the first time in 4 years, so we treated ourselves to a suite on level 6. 2 x 3ft beds, 3 seater size sofa in the lounge, balcony with full glass wall, bathroom with ¾ jacuzzi bath (won't be using that!) . I'm trying hard to ignore the fact that since we booked it he's suddenly become unable to walk without sticks and is now booked for back to back hip replacements, but it is taking the shine off a bit not being able to do the full excursions we booked.

Lots of storage, washers and dryers on board coin operated. 90kg baggage allowance!

The food is excellent. Great choice, real quality. Omelette made to order for breakfast, sushi to order at lunch and a great choice in the evening, at least 6 dishes to choose from. Free house wine lunch and dinner is perfectly drinkable.

The coffee is rubbish, don't bother paying for it just get it out of the free urn. Icelandic coffee is super strong on the island!

There's plenty of seating everywhere in the lounge and bars, not always by windows but there's always a view.

Absolutely recommend a dip in the outdoor pool when the ship is rolling. It's deep though, you need to be able to swim and have no fear of water, it drags you under.. And it's a bit chilly even though it's heated.

The Reykjavik tour was pretty boring and the museum almost all static displays. The restaurant at the top has good views. And there's an interactive trip inside a volcano which is good fun.

Food out is shockingly expensive, we're taking stuff off the breakfast buffet out with us when we aren't back in time for lunch. I draw the line at £45 each for fish and chips.

Unless you're sure you don't get seasick take some sea sickness pills with you. I'm pretty good at sea but I needed them for one day.

The theatre shows are real west end quality performances, and all the entertainment around the place is top class.

Expect mayhem on booking in. There's no tea, coffee or even water at the check in and the queue took us an hour. They don't manage the arrivals and although we were 3rd and 4th to arrive we were about 253rd and 254th to get checked in. If it's hot in August it will be horrific in the marquee that they use. Take a shooting stick to sit on if you have trouble standing a long time.

But once on board, it's great. The ship is lovely, hopefully you're going to love it!

£8 a day per device. My tech support is paying for one device and we have hotspotted two phones and 2 tablets to it. It's working fine.

You have swamped my lifetime carbon footprint by adding two more people to the world that the world does not need, so I'd be grateful if you'd get off my back and off my thread about my holiday.

Heineken free at lunch and dinner, we don't buy it so I'm not sure how expensive it is. Coffee £4 a cup waiter service which is pretty good for a hotel.

We're so excited. Dd wanted to see the solar eclipse and I wanted to return to Iceland so the stars aligned! Have you tried any of the classes? How much is there to do on sea days? The pool sounds fab and I'm
stock piling sea sickness tablets.

This clock was built to cover a central support pillar. It plays chimes on the hour.

Photo may take some time to upload.

There are multiple talks every day, cooking demos, ice carving, pilates, yoga, full spa treatments, well equipped gym, games, quizzes, films, there's a permanent whale and bird watching team on board. We love just sitting around watching the world go by but you certainly don't need to.

The indoor pool still has waves but it's in the centre of the ship and they aren't as fierce.

I really envy you the solar eclipse!

Clock

I wonder what he thinks of you…

Thank you. I've never been on a cruise before so am a bit worried I'll be bored at sea but it sounds like we'll have a great time. Dd is 14 but she's used to being with adults so I think she'll be fine. She's usually more popular than we are and we'll get her the internet package.
Thanks for the coffee advice. Dh loves a coffee but we'll save our cash for other stuff!

I know exactly what ship you're on, I have worked on her twice this year and will be back in September.

My question is therefore: which scones do you prefer on the afternoon buffet in the View on deck 8? Raisin or plain?

And - what is the entertainment like on your cruise, in my experience it's been a bit hit and miss but I have heard there is a new entertainment agency providing the shows in the evening.