Candyfloss & Dreams

Author: Kat Candyfloss

P&O Azura Cabin Tour & Review

Our Cabin: R246, On board P&O’s Azura Ship – August 2016

You may remember the last cruise we did in November 2015 on board Oceana. This time we sailed for a week along the Norwegian coastline.

Booking Your Cabin

We booked our cabin with Thomas Cook on board the P&O Cruise Ship Azura in June 2015 to sail alongside the beautiful Norwegian Fjords. When you book with P&O you have the choice of Select or Standard price, with the prior having a few more features and benefits. We went with the select price as it meant we could choose the exact cabin we wanted. A balcony cabin seemed like the obvious choice and the best way to see the Fjords as we sailed by in the early morning and late afternoon. It is really lovely to be able to have your own private outside space.

When booking with the select price you are able to choose the type of cabin, the deck and the cabin number. I believe when you use the standard option you select the type of cabin you want and then it is allocated to you nearer the time you set sail.

P&O’s Free “Upgrade” Option

This is a tricky one. Personally, I do not recommend that you keep this box ticked if you are happy with your cabin. We believe this option was mis-sold to us by basically telling us if we selected yes to a complimentary upgrade, we may get a bigger room, perhaps even a mini suite or some extra amenities in the room. This was not the case and around seven weeks prior to our cruise we were upgraded to a cabin mid-ship and with an overlooked balcony. We specifically said we didn’t want an overlooked balcony as I would feel a bit self-conscious with people looking down on us.

The balconies are partially covered, lower down on the ship and ideal for those that need a bit more space. When we asked about this as we couldn’t really see how an overlooked cabin was an upgrade we were told that it was a higher grade balcony but they couldn’t explain how. There was no mention that it was slightly bigger in the cabin. We were also told that we would be unlikely to get seasick or feel much of the ship’s movement on this deck midship.

However, my partner and I do not get seasick so this seemed irrelevant. After speaking through Twitter with the very helpful Francesca who answered all my concerns promptly and politely she was able to move us back to our room and un select the upgrade option on our behalf.

I have also read and heard complaints that guests have had this option to upgrade for free selected and in fact been moved to a smaller room. My recommendation would be to select the upgrade option if you are in an inside or outside cabin with the hopes of being moved to a balcony. In future, if we decide to cruise again with P&O we will only select this option in those instances.

Cabin R246

Our cabin was situated on Riveria, Deck 14, in the front of the ship, port side. We had a clear few of the bridge and excellent views when coming in and out of the port from our balcony. The room is very spacious and was plenty of room for the two of us during our week away.

Features – Two single beds that can be made up into a king size bed. Very comfortable and a really good size considering Adam is 6’5” and I am a chunky lady. We both felt comfortable and had enough space between us. The beds are made up daily with white linen, a bed runner and two cushions. Each night there is a turn down service by the cabin steward who left us with little bedtime chocolates. A lovely touch.

This cabin has an ensuite with shower. The bathroom is very compact with plenty of shelves for toiletries. Included is a bottle of shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and soap all from The White Company and is a jasmine and rose scent. They smell lovely and will last a couple quite a while before they run out. A shower cap is also included for those that need to use it and above the shower is a small line for hanging clothes. There are plenty of towels in the bathroom including two big blue towels for you to take to the pool. I believe in a port where you may visit a beach, these blue towels can also be taken ashore to use there. Close to the ensuite bathroom is the walk in wardrobe which had so much space. If you’re wondering on what you should pack for a cruise I wrote a post about that here.

The cabin has three British style plug points, one American plug point and a shaving plug point in the bathroom. There is plenty of lighting including lamps and a light on the balcony too. A travel kettle and regularly replenished tea and coffee is available for that morning cuppa. However, if you like a decent cup of coffee or even a hot chocolate to wake up to, you can fill out a ‘wake me up’ card and hang outside your door for the next day, or simply call the 24-hour room service.

The cabin also benefits from a desk and two chairs, mini fridge and two bedside cabinets. Azura also has a lovely walk in dressing area with plenty of space to hang your clothes and a tall cupboard which contains a safe for any valuables, money or passports you may wish to keep locked up. This is controlled by a pin that you choose so you are the only person that can access the safe. There is also a mini fridge where you may find a mini bar on longer cruise journeys alongside your bottle of mineral water. This is one bottle of mineral water per person for the duration of the cruise. These can be filled with the tap water in the cabin which is safe to drink.

The cabin also has a television. Azura benefits from having a selection of movies and television shows for you to watch at your leisure however, the better films do come at a cost of £2.99 each. If you are wanting to listen out for announcements then keep the television tuned to the navigational channel which is full of useful information.

Our Experience of Cabin R246

We were well looked after by Glenn, the cabin steward, who was very polite, friendly and kept our room looking clean. Everything was always kept in good order and we felt very looked after throughout the cruise. The room was very spacious and the addition of a balcony was truly lovely. The only thing that was a bit frustrating was the size of the shower in the bathroom however it was fine just to get cleaned up after a day exploring the port.

There is plenty of space to store your clothes and belongings and keep the cabin looking clean and tidy. The chairs, bed and balcony seats were all very comfortable and made us feel we could relax without constantly have to sit on the bed in a tiny space. There was plenty of room to move around at our leisure without getting in each other’s way. The balcony was very private however when leaning against the edge it was easy to speak to the people next door, very handy if you’re travelling together in a group.

I do not really have any complaints about our cabin during the cruise, it was the upgrade option prior to us which we feel was mis sold a little however it all turned out well in the end.

August 28, 2016
Noisy Boys – Guest Post by Blog Fox

Apparently in some homes children are seen and not heard. I know it’s a completely antiquated idea but I have to admit that a tiny part of me finds it quite aspirational. My boys are SO loud. Off the scale loud. Grizzly took Big Bear to a football match last week and people were turning to look due to the volume of his shouts. At a football match! They were surrounded by noisy horns, yet still Big Bear’s voice boomed out. Little Bear is no quieter. He is very excitable and likes to squeal and scream. Unfortunately he is also going through a phase of shouting rude words at the top of his voice (and not just at home).

I seem to say “don’t say bum-head” a lot more than can possibly be healthy. I’m pretty sure we haven’t done anything en famille where we have been seen but not heard. We can usually be heard before you see us, probably at about 50 paces. Yesterday we were wandering beside a boating lake where a group of older model-boat building enthusiasts were sitting. Big Bear chose the moment we were passing them to start singing “I see you baby, shaking that ass” with about half his might, which is plenty enough to ensure that all the hearing aid users amongst the group had caught it.

The thing is that I’m not a noisy person. I’m chatty but at a normal volume. I think I have a fairly quiet voice as I can’t project it at all. I always struggle when I’m running training courses and I ask people to work in a group – I can never get their attention back again and usually have to call on a louder voiced friend to help me. When I shout, Grizzly says I sound like a mouse whispering (though as you can tell he does exaggerate).

Big Bear has a tendency to get into trouble now and again at school and I’m sure it’s because the teacher can hear his voice over everyone else’s, even if they are being just as silly. His sizeable lungs come into good use in assemblies though, as he’s very good at public speaking and a microphone is always surplus to requirements. Although I like fun and messing about as much as the next mum, my quieter nature can mean that I sometimes (often) find the incessant noise a little over-stimulating.

We have recently completed a renovation project at our house so we now have an open-plan family room. I love how it looks and being able to keep a close eye on the boys. However, in auditory terms it’s much worse: noise levels have sky-rocketed and I can no longer hide in the kitchen. Usually it starts with two boys watching TV (perfectly normal and bearable) then one will lose attention and switch on his I Pad. The other will then want their I Pad, increasing noise levels to a little confusing but just about ignorable. Big Bear will proceed to play some music on his before also switching on his football game, which has its own sounds. Then, to tip me over the auricular edge, Big Bear will begin commentating as he plays (in his aforementioned none too dulcet tones). Little Bear has been to know to then want his music playing too. That is 5 or 6 different sound streams assaulting my brain at the same time! At this point, a cat usually saunters in and starts mewling plaintively and I feel as though I may drown in the cacophony.

The TV goes off and at least one child is handed a pair of headphones, though unless I start doling out gags I can’t quell the noise storm completely. I have literally no idea how people manage more than 2 children. The noise alone would keep me locked in the bathroom most of the time. That said, I’m well aware that other children are not AS noisy as mine. I reckon in volume terms my 2 are equal to approximately 4 typically-voiced children. And it is not as though my 2 are shy and retiring creatures. They are both outgoing, opinionated and chatty (“spirited” if I’m feeling euphemistic). I shouldn’t complain about them speaking: as a Speech and Language Therapist communication is kind of my thing. It’s just that, now and again, maybe if they were quiet for just 5 minutes, my brain would really appreciate it.

We have recently tried to introduce the idea of turn-taking in conversations as both tend to speak over the other. Frequently I have Big Bear giving me a very detailed account of what happened in Star Wars in one ear whilst Little Bear is chanting “Mum! Mum! Mum!” in the other without so much as pausing for breath. It is a situation compounded by me sometimes trying to speak to another grown up (can you imagine?!) or, God forbid, having a sensible phone conversation. I have realised that the secret to it all must be having well-honed ignoring skills. Grizzly has it down to a T. World War 3 could be breaking out but he’d still be happily snoozing. Unfortunately, I’m completely rubbish at it. Grizzly takes advantage of my poor ignoring if we are going to play a competitive board game like Scrabble or Boggle: he puts music on in the background knowing I won’t be able to think straight. It’s an affliction! During term time I cope by making sure I have a quiet morning at least once a week to give my jangled senses a rest. Now it’s the holidays, well, bring on bedtime! I love my boys so much but maybe sometimes, just for 5 minutes, they could be seen and not heard.

Do your children have a voice like a foghorn? Do you have trouble ignoring the cacophony of

parenthood? I’d love to hear how you cope with it.

Thank you so much Blog Fox for willing to guest post here! You can read more about these noisy boys here.

Why not follow on twitter to keep up to date with posts?

August 22, 2016
What Should I Pack for My First Cruise?

As many of my regular readers will know for the last few months I’ve been talking about my upcoming holiday to Norway. We’re spending a week aboard P&O’s Azura and cruising along the stunning Norwegian Fjords. This is our second cruise, you can read all about our first one here. We have waited fourteen months for this holiday and I am so glad it’s finally just around the corner. One thing I have been thinking about is the type of clothing I need to pack.

Unlike most holidays, when cruising you need a lot of clothing options because there are usually dress codes on board the ship. You also need to think about where you’re going. Many cruises go to several different countries, some with different climates and so I would say that when it comes to selecting you cruise clothes, layers are your best friend. We are away, as a couple, for seven nights and during the cruise we’ll be visiting four ports, have two full days at sea and two black tie events. There are also facilities such as a sauna, steam room, pools and a gym onboard and if you plan to use these facilities, you’ll need appropriate clothing too.

As a rule of thumb and in line with P&O’s guidelines, a 7 night cruise will typically have two formal nights and a 14 night cruise will probably have around four. This is a really helpful tip when you’re considering what to pack. The rest of the evenings will most likely be smart casual and during the day, the rules around clothing are pretty relaxed. You should consider the types of ports and excursions you’re planning to do whilst you’re away. If you’re going to be hiking, you’ll need layers, comfortable clothing and a decent pair of shoes. You might be doing more daring activities such as riding in a RIB boat or even Kayaking. Do your research on the places you’re visiting before you go which will really help when planning to pack.

The great thing about cruising with P&O and departing from Southampton is that there’s no baggage restrictions. You can take as many bags as you like on board however they do have a standard weight restriction for health and safetly. I love this because it means I can pack as many dresses as I like and plan my outfits on the day rather than in advance however it’s good to have an idea of the types of outfits you’ll need.

We’re taking 2 suitcases, 2 backpacks and a suit bag for two people which (I hope!) will contain enough clothing for the duration of our cruise. I’ve packed two formal dresses and several casual dresses for our black tie evenings. When cruising, the dresscode is typically applied to all area’s of the ship so it’s really important to find out from your cruise operator how many formal nights you’ll need to dress for. Swimwear is only acceptable attire in the pool areas so it’s important to back cover ups to have by your sun bed if you fancy a bite to eat. For men, a good suit, a couple of casual shirts, dark denim jeans, trousers and shoes are pretty much the staples for any cruise. Shorts and sports clothing is usually not allowed in the evening but fine for casual day wear. I really recommend taking a suit in a separate carry on bag.

Even though we know that there will be two black tie nights on board, we have no idea which days these are. The last time we went the first evening was a black tie which surprised me a little however now I’m prepared for the fact that our first night on board may be an occasion to dress up! The important thing to remember when packing clothes for your cruise is to select clothing that you feel comfortable wearing. Be bold and daring if you wish, be as glamorous as you want but make sure you feel comfortable in what you take. Also, do not be afraid to bring more than you need if you’re not flying, make use of all that baggage space.

Do you have a top cruising tip you’d love to share?

***This is a collaborative post***

August 21, 2016
Jack The Ripper Walking Tour, London

I love a good day up in London and when we go we love to play tourist! I was lucky enough to be offered to places on a Jack the Ripper walking tour which I absolutely jumped at. We already had plans to head up to London on 6th August so we thought we could add it on to the end of the day and I am so pleased that we did.

London’s history has always fascinated me and when you start to delve into it the infamous killer of Whitechapel in 1888 is pretty easy to find. We met our tour guide, John, outside Aldgate East exit 4. It’s hard to describe where this exit is if you are heading there by foot but if you are standing outside the main exit it’s diagonal from you a few metres down. We didn’t have too much trouble finding where we needed to be but the exits aren’t clearly marked at street level. Our group was quite a large one but John was a great guide and kept us all in check as we explored Jack the Ripper’s old haunting ground.
Photo Credit
Throughout the tour you visit key places of interest including where some of the bodies were found, which are now a little less atmospheric but with the use of photographs and an excellent story teller you can really picture what it was like back in the East End in 1888. We found out on the day we visited it was a sort of anniversary of what is thought to be one of the Rippers victims early on in August 1888 before the killer really started to terrify London. It was really interesting to learn about these as a possibility but obviously, like many things about the Ripper, there isn’t a lot of certainty and it’s a hotly debated suggestion.

As you go around other key locations in the investigation you do see some quite graphic photographs. John was great at warning people about these and they were handed around discreetly so if you don’t want to see you don’t have to. There was two photographs that were quite horrific and I thought it was great of the guide to warn before peeking. It really made you feel the absolute horror the people living in these parts must have felt and why there was such widespread terror.

Throughout the tour John welcomed questions and he answered everything really honestly. There were a lot of ‘I don’t knows’ and that’s because there really aren’t that many clear facts. I think that’s what makes the whole tour so scary, in a way. Is that this man or woman or monster, whatever you want to call them, did awful things to these women and was never found out. That is what will keep these amazing tours of our history alive really, isn’t it. The fact that we will never know who did it, why or why they stopped because it’s key to note they stopped quite suddenly.

I have to give lots of credit to John who was an excellent tour guide throughout the two hour walk. He kept everyone’s interest and really did get into telling a great story of the investigation that had everyone stumped 128 years ago. John has been working as a Ripper walking tour guide for around 8 years now and is clearly very educated in the subject – he really does know his stuff and if you’re planning on booking a tour, I really recommend him as a guide. If you’re interested in booking you can do so here. It is £10 per person. Some younger people do go on these tours but I personally wouldn’t recommend them for anyone under the age of sixteen, however the tour does allow those of the age of fourteen and leaves it to the parents discretion. When booking these tours as a family, you know your children best and what they will be able to handle. They also don’t have to see the photographs if you decide they’re not appropriate for them. The tour itself is a pretty easy walk and is on flat ground. There are a few cobbles and uneven sections to be aware of and a few crossings too but the guide explains everything before you set off. Just stick together and if you get caught in the traffic lights, the guide will wait for you.

We really enjoyed our walking tour and learning more about Jack the Ripper. I would recommend this tour to anyone that wants to learn all the facts about the case and really learn what it was like to live in London in those times.

Thank you to John, our tour guide, for a fantastic evening around the darker side of London’s east end!

Disclaimer: I received two tickets in exchange for this feature. All opinions remain my own.

August 10, 2016
Eden’s Semilla Jojoba Oil & It’s Many Uses

Eden’s Semilla started in the US in August 2015 and has been increasing the amount of natural oils they sell over the last year. I recently received 60ml bottle of Jojoba Oil to review and introduce you to some of the new essential oils which have recently launched.

The package contains a glass dropper along with the bottle of oil so that you can apply it easily to the hair, skin or nails. I found the dropper really useful and I’m glad it came with the package as it just made things easier so I could get the right amount of oil for use. It smells absolutely lovely too!

I have been using the Jojoba oil for a few weeks now and I’ve really enjoyed finding new uses for the oil. I have been using a few drops of the oil with warm water and using it as a face cleanser. I love how it makes my skin feel soft and is gentle on my face. It’s also got a lovely smell and removes the days makeup and impurities really well. I know Jojoba oil is also great for the hair and can help maintain a healthy scalp.

Another great use for Jojoba oil is to help reduce the appearance of stretchmarks and scars. I’ve found the Eden’s Semilla oil to be great for this personally and has made my skin feel lovely whilst slowly reducing the bumpy texture that scars and stretchmarks leave us with. The oil is quite thin in consistency which makes it spread really well over the skin. This particular one is unrefined and cold pressed too which means it’s the oil in it’s most natural form. I feel much better using a natural substance on my skin. I’ve mostly used the Jojoba oil on my hands, nails and cuticles as it makes then feel lovely and smooth and seems to have strengthened them over time too which is great.

There are so many other uses for Jojoba oil that I want to try this as an after sun lotion. I’ve read that it can help heal the skin after being out in the sun and reduce peeling and flaking. I’ve really enjoyed using the Eden’s Semilla Jojoba oil. It smells lovely and I’ve even been adding a few drops to my baths for a bit more luxury. When used directly on the skin I’ve found it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave my hands feeling greasy. I think 60ml is an ideal size for this oil and can really help you to find more ways to use natural oils in your every day life.

After using this oil for the last few weeks I really want to try the next set of essential oils as I’m really loving finding new uses for natural oils in my day-to-day life. Eden’s Semilla have also happily provided me with some discount codes so that my readers can take advantage of using their products especially if you are a fan of essential oils. This allows 1 per customer a 50% discount on Amazon and the discount code should be applied at checkout. You can find the storefront here.

ROSEUK50 – Rosehip Oil

HASEUK50 – HA Serum

VITCUK50 – Vitamin C Serum

JOJOUK50 – Jojoba Oil

Disclaimer: I received a bottle of Jojoba oil in exchange for this review. All opinions remain my own.

August 7, 2016