HelloKittysMum

I travel extensively for work in malarian Sub saharan Africa (mainly Malawi and Zambia) and do take anti-malarial when I am there. But precautions such as spraying with a deet repellant and covering up are as important. Also while I do use nets when I am in rural areas where power is intermittent the best repellent is moving air so with aircon there is no problem. A few years ago I was in Borneo at a conference in the rainforest and all the Europeans were on anti malarial and none of the Australians were becuase we had aircon. If I know the power may fail and the fan stop (basic Accomodation in rural areas) then I use a mosquito net but otherwise (eg when I'm in European standard accomodation in capital cities) I don't bother.

I wouldn't bother for one day taking anti malarials due to side effects and relatively low risk for one day.

There is one on the desk as you can see in the photo,and non of my plugs would fit the cord got in the way there are eupopean and north american, will look at all bedside lamps in future.

That's worth knowing for phone charging (I listen to audio books when I go to sleep).

I have noticed that American posters seem to get their own flghts on a TA but Brit prices include the flight maybe that is one reason on the price difference. I know when we book a TA and don't use the flight the pricei is a fair bit less.

Even taking the flights into account it is much cheaper to book from USA.

Be careful with this airline as they've not had the best track run to date. Something about flights being cancelled or re-routed due to not having enough planes to maintain the desired schedule.

 

There's quite a bit about this on airline forums.

I read a lot on airline forums before we booked. All the problems seem to be when they first started in May and they did put people onto other airlines. I've looked at recent punctuality and there seem to be no major issues.

For the NYC area, look at La Compagnie (https://www.lacompagnie.com/en), which is an all business class airline with very limited service. They fly Newark to London-Luton Airport and sometimes run specials that are on the order of about US$600 one way. That is a pretty good price for a lie-flat seat.

We've just booked returns in December for £1700 for 2 to pick up QM2 for Christmas /NY in Caribbean so I'll post a report on what the flights are like. My understanding us they aren't completely lie flat (as you get in carriers like emirates) but for the price when we couldn't get economy for that with only 6 weeks to travel was too good to miss.

We've just booked with a US TA who knew we were from Uk. No problems at all.

I know people (including teenager boys) who wear hats becuase they have alopecia and are very sensitive about it. Similarly people who have had chemotherapy. Also (as others have said) there may ebreligios reasons for wearing a hat.

We've booked QM for Christmas and New Year. Six of us going (my parents, me, husband and teenage (15 &17) children). Staying two nights (me daughter and parents) in NY and going TO radio city Christmas spectacular. Husband and son arrive day before. We've done New York a lot (last time was in august before we did a TA) so we're not bothered about having long.

Try downloading an app called "here" to your phone. Can be used of line for directions

One other thing I've never seen mentioned whenever this topic is discussed.

 

Booking in the UK will give you ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and, if a flight is included, ATOL (Air Tour Operators Licence) protection should the travel agent or operator go bust.

 

Are there equivalent guarantees included in the US fares?

 

Regards, Colin.

I don't need ABTA protection as I am covered elsewhere and as I have booked flight separately. I'll take the cheaper fare any day (esp as Cunard is a big company) and the cruise is less than 6 weeks away.

Great. We already have flights sorted. And we have a TA who has been v helpful so we'll decide what cabins we want tonight and book it.

Is it possible to to book a cruise only from an American TA if you live in the UK.

The onboard sizes don't cater for the very slim either - my son and even my husband would be drowned in a 38 in chest jacket.

I have a proxy so can download stuff when outside UK. I think I'll look for somewhere to download it when we are in port (I know I won't be able to avoid the spoilers).

 

One word of caution about the outlets. If you liked the cardigan you bought this summer, there's a good chance you won't find more just like it in January. Often, what's out for sale at an outlet is all there is. They'll restock with new/different items.

I know that stock changes a lot but the cardigan is a classic style I've seen every time I've been in DKNY over about 15 years (sometimes in thicker wool) and never bought one until this summer and now I am hooked (there were about 10 colours and I only bought two....)

We've done 5 days in NY for the last two summers (my 7th and 8th to NY and even the children have done 3) so there's nothing of the must see tourist stuff we want to do (agree 911 museum is worth doing and I might sort that for my parents). I've done special trip from UK to go to Woodbury Common and I agree 2 days is better but if the choice is one day or none I think I'll do it.

Celebrate a Really Happy New Year-

 

Stay on the ship and sail home!:D

Would be my first choice but work and school comments prevent this. I'd like to stay on for World Cruise - long wait to retirement when I can do this!

There are at least a couple outlet malls in NJ, closer to ERW than Woodbury Common. 'Jersey Gardens' is practically at the end of Newark's runways.

Had a quick look and the specific shop (DKNY) I want isn't there. As well have at least 8 hours to kill (12 hours from disembarkation and flight leaving, I'm tempted to go up to Woodbury Common.

First of all apologies to Americans who haven't had the last series yet and no spoilers I promise.

We in UK have just had the last of the last series with only the Christmas special. Given that they manage to show football on board is there any chance of them showing Downton Abbey Christmas episode so that those of us from UK don't have to miss it and spend days (weeks?) avoiding social.media becuase of spoilers.

We have a flight to Uk which leaves Newark at 10pm on 3rd January after the Christmas caribbean cruise so are wondering what to do for the day esp as there are 6 of us with luggage. My thought was to rent a car and go up to Woodbury Common for some outlet shopping (I bought a cardigan thwre in the summer and wished I had bought it in more colours) but rest of family aren't sure. Unfortunately the hertz in Brooklyn that everyone recommends doesn't open until 2.30pm on Sundays so we'd need to find one elsewhere.

Not sure what other options there are for the luggage for what will be around 8 hours. We've been to NY many times (last time was 5 days in August) so we don't need to see anything in particular (although my parents haven't done the 911 museum so they might want to do that).

We were on a TA QM2 in August and noticed that not many people did the themes. Buccaneer might sounds fun though - will have to look into that.

Thanks for responses. I love formals (can't get enough of dressing up) but my travelling companions (husband parents and 17/15 year old children) are less enthusiastic.

I always think I was born about 70 years too late - would have loved to have dressed for dinner, worn hats etc - think Downton Abbey (although as my mum reminds me our family at that time were more likely to be downstairs and not dressing for dinner)

We are looking at booking the 12 night QM2 cruise to the Caribbean and we're wondering what the arrangements of formal / informal / themed nights will be. Only way to find out seems to be on vp once we have booked. Anyone able to advise?

Never done top of the Rock but done Empire State 4 or 5 times and did the old Twin Towers 3 or 4 times. Have decided daughter parents and I will fly Saturday and husband and son will fly Monday.

Well, good.......

 

If they Can fly out the day before, what is this thread about? :confused:

 

Because when I wrote it I wasn't sure of dates.