EJNutz

2 hours ago, Britboys said:

Don't think they are playing it down John - just ignoring the fact 😄. If you are on the 5 night cruise, hopefully we can arrange a 'social media forum' get-together... I'm on another board where there are already a few of us.

Hopefully I have found you

I too have booked a Festive Markets cruise in 2022.

Ambassador Cruises are playing down the fact they are conneted in anyway to CMV. But having said that one of the Directors from SMV is also a Director /backer of Ambassador. They also seem to be copying some of their ideas.

Now just waiting the long wait until we cruise.

In the UK and I believe elsewhere in the world aprt from USA and Canada it has always been non refundable deposits and no other option offered.

TV Cruise Showcase is a new full time cruise channel coming to Sky on EPG 261. This will be replacing Showcase3 which currently mostly features cruise programming.

It is very unusual to get a price drop in the UK. So congratulations on getting one.

VAT is calculated in the UK and EU based on the Tour Operators Margin Scheme (TOMS)

"the days on which the vessel leaves a non-EC port until it arrives in an EC port are regarded as outside the EC, and the days on which a vessel leaves an EC port until it reaches a non-EC port are regarded as inside the EC."

When travel is enjoyed within the EC/EU then it is standard rated (the rate of the country in which you commenced your trip). If it is enjoyed outside the EC/EU it is zero rated.

You can find the info in a HMRC public notice 709/5. The same rules in general apply through the whole of the EU.

The rules for VAT are if a ship sales from an EU country then VAT is due. If they sale from a non EU country VAT will not be due.

I live in the UK and the Zika Virus is all over the news, especially with regards to the impending Olympics.

From what I understand from RCI the reduced deposit will only apply to the USA and Canada

I recently had a query that I needed to take up with Celebrity. It took 3 emails to get a reply and a total of 8 weeks. So Customer Service via email is certainly very pro with Celebrity.

Portsmouth is well worth a visit as is a trip to the New Forest and the stately home of Beaulieu. You could even take a Ferry over to the Isle of Wight and visit Queen Victoria's country retreat, Osbourne House. There is plenty to do in the area around Southampton.

Sue i agree very much with what you said.

I think if we had problems in this country with gun crime etc and people were scared to come to this country from the USA then we have every right to compare with the USA.

The story here is that there have been some terrorist attacks in Istanbul. Everyone has the right to be fearful and decide not to travel. And the same will apply to any country in the world be it the UK, USA etc.

I for one will not let the terrorist win, I will will continue to go anywhere I want to go unless my government warns me against it. But that is me. We are all different.

I hope that all that goes to Istanbul have a great time and for those who cancel I hope you find something else that you feel comfortable with and thoroughly enjoy.

Stuart I agree with you.

Is anywhere safe and therefore should we all stay at home.

All I would say is that the cruise lines will take advice from governments and act upon that in the safety of all guests and crew, and we should respect that decision.

Istanbul is regarded as safe and as such there should be no alterations to any itineraries.

The latest update from UK Foreign Office is

"The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to within 10 km of the border with Syria.

The FCO advise against all but essential travel to:

the remaining areas of Sirnak, Mardin, Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, Kilis and Hatay provinces

Siirt, Tunceli and Hakkari provinces.

Over 2,500,000 British nationals visit Turkey every year. Most visits are trouble-free."

As the warnings are for the other end of the country then all is OK.

RCI will announce today that Anthem of the Seas with be based in Southampton when launched in 2015

Royal Caribbean are to announce later today that Anthem of the Seas is to be based in Southampton when launched in 2015

If you are paying for a Visa on arrival make sure that you have the exact money and all notes. Do not try to pay with debit or credit cards.

Can I please remind everyone that requests for tour shares are to be kept to the Roll Call forums as stated in Cruise Critic's guidelines.

Thanks

Hi deck chair

Thank you so much for sharing your review of your recent cruise on Queen Victoria. I found it to be very informative and very personal.

Would you mind submitting your review to http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/reviews/# where I am sure member more Cruise Critic members would enjoy reading it.

thanks again for sparing the time to write the review.

Hi all! We are scheduled to begin disembarkation at Ballantyne Pier next June 5 @ 7:00 am. Our flight is scheduled to leave same evening at 7:50 p.m. Would love to see the city's hightlights, and have a nice, but not extravagant lunch. Please give some economical suggestions on transportation from the pier; seeing the city, having lunch, and getting back to the airport (without a rental car).

You must be on the same cruise as us. Why not join our roll call at http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=211885

Dennis

Thanks for your help and all the information. It has been a real help. I have been offered a good deal on the hotel and I think it is one that I will now book.

Hi

Can anyone tell me if The Georgian Court Hotel at 773 Beatty Street V6B 2M4 Vancouver is situated in a good area and within easy access to restaurants,shops and the usual tourist sites.

Thanks

I don't believe any offence will be taken. So wear a kilt and wear it with pride.

I am climbing the Dunns Falls in November. Can anyone tell me what would be the best type of shoes to wear whilst climbing.

Also from when the first person starts the climb until the last person finishes how long does it take?