my marina bay

I had a lot of sympathy on one occasion for three couples travelling to Scotland. They had got on coach around 8.15 am and been told by PO that coach would leave 8.30. By 10.30 with last stragglers arriving one lady was visibly upset. She said they had onward connections in Scotland and if they missed them it would be the following day before the next train. Fast forward two hours or so and all three couples left the coach at the service station where they had a mini bus waiting for them to take to railway station. The lady who was upset said to everyone as she left coach that their holiday had been wonderful however they would never travel by coach again. I don't blame her.

13 minutes ago, Yorkypete said:

Megabear2  Some are taking my post the wrong way. My point was that if someone admits to a cough and is refused boarding then anyone who coughs or sneezes in the terminal should also be banned in fairness. What is the difference between someone who admits a cough and someone who openly HAS a cough but did not admit it?

Agree they only stop you boarding if you admit to cough on health declaration which is why many will no longer be truthful. On our recent cruise a couple boarded the coach with their daughter aged 20 or so. She coughed all the way to Southampton and it was a chesty heavy cough. I had a mask on many didn't however more put them on. She continued coughing loudly in the terminal however as far as I am aware no one approached her and she boarded. She happened to sit near us at sail away still coughing, a few moved away but I thought too late if she's ill we've already been infected. You can't tell me no one noticed in the terminal they just chose to ignore it. No doubt she answered no to a cough on the health declaration.

Josy1953 - If it was up to me I would get the coach to Southampton and the train home but Mr.Bay is reluctant.  Your two passengers sound just like the couple we had a few years ago on PO.  Still waiting  long after 11am eventually a search party went to look for them as their cases were still in the baggage area.  Found in the buffet filling a holdall with croissants and anything else they could find.  When asked why they hadnt left the ship they said no one told them. However this couple had form as they had kept everyone waiting on the way down by not returning to coach on time during pickup and lunch breaks. They also refused to sit down before arrival in Southampton even though driver told them to go back to their seats as traffic was bad. Both early 70s he was wearing gold chains around neck.  The driver told us their names because he was so brassed off.  Ironic really I know I cant name them but lets just say Mr and Mrs Top Gun.!

You have my sympathy. We always travel by coach and I always dread the return journey. I think me and Mr Bay should wear a sticker saying 'if you travel with us you will be the last coach to depart'. We have sat on the coach for hours waiting for the last passengers to stroll off the ship. No one ever gets the same time. Our last cruise in September was no different waited for two ladies until 10.30. One couple complained told driver to leave but he said they had to wait regardless. The ladies said their departure time was 10.15. I asked  the coach company a few years ago to get their drivers to make an announcement before passengers disembarked at Southampton to tell everyone to get off the ship by 830 regardless of time stated by PO but it never happened. I asked PO to try to give coach passengers an early departure and they did say they do try however some always slip the net. PO said anyone 

on a coach who gets a late departure can always get it changed however passengers aren't aware of this. I think its up to coach companies to do more by announcing departure procedures on the coach before passengers start their holiday.

We travelled with GC under 2 ( 1x 11 mnths, 1 x 23mths) not at same time. PO provided little apart from travel cot, baby bath. We took nappies and bought more ashore. Washing bottles was problematic as they promised a steriliser but didn't provide one said it was being used.  Eventually after trying to sterilise in cabin we complained and got them washed in the kitchen. We were told to ask steward in buffet for baby food and this was supplied from behind counter. As someone else said Night nursery hopeless unless child is fast asleep when you arrive and stays asleep. We just pushed GC round deck until asleep and ate then. One of us managed a show not both as we didn't want GC to wake up. Usually found a corner in a bar to put the pram.  You have to stay with your child in nursery if under 2 which in Brittania's case is a small room off the under 5s play area. As the cabin is only cleaned in the morning you need to ask where you can dispose of nappies (particularly smelly ones!).

The food on your cruise was no different to ours on Arcadia. No way could it be described as fine dining. Limited options in buffet as well. Luckily I like fish and oh likes steak which were always available. However I would describe the food as follows:

microwaved /

airline reheated /

frozen fast food.

They would not deviate from menu except to offer chips on the side.  I was very disappointed certainly not what we've been use to in the past. I use to look forward to their soups now its out of a packet. Not prepared to pay premium prices for fast food.

We were also on same cruise as Arlo and Scriv. My obs as follows:

The App - was hopeless. I could not download on my phone despite having a signal in some areas but not in our cabin. We managed to download on partners phone however after first two nights onboard it stopped working altogether so pretty useless.

Shows - we pre booked all shows for 8.30 a week before but no point as no one asked for cabin number and you could stroll in anytime. Always plenty of seats on tiers 1 and 2. Loved the ihoppers and Tom Jones tribute didn't find comedian funny at all.

Dining - as we couldn't use app we turned up usually 6.30ish and got a table for four immediately. We only shared twice on a large table and all the talk was about The App many had made complaints at reception.

The Food - limited choice nothing special. My fish options were often cool  got the impression they were ready meals brought on board and reheated similar to airline food. The only exception was my Sirloin steak which I wanted medium rare and it was perfect. The vegetables all seem to be reheated from frozen.  Our friend asked for a variation from the menu on two occasions ie no potatoes or veg but they said they couldn't change it and just to leave them. He did get chips in a side bowl when requested along with food he didn't want. Certainly evening dining has gone downhill although I did enjoy the desserts. The best offerings were on the two formal nights. The buffet was similar with the same food every day. I would describe it all as homely but not special.

Service - no issues getting served in any bar. Cabin cleaned every morning, Horizon left outside early evening occasionally on bed with two chocs. Balcony furniture very grubby no deck towels in cabin to put on. We had soap in bathroom and shower.

Officers - notable by their absence. Hardly any announcements apart from 12 noon.

Covid rules - this you will find interesting. We travelled by coach with a few solo travellers (not surprising as the cruise was being offered with no solo supplement.) One solo guy in his 60s happened to check-in at the next desk to us. It went a bit like this  'can I see your vaccination certificate' - "don't know what your talking about" - 'your covid vaccination records we need to see them' - "don't have any  didn't know I needed them" - 'have you been vaccinated against covid' - " yes a long time ago" - 'just wait here while I speak to someone'. We left the first check point went to the second and didn't expect to see him again.  However once we'd been to our muster station and  cabin we went for a drink and who's getting served but the same guy. I didn't ask him how he managed to board but it certainly made me wonder how many others they must have waived the rules for!

I wouldn't worry over check in times. Even pre covid our family on the same booking form frequently got different boarding times. We just told priority check in they are with us and had no issues.

I understand childrens clubs have changed the system however if you have a word with the staff running them asap after boarding I'm sure they will help.

There is a thread about speciality dining and  'what's open ' which is worth a read. I'm sure someone said Suite passengers can still get breakfast in Epicurean its just not open for dinner.

50 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

 

Thank you Fangedrose and Terrierjohn for replies very helpful. 

On Arcadia end of month and going with first time cruiser. Although we have sailed before it was pre covid so I just want to clarify what is/isn't available as our friend is asking.

.. Is there any soap or shampoo in the bathroom and shower?

.. Is free bottled water still in cabin on arrival? Can you still request a bucket of ice?

.. Do you still receive a daily timetable of events?

..  Will towels only be changed on request? If so who do you ask if you don't see your steward?

.. Do you have to use the 'app' to book a table if on Freedom.? If you don't use the app can you turn up and get a pager?

.. Can you still request a change of table or sitting ?

.. Is there still a safety drill before sailing?

..  Do you still receive a statement of your onboard spend on the last night?

Thanks in advance.

We are sailing on her in five weeks just wondering if the Library is open and any speciality restaurants?

Apologies balcony cabin numbers are E414 to E437.

I wonder if anyone has stayed in the obstructed view cabins on Deck 8 above the sea food restaurant or Alfredos. In particular cabins E422 424 426 428 430 432 port side or 425 427 429 431 433 437 starboard. Was it noisy or was the view very restricted. Any recommendations which cabin to chose? We have to let our TA know as we are transferring from another cruise and she needs a cabin number ASAP.

If Carnival/ PO is in as much debt as the financiers say, then possibly some suppliers haven't been paid what they are owed therefore no more supplies until debts settled. Just a thought.

22 hours ago, Cathygh said:

Thank you Megabear. I haven't come across the 3.5% figure and 5% figure  below before :

QUOTE:

"If, upon arrival at a Spanish port, 3.5% or more of those on board (crew and passengers) are reported as Covid-19 cases, only those cases and passengers who end the cruise at that port will be allowed to disembark; under no circumstances shall passengers be allowed to disembark for tourism or other reasons. Crew members may only disembark for essential reasons. Authority may be given for patients' close family members to be allowed off the boat. Passengers joining a cruise may also be given authority to board." and...

"Allocated areas to isolate cases that do not require medical attention. As part of this, at least 5% of the maximum capacity must be reserved for possible isolation."

 

 

If this is correct the chances of disembarking in Spain are low. We were thinking of sailing on Iona in September. If there are circa 4000 on board including crew it only needs 140 to test positive before arrival in any Spanish port and no one can get off (exceptions apply to crew changeover or illness). If they enforce the rule over summer its unlikely we will cruise.

Not on your own we didn't  enjoy it either. Can't remember who was on but agree it was the wait while everyone got served. We so happened to be the last to be served despite being nearest the kitchen. In fact they forgot to bring my main course and we had to ask. Said they'd run out and offered alternative. Like you we expected some background music in between but nothing. Poor experience we wouldnt repeat and told them so.

We moved our cruise on Friday before final payment due.  Not worth the risk of being off loaded or having to be confined in the cabin for a week in quarantine.

I have moved two towels and books on Aurora which had been chair hogging for hours. I tried to get the staff to take them away but they refused even though I said no one has sat there all morning. I picked them up and gave to the bar staff, the chairs soon had occupants. A little while later a bar attendant came along and gave a note to the new occupants, I presume to tell the owners who had their books. I left just before lunch and no one had returned to claim them. The staff do not want (or have been instructed) to get involved.

4 hours ago, Cruiseraugust74 said:

Hi I’m in exactly the same room on the Iona in December.  I booked a select price and booked early for a standard cabin but have been given one of the smaller cabins.  Is this right?  Should I ring up and complain and ask to be moved?  Would be grateful if you could let me know what this cabin was like and also for any other tips regarding booking a standard cabin and getting allocated a smaller one!!!  TIA 

You need to be more specific. Did you pay Select price for a Guaranteed balcony cabin without a cabin number being allocated? If so which grade of cabin did you pay for? Each grade has specific letters and you are guaranteed a cabin at that grade or above. You need to check your invoice. 

So the rules haven't changed and 5 month babies are not allowed. Not sure what's an exotic fly cruise must not be Caribbean. Also with children under 2 you can't book a cruise with more than two consecutive sea days. Be interesting to know which cruise line they are sailing with now.

My first reaction to the above is since when did PO allow 5 month old babies on a cruise ship. Has the age range changed?

I do think the number of ships departing / arriving on a particular day (not just P&O) has an impact on the quality of coaches supplied. Once all ships are sailing at full capacity especially the newest ones they struggle finding decent quality coaches for both journeys hence why some look ready for the scrap yard. 

I presume you've had an official pcr test which has been registered not a lft done by yourself. If the former I don't think you will have a problem. We had to claim many years ago when my oh had an aneurysm 36 hours before travel we too used a TA.  Before being refunded by Insurance Co. I did have to get a form signed at the hospital giving the reasons why he was unfit for travel.

You've been lucky with a good coach every journey to/from port.  Since the change in preferred provider we have had Ellisons a few times on the outward journey which are OK but not as luxurious as Eavesway.  Coming home some coaches (not Ellison coaches) have been unfit for travel. For example, no air con, worn seats and hardly any leg room. I wondered sometimes if they had correct tyres and had passed an MOT.  It's been my view for a while that while they provide a decent enough coach going down so you don't complain onboard  on return they send the cheapest bus they can find.  We are likely to make our own way to Port next time and book Eavesway for the return.

5 minutes ago, Sheila127 said:

At the time of booking we were told we could only get off the ship if we booked P and O excursions.  I believed this policy changed in September but we thought we would leave bookings in place as the situation is so precarious!

There is no problem cancelling or booking onboard they will refund or debit your account. Go to the excursions desk if you want to change anything usually opens on second day.