Trevor Fountain

On 1/20/2024 at 9:53 AM, 9265359 said:

But as for anyone actually making a worthwhile claim on a UK only cruise - I seriously doubt that happens an awful lot.

That's just what the Italians said on Costa Concordia.

P&O are a million miles away from my first cruise with them in 1992, however it is an unfair comparison as I can book a balcony cabin today for less than I was paying for an outside cabin back then.

There are many things that have now gone from P&O, however I am not at liberty to name them, for "operational reasons".

12 hours ago, Bar-fly said:

The captain announced that we had an intermittent engine fault, so we did not have the power to clear the well-publicised approaching storm.

Should we have gone to sea with this fault? in my view certainly not!!  So we were caught and battered by the worst storm for over 70 years, the ship took on an unnatural list which I believe was righted by pumping water ballast from one side of the ship to the other which righted the ship, in this manoeuvre deck 4 windows were shattered and water ingress also flooded inside cabins, we limped to Gatxo which was cold and wet and although unfortunately after making repairs we did not go the Canaries where we were contracted to go but to Madera, for the Fred Olsen PR exercise which it seemed that the captain thought was more important, in total we had just one day on deck in the sun, therefore, it was not a cruise having had just two contracted ports, should we get our money back? you bet we should so let's see if FO can match Saga without any quibbling.  

FWIW I think as a gesture of good will FOCL should give you a fair cash refund.

However I am not sure why you think you have "contracted ports". Have you read your contract?

Here's what the relevant section states;

7.1 Published Holiday details and those details notified to you at the time of Booking may be subject to changes by FOCL after the Booking has been concluded, as a result of changes in circumstances that have occurred since the Holiday was originally planned. Such changes may include omitting, substituting or adding ports of call; we may re-route the cruise vessel or flights or change a port of embarkation and disembarkation, flight class, cruise vessel or other arrangements that form part of the Holiday, including restricting the availability of any onboard facilities and services. Such changes may be made in the interests of promoting the health, safety, comfort or enjoyment of Passengers or the operational efficiency of the Holiday. Wherever possible, details of such changes will be communicated to you in writing.

As I said, I do think you should be fairly compensated, but for the benefit of other cruisers, particularly new cruises, I think it is important not to mis-lead folk that ports are part of the contract and thus guaranteed. They are not. So if it is so important that Madeira is not a suitable alternative to the Canaries,say, then a cruise is not a suitable holiday.

Are you sure your Son isn't just looking for an excuse not to go on the cruise? Maybe he doesn't want another vacation with his parents but doesn't want to hurt your feelings.

Do I need to declare the use of a shoe horn?

1 hour ago, 9265359 said:

 

It isn't too hard to discover what the law is in the EU rather than just speculating - Internal market - Services (cabotage) (europa.eu)

Regardless of what the Law may or may not say, imagine if all the passengers decide, oh, that's a good idea lets stay ashore for an extra day and join the ship at the next port.

For goodness sake, book a cruise for what it is, and if you want to stay on land, then book a land based holiday.

Voyage of Terror - The Achille Lauro Affair, starring Burt Lancaster. Made around 1990 I think.

4 hours ago, Arizonee said:

 

That is not my intention at all.  I am asking if it is possible to skip a port, and if it's not possible, why not.   I was hoping not to be cyber bullied due to my lack of travel knowledge.  

Welcome to CC. I think if your request to rejoin the ship ay a later port was to become widespread, it would be a logistical nightmare for the cruise company. 

Maybe if you wanted to end your cruise in Germany, that could be reasonable, but a cruise is a journey that stops at various ports along the way. It is not a hop on hop off service.

Trieste is a City 160 km from Venice. It is not close to the Lido and has nothing to do with the port of Venice served by the people mover/

There will be ships tours to Venice, or you can get a train from Trieste to Venice.

I don't see the problem. So the shops sell goods that are overpriced. So what? They don't force anybody to buy. I think plenty of folk do actually buy goods on board, and I'm sure the shops get a good return.

If somebody enjoying their holiday wants to be frivolous and pay whatever for a watch, handbag or anything else for that matter, and it gives them pleasure to do so, that's fine by me.

How do you know the goods are overpriced? Oh I see, you go in the shops and then google for the price on land, no doubt using the overpriced wifi package that you bought.

1 hour ago, Asawi said:

😄 Yeah... This time I could really see how they upped the "original" price and coming to the exact same amount as with the 35% "sale" on a cruise I'm monitoring. Not even a single dollar less than yesterday! 😄  Soooo shady! 😮 

 

I checked our booking (3 in a club balcony suite), and it is actually £200 higher with 50% off than the 35% at time of booking. I don't get it.

Booked direct in Miami, but subject to uk t&c's.

Many happy returns 6. Hope you are having a great time aboard QV. Hopefully you will have some sort of birthday bash tonight with a few G&T's, and a catch up with K and C. Were they members of the Sunshine Band by any chance?

It's my birthday later this month, and I'm hoping to have a bit of a bash with D, G and S attending. Though I might settle for KFC instead of a RBD.

Can't decide if I should book a QV cruise, so I'll continue to read your live review. 

PS. You're not spies are you?

Regards

T F 23

11 hours ago, terrierjohn said:

If you have walked around the sun deck you will have stepped over the crack.  Although being the top deck it was built of aluminium for lightness, and it isn't load bearing.

This may not be visible anymore. Since the pandemic P&O have been papering over the cracks.

5 hours ago, Harryjacobs said:

Have you actually stayed in a deck 8?  I usually find those that are negative of deck 8 have not actually stayed in one.

I had a deck 8 this year and when I found out my allocated cabin I was horrified as I was daft enough to listen to comments like yours but actually it was a great cabin and really got to like it.  In fact truth be told I would not opt for the select fare on Iona in future as I am comfortable receiving this cabin.

No I haven't stayed in one of these cabins, and nor would I. Neither have I done a bungee jump or ate L'escargot, both of which I know without trying, I would hate.

Why anyone would choose (I note you didn't, but was allocated), a balcony where people are walking past, as opposed to one with unobstructed views is beyond me. Each to his own, and I'm glad you enjoyed it, but definitely not for us.

Can I ask, how you find Cunard compared to NCL. I really like NCL, but haven't cruised Cunard since the QE2 retired.

1 minute ago, fabnfortysomething said:

lol

have you read the description of why I call him 6?

Yes, but as soon as I read you called him 6 it reminded me of my favourite TV show, The Prisoner.

I should have added Great review btw. Thanks.

23 hours ago, fabnfortysomething said:

Several years I started a series of blogs relating our adventures[and misadventures] of cruising with someone who has walking difficulties ie my husband.

For anonymity I call him 6.

Your husband is not a number, he is a free man!

Just make sure you avoid Deck 8 balcony cabins. They are set back with the prominade deck passing in front of them, so people walk right past your balcony. 

I see Madrid have banned electric scooters on their transport due to exploding batteries.

https://euroweeklynews.com/2023/10/27/electric-scooters-banned-madrid-public-transport-incident-involving-exploding-battery/?utm_source=breaking&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=promoted-stories

I haven't read through the full thread, so please forgive me if I am repeating previous comments.

One thing I would say is that when it comes to dining, QM2 is a three class ship. 

It is dependant on the Suite/Cabin you book which determines where you may dine, and the three classes are very different.

Only 1st class (Queen's Grill Suite) passengers may dine in the Queen's Grill, which has the finest cuisine, best chefs and top silver service waiters.

Then you have 2nd class (Princess Suite) which is still really very good, dining in the Princess Grill.

Then for most of us it is steerage. The MDR's or extra for speciality. The difference between the Grill's and MDR's is like comparing La Bernardin in NYC to Nando's. Oh and don't think you'll get in the Grills without suitable attire, regardless how much you paid for your suite.

They do however do possibly the best afternoon tea at sea, which is inclusive for all, and not to be missed.

Personally I find Cunard a bit stuffy, and I'm used to wearing Tuxedo's and Lounge suits, but I've got to the stage now where NCL are more than good enough for me.

13 hours ago, terrierjohn said:

Oh I see, due to customer feedback then.

 

It has nothing to do with feedback. They are hexagonal for "operational reasons".

Perhaps cruise lines which accept mobility scooters on board, should think about supplying their own (or through a third party), for hire whilst on board, and booked at the time of the cabin booking.

This would minimise the risk caused by anyone bringing a substandard, or poorly maintained model on the ship.

11 hours ago, PurpleMoonlight said:

Hi all.

 

I'm returning to cruising after a break of several years.

 

My group is 21 people, a mixture of adults and children. We have all confirmed fixed dining at 6.30 pm.

 

Is there any way to contact P&O shortly before departure to try to obtain one table, or perhaps more likely two next to each other, for dining? Or will I just have to make my first job on board a trip to see the Maitre-d'?

 

Many thanks.

When? Which ship?

31 minutes ago, LouCD said:

Hi, just been notified our booked P and O excursion has been cancelled to Hoven Cable Car in April, no reason given. Anyone can advise if we can do this ourselves and how we go about it?

https://www.loenskylift.com/opening-hours-and-prices