A Man called Hoss

You get 1 point = 1p for every£1 spent now, was more but that changed some years ago, I think. My math was way out earlier....To get £270 worth you need to spend £270000!!!

beg pardon, my reply should have said £800.

How do Tesco points add up to £700, I am interested as I have a Tesco card.....Surely you don't have to spend £70000 to get £700 pounds worth of points.

Have done many beach holidays to Skiathos...it's a lovely but small Island. Lots of nice sandy beaches. The bus service from Skiathos town runs every 15 minutes at that time of year. Bus stop 16 at Aghia Paraskevi is opposite a lovely beach, or you could go all the way to the end of the Island at Meglio amias I think it's called. A long sandy "crescent" beach, water is shallow and warm. There is only one road, all along the south edge of the Island.:cool: Taxi's are easy and cheap. However, you coudn't go wrong simply walking about Town. (It's the only one). Also, It's the only place worth a visit if you are not into beaches. Check a google map out, it will give you a good appreciation.

Thank's all, but I did read somewhere that on B2B cruises the 2nd safety drill has to be observed. Think it was on cruise.co.uk, they ran a story about a couple who refused to do the 2nd one and got kicked off. Not sure what cruise line it was. Looking forward to changeover day. Could fancy a tour on Barbados. Any recommendations welcome. Campolady do you live somewhere nice and sunny. We fancy getting away for winter renting an apartment, but would have to above 18C most of the time, don't mind cool nights. Hate our winters these day's.

I tracked inside cabin price for 35 day Caribbean January cruise for each of the 2 years before I retired and during the year I retired to get a good feel for how prices fluctuated. During September of each year and November, granted for a week or 2 only; price came down to £1999 each which is very good. Also. same happened in late Dec for the 20217 cruise. Temporary health issues stopped me otherwise I would have booked for Jan this year. Started tracking for next year but have ended up booking a Fly cruise with Marella Explorer. Still fancy 35 days, Might try for 2020.

Thank;s for the info, our's is a two week cruise.....Will we keep the same cabin for the full 2 weeks....it's classed as 2 cruises I think.

On our Pando cruises, we have booked saver fares, allocated cabin usually couple of weeks before cruise. Never been disappointed.

Not yet, Need to check out deck plans. If I leave it up to Marella, will they simply give me what,s left?

Not sure if it was Port of Tyne, will check and let you know. We fly on a Sunday morning. Might check Metro times. Our nearest Metro station is 1 mile away, could get Son to drop us off.

Hi all. We fly from NCL to Barbados to join Marella Explorer next Feb. On our last hol, 3 weeks in Lanzeroite, we got meet & greet right next to entrance for £105, booked online and only 10 weeks beforehand. Saw on another thread the cost was £12 a day. Is that right? Any advice please.

Been away a while. See the thread got Hijacked. Does anyone know if you can upgrade your cabin online. Want to surprise the wife Oh and if I spotted anyone smoking I would report them, would they get kicked off....hope so.

Thanks for the deck info, checked my booking info yes it is deck 4/5, we will discuss and possibly book a cabin number. Will look at the deck plans.

Just done our insurance on a well known money comparison website. Cost was £138, 2 minor medical conditions each.

By comparison, also done one for a 2 week holiday we have also booked for Lanzerote the following month, cost was £38.

We don't pick the cheapest but one that covers for enough cancellation.

Agree with what you say about entertainment, in the past we have more or less enjoyed comedians and tribute acts with Pando but we have on several cruises on occasion walked out on the Headliners. Would not want to pay for a recognised acts. I cut my teeth in the late sixties/early seventies watching the top groups for buttons as a twice weekly event..... The Who, Led Zepp, Free, Stones, Pink Floyd........as well as middle of the road such as Amen Corner, Love Affair etc. Today's acts are pale in comparison.. I have seen the Jersey boys at the Theatre, enjoyed them but they didn't sing one complete four seasons song. just lots of medleys.

Have booked inside deck3/4, we like low down and preferably more in the middle. We like it very dark for sleeping.

Only done 7 cruises up to now.

Yes, we booked at the TUI shop and had to ask them to match the online price.

Extra legroom was an additional cost but with that we were able to choose our seats tgare and then.

Thanks for the cabin info. Anyone know what the Explorer is like?

Last cruise was Oriana, April 16 including 2 days Venice....was a great cruise. Next planned cruise was going to be 35 days to Caribbean but broke my back. Ok now apart from regular discomfort, but had planty of time to think.

Now think we need to be in the sunshine on first day so it's back to flying for us, just back from Lanzerote 1 month hotel holiday and we enjoyed it. Time to try a cruise again, BUT drinks and gratuities getting to be too expensive on Pando.

So.....have booked up with Marella Explorer....Caribbean... for next Feb 14 days AI, flying from Newcastle on a 787.

Price was £284pp more than Pando.....but the grats would eat up £98pp and probably 4 drinks a day each (not necessarily all alco) would eat up the rest.

We generally like the food and entertainment on Pando, the bloke from NZ who did Freddy Mercury was very good for example.

But, we must admit we have walked out on the Headliners on several cruises.

Anyway, time to give Marella a go.....did actually do them when they were Thompsons on Island Escape about 12 years ago and enjoyed it though it was a tired jaded ship. Don't know what they are like now?

Any comments on the above wlcome.

First time on Marella next Feb to Caribbean. Have upgraded seats on the 787 to extra legroom but have not booked a particular cabin. Will we be allocated a cabin at the last minute and will it be what's left at the grade we have booked?

Just booked for the Explorer March 3rd Caribbean, TUI shop price matched the online cost, there was £73 pp difference.

Flying from Newcastle, so have taken the plunge now as too few flights from N/castle to Barbados.

Not sure if prices fluctuate much later on. It's our first time with Thomsons since Island Explorer about 12 years.

We enjoyed it but have done Pando ever since. Grats and drinks prices a bit high now, so we thought we'd give marella another go.

Hello,

Up to now, have always cruised with Pando round trip Southampton to the Med and Scandinavia.

Now retired, fancy the Carribean but not keen on losing so many sunshine days and also drinks, gratuities very expensive.

Looking at Marella Explorer next Jan or Feb, 14 days flying from Newcastle. Can anyone advise me of the following:-

1. Once baggage checked in at airport, do we next see it in the cabin. (believe Pando do it that way).

2. Flying on 787, is it worth paying extra for more spoace/legroom.

3. Will we see many people wearing Tuxes etc on formal nights, we like dressing up but not that bothered.

4. Is dining at set times, are tables for 2 common; is house wine served at dinner as part of AI.

5. Guess lots of people will be AI,does it take forever to get drinks and does it get rowdy at all.

6. Is the Explorer and old converted ferry or a newish ship.

7. Will be booking inside cabin, which deck is best.

Thanks, Keith

Thanks for the info, two other querys spring to mind; Would I still get past customer discount and although the price is attractive at the moment is there any scope for better prices later on.

Hi everyone, have only done Southampton round trips up to now. Was fancying 35 day one next Jan on the Oriana but not happy with so many sea days each way and the 20knot wind which would spoil sunbathing.

Now looking at 14 day fly cruise, money saved would go towards a Cyprus beach holiday. Would be flying from Newcastle.

My questions are:-

Where can we find the flight depart/arrive times. (not bothered about type of aircraft...a plane is a plane).

How much luggage allowed. I take my pingu and an off white dinner jacket aswell as lots of smart casual, the wife takes a different dress for each formal night and again plenty of smart casual + lots of lotions, potions and suntan products. Will we need to compromise by taking less and wearing same things a number of times.

Can we get our dress stuff into a suitcase, have always used proper suit carriers etc.

Are any of the destinations USA controlled, IE any permits etc needed.

Will it be warm and sunny the whole time.

Thanks for any answers.

Hi everyone, does anyone know what the wines would typically cost back home? We think that most of the wines at £15 to £18 are no better than Supermarket wines at 1/2 the price.

Hello everyone,

Will be booking for Feb 16 soon, E702. It will be saver fare, pay the full amount when booking...no benefits/discount etc will apply.

If I join Quidco and book through them will I get 5% cashback?

Also, have noticed that whether you book at the many online sites including P&O or even at a TA, the price is almost always exactly the same.

Am i misssing something?

Keith

Thanks for all the replies.

Not booked up yet...now favour E702 35 days, February. Longer during dim and dismal part of winter and longer in the sun. As stated in my other post, not booking until I know how well I recover from fractured vertibrae.

Any thoughts on when the ship will sell out. Prefer a balcony but inside would do. Also, would the period from xmas day until first week in Jan likely to be very slow for bookings and perhaps have some good prices.

Thanks,

Keith