peteukmcr

Wow, just checked a balcony cabin on Disney for the exact same dates (20th August) as we’re booked on Virgin Scarlet Lady (£998 total for 2 with $200 per cabin obc including grats). Disney Magic £2082 before gratuity for obstructed view!

I have caught up with posts having been away on a staycation in the Lake District. With regard to staff from India, RCI have stated that no staff from there, whether already in the UK or en-route will be allowed to board their ships to work. All assignments for staff from India are being cancelled temporarily. Any staff already in hotels pending joining a ship will be provided accommodation under quarantine requirements till further notice.

In another change MSC have extended some 4 night 'staycations' into 7 days at no additional cost to those booked on these, including extending the included beverage packages at no further cost too.

As for the technology discussion, there are always alternatives to the 'general' new way of expecting everyone to have a smart phone. I work on Test & Trace Mobile units, and it is generally expected that everyone receives a QR code when they make their appointment. However, when we check them in upon entry to the site, and when later collecting their tests and entering the details into the system, if they only received a text message for instance (no smart phone) or just had the appointment confirmed via calling 119 (in England) we can locate them by alternative methods, so a smartphone isn't needed.

As for ordering food and drink at a pub/restaurant, yes most have apps to use on a smartphone. However, I can confirm that all the places we visited last week (outdoors of course) were all flexible if you a) didn't have a smartphone, or b) hadn't downloaded the app or c) couldn't get the app to work, they would take your order for you. So there should be no reason for those who don't have access to a smartphone to be excluded.

Another glorious day in the Lakes, back to reality tomorrow 

22 hours ago, Ardennais said:

Looks lovely. Where exactly are you staying? I’m interested as we’ve never visited the Lake District and it’n on my to-do list! 

We’re staying at Parkdean Resorts Fallbarrow park in Bowness. Great location 

Well day 3 of the birthday ‘staycation’, so far the weather has been kind. Sunday was Cleveleys and then onto Bowness on Monday with a stop in Lancaster. Great lodge location on the banks of Lake Windermere and today a glorious start and back on the water with a trip to Ambleside.

5 hours ago, Adawn47 said:

My word, they look delicious. Who's the baker?

Avril

Me! Although me and an icing bag are not the best of friends! But hopefully my friends will enjoy their birthday cupcakes!

Bright blue skies here in Manchester. Off out delivering home made giant birthday cup cakes today. Then out for dinner for the first time since 4th November 2020!

Tomorrow head Cleveleys en-route to to the Lake District on Monday. All self contained accommodation, so need the break away from the same four walls.

3 hours ago, zoe sproodle said:

You’ll be getting on the day we get off then.  We’ve also booked Scarlet Lady, the price did seem a bit high for 3 nights but as she’ll be virtually parked on our doorstep it seemed rude not to...

We thought that initially, but with $200 “Sailors Loot” it beat the prices of Princess for a 3 night sailing. 

Thought I'd check in. Went to North Wales to visit my parents yesterday for the first time since last October. Needed to go as Mum has had a fall. Wow, what a change after nearly 7 months, and not for the better either unfortunately. Have to remember Dad is 86 next week and Mum 85 in early May.

Did some jobs for them and made sure we stocked up shopping wise. Mum still insists on changing her 'winter curtains' for 'summer' so that's another thing I could do. Got to go back and stay overnight when the weather is more reliable as they want some outdoor painting done on the garage and summerhouse.

Meanwhile cruise wise, booked a 3 night 'Long Weekender' on Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady, great value IMHO especially as getting $200 "Sailor's Loot" to spend onboard. Departing Portsmouth, probably no berths in Southampton with all the UK cruises taking place.

Also used some residual Future Cruise Credit with RCI on a sailing from Limassol where they are basing a ship for the season. Includes charter flight from the UK, so with loyalty discount and credit, resulted in 44% discount. Not refusing that!

Received our confirmation and cabin number plus the $200 "Sailor's Loot" (love Virgin's quirks and play on words). That makes it a better deal IMHO. 

Waiting for confirmation of 3 night 'Long Weekender' from my TA. 

Waiting for the sailings to be launched today, but the website is down. 

17 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Pete quoted prices that seemed very high - I don't know where he got them from, although he is a travel specialist, but Virgin aren't releasing prices until April 13th.

 

These are the prices quoted by many online agencies and confirmed by one of my contacts. I am in business travel so unfortunately don’t have access to the travel tools for the leisure market such as cruises. Compared to Princess and P&O they are very comparable for similar durations. P&O started at £439 for 3 nights and Princess at £449 (£539 with drinks package and Wi-fi). 

2 hours ago, Bloodaxe said:

 

I received a email from Virgin advertising them has 7 night cruises.

I think the price was 1699 for a basic balcony, personally not booking anything until things are much more settled

If you book a 3 night (£499 for sea terrace) and then 4 night at £599 then total for 7 nights should only be £1098 so not sure why trips would be advertised at £1699.

2 hours ago, wowzz said:

Not a bad idea - I didn't realise they allowed b2b cruises. I wonder if they give a discount? 

Definitely suggests you book b2b

https://www.virginvoyages.com/ahoy/stories/summer-soiree-series

On 4/10/2021 at 12:10 AM, wowzz said:

I like the idea of supporting local artists. 

Unfortunately too far away for us  for just 4 days. Shame they didn't do just one cruise of 7 days.   

Virgin Voyages suggest booking a 3 & 4 night sailing to make a 7 night cruise.

Having just finished my shift for Test and Trace the discussion on hand washing and sanitising takes me back to the routine I must follow (or be sent off site for failing to do so) during my 8 hour shift and what I have followed numerous times today whilst putting on and taking off PPE (mask, gloves, apron or face shield as appropriate).

Attached are the instructions from Public Health England for hand washing using water or just hand sanitiser if hot water is not available.

Best_practice_hand_rub.pdf Best_practice_hand_wash.pdf

3 minutes ago, zap99 said:

We were in Nova Scotia in 2019 and went to the Cemetery in Halifax where the poor folk from the Titanic were buried. What brings it home, is some person who boarded the ship to make a new life in America. Now all that remains is a stone with a number and a date. Nobody to mourn their passing, no name,  nothing. Now that IS sad.

We also visited Halifax in 2019 whilst on a North America/Canada sailing (in fact this was the last cruise we did before the pandemic) and this was our last port of call on 20th Sept 2019.

We visited the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic that has a Titanic section.

Just been notified, on sale April 13th, will be taking a close look.

”For only three weeks in August, Scarlet Lady will be making six, short and sweet sailings around the southern coast of England — giving you a sneak-peek of who she is and what she’s all about. It’s the staycation-at-sea you’ve dreamed about all year, all while being the first to set sail on Scarlet on either a four-night Summer WeekDaze voyage, a three-night Long Weekender voyage, or book both sailings back-to-back for a full week at sea.”

Well to add to the choices available Virgin Voyages have now announced 3 & 4 night sailings in August on Scarlet Lady from Portsmouth 

6 hours ago, wowzz said:

I'm assuming the pricing is for a balcony, as it is not possible to book an inside or ocean view cabin - certainly not when I tried to do so just now!

The Celebrity price does include drinks,  tips and wifi, which somewhat mitigates the pricing differential.  I suppose much depends on how much premium one thinks it is worth paying for being on Celebrity,  which is obviously a major step up in quality from P&O. 

We have a 5 night with MSC including grats and premium drinks for £740 pp with the 'fantastica' experience. Even though we love Celebrity we cannot justify £2698 (£1349 pp for the cabin we'd prefer) for 7 nights with 2 port stops (Liverpool and Belfast) compared to £1480. Just over £1200 extra for 2 more nights and Wi-Fi. Also Celebrity are departing from Southampton so we'd have at least another £400 in transport and overnight accommodation costs. With MSC we're departing from Liverpool only 35 miles away.

7 hours ago, Son of Anarchy said:

Out of interest, what type of cabin was that for?  Makes our £779 for a balcony on Iona sound very good value.

Standard balcony on deck 7 (that deck and higher was what was offered) - most on deck 6 on that class of ship are obstructed. You still pay more depending where you want to be on that deck. Decks 8 & 9 are more expensive. 

Glad we didn’t wait for Celebrity, £1319 pp for a 7 night sailing 😱 

Trust me to be working outdoors today! Although may deter people from heading out! 

To those who celebrate, Happy Easter. Very dull here today, but I need to get out and trim back a Pyracantha that has been discovered hiding behind 2 x 20 foot conifers we had to have cut down on Friday (dying and in danger of being blown over). 

Had a visit by friends on Friday too who we haven't seen for over 12 months (they were on their way back from being vaccinated at the Etihad Stadium) so called in for 'afternoon tea' in the garden! Rare treat.

Yesterday went for a stroll around the city as the weather was nice and bright and try out the camera on my new phone (struck a hard deal with my mobile provider)