Strongbox

4 hours ago, villauk said:

 

Thank you, that’s the same route as ours 👍. I’ll take a look at the tour you mentioned. Did you find all the visas easy enough to obtain?
 

It just so happens that we’re on Millie both this year and next. Looking forward to seeing how she’s been updated since our last sailing on her 👍.

Yes visas easy to obtain, just make sure you get the official visa sites or you may pay a premium. Ship was in top condition, sure you’ll have a great cruise

2 hours ago, villauk said:

 

Did you cruise Mumbai to Singapore?  If so, did you take any independent tours or were they all from the ship? Would welcome any recommendations as we’re cruising the same itinerary, in the opposite direction, next year.

We were on the voyage prior to this one, disembarking in Mumbai. We did a safari of the Yala nature reseve in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. Tour was very good with Merganser holidays for about $105 pp.

On 8/26/2023 at 8:59 AM, nasus2 said:

We sail on millennium and dock(tender) overnight in Phuket Jan 13th 2024.

can anyone with experience of this port give me advice on tender process, timings of tenders  ( we arrive 7am)

and advice on timing to book independent tours

thanks

sue 

 

We were on Millennium last week. It was a tender port with transfers operated by the locals. Tenders were operating pretty soon after anchoring with those on Celebrity excursions given priority. Seemed to work pretty well with little waiting.

22 hours ago, passionfortravel said:

Agreed re Singapore, Brits (and many other nationalities) don't need visas, you just need to complete the SG arrival card three days before arrival in Singapore https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/

 

Didn't know that, thanks

1 hour ago, Kymmy999 said:

Thanks for the update. We read it that we need a multi entry visa for Sri Lanka so have applied for and received that. However, there was a cost. 
 

We now just have to apply for an entry visa for Nepal (we start there before the cruise but can’t apply until a fortnight before arrival) plus the entry visa for Singapore as we are staying one night. Lots of dates marked in the calendar including the Celebrity Health Check 2 days before boarding. It would be so much easier if we had a check list to follow!

You shouldn't need entry visa for Singapore from UK

On 11/19/2023 at 9:09 AM, Kymmy999 said:

Hi. We join the cruise on the Millennium from Singapore on 8th February and have applied for and been granted a 30 day multiple entry tourist visa for Sri Lanka (available on line from 3 months before).  We now have to wait to be able to apply for a multi entry Indian visa because you can only apply 30 days before arrival.  I hope that helps.

We're on the same cruise but got our Indian visas last week (cost $42 each). Are you using the official site - https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

But nothing for UK Veterans.

56 minutes ago, Kristal Blade said:

Hi Richard,

I think you can just put in the address of the first port you arrive at. Or try putting in ship name and see if that works. We have usually been on land before our cruise so had a hotel name and address.

It’s a bit of a trial of a form, isn’t it? I remember having to be really patient as it takes a time to fill it in then loading can take a while. Do take a note of your reference numbers, you need them to check up on the progress of the applications. I did 2, one for me & one for my other half. They took different times to load.

Best of luck!

Thanks Kristal, I'll give it a go.

On 10/8/2023 at 7:16 PM, Kristal Blade said:

Hi again TLC,

Yes, don’t apply for your visa too early as it is valid from the date it is completed, if memory serves. And print out a colour copy of your receipt/visa form. I did the form for myself and my husband and I did them on different days! The frustration of pausing, restarting and amount of info required was just too much to do 2 forms in one day.

 

I’ve not been to Goa. But I have visited Kerala, the next door state. It’s not so party central, but beautiful and very “Indian”! Great food, gorgeous scenery, wonderful people, amazing wildlife…. I love India!

 

 

Hi Kristal, I'm Richard. As you've completed an Indian visa please would you give me a bit of info if you don't mind. I'm currently filling out an application for my February cruise and am stuck with the question 'Reference name and address in India'. As I'm on a cruise I obviously don't know anybody there so was wondering what information goes in there.  Many thanks. Richard. 

6 minutes ago, Mark_K said:

I wouldn’t be surprised if the £18.70 amount includes the 20% gratuity and the $20 amount doesn’t.

Yes you're probably right.

If the upgrade from classic to premier is $20 it seems us Brits are getting ripped off at £18.70!.

Just checked my EHIC card - expired last month - so thanks for the reminder. 

If you need medical treatment abroad and you don't have the GHIC card with you or have not yet received it,  the NHS will apparently provide a TRC (temporary replacement certificate). You can't apply for it in advance ( I guess you apply at the time of treatment and they send it by email). At least you're covered. Details on NHS site.   

On 6/10/2022 at 8:58 PM, Nicole&Pete said:

That is good news to me! Thank you for that information.

 

Do you remember if they did have a maitre d session on embarkation day at all?

 

Also did you use the sanctuary on the Sky? 
 

Is there anything we should be aware of to set our expectations before we board. I have a read a few reviews which state that now the capacity is increasing the staff are struggling a bit and service is being affected?

 

thanks

 

Nicole

There was a maitre d on the door on the first night holding a table plan and he told the server where to take us. No we didnt use the sanctuary. Bar staff and waiters were extremely busy, sometimes had to wait for drinks, best to just go to the bar. Sure you will have a great time on this super ship.

6 hours ago, Nicole&Pete said:

Basically we have booked the dine my way which is fine but we wanted to ask if we can have the same table and wait staff for the entire cruise. I was hoping there would be someone on board I can discuss this with?

We were on the Sky until 14th May. We mentioned to our dining servers on the first night that we would like to dine on this table for the entire cruise and she told us it wouldn't be a problem, the table would be kept for us every night - and it was.

Just got back last week.  Got a taxi in the port at Livorno intending to go to the station to go by train and he offered us a flat rate of 300ero for six of us to visit Pisa and Florence.  In Rome we hired Stefano rome tours in advance (we've had them before, they do other places as well) and have always been very good.

We got off the sky princess last saturday and ate at the same table in the cielo every night apart from our crown grill visits. We got there at 6, 6-15 every evening and probably 8 diners at most in queue (took 2-3 minutes). Food was poor first night but after that was very good although not as many choices as before.

We came off the Sky yesterday. We already had elected for fixed meal times in the app and when we went to dinner on the first night the maitre d said we could have the same table every night if we wished. You have to check in at the entrance of the MDR with your medallion and the waiter takes you to the table. On the occasions you will miss a night tell the server that you will be absent and they will save the table for future meals.

Just bought a set of these from Amazon for £6.99, great to know they fit.

We are on the Sky Princess in 6 weeks and we have a private excursion arranged in Rome.

Does anyone know if private excursions are allowed to go ahead or do we have to take the ships excursion.

Yes I want to be looking at that too but we have 5 months yet.  Jabs were the thing I wanted to clear up as i know it takes time to get a full set. Thanks for the reply.

12 hours ago, Hightackle84 said:

Currently, children between 12 and 17 have to have had both covid jabs. Children between 5 and 12 do not need to be vaccinated but need to provide a negative PCR within three days of departure (Currently provided complimentary by P&O)

 

This guidance is due to be reviewed/changed at the end of April though

Great, thanks for your reply.

Going on Iona in August with grandkids.  I am trying to find out what jabs the kids need for covid - if any.  Not seen anything from P&O but don't want to leave it until too late. Thanks in advance.

I also claim the UK military OBC,  I sent Princess a copy of my service from my discharge document  (the red book).

Just been notified my 7 day Quantum sailing out of Singapore 4th Feb 21 is cancelled.

Paid £30.10 last month for my Quantum voyage, now back at £41.00