Andy1832

We did a Virgin Cruise back in September with Imagine Cruising and booked a package that included a night at the Marriott Hotel with parking and transfers. Like you we are going again in March and don't like the look of the Multi Storey APCOA its quite expensive and quite a walk from the terminal. Don't think the previous deal will be available but I will contact the hotel and check if they are able to offer it with taxi transfers. We have done that in past at Southampton Hilton which worked well. We also frequently use Penguin Parking at Southampton who are very good but they don't operate at Portsmouth where cruising is quite new so there is very little choice at present. Have also seen a budget option with 

https://www.justpark.com who rent out peoples driveways and church car parks etc. and have a few places near the port from £35 for 12 days! not really sure about that though.

We use bank account insurance which is usually frowned upon by cruise firms, however Nationwide "Flex Plus" accounts include excellent travel insurance  in the £13 a month fee along with UK and European breakdown and recovery cover, mobile phone cover and emergency card assistance. There is an upgrade requirement once over 70 but it covers immediate family/partners for an annual fee of £65 and whilst cruising in UK coastal waters is covered an upgrade for international cruises is required at same fee. Most cruise companies require min of £2 million medical/evacuation cover but Nationwide provides max £10 million for this. Only drawback is max 31 days limit although we never cruise for longer than this. Total cost less than £300!

Can anyone answer a question on FCDO Policy regarding shore tours. We are booked with Fred Olsen to Spain and Balearics  in September, since booking in early May they have added a notice that the only way you can go ashore is on one of their organised tours and quoting government guidelines! I cannot find any such guidelines confirming this. This note was added after we booked and main reason for going  was to visit family in Barcelona whom we have not seen for 2 years, This now seems highly unlikely but guess we have no chance of getting a refund.