terry&mike

16 hours ago, Ummie4799 said:

Our Vietnam e-visas have been approved  and will apply for Cambodia after August 1. Flights are resolved. We are on the 21 day itinerary ….Siem Reap to Hanoi. Husband served in Vietnam , he has a number of bucket list places to visit. 

Starting to look at the visa info for Cambodia for US citizens. Need to nail down the entry and exit points for the river cruise portion of the trip - does anyone have them handy for sailing in the Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh direction? 

The 21 day itinerary sounds nice, we are on the 11 day itinerary with Scenic, but are adding several stops on our own.

We were in Vietnam in January 2020, and really enjoyed it, and are excited to be going back.  We will fly in to Bangkok, and have 2 weeks traveling around Thailand, then fly over to Hanoi for a couple of nights. Next we'll go to Lan Ha Bay (near Halong Bay, and same scenery, but not packed with hundreds of boats) for a couple nights on a boat over Christmas. We'll then spend 6 days in Hoi An, and then fly over to meet the Scenic tour starting with New Years Eve in Siem Reap for a couple of days, and then board the ship for 7 nights and sail down to Ho Chi Minh City. Home after HCM. 

9 hours ago, PhotoFlo said:

If you have a BinaxNow test kit, who do you call to get official results that Princess will accept? 

You need the BinaxNow proctored test, which is the one with the red stripe on the box, not the other one. You take it with a proctor over a zoom type call, and your results are posted to the app and sent to you.

We have had good success in having the front desk of our hotels print out a copy of the results document for us. 

5 hours ago, isnowman said:

We're also on a Mekong cruise with Scenic in March 2023 so would appreciate any updates. Our fare included the free air promotion, but Scenic has told our TA that they will not will not book flights until 4 months before sailing, seems rather short. Any information appreciated.

We handled our own air, as our Mekong cruise will be part of a longer trip we are taking in Asia. Used miles for Business over and back, and booked it several months ago. I do have a backup plan, in case Scenic isn't operating in Asia come December.

18 hours ago, Wings55 said:

@3ShelaghsHaving sailed with both AMA and Scenic I believe you will be quite pleased with your cruise. AMA offers an excellent experience but Scenic does almost everything a bit better in my opinion. Have fun and enjoy your vacation.

Paul

Agree. We have sailed with both and that is also my take away. Both lovely experiences, but I'd give a slight edge to Scenic. I should correct that to say that I give the edge to Scenic on the actual sailing. As far as booking communication goes, pre-trip information, and that type of thing, AMA is by far the front runner. 

Yes, please keep us posted as to your October trip. We are scheduled on Scenic (parent company of Emerald) for December of this year, and are hopeful that all goes forward. 

17 hours ago, shellbeachjim said:

The website was changed on June 28th. We board the Island Princess on  Friday July 29th, but fly on Monday July 25th, so we can’t take tests at home. We will do proctored tests from our hotel prior to the cruise. 

We have had good success using the proctored tests from our hotel rooms in several countries. The wifi is usually stable enough to last the call, the room is quiet enough to be able to hear the instructions from the person monitoring, and there is enough space to set up a comfortable place where the phone can view your test for the waiting period. Hotels have also been happy to give a print out of the results, as well. That would have been our choice had we had an overnight in Southampton, but with going directly from one ship to another, we weren't trusting that we could find a place quiet enough and with a signal that wouldn't drop. It's very frustrating to lose connection during the results waiting time and have to throw the test out. 

One change we noticed in June on the Binax Now proctored tests is that there is a person who monitors the test while you take it, and then a different person comes on the line at 15 minutes and goes over the results with you.  In the past the same person came back on the line.  They tell you to ensure that the actual test lies within view of your device for the 15 minute wait time, so I imagine someone is monitoring the test during that time. 

3 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

It doesn’t show the port testing $60 on the updated Princess website July 14, 22

any more.

Very interesting, and I had not noticed this change. Last weekend, it still showed the $60 test at pier option for my cruise departure from Southampton on the Princess web site, and in looking now, that option is gone. I am very happy I locked in our appointments at the Regenerative Wellness Center, as I have a feeling they will become rather busy, given this change. 

18 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

 

 

Do you have a proctored test you could do OB the QM2?   Maybe an option.
 

QM2 transatlantic sailings have notoriously poor internet. If you could even make the connection, I don't think you would be able to hold it for the 20 minutes or so to complete the entire call/test. 

I'll use a proctored test to board the QM2 from my hotel room in NYC, but I wouldn't rely on it for the second sailing.

17 hours ago, brucedodge said:

Thanks for the responses.  We will get it done.  Having QM2 do it is probably first choice, and if they can't or won't, we will work it out in Southampton.  And it's nice to know it can be done at the pier if necessary, even at $60 a pop.

 

Bruce

Hi Bruce, I'm in a similar situation as you - we disembark QM2 on August 12 morning, and embark Island Princess on August 12 afternoon - so I have been researching the options for this.

QM2, at the moment, is only providing testing onboard if you present yourself as symptomatic, and then they will test. If you only want to test to have a document showing negative, even by paying a fee, they are not offering this service. My guess is that they don't want to encourage extra testing onboard. And if you present yourself as (fake) symptomatic to obtain the test, they will make you quarantine until your symptoms are gone.  So that one is out for us.

Princess offers testing at the pier, at $60 pp, but I have read that the lines for testing are very, very long as many people are traveling internationally and using this option for convenience.

The last option is to arrange for a test in Southampton, which is the option we have chosen.  We booked tests with the Regenerative Wellness Clinic at Westquay Mall in Southampton for 10am on August 12. We will disembark the QM2, head to the clinic, have our tests, wait for our results, and then head over to the Island Princess. We were able to book appointments online, and the cost was 39L each.  

Once you complete the check in, your boarding pass will print with the correct date. My sailing showed August 4 all the way through check in, but at the end when I printed boarding pass it states August 5. 

9 minutes ago, RalphWiggum said:

Seriously, thank you everyone for this wealth of information.  I will coordinate with my travel partner to see what we will do.  He is in the UK already so maybe he can order the Randox tests now for collection at a store near him.   
 

I also looked at the Southampton West Quay website and saw much availability for bookings.   Honestly, I’d be fine with just that option but I’ll be taking a train from London to Southampton the morning before I sail, and with the strike issues, I don’t want to just rely on a scheduled appt in Southampton.  
 

but great to know there is also a last minute option by the pier. 

Hubby and I have tests booked at the Regenerative Clinic at the mall in Southampton for the morning we board.  Was easy to do online, and we like knowing it’s booked. 

On 7/11/2022 at 6:06 PM, High C's said:

When do boarding documents and luggage tags typically become available?  We sail Aug 5.  I check daily and I get "opening  soon" (on line check in) and "not yet available" (luggage tags and e-tickets).

I am on your same sailing, and online check in opened this morning. 

We also always keep euros on hand, as we visit countries that use this currency frequently. As a matter of fact, I purchased $1000 usd worth of euros yesterday when the rate dropped so low against the dollar. I'll just keep it in my mad money drawer and draw on it for the next few trips as they come up. 

We like to hit the ground with some local cash in our pockets for any country we are traveling to.  Love it for small purchases, street vendors, tips.

14 hours ago, BillB48 said:

If you are staying at a hotel in the Casco Antiguo I think you best bet would see what the hotel could offer.

 

Thank you, I will reach out to them. I've used Uber successfully around Panama City on land trips in the past, but think I want to have something pre-arranged. 

Can anyone recommend a private transfer company for a transfer from Panama City Old Town to the Colon cruise port?

Hubby just confirmed to me that we did have the Sokol Pinot for dinner on a couple of occasions, as well. This was on Quest in June. 

4 hours ago, federalexpress said:

Thank you that is very helpful indeed. I was perhaps a little unfair about the website because that is pretty much exactly what is on there and would be good enough for me to go for the package. It strikes me the reds are quite a bit higher quality than the whites and I note there's no dessert wine but I guess I can bring that onboard with me.

 

Can I also ask you, do they make sure your glass is topped up promptly at dinner or do you have to chase them a bit? I assume they don't leave the bottle on the table?

 

Also will they bring wine to your cabin before dinner and/or if you have room service? I'm in a suite so have this butler service, if that makes a difference.

Our experience with the wine at dinner is that we would order our wine with our waiter and he would go and bring back an unopened bottle and pour our wine. He would then keep it on his service station and continue to refresh our glasses when they were low, never waiting for them to become empty.  Never did we have to request a pour.

Our experience with wine at lunch was much more sporadic. We would each order a glass of the Whispering Angel, and they would bring us a glass each.  Then we would usually have to ask someone for another glass.  By the third day, we would order Whispering Angel and say "you should just bring a bottle close by, as we are going to drink it all". This worked well, and they would bring an unopened bottle and keep it nearby and regularly pour for us most of the time. 

We found value in the Ultimate Package for us, as hubby likes Highland Park Scotch Whisky before dinner, and we often like sparkling water with dinner rather than still water (along with our wine). After dinner, we often enjoy a port. Those things, along with enjoying the upgraded wines at both lunch and dinner daily gave us good value, but I understand it is not for everyone. 

As to wines being brought to your cabin with room service on the Ultimate Package, that is not a benefit. You can order beverages with room service, but there is a charge. We did as others have said, when we wanted something we just popped to a nearby bar and brought it back.  

Hope this works.....

We were on Quest in June, with the Ultimate Package. We enjoyed the Whispering Angel rose' for several lunches, and ordered the Matanzas Creek Merlot a few times at dinner. Don't remember if we saw the others you mention. I have a copy of the list from that ship sailing, I will try to upload it. 

I decided to go the 'sure thing' route that allowed me to lock something in, being as we don't have a huge window of time for things to not line up.  I booked us both appointments for antigen tests at Regenerative Wellness in Southampton at 10am. We'll debark QM2 on the morning of August 12, take a taxi to the West Quay Mall and have our tests. If all goes well, we will then taxi over to the Island Princess and take advantage of our early boarding. 

10 hours ago, High C's said:

We are on the same crossing on QM2, and boarding Emerald the day AFTER we disembark.  If we could get the test done on board it would ease our mind greatly!  Someone on another roll call indicated they would do it for $25, as per their website.  I've asked if they could please provide the exact spot they found this.  If they respond, I will post it here.

Thank you. Yes, please post it here if you find out more.  I've looked on their site and cannot find this. 

3 hours ago, ace2542 said:

Everywhere in Southampton has strong wifi it is  major city. I think it is 5g now?

Yes, it is a major city with strong wifi options available, but not every business has this. For example, if we choose a coffee shop and use their wifi, we will need a quiet corner to take the proctored test, and the wifi of the business would need to be a strong signal that does not drop out during the call.  We have taken these proctored tests in hotel rooms in several countries, and there can be issues. If the call drops during the test, once the box has been opened, then the test is forfeited and a new one needs to be opened. Trying to find the best use of our time.

And if we do test positive while we are onboard Cunard, then we are positive for Covid, and should be placed in quarantine and counted as part of their onboard numbers. 

3 hours ago, Bell Boy said:

No !  I'm afraid the only testing onboard Cunard is for those who are on a Back to Back and are continuing on,  Cunard will offer a complimentary testing for those continuing their journey onboard the ship. 

 

Once you disembark in the UK I'm afraid Cunard are not interested what your onward travel is. You might be able to contact the Medical department once onboard  QM2 and see what their procedures are, however, it'll cost you $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. 

 

 

Thank you. We are okay with a reasonable fee, say $75 pp or so for an antigen. 

4 hours ago, Jacqueline said:

How about a proctored test? We did one in Mexico. All you need is good service and a cell phone or iPad. We used it fir our united airlines flight.

you do need to buy the Binax or other brand that is meant specifically for being proctored. So take care with purchasing the right one, We got an email pretty fast with the results.

We travel with those tests and have used them several times. My concern with them is finding a quiet place in Southampton with a reliable and strong Wi-Fi signal. But it is an option we are considering among our options above. 

3 hours ago, ace2542 said:

Could you not test at the Southampton princess check in terminal? After fwiw a positive results would cause the Cunard quarantine procedures to kick in. And would testing at the terminal the most accurate results you could get as well?

Yes, we could test with Princess, but I have reading of their very long lines for testing at the pier, so was hoping to avoid that, if possible. But that may be what we do....

We are both likely to be Negative when we test, as hubby had Covid in Cyprus in February, and I had Covid last week when I returned from Portugal (just testing Negative this morning).  Are both vaccinated and boosted.