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blueexpedition29

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    OMG- comp cruise

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    15 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

    I see you did get the correct email address.  She personally called my CVP and told her to help when I called her.

    Very nice.

     

    Let us know if you have any questions that we may be able to help with.

    Thanks for the offer; but, we are all set? Jen did respond and was able to address my issues with aplomb. She truly is what SERViCE is about !!!

    • Like 2

    OMG- comp cruise

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    9 minutes ago, hpeabody said:

     

    Be sure to use this address. I had a great experience with her 

    jwright@princesscruises.com

     

     

    Thanks hpeabody.  I resent and no rejection yet.  I had jenwright….

    • Like 1

    OMG- comp cruise

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Does anybody know if ms.wright has stopped accepting emailS?  I have some specific circumstances and trying to get definitive answers. I also never received the “notice” !
     

    my email to ms. wright was rejected by the princess email system as “user unknown”!!!!

    Vaccines and Malaria treatments if not going into rural area

    in Oceania Cruises

    Posted

    19 hours ago, davencl said:

    I will comment since you mention your consulting with a doctor.  We're traveling to South America this Jan.  YF vaccine is recommended but not required.  We chose to get the YF vaccine, a lifetime shot. Also typhoid fever, a two year shot. Plus hep a/b.  Typhoid is not an issue in coastal brazil but is up the amazon. The fatality rate is so high with these I wanted peotection. Beyond the vaccines long sleeves and insect repelants and protection is very important. We plan extensive travel over the next few years so was worth it for us. Since the Panama canal is not in South America I don't think it's needed but your doctor can give the best answer.

    Same here. Forgot to mention wife and I also got typhoid prevention: she got shot,  I got pills taken over a few days. 

    Vaccines and Malaria treatments if not going into rural area

    in Oceania Cruises

    Posted

    We are doing similar intenerary (miami to Buenos Aires). Discuss with your doctor as the medical recommendations can be affected by your age and other risks. Wife and I are both over age  62 and doctor proceeded as follows for us : no yellow fever vaccine recommended , anti- malaria pills ( there is no “vaccine”) taken before, during and after being in the risk areas, and hepatitis a and b vaccine . Note that the combined a/b vaccine may be hard to find and may be hard to schedule if you are close to sailing.  It involves an initial shot, followed by another a month later and another one down the road for maximum effectiveness. That said, my wifes Dr said some protection is better than none!

     

    also check each country you are stopping on the state dept website ( link in the Oceania notice) as some have YF vaccination requirements that are not the clearest and not sure if “enforced”.  Worst case is ,I assume, you won’t be allowed off ship if not vaccinated. 

     

    • Thanks 1

    Alfredos on Carribean Princess?

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Recently sailed on Regal and really liked Alfredos.  I know that CP does not have Alfredos; but, i have read that on some ships, "alfredos" is served at lunch time in Sabatinis.  Can anybody shed light on this, especially if recently or currently sailing on CP?

     

    PS - i know there is a "Slice" pizza on CP; but looking for "sit down"/table service option, especially for embarkation day. 

     

    Also - i  saw a comprehensive chart ( official from princess) that showed all of the dining options on all Princess ships.  Can someone post it here as i cannot find it again. 

     

    THX

    National Express Luggage Weight

    in British Isles/Western Europe

    Posted

    I took the National Express service two weeks ago and had bags that were 50pounds each. There was no process to weigh the bags when loading the bus and I was not charged for the excess weight. Note that you will need to pay for the carryon bags unless they are really small and capable of fitting in a very small/narrow overhead compartment 

    southampton - looking for local input/validation of short visit plan

    in British Isles/Western Europe

    Posted

    8 hours ago, sleepingcat said:

    no quibbles with your plan or the comments above. the only thing to maybe think about is that the other lovely attraction of Southampton is the closeness of the New Forest (national park, nature reserve, no other habitat like it anywhere I the UK).  easily accessible also by bus and train.   instead of doing two cathedral cities, you might substitute New forest on day 3.  Get off train in Brockenhurst and just wander out, avoiding the free ranging ponies and other animals which are peacefully grazing everywhere including in the middle of the village. nice places to eat as well and lots of history. Have a lovely visit whatever you do. 

    SleepingCat - thanks for the suggestion; but, i think i wil stick to the original plan.  HOWEVER, our ship returns to Southampton before leaving on the Transatlantic journey. SO, you have now given me a good idea for my shore excursion for that day.  THANK YOU!!

    southampton - looking for local input/validation of short visit plan

    in British Isles/Western Europe

    Posted

    4 hours ago, John Bull said:

    Yes, your plan is easy, simple, and un-hurried.

    From the centre of Southampton (the historic Bargate), Ocean Village is off-centre to the east (15 minute walk) & the coach & train stations off-centre to the west (30 minute walk from Ocean Village)

    So yes, you'll need a taxi or Uber to Ocean Village - it's about 1 1/2 miles, cost about £8 to £10.

     

    There's a Tesco Local convenience store at the entrance to Ocean Village, prices will be a little higher than major stores. There are several ways into Ocean Village, ask the driver to drive past it so that you know where it is.

    (Ocean Village has been developed over the past 40 years - I remember catching cross-channel ferries to France from what is now the marina)

     

    For dining out evenings or sunday lunch it's best to book ahead on-line, especially for weekends.

     

    For eats in Ocean Village try

    either

    Bacaro

    https://www.bacarosouthampton.com/

    Tucked away behind the Tesco in an original single-storey dock building.

    Italian, we've dined here a few times, always a good atmosphere, attentive and friendly service. Mid-priced.

    or

    HarBar on 6th 

    https://www.harbourhotels.co.uk/southampton/eat-and-drink/harbar-on-6th

    A totally different but equally good experience - rooftop bar in a modern vaguely cruise-ship shaped  5* hotel jutting out into the Marina. Smart and up-market surroundings, lively atmosphere, quick & attentive service. Mainly but certainly not exclusively a younger set, smart casual dress. 

    Dined here just a couple of weeks ago, a friend's birthday. Was worried it'd be expensive, but the HarBar is surprisingly mid-priced altho food is limited to burgers, pizzas, etc.

     

    There are other eateries in Ocean Village.

     

    For other evenings, spread your wings a little.....

    In old-town Southampton, a 10-15 minute waterfront walk

    The Duke of Wellington pub. Historic building, good value. Dined here this week. https://www.dukesouthampton.co.uk/

    Dancing Man pub/micro-brewery. Re-purposed 13th Century stone wool store with a chequered history. I love their beef rag & bone. https://dancingmanbrewery.co.uk/# 

    La Regata Spanish restaurant or (next door) Ennio's Italian restaurant. Have dined at both - both are more expensive but good

    Or in Oxford Street, a 5 - 10 minute walk, a selection of pubs & restaurants. 

    A big eating & entertainment complex at West Quay (near the Bargate) but the restaurants are all national or international brands - not my scene.

     

    Days 2 or 3 might benefit from switching, depending on dates & circumstances. 

    On a sunday there's limited access to both Salisbury and Winchester cathedrals, and there may be rail disruption if there's planned engineering works on the rail track. Dates & locations of planned works are published 3 months ahead, usually there's a rail-replacement bus service between affected stations.. Do you have your dates yet?

     

    For Salisbury / Stonehenge you'd do better to head first to Stonehenge on the Stonehenge Tour bus from the station forecourt, and explore Salisbury afterwards. This means you can choose whether to stop off at Old Sarum and how long you want to spend in Salisbury, and you can find your way back to the station (a 15-minute walk)  if there's no convenient tour bus for that little hop. 

    Do buy your Stonehenge tickets with your Stonehenge Tour bus tickets  - if you buy tickets from English Heritage you have to quote a 30-minute arrival slot - miss that slot on a busy day and you won't be admitted until the number of visitors on-site drop below the maximum. Tickets bought from the Stonehenge Tour (and other bus & coach tours) allow entry at any time.

    On the way back to Salisbury hop-off at Old Sarum only if the weather's fine & you're feeling fit. I think that your ho-ho tickets are good for any Salisbury Reds bus into Salisbury from the Old Sarum stop, but check with the tour driver.

     

    For Winchester the local bus route is slow & a little tortuous, and not scenic. Train is quicker & easier, altho it's a 15 minute walk from the station to the centre & cathedral.

    But the walk takes you past 

    - the Great Hall. The only remaining part of Winchester Castle, and hung on the wall is the reputed King Arthur's Round Table - If he ever existed, King Arthur would have been around the 5th / 6th Century and this table has been dated as about 13th Century, but lets not allow facts to get in the way of legends 😏 . Long time since we've been, but admission was by donation.

    - the little West Gate museum is just a few yards down from the Great Hall.

     

    There's no need - and no advantage  - in booking trains ahead, These are local routes, inexpensive and (except for Winchester early morning) un-crowded. Choose "return" tickets, they cost little more than one-way tickets.

     

    Ocean Cruise Terminal from the nearest part of Ocean Village is a level 10-minute walk - when you're there figure for yourself whether its walkable from the condo. You'll certainly need a taxi for other cruise terminals.

     

    https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/

    https://www.thestonehengetour.info/

    https://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Cruise_Ship_Schedule/

     

    JB 🙂

     

    JB - thanks for all of your insightful - and helpful - input.  I do a fair amount of preplanning for our trips and "excursions"; but, the loacl input always teaches you something new or that you havent thought about.  So, thanks Again. 

     

    PS -  We are there from 9/26-9/29, so midweek for Friday departure.  Accordingly,  Sunday is not an issue and I am  fine with Crowded morning trains! 

    Also, the condo is in one of the new construction buildings right up the street from Bacaro, so im sure we will be there one night.   

     

    THANKS AGAIN

    • Like 1

    southampton - looking for local input/validation of short visit plan

    in British Isles/Western Europe

    Posted

    -We ( active 62/67 year olds) are coming to Southampton for 3 nights before leaving on a cruise.  I would appreciate any/all input, thoughts and suggestions on the following plans/itinerary. We have been to London, so not looking to spend time there. We are used to "self touring" and taking bus/trains "on our own"! 

     

    We plan on taking the National Express Bus from LHR to Southampton arriving between 2 and 4 pm depending on Flight arrival and bus schedules.  We have rented a condo  in the Ocean Village area.  We will take a taxi ( or Uber) from the bus station to the ondo and to get around town and back/forth to train station, when needed.  

     

    General Plan ( always subject to modification "on the fly" if something piques our interest ): 

     

    Day 1 - Pick up snacks, etc for condo and have early local dinner ( suggestions welcome in Ocean Village area). Rest and get settled with good night sleep. 

     

    Day 2 - Day trip to Salisbury/Stonehenge by Train.  Tour Salisbury and take Tour bus to Stonehenge.  Hopefully early start with late afternoon return.  Dinner in Southampton /local town walking self tour. 

     

    Day 3 - early day trip to Winchester by train or bus.  Late afternoon return and dinner in Southampton with some more self touring in town. 

     

    Day 4 - taxi or walk to Ship.  I am told the Condo is walking distance to Port; but, by then I can assess that reality myself. 

     

    Some specific questions : 

      (1) Is it the Bus route to Winchester scenic in any way? Or is it better to take train both ways.  

      (2) Do i need to  buy train tickets in advance or just buy them on day of travel ? 

     

    Any thoughts and suggestions Welcome. 

     

    Thanks

     

    No Longer Ocean Ready

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    For what it is worth - I am in the US and could not complete the medalion ordering process for the last two weeks. And then earlier TODAY, i was finally able to do so.  As noted in some other discussions, there appear to be lots of issues and updaqtes going on in the app. 

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