paulatsea

Fly out 0600 LGW 11 May - 2 weeks to go ! Haven’t flown for years - usually just go from Southampton - generally hate airports and queues and cramped planes but this feels like a novelty again. It’s the sail 3 seas itinerary which looks brilliant.

Thanks Brummijam - I’ll update this when I get back - for anyone who is interested !

Brummijam - did you use the self service bag drop on the flight out or the staffed checkin ?

Thanks Brummijam - I thought I had seen it mentioned somewhere - didn’t think to check the TUI airways site - although others here say it doesn’t t always happen. Re this bit - “If this applies to you, it’ll be noted in your booking confirmation” where in the booking confirmation does it show if this bonded transfer is applicable to the specify cruise ? update - just found this on my booking blurb: CHECKING-IN YOUR LUGGAGE To check in your bags in the UK you'll need to have printed and attached your Marella Cruises luggage tag from Cruise Control. Once at the airport, check into your flight as normal and we'll security seal your bag. Upon arrival in your destination, there's no need to collect your bags when you land as they’ll be sent straight to the ship - just make your way through to the arrivals hall where a Marella Cruises Representative will meet you and direct you to your transfer coach. There might be a short delay in your cases being delivered to your cabin when you board the ship, so pop any essentials into your hand luggage before you leave the UK. Please have your cruise boarding pass printed and ready for inspection - you'll need this to complete check-in and board the ship for the first time. Once onboard, you can swap your cruise boarding pass for your onboard account cards which will be waiting for you outside your cabin. Would self service checkin work ok!?

Thanks Pink15.

Thanks prestonscotty - I heard it was “bonded” at Dubrovnik so a possibility of luggage direct to ship - I believe some other cruise lines do this there.

Hi - going on explorer 2 flying to Dubrovnik from Gatwick - does the luggage go straight to the ship from the plane and vice versa or do we have to collect it at Dubrovnik airport ? I think this has been asked before but I can’t find the thread.

Thanks very much

Hi Tring - what’s the Winchester Holiday Inn like ? Have you been before ? Looking for alternatives to Southampton but near enough - somewhere nice.

Good to know - thanks Fi

Customer service much better than most hotels I have been to. Good food and nice restaurants with a bigger choice than most hotels. Good choice of bars and entertainment all under the same roof. Balcony with changing views. Easy to embark and disembark and can leave the car at the port easily. Good excursions and knowing we won’t be left behind if we book via the ship. Feeling safe and having a common interest with other shipmates. Civilised. I just love being at sea - it feels like escaping. Have always found it easy to get any problems solved. Not too bothered about destinations even if it’s a repeat - would go anywhere at any time if the price was right - although new is more appealing. We like adults only so it’s only p&o Arcadia and Aurora , Marella Explorer 2, Saga and Ambassador for us(not tried yet). Usually have had very good holidays on P&O and found the balcony prices very reasonable so far. Saga very good but we prefer the atmosphere on others. Marella explorer 2 has been excellent so far but fly cruise - so a bit of a hassle. Booked on Marella Explorer 2 in May. Aurora in late August and December. Have not been in Aurora for a many years so be interesting to see how it is. Very interesting thread. Happy Easter shipmates !

How does the pre release securing work ? Can you specify saver or select and choose cabin grade / number later?

Heard Aurora refurb due in 2025 and Arcadia due in 2024. Can’t remember where - somewhere in this forum recently. 🤞

Maybe a stupid question - but does the highest bidder always win ? Or is it a lottery ? Can you increase bids ? like eBay - keep bidding if you want to win !

Trickle down !

Probably only worth doing if you are saver price or inside cabin ? I always book select and carefully choose the cabin so I wouldn’t want moving unless I knew where to.

Where was it announced ? On the website ? Did you get an email ? Great idea .

It was fantastic - no noise from the lifts or from anything at all. Walk in wardrobe was great. Big cabin with balcony window doors and an extra side window. Large bathroom and shower. Loved it.

Wow - awesome !!! Thanks dermotsgirl.

I agree - but we just want a taste of the Southern Hemisphere and Australia - if you know what I mean - without to much hard travelling ! I think we will do the world cruise segment - fly out to Brisbane and back from Hong Kong via Manila. Looks good. Arcadia feb 24.

Yes - I was interested to hear of any personal experiences from people on this forum.

Thanks terrierjohn - that sounds the best option - to organise our own flights and pick up a ship there as I haven’t seen any cruise company that does flights both ways and a cruise all together - I would prefer that option in case anything went wrong with the flights etc but I don’t think it’s possible - but like you did we could do the whole package via trailfinders and have some support if needed. The world cruise segments I have seen only seem to fly one way. Bucket list job !

Sorry - I meant fly both ways and do say 2/3 weeks cruise in Australia. thanks for all replies everyone.

Apologies but off topic - anyone done uk to Australia fly cruise ? don’t know which forum to look at but want do this 2024. best time and best line etc ? Any p&o we could do this on ?

Good deal . Well done 👍