2irisheyes

Thanks to three for reassurance re check in on fly cruise.  Hopefully some day Marella will get round to issuing cabin numbers before people arrive at terminal.  We have had guarantee cabins on occasions in the past with other cruise line but have always received an allocation before travelling.

We will be taking our first cruise on Marella in November departing Tenerife.  Does anyone have experience of check in there and, if so, how was it.   Does Marella give various check in times as some other cruise line do.  Was the chaos at Soton aggravated by many people turning up around the same time.  Lack of seating is ridiculous bearing in mind the age of many cruisers.  It will be interesting to see how it all works compared to many other cruise lines.  

We used Arecibo from hotel in Manhattan to Red Hook.  We would recommend.  Although they are based in Brooklyn after phoning for a car it arrived very quickly so they must have had cars around in Manhattan.

14 hours ago, jones721 said:

 

Very helpful post - thank you. I have been searching for travel insurance for my 81 year old mother who has several medical conditions (including stroke) and medicaltravelcompared have worked out way cheaper than any of the ones I tried. Thank you!

Tracey

You're welcome.  Glad to help.  I know what a chore it can be spending time on the phone answering all the questions and being disappointed at the end of it.  Just a note - their cheapest one for us didn't include baggage and cancellation cover and had a high excess but the second cheapest was fine.

In the past we have had annual travel insurance but because of age insurers are not keen to do this.  As I have many medical issues our insurance is expensive.  The cost of insurance can be as much as the deposit so we don't worry about insuring (single trip) until about to pay the final balance.  We just have to accept that in the event of the need to cancel we would lose our deposit.  Able2travel have proved good and we have recently had a quote from medicaltravelcompared.  Banks and many well known insurance providers are no good for us.  Good luck.

We have done a few sectors of world cruises on QM2.  There were lessons for beginners around 9.30 or 10 am followed by lessons for intermediate players.  Usually from 2-4 pm there were duplicate bridge sessions organised by a tournament director.  In our experience the TDs have been American but I do not know if this is always the case.  Bridge lessons and duplicate play take place on sea days.  We didn't attend any of the lessons just the afternoon duplicate sessions which were well supported.

Twin beds as opposed to king makes it seem more spacious.  It gives better space to move around.  Even though twin beds might have been requested they are sometimes made up as a king.  If that happens, just tell your steward/ess when you meet and it will be changed while you are at dinner on the first evening.

In 2013 we checked in at the ICC. It was in a large hall and refreshments were available foc. It was a bit chaotic compared to Southampton and some other places. As others have said we were then bussed to the ship. I am not sure exactly where that was but we queued in a tented type set up on rough ground which seemed like a large car park where the wind was howling. We departed late due to the high winds. Needless to say all was ok once onboard. It was certainly a different experience.

We had the two day hoho bus ticket which was a good deal. If you are interested in social history the District 6 museum is on the route and is very interesting. Our accommodation was not far from the museum and the ICC was within walking distance but for the luggage. The hoho bus is also handy for Table Mountain and one of the wineries. We don't often take the hoho in cities but this one was good value particularly over two days. We had three days in CT but could have done with longer. Enjoy.

Thanks, so it can be done then.

NCL include gratuities and a drinks package as does Azamara (sister company to Celebrity). Admittedly NCL's prices have increased and Azamara is more expensive as you would expect when more is included. It is not just Brits using Azamara as many passengers are American/Canadian/Australian.

We have always left the auto tip in place. On our last cruise our table companions removed the auto tips and tipped in cash/envelopes on the last evening. There was all the hand shaking and bon homie while this was done and we were almost made to feel like cheapskates for not handing over cash. There were disappointed looks from the waiting staff. It certainly makes us wonder what we will do in future. What would the cruiselines do if everyone removed the auto tips I wonder. I don't like the idea of subsidising other passengers.

We parked at Parkncruise undercover parking and were very pleased with the service. We had a short wait for a taxi on the outbound transfer in a warm reception. A taxi was used as it was just us at that time. On the return transfer from the ship we only had to wait about five minutes for the taxi after phoning to say we were ready. Booking by phone was cheaper than online. We will certainly use again.

Airlynx Cruise Parking have recently moved from SouthamptonAirport to new premises at Britannia Wharf (adjacent football stadium).Transfer time 5-10 minutes. Competitiveprice. It’s operated by ex-Alternative Cruise Parking owner and drivers. Servicewas very good.

Thanks for the info re Airlynx. We have booked with ParknCruise (Millbrook) undercover parking. The receptionist I booked with has worked with Alternative Cruise Parking. We used to park with Alternative CP but since the business changed hands we decided to park elsewhere as the service was not quite as good as provided by the original owners. We are hoping ParknCruise turns out ok.

I never put home address. If there is an outside label I only put mobile phone number and I put the same number in an outside pocket.

There is another company Parkncruise which has under cover parking. To compare with my earlier info when obtaining the quote online it was about £100. I later received a call from them telling me of an offer of £80 for our ten night cruise. They have been in business about six months, have the Parkmark and are part of the Lok n Store self storage set up. They are situated in Manor House Avenue not far from dock gate 20. We may give them a try if we do not go with Penguin Parking.

The car park for Parking4cruises is 4.3 miles from the port not actually at the port (according to their website). Cars are returned to the short stay car park in time for disembarkation.

Quotes for a 10 night cruise in a month's time varies from £80 (Penguin), £95+ (Parking4xruises), £102+ (Cruise Parking) to £120 (CPS).

Grateful to have had the benefit of Salacia's wisdom and wit but sad for the loss. RIP

In our experience self disembarkation has taken place between 7 and 7.30 am which we adhered to. I don't know what would happen if you wandered off at a later time. It can be difficult with the lifts on disembarkation day - slower. The buffet is open early and a bit chaotic on the last day but least you can be in and out more quickly than in the MDR. Have a great cruise.

We have done it both ways - National Express and train. We used the slower train journey with Southern but they have been plagued by strikes and work to rule days of late. We have self disembarked and had booked a coach departing Southampton around 8.30 am. If you can manage luggage that is fine. With the train you have to load and off-load your own luggage whereas NE do the lifting for you. If not self-disembarking I wouldn't book a departure before 10.30 am. When we have used public transport from Southampton we have always booked in advance. Megatrain does cheap tickets but the first train that can be used (South West faster service) is usually around 12.55 pm - a bit too late for us.

I've never been to a show or talk on Cunard which lasted two hours. Shows are usually around 45 minutes and the talks much the same. I can only assume I didn't attend the same venues but then the Cunard ships are quite large - I must have missed them.

Having recently travelled on a RCI ship I think that line might be more your cup of tea.

I found your thread amusing in the beginning but now it has become rather repetitive and boring - a trait I thought you didn't like. Happy cruising.

Of course, what else.

We sail QM2 on Thursday 13 July and were allocated a cabin nine or ten days before. That's the latest it has ever been for us. A tiny upgrade, just slightly more midship but it all looks fine.

It is a hard lesson but if a customer is happy to take pot luck and book later they may or may not be satisfied with what is on offer either in cabin availability or price. We have done it both ways. We are able to book at short notice now but that was not always the case. As others have said, in the UK we cannot book a cruise, pay a deposit and and cancel near time of full balance payment without losing out financially. We might not like it or might think that it is unfair but we have to lump it.

I am glad your mother is now home and hope she progresses well.

From experience, I know that insurances companies may try to wriggle out of paying out if possible. It is difficult to understand how they can say your mother did not become ill abroad when she was mid Atlantic. If you have the energy and time pursue All Clear and even involve the ombudsman if they do not cough up. I appreciate your energy and time may be taken up with other things and it takes both of these to follow through. Insurance companies know that and they often put people off. All the best to you after a worrying and trying time.

As long as you allow plenty of time you should be fine. We have done it from Kent by train using different routes - London, Brighton and Tonbridge/Redhill. We have also made the journey by National Express. All have worked ok. If going on day of departure via London is best as there are alternatives. As you say, as a last resort, taxi. We have never used a taxi but did get a quote for £120 one way Kent to Southampton a couple of years ago. Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

Sorry to hear your news. Having had to cancel a cruise and another holiday on medical grounds one of the main points the insurer wants confirmation from GP on is that nothing was known at the time the holiday was booked and when the insurance started. From what you say, this is the case so there should be no problem. All the best for the coming months.