dickinson

Looking forward to reading this.  We are going on a seven day the beginning of August. What ports are you going to because so far what you mentioned are not on our cruise?

@rhiannon84  Thanks!

2 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

 

The Diamond Jubilee Galleries are entered from inside the Abbey (not a separate exterior entrance).  I just went back to look at the timed tickets we had purchased for the Fall of 2018 (I don't know if the timing is different now).  We'd booked a timeslot to enter the Abbey of 9:30am-11:30am, and we booked tickets for the Galleries for an entrance of 10am-10:15am. 

 

We took a Verger Tour as well (see my comment above).  My recollection (and I could be wrong) is that we entered the Abbey at 9:30, we went immediately to the desk where we could book a Verger Tour and booked one for after our Diamond Jubilee Galleries visit, allowing a decent time for that. 

 

We had booked tickets for that same afternoon for the Churchill War Rooms at 3pm (I just checked my file), which allowed us to spend an unrushed morning in the Abbey, wander off toward the War Rooms, and, before visiting the War Rooms, have lunch at a pub nearby.

 

So I think you are pretty much on the right track with your timing, but you may want to book the War Rooms for 3pm rather than 2pm.  So you are not rushing yourself.

 

The War Rooms are fascinating, you'll probably spend more time there than you think.

 

Overall, it's a great day in London!   

 

Edited to add: an even greater day if you add the London Eye.  🙂 

Sounds really nice!  I went to your link and found this: 

General admittance tickets to the Abbey can be purchased in advance online but a verger tour can only be booked when you arrive at the Abbey.

When booking your tickets to the Abbey, please try to book your entry slot 30 minutes or so before the tour is due to start.

Previously it said that we can contact them 24 hours in advance to see what times the Verger tours are.  Not sure how we can book entry to Abbey 30 minutes before Verger tour if we won't know what times they are til 24 hours in advance!  Catch 22.  Will have to do a little more research on that.

I appreciate all your info.  Thanks 🙂

43 minutes ago, gnome12 said:

I think so. Once you come back down into the main Abbey you are free to wander. You might consider booking the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries first, and then spend time in the Abbey.

Thanks but to purchase tickets each requires you to pick a time. Is the gallery a separate entrance?  If not then we would need to enter the Abbey first with the time we pick.  I assume that once inside there is a place to go up to the gallery where they check your ticket for the time you picked?  Trying to visualize how it works.

Anyone with advise on ticket time for the War Rooms?

3 hours ago, Globaliser said:

 

I think that here, that model is most often seen in pubs and similar places. Otherwise, it's generally either being served at the counter and taking the food to your table yourself (including at sandwich shops like Pret), or table service. So it sounds like the latter may be more what you're looking for anyway.

Getting food at the counter but then going to sit at a table would be fine too.  It is going on a picnic or eating outside while walking around that is not appealing!

9 hours ago, gnome12 said:

At Westminster Abbey, new (I believe) since 2017,  The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries, for which there is an additional £5 charge. I was there in 2019 and found it fascinating. I think I spent at least 45 minutes up there.

https://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us/plan-your-visit/the-queen-s-diamond-jubilee-galleries

Interesting!  Looks like you have to choose a time to visit the Abbey and another time to visit this gallery.  I wonder if you can go back down to the Abbey to finish the tour there that you interrupted to go up to the gallery.

Thanks for the ideas.  We definitely want a place that has tables to sit down.  In the US, fast casual is usually places where you place your order at a counter, pay for it, then go sit down at a table and they bring the food to you.

Any suggestions of how much time minimum to allow before we pick a time for the War Rooms?  I was thinking if we did the Abbey at 9:30 and they say to allow 90 minutes-2 hours then maybe do the War rooms at 2 pm which would allow us plenty of time to get lunch and get there a little early?  I did the Abbey in 2017 but don't remember how much time we spent there.  Our traveling companion has never been.  

It was so much easier when we were in London in 2017.  We did purchase some advance tickets but didn't have to pick a time!

We will be in London pre cruise.  One day we plan on going to Westminster Abbey (we want to purchase 9:30 am tickets once on sale).  We then want a "fast casual" lunch (nothing too big or fancy or time consuming).  We then plan on getting tickets for the Churchill War Rooms.  Any advise on where to eat and what time to purchase the tickets for the Churchill War Rooms?  One person in our small group eats dairy free so no pizza for them.

Thanks!

Glad you had a good experience!  

10 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

I called them  when I was locked out . I don't remember how long it locked me out. Per the web page of gift certificates check balance.......

 

For questions, contact Gift Card Customer Support at 1-833-907-3079

Thanks.  Yesterday morning my dh called them and they confirmed the balance on the gift card in question.  When he asked about complaining that website was not working they said to call Princess. 😞

Just now, cruzsnooze said:

I checked the balance of 2 cards the other day and it worked. If you check too many times it locks you out. 

How long does it lock you out?  I tried on my iPad a few minutes ago (yesterday and today was on my laptop) and it would not let me check there either).  I wasn't even logged in.

58 minutes ago, that said:

@dickinson

 

this issue of checking balances of multiple

gift cards is nothing new. 🤬

The work around we have found is to NOT

check another card.  We return to the gift card page and start again with checking balance, each time.

 

 

I have done that today which is the next day and it still doesn’t work but thanks. 

12 hours ago, Coffee30 said:

Great advice, thank you! 
And yes I did consider using a TA, but felt that there’re too many TAs online and I find it difficult to verify which are legit. 
 

I’m now thinking whether to 1) book through United Cruises and earn 7x miles/dollar or 2) book with Princess directly and open a new credit card to earn card opening bonus. 
 

I’ve looked into Vacations To Go as TA earlier but surprisingly found their prices being basically the same as booking with princess directly so didn’t see a point in going with them..

Discount TAs are not allowed to ADVERTISE their discounted rates.  You have to CALL them to get it.  

Just now, Steelers36 said:

Clear cache for that website?

I did.  Does anyone know if gift card balances can be checked on the app?  Or on the web on my phone?  I couldn't find anything.

Just tried again and still not working. 😞

Before I gave all my gift card numbers and pins to my TA, I went to the Princess website to check the balances just to make sure no problems.  I checked several and after clicking on check another gift card the site would no longer come up and I had a white screen because the screen was not downloading.  I cleared my cookies and same result.  Even this morning I get the same thing.  BTW- when it would not work right I went to princess.com and clicked to check balance and same thing was happening.  

My TA had no problem but because one gift card would have a balance I called the phone number to check balances.  They do not take the info if there is a problem with the website.  They said to go to Princess.com and click on contact us.  Before I do that, is anyone else having the same problem?

Loved them on our 2015 Hawaii cruise.  I wish them well but they will be missed.

7 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

I usually send it as soon as I book. If it’s too far in advance I try to send it before final payment, if I remember. I just like to do everything I can to try to make sure that I stay safe.

Thank you!

5 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

I always send the email, I add the info into my profile in the app and then I talk to them on the ship. You have time to do that if you want to. You do you. 

How far in advance of sailing do you send the email?

1 hour ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

They want to be notified ahead so they can alert the ship. May I ask when your cruise is? 

But it seems some people say they get on the ship and the MDR does not know about it so what is the purpose?  My cruise is the beginning of August.

13 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

I have a rare dairy allergy called FPIES. Princess takes excellent care of me. If you do book a cruise send an email to this email address. In the subject line write Food Allergies. In the body of the email list passenger name, cabin number, sail dates, ship name, and explain the allergies or intolerances.

 

When you arrive at the MDR, let them know about the allergies. They will have someone talk to you and each night you will place an order for the following day so the meal can be specially prepared allergen free.

 

If you are in the buffet ask to speak to the head chef. The chef will walk the line with you and let you know what is free of the allergens. If you are worried about cross-contamination then ask the chef if something can be made.

 

Just like any land-based restaurant, always be prepared in case of an emergency. I feel safer dining on a Princess ship than I do at any land based restaurant. 

May I ask why send an email and then at the MDR let them know about the allergies?  What is the purpose of the email?  Could one just let the MDR know on the first night?  I am asking because I will travel with someone who can not eat dairy.  Thanks.

11 hours ago, Coral said:

I don't like Princess's medical coverage (max $20K). That doesn't cover much. Plus they have a 90 day look back window so if you have pre-existing conditions, read carefully about it.

 

I usually buy Allianz. I have had to file a claim - I broke my wrist on vacation and had to fly home. They were amazing to work with. They sent a medical escort (paramedic) to fly home with me. I can't say enough great things about them. One doesn't appreciate how good a company is until you have to use them. Once I called them, they had me approve flights in 24 hours and I was flying Business Class home in 48 hours.

 

If you want increased medical coverage - look at GeoBlue coverage (medical only). 

Princess's lookback period is 60 days.  Maybe it changed from 90 previously?

Interesting!  We are going on the Sky in August.  I didn't see anything on the app.  Are you past final payment?  We are not.

Just went to AARP and logged in under dh who has purchased 5 this month.  It says you can purchase 5/month.  Maybe some other company you can buy 20 but not Princess.