Jules of The Seas

Sorry, have no idea who was turned away other than our friends who we travelled down with and who we have done the past 4 new year cruises. Lest you think we should have gone home with them we had 2 other friends on the ship who would have been left alone. The six of us have as I said done the last 4. It somewhat spoiled the whole cruise for us, that with the fact we had no hot water in the shower for 2 days and no aircon in the cabin until late on Monday evening. This was the same with every cabin in our section.

Just off Aurora new year cruise. Apparently 93 cabins were affected by floodwater on the previous cruise, mainly on C deck forward, port side. Some 10 couples were denied boarding and sent home as they couldn’t organize new cabins. Some cabins still out of service. We also missed Zeebrugge port due to high winds making it unsafe to dock, according to the Captain.

Thank you Flatbush. Now I understand. We have in the past used an excellent TA , who used to give us free parking, transfers etc. problem is he has retired!! I think it’s mainly the larger well known ones who find it difficult to give anything away. Will keep searching for the best one. Once again, thanks for the explanation.

Hi, Sorry to sound a bit dim, but I have never heard of this. Would the included gratuities apply if booking was made direct with Oceania? Perhaps it only applies in the US. It’s very rare that any UK travel agent would give added gratuities as a benefit to book with them. In fact you’re lucky to get any type of reduction.

Hi Rachiem, We have booked with a TA and with Oceania direct, which is very easy, although the TA may give you extra benefits. You can opt out of Oceania’s flights and receive a generous discount with which you can book your own flights, and most times save enough for your Hotel at the destination. Most airlines fly to Barcelona from the UK but as stated earlier I would fly the day before. Also bear in mind that transfers from Rome to the airport are very expensive (circa €150) but easy to book yourself. From the O Life choice we always take the drinks with lunch and dinner then upgrade when on board. You only need 3 drinks outside of the lunch and dinner benefit to be in pocket. I agree with you that Celebrity is getting rather expensive. We have done six cruises with Oceania but never on the smaller ships. Whatever you decide I am sure you will love Oceania. Go for the 10!!

Ah, thanks. We are looking for test in Venice that are on the ground floor! Hi Benthayer Gonbak, We are sailing on RCCL from Ravenna but staying in Venice for 2 nights before. I have arranged tests with the Red Cross in St Marks Square.https://crivenezia.myprenota.it/rapido. €22 each. Hope this helps.

Hi sgmn, Don't know where ‘agony’ came from. Predictive text!!

Hi agony, Makes complete sense. I can recommend Lloyd’s pharmacy. cost £29.99, done by the pharmacist and certificate within 20 minutes. Be careful though, some don’t do them on Sundays.

Hi earn, Try Lloyd’s pharmacy. Most are inside Sainsbury’s. Cost 29.99, administered by pharmacist and certificate within 20 minutes. Julie and Les.

Hi, You don’t need a test to enter Italy from the UK, Except of course if you are not vaccinated. i am trying to find a test centre in Venice on a Saturday before we board on Sunday in Ravenna.

Hi all, We used a company name Lab Doctor. This was in Fort Lauderdale,. Don’t know if they are all over USA.

Hi Juliecruzin, We recently did a transatlantic out of Miami. In order to enter USA we did an antigen test one day before flight at Lloyd’s pharmacy. Cost £29.99. This was accepted for the flight. We stayed a few days in Miami, so had to get another test to board ship. Others on the cruise used the same test to fly and board, as they flew out the day before the cruise. Just check because some LLoyds don’t do them on Sundays. Hope this helps. Julie and Les.