Morgans

But wonder what has happened to Stavanger and Alesund ? The winds don't appear to be too bad so why the change?

We booked a cruise out of San Francisco (World Sector) with Cunard and flew with Virgin from Heathrow. 

Also very happy with the service from Boots - ours was at Grantham, Lincs. Tested at 11.40am and results the next day in the morning.

Cunard have the best libraries at sea - absolutely brilliant. Get there as soon as possible on your cruise so you have the best choice.

Never book with an agency that demands a fee - there is no reason why they should be asking for one at all.

Unfortunately all Cunard voyages cancelled until at least November I believe........announced a few days ago.

Up to 450 job cuts from 1600 employees across P&O and Cunard head office in Southampton. All those who remain to take pay cut - just seen this on BBC website. So sorry to read this but not really unexpected in the current circumstances.

11 hours ago, norm2002 said:

 

You've hit the nail on the head. I can understand that there is a tremendous backlog of refund requests now but, if the contributors to this forum are anything to go by, they haven't even started to refund fares. Why haven't the people on the first cancelled cruises received refunds yet? At the beginning there were not so many refunds to be made so why should it take 60 days plus to refund those?

 

I know it won't happen but, for me, the solution in future would be for cruise lines not to be allowed to use deposits and pre-paid fares for running their business. All payments should be put in a trust account and only taken when the service is actually being provided.

We have received a full refund for our cruise (and flights booked through Cunard) due to depart 23 March. The monies were sent to our TA and they then sent it on to us via our bank account. The TA has since closed.  We were one of the first of the cruises to be cancelled I believe and this was approx at the end of Feb.

If you have an annual policy you are covered for travel within that time frame ie 9/5/19 to 9/2/20 ( ?) or do you mean 9/5/20. You are not covered for travel after it finishes that's why the Insurance Company are telling you you have up to the 9th to have it cancelled as after that you are not covered. Then, you will have to accept a refund or future cruise credit.

I am quite willing to be corrected on this, however, but I believe that this is the case.

16 minutes ago, smj777 said:

We have annual travel Insurance from 9/5/19 to 9/2/20. We are due to cruise with P&O on 17th. June having paid the deposit in 2019 and the balance in March this year. My Travel insurers say that if the cruise is cancelled by P&O after 9/5 we will not be covered under our existing policy or through a renewed one because the renewed policy will have a Coronavirus exclusion. I would have thought that paying for this cruise inside the policy dates should be covered. Apparently not. I don't know what else we could have done to cover ourselves. Is it just me or do these insurance companies stink?

But your insurance will have expired by the time you are due to travel - the 17th June?

14 hours ago, terrierjohn said:

I recently received this update from my annual travel insurance company, it may help others who are struggling to find travel insurance at present.

 

An important notice to our customers

 

 

You may have noticed that many price comparison websites such as Compare the Market and Money Supermarket have suspended their travel insurance comparison services. Likewise, many travel insurance providers have taken the decision to withdraw their products.

 

 

We contact you today to assure you that Free Spirit travel insurance continues to be available and we are working hard to minimise disruption for our customers.

 

 

There are a lot of uncertainties around travel at the moment, and we believe this makes travel insurance more important than ever for those who need it.

 

 

Free Spirit quotes and policies continue to be available online and over the phone, whenever you need them.

Their insurance may still be available but does it cover coronavirus ? Possibly not.....

1 hour ago, Host Hattie said:

I would check with your insurance company, Liverpool Victoria is saying this -

 

Thank you for this Hattie - yes we will check of course but were just wondering how other cruisers were feeling and being advised. We have had a full refund from this year's cancelled cruise plus 25% off a further one .....the fly in the ointment is the insurance.

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere but where do we stand with insurance on a new booking? We would like to cruise later on or next year (this year's cruise has been understandably cancelled) and there is a repeat itinerary October 2020 and October 2021 but we gather that there won't be any  cover for coronavirus on a new booking -its a huge risk. Suggestions?

The Churchill has a great restaurant - Locanda Locatelli. It's one of our favourites...... the hotel is only about 5 minutes from Marble Arch tube so convenient for travel. Handy for Oxford Street shopping, Hyde Park and Park Lane.

5 hours ago, Windsurfboy said:

Will  QM2 still call at Hong Kong in Feb.

 

If so, if you were on the ship would you get off

Also wondering about our call there and also our call at Shanghai early April on QE......

Forgot to say it's best to book in advance for all the places mentioned especially the Town of Ramsgate. Don't worry about the buffet element - it.s all very civilised as people tootle along to the buffet when it suits. It,s no way like a huge long line of customers waiting for ever. Go up as and when you,re ready...... bus 100 from Tower .  There's also a Sunday roast at the Chamberlain (Fullers) which is 1 minute from Aldgate tube but they seem to have gone a bit up market since their refurb and I can't see Yorkshire pud on the menu although they do offer roast beef and chicken on Sundays.  It's a good excuse to pop in and find out!!

JB - I must be a city type !!!😀 

There's a Marriott, Radisson Blu and a Hilton and they are all very central and convenient. The Hilton overlooks the Castle -which is worth a tour. Also a very interesting museum. You can walk to Cardiff Bay where there is lots to see and do and if you fancy going further afield take a trip to St Fagan's Folk Museum which is interesting - houses brought from all over Wales and set up as a village. If you're into Golf,  perhaps take a trip to the Celtic Manor Hotel and Golf Course where the Ryder Cup was held. Good choice of restaurants in the hotel and around the course(s)  and they do a lovely afternoon tea. Further afield, Swansea and the Gower make a lovely day out - more so when the weather is favourable. Penarth is also an attractive little seaside town. Be aware that the weather at the end of November may not be the best however.

Cardiff city centre has dozens of bars, pubs and restaurants - you will be spoilt for choice. If there are any Rugby matches scheduled to take place at the Millennium Stadium (especially International ones) make sure you book your hotels sooneer rather than later as prices will rise considerably and the City centre will be extremely busy then.

Excellent Sunday roast at the Town of Ramsgate, Wapping. The 100 bus stops more or less outside the door. Echo the recommendation for the Narrow and Galvin.

The Rookery is handier for the Tower of London, river cruise and Sky Garden( from near the Tower). Bus no. 100 from round the corner or tube to Tower Hill (direct.) Also easy walk to the Millennium Bridge where you can pick up a river boat.

All three are very distinctive and very interesting indeed and would make a great place to stay. The Rookery is very, very near a tube station and is handy  for St Pauls, the river, Tate Modern ,  Charterhouse area and the Museum of London (all worth a visit.)

Batty Langleys is near Liverpool Street Station and is in an interesting area - the artists Gilbert & George live in the same street and there is quite a lot to see and do - Spitalfields Market, Denis Severs House, Brick Lane Curry restaurants, Ottolenghis restaurant, Bevis Marks Synagogue (google - brilliant),  Whitechapel Art Gallery & Jack the Ripper walks. The bus and tube service from Liverpool St is brilliant. Hazlitts is more central and a  much busier area. 

Regarding hotels - have a look at The Rookery (very near Barbican tube.) Historical and unique.

Stavanger, Bergen, Oslo ,Alesund, Tromso and Trondheim are very good for children. The Oil (Petroleum) museum in Stavanger is great - extremely interesting and fun for all ages' We all really enjoyed it. As has been said - the funincular in Bergen is good and there is a playground and lake walk at the top. There is also a cable car ride on Mt Ulriken which is good fun and worth the views at the top. Oslo has the Folk Museum and the ferry across the fjord to get there...Alesund has an indoor swimming pool and fun splash just where the ship docks and Tromso has an amazing nature centre with seal feeding and a 3D film display which is one of the best we've seen. Trondheim has a great Polar Museum and town walk - look for the bicycle lift!   

The excursons are good too on Fjiord  cruises - Rib rides, land trains, kayaking etc. The only down side could possibly be the weather which might hamper pool  & deck time though we have had some very hot days (and also some very wet days too!)

3 hours ago, larrythelabrador said:

I can't log in either! 

No access for us either.......

9 hours ago, GastroGnome said:

Its a bit subjective really - but for me I would not set foot (at least willingly) in a pub chain.  (OK - re-reading Fullers are OK...)   There are some really great independents.  If you haven't checked out Corrigans that might be worth a look.  Not your classic "pie & pint" - but absolutely and massively worthwhile.  If you want some traditional "nose to tail" style head toward Smithfeild Market.  (Not in it - there are some great places nearby).  Or Borough market if you would like to graze.  If it the beer you are after check out the Campaign for Real Ale who list suitable places.

 

But - as I say, its subjective.  If weatherspoons is your thing then go for it!

Corrigans -  Gastro pub ? No   Fine dining Michelin restaurant -yes.  Would agree with the Smithfield recommendation - lots of pubs around there but check for opening hours over the holidays/weekends. The Chamberlain in the Minories is a Fullers and does very decent food - you can walk to HMS Belfast from there. Straight down the road to the Tower and Tower Bridge and you're more or less there. HMS Belfast is fascinating and well worth a visit. Recommended.

1 hour ago, gnome12 said:

@Morgans It would be helpful in future if you put your comments outside of the quote box (the area with the line to the left of it) so that it is clear what part is the quote and what part is your response. Alternatively, change the colour of the font for your response, so it can be differentiated. It isn't obvious when quickly looking at the previous post what parts were contributed by Post Captain and what parts were yours (although in this case you left enough blank lines that it was possible to figure it out). Your post is more likely to be read if you make it easier for all of us.

 

Thanks.

I tried to do what you have suggested but for some reason it would not work. It has however this time....