sotong

If you cant travel due to Covid or any other illness, accident etc then its an insurance claim.  
Most cruise lines allow you to change / move cruise if you test positive a few days before but too late if only positive at the port. Goodwill may mean you can move the cruise to a later date but as I initially said its an insurance claim and not cruise lines issue! 
This was the protocol and practice in the UK for cruising this summer - slight variations between lines but no refunds if couldn't travel at the port and a condition of booking was insurance that covered covid. 

From recent UK sailings feedback it’s expensive. 
$150 shop minimum but larger and colour designs were over $500 and in excess of $1000

On 5/29/2021 at 1:37 PM, wrinkly25 said:

Seems there has been an itinerary change to the ports. Anyone else on this cruise from 24th July?

Hi we are on this one to, me, my daughter and me brother with his family.

Whats the change? was Southampton, Liverpool, Greenock and Belfast - may not much difference to me if its accompanied excursions only - will just enjoy all the ship has to offer and hopefully today's sunshine! 

just realised where this roll call was posted! and what G&L stood for!  

The classic dining on my U.K. cruise is 5.30 to 7 and then 7.30 to 9 (roughly).
Is MSC like other cruise lines where everyone in each sitting arrives and eats together at 5.30 or 7.30 or are you allocated a time between the 2 e.g. for late sitting a dining time between 7.30 and 9.
I’d like to dine at 7.30 but 8.30 would be too late. 
Thanks and apologies if it’s been asked before I did do a search. 😀

Gillian. 

Lots of knowledgeable people on here and lots of discussions over whether to buy shares now or not but wondered if you can help me with my query ....
Carnival or Royal Caribbean shares? any views on which one has best benefits - pros and cons ...   do they operate ni the same way 
I'm aware of who own which brands and think the OBC is similar - share price for RC is higher currently so minimum purchase - 100 shares for each I think more expensive

Any thoughts or advice?? Thanks.

Slightly different angle if it doesn’t sail what happens. Can’t stay docked in Southampton, berth will be booked for other ships and it’s expensive think city centre parking!!,

could bob around in the channel or moor off the Isle of Wight but this costs, fuel, staff etc. So may as well have passengers on board drinking etc ! 

Slightly different if they don’t sail what do they do? I live near Southampton and as soon as the cruise ship sail the dock is taken by another ship usually cargo. Docking is also expensive, therefore assume the ships can’t stay in port and to sail empty costs in fuel, even if only bobbing around off shore ....

Can you tell me where the print option is? Im in cruise planner filtered to the st Petersburg trips but can’t see how to print? 
thanks. Gillian. 

Great review, reminds me of my 9 day trip last summer, but you did very different things! Think I may reread my travel report to remind myself!

good but lots of info on the RCI blog -http://www.******************.com/category/category/unlimited-alcohol-packages

Gillian

Whoops forget Cruise Critic doesn't like the rest of internet!

£35 is currently just under $45 so nearer 4 drinks / cocktails to break even, I've bought at this price and think its a good deal, especially for me as my cruise has lots of sea days or half days.

You will pay 18% tip on the package price when you buy it on line but this would also be the case when you buy drinks on board.

One thing I like about the drink package is not having to worry if a drink melts or goes warm in the sun as you can order another!

Wine is included up to a certain price and then you pay the extra for higher priced glasses, you get a discount off the bottle price if you have the drinks package.

Gillian

I am not sure how to find it again but with my DD 13 I printed a list of cruise rules from a post on here included various things including

curfew

where she can and can't go and how to let me know where you are

ordering room service and tipping

not leaving drinks unattended

not going in other peoples staterooms or letting people in yours

not charging things to cruise card without permission

if loose card tell me urgently!

if not in the teen club then I need to know who are you with

luckily she is well behaved and knows her limits and as she has cruised before she was comfortable with arrangements and had a great holiday.

its a great way to let teens have freedom but be safe and also to have some family time.

Gillian

If the Bay of Biscay is rough enough to be throwing children out of bed then I don't think he'll be asleep so best to put him in bed with you until it passes.

Cruise ship captains are clever and will speed up or slow down to avoid the BoB when its at its worse.

What deck are you on as the lower down the less you are likely to feel it.

Have a good cruise, Gillian

Has anyone worked out what the exchange rate is on the drinks packages? as i note the UK website gives price in £'s, I was waiting to see if price improved if exchange rate did? but if Royal are using 1.43 now then maybe I should buy now!

Thanks Gillian

Thanks clarea I hadn't realised it was now $12 for wine per glass was $8 dollars which meant choice was restricted. Agree there are some better options included with a decent discount off full bottles if I decide to treat myself.

Thanks for the link. Gillian. 🍾🍷🍸

Not really a cruise question but linked!

I'm thinking of having the drinks package on my next cruise (RCI Anthem of the Seas) but usually drink wine with my meals, on the basis that I would have to pay extra for anything but the basic house wine due to the way the package works I thought I'd ask the question and get seasoned cruisers and cocktail drinkers views.

What cocktails do you think go well with food and would work as an alternative to wine??

My initial thoughts -

Not frozen, lava flow types?

Not very sweet?

G&T, Vodka Martini would work - any other suggestions?

Thanks! Gillian :cool:

We are in port from 7am-1pm, so not long unless we get up early! and not that keen on this as I'm on holiday and have a teenager in tow!

Wonder if we can do the 75 minute HOHO and stop for a quick swim at the beach and be back for sail away without being up too early?

Not travelling until next summer so will keep an eye on these boards to see how the HOHO works and the itinerary.

Gillian

As the title suggests can someone tell me whether you can use the drinks package on Labadee, if so on the 9 day Anthem cruise with 5-5.5 sea days and Labadee I think its probably worth it!!

Thanks, Gillian :)

On Adventure of the seas a few years ago they had a diet? cocktail in the bar in the atrium. Diet Coke, Absolut Vanilla vodka and Bacardi Razz (raspberry!), not sure whether it was that low cal but better than the creamy / frozen or high sugar juices.

Also agree long island tea an idea with diet coke?

Enjoy your cruise, Gillian

Caribbean Moon by Rick Murcer is set on a cruise ship ("Ocean Duchess") where several vacationing Michigan police and crime lab personnel find themselves hunting a nurderer onboard. Warning: the murder scenes are pretty graphic. The novel also is laced with humor.

Currently 99p on UK kindle - just downloaded it, if anyone else interested!

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

Gillian.

interesting thread!! I live just outside Southampton near the train line that goes to Gatwick or used too!

the Southampton to London Victoria train used to go via Gatwick so no need to change trains, the current route due to the issues that Southern Trains have (as Jon / JB rightly stated!!) goes via Brighton and involves a change although doesn't seem to take much longer than the direct one did.

I'd definitely wait as long as you can before making a decision, providing you book a week in advance prices shouldn't go up. BBC news today mentions Dept of transport getting involved to resolve the dispute which has resulted in the issues.

Southern trains search for Gatwick train here https://ticket.southernrailway.com/journeys/SOU/GTW/2016-09-11T07:15//1/0/?smartcard=no

info re strikes and sickness issues on Southern web page http://www.southernrailway.com

I would definitely consider lternatives such as coach, taxi or South West trains (no current issues) via London or Clapham Junction - only takes 2 hrs not 2 1/2 and much more reliable service (with wi-fi) etc.

Gillian.

just checked again on RCI UK site and interior cabins sold for both August sailings! could book via US site but thats a whole new adventure (or challenge)

:confused:

Gillian

Thanks for reply.

Mid ship is a good idea, although just found Teen area is aft, although no harm for DD to walk!

Assuming D1 is best balcony but why - position?? as think all same sq ft.

Great to hear you have loved Anthem the best as will see from signature I've tried lots of different lines and ships.

Bit worried that once leave the inside cabins you never go back, may get expensive especially as also planning a solo cruise to Baltics!

Gillian.

Following some helpful advice on here a few weeks ago, I've decided to book Anthem of the Seas for next summer from NY down to the Caribbean.

It's me and DD 13 travelling from UK and having a few days in NY first.

There are 2 sailings 3rd and 17th August, think going to go with the earlier one as better for hurricanes (realise no guarantee!) - any thoughts?

I usually book an inside cabin on a high deck albeit on smaller ships, that way we have quick and access to upper decks for coffee, pools etc.

However inside cabins are sold out! so will have to go outside or balcony (shame!!).

first dilemma - all of these cabins are similar in price - less than £150 ($200) per person difference between large grade G cabin and balconies D0 to D8, SB or E1! Any comments on what's best and where.

Some are forward facing - how do people rate these?

Alternatively is there a thread / web site with an easy to review guide, rather than reviewing each location / class one by one on CC or RCI website.

Lastly we are going on Navigator of the Seas on Sunday for a tour and lunch whilst docked in Southampton and thinking of booking / putting a deposit down. I will then transfer it to my travel agent. Will I need to choose a cabin or can I do some more research and change or choose later?

Any other tips about on board booking and transferring?

Thanks to all you knowledgable people as I'm all a bit confused currently!!

Gillian :)

Thanks for quick reply, should of said will be travelling August 2017 unless really good reason to go Easter instead.

We love sea days and often in Europe would stay on the ship when in port.

Gillian.