Sundowners

We got in touch with our Travel Agent who managed to have us upgraded and moved down one deck.

I'm glad I asked the question, and although just one person answered, her advice was spot on. Thanks again Crystalspin.

"Thank You" Crystalspin, Much appreciated.

Hi,

We've been allocated VF8187 on the Nieuw Statendam. 

We're concerned that with it being directly beneath the Sea View Pool and its Bar, that it will be noisy.

Consequently the cabin is directly opposite the pool equipment space across the corridor and it also has an adjoining cabin....even more noise?

So, what is your advice here? Will this be noisy, as we expect, or with it being a "new" ship, will that problem be sorted out and we have little to worry about?

We'll wait for your replies before we contact our travel agent and ask for an upgrade.

Your advice is most welcome.

Cheers.

3 minutes ago, wowzz said:

"I hope someone out there in cyberspace can give me some positive news about the likelihood of a Cruising recommencing date". 

No one can, in all honesty, give you an answer. The cruise companies don't know,  and the various governments around the world don't know either.

 My guess is that  cruising is unlikely to restart in a meaningful manner before mid 2021, but who really knows?

Thanks for answering wowzz.

Yes, sadly, I know.....the question came from the same "I miss cruising" sentiment within me. I have always loved cruising and cant wait for it to recommence. I see P&O's website have cancelled everything until about February, but with this resurgence of infections, your prediction of a Mid year restart is realistic. But, I have my doubts that it'll get started in 2021 at all.

Rob

I'm late to this thread, but its title attracted me.

Yes, my better half and I both miss cruising greatly. Especially cruising on P&O UK. 

We had a Med fly/cruise thing organised which would be happening about now. Then we used P&O's portability to move it to another in March '21. Despite it being a shorter cruise, it came with an increase in price.

Later we found another Aurora cruise in October '21 which suited us better, so we transferred over to that. It was quite a bit more expensive again. But despite the added costs, we are champing at the bit and this next 12 months will most likely pass very slowly.

In order for us to make this cruise we need to fly from Sydney to London first, but we are advised not to leave Australia. If we do we will be quarantined on our arrival home.

I hope someone out there in cyberspace can give me some positive news about the likelihood of a Cruising recommencing date. 

All the best in these difficult times,

Rob

.

This has little to do with refunds, but......

I phoned P&O from Australia last night to take advantage of their Flexible Transfer Policy.

I spoke with a very professional, very polite young lady who transferred our September '20 Med Cruise to another similar Med Cruise in May '21. It was all over, including paying the extra (19 days instead of 14 days) in 10 to 15 mins.

Bravo Zulu P&O, I'm impressed and happy.

Cheers,

To answer the initial question......No, my attitude to P&O hasn't changed at all. I've always liked them and what they do.

Last night was testament to this as I took advantage of their Flexible Transfer Policy and swapped a Med Cruise booked for September '20, for another Med Cruise in May '21. I phoned from Australia, spoke with a lovely young lady who was thoroughly professional throughout the whole process, which went very smoothly. It took all of about 10 or 15 mins. P&O made the promise that they would do this and they kept that promise. This will be my 4th cruise with P&O UK, and unlike some other cruise lines I've encountered, I feel very comfortable with them. 

Cheers,

"Thank You" jh1809 & Rupert2251.

Cheers,

Rob

Hi,

How far in advance of departure, do P&O (UK) open their shore excursions for booking?

There's one really popular excursion that I really don't want to miss out on and consequently want to book it ASAP.

Thanks & Cheers,

Rob

Thanks for answering, Venn Diagram.

We live on 3 acres that needs regular and constant mowing when the grass is growing. We like to get away in our winter when the Kykuyu is asleep. Not necessarily for warmer climates as ours is very mild.  So May to October are our preferred times. Narrowed down further, probably August and September.

We really like the look of HAL's 14 day Great Alaskan Explorer for a couple of reasons, but mostly because it departs and arrives in Vancouver which is easy to reach from Sydney. Canadian Airlines fly there direct, where there are no direct flights into Seattle.

Previously we hadn't considered a time as early as May, but will now.

Thanks for your advice on this as its difficult for us, living down-under, to get a grip on the seasons and what they have to offer in the far North.

Cheers

My thanks to everyone who set me straight with their good advice.

BUT... I'd like to attach one more question to this thread, rather than starting another one.

What month/s would you say is the best time to make this cruise?

Thanks again & Cheers.

Its early morning here and I have just found all this advice that arrived overnight.

Thank you all for answering and addressing each of my concerns.

I now have it sorted, thanks to you folk.

You've gotta love "Cruise Critic" eh?

Cheers,

Hi,

My wife and I are not big time cruisers, although we have been on 5 with another already booked. Now both retired we would like to cruise more and an Alaska cruise is very attractive to us.

But before I start looking seriously at choosing a cruise, I wonder if you could give me some advice on a couple of points please?

* Considering we will be flying out of Sydney, Australia, would it be better to join a cruise starting from Seattle or Vancouver? (We will chose a cruise that returns to our departure port)

* We would like to make it a 10-14 day cruise but notice that most are 7 day-ers with the longer cruises going further north, which attracts us. So, is it really worth going right up to Anchorage?....or even Fairbanks? Or do you recommend the shorter trips?

We/I would appreciate any suggestions or advice please. Not necessarily limited to the points I've just mentioned.

Thanks & Cheers

"Thank you" for taking the time to answer and for your advice.

Its much appreciated.

Hi,

In August our P&O cruise has a 2 day stop over scheduled in St. Petersburg.

Considering the present Russian, Western World diplomatic tensions, I'm keen to hear the views of seasoned travellers on the subject.

A week ago, I asked P&O the following questions, but they havent got back to me yet....Or chose not to.

1) do you believe the ship will still keep to its schedule and stop in St. Petersburg?

If so

2) do you think the 2 day excursion we're booked on, and have paid for, will go ahead?

and if so

3) do you feel that our safety ashore will be compromised at all?

I was quite happy to just go along with news from P&O, and as I've said earlier, heard nothing, but then we received the following warnings....

from the UK Foreign Office.......

Due to heightened political tensions between the UK and Russia, you should be aware of the possibility of anti-British sentiment or harassment at this time. If you’re currently in Russia or due to travel in the coming weeks, you’re advised to remain vigilant, avoid any protests or demonstrations and avoid commenting publicly on political developments.

While the British Embassy in Moscow is not aware of any increased difficulties for British people travelling in Russia at this time, you should follow the security and political situation closely and keep up to date with this travel advice.

And this arrived on Saturday from our own DFA's SmarTraveller site......

Due to heightened political tensions, you should be aware of the possibility of anti-Western sentiment or harassment. While the Australian Government is not aware of any increased difficulties for Australians travelling in Russia at this time, you should follow the security and political situation closely and keep up to date with this travel advice. Remain vigilant, avoid any protests or demonstrations and avoid commenting publicly on political developments. The level of our advice has not changed. Exercise a high degree of caution in Russia. Higher levels apply in some parts of the country.

Any advice would be most welcome.

Thanks & Cheers,

Rob

Thanks for starting this thread. Saves me doing it....I had almost the exact same question.

Likewise, thanks to those who answered it.

12 weeks out. Hmmmm.

Cheers,

Rob

WOW....All these answers to my original post in just a couple of days.

Thank you all for your input...its much appreciated.

There's lots of excellent advice there and I have already started investigations, with lots more to come, no doubt.

Again, "Thank You"

Cheers,

Rob

"Thank You" EM,

Very much appreciated,

LHT28, Thank you too,

Rob

Hello,

I'm not actually a new cruiser, BUT....I feel a little out of my comfort zone with this upcoming P&O Arcadia cruise my wife and I are planning.

We live in Australia, and the cruise will be through the Baltic including a stop at St. Petersburg, Russia. I have heard that there are some pre-visit steps you must take in order to get a Russian Visa. A letter of invitation was one of them and only 2 places in the UK (Edinburg & London) where you can get them processed. We will be in the UK for about 5 weeks prior to the cruise leaving Southampton. Will this be enough time or do I need to post Passports etc to the UK.

Alternatively the Australian Russian Embassy is in Canberra, just a 2.5 hours drive away....would they be able to process it all for us?

As you can tell....any advice would be most welcome.

Thanks & Cheers,

Rob

Thanks for your advice on this, Folks. Its much appreciated.

I've waited until now to answer because I was waiting to hear what P&O had to say on the subject. And its as you've suggested.....we can organise to embark or disembark at anytime along the journey, just so long as we pay for the entire cruise distance.

The reason I figured that it may be possible was because we had just done (5 months ago now) the San-Francisco to Sydney leg of a world cruise on Arcadia.

Thanks again & Cheers,

Rob

Hi,

My wife and I aren't exactly new cruisers but I was unsure where to post this question. My apologies if its not in the right forum.

The question is; Is it possible to take just half of a cruise? A Baltic cruise.

We're thinking either Southampton to St. Petersburg, OR St. Petersburg to Southampton? It will be part of a much bigger trip/holiday to help my wife celebrate leaving the workforce.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Cheers,

Rob

As discussed on the West Coast Departures board, not until around September.

I'll consider my knuckles rapt.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

Cheers.

Hi,

I look forward to sailing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge too, soon.

Can anyone tell me if the new Pier 27 Cruise ship terminal is up and running fully yet?

Thanks & Cheers,

Rob

Hi,

Yes you'll be well and truly disembarked before 9am.

You'll also be given the option of taking your bags with you or leaving them for the crew to put ashore for you. You'll save a lot of time if you choose the former.

However, with Spirit being a very American ship, you'll "debark"......and I thought that that was a job for a vet.

It's good to shop around and compare prices as suggested already by members. But, my own advise (working closely with Insurerers and Insurance agencies), is with insurance you often get what you pay for.

 

If you find a policy that is cheaper than someone else's, before you jump on it, there is generally a good reason it's cheaper, so find out why (read the fine print - or have an agent detail it for you if it's difficult to work out). You may find yourself, uninsured in a meriod of scenarios if you are not careful.

I too have worked extensively in the Insurance business. Its for that reason that, as I mentioned in my earlier post, I thoroughly investigated the policies before I took the plunge. I guess the fruit of the pudding is in the eating but so far, I'm impressed with SCTI. I must admit though, the 50% saving was the deciding factor.

When you're on a good thing, stick to it. When you find a better thing, switch too it.