slug33ukuk

52 minutes ago, CaptainPedantic said:

Agree mostly @slug33ukuk (especially with the Barbados bus!) but we have had a couple or three unsavoury experiences with DIY in the Caribbean in the past. 2 of those in St Lucia with what feels like a high-pressure sell as soon as you get past security and funnelled through the "dispatch" area, and one more recently when trying to get back to the ship in Curacao. St Lucia is the main concern, and following the advice above, Cosol and Caribbean Island Tours mean we have some good options there. Thanks though for the advice!

No problem..as long as yu feel safe and are happy with prices....yu will enjoy anyway

On 9/5/2023 at 11:31 AM, CaptainPedantic said:

After having such a brilliant time on Britannia last November, we've booked again for this winter and last night spent some time looking through the ship's excursions. We were quite disappointed with the available options, partly since we booked fairly late, and so I'm hoping for some recommendations on what to do!

We have plans already for Curacao, Bonaire, St Vincent and Barbados - but nothing for Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts, Antigua and St Maarten - any suggestions? Many thanks!

I would advise NOT booking cruise excursions,,its a lot cheaper if you negotiate a taxi / minibus at ANY of the ports visit.  THEY WILL DROP YOU OFF WHEREVER YOU WANT and you dont pay until they pick you up......and will get you back in plenty of time we have visited the caribbean many many times. As a instance, we got off the ship in Barbados...bus station across the road....cost us 1 us dollar to get the local beach...ship would have charged 45

We have very recently booked a fly cruise on AZURA to med and canaries (23 day) I then applied for the military OBC,   I also had the BLUE LIGHT CARD. ...Sent all details, card numbers etc. Just had a reply from PO   "Because we can see you booked a late saver fare THE DEFENCE COUNCIL CARD is not combinable with your fare type.We do offer BLUE LIGHT benefit which is additional OBC calculated by length of cruise and cabin grade selected. PLEASE NOTE......the benefit can only be applied to our SELECT FARES at the time of booking over the phone.PLEASE NOTE the BLUE LIGHT CARD BENEFITS are not applicable to bookings made through TRAVEL AGENTS.ONLY IF BOOKED DIRECTLY WITH PO.over the phone...........This is the second time the military benefit has been refused by PO, it is OBVIOUS they are looking for excuses not to apply it. It seems you MUST BOOK THROUGH PO DIRECT WITH A SELECT FARE  AND BOOKING A PREMIUM CABIN. (Which is a lot more than booking with TA.) Talk about CLASS SYSTEM.....just because we like to communicate with a live face to face person and try to save a few pennies we are penalised for it. Previous to these last 2 cruises I never had a problem getting the MILITARY BENEFIT on either PO and PRINCESS.  Now all of a sudden they decide they need to do this.............................................................................................     SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN BEWARE........THIN END OF THE WEDGE.

On 2/27/2023 at 8:14 PM, CliveJ said:

OK, Sir, may as well lay into your post, since at least one of the folk I was 'debating' with has deleted all his conversations.

Afraid what, among a fair few other things, you DON'T find when you're you're offered an excellent no-fly solo price on a cruise are the details which the line in question might later present as requirements (once of course you've given them your money).

Not sure that, in these days of 'inclusivity', most people would be expecting to be 'excluded' from an event simply on the basis of what is deemed 'acceptable' to wear( & please don't harp on about swim trunks etc., that's not the issue here)...and I fear, from a fair bit of research in the last few weeks, that some of the 'traditional' passengers may feel a little more strongly about such things as 'formal wear' than the cruise company themselves.

A good few recent passengers/bloggers/vloggers have suggested that with a respectable shirt/tie (which I'll for sure be wearing) there will be NO problem getting into the MDR/Chef's Table of 'celebration' night. A few others, without suggesting that they're recent cruisers, have informed me that if I don't like the policy I should book somewhere else.

I'm not actually debating who's right or wrong any more - it's a 'never the twain shall meet' scenario; I'd just like to know what's actually going to happen in a week's time when I turn up at the MDR on Mar. 6th.

So, if anyone can spare me the contempt clearly owing to anyone who dares flout the conventions that they hold so dear, MIGHT I GET IN, PLEASE ?!

Simple answer.....In the dress that you mentioned ...absolutely YES

Just like to add a point to this conversation if I may.....I recently booked a PO cruise with a 4 night hotel stay ( Barbados), when I asked for my MILITARY credit I had the same answer and it was denied, but I had my shareholders credit......We then booked a Princess cruise and had BOTH added with no problem .

On 2/14/2023 at 10:25 PM, terrierjohn said:

Worldwide travel insurance with medical conditions can be up to 3 or 4 times as expensive as europe only.

Last year I paid 399.00 for annual cruise insurance for Europe etc....with existing conditions ...this time we are going back to Caribbean  (so world wide inc  USA) £1150 

Thanks for that..good to know

On 5/3/2021 at 9:02 AM, reef112 said:

A quick question for other shareholders.

I bought enough shares to get the benefit on board. I used eToro - and I'm finding it impossible to find a page/document that gives all the required info to send on to Carnival for them to implement the on board extras. I've emailed eToro a few times, but whatever they come back with still doesn't seem to be right to fit the criteria Carnival would want.

Who did you guys use to buy your Carnival shares? 
Anyone used eToro and know where I can find the correct info?

Thanks in advance 🙂
Dan

Hargreaves and Landsdown.....The first time I rang them and they inform the company about you holding shares......but they dont show up until you actually book in on board. PRINCESS do a similar thing.Tell them REF NO....SHIP...DATES

Just now, Megabear2 said:

Only the TUI charters offer bonded luggage.  Those on scheduled flights such as BA and Virgin collect their luggage from the "shed" at the port and then transfer to the airport with it.  

Understand that, what we want to know is will it be ok there until we pick up our transport?  

On 12/27/2022 at 12:27 PM, wowzz said:

A cruise is not like a hotel. You continue to enjoy all the amenities [apart from your cabin] until you leave the ship to join the transfer coach to the airport.

Probably around 800 to 1000 passengers will leave the ship in mid afternoon to go to the airport on the shuttle buses, that are included as part of your fare.

we are flying from Heathrow with BA,,,,obviously return as well....we have a private taxi booked at 1-30 for airport....We know luggage goes out night before, but if we are on a chartered flight to Heathrow with BA.....will OUR luggage be with rest  and OK until we pick it up when we leave.... or do we have to keep it all  with us until leaving ship....?? Anyone have any ideas.

Apparently you can   or so I am told,, but get in early on.....about £40 I believe

Thanks all I will certainly do that

Gotta...cheers

We have 3 days left before we become "elite"  members,, we are on a cruise (North Cape) 14 days in June 2023.....anyone know if we will be given ELITE status after those 3 days? or wait until next cruise?

THERE ARE NO "RESERVED SEATS.....on Princess ships......we did one recently and NEVER reserved a seat and never saw seats "reserved" in any way shape or form.....we just turned up and walked in....sat on any seat available. and we arrived at various times...sometimes 30 mnts   sometimes 10 mnts before start.

Talking of White Space............we have booked an inside cabin C325   but cannot find out what that dead space is in the centre   "midships" of deck 8,9,10, Anyone know ?

On 11/10/2022 at 9:52 AM, rumbalizw said:

Oh . Wish I'd have acted quicker when they were advertising dates . Haven't seen any further ads of availability

It was still advertised last week

We recently booked the Britannia for Feb to the caribbean,  We have done this a number of times  along with Princess lines. I sent an email to PO asking to add this OBC to my booking.......once again sending all required details....which I have done on many PO and Princess cruises.  The answer I received back was as follows

"because it was booked as a promotional offer ( hotel stay as well)" IT IS NOT COMBINABLE WITH MILITARY OBC......I was somewhat "miffed" to say the least, If I was getting anything extra with this booking I would maybe understand......but we are not,,,,we are paying for the extra(hotel)...Anyone else have knowledge etc of this?

On 11/6/2022 at 10:30 PM, rumbalizw said:

Thank you . Can't make that one 

I should have said...the cruise is on FEB 24th....we fly out on 21st to hotel.

2 hours ago, hazelk said:

Yes although we join it on the 10th.

Not for us ...its the one on 21st feb

Sugar Cane club and Spa  outstanding

On 10/28/2022 at 11:57 AM, Denarius said:

Also check when check in for your flight opens; this may be as little as two hours before flying. You do not want to be standing around at the airport for hours without access to any facilities; from memory there are none in the check in area, they are all inside the terminal after security.

That was our thoughts  so we changed pick up to 1-15pm 

On 10/29/2022 at 3:03 PM, seapals2 said:

We have seen a couple of Caribbean cruise deals that include 3/4 night hotel stay in Barbados.  Has anyone booked one with a TA. 
We wondered how the flights would be managed and who the carrier was.   The price seems very good and n one instance cheaper than the advertised fly cruise.  
 

We have just booked this for Feb...4 days in an  all inclusive hotel (one we asked for as we stayed there 3 times)_Flights with Btritish  Airways  (scheduled) with private transfers all round. along with a  Balcony cabin for less than an inside,

Changed our pick up to 1.30 now  ..all we have to do is go stowaway somewhere Antil then lol

4 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

Your transfer appears very early.  You are required to leave your cabin by 8.00am but normally those on P&O flights have freedom to stay onboard and come and go until their transfer time is called.  You cannot take anything other than hand luggage on the Farewell trips - these bags are stored in the coach so you can tour unencumbered.  Hold luggage for those taking these trips is collected the night before.  The Farewell trips would not therefore be suitable if you are not taking the charter as passengers are taken directly to the airport. However for information these leave at around 10.00 and drop at the airport mid afternoon - depending on which you take 2.30 or thereabouts - most of the charters leave early evening.  My recollection of the flight departure boards in the past is that the BA and Virgin flights are slightly later, but not by much, it may we worth checking with P&O in case I am wrong but in nine trips I cannot recall seeing any hold luggage on these Farewell trips.

 

You could perhaps consider a later pick up time for your transfer, allowing you to stay onboard to continue to use the ship's facilities, many do this.  P&O also offer a limited number of day cabins on Britannia at a cost. These are limited and can be booked onboard on a first come basis when released.  You will have access to the port area and it is also relatively easy to walk from the port to the local areas.  

 

Regarding your luggage you would be best served to ask your travel agent to check with P&O the normal arrangements for this.  There are quite frequently non charter passengers onboard these cruises and therefore a routine must be in place.  However if you are retaining your luggage storage facilities on a left luggage basis operate from the theatre but I am unsure if large suitcases can be left there.

 

I hope this may help a little.

Thanks for this info, I think maybe we will try and move our pick up time to lunchtime, ..still not sure if our luggage will be picked up night before if on scheduled flight, and if so will it be ok wherever they store it until we pick it up....or maybe we have to take it off ourselves???