gumshoe958

1 hour ago, Markanddonna said:

Here's what we ended up doing: we booked the train thru Birmingham. Everything was going fine until we learned that our train was cancelled due to track problems. No text or email, just conflicting info, esp from Liner who told us we had to change it with the company...waiting on hold ..

We just followed the most common advice and hopped on the next one scheduled an hour later. No problem but arrived 90 minutes later.

You did the right thing. Was this less than 28 days ago? Because if so, for a 90 minute delay you should be entitled to claim a full refund under the Delay Repay scheme.

You claim it online from the train company whose train was cancelled (maybe CrossCountry in your case?), NOT the one you booked with (LNER).

There’s the free Coral Way trolley which stops on Biscayne Blvd right outside Bayside, though it’s about a 5 minute walk to the terminal from the closest port stop.

Only if you buy The Key.

6 minutes ago, RoperDK said:

Isn't the MDR open for breakfast on all days and on all ships?

No, on some ships the MDR now does only brunch on sea days, not separate breakfast and lunch.

46 minutes ago, Ramblin Wreck Cruiser said:

Thank you all for your excellent advice. I believe we will just hop in a cab or two (we are two couples with large bags) and board the train at Waterloo. It seems like the simplest way. Changing at Clapham Junction sounds far too complicated to me.

 

Thank you all again for your wealth of knowledge!

Sensible choice. Clapham Junction is an extremely busy commuter station (always used to be the busiest in Britain by number of trains) and isn’t ideal for cruisers dragging large bags. Trains only stop for a few seconds so it’s always a mad rush to get on, and there’s no guarantee of good seats - or even any seats if it’s busy and the train is full when it leaves Waterloo.

At Waterloo you should have plenty of time to board, find seats, store your bags and relax. And good news about the tickets!

Age is just a number, it’s all about attitude.

Virgin is very much aimed at the young at heart, unlike certain lines which can feel like floating nursing homes with activities to match.

If you like good food, slightly risqué entertainment and an upbeat vibe you’ll love it.

1 hour ago, markeb said:

 

 

Is there actually anything that would keep someone from simply buying an advanced ticket from London Waterloo and boarding at Clapham Junction? Same train? Are the stations close enough together that they might not have finished checking tickets anyway. I'm pretty sure I've always had my ticket checked in the UK (unlike Germany where it's an exception), but not always at the first stations. I remember some stations require a ticket to get to the platform. Just curious. Not something I'd recommend to the OP.

 

 

Advance tickets can only be used to travel to and from the specified stations on the specified train. So if you were caught joining a train at Clapham Junction with an Advance ticket from Waterloo to Southampton, you’d be in trouble.
 

Now the chances of anyone noticing are slim so YMMV on whether it’s worth the risk. But it’s not without risk, and being caught can have serious consequences.

34 minutes ago, Ramblin Wreck Cruiser said:

 

Thank you both for your replies. I’m a bit confused because the LNER site lets me choose Victoria to Southampton and it says there will be one or two changes of train depending on the time. So it is not as simple as this?

Yes, it is confusing!

There is an alternative route from Victoria to Southampton, using Southern trains (not Southwestern). But it’s much slower - nearly 3 hours - and does indeed involve changing trains en route. 

Another option is to take a Southern train from Victoria to Clapham Junction (about 5-10 mins) and pick up the Southwestern train from Waterloo to Southampton there. But I don’t think you’ll ever be offered a cheap Advance ticket for that particular route as it involves two different train companies.

So if you want to use the train it would be easiest to book an Advance ticket for the direct train from Waterloo (not Victoria) to Southampton, and take a cab, Uber or an 11 or 211 bus from your hotel to Waterloo.

But given where you’re staying you might also consider the direct National Express coach to Southampton from Victoria Coach Station, less than 5 minutes walk from your hotel. The coaches at 8:30 and 10:00 on August 6th are currently only £5.20 per person. You won’t find a better bargain than that!

Annoyingly, there is no direct tube between Victoria & Waterloo. You have to change trains. I would just jump in a cab or get an Uber, particularly if you’ll have luggage.

As @Thejugglersays, keep checking for Advance tickets to Southampton. They should go on sale soon. You are indeed seeing the full walk-up fare.

It depends on the ship and how many categories of inside & oceanview cabins there are but in my experience, from the cheapest inside you’re unlikely to be offered much higher than an ocean view balcony.

2 hours ago, chickychubs said:

The pricing of these cruises are pretty unattractive to me especially with these repetitive itineraries. I think this is due to the lack of choices in Singapore as RCCL and Genting are the only companies with ships home ported here. Until things change, I'd rather go for land tours in Malaysia or Thailand instead which would offer better itineraries,accommodations and food at a far more competitive price.

Short cruises, repetitive itineraries and high prices is now Royal’s MO globally.

We all hate it, but it seems to be working.

1 minute ago, wolfie11 said:

Yes, but I’d have to go on a monstrous big ship for that and I refuse to get on a ship with more than 3500 passengers and would prefer under 2000.

Royal’s probably not the line for you then! 

17 minutes ago, wolfie11 said:

With the exception of Virgin, cruise line shows seem to be endless slight variations on the same theme.  I can’t even sit through 90% of them. Even the talent is the same as most cruise lines use many of the same agencies.

While that is certainly true for many of Royal’s in-house production shows and headliners, you can’t possibly think the Broadway, Aqua and Ice shows are slight variations on the same theme? Love them or hate them, they’re high quality productions and are, for me, what sets Royal apart from other lines.

I agree Virgin’s entertainment is refreshingly different, but there are only so many times I can sit through Dual Reality.

29 minutes ago, Jam0610 said:

Might have something to do with booking Boy George and Culture Club to headline President's Cruise 2024?

Sure seems like an odd choice to me.

 

 

Why odd? Boy George has just finished a run in Moulin Rouge on Broadway so feels pretty relevant right now.

4 hours ago, markeb said:

What airline? That might help with likelihood of checking the bag early, and give an indication of what terminal and what's available near departures if you have to kill an hour or two.

Yes.

All the big airlines with transatlantic service at Heathrow have multiple daily flights so keep their check-in desks open all day.

But how early they let you drop bags may depend on their individual policy, your class of travel and your status with them so it’s best to check with them.

That said, I concur with the advice above to check out International Friends for a longer tour which would be a far more pleasant way to kill time than waiting around Heathrow for hours.

Yes, the standard fleetwide Chops menu includes a 6oz and 9oz filet.

5 minutes ago, Hobie1976 said:

I noticed on the Unlimited Dining it states premium cuts at Chops not included. 
Have they added premium cuts to their menu?

This looks like something new.  I called Royal, but the rep did not know. 

On Icon only, yes.

30 minutes ago, gonole1972 said:

Who is "some people"?  And how do YOU, Cussmatt4, know Nick didn't voluntary resign for some personal reason, etc.  Get back to us when you have identified the "some people". 

 

 

If he’d resigned, Royal would have released a much longer and warmer statement paying tribute to his many achievements.

But they didn’t, and anyone with even a basic knowledge of corporate PR will confirm that tells you all you need to know.

I fear the days of live orchestras and full Broadway shows with 20+ cast members are numbered. 
 

Much cheaper to have a few singers and dancers performing to prerecorded tracks like on most other cruise lines.
 

Most people won’t care or notice the difference but it’s another sad reflection of the direction Liberty’s taking Royal in.

38 minutes ago, Anton said:

He was posting tweets as late as Friday touting Royal entertainment.  

Fairly obviously not his choice to leave.

I hope this doesn’t mean big cuts to entertainment. It’s a big USP for Royal.

13 minutes ago, mousefan73 said:

do you think the 11:45 coach is ok to make with disembarkation and taxi wait?

 

Oh, easily. In fact you’d probably be fine with the 9:45 if you’re off the ship reasonably early. It’s only a 5-10 minute cab ride.

16 minutes ago, mousefan73 said:

so our trip has changed and now we are going directly from port to LHR. so cruiseline is offering transfer ( coach) and now I discovered national coach.. the price difference crazy... what are the pros and cons of one or the other? can anyone comment but is is what I am thinking of...

 Pros for Nationa:

1. have to pay for cab to coach statin but still cheaper in the end.

2. Coach station has washrooms and cafe so can do that before boarding. I assume at the port once you pass customs etc.. it's no mans land and limited facitlities. 

3. Saving soo much money.

 

cons:

1,. -are the busy nasty?? and the people like american Greyhound??

2. is the station facility ok or like in the US nasty people ( sorry but my experiences )

 

 

just trying to figure out why national is so much cheaper vs cruiseline transfer  thanks

 

 

Also my mom is a bit mobility challenged cannot walk super long distances. Where do the coaches drop off at LHR? we are flying out of T2.     do they drop off at the departure drop-off?

No, National Express doesn’t have the reputation Greyhound has! Buses are modern, clean and comfortable and your fellow passengers are likely to be mainly tourists and university students.

Southampton coach station is quite small but has a little cafe and bathrooms. Nothing to worry about safety-wise.

At Heathrow the coach will drop you at the central bus station from where it’s about a 5 minute walk to T2, underground (but there are elevators and moving walkways to help).

Why is the cruise line shuttle so expensive? Well you’re paying for convenience but essentially it’s a captive market that’s there to be exploited!

19 minutes ago, red4u2 said:

I'm one that you just described!  im nervous about it all to be honest. First time in Europe!

Thank you to everyone that has responded. I think I've only been on a commuter train once before. It seems like the price of a train/ tube is about the same as a taxi or Uber from Paddington station to the airport. Same with National express bus from Victoria Coach station.      I'm looking for the easiest with the least walking. A difference of 20-40 dollars is fine.  And we have a 515 pm flight, what time would everyone recommend being at LHR?  and leaving London headed to Heathrow?

It depends on how many of you there are.

Right now an Uber from Paddington to Heathrow is just under £40 but obviously that’s the same for 1 person as it is for 4. And of course the price does vary.

The Elizabeth line is £12.20 each and the tube is £5.60.

A cab/Uber is obviously easiest and the most comfortable. But depending where in London you’re starting from, the train can be faster.

For a 5.15pm flight I’d aim to be at Heathrow by about 3.00, and probably allow about an hour to get there.

11 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

We've always been onboard Royal ships by 11 am or so, but it appears boarding is later for virgin? What's the earliest people generally board? 

Boarding typically starts between 1 and 2pm. The flip side is you can stay on board (and in your cabin) until around 10.30am on the last day.

6 hours ago, Lena11033 said:

Sorry piggy backing off of this as I need to book a train coming back from Southampton to London - cruise is coming from Norway and time listed is 7am. I know they have to clear before letting people disembark but what's a safe time to book a train for?

 

Last time I did it I booked the cruise a couple of weeks out so didn't have time to plan and if possible would rather save money with tickets. I remember it being quick getting off the ship and quick to the station.

If you’re among the first off the ship and carrying your own luggage you should be fine with a 9am train. In fact you’d probably make an 8.30am, but best not to rush.

Port to station is only 5-10 minutes by cab.