SarahT

For those travelling from the UK we got our cruise covid antigen test (ID now) from Walgreens in Miami. We booked it for 7pm, flight was due to land 3:40 but we had a 2 hr delay, so only just made it in time. It’s only a helpful option for those with rental car, as it’s drive through testing, but was very easy and results were back in around 2 hours. We put the hotel and phone number on the online form and then just showed driving licences for id. 
The test was free.

In the Uk we took a repaid antigen test from eurofins in the afternoon before the flight. Results in 30min. There is also express testing at Heathrow T3 for on the day if you can’t test before.

Thanks for your help. I have emailed both companies, so hopefully will get an response to tell us if it’s possible or not and exactly how to find them from arrivals. 

14 hours ago, brillohead said:

I'm flying into MIA tomorrow evening -- I can look around and see if I can find out for you.

You could also look into having the telehealth proctored version delivered to your hotel (check with the hotel to make sure they'd save the package until you get there) and doing the test yourself that way.

 

Thank you, that would be much appreciated. 

Hello

We are due to fly into Miami from UK on 2 December. I am looking into options for our 2 day pre cruise covid test. I can see that there are 2 testing sites at Miami Airport but its not clear if those are just for departing passengers. Has anyone used them as an arriving passenger and if so how do you access them? 

Thanks

Thinking of booking a private jeep tour with Leon’s tours, just wondering if anyone has any experience of tours with them. Thanks. 

21 hours ago, *Fudge* said:

 

Blimey.  They don’t add that to drinks at the bar on a drinks package do they.  

No they don’t add that if you have drinks package or loyalty daily vouchers 

When we cruised in August, individual drinks did have 20% VAT added, so most of the cocktails on the menu were then just over $16. 

2 hours ago, *Fudge* said:

 

Someone has said all the other eating venues are open, I’m assuming Sorrento’s, Park Cafe etc,  are operating at normal hours? 

Yes, sorrentos and two 70 cafe open as normal 

Yes, all the pools are open. Hot tubs are lovely but haven’t tried the pools.

On Anthem at the moment. The windjammer is closed for dinner and the solarium restaurant is closed all the time. All other dining venues and bars are open as normal with social distancing in place. 
 

Looking forward to (hopefully) boarding next Saturday. Just wondered from those off you who are on board, what is the capacity like at the moment, is it still 1000 passengers or had it increased? 
Also, is it still Diamond members get 4 drinks anytime? Is VAT being charged in drinks? Just trying to weigh up drink package. Thanks.

9 hours ago, Tatra603 said:

Not yet.

Waiting to see where the nearest Eurofins is.

I did find this as a possible alternative:

https://nlcliniciow.co.uk/

Thanks for your reply, in the end we’ve booked eurofins, Solent hotel Fareham, which is the nearest. Just accepted 1/2 day off work and car ferry cost. Looked at the island clinic but was hesitant in case it wasn’t accepted. The company never got back to me to confirm if they met RCI required standard for PCR test. Such a shame Boots on the island aren’t offering.

On 7/7/2021 at 8:23 PM, Tatra603 said:

Looking into booking our PCR tests with a local clinic as I'm pretty sure there won't be a Eurofins over here on the Isle of Wight.

Is it 72 hours before check in or 72 hours before departure? I ask because the only clinic here has limited opening times.

We’re also on the island and struggling to find somewhere to take the PCR test. Did you manage to get something sorted?

In March we took a tour with Detention tours which was excellent. Samuel offers several tour options including botanical gardens, or dark view falls with pirates of the Caribbean and beach break.

The water taxi to Villa beach is quick and convenient.

St Vincent is a beautiful volcanic island and to really appreciate the scenery you need to take a taxi or tour.

I fully agree, we have done this a few times and found it very easy. The bus is number 17 and departs when full or approximately every 20mins. When waiting for a bus at Nelsons dockyard we've found them to run every 20-30mins. There is no air-con but the windows open, however it can get quite hot, especaily when stationary.

We have visited Villa beach via water taxi $15pp return a few times. The water taxi is on the left as you leave the port building. The journey can be bumpy if the weather is rough but always felt safe. There are loungers to rent for $20-$25 for 2 loungers and umbrella but also places to just lay your towel if you wish. The water is generally calm in the bay. There are people selling drinks and snacks and you can get local beer for $2. The beach is not huge compared to some Caribbean beaches but has never felt crowded to us.

You can also get a $5 water taxi over to young beach from Villa but we have never done this.

You are right, the following cruise is Tobago instead of St Vincent. On our cruise (28/29 February) Grenada and St Vincent was swapped around due to unavailable berth at St Vincent for 6 March. 

Thanks for the heads up. We have visited St Vincent 6-7 times and this time was looking for something different to do. It's always important to check cancellation policies in case the ship doesn't dock for whatever reason. Payment for this tour is on the day, no deposit required, so nothing lost if we don't dock.  

You can also get to and from these beaches by Bus route number 22. We've frequently used Bus route 17 to nelsons dockyard, which run every 20 minutes. So if everything went wrong you could walk to Valley Road and flag down the bus.

The buses in Antigua are mainly mini buses and cost approx $1.50 each way.

Apologies, didn't think other than a means of signposting to reviews. I can't edit the post to remove it.

Sarah

Hello

We are joining Britannia 29 Feb but there is no roll call but generally P&O roll calls are quite, so i'm posting here.

We have a tour booked in St Vincent 5 March 2020 with Samuel Demiron from Detention Tours.

There are spaces available for this 5 hour tour departing 8.30am, visiting Fort Charlotte then a scenic drive through the western coast of the islands where we make stops at the Dark View falls then to Wallilabou bay(Pirates of the Caribbean) the Heritage park also in Wallilabou after which we will go to the Buccament beach . This tour is all inclusive free Wi-Fi and complimentary drinks. We spend about 40 minutes at the falls and however long the group decides to spend at the beach - or if you want longer alternative arrangements can be made. Tour price $35pp.

If anyone is interested please email Samuel at: detentiontours5988@hotmail.com

There are positive reviews on tripadviser and facebook by other P&O cruisers. https://www.facebook.com/DetentionTours

Sarah

You're welcome. Definitely possible to walk if you don't mind the heat and slight incline, but not strenuous. I believe we walked up north river road (passing multiple churches) and then onto the highway - you can see route options on google maps. As we got closer I think there were signs but don't remember any signs to start with. 

Hello, we've been to St Vincent a few times via cruise ship. You dock straight into the town of Kingstown, this is a very traditional Caribbean town with none of main Caribbean tourist shops (i.e no diamond international!). You can get a water taxi over to villa / Indian beach for $15 approx. per person return. The water taxi are quite high speed. Once there you can purchase 2 chairs and umbrella for $20-30. There are vendors selling drinks. You can also get a water taxi from there over to young island, we have never done this and from what I've read it depends whether they will allow you to use any of the chairs in the resort. Another option is the botanical gardens, ships tours often visit, but you can walk (approx. 30mins and uphill slightly) or get a taxi. The gardens were free (it was a few years ago when we last visited the gardens) but you pay a guide a small donation take you around the gardens. We have never taken an independent taxi in St Vincent so I can't comment on that but have done 2 scenic cruise excursions, which we enjoyed as St Vincent is beautiful.

Hope you enjoy you visit.

Going on MSC Preziosa 19 March from Barbados and trying to weigh up purchasing fun pass vs. pay as you go for F1 stimulator and bowling as not sure how often we would use them. I've had a search of the forum but struggling to find any recent costs for either of these 2 activities. If anyone has any recent prices I would be grateful.

Hi

Looking for a hotel in FLL for overnight stay in Jan 2012. Thinking about Hilton Garden inn, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Airport or Hampton Inn & suites (Stirling Road). Has anyone stayed at any of these before or have any info on the area's etc..

Thanks