Mumsysailor

Our TA at the end of October has Halloween as the last night before Southampton. There is no mention of any special activities onboard. Is there likely to be something or is it completely ignored?

10 minutes ago, DreamingOfSunnyDays said:

Brill, thanks everyone. 
 

one more question that I’ve asked in the spa topic…..are all the facilities open in the spa, eg pools, sauna, steam room?

On the 20th August cruise the sauna/steam room was not open but the spa pool was. 

Perhaps their itineraries are not UK only. Therefore different thinking applies. 

1 hour ago, Sixfielder said:

Seriously wishing we hadn't booked to go on a staycation cruise on QE this Friday. First, the day after our full payment was due, Cunard announced that shore visits would be official excursions only.  If I wanted to go on a coach holiday we would have booked a Wallace Arnold trip.  Now we are reading that it seems mask must be worn in most areas including the theatres.  A number of the spa rooms are closed (why?).  No dancing allowed other than iin "hosted dancing sessions" which we assume is code for lessons. Others today reporting that the Holyhead stop is switched to Belfast (although that might be a slight improvement).  Everyone has been double jabbed and will have tested negative for covid before boardning.  This is our first cruise and our experience now certainly means it will be our last: we would have more freedom of movement and association if we'd washed up in Dover on a rubber dinghy.

Just home from QE sun cruise. Masks to be worn while moving around inside but sit down and it can come off. Masks in the theatre, yes, but quite understandable and worth the restriction. Dancing in the Queen's room every evening with no masks required. Didn’t do any lessons as they are basic for beginners. These cruises have all been advertised as ship’s excursions only from the beginning, so not a new announcement from Cunard. 
 

Don’t let this put you off your first cruise. You’ll find the whole overall experience a joy, I hope. 

1 hour ago, North West Newbie said:

 

By leaving them on, they are ostensibly part of the cruise fare albeit paid post cruise.

Couldn’t agree more. That’s why I would never consider removing them. 

2 hours ago, SALAD MUNCHER said:

This comment sounded very "Mrs Bouquet" - are you trying to imply Liverpool, Glasgow or any other city on this trip are "dens of iniquity"?

 

You are correct re the earlier voyages, but as I mentioned Cunard did state their policies and protocols would evolve in line with current UK guidance, they haven't!

It’s clear what you’re signing up for when booking the cruise. Booking and then relying on a changed policy is setting oneself up for likely disappointment IMHO. I agree with a previous poster if you want the guaranteed freedom onshore it would be advisable to book for a later date. 
 

I’m sure Cunard are doing their best to keep everyone onboard safe and I’m much more confident to travel with those restrictions than with a free for all. 

1 hour ago, A & P said:

hi, is the Grills Courtyard open?  and how do you get from the Mayflower to the Ocean Terminal, is it a long walk with your luggage etc?    thanks for the updates it certainly is helping quiet our nerves for when we go in September 

You’ll been sent all the information in due course but, basically, if you’re being dropped off by taxi or walking, you go direct to the Ocean Terminal and use the walk through test centre. Mayflower is for drive through. 

8 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

That is a surprise. I wonder if they'll show you some bits of Ireland. Or could it be weather related?

The weather is certainly better West of Ireland. 

57 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

 

Its not the balance I'm concerned about. It is checking that I've actually had everything I've been charged for. Hence on the last morning I compare all the paper receipts I've collected from the bars etc with what is itemised on the bill. I can't do this without a paper receipt.

Perhaps you’ll need to keep a small notebook in your pocket and make a note every time you spend onboard. 

30 minutes ago, RJChatsworth said:

There has been dancing in the evenings - no hosts.  Dancing lessons have continued during the day.

 

We love afternoon tea in the Queens Room on Queen Elizabeth but it’s orf!!  Instead you have to go to the Britannia restaurant, the Lido or the PG restaurant.  We haven’t bothered!

Thanks. What a pity. We do love a good tea dance. 

How is the dancing in the ballroom ?  Is it every evening and what are the rules?  I guess there are no dance hosts. We shall be six travelling together next week and are hoping to dance a lot. 

I’ve never come across tap lessons on board before. There’s always very basic ballroom or Latin classes but I’m putting my tap shoes in the suitcase just in case. 

1 hour ago, majortom10 said:

Have you chosen first sitting for dinner in Britannia or if you are booked in a suite or Diamond in CWC.

Not sure any of those would make a difference. We’re Platinum, and early dining and have been given 3pm. Our travelling companions are Cunard newbies and have been given 2.45pm.  

2 hours ago, majortom10 said:

I will miss the ship

It feels to me like you might be making a mountain out of a molehill and perhaps getting a little over anxious. By going to the drive-through testing on your way to the terminal you will be in the system and the ship will not sail without you unless you disqualify by testing positive - which I sincerely hope you won’t. 
 

A cruise is meant to be a time to relax and unwind and I hope you’ll be able to do this and enjoy your time onboard. 

On 7/23/2021 at 5:49 PM, majortom10 said:

Printed off our e-tickets for 13th August cruise on QE and confused at whether the check-in time is the time we have to arrive at Mayflower Terminal for covid test or is it time we have to be at Ocean Terminal isnt very clear and I am confused. Also a bit disappointed that our check in time is not until 2-30pm and thought as a Platinum member of CWC we might have been earlier.

You should have had a printed booklet through the post which very clearly indicates (on p.15) where you should go first according to your method of arrival. I’m sure the time given is for the place you need to go to first. 
I’ve never found the given chech-in times to be anything other than a suggestion in any case. 
The later time than usual is probably to allow time for the crew to deep clean the staterooms. Can’t complain about that!

Are there any reciprocal arrangements with other loyalty schemes on P&O?  If so, how do we arrange that?  Many thank in advance. 

I would think as an air hostess she would possibly also know survival techniques for being in water.

She is very fortunate to have survived. I have huge appreciation for those who searched and found her.

However she ended up in the water she definitely didn’t just ‘fall’.

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Given she went overboard about midnight, I wonder if the all inclusive beverage package had anything to do with it?:confused:

I wonder if the truth will ever be known. Is she really going to admit to doing something stupid in order to “fall”?

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It’s Eastbound for me. Unlike the majority of posters on here, as a Brit, the jet lag is dealt with heading home to the East for me.

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Curious if you were able to find something?

This was last year and, for lack of choice, we went with the ship’s tour. It was very disappointing. Not only was the snorkelling location desolate, saw about 3 fish in freezing water, the crew of the tour boat were rude and unhelpful.

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Thanks.....Good to hear from someone with on site experience. Any way for you to get an actual measurement while you are there?

Unfortunately, I have nothing to measure with. The wheelchair we used was a standard ‘push/self propel’ which my friend rented for her DH for the entire cruise. It occurs to me that door from the room to the balcony has a huge lip to step over. I don’t know if the handicap rooms have some sort of ramp to accommodate a wheelchair.

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Currently on the Westerdam with our balcony open between rooms. We tried to wheel a standard wheelchair through the opening and it won’t go if that helps.

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They are posted on a board at the entrance to the lido market. This was taken at 10.35am today.

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Thank you. We can’t wait to get away and to be sailing with old friends again. :) :)

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Also, within the letter were offers of OBC, but only if we chose from a list of 'selected' sailings.

We negotiated and have our OBC. In my opinion 3 of the 4 alternatives cruises were not suitable and we didn’t want to do Montreal to Boston return with the same ports both ways. We very nearly cancelled altogether.

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