Cristaltips

Sorry, just to set the record straight, the whole problem is mine and not P &Os.

I had been looking at both  2020 and 2021 and must have had a senior moment!

2020 IS doing less ports but that is clearly stated in the brochure. 2021 is doing the extra and is going to Aqaba and  Vietnam which is where I particularly wanted to go.

I’m so sorry if I confused anyone, I was obviously confused enough for all of us!

Having looked through the brochure, we had decided to book the Hong Kong to Southampton leg. When We looked online, it seems that they are no longer visiting Chan May & Pu My in Vietnam and also Aqaba in Jordan and Cadiz. Seems a big chunk of ports being missed. Does anyone know when/why they were cancelled. Having second thoughts about it now.

sorry, can’t delete. Just realised looking at 2021. Duh!!

7 minutes ago, BrianI said:

The blown windows in the Crows Nest have been replaced. 

Brian

There have been a few that were blown in the buffet for a number of years. Hopefully they've been replaced too.

4 hours ago, Flowerpower22 said:

 

We're booked on a 22 day cruise (our longest so far) and I think I will just take plenty of knickers and worry about it when I get home.  I can run my swimwear through in the bathroom and of course, there are always shops!

 

That sounds like my kind of plan! Cant be doing with washing on holiday. Plenty of pants and worry about it when you get home!

4 hours ago, jeanlyon said:

Not really!  I know what I like.  I like a ship to feel like a ship and not a floating hotel.  when we tried Azura,. one of the many things we disliked was when walking through inside on the Prom Deck, you cannot see the sea, very strange angles with no windows.  Also, the crowds waiting to get on and off the ship were just awful.  Dancing was in the atrium right outside the library!!  It's a while ago, so may have changed, but not for us

Exactly my point. We all know what we like but for varying reasons. 

3 hours ago, CCFC said:

I'm the same. I did find out reception will loan you a convertor which worked for a £10 deposit.

Our cabin steward appeared with one we could borrow when we mentioned it!!

We prefer the smaller ships but don’t have a problem with Azura and Ventura. The one that’s a real “no no” for us is Britannia. That one always feels frantically busy. Isn’t it strange how we all have different feelings about different ships!! 

I think that once you’ve seen it, you’re done. Can’t imagine you’d want to see it twice.

Thanks for that so,ton saint. Glad it’s quite close to Premier Inn. Can cope with that!!! 

We’re on that cruise too! We’ve been told City Terminal but are booked in at Premier Inn at West Quay the night before. See you on the ship!!! 

Totally agree. Can’t understand what all the hype is about. Good job we’re all different!!

I agree about the Marella trips not being value for money. I feel that we were very much used as guinea pigs for their first Asia cruises. 

We also did a Tuk Tuk  trip in Cambodia. It was sold as 4.5 hours. We left ship at 9.00 to transport to Tuk Tuk then sat on it for at least 15 mins while they got everyone together. The traffic was awful and I did fear for my life over the state of the vehicle. However, we lived to tell the tale and were back on the ship by 12.30. Doesn’t need a mathematician to work out that wasn’t 4.5 hours! 

The Penang trip. We visited a temple (of course!) and a batik factory which was very good. The rest of the trip ( in a coach with no apparent rear suspension) went downhill. A visit to see a fruit and spice stall on the side of a busy road, and the finale was to see , in the distance, a bridge linking Penang to the mainland! 

Bangkok. We drove for 2 hours ( had a comfort stop at motorway services) into Bangkok. Drove round passing Chinatown and Flower Market and stopped for a temple visit for about 30 mins. Then drove back, another 2 hours,another comfort stop. 

As it was our first trip to this part of the world, we were wary about doing things on our own and getting back on time. However, we feel we missed seeing a lot on the trips we did. Marella really need to review their trips in my opinion.

Redsails9, we're with you on 27 Feb. First time Marella, first time Asia, really looking forward to it. Nearly time to think about the packing!! 

The only place we've ever felt intimidated was Ocho Rios in Jamaica. It was horrible. We were hounded by really pushy people wanting to sell us their wares or transport us from one place to another. We've said that if a cruise we were on called in there again, we’d stay on the ship. It was some years ago and, who knows, it may be better now but I'm still scarred from last time.

We were on Aurora last January and had birthdays within a week of each other. We both had a card and chocolates, which was a lovely touch. It’s happened a number of times.

We plan to visit our local Tui shop next week so will see what the rate is then with them. Well only need small amounts so the rate isn’t so critical. The buy back sounds a good idea although if it’s as good as everyone says we may decide to keep leftovers for next time! 

Enjoy your cruise.

Thanks, Vitalsign, I usually take one of those. Hadn’t processed my brain about it working with a converter plug. Doh!! 

Thank you both so much for your replies. We will be on ships trips so will only need money for the odd souvenir and a beer (or three!)

Edinburgher, I sincerely hope this is the first of many visits to this part of the world as there’s so much to see.

Balibeach0, looks like I’ll need to dig out the bag of assorted plugs! 

Happy cruising😀😀

I’m sorry if this has already been asked but could somebody just back help me with what currency to take. We don’t want to get lumbered with currency we won’t use again as we still hold some expired Norewigian Kroner and some Chilean Pesos!!! Is any of the currency “closed” so we won’t be able to get it here? We’re going to Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia & Thailand.

Does the ship hold any currency to exchange? (P & O only carry US Dollars)

Its our first Marella cruise and first to this area so a totally new experience for us.

Also, what plugs are on the ship for cameras etc? 

Thanks for any help you can give

1 hour ago, Zombatar said:

We arrived back 5 days ago after a month on Ventura and three days later the Welcome Home Offer appeared in the in box. Only thing is there was no offer of discount on a future cruise. It merely suggested you might like to book your next cruise now, gave a summary of your peninsular points and also suggested that you would really enjoy your cruise better if you choose select price!

 

Peter

That made me laugh!!! Good ‘ole P & O!!!😂😂

We came back off Britannia in November and thought we’d book for Oriana in May when the Welsome Home offer arrived. We still haven’t had it but booked  Oriana anyway! 

I think the answer to the question is “don’t hold your breath”😂

We’ve always had Douwe Egberts in the cabin on our cruises. I’m a coffee drinker and that brand is not to my taste so I take my own.

No, not long at all. Will start to think about what to take in next week or so. 

See you on board, have a good flight! 

Thanks for posting the info, Sylvia. Just as a matter of interest, are the coaches Tui use modern ones? 

Redsails9, we are also flying out on 27 Feb. Can’t wait. First Marella, first Asia, all new experiences!! 

If I remember correctly, they just offload the cases. However, there will be porters about or you can nip into the terminal and get a trolley.