jones721

I had even sent photos of the lock and the note inside the case. Eventually though, this is what I received (again a Samsonite case).

"Thank you for choosing Carnival Cruise Lines.

Keeping customers happy is at the heart of our business. A cruise is meant to be an escape from the stresses and strains of everyday life: a time to feel pampered, to enjoy fabulous food and great entertainment, to lie in the sun without a care in the world.

Please accept our apologies for your damaged luggage. A check for $200.00 will be issued under separate cover. Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing.

Come back soon – we’d love to have you join us again.

Sincerely,

xxxx"

Email from Carnival in Miani in 2012. I have crossed out the memeber of staff's name.

"Thank you for getting in touch with me again!

It is my pleasure to assist you. In response to your inquiry and upon further research with our onboard chief security, we have been informed that all locked luggage are opened in the presence of guest. It is our procedure to page and/or send a letter to our guest’s stateroom informing said guest to visit the Empress deck gangway to conduct search. Please note that our security does not forcibly open any luggage, which is locked.

We regret you continue to be dissatisfied, however, during our security screening any and all prohibited items found will be removed and stored for safekeeping. In your case, we have no records your lock was broken by our staff, as such only the beers were removed, which was indicated on the letter provided within your luggage. We extend our deepest apologies for any inconvenience this has caused.

We hope you understand our position and thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

xxxxxx

Luggage Coordinator, Guest Care"

On a Carnival cruise out of Port Canaveral one year, we had a couple of left over beers in one of the cases. Anyway, the case arrived in the room with the lock forced open (one of those locks where you put the two ends of the zipper) and a note inside the case saying that we had brought alcohol on board and that it had been confiscated.

Not bothered about the beer, but the case lock actually had a crack in it where they had presumably used a screwdriver or something to break it open.

Reception were very good and agreed that it should not have happened and told me to write to Carnival (in USA) when I got home and ask for refund. However, correspondence went backwards and forwards until Carnival practically accused me of lying about the broken case and saying that it wasn't their responsiblity. After a lot of wrangling, I eventually got a US dollar cheque from them.

I was not pleased, to say the least.In fact, I think I will go back through my email and find the response from Carnival to post here.

Britannia and Oriana also in Southampton on May 29th. Makes sense now why the late arrival. Traffic is going to be pretty bad.

I was hoping that Harmony of the Seas would sail past us but we leave first so will follow us out. Would have been able to take some great photos had it been the other way around.

Also on May 29th sailing.

Tracey

As one of those causing the "disturbance and disruption" thanks for an enjoyable few days onboard.

 

Hope we didn't cause too much trouble, and hope you enjoyed the show

I wish I had been onboard. Change to maybe bump into one of the celebrities all in one place at the same time. Gave a good overview of the ship - looks beautiful.

Oh No! I love Prosecco . . .

Hi All

 

Check in at gatwick for BA flights can be night before between 4pm and 10 pm. I was told from BA, we can do this as long as we produce tickets, also do a bag drop. Saves dragging bags to hotel and back again next morning

Very useful to know - thank you.

Hi AmoMondo, thanks again replying to a query. Been in touch with BA who will let me check-in bags evening before. However, without a flight booking reference which MSC won't give me for the block booking reason, unable to change seats or up upgrade until we get to the airport.

Interesting - BA will let you go to the airport the night before to check in baggage? We fly at 8.10am in October from Gatwick with BA so it would definitely help if we could call in at the airport the night before and leave our bags, rather than have to take them to the hotel and then the car park / on the shuttle bus in the morning.

How come they let you check in bags without a booking reference but not choose seats?

Last I heard only 10 passengers had the NV - Greenock is nice and dry for a change:eek:

I hope the numbers are going down because it was a horrible thing to have. That is great if they can now get it under containment.

Tracey

We disembarked on August 1st and the ship was overcome by the noro virus. People were sick on the rugs in elevators and hallways. There is no way it was sanitized in a 5 hrs it was turned over. Nurse told me on Le Harve day that they had 200 sick thAt day. At that point it's was our 3rd day with code red. People were violently ill on the busses to the airport.

We also disembarked on August 1st. I got ill on the night before Le Havre and rang the medical centre as advised. I didn't realise that so many got ill the same day. My cabin was sanitised that morning. I just about struggled out of bed to answer the door. It was the most awful sickness virus and a week later, I am still feeling nauseous and off my food.

We had a separate disembarkment and were supposed to meet in Alfedos at 9.30am along with all the other isolated passengers. I was allowed to stay in my cabin until then. We got to Alfreods on time but they had all gone - I think they were running ahead of schedule. But I'm sure you wouldn't be ble to fit 200 people in Alfedos???

Luckily, we are only an hour from Southampton and I had stopped being sick by then. There is no way I could have coped with a bus journey or a flight if I was still being sick - so don't know how others managed it. My mum, who shared a cabin with me, didn't get ill, neither did the rest of my family once I got home. So it shows that you can avoid getting it if you are VERY careful.

There must have been contamination all over the ship - almost impossible to clean. Princess did a good job and the last thing they want is sick passengers. But must be like fighting a losing battle.

Tracey

We disembarked on August 1st and the ship was overcome by the noro virus. People were sick on the rugs in elevators and hallways. There is no way it was sanitized in a 5 hrs it was turned over. Nurse told me on Le Harve day that they had 200 sick thAt day. At that point it's was our 3rd day with code red. People were violently ill on the busses to the airport.

We also disembarked on August 1st. I got ill on the night before Le Havre and rang the medical centre as advised. I didn't realise that so many got ill the same day. My cabin was sanitised that morning. I just about struggled out of bed to answer the door. It was the most awful sickness virus and, a week later, I am still feeling nauseous and off my food.

We had a separate disembarkment and were supposed to meet in Alfedos at 9.30am along with all the other isolated passengers. I was allowed to stay in my cabin until then.we got to Alfreods on time but they had all gone - I think they were running ahead of schedule. But I'm sure you wouldn't be ble to fit 200 people in Alfedos???

Luckily, we are only an hour from Southampton and I had stopped being sick by then. There is no way I could have coped with a bus journey or a flight if I was still being sick - so don't know how others managed it. My mum, who shared a cabin with me, didn't get ill, neither did the rest of my family once I got home. So it shows that you can avoid getting it if you are VERY careful.

There must have been contamination all over the ship - almost impossible to clean. Princess did a good job and the last thing they want is sick passengers. But must be like fighting a losing battle.

Tracey

Any idea what movies they have been showing on Movies Under the Stars?

Thanks,

Tracey

I'm in E421 at the end of July :-) I think the obstruction is the fact that the balcony is angled so you cannot see both ways.

I teach in a primary school not that far from Southampton and no-one I know of there has flu - children are usually the first people to catch things and pass them on. Must be a regional thing.

Princess option is a $16 shuttle,

 

The tram is a good walk from the current dock never used it.

http://www.luas.ie/

My mum and I have walked it twice - and she is nearly 80! About 20 mins but a very boring walk. Any member of staff in the port will guide you in the right direction.

It's also probably cheaper to use a taxi if you are in a large party.

We walked in a couple of years ago with two families (travelling together) and they reckoned that just by walking the 20 mins walking and then paying for tram tickets, instead of the $16 shuttle, they spent something like 40 Euros instead of $128! Actually, probably less than that as children were cheaper than adults on the tram.

Here is what I have researched for our upcoming trip on Royal.:)

 

BUS 25x goes from Invergorden to Inverness 45 mins trip 9.19 then every 30 minutes. Buses return on the hour.25x NOT 25 PRICE £3-4. Bus route will take us through the Scottish Highlands.

I have a feeling that the price of the bus was more than that (from memory from the last couple of years). More like £11-13 return. Maybe someone else can help?

Stagecoach website will give all the timings but not the price.

And yes, very easy to find from the ship. Local tourist officials will guide you - literally just across the road to the bus stop.

Nothing to do in Invergordon - but the local church lays on tea, coffee and biscuits for cruise passengers and wifi for crew only. All that is free and staffed by volunteers :-)

I always love the sign just for cruise passengers as you come into Invergordon which says something like, "Guaranteed sighting of Nessie - tomorrow!" !!!

Tracey

"First of all though, the information promised onThe Enclave, it is $239 for the cruise and there are just sixty passes available, so advice is to go down as soon as you board as they go very quickly. Hope that helps."

Umm, thought it might be quite expensive - guess I might only be buying one and not two! Thanks for finding out for me!

Tracey

Sue,

Would you be able to find out how much a pass costs for the spa area for the 12 nights (Enclave?). Thermal spa / steam rooms/ hydrotherapy pool, etc. I know they post it in the Patters on he first couple of days but have a restricted number available. I have a feeling that they will be rather expensive! Just trying to decide whether or not to buy passes for my mum and I (or just myself) in our 20 July cruise.

Thanks,

Tracey

PS a fab itinerary 😄😄

in Glasgow, a 15 min walk through the small shopping mall to get to the train. again, frequent services into Glasgow.

The locals also run free coach tours along the coast and to a small castle. Very informative and very helpful, welcoming people. If anyone does go on any of these tours, please leave a donation. It pays for the bus driver and the fuel. Sadly, lots of people got off our bus and didn't give anything and these local people give up their time freely. We bought bars of chocolate in advance for guide and driver as well as donation. I saw lots of people get off and leave nothing and whole families just put in a couple of pounds! I was a bit shocked.

Invergordon, bus stop right outside where ship docks which takes you into Inverness.

Cobh, station is at the port! Train into Cork frequent and cheap.

Guernsey, local buses just past tourist information (TI also has free wifi).

Liverpool, docks right in city. No bus requested.

Hope this helps. If you want to know anything else, please ask.

Tracey

Hi, we have done this itinerary for the past 3 years - Queen Elizabeth, Caribbean Princess and last year, Ruby Princess. Looking forward to sailing Royal Princess on July 20th.

In Edinburgh, you can get either he ship's shuttle from the dock, walk along the water front or up the hill to the bus or the train. Train is quick, frequent and easy.

In Dublin, it is a good 20 mins walk from the ship to the tram line which is next to the O2 Arena. Modern tram - only a couple of Euros - but a pretty boring walk to get there.

Can you tell me how much it costs for the Enclave for the 12 nights? On Deck 5? It probably won't be advertised now as the passes usually sell out in the first couple of days but it would be in the Patter on the first couple of days - or maybe the staff would be able to answer that question. Would much appreciate it if you could post a reply. Thanks. Enjoy your cruise!

Tracey

Thanks, just trying to decide if it will be worthwhile before we board the ship.

Anyone who is doing / has done the British Isles cruise on Royal - do you have a current price for the Enclave? As it is a 12 night port intensive cruise, I am not sure what the cost will be.

Thank you in advance,

Tracey

Were you Early saver or saver.

If early saver you should get your cabin any day but if it is saver it is normally around 2 weeks before.:eek:

Ours was Early Saver - booked back in November. Cabin allocated a few days ago. Midship - so I'm pleased. Saver fares normally get me at extreme ends of ships.

Not specifically a P&O question, but wasn't sure where else to post this.

 

Ventura N507 (27th March - 10th April) will not just be my first cruise, but my first time in the Med at this time of year. I'm not one to bask in the sun, to me a tan is a side effect rather than a trophy or necessity, and though I'll be wearing shorts, I'm not one to get my pot belly out unless there's a very good reason anyway.

 

You'll know when I've got my shirt off, because all the birds in the sky go round in circles due to having one wing over their eyes to protect from the glare.

 

However I'll still be on deck a fair bit propping up the bars and getting my nicotine fix, and of course on shore at each port. Is sun cream typically needed at this time of year, or will I get away with just packing some aftersun in case it's needed on return to the cabin?

We are on the same cruise too.

For the last two years, we have cruised at this time of the year - Ventura to Mediterranean and last year, Azura to Canaries. I burn very easily so always took suncream but didn't have to use it very often.

But them every year is different . . .

So yes, definitely take cream. Will you need it every day, possibly no.

Tracey

PS Azura, October half term 2014 to Spain - was 30 degrees in Bilbao. And 20 degrees back home in Southampton. I was roasting in a fleece!

I've not received any emails yet, but the CP started showing a cabin number a couple of days ago - roughly 26 days prior to sail date

Are you on Ventura too - cos our cabin showed up on CP a couple of days ago too roughly 26 days prior to sail date?

Tracey