Scot born

It was not TUI's decision to close their shops it was the government as holidays/cruises  were non essential. So therefore TUI's hands were tied. (Yes they could communicate better but with having to reshape the way the business worked would have put more pressure on them)

There is a lot of companies out there that will never recover from what is happening just now. 

There is a lot of people that is no longer with us that should be. 

I am no defending TUI or any other company. 

As I have said I am owed a considerable amount for my cancelled cruise at the end of May and I have a holiday booked for August(full deposit paid) still to pay the balance middle of May. ??????(and they still want it)

What I am trying to say is there is always two sides to a story and not everyone sees the full picture.

every one stay safe and hopefully this will just be a bad memory and will be sailing on the high seas again. 

16 hours ago, Brummijam said:

post 558
 

Im sick of reading all these posts by new/prospective Marella cruisers who have never posted on our site until Discovery's engine problems and Coronovirus started.😳😳
 

 

Whatever you may think this is a Public forum and everyone is entitled to their opinion.

You keep defending TUI but you are in the minority, Most of the posters on these boards  are either owed money or have lost deposits to TUI who are breaking the law by not refunding within seven days of cancellation. What possible positives can you find.?

 

 

I have kept out of this argument until now. Yes I am owed money as we were due to cruise on he 30th of May I have not called TUI for a substantial amount of refund as I am respecting their advice. I think we have forgot why this happened and we should find the positives in that we will live another day to cruise maybe not this year but in the future. All keep safe and well. 🙏

2 hours ago, obiwan8472 said:

Hi. New guy here. Thought I'd join and say hi to everyone.

We are due to fly out to Spain on 5th april. staying in a hotel for a week and then joining the dream for a week. Booked it like 18 months ago.. so excited... and now... absolutely dreading it. I really don't know if its going to go ahead, and if we do go, what happens if the virus causes a problem.

Guess I'll find out in a few weeks... but still.. very worrying!

Hi obiwan8472 

Welcome, the Dream was our first cruise many years ago,  and now we are hooked, my opinion is you can catch this virus here just going to your shopping centre or supermarket cause as everyone says not everyone will self isolate as recommended. I am sorry that you were once excited and now dreading it. I have been looking at booking the Dream for the 12th April for a nice bit of sunshine before my Norwegian cruise on the Explorer 2 at the end of May. I do hope that it all goes well and you and your family have a wonderful time. 

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Passengers on a German cruise ship moored in southern Norway received clearance to come out of a 24-hour quarantine after two of them tested negative for the coronavirus, Norwegian officials said Tuesday,.

Officials in the coastal town of Haugesund learned Monday that two passengers on the Aida Aura had contact with someone a week ago who did test positive for the virus. The infected individual wasn't among the cruise ship's 1,200 passengers. 

The two people on the cruise were removed from the ship to be tested for the virus while the other passengers had to remain on board. 

"There is no need to keep the passengers in quarantine,” Teis Qvale, a doctor with the Haugesund municipality, said.

All now seems ok 

16 minutes ago, Pensioncruiser said:

Yes we have to pay ours next week for Norway 6th June I have checked my annual policy and all ok. We only do Norway ports so if those are barred the cruise would be cancelled with a refund. Then we have paid on our card so some redress with the provider. 

Just noted the Aida has just been held at Haugesund Norway suspect passengers 😳😳

My policy is though my bank account so have no worries there however was so looking forward to cruising Norway, would be gutted if it got cancelled, 🙁but it is always better to be safe than sorry. 🤞Fingers crossed that a vaccine is found sooner than later. Hope everyone keeps well for lots of more years to happy cruising. 🛳

1 hour ago, MrSilversurf said:

 

Agreed, I think you did they right thing to cancel, in the absence of a Viking Cruise Line style guarantee that you get a full rebate if you cancel up to 24 hours before sailing.

 

Reading across the forums, a large number of people (self included) suddenly renewed our annual insurance. Between now and sail date on 1st August, it's quite likely that Norway and Iceland could bar entry to all ships. It's unlikely my Insurer will cough up (ouch) as Covid19 was a known contagion when policy purchased. Final balance 1st May ...... hmmm

 

I have just paid my final balance yesterday for cruise to Norway at the end of May, I was not aware that Norway and Iceland could bar entry, now getting a bit worried 😩 they were happy to take my money without updating me with any issues. 

Hi 

Anyone just returned from Ancient Affair on the Dream, I would be interested in knowing your thoughts on your over all experience of the cruise, places you visited what was good what was not so good how was the weather etc etc etc everything, the good the bad and the ugly 😂😂😂 So that I can get a feel for what I can expect in 4 weeks 

Thanks in advance. 

SB

1 hour ago, ovccruiser said:

Google cruise parking Southampton, there is plenty of choice. I personally use ABParking where you drive to the departure terminal, they take your luggage you give them the keys and they park it in a secure car park on the dock virtually next to the terminal. You collect you keys on return, load up the car and drive home.

Thank you I will let her know 

Hi 

I am new to the FO forum however my BF is new to cruising and has not yet joined the Cruise Critic family, and has booked the Christmas and New Year cruise on the Black Watch 15 nights leaving on 22nd December from Southampton. As I have never cruised from Southampton I could not answer her question. 

Port parking. 

Where is the best place to park?

Can you do this via Fred Olson or website for parking?

Are they any hotels near the port that if you book a room for the night before will allow free or reduced parking for the duration of the cruise?

(flying down is not an option) BF other have is scared of flying 🛫

And finaly for now😂 What is the average price per day?

if these questions have already been asked 😐 sorry 

thanks in advance for all you great knowledge.

Hi

Just received my ETicket and it seems that there are still doing 

On 11/11/2019 at 4:33 PM, okavango said:

Luggage labels not normally given at the departure airport any more ,they seem to have changed back to mostly at departure port check in or arrival airport reps except for the bonded luggage flights

Hi 

Just received my E ticket and they will be giving the luggage labels at the departure airport as we are on the same cruise Happy Cruising see you on board. 

My daughter is planning her wedding in Disney 2021 so I was looking at a 7 night cruise with 7 night stay and the prices are on par with just a stay at Disney so this give me the option of a nice cruise to relax after her big day. 

1 hour ago, Jim The Scot said:

I may well have been seeing things but when I checked TUI/Marella website the other day i,m sure  they were flying from Glasgow for the Big Apple Adventure.

 

On looking today no sign of that itinerary available from Glasgow so I may well have been seeing things or its sold out already

 

Anyone shine any light on this?

Hi Jim 

just checked and is still showing for Oct 2021. Exciting if this is right

Thanks both of you I will check out all sites and keep my fingers 🤞

Thanks. 

Did not want to hi-jack BLJ1s post however found it very useful for my Christmas cruise on the Dream. Went on to what's in port (forgot about this) old age setting in.) and when checking it looks like the Dream is not in any of the ports that is on my list of ports of call except Ashdod, do you think they have pulled out of Turkey,  Alanya and Marmaris without telling anyone yet, does anyone know how much in advance does TUI notify customers of any changes to their ports. Thanks 

Thank you to all, i have cruised for many years and marella my go to cruise line. I like to use YT however this sometimes throws up more questions than answers. Things change constantly on cruises and you can do your research then find out that it is out of date info where asking on here with all the people in the know and just cruised on a specific ship can give the right answers without making anyone feel uncomfortable (stupid is not a word I like to use)is more helpful than any other search engine. 

Happy cruising 

Recently on the boards what I am finding is that when anyone asked a simple question about anything to help to enhance their cruising experience wherther they are first time cruisers or not it almost (not all the time )turns into a slanging match. I used to love checking out the boards to see if there was any new tips I could pick up or give,  now I feel that this is not the community that once was. I think we should get back to basics and a true and honest reply without slagging off the community, I know everyone has an opinion myself included however we all need to respect this. I for one are now hesitant in asking questions because of this. 

15 minutes ago, brian1 said:

No worries,now you've elaborated more.So it reduces the sunbed wars to only 50% of the ship.It's an improvement though.

My thinking behind this

1 when off in port you can always return have a nice relaxing lunch change into swimwear and still be able to have a  sunbed to go to relax. 

2 Maybe even have a lie in after a wounderful late night without the hassle of setting your alarm to get up to go get your favourite spot(tongue in cheek) because if you don't have this then  you can not leave this spot as your towels will be taken away so no going back to bed no going for breakfast with family as someone has to guard the sunbeds. 

3 No other cruise line does this......

finaly any any little improvement is better than none. 

Cheers 

1 hour ago, brian1 said:

That would OK if there are 2000 sunbeds for 2000 passengers,otherwise all hell may break loose,with some cabins having permanently reserved beds for the whole cruise and others nothing.

I don't think you are getting the point, especially when I said that it would only be if you pre booked your cabin and that you are only allowed 1 sunbed for each person in the cabin and would only be allocated to half amount of cabins on board that is why it would be first come first served so there would be still spaces and beds available just my thoughts to a more relaxing cruise experience 

happy cruising 😊

Are we still giving ideas???? if so here is mine. When you pay to pick your cabin you can also pick a dedicated space with sun beds for all in the cabin. The would solve the age old subbed run and making the cruise more relaxing it would be on first come basis. Once the pool attendant has put out the sun beds in the morning then a sticker is placed on the bed with cabin number. 

19 minutes ago, Jim The Scot said:

😂

 

Yeah so they say.Always thought once kids were up and away it was our time..We have less time now 😉

Jim that made me lol cos I know that feeling retired early (very early) to help out as it is a lot harder on the the young ones these days 

Thanks Molly, I know they are delicious I was just hoping that they were included as I enjoy a nice latte and hubby a cup of tea and will be able to get this at any bar after 10am for free and bring a nice pastry from the buffet, I know we will pay the up charge as they are sooo good. I don't understand then why they include the coffee port in the premium if you still have to pay for your extra treats. 😫

Jim that's what grandparents are for these days sad to say. Happy cruising 

Hi everyone 

I know what is included, drinks, cans of Irn Bru (don't need to pay the £1 extra) as hubby does not drink alcohol, and coffee / tea in the coffee port,  however is the delicious cakes included in the coffee port also if they are then that might be a deal breaker 🤞Thanks in advance to you all for you great knowledge. 

I know the feeling I watch my grandkids so that their mum and dad can work but I am blessed that their mum is a school teacher so therefore we can take time out in school holidays as I get time off 😂