Who has decided to take a summer staycation cruise?

[Pink-belle]

Free cancellation is up to 30 days, according to my countdown we have 30 days and 21 hours. So I think anytime after tomorrow. 🙂 I will post as soon as I know.

[ann141]

I have now got 2 seacations booked! Couldn't resist a 'Deal of the Day' offer to try a 4 night cruise on Golden Horizon( Tradewinds Voyages.)It will be very different to a P and O or Princess seacation as there are only 270 passengers and it is a ship with sails! Hubby used to sail when he was younger and with ports of call of Belfast and Portrush we couldn't resist!

[Pink-belle]

1 minute ago, ann141 said:

I have now got 2 seacations booked! Couldn't resist a 'Deal of the Day' offer to try a 4 night cruise on Golden Horizon( Tradewinds Voyages.)It will be very different to a P and O or Princess seacation as there are only 270 passengers and it is a ship with sails! Hubby used to sail when he was younger and with ports of call of Belfast and Portrush we couldn't resist!

That sounds wonderful, my DH is a sailor and he would love it. Have a wonderful time.

[ann141]

17 minutes ago, Pink-belle said:

That sounds wonderful, my DH is a sailor and he would love it. Have a wonderful time.

Thank you.I definitely won't be climbing the ropes etc!! There is a Spa and a pool so I shall spend my time relaxing 🙂 

[Beckett]

1 hour ago, ann141 said:

I have now got 2 seacations booked! Couldn't resist a 'Deal of the Day' offer to try a 4 night cruise on Golden Horizon( Tradewinds Voyages.)It will be very different to a P and O or Princess seacation as there are only 270 passengers and it is a ship with sails! Hubby used to sail when he was younger and with ports of call of Belfast and Portrush we couldn't resist!

Well that's different Ann. How exciting for you both. It will certainly be a world away from any of the seacations we're all going on. I hope you gave a brilliant time. Best wishes. Jane.x

[tring]

4 hours ago, ann141 said:

I have now got 2 seacations booked! Couldn't resist a 'Deal of the Day' offer to try a 4 night cruise on Golden Horizon( Tradewinds Voyages.)It will be very different to a P and O or Princess seacation as there are only 270 passengers and it is a ship with sails! Hubby used to sail when he was younger and with ports of call of Belfast and Portrush we couldn't resist!

 

You caught our interest there, so looked up Trade winds.  We are thinking of booking either the one from Greenock to Liverpool (I assume yours), or possibly really splashing out on the next cruise, Liverpool to Harwich (10 nights) around the South Coast.  Did you book direct with Tradewinds, or use an agent?  We would be looking at a midship cabin which is in the cheaper grades, so Marina deck.  Is that the bottom deck, which I suspect it is and if so, is there any indication what is above or below?  We cannot find a clear deck plan.

 

Edited May 28, 2021 by tring

[P&O SUE]

14 hours ago, davecttr said:

So the lady had regular PCR tests as part of her job which were already paid for anyway. Not logical unless the private requirement is to discourage people for travelling or maybe even channelling money towards private companies who's shareholders are ???? if you get my drift

That’s what I thought you meant Dave, if you work for the NHS you have these tests regularly. I would have thought they were more reliable than ones done at home.

[Pink-belle]

54 minutes ago, P&O SUE said:

That’s what I thought you meant Dave, if you work for the NHS you have these tests regularly. I would have thought they were more reliable than ones done at home.

Yes a PCR test is more reliable than a LFT, if you get a positive with LFT, you get it confirmed by a properly administered PCR.  I don’t think anyone would question that.

 

The LFT (home tests) are accurate enough If done by people, as requested, to have a very good idea of how much virus is circulating.  Showing areas of concern before other data/measures would.   

[ann141]

8 hours ago, tring said:

 

You caught our interest there, so looked up Trade winds.  We are thinking of booking either the one from Greenock to Liverpool (I assume yours), or possibly really splashing out on the next cruise, Liverpool to Harwich (10 nights) around the South Coast.  Did you book direct with Tradewinds, or use an agent?  We would be looking at a midship cabin which is in the cheaper grades, so Marina deck.  Is that the bottom deck, which I suspect it is and if so, is there any indication what is above or below?  We cannot find a clear deck plan.

 

Yes, its the sailing from Greenock to Liverpool that we have booked.The South Coast itinerary looks great but obviously a lot dearer.I would have preferred to have booked direct but when I phoned Tradewind they wouldn't match the price (nearly 20% cheaper ) because I think they had done a special deal with a particular TA to offer 7 cabins at the special price- hence deal of the day.We have a mid ship cabin on Marina deck which I think is the bottom deck (Photos suggest it is the Marina area at one end that you can swim or do water sports from)and I presume that as there are only outside cabins on that deck and the dining room is 2 decks deep the cabins are round the outside of the dining room or possibly kitchen area?Let us know if you decide to book and perhaps we can meet up onboard? Although there is free parking and transfer back to Greenock from Liverpool we are catching the train to Greenock(overnight in Glasgow) and then train back from Liverpool

[tring]

1 hour ago, ann141 said:

Yes, its the sailing from Greenock to Liverpool that we have booked.The South Coast itinerary looks great but obviously a lot dearer.I would have preferred to have booked direct but when I phoned Tradewind they wouldn't match the price (nearly 20% cheaper ) because I think they had done a special deal with a particular TA to offer 7 cabins at the special price- hence deal of the day.We have a mid ship cabin on Marina deck which I think is the bottom deck (Photos suggest it is the Marina area at one end that you can swim or do water sports from)and I presume that as there are only outside cabins on that deck and the dining room is 2 decks deep the cabins are round the outside of the dining room or possibly kitchen area?Let us know if you decide to book and perhaps we can meet up onboard? Although there is free parking and transfer back to Greenock from Liverpool we are catching the train to Greenock(overnight in Glasgow) and then train back from Liverpool

 

Looking into it now.  Has that offer now finished or is it worth me doing a search?  We may well get the train up the day before, have done that for Fred mini cruises at times.  We would likely stay in Greenock though as had a good stay in a hotel there last time.  What you say about cabin location is making me think the longer cruise would be very risky as a potentially noisy cabin would be a big problem for a longer cruise.

 

[ann141]

12 minutes ago, tring said:

 

Looking into it now.  Has that offer now finished or is it worth me doing a search?  We may well get the train up the day before, have done that for Fred mini cruises at times.  We would likely stay in Greenock though as had a good stay in a hotel there last time.  What you say about cabin location is making me think the longer cruise would be very risky as a potentially noisy cabin would be a big problem for a longer cruise.

 

It may be worth doing a search because although the special deal cabins have gone the ta may offer you a good discount if you mention it.When I phoned the last cabin had just gone. but the ta phoned tradewind who let me have it the same price booked through the ta It was a special offer linked with the Ta through an independent travel discount company that sends weekly emails

[ann141]

20 minutes ago, ann141 said:

It may be worth doing a search because although the special deal cabins have gone the ta may offer you a good discount if you mention it.When I phoned the last cabin had just gone. but the ta phoned tradewind who let me have it the same price booked through the ta It was a special offer linked with the Ta through an independent travel discount company that sends weekly emails

The price has increased on the TA website but still showing as the offer price (Top twenty) on the national site.Even for that you have to book the offer through the TA but it might be worth a try if you can find it.I know I am not allowed to name names but the TA with the offer is one of the TA s who people seem to have had problems with so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

[tring]

52 minutes ago, ann141 said:

It may be worth doing a search because although the special deal cabins have gone the ta may offer you a good discount if you mention it.When I phoned the last cabin had just gone. but the ta phoned tradewind who let me have it the same price booked through the ta It was a special offer linked with the Ta through an independent travel discount company that sends weekly emails

 

We have just booked the cruise you are on.  I had been searching last night on my phone and thought I was into the Tradewinds website and requested a brochure, then realised it was an agent, one who seems to deal with cruise lines and I think they specialise in luxury cruises, though obviously not yours (I have seen your later post).  Anyway an agent rang me just after I wrote my last post and described themselves as the agent for Tradewinds, so thought she may be, so I asked if an offer is still available and she said she was not sure, but subsequently emailed me the details and availability on the two cruises I mentioned.  We decided on the shorter cruise and just two cabins available (124 and 125), so DH (who is my legal advisor) read through the T&C's and we fairly quickly booked 125 as 124 is by white space.  Cost £949 pp, which seems to be the going rate, but we are happy for what it is as a well placed cabin and will certainly be an experience.  I believe it is open dining (6.30pm to 9.00pm) and that they will have about three drink stations around the ship.  It seems alcohol is just available with meals, but that is fine for us as well.  No coach available with them, though we would not have really intended to get into Liverpool at some unearthly hour for that anyway and a stopover before is our normal thing.

 

Our main issue is that we need to arrange insurance, which the agent or cruise line do not offer possibilities for (and which we may have taken for a shortie).  We let our past conditons cover lapse on our annual insurance in the spring as did not expect to travel for a while.

[ann141]

9 minutes ago, tring said:

 

We have just booked the cruise you are on.  I had been searching last night on my phone and thought I was into the Tradewinds website and requested a brochure, then realised it was an agent, one who seems to deal with cruise lines and I think they specialise in luxury cruises, though obviously not yours (I have seen your later post).  Anyway an agent rang me just after I wrote my last post and described themselves as the agent for Tradewinds, so thought she may be, so I asked if an offer is still available and she said she was not sure, but subsequently emailed me the details and availability on the two cruises I mentioned.  We decided on the shorter cruise and just two cabins available (124 and 125), so DH (who is my legal advisor) read through the T&C's and we fairly quickly booked 125 as 124 is by white space.  Cost £949 pp, which seems to be the going rate, but we are happy for what it is as a well placed cabin and will certainly be an experience.  I believe it is open dining (6.30pm to 9.00pm) and that they will have about three drink stations around the ship.  It seems alcohol is just available with meals, but that is fine for us as well.  No coach available with them, though we would not have really intended to get into Liverpool at some unearthly hour for that anyway and a stopover before is our normal thing.

 

Our main issue is that we need to arrange insurance, which the agent or cruise line do not offer possibilities for (and which we may have taken for a shortie).  We let our past conditons cover lapse on our annual insurance in the spring as did not expect to travel for a while.

Thats great that you have booked.We are in cabin 129 so will be near neighbours! The drink advice is confusing.On the general site it just mentions that alcohol is only served with meals but I think on Tradewind site it mentions our cruise as being one where drinks are included at all times apart from specialist whisky etc.We checked with our bank insurance and have confirmation that we are covered for covid and staycations.Just hope Nicola will let us in! Excited 🙂 

[Purdey16]

16 hours ago, ann141 said:

I have now got 2 seacations booked! Couldn't resist a 'Deal of the Day' offer to try a 4 night cruise on Golden Horizon( Tradewinds Voyages.)It will be very different to a P and O or Princess seacation as there are only 270 passengers and it is a ship with sails! Hubby used to sail when he was younger and with ports of call of Belfast and Portrush we couldn't resist!

That sounds fantastic Ann something different I hope you both really enjoy it and now tring is going too so both of you have a brilliant time .

[ann141]

Just now, Purdey16 said:

That sounds fantastic Ann something different I hope you both really enjoy it and now tring is going too so both of you have a brilliant time .

Thank you.Really looking forward to it and not too long to wait as its in July

[ann141]

20 minutes ago, ann141 said:

Thats great that you have booked.We are in cabin 129 so will be near neighbours! The drink advice is confusing.On the general site it just mentions that alcohol is only served with meals but I think on Tradewind site it mentions our cruise as being one where drinks are included at all times apart from specialist whisky etc.We checked with our bank insurance and have confirmation that we are covered for covid and staycations.Just hope Nicola will let us in! Excited 🙂 

Just phoned Tradewind up.Although drinks are usually only free with lunch and dinner, for this voyage they are free all day and evening 🙂 🙂 

[Eddie99]

Ooooh, you two

Sounds like you have an exciting time ahead (and not too far ahead)

🤞it all goes smoothly

[wowzz]

Jealous ? Me ? Hardly at all !!

[ann141]

32 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Jealous ? Me ? Hardly at all !!

I thought it was compulsory for anyone cruising on October 22nd!!

[tring]

3 hours ago, wowzz said:

Jealous ? Me ? Hardly at all !!

 

Allan had just been into the Tradewinds website and says there are quite a number of cabins available, so why not join us?

 

I had told the agent we would only be interested in mid ship cabins before she gave us the availability and she did say when we booked that she had given us the best placed cabins.  Perhaps more offers will come up, or you may be able to get a better price with the agent Anne has used.

 

4 hours ago, ann141 said:

Just phoned Tradewind up.Although drinks are usually only free with lunch and dinner, for this voyage they are free all day and evening 🙂 🙂 

 

Sounds good to me 🙂

 

Thanks for the help.  We have booked the Premier Inn in Greenock for the night before (£42, no breakie though).  Booked the Monday night as well for £36 on a separate booking, so can cancel just that night if we want.  That hotel is in a very scenic location as on the side of The Clyde with mountains on the other side of the river.  It is connected to a Brewers Fayre restaurant which usually do a two meals for £8.99 offer if you order before 6pm midweek.  On our last visit to Greenock we stayed in the Holiday Inn Express on an incredible loyalty points deal and had a meal at the Premier.  Not much in Greenock for two nights without a car, but can get an easy train ride into Glasgow if we want to (only 15 mins if I remember correctly).  We were previously able to book a train through to Greenock at the same price as Glasgow, but not looked at that yet.  Have stayed in Glasgow as well - we have done a few mini cruises with Fred as he used to do that run when he changed departure port.

 

 

Edited May 28, 2021 by tring

[wowzz]

36 minutes ago, tring said:

Allan had just been into the Tradewinds website and says there are quite a number of cabins available, so why not join us?

 

Thanks for the invite! Any chance of a financial contribution?

We are factoring in a significant Indian Ocean holiday next year, with expensive flights, and, unfortunately,  given the choice between the Irish Sea and the Indian Ocean, there is only one  winner ! 

Having said that, it's nice that we all feel we get on so well that we want to invite each other to share experiences 

[ann141]

6 hours ago, tring said:

 

Allan had just been into the Tradewinds website and says there are quite a number of cabins available, so why not join us?

 

I had told the agent we would only be interested in mid ship cabins before she gave us the availability and she did say when we booked that she had given us the best placed cabins.  Perhaps more offers will come up, or you may be able to get a better price with the agent Anne has used.

 

 

Sounds good to me 🙂

 

Thanks for the help.  We have booked the Premier Inn in Greenock for the night before (£42, no breakie though).  Booked the Monday night as well for £36 on a separate booking, so can cancel just that night if we want.  That hotel is in a very scenic location as on the side of The Clyde with mountains on the other side of the river.  It is connected to a Brewers Fayre restaurant which usually do a two meals for £8.99 offer if you order before 6pm midweek.  On our last visit to Greenock we stayed in the Holiday Inn Express on an incredible loyalty points deal and had a meal at the Premier.  Not much in Greenock for two nights without a car, but can get an easy train ride into Glasgow if we want to (only 15 mins if I remember correctly).  We were previously able to book a train through to Greenock at the same price as Glasgow, but not looked at that yet.  Have stayed in Glasgow as well - we have done a few mini cruises with Fred as he used to do that run when he changed departure port.

 

 

We may stay in Greenock instead of Glasgow.Do you prefer the Premier Inn or Holiday Inn if the price was the same?We may use Tesco vouchers to stay at Holiday Inn but would prefer The Premier Inn if better.

[grapau27]

10 hours ago, ann141 said:

Thank you.Really looking forward to it and not too long to wait as its in July

It will be interesting to hear about those sailing ships from someone on one.

Hope you have a great time.

Graham.

Edited May 28, 2021 by grapau27

[tring]

1 hour ago, ann141 said:

We may stay in Greenock instead of Glasgow.Do you prefer the Premier Inn or Holiday Inn if the price was the same?We may use Tesco vouchers to stay at Holiday Inn but would prefer The Premier Inn if better.

 

We stayed at The Holiday Inn Express a few years back now, but it was absolutely fine.  We had a meal at the Brewers Fayre attached to the Premier Inn - went about 5.15pm to get their meal offer but have never stayed there.  Hol Inn Express always have a free breakie for all residents, even those on points, but Allan has not got enough loyalty points to book that for Greenock, so decided to go with the Premier as a bit cheaper and we are happy with just buying something to eat in the room for breakie.  Premier Inn has got a good rate which allows cancellation up to three days prior to stay.

 

We do have some concern though as the trains are coming up very expensive as there are no advance fares and would not be refundable if need to cancel.  We have also discovered the ship has VERY few cabins booked by playing with the cruise line's website, so a are tad wary the cruise could be pulled.  So are we not booking the train at present, but hoping to book the free coach transfer along with another cancelable night pre cruise in Liverpool, to keep as a back up in case train becomes unavailable or a totally silly price.  Also considering a one way car hire for a day or two pre cruise, which may still be cheaper than the train, even if we booked the best train price by booking two different legs changing in Wigan or (I think Preston), rather than a through ticket.  We would need a taxi into Liverpool or a Birkenhead train station as well with luggage.

 

Getting very complicated, but am feeling my life has returned.  It is good to get back to making all these travel arrangements that had become a regular part of our lives, along with the traveling 🙂

 

 

 

Edited May 28, 2021 by tring