Cruise newbies questions

[Son of Anarchy]

23 minutes ago, CRUISENSNOOZE said:

Wow, just done a check of the P&O travel insurance by Holiday Extras. We are both late 60's without any medical problems. I first tried Annual worldwide as going on a 65 day cruise around South America. Filled in all the blurb and the price was £694 for the 2 of us. Then read further down....Max 31 days. If you want more than this you need to take out a Single Trip. So, filled in all the boxes again and the new price popped up...drum roll please........£10,091.00 !!!!!!!  I think we will stick to our bank insurance that gave us all the same cover for a fraction of the price.

De-fibrilator time!

[Ardennais]

4 hours ago, Cruisemeister2002 said:

Not being funny, but to be quite honest I think you'd be better off booking Royal Caribbean as I think they are a bit more casual than P&O. I do believe, although not through experience as we haven't cruised since 2018 that P&O are allowing guests to eat and drink in various areas of their ships without formal attire. Have you thought of hiring a dress suit or do you just not want to partake in Formal evenings. It is fun and not just a stuffed shirt do. 

As far as insurance goes we have a policy with Staysure, but then we both have underlying health conditions and it cost £650. Best to divulge any health conditions as if you don't and something goes wrong you could end up with a large bill that they won't pay. As far as your Irish friends situation to be on the safe side I would contact P&O and ask them. 

Royal Caribbean is a completely different experience and we’ve enjoyed a couple of great cruises with them. But you can still be casual, or smart casual as we prefer, on P&O - it’s not a matter of not attending formal night, just dodging the MDR and a few bars. Easily done. 

[Interestedcruisefan]

9 minutes ago, Ardennais said:

Royal Caribbean is a completely different experience and we’ve enjoyed a couple of great cruises with them. But you can still be casual, or smart casual as we prefer, on P&O - it’s not a matter of not attending formal night, just dodging the MDR and a few bars. Easily done. 

Agreed

 

We've done both cruise lines several times. Easy to avoid formal nights on both should you`wish without spoiling the nights of those who enjoy formal

 

Funnily enough we also expected Carnival to be really casual. But lots of Puerto Ricans on the Caribbean cruises and those guys really like to dress up!

[picsa]

10 hours ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

Easy to avoid formal nights on both should you`wish without spoiling the nights of those who enjoy formal.

“spoiling the nights” - perhaps those who are so sensitive should lock themselves in their cabin for the evening for their safety in case they faint at the sight of a man without a jacket. 
 

Far more offensive to the eyes than seeing someone not formally dressed are those who do so but try to ‘stand out’ - sparkly bow ties, white jackets, black shirts with white ties, red braces, etc. Off to the brig with all of them for crimes against fashion. 
 

And that is just the men…

 

 

[davecttr]

my favourite is never wear a red cummerbund, it makes you look like a circus ringmaster 😁

[zap99]

6 minutes ago, davecttr said:

my favourite is never wear a red cummerbund, it makes you look like a circus ringmaster 😁

Not as much as a bow tie that spins around with little lights on.🤣

[wowzz]

9 minutes ago, zap99 said:

Not as much as a bow tie that spins around with little lights on.🤣

Well, that's one item less for me to pack in future ! 

[GOQ]

On 10/3/2021 at 2:46 PM, Gettingwarmer said:

Most travel insurance covers cruises, they don’t specifically mention them but they’re not mentioned in any exclusions. If you want cover for missed ports etc then some companies offer extra “cruise cover” that would cover this. 

I have been cruising for a few years. I usually take out worldwide, including the Caribbean and USA, travel insurance as an annual policy. Then I can just book a cruise and don't have to worry about or organising travel insurance again.

But I just assumed I had cruise cover as the policy wording didn't specifically exclude cruise cover. The only place I could find any references to cruise cover was in their website FAQ which just said "Yes - Cruise cover is included".

So now before a cruise I request a cover letter from my Travel Insurance company specifically stating cruise cover is included in my policy.

[Baggy178]

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

For insurance we have gone with Staysure whose annual worldwide policy which includes cruise cover is a very reaonsable £190 for two people.

On the dining front I was able to retire when I was 50 after a lifetime of high-end expense account dining and shortly afterwards gave away all my Savile Row suits,ties shirts and shoes to charity shops.

In the 15 years since then I've never needed to wear anything other than jeans,a t-shirt and trainers and a hoodie for when it's cold so the thought of going back to getting dressed up to eat with strangers on a cruise ship fills me and the missus with dread.

It sounds like there'll be plenty of alternatives including the buffet on formal nights.

One other quick question - is live sport such as the Premiership and BT available on the TVs in Brodie's bar even when we're crossing the Atlantic ? I'd be quite happy in there with a selection of craft beers for a few hours whilst herself pampers and stuff in the spa.

Edited October 5, 2021 by Baggy178

[Son of Anarchy]

They showed live some of the world cup rugby matches when we went TA in 2019.

[picsa]

4 hours ago, davecttr said:

my favourite is never wear a red cummerbund, it makes you look like a circus ringmaster 😁

I never understand those who wear a white DJ - 

 

Bertie: I say, Jeeves, as a matter of interest, what are you doing? 

Jeeves: I'm sorting through these clothes, Sir. These (indicating one pile of clothes) are for repair, and these (indicating the other pile) for discarding. 

Bertie: Oh, wait a second! This white mess jacket is brand new! 
 

Jeeves: I assumed it had got into your wardrobe by mistake, sir, or else that it has been placed there by your enemies.

 

Bertie Wooster: I’ll have you know, Jeeves, that I bought this in Cannes!

 

Jeeves: And wore it, sir?

 

Bertie Wooster: Every night at the Casino. Beautiful women used to try and catch my eye!

 

Jeeves: Presumably they thought you were a waiter, sir.

 

[wowzz]

6 minutes ago, Baggy178 said:

One other quick question - is live sport such as the Premiership and BT available on the TVs in Brodie's bar even when we're crossing the Atlantic ?

Probably, but you need to factor in the time difference. A 3 o clock kick off would mean you would be watching at 10 am.

[Interestedcruisefan]

14 minutes ago, picsa said:

I never understand those who wear a white DJ - 

 

Bertie: I say, Jeeves, as a matter of interest, what are you doing? 

Jeeves: I'm sorting through these clothes, Sir. These (indicating one pile of clothes) are for repair, and these (indicating the other pile) for discarding. 

Bertie: Oh, wait a second! This white mess jacket is brand new! 
 

Jeeves: I assumed it had got into your wardrobe by mistake, sir, or else that it has been placed there by your enemies.

 

Bertie Wooster: I’ll have you know, Jeeves, that I bought this in Cannes!

 

Jeeves: And wore it, sir?

 

Bertie Wooster: Every night at the Casino. Beautiful women used to try and catch my eye!

 

Jeeves: Presumably they thought you were a waiter, sir.

 

Lol

 

You should be signed up for the Limelight Club! 

[Baggy178]

23 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Probably, but you need to factor in the time difference. A 3 o clock kick off would mean you would be watching at 10 am.

 

Even better. A 5pm and 7pm kick off gets you a decent lunchtime session before the afternoon snooze.

Anyway glad to hear they do have it on.

[wowzz]

1 minute ago, Baggy178 said:

 

Even better. A 5pm and 7pm kick off gets you a decent lunchtime session before the afternoon snooze.

Anyway glad to hear they do have it on.

To be fair, my experience was a couple of years ago, so things may have changed.

[Britboys]

1 hour ago, picsa said:

I never understand those who wear a white DJ - ...

 

Traditionally, white dinner jackets were worn when in the Tropics. I choose to wear mine when in hot climes - but not with a black shirt - and when possible on Black & White night.

[ann141]

6 hours ago, davecttr said:

my favourite is never wear a red cummerbund, it makes you look like a circus ringmaster 😁

Oh dear! My hubby bought a red cummerbund in the Debenhams sale and he has a sparkly bow tie

Edited October 5, 2021 by ann141

[picsa]

Just now, ann141 said:

Oh dear! My hubby bought a red cumberband in the Debenhams sale and he has a sparkly bow tie

Did he manage to get a top hat and whip to complete the fancy dress costume?

[ann141]

1 minute ago, picsa said:

Did he manage to get a top hat and whip to complete the fancy dress costume?

He has just informed me it is a red waistcoat not a cummerbund! I will have to pretend I am not with him!!

[emam]

5 hours ago, Baggy178 said:

 

It sounds like there'll be plenty of alternatives including the buffet on formal nights.

 

 

We always found the buffet very quiet around 8:30 p.m. but that was on Med cruises.

[Baggy178]

12 hours ago, emam said:

 

We always found the buffet very quiet around 8:30 p.m. but that was on Med cruises.

Tbh we're very late eaters anyway when we're on holiday.

After a few drinks and dinner I'm knackered so eating early is no use.

The buffet will do us just fine or a late-ish sitting in the MDR ( although we're yet to be assigned a dining time the 6.30pm sitting would be a waste of time for us.)

[Bazrat]

On 10/5/2021 at 3:49 PM, wowzz said:

Probably, but you need to factor in the time difference. A 3 o clock kick off would mean you would be watching at 10 am.

Roughly about the time we kick off  because of sky sports

[Baggy178]

Just had my second reminder to fill in the Health Declaration which closes at midnight tomorrow night and yet when I login to my booking and attempt to fill it in it still shows a " We are unable to display the questions at this time - please try again later " message which has been there since yesterday.

 

Are P&O always this incompetent ?

[Megabear2]

Yes!!!!!

[Bgees]

On 10/5/2021 at 11:04 AM, zap99 said:

Not as much as a bow tie that spins around with little lights on.🤣

 Amazon order cancelled!