Li-shan

You're right, my mistake, it was the Virtuosa. I'm trying to edit my post to correct it but can't figure out how.

Glad you can recommend Virtuosa, I will definitely consider it. Some time ago the reviews of MSC were rather negative but recently people generally seem very pleased with it.

Alison

I was on a Stenaline ferry from Belfast to Liverpool on Thursday, and we sailed very close to the docked MSC Ventura, which looked lovely. I've always previously had a prefererence for smaller ships, but the Ventura looked very tempting.

Alison

Just got an email about Oceans benefits. Current discounts on fares, purchases and excursions still apply, but there is a problem with onboard gifts, cocktail parties and phone lines. I won't really miss the benefits that may not be available, but somehow I felt the email was a bit of an insult - surely they should be courting the loyalty of Oceans members at this time and not cutting back on benefits; there may be Covid reasons for the cocktail parties but it can't be that difficult to get some promotional items as onboard gifts.What do others think?

I notice online that the Morocco cruise I am booked on in November features a book club - 3 interesting looking titles and discussion will be led by entertainment staff. Sounds like a positive addition to onboard activities (though slighty surprised they didn't choose at least one title set in Morocco), I assume this will be happening on some other cruises from now on

Alison

Having booked a Greenland cruise with Ambassador, I've started an Ambassador topic on the 'Other Cruise lines' forum.

I did hesitate before booking because of the comments on this forum, but as the price for 3 weeks in a single outside cabin was less than the cost of a single inside on a 14 day cruise on my usual choice of Fred Olsen, and the cruise visits multiple Greenland ports while Fred only goes to 3 which I've already been to, I decided to give it a try. I've never been on CMV.

I have just booked on Ambassador's Greenland cruise departing June 2022. I understand this is a reincarnation of the failed CMV, . I never travelled on that, usually being a Fred Olsen cruiser, but I was attracted by the itinerary (many ports in Greenland - Fred Olsen cruises usually limited to 3 Greenland ports) and the price (Outside single on 3 week cruise for less than an inside on 2 week cruise with Fred Olsen)  I  thought I would start a new topic for Ambassador Cruises discussion.

I'm interested to know, from anybody who has got information about shore excursions recently, what the cost of shore excursions is like now - does it seem to be higher because of a captive audience, or lower because they will probably sell more as it is the only way to go ashore?

I just got written confirmation from Fred Olsen today about new Covid policies. It confirmed that one can only 'socialise' with one's table companions. As someone who is generally a solo traveller, this seems a lot better than not being able to mix with anyone during the cruise, but I am thinking that meeting one's table companions on the first evening is going to be more nerve-wracking than usual.

It also confirmed that 2 vaccinations are required and that people can only go ashore on shore excursions. I generally like to explore independently in most places but I suppose this is a price we have to pay for cruising restarting - I hope it changes over time.

I'm thinking about a Princess cruise from Southampton to the Baltic, but I've never been on a Princess cruise before. I'll be a solo traveller. For anyone who has sailed on Princess and also with P&O or Fred Olsen, how does it compare?

They asked me for:

Airline

Point of departure

Point of arrival

Flight Numbers

Hotel details if staying prior to the cruise

Estimated time of boarding Boudicca (they have already given a time frame of 2.00-5.00pm)

 

I provided this information willingly on this occasion because I only arrive one day in advance of the cruise and if I was uncontactable on a delayed long-haul  flight at the supposed time of boarding, it would be good that they had some information about where I was and how long I was likely to be delayed.

 

Nevertheless I absolutely agree with Tring about being asked for unnecessary information. One can never be too careful these days about where one's information is floating around the internet accessible to hackers and others (Hello, burglars wanting to know when I'll be away from my house). Despite GDPR, I think there are still privacy concerns and we're all going to need to be more cautious about leaking unneccessary information.

I'm booked on a Fred cruise from Cairns, Australia in Jan, and I was phoned yesterday by someone from the Fred Olsen office and asked for information about my flights etc, apparently so that they could contact me if there was any change in arrangements. It makes a lot of sense for them to have this, but I have never been asked for it before when joining  a Fred cruise abroad on a 'cruise only' basis, and I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this, ie if it is now standard practice when joining abroad independently. If not, I wonder if they are predicting some sort of issue arising on thie particular cruise

I think Fred must be reconsidering the British Nights, because I have just got details of formal nights etc on a 2 week cruise from Cairns to Bali, and it is stated that there are 2 formal nights and one 'Tropical' night. A much better idea in my opinion.

There is a note in the bathroom saying you can get items like shower caps, bars of soap etc free on request. The soap comes in small bars but is good, simple soap.

Thanks, that's very helpful

I am thinking about taking a Hurtigruten cruise to Antarctica or northern Greenland and I have a couple of queries for those who have been on expedition cruises with Hurtigruten.
How difficult is it to get into and out of the polarcirkel type boats? I am quite fit and do a lot of walking, but I have rather stiff knees and I wonder if this might be a problem.
And what does the medical questionnaire involve? What level of fitness does it ask for, and what medical conditions are excluded?

Yellow fever inoculations are now condsidered to last for a liftime so if you have had this before, you do not need it again. Certificates are now apparently continuing to be valid even if it is after the expiry date stated on them. This worked for me last year on a cruise that required a certificate and I was able to use an expired certificate (obviously check this with official sources but I'm pretty sure it's still correct).If you have lost your certificate you can get it reissued if where you got it still has a record, or you have some evidence you have been inoculated.

I did a back to back cruise last year. It was very straightforward, even though I had to change cabins. I got a new card from reception and they asked me to change cabins I think between 10 and 11 a.m. They sent someone to put all the clothes from the wardrobes on to rails and take them to the new cabin and they moved my suitcases. Then I was free to go ashore for the day.There was lunch available if you wanted it. I didn't have to pay my bill until after the second cruise. If you are in the same cabin I think you get a card that covers both cruises and you are free to come and go as you wish. It was all very hassle-free

The underground from Heathrow is quite do-able even with a cruise amount of luggage if you are going somewhere on the same line and don't have to change trains. There is lift access to the platforms at Heathrow and at a number of other stations including Kings Cross. (tfl.gov.uk will tell you what stations have stepfree access). As the Heathrow stops are at or near the end of the line the tube is rarely crowded on boarding and you can find a seat and a place for your luggage.Then it doesn't matter too much if it gets crowded later. It is also vastly cheaper than other methods ( £3.10 or £5.10 depending on time of day)

For anyone staying overnight at Gatwick Airport before an early Fred Olsen flight, it might be useful to know that if you register for My Gatwick on the Gatwick Airport website, you get a 10% discount on the price of rooms at the Bloc Hotel, which is really convenient as it is right in the South Terminal Alison

Particularly expensive are the Fred air fare add-ons. They are charging £900 return to Barbados for their Caribbean cruise, whereas a return on a much better airline than the charter ones they use can be booked for around half that. Of course their fares include transfer to the ship, but it is a huge amount to pay for that convenience.

Has anyone taken a superjeep/supertruck trip from Reykjavik. They look interesting but very expensive and I am wondering if they are worth it.