wowzz

So, why bother booking EZair ? The cost savings would be negligible, and there was no support for the passengers that were delayed. I understand why EZair is used by those needing a one way TA trip, but why use EZair to book a budget European flight ? In the same way, would an American use EZair to book a JetBlue flight from Boston to Fort Lauderdale?

In the case I cited, the port authority would not allow the ship to wait. There is no guarantee at all. To be fair, even if you you book an official excursion, the ship can still leave without you if the tour is delayed, depending on weather, tides, port orders etc.

My own view is that as P&O seem to be quite prepared to undercut their launch prices in order to stimulate sales, and that additionally their mass market demographic are going to face unbelievable mortgage cost increases, there is no reason to book early, unless you require a specific cabin. Everyone of us is going to face increased costs over the next twelve months - those with mortgages that are not fixed, will be in dire straits. Disposable income will become non-existent. So, I'm going to sit on my hands for the next six months before committing to anything. It will be a buyer's market out there.

When did you book the cruise, as this may have ramifications as to your options? Given your circumstances, I assume you booked pre-covid.

Where to start ! Basically, P&O is a British version of Princess, albeit with 99% British passengers. The problem you will have, is that for some reason Carnival do not make it easy to book on P&O if you are American. So, perhaps see how you can book, and then come back and ask questions about specific ships and itineraries.

Josy - you have all my sympathy. Without people like you the vaccination programme would crumble. I just cannot understand why some people are just complete - insert your own word and then add holes. Please carry on if you feel up to it.

I think the question was about the obc being added to the account, rather than receiving the email.

Out of interest, did you get better prices compared to buying the flights yourself ?

OK - we may be at cross purposes here. If you look at a deck plan, you will see all the various colour coded cabins, with a key alongside them. When you actually come to book an exact cabin for the cruise you have selected, you choose the type of cabin you want (eg inside, balcony, minisuite) and then whereabouts on the ship you want to be. That then shows the availability. Does that help ?

Indeed. Not exactly the same, but we were on an excursion with one of the onboard entertainers - she was the piano soloist who played in various venues around the ship. Talking to her about life on board was more interesting than the excursion!

That's what I thought. Not much point going to the lunch otherwise!

Cabins are shown in numerous colours, the different colours representing different cabin grades. So, you should have upwards of 20 different colours/cabins to choose from. What ship are you looking at, and for which cruise ?

We did a similar cruise on Regal (Bcn to Athens) and booked our own flights with BA. There is an interesting thread on another media site about a number of passengers who used Princess air,flying to Athens. They were booked on easyjet, the flight arrived late, and the ship left without them. Some managed to make their own arrangements to catch the ship up, the rest paid to fly back to the UK. Can't see any benefit in booking flights with Princess for straight forward European flights. And of course, never fly in on the day your ship departs !

As a matter of interest, why no staff ? We will never cruise enough to join the lunch, but I would have thought that talking to crew members would be interesting and informative.

We were on the false start cruise, so it may have been a covid measure. But, my memory is not what it was !

John, are you sure ? Don't recall any on Arcadia early this year.

That's a new one on me. I'll keep my eyes open for it.

I will tell my wife that! Somehow, I get the feeling that she may not agree.

I'm a tomato ketchup aficionado with fish and chips. My wife thinks I'm common !

When we were on Regal earlier this year (May) they did offer a British pub lunch theme in the buffet once per week. Not sure if the chef had ever been to a pub, or Britain come to that. Some really strange concoctions - the sausage rolls were unbelievably awful !

We like to enjoy our vacation by dressing up !

My understanding is that you move up a tier once you have finished the qualifying cruise. But, as you say, you gain nothing of consequence on shore.

You've got to be quick to get a cheap laugh! Hopefully the OP will get a serious answer in due course.

Seems to me that the whale sighting (for free!) is the highlight of the cruise so far! Tell me it gets better!

If you are in a storeroom, you won't be seeing much at all, apart from a mop and bucket ! (Sorry, I know it's auto correct, but I couldn't resist).😃