Tranquility Base

Slightly different question:

With the Princess plus fare, it states 1 device per guest.

So, with 2 persons on  the booking, do we each get our own separate internet account ?

Hence we can both be on the internet with our separate devices at the same time ?

1 hour ago, Harters said:

It was only yesterday that I stopped at a cafe that had a sign up saying card/phone payments would only be accepted for orders over £5. Havent seen that sort of restriction anywhere for many months. Fortunately, I wanted a slice of cake with my coffee so was over the five, otherwise it would have been no coffee as I had no cash with me. 

Correct.

Whilst 'card only' signs at places such as cafes are not unusual in certain countries, I have also noticed a few more 'cash only' signs around elsewhere.

I think this is likely to be for avoiding high bank fees for the business.

Have also noticed in some countries more businesses adding a surcharge for card use.

This is often posted on the card reader which then gives you the choice whether to accept or cancel the transaction.

This is simply the business being upfront with the associated bank fee cost, as opposed to just absorbing it into their price.

I like to use local currency for many transactions wherever possible, and keep my card for larger purchases and emergency use.

I don't mind bringing some foreign currency back with me for hopefully future use.

Otherwise I will give to the crew if I am reasonably sure they will be able to use that currency easily.

5 hours ago, AMHuntFerry said:

I'm pretty sure that the ones that start or end in Cape Town are the longest (mid/upper 20s) itineraries that can't be broken down into shorter itineraries.

Correct.

There is a 35 day single segment to Cape Town next April.

Often that could be split with a segment changeover in Mumbai, but that particular one doesn't go there.

So, most of the longer single segments would appear to be not much longer than around 25 days, with only a few over 30.

3 hours ago, WESTEAST said:

and too many itineraries were long voyages - 42 days which we would never consider.  Hence, some choices were by number of cruise days versus the actual itinerary. 

It would be interesting to know how many of those voyages were only a single segment and wouldn't be able to be booked, in part, as shorter segments.

My guess would be few.

I am on a 32 day single segment cruise later this year.

But that was a relatively short notice itinerary published only 12 months ahead of departure due to Red Sea disruption.

Are there many single segment cruises longer than 20-25 days ?

11 minutes ago, sewgood said:

One couple I was talking to at breakfast caught the local bus and didn't have any trouble doing so.

Another option is the company beeleharve.com that run a shuttle service there, though I haven't spoken to anyone who used them.

Great; thanks for the info.

4 hours ago, babysteps said:

We were on an O tour at one and independent at the other 3. Two of the ports the tenders started before tour meeting times began so if you wished to go ashore first thing as an independent it was likely easy.

For the benefit of those reading who are new to the tender process, this portion of the OP's post is worthwhile mentioning.

Those with tours booked through the ship are not necessarily  the first to be tendered from the ship.

Priority ....yes, but not necessarily first.

It often depends of various timings and the willingness of yourselves to be fully ready at the start of the process.

10 hours ago, sewgood said:

Honfleur was a very pretty small town and we walked around the old port with the guide and had an hour free.

If you hear of any transport details from those who travelled independently to / from Honfleur, I would appreciate the info.

Thanks.

3 hours ago, Vallesan said:

The cruise port in Southhampton is roughly 88 miles from Gatwick and average time is 1hr 40mins but our motorways, especially the M25, can be really challenging.

Thanks.

Any thoughts on taking the M27 / A27 ?

On 6/26/2024 at 2:20 PM, JohnGc said:

Singapore visa seems a lot easier and at no cost. I don't know if it applies for your cruise but for mine it is a case of if you do not have the visa you will not be allowed to go aboard, 

Two questions please.

1. For Singapore; are you talking about the Singapore online arrival card, which needs to be submitted within 3 days prior to arrival.....or an actual visa ?

2. You mentioned needing a visa, otherwise boarding will be denied.

Are you talking about Indonesia or Singapore, as your post is not clear.

Thanks.

Will that also mean you can go to a grocery store and the price displayed for an item will be the price paid at checkout ?

5 hours ago, Yaya_in_Oz said:

Then I'm off on the Diamond again on Sep 4 to defrost after the Melb winter.

@Yaya_in_Oz

I see from your photos of the farewell you had Malcolm from South Africa onboard.

I think he is Customer Services Manager or similar.

He is a good guy, and fun to talk with.

Especially last year with the Rugby World Cup on.

I'll catch up with you on Diamond as I have a couple of port logistic questions.

Thanks again for the posts.

6 hours ago, babysteps said:

Corfu today and a PSA-your phone may link to the nearby Albanian network and if it does your time may be an hour off (9:30 instead of 10:30 today for example) . One lady we met had missed her tour because of this. 

 

That's a shame.

I have always worn a manual setting watch ashore, and will continue to do so.

Dual time showing both local and GMT.

Also, if back onboard time is critical, I check it with crew before leaving the dock.

Also, I often check local time with the tour guide when they give critical 'back to the bus' timings.

Thanks for the useful info you are posting.

Appreciated.

6 hours ago, thebsinmiss said:

In Katakolon Greece today, one of five ships in port with about 12,000 plus passengers.  We were changed to a tender port which slowed things down 

Five ships in Katakolon ! ......that would have been madness ashore.

As the only ship in port when we were there last year we had a pleasant day generally taking it easy at the waterfront restaurants 5 minutes from the ship.

It's a pretty port town. 

1 hour ago, Vallesan said:

We sailed into Malta on the Marina in May and it wasn’t into the main town area it was into an ‘industrial’ dock and it was a huge disappointment!

On Riviera last year the normal berths were occupied and we docked on the other side of the harbour at Boilers Wharf.

Independents had to take an organised  ferry shuttle each way across the harbour.

It didn't affect us much as we had an all day ship's tour to Gozo Island.

Buses picked us up from the ship, but returned us to the normal terminal for the ferry ride back across to the ship.

Of course the great sail in and back out were unaffected.

2 hours ago, thebsinmiss said:

Boarding in Civitavecchia was a snap. Booked a boarding time for 1:00-1:30 and it could not have been smoother. Took five minutes at most and all staff were friendly and helpful. 

Yes, our boarding there last year at about 12:30 was also easy peasy.

Of course it does help that ours was a hop on hop off type of Mediterranean segment with many of those onboard having just a normal port day. 

PS: I think your cruise is the first one after the ship sailed from Dubai via Cape Town ?

If you hear any details about that how that transit was it would be great to hear.

1 hour ago, ORV said:

Just curious, where are you from and how many dollars do you need to spend to earn one point for Air New Zealand?

NZ.

In USD terms about USD 58.

The three other airlines I regularly use for oversea travel use a similar systems as the US airlines.

I do not, however, book long haul flights based on loyalty schemes...I book based on service, schedule, reputation and cost.

50 minutes ago, osandomir said:

I’m curious what airline equals 1 point to 1 dollar? The FF points that we use worth 2 cents on an average. Sometimes more but we need to work very hard to get that.

Air New Zealand.

Obviously one's FF balance is not in the 10s or 100s of thousands.

It takes a different  amount of spend required to gain a far smaller number of points.

Each single point has more purchasing power than your system, but they are harder to get.

Similar principle but amounts and numbers differ.

One big advantage.....if the seat is available to purchase for cash,  and you have the points, that seat is for sale using points.

It also allows part points part cash for the purchase if required.

1 hour ago, favoritevacation said:

I’ve read that you need to get your tender tickets the day before and you can’t really plan what time you get off.  

I haven't been to Santorini with Oceania but only on 2,000 pax ships or a ferry.

In my experience local boats are used for transport to shore which carry more than a ship's tender does.

Also, those with ship's tours go to the ferry port and independents go to the port with the cable car.

I have not experienced delays in getting ashore independently. 

I haven't taken the cable car, but have caught the local boat from the port to Oia, which included a bus ride later in the day to Thira.

2 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

Secondly, just because the schedule is open does not mean that the airline has loaded any inventory into the FF award inventory buckets.  So a flight may have revenue seats, but not award. 

One airline (non US),  maybe there are others, have a system where one of their FF points equals one dollar.

Therefore, if a flight is showing for sale for $1,500 cash it is also payable with 1,500 points.

 I like that system as it does not differentiate between when you can book a seat, only how you choose to pay. 

Thanks to both @arizonaperson and @Hlitner

Yes, I was was reasonably sure that transfers were not applicable on earlier days but still just wanted to ask.

Airport is NRT (HND not desirable for our timings), so decided to stay with the NRT option.

Will just plan on the NRT Express or the NRT Limo Bus to Yokohama.

I was quoted a price for transfers from Airport (90 mins away) to the port area.

I have booked our own flights and was told that was OK.

However, I forgot to confirm that this would only be applicable for the day of cruise departure.

We are flying in 3 days prior to departure.

Is it correct to think that Princess organised transfers are not applicable for arrival prior to the cruise departure day ?

On 6/14/2024 at 3:57 AM, Yaya_in_Oz said:

Tomorrows Patter

Thanks for the posts @Yaya_in_Oz

I note on your patter for Riga that it stated original passports needed to be carried ashore.

Where these checked leaving or rejoining the ship ?

Have there been any other ports so far where mandatory carriage of passports is required ? 

4 hours ago, TonicTraveler said:

I am on this cruise.  I inquired with Oceania Special Services and was told that there is no Starlink in any of the African countries on the itinerary.  I reached back and asked if Oceania will be using an alternate service.  Stay tuned.

Thanks.

If cruising between two countries of which neither has starlink, would it work whilst in international waters; assuming satellites within range ? 

2 hours ago, Cape Hernlopen said:

Oceania provides a free shuttle in Palma that is within two blocks of the Cathedral.  The Arab Baths, Caixa Forum and Palace are within walking distance. 

Agreed.

When I was there wandering the Old Town I visited Basilica de Sant Francesc.

Very interesting; plus when I was there I was the only person visiting for most of the time.

Messina, take a tour.

We have done:

Mt Etna & winery;

Taormina;

Godfather Villages.

Messina, DIY walk up to two churches on the hill, Cathedral and astronomical clock (full sequence only at noon), Cannoli worth a taste.