Miller Cruiser

Hi fastnloose,

Afraid not. WiFi packages can be purchased on board. Had one once. It was so slow, we've not bothered since. We tend to find a bar on land and connect there.

Yes, they can be unlocked.

Afraid you have to wait until you are on board the ship. Enjoy your cruise, and your spa treatment.

Think the MDR closed at nine. The buffet is open a little later than this. Late night snacks such as curry and burgers available in the glass house after that.

We have annual travel insurance through our bank. Two cruises this year with Marella, one from USA, and no one has asked to see our travel insurance documents, even though we always take them.

1 hour ago, Presto2 said:

Are we able to book the speciality restaurants before we sail and are they using an 'app' for the freedom dining (or whatever TUI call it)? Just curious as I am hating the new P&O system with a passion.

Yes, you can book the specialty dining before you sale.  No app for the main dining. You just turn up at the doors. If busy, usually after about 7.30, they provide a pager so that you can go and enjoy a drink before dining.

1 hour ago, ladyjayneq said:

Hi Miller Cruiser

yes, all the others are at Manhattan, but there’s a few ships in when we arrive so I think we’ve been bumped to Brooklyn.

 

We’ve got the Everglades booked, really looking forward to this. I first heard of them when I read a book called the Ghost of Flight 401, did you do the Big Bus tour in NY,  Just wondering how you get back to the ship?  Did you go to the Kennedy Space Ctr? 

Hi,

Didn't do the big bus tour. Did the Marella New York, New York tour. Highly recommend it. We also did the Statue of liberty tour on the second day. Also very good.

At night, we walked to Times Square, had a look around, and then walked back to the ship

We were on the 2nd of July cruise, having joined the previous week. At least we were lucky and got to experience New York. 

Bimini was a nightmare for 800 passengers, who got stuck on the island until 9.30 after a tender ran aground and all tenders had to be cancelled. To be fair, we were all given £100 onboard credit and promised the same towards a future cruise.

The transfer to La Romana was over five hours. Late departure to Manchester due to luggage loading problems. Over an hour waiting on the aircraft for steps to arrive before a very long wait for luggage at the carousel.

TUI have been really quick to act on their promise of a pro rata refund. Over £3200 back on our credit card today.

All cruise so far have docked at the Manhattan terminal. An easy twenty five minute stroll to Times Square. We did the Everglades tour. Great fun.

Think the last time I checked, it was £10 more on the ship.

In 2019 you could book a package for all three speciality restaurants on Explorer 2. The cost was about £100. We have been on the ship since then and the package was no longer available. We have not seen it on any other ship either.

Enjoy the cruise. Must admit, a little envious, but only three weeks until we head off to the USA and join Discovery.

7 hours ago, gsgbrumuk said:

We fly 23 June from Birmingham.  Our itinerary on second week has been changed, only noticed when I went on to Cruise Control to look for excursions.

Key West has been pulled, Day 9 now Bimini followed by Miami.  No totification from agent or Marella/TUI

Posted on your roll call yesterday, as we too are on that cruise, flying from Manchester. We received a phone call from the TUI travel agent notifying us of the change about six weeks ago.

1 minute ago, Jim The Scot said:

We,ve booked 9/11 Museum&Memorial excursion

 

Pity we didnt,t have an idea where we,ll be docked.Be handy if it is close enough for a short taxi run in as we fancied just jumping on the City hop on hop off tour bus

Jim,  I'm sure you will enjoy it and it will be well worth while.

Hi Jim, There is a panoramic four hour tour on day one which takes in all the major sites, including Nine, Eleven. Easy on the legs, I believe.

5 hours ago, Jim The Scot said:

Hi RR

 

I,m well hope you are too

 

Speciality dining not being available yet isn,t a big issue for us as its something we haven,t done but not saying we wont in the future its more the excursions for our America cruise in July we are interested in especially New York.Checking periodically so we can get in quickly as think they,ll be popular.Having said that,looking at cabin availability it might not be an issue

 

 

Look foward to your breaking news 😉…We are away next week but land based

 

Ps

 

Would you not be as well selling your house as your never in it?🤣😉

Hi Jim, We are on the 25th June sailing out of Port Canaveral. We paid the balance last Tuesday. On the same day the New York Excursions were made available. Two have been booked, New York, New York, taking in Central Park, Grand Central Station The nine Eleven Memorial external visit, the Top of the Rock and Battery Park. £98. Also booked was the visit to The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. £72. Hope this gives you an idea of what to expect.

Been into TUI today. In there an hour and a half. Travel agent could see from  her copy of our invoice that we had pre booked outward and return seats. In fact, she said it's not possible to only pre book one way. She rang up flights department who insisted that there was no proof of us doing this, even though it was in front of her.  She said it was embarrassing having to tell her customers this. Two hours later, still no seats booked .

Outgoing seats still there, but return seats are no longer allocated. We can book the same seats, but TUI want payment again. Will go in to Tui travel agency tomorrow.

It's ok PC. I'm still here four hours after clicking.

Discovery 2 has cancelled the 31st January cruise. All passengers on board due to stay on for a second week will be flown home, have their money refunded for the second week, and be given £300 of holiday vouchers.The thruster issue has been rectified, but Marella are now saying a technical issue is preventing them from offering their full food and beverage package.

TUI intend to fly out two extra planes and buy seats with other carriers to get people home, even if it's not the airport they flew from.

I feel so sorry for all on board and for those due to fly out on Tuesday

Was told last week when we booked a cruise at travel agency that excursions START to be released online at about the time final payment is needed.

Filled in an Esta today, up to the point of payment. No mention of Cuba in the list of countries it asks if you've been to.

Returned on the sixteenth of November from a transatlantic cruise ending in Jamaica. I can confirm that the luggage is bonded. However, many fellow passengers reported missing items from their luggage upon collection. One of my cases had been opened, but nothing of value was in it.

Some confusion about dates with this. Simon Calder said a couple of weeks ago that the date was 2011, not 2021. US embassy in France seems to indicate 2021. As we've booked USA for next June, I'm keeping a close eye on developments.

No problems with taking a bottle or two on board. Remember though, you are all inclusive.