howmuch!

3 hours ago, dronnygirl said:

I've also read about a tax imposed by the Spanish on food and drink. It seems this is being passed onto clients by NCL, even those who have prepaid for a drinks package. Let's hope other cruise lines don't follow suit, although the prices Marella are charging It's probably already been factored into the total price

and a bit extra for good measure, but apparently Simon Calder is the source and it relates to NCL, something to do with a 'free at sea' deal NCL must be offering

https://euroweeklynews.com/2023/09/22/tax-warning-issued-for-cruise-passengers-when-in-spanish-waters/

On 7/18/2023 at 5:15 PM, A.C.H said:

Actually, up to 3 weeks ago some people calling Nationwide to renew their travel insurance were still being told Nationwide wouldn't give cruise cover to Ambassador cruise passengers. The message hopefully has now got through to the call centre.

I rang today as we are currently switching accounts to Flexplus and they are still saying Ambassador aren't covered by any part of the policy - until I quoted this thread. After being put on hold, they came back and said the main policy applies to Ambassador cruises, but not the upgrade - cabin confinement etc

On 8/17/2023 at 2:07 PM, Jim The Scot said:

Nice one B,have a good one

 

We were on Explorer last year and enjoyed it

 

We,re off in 7 weeks,given Voyager a whirl

 

Yeah,this retirement malarky has a lot going for it 😅but and there is a but,because we do school run everyday our holidays are tied more or less  to when schools are off and prices are way higher then but hey ho

If you do the school run everyday Jim, their parents should give you the price difference - you can quote me if it helps 🤣

5005 - porthole and thruster noise on docking according to fb post

If you liked the Discovery and D2, you will like the Explorer more is my personal view (Iknow others may disagree).

The pluses for us are the Mediterranean Bar, Indigo Bar, 2 teir Broadway show lounge, more seating in main lounge than the atrium on Discoveries, less draughty and last but not least glass shower doors in the inside cabins we frequent.

I booked online last week for 2nd Sept UK cruise.

Selected Expedition drinks package, cabn number with no upgrades, and as we normally dine early (wife is type 1 diabetic and Coeliac), I chose Ist sitting, but could no choose table for 2.

'My Ambassador sailing' confirms cabin number and embarkation time, but dining tme and table size  not guaranteed.

Tried via telephone and email to ask about gluten frre food and dining times/table size. I even tried call back (should be 2hrs, but 5 days later receive auto email - apologies and suggests - try phoning early or later in day). Communication sadly lacking so far.

I now wish I had booked via telephone, so that numerous queries could be dealt with at that time.

Thanks again. This is our first trip on Ambassador, after about a dozen or so on Thomson/Marella. Looking forward to not flying for a change. Although its about a 180 mile drive to Tilbury, it will still be significantly quicker from home to boarding (traffic permitting)

Transit visa with single entry for 2 days - free

Revision of ETA Fees.pdf

Last time I looked, there appears to be a week missing from the 2023 itinerary - 31stOct to 7th Nov unless I missed it somewhere

boogybaby, thanks for the information. Hopefully our table companions will like our company and we theirs.A few more questions -

Is there a gluten free section in the buffet? (desserts, etc)

Presumably, gluten free cereals, bread, toast etc are available at breakfast.

Any gluten free beer? Can't see any on the bar menu!

When booking, you can't select a table for 2 (well I couldn't). If you are on a table for 6, is it the same table with the same guests every evening, or are tables filled as guests arrive at the Buckingham (so different table guests each evening)

Also, I've seen some sample menus, that show items containing gluten (G), but nothing that is labelled gluten free (GF). Any Coeliacs have any experience of dining options on Ambience.

Code still working.

Just booked Ist cruise with Ambassador around UK from Tilbury. Hope - I won't regret it!

Kora La, Surf and Turf and Dining Club to name 3. Its the crew and intensive itineraries that appeal to most people

Thanks for all the replies regarding Nationwide.

Looks like not many, if any, are with the Co-op (underwritten by AXA), which is a pity as they are quoting much lower cost extras for our numerous ailments, and cover up 80 years of age for no extra cost above the £15/month.

May not suit everyone, but there are interesting guided tours of the bull ring, which is quite near the port, and an architectural highlight in Malaga

We have been with LV annual travel insurance for more than 10 yrs, and its been fine in terms of cost and claims experience, given we both have a number of pre-existing conditions. However, now reached 75 (OH 71), and having done most European cruises that Marella offer, I was looking further afield. Rang LV regarding going on one of the USA cruises and they quoted >£1200 annually, so thinking of moving to Nationwide or Co-op packaged accounts.

Ive done the research regarding cost with both, and even run the pre-existing conditions past Co-op/AXA, and its looks to be much cheaper. My question for those who are using either account (Nationwide Flex Plus/Co-op Everyday Extra), what are your experiences, particularly with claims

When its all within the control of Tui, you would think they would keep the evening buffet food options available for passengers on later flights, not clear things off at 'normal' times. It happens on Canaries flights as well..

I may be wrong, but I thought that they don't sell 100% of an excursion online, in order to allow some to be booked on board. Perhaps contact Marella or ask in store.

They may also lay on extra buses if demand is higher than expected.

Never had a problem on Tui/Marella holidays, but never managed to generate £100 cashback in one transaction. I've been with them and Quidco for years, but given up on Quidco for the saame reason

Never tried Igloo, I always book via Topcashback, then Tui website. Currently Topcashback are offering 4% on cruises Oct- Dec (every little helps)

We have done cruise and stay with Marella, but sometimes the stay is a let down after the cruise. Also, if you require a hotel thats all inclusive (like the cruise), then there can sometimes be very little price difference than having a 14 night cruise.

My wife is Coeliac. Even though you can inform Marella, it is always best to go to reception once boarded, and also see the Head waiter on the first visit. Marella provide the following days menu, for her to select from, which is handed back to reception, or the dining room. Gluten free dishes are marked on the menu, and if the these meals don't appeal, you can ask them to 'create' your own choices. The standard choices for Coeliacs is more restricted, unless you get 'creative'. We find having breakfast and evening meals in the main dining room helps, and if you eat with the same 'dining team', they get used to whats required.

Unfortunately, there are no gluten free lagers, even though there are several choices for non-coeliacs.

Enjoy the cruise if you decide to go, the staff are Marellas greatest asset.

Forgot to say, the Discovery is an ex Royal Carribean ship.

RR - What I should have said was, we walked from the port gates, as there was a free shuttle from ship to port gates. Certainly wouldn't have walked from the ship, as you said, as ours was also at the far end.

Yes don't be tempted, as the shop on the ship sometimes has offers in quantities greater than 400.

If Valencia is on the itinerey as a port of call, and you want to do your own thing, you can walk off the port and catch the local bus into town, from just outside.

If you are feeling energetic, as we were last November, you can walk from the port to the Science and Aquarium complex, then through park Gulliver, into the old town (about 4.5 miles). Then catch the bus back from near the Cathedral!

Nancy, we did a 7n Canaries March 22 and the 11n repo from Corfu to Tenerife in Nov 22. Enjoyed both, especially the repo. Somewhat different to 5-10 years ago, but still enjoyable. I think Marella have changed the show team, to attract younger cruisers. Shows are still enjoyable but different. Crew are still as good as ever. Food is fine, but portion sizes and choice seem smaller to me. Biggest bugbear is prices, which given the current situation with energy prices and cost of food, etc, is a surprise. I think post pandemic, attitudes have changed, and live for today is more prevalent in peoples minds, especially the retired.

I'm still currently holding off for a bargain (that might never come), but if I hadn't cruised for a few years, I'd have to bite the bullet as time marches on. Non of us are getting younger!

7 hours ago, dronnygirl said:

Wow, I'm envious! Fabulous itinerary.  Check out the casino in New Orleans (even if you don't gamble it's worth popping in to look, it's huge) and the aquarium too. And take a trip on Natchez river boat, great atmosphere and don't miss Bourbon Street.

Enjoy!

No need to be envious, I haven't booked it, just browsing. It clashes with current plans to take caravan to Spain for 6 weeks, and USA travel insurance for me and wife would probably double the cruise cost!