Windsurfboy

Reading Saga forum, preregistering is only way to get accessible cabins on Saga, good luck. 10 adapted on Saga , 55 on Iona , exactly same % , but demand must be relatively higher on Saga, as expected given age profile. Are there any rules about the % accessible cabins on a cruise ship.

Unless you are really prone to sea sickness and must be in middle, there are no bad cabins on Saga so guarantee are worth looking at for last minute cruise.

Saga prices go up with time as discounts sell out. They have a price promise to refund drop in price. Saga can and do get around this price promise by offering guaranteed grade cabins , which have different conditions to earlier select cabins, so don't trigger price promise. However, As lots of Saga regulars book early by preregisterng at a price. Saga don't seem to drop prices below those at launch, as this would create a lot of ill will. These guarantee fare offers are 5 to 10% above launch. However those that buy a bit later say at 15% above launch price do get undercut and are not recompensed. So if you want a standard Saga cabin, buy at launch (best) or get bargain at end. Never any reduction in deluxe or suites.

I think it varies, Cunard seems to be full and not discounting. P&O are discounting to fill up mega ships only suites seem to sell out at launch.. I expect other mega ships are discounting . Others like Ambassador it's hard to tell, as their list prices don't mean a thing. The premium lines out of UK aren't discounting. On other hand see big bargains on fly cruises. What next year will be like hard to tell, family market will be hit by mortgage inflation. Those with substantial savings will see an income boost. I think those travel agents specialising in premium cruises will be fine. I have always wondered why cruise lines don't push direct selling even more and keep agents commission for themselves. Perhaps they now relise giving away 8% or more doesn't add up.

knowing Saga if you ring them , they will sort it out and may do something special. Of course if you want a low profile tell them.

Looking at the literature, Saga adapted cabins are exactly the same size as unadapted cabins Standard 215 sq ft Deluxe 350 sq ft Suite 462 sq ft By comparison P&O are slightly smaller Balcony 190 sq ft Mini suite 270 sq ft Suite 500 sq ft Deluxe on Saga is a little more than 50% bigger than standard. I don't know if Adapted bathrooms are bigger, hence rest of cabin smaller.

Then why is Queens room empty most nights

I don't know what should be done with queens room, that's Cunard's problem , but as the biggest public space on ship it should have at least few hundred people in it every night. Which it doesn't have. If they can't think of things to attract enough people to fill the space , then that clearly means it needs a drastic redesign, perhaps into more than one venue.

I agree with the OP about the Queens room on QM2 and the music , is a minority "sport". It is the biggest public space (lounge or bar ...) on the ship, and as such should be brimming with at least a few hundred every night. It isn't, it's rarely that full. Yes many many people defend it and love their ball room dancing, but not enough.

Well said, a balanced response but please don't label older people in general as having issues with people who are different. We can't change the past, we can only act towards each other in the present, and treat everyone as you'd like to be treated yourselves . That is the way to change the future. Definitely not as in some of the earlier comments (not yours) expressing the thought that the sooner the bigots die off the better. Kindness to all, even towards bigots is the way to change things for the good.

Thank you megabear, I think most comments have been select vs early saver. Perhaps p&O nomenclature needs sorting out . Better if the had select , saver and late saver. Would be a better reflection of what they mean.

Must say Hazels talks are best on any cruise line. Great for self organisers and wanderers, not just selling trips

After the disastrous included tours on eastern Mediterranean cruise, someone said they put that exact suggestion to Nigel Blanks, but he just said no , too complicated. We're sticking to Panoramic.

I don't think there are large coaches on Isles of Scilly, so you have to walk , only enough transport for those that really need it. Mini bus.

I'm like jojo1947 a bit sceptical about favoured quests , in terms of favoured people , unless its Nigel Blanks incognito or Captain's dad, Saga do seem to treat everyone equally very well. However there are perks to a suite, a fixed tale for two by window if you want. Bultler can find tables in speciality restaurants. But then again they have paid double standard price.

One thing to think about now is you pay for saver in advance. If you book say 12 months before payment due, you can now earn 5% on your money . So that's equivalent to a select fare being 5% cheaper .

Saga policy on website and in brochures makes no mention of coming in early. "If you’d like a fixed table for the duration of your cruise, please call our cruise advisors to book one. Kindly note there is a maximum of 150 fixed tables available on each cruise".

If the extra charge only reflects any additional cost then that's fine. But comparing Saga excursions to other cruise lines, that doesn't seem to be the case, they are of similiar prices As I said earlier this one aspect doesn't anywhere near outweigh all the other positives of Saga. On other cruise lines never use excursions book privately. Just found Saga inclusive tours to be a disappointment. Whilst every other aspect of Saga exceeded my expectations.

I don't understand why someone with a fixed table coming in a bit late effects anyone who comes in at 7.30. If you come in right at the earliest time, you could very well be still at your fixed table at 8pm or even until 9pm if you like a leisurely meal. It's not the works canteen. So whatever time you come in the table is out of action. The only logical objection is you think the whole notion of some but not all being able to get a fixed table is selfish and should be stopped. If so bring it up with Sags

I'm sure you can ask, but I they can't offer you any fixed table already allocated. I think they like to spread fixed tables around to even out work load. We've been happy with ours.

just a logical follow on from you saying more excursions would make it dearer which isnt necessarily true , unless by offering excursions many dont like they can save money. You don't want it dearer by offering excursions others may like , so the collary to that for us others is make it cheaper by not offering excursions that only suit some, not us. Just like offering red wine only many would say best to offer no wine.

That's what ours said but we just said we normally like to come between 7.15 and 7.30 and the Maitre D' said no problem. As has been said before, they know if you are going to a speciality restaurants, and would then give table away. We asked if we should tell him when we were using speciality restaurants he said no need. We also had no push back when we always asked for a break between courses, we like a leisurely dinner. On Saga the table is yours for as long as you want , Saga website says "enjoy up to 5 courses in this elegant setting", this is a clear indication you can take your time. I'm a great believer in Companies honouring what they advertise., the Saga website and advertising says there are 150 fixed places , with no mention of time limits so that's what you should expect. Saga have 1038 seats for 987 passengers, so even when full should be no issues, and no pressure to reuse a table, unless no one wants to use speciality restaurants. But all the complaints seem to be about these being hard to get into.

If you want the cruise to be cheaper , then no included excursions , cheaper for everyone. Only having one type of included excursion is the same as saying included wine but only red. If you read what regular posters say we praise Saga much more than we moan.

We had no trouble coming in at 7.30 pm , OK not a full cruise Saga has 492 seats in Grand dining room, 100 in the club, 74 in each of two speciality restaurants , total 740 seats in waiter served restaurants. Plus the grill which lots of people like, 1038 seats in total for 987 maximum guests. So even on full cruise they do not have to use tables twice, like on bigger ships. When you book fixed table which you do well before you board , you book a fixed table , it does not say on website you must dine early. When you phone (as no longer on my concierge ) you are not told must be in by 6.30. Perhaps if you ask at last minute on board when the allocation of 150 fixed table places has gone, they will find some extra on condition you arrive early 6.30.

For me Portsmouth is 230 miles Tilbury 350 miles and fighting round m25, so tents and buses are minor inconvenience.