Windsurfboy

I would expect every cruise line to treat its passengers as sensible adults. Forgot to say in May Saga announced covid cases every day on our 4 week not Black sea cruise.

Just because no cruise line has been open with its guests about covid infections , that doesn't mean it's not a good idea. One wonders why they are reluctant to be open. As to trusting captain to make decisions that are best interests of passengers. Captains are exceptionally well qualified in terms of ship safety and management. I don't think any of then are experts in public health, they rely on advice from experts on land, who develop protocols in advance which Captains follow. Again there is no reason not to be open about these. Of course, being open is not in the mindset of cruise companies. It might not be likely, but that doesn't make it wrong. It's sad to hear of anyone dieing from covid following a cruise, but cases are very rare so mustn't be the excuse for excessive restrictions. As you say a cruise may not be for everyone. Even those of us who are fit and healthy and fully vaccinated accept there is a risk in living with Covid. It's a risk we have chosen to take.

We hopefully will all wear masks if mandatory The real question we want answers too is "At what threshold infection level will Cunard make masks mandatory " Currently infection rates in England are at 2% , a low figure for which there are no recommendations to wear masks anywhere . There have been two peaks in 2022 at 8% , and 6%. Neither of which resulted in general mask wearing , but people were asked to wear masks in specific situations, e.g. hospitals, GP's surgery, crowded transport. I would like Cunard to be open, To tell passengers infection rates on board, publish the numbers so passengers can take informed decisions And let us know the rules , for example. To say below X percentage no protocols, masks voluntary X to Y percentage, this will happen e.g masks mandatory Above Y percentage extra protocols, e.g. daily testing

I think both these posts summarise the alternative approaches. I think it is up to cruise lines to say which side of the fence they are on. A) The precautionary principle. If in doubt mask up, etc. OR B) we will live with it as we do every day on land. Customers will know what to expect and book accordingly. If A then not my cup of tea and I won't book, if B then others will choose not to cruise PS I'm fully in favour of vaccine requirements, that is how we live with covid on land

As you say everyone has the option of not cruising. Therefore I would have thought the very act of booking a cruise , would tell Cunard you are willing to take a risk and live with it and do not want excessive restrictions and compulsory mask wearing.

Thanks We live about 200 miles away and our local chauffeur company charges £400 to Southampton each way, they are company that Saga used in May. If the £3.75 per mile is the return journey not as bad as I thought as it would be £3.75 times 125 miles £469. I suppose nearer time ring Saga to check.

Got one this morning. What took my interest . They asked about dress code in about 4 different ways. Also about all inclusive in various ways. Depending upon the answers they get , could be excuse for casual all inclusive booze cruises. Or if they listen to me , more formal nights and not all inclusive.

Can you get a reduction if you don't want a car, or parking. You want to arrange own transport. Reason would like private , but I know company they use for my area we use them regularly. They will charge me less than £3.70 per mile if I organise myself circa £2 per mile. . So 3.70 per mile extra on top of free shared car is a rip off. I don't like being ripped off.

The world cruise starts in January, if covid is allowed on board in significant numbers will grow and groe I wonder what the protocols for the beginning of that will be. Covid is transmitted, by crew and by the passengers who will all be new. Will they insist on tests for all passengers, would make sense . Will they test and quarantine crew. Perhaps for such a long cruise a few days of daily testing at start makes sense.

Covid is still slowly rising in Australia and New Zealand so don't expect any relaxation until cases go down on land. Hopefully as summer really sets in.

Just so sad for the poor people who lost their cruise and money

They last for 6 months

We must be real suckers to pay for a suite.

A Bargain

We had no trouble with the 2023 Capetown to UK leg. Got specific cabin.

ONS office of national statistics, send out 50000, LFT tests per 2 weeks to a random selection (of people who have agreed to be part of panel) every 2 weeks.

What do they mean by show appropriate proof you have tested negative.

Best predictor of covid on ships is levels of covid on land. If they stay where they are , covid on ships will not change. Covid rates on ships, were roughly double that of ONS UK survey 1 in 10 on ship , 1 in 20 on land (ONS survey). This ratio has not really changed much.

If you think about any UK or European cruise there are no country specific testing or mask requirements. There then are NO protocols in place that apply to everyone to prevent spread of covid, except for no library . PHE has said spread of covid via books is negligible. The isolation protocols are about once you have covid, You would only be tested if you were feeling unwell, so apply to a few people.

I think in practice you can't get shareholders benefit before you've paid in full , but it doesnt matter if that is before due date

There are a few considerations P&O suite is QG sized not PG, is that important. Food , For £2000 saving per person, at £30pp per night for speciality restaurants, that's £210 over 7 nights . So you can get very good food on p&O. You do get seperate breakfast restaurant. Finally the real difference decision wise is , price savings versus ambience . That's your choice.

I have the same issue, even though i live in UK, when I try to book when im out of country it wont let you get direct to phone. Amazed the VPN doesn't work.

That's my impression as well. It is smart casual minimum, not smart casual only.

I have a tablet that I read , but outside on sunny sea days need real books. Avid reader so had a seperate bag with 12 books for out last cruise, prefer not to have to do thid

Given that many people like to actually borrow books from the library, and it is one of the facilities that Saga advertise. I very much hope it stays open as a library not just a seating area. I doubt if I'll be alone in missing it.