nosapphire

Pre registration works well if you are waiting for a specific destination that you really don't want to miss, and/or have a wish for a specific location on board - then you are certain to get booked, and hopefully at a better price. It is also pretty essential for anybody that needs an adapted cabin. If there is no particular requirement, and no real desire to commit early, then pre-registration can be a waste of time. I still have 2 pre-regs for 2026, so be interesting to see what comes up. At least Saga are very good about refunding the pre-reg fee if you simply decide you can no longer be bothered to stay in the queue.

Why? It is - reasonably - assumed that anyone who needs to use a wheelchair/scooter on board will also be in need of an evacuation chair in an emergency, hence the automatic allocation. People who do NOT need to use a wheelchair/scooter whilst on board are in exactly the same position as everybody else - they have to declare whether or not they think they will need assistance in the event of an emergency. (Fortunately, the requirement is to be able to make your own way - nobody says "can you run?") The stored wheelchairs/scooters are not available to be used at any time on board, and are not available to be used at embarkation or disembarkation. In the main, it is scooters that get stored so that people who are mobile but cannot walk long distances ashore can enjoy independent strolls (wheels?) around the ports visited.

If it is any consolation, Saga (who must surely be a line that expects to have passengers with mobility issues) stipulate that if you need to use a wheelchair or mobility scooter on board (not just in the cabin) then you have to book an adapted cabin (which will automatically assign an evacuation chair). No adapted cabin = no on board wheelchair/scooter (they do not differentiate between powered and non-powered wheelchairs). If you only need it ashore, you still have to pre-book it, it gets taken from you pre-embarkation,stored below deck and brought out at ports.But no need for an adapted cabin. Heavy warnings that if you turn up with a wheelchair/scooter that has not been pre-accepted then you will probably be refused boarding (and it gets treated as self-cancellation). At least Saga have a freephone telephone number, and helpful telephone staff to answer questions about changes of circumstances, cabin suitability and whether or not an evacuation chair needs to be allocated/is available. Must be a nightmare for any passenger line trying to balance safety requirements and passenger requirements - and it is probably going to get harder.

We pre-registered fairly late for the 2025 season (June 2023) - can't recall when we received the email details, but for the January-March 2025 season we received "the Call" on 16th October 2023 (which would match your experience). The April-December "call" came on 13th March 2024. In both cases, the cruises we were interested in were already down to 25% discount - we booked one the first time, but needn't have rushed as it stayed at 25% for quite a few months. We decided that the discount was not good enough, so took a refund on the pre-reg the 2nd time.

Phone Saga. Not possible to cancel online (as I discovered earlier this year). Money gets refunded to whatever method you used to pay.

It is indeed emotive.. have you seen some of the threads on the P&O board??? Most of us manage to cope with the dress code on whichever line we choose to cruise with, albeit with a few grumbles. My personal preference would be no formal nights, smart-casual every night. And polo-shirts (without logos/symbols/stripes) on casual nights. But I see no reason why my preference should be more important than the preference of those who prefer to get dressed up, especially for formal - so I may mutter a bit while doing up those fiddly fastenings - but I'll comply and then enjoy the company of my fellow guests - whatever they may be wearing.

It is a comparatively recent change (seems to have come in along with the new ships). The previous dress code simply specified "collared shirt" which - naturally - most took mean that polo shirts were acceptable. The dress code now specifically stating that polo shirts are NOT acceptable has caused quite a lot of angst - especially gentlemen with arthritic fingers who now have to cope with those fiddly little shirt buttons every night. It seems totally illogical to me. Whether it would be accepted in the MDR probably depends on who is on the door - I have seen polo shirt wearers entering without problem, I have also seen polo shirt wearers being discreetly asked to go and change. The suggestion by Kohima is a good fix - especially as the MDR can be pretty chilly of an evening.

Does he have any specific reasons for not wanting an ocean cruise? People will be able to give more specific answers if we know the specific objections. When I have suggested ocean cruises to others there are 3 negative reasons that come up. (1). "I'll be seasick". The person saying this has never actually been seasick, or even been to sea, they just assume that if they go on the sea, they will get seasick. Most people do NOT get seasick, and the very few who do, the anti-sick treatments available on the ship are very effective. (2). "There won't be anything to do." OR: (3). "It will be too organised for me". Both wrong. Those who like laid-on activities can take part, those who prefer to stroll the decks, sit in a quiet corner and read, chat to others, watch a film on the cabin TV, or just watch the sea, can relax (or visit the gym/sauna/pool...). The big difference between ocean and river cruise (to me) is that river cruises have few "boat days" and plenty of ports, towns,villages - but when the weather is bad, or the port/town is not of interest there is not so much to do on the boat. Ocean cruises, less port days, but much more in the way of facilities on the ship (it really is a small floating hotel). As the others have said, a short cruise to try out is the way to go. A high majority of people who try and ocean cruise come back again..and again.. and again..

Regardless of the reasons for the changes (which are probably valid reasons..) reading this thread the way the change of policy is being handled is horrifying. Moving the goalposts after somebody has made a booking is only acceptable if there has been a change in legislation that leaves them no option. Any company should be able to explain in clear terms what the change is, why it has happened, and what you now have to do - not leave people going round in circles trying to find out whether or not they will still have a cruise. My sympathies to everybody affected by this.

The original report was interesting, not least because it showed that the crew were efficient at controlling the fire; can't see it would be any different whether in port or at sea. Makes me wonder if that incident made P&O decide that it would be a good idea if they knew exactly how many powered scooters/wheelchairs are on board the ship, and the quickest/simplest way is to only allow them to be brought on board if an accessible cabin is booked. I would think that one of the ongoing risk-assessments that have to be taken is fire-fighting - which would include assessing how many points of risk there are.

Agreed, but my post was to highlight the fact that the promoted "from" price was genuine.

When I go into "prices and availability" via the email offer received today, the price for LGrade cabins on E deck is indeed £5449. I did a test booking on one, and it comes up as £5449 including 25% off and the enhanced £400 pp Britannia club discount. I note that the Britannia Club discounts are for new bookings only....

That may simply prove that more Saga passengers are members of Which? than are Cunard passengers (we all know that many people - including me - have favourites so surveys are rarely objective). Be interesting to know how many of those surveyed were passengers on both lines.

Only information I can find is on the ETIAS website FAQ.Under "What information" it gives an outline. I suspect it will be similar to the USA form, which was pretty simple (pre Covid, anyway). https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/faqs-etias_en I have a bigger worry about the EES if the cruise line does not do any of the biometric data at embarkation - apparently it will mainly be automatic booths. EVERY time I have used an automatic booth at passport control I have ended up locked in and having to be rescued by a staff member. The system simply refuses to recognise my face (my own phone does not recognise my face). What hope do I have of getting in anywhere that is automated?😬

Certainly seen others in the various dining rooms having drinks by the glass brought from the bar. Can take a bit longer as the dining room waiter has to get a bar steward to come (with the wine list or with the drink, depending if you know what you want). Whether this applies to all premium wines or only some - you'd have to ask. My experience with Saga is if something is not listed as an option to just ask. They are usually able to accommodate.

I have a suspicion that it is neither a state or USA law but up to the local border force team. The only definite is that everybody on the ship has to go through the process, whether or not they intend to go ashore. Last cruise to USA in 2020 (with Saga) round trip Southampton, the first USA port was San Juan. We were told that everybody had to disembark to go through border control, whether or not they intended to go ashore, and nobody could return until the whole ship was cleared. Saga sent people down in batches - for the passengers it was everybody on tours first, people wanting to walk around independently next, those wanting to come back on board last (to save waiting), with staff and crew filtered in. The queues were moving very fast (we were the only ship in) and as we were getting off an announcement was made that those not intending to go ashore in San Juan could wait in the lounge and Border Control would process them on the ship. They were a very smiley, jolly Border Control team, too.

I am not sure if all the problems/delays/potential problems can be blamed on being in/out of the EU/Schengen zone. In 2015 we flew from UK to Malaga (UK passport), 3 planes arrived at the same time and it ultimately took 3 hours from joining the queue to reach passport control - which were using the automated booths, hence the massive delay (some people fainted in the queue). (At that time I really wished we could go through the "alien" line, as they were whizzing through the non-automatic booths). In 2010 we did a river cruise from Cologne, via ferry from/to Dover-Calais, and we missed two ferries on the way out because of - yep - French passport control, and then 3 ferries missed on the way back because UK control had all gone to lunch together. I am not really expecting massive extra problems once the system is up and running.

Possibly not. My reading is that the EES applies when entering the Schengen zone, so only at the first port of entry. It seems that for cruise passengers, the "90 days in 180 days" starts at the first Schengen port, includes days at sea when travelling between Schengen ports and ends when departing the last Schengen port to return home/visit a port outside the Zone. So - probably - (I hope) the same system applies for the EES - register entry once at the first Schengen port, departure recorded when leaving the last Schengen port. Going to be very very interesting..... although cruise operators may be using more florid terms..😟

I think I've missed Guernsey more times than we've actually been able to get in (this is with Saga, not P&O). I think it is one of those ports where even a comparatively slight wind in the wrong direction can cause major problems. ALL cruise lines hate tender ports anyway...

We've had cabins on both decks (aft of midships) and never noticed any noise either in the cabin or on the balcony. Never realised they were there, to be honest.

It might work if you draft up your list of questions and then ask the Cruise Director in advance if they can be given to Sir Roger for consideration and possible answer on the day. Say that you are asking on behalf of members of the Saga section on the Cruise Critic forum. Pretty sure they are all questions that others who are on the cruise but not on CC would be interested in.

Going back to the original question... I am not on this cruise, but Pleeeease try and find out whether paper maps can be reinstated. Or at least adequate information to find an (open) Tourist Office to get a map.Saga used to be really good about giving information for those who simply want to go for a local stroll, and it seems odd that they do so much so well, but fall down so badly when it comes to port information (Are the tours dept now outside agencies, also trying to maximise profits?). And yes, point out that the current marketing system has given those who normally book early the idea of now waiting until the last minute to book - which will create a vicious circle.

I doubt that anyone is looking for cheap cruising or large discounts with Saga - you seem to be misunderstanding the comments. Your suggestion that everybody taking the stance of waiting for last minute deals could have an overall impact on future cruises? - well, if that does happen, Saga only have themselves to blame for giving customers the notion that waiting to book is a good idea. Far better to keep best discounts for early bookers so Saga have firm bookings and money in the bank - win-win all round. The amount of mailings/emails/newspaper inserts really feel as if Saga are "rubbing our noses" in the fact that booking early no longer means getting the best price. Every week, several communications about the same cruises, each time with "offer ending this Friday". It is also making many wonder WHY Saga feel the need to be so heavy handed on the "special" promotions - it seems to be a bit more than just getting the last few cabins shifted - sometimes it feels verging on the panicky, which - as I really want Saga to stay as Saga - is worrying. (Even the shareholder forums are have been commenting on this) (The shareholder forums are now discussing the likelihood of Saga selling their ships to Azamara).

Booked a Canaries cruise last year under cabin guarantee. The price (based on standard cabin L grade cabin, E deck) would have been £2671 with 35% discount. Guarantee price was £2627. Sail date December 2023, booked June 2023, cabin allocated July 2023. Forward part of midship B deck. Very comfortable - no noticeable movement. Apparently this was an upgrade under the price promise, so evidently the guarantee price dropped even lower after I had booked. I did look at the price for the cabin grade and location that was allocated, cannot remember exactly but it was substantially more than I paid for it.

As I am such a miserable so-and-so, I will point out that in the event of a sizeable outbreak of Noro or such, board games and jigsaws will be briskly removed from use. (Cruises with sizeable outbreaks are not very common, though).