FannyLiz

Or wear a complete outfit made from the Union Jack, with “ I am English” written round your hat band ? I understand the US government have issued a worldwide caution because of possible terrorist attacks on US citizens. What a nasty mess we are in.

Thanks once again for this blog. I feel as if I am there. I’m intrigued by the fate of the person left behind in Venice. I thought anyone who missed the ship had to sort it out themselves or with the port agent. Does that mean a Saga crew member was left behind in Venice to make sure they were OK? Impressive and really above and beyond service if it does.

Hope you had a good day and your feet are not aching too much! We never found duty free in Gib was a bargain and much was cheaper in UK. I notice a bin of walking poles on the exit to the gangway. I’ve been wondering whether to take mine on SoD in 3 weeks time. Are these something that both ships supply or just SoA ? I’m so enjoying your blog, thank you once again.

Interesting stuff, thank you. I’d love to know more about the logistics of provisioning a ship. I wonder if the relevant crew members could be persuaded to do a talk on the subject ? I don’t think I’d be the only attendee.

Thanks.

Do Saga offer any “ behind the scenes” tours ( bridge, kitchens etc) ?

I hope there will be e-bikes on SoD. My husband I I used to over-winter in Spain and Portugal in our motorhome. E-bikes were our transport. When near Gibraltar we used to ride in to shop etc. Getting in was easy as it was usually around 11 am. Getting out was a different matter ! The first time we left it until about 5 pm when several thousand Spaniards, riding bikes, mopeds and motorbikes, go back home over the border. I chickened out but was not allowed to wheel my bike through the pedestrian entry and so had to join the masses. I can still feel the terror when I think about it and would not advise anyone unused to e- bikes to start using them in Gib.

Brilliant stuff, thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into doing this. As a very soon-to-be-first-time cruiser I am learning a lot and getting even more excited.

Thank you so much. I’m so looking forward to it but won’t believe it’s actually happening until I am safely aboard and the ship has sailed !

Thank you everyone. Looks like 2 padlocks to add to my “ to buy” list (shows how old my suitcases are !)

I’d not thought of the insurance aspect. I assumed that luggage was Xrayed before boarding and, if anything suspicious was found, it would be easier for them to have access rather than calling me. Not that I intend to bring anything suspicious. Yes, it is my first cruise, apart from dozens of ferry trips with our motorhome in various parts of the world some of which called themselves “ cruises” as they took several days. First holiday with a suitcase too since goodness knows when !

Should I lock the cases I drop off before boarding at Portsmouth or just bag-tie the 2 zip ends to stop them parting during transit ?

The simple answer is that the app is much, much quicker. I click on the icon and immediately I see my booking and all the documents associated with it. One click, no numbers or details to be filled in and no trying to identify motorcycles or traffic lights to prove I am not a robot. It’s working perfectly at the moment but I have put a link to the relevant page on my desktop in case it flakes out again.

Thank you everyone. I’m coming to the conclusion that while it is easier to get access to Manage My Booking from the app this relies on the app working and that is not a given. I’ve put a bookmark directly on my screen so will see whether that is anymore reliable. I did wonder about the app being used for onboard transactions as no- one has mentioned it in any posts. I shall add my twopennorth to the feedback to the developers however.

No, it’s free and says it is “ …just for Saga customers”. Saga have replied to questions asked about it. It covers all aspects of Saga’s empire, includes MySaga as well as magazines going back for years, articles, prize draws and various rewards for membership. i assumed it was necessary for booking restaurants, checking on board spending and events etc as seems to be the case with other cruise lines.

I got it via Google Play: the icon is a Cambridge blue square with SAGA written over it and it calls itself the Saga plc app. It gives access, on the rare occasions that it works, to all of Saga’s branches, includes the magazine and back copies, articles and so on as well as My Saga where the details of my upcoming cruise are stored.

Is it just me or does anyone else find the Saga app is often unobtainable ? More often than not I get the message “ Oops ! Something has gone wrong. Try again in a short time”. Currently I’ve been trying for 24 hours as I want to print off some documents. I would delete and reload the app but it threatens that all my data will be lost if I do.

Thank you…I did wonder about that. Guess I need to relax and go with the flow !

Is that likely to happen ? Given that Saga know approximately how many people are due to arrive at any given time do they not continue providing lunch for those who arrive later in the afternoon ? I live 76 miles from Portsmouth and have opted to travel solo in November, paying for the extra mile each way. From what has been said so far I wonder if I will get picked up late by a driver who has brought someone from further away. Hope not as I shall be a dithering wreck if I have to wait too long !

I’ll second Windy. I’ve done the Portsmouth to Santander or Bilbao Brittany Ferries crossing very many times, mostly in December and returning in March but in summer too and have always found Windy to be spot on. My understanding is that the ferry keeps much closer to the coast ( where it is rougher) while cruise ships keep further out to sea where it is, relatively, calmer. From bitter experience I’d advise your wife to take the sea sickness tablets as soon as the ship turns out of the English Channel, or before. Better have them in your system than take them too late.

Thank you. I’ll give that a go. I’ve got some small spray bottles.

Thank you both: US dollar bills it is.

Down at the very bottom of the NHS app Home page is a heart icon labeled Your Health. ( 2 nd from right of 5 icons). Click on that and the first option is Get your NHS Covid pass which enables you to download the usual documents. I understand that appointments for the autumn booster for those eligable will be offered from tomorrow ( Monday 19 Sept) so another entry on the certificates. Edit to add: I Hhad my flu vaccination at Boots on Wednesday. Might be a good thing to think about before you cruise .

I’m booked on the SoD Caribbean cruise in November. Should I take US or Caribbean dollars in cash or can I assume I can use my credit or Caxton card for anything I buy in port ? I have euro coins and notes left over from previous EU visits.

“Two nations divided by a common language” Gerry !