World Traveller 2008

Last year we wanted to stay 2 nights pre-cruise in Malta but when we phoned P&O they said we had to fly from Gatwick (or was it Heathrow, can't remember) in order for this to be included in the original cruise cost.  This wasn't convenient as we live in Cheshire and our return flight was from Malta to Manchester so we had to pay the full, original price to P&O and arrange our own flights pre-cruise to Malta.  We kept the flights and transfer back home.  We were glad we decided on this option and had 2 wonderful nights in an hotel in Valletta pre-cruise.

We are due to fly to Malta for our P&O cruise on Azura on 2nd September and received an email in March from P&O saying our balance due date has changed and is now 30 days prior to departure.  We booked direct with P&O not through a travel agent. 

Sarah,  I personally like a small clutch bag for evening - useful for my cruise card, tissues, lipstick and occasionally my mobile phone if I want to take some photos!!  I try to take just 3 - black, white & silver - but they are quite small so don't take up much room!  Happy cruising! 

Cath

1 hour ago, Windsurfboy said:

Looking at the itinaries from Southampton  most cruises are 1 week or 2 weeks Sunday to Sunday. This limits  itineraries   Why don't they try 11 or 12 day cruises , or for the med more 18, 19 day cruises   The same applies to fly cruises.

 

What do people think?

We're going on a 19-night cruise onboard Azura departing 2nd September, going to the Greek islands, can't wait! 

We'd like to take a private tour of Santorini (there are 4 of us).  Has anyone used "private santorini tours dot com"?  Any other recommendations?  Thanks in advance. 

Amy, what an awful experience in Rome for your taxi driver. Pickpockets unfortunately are everywhere but it's understandable how upset she was when personal items get taken, so hard to replace as well as being a nuisance.

Thanks for posting about the Sapphire Princess and a relief that all is looking good. We sail after your cruise, on 5th May, can't wait! Enjoy the rest of your cruise. :)

Status in the Captain's Circle is based on number of days or cruise credits. Whichever is best for you. For example, to be platinum you need either 50 days or 5 cruise credits. Elite is 150 days or 15 cruise credits.

Paul - yes, you are quite correct! :o

Just wondering since it takes six cruises to get to platinum status, would Princess count a b2b2b as one cruise or three?

 

 

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I thought your status was calculated on how many sea days not how many cruises you take? So it wouldn't matter how your b2b2b was counted, it's the total number of days at sea. That's my understanding anyway. :)

Without a visa, you just need to be with a local tour company. On our Baltic cruise last summer a lot of people used SPB Tours in St. Petersburg. They also get decent reviews on Trip Advisor. You could compare their pricing with your ship excursions. Of note is that the ship shore excursions will get priority getting off the ship there and it takes awhile to get through Russian customs.

We were on a Baltic cruise with Princess in 2013 and booked a 2-day excursion through SPB tours, excellent value for money, smaller numbers in buses, we saw and did far more than those on the Princess excursion. Note - we ignored Princess instructions to wait in the lounge for Princess excursions to have priority. Instead, our group met at about 6.30am (!!) in Vines Bar I think (Deck 5?) and as soon as the ship docked, we walked off the ship and were through customs in about a minute!! We were a large group of about 50 and had booked several buses through SPB tours. SPB tours were absolutely fantastic!! :)

Thank you Paul and Hank for your advice and suggestions. Much appreciated. :)

On our last visit to Antigua, we weren't given enough time on our tour to explore Nelson's Dockyard. We visit in February with P&O Azura and would like to get a taxi there and back. Wouldtaxi driver wait whilst we explore Nelson's Dockyard or would it be too expensive. How easy would it be to get a taxi back to the ship? Any advice would be appreciated. :confused:

From my experience on Ventura (2015) & Britannia (2017), the Black & White night is the last of the 4 formal nights. Happy sailing.

Thank you for the replies so far.

We are hoping to work out a tour where we don't get wet!!

Not really into snorkling (have never done it) and OH cannot swim..

Just really wanted a drive around-OH would like to visit the Indian village.

A lot do seem to do swimming in pools, waterfalls etc...we do not really want that.

Hi English Lady, I would be interested in what independent tour you find as we will be in Dominica in January 2015 and, like you, don't want a tour where you get wet - my OH cannot swim either!! We're on Ventura sailing from Barbados on 3rd Jan but so far our Roll Call is tiny (:eek:) so not much help!!! We've only previously sailed with Princess where the roll calls are massive and provided loads of advice!!! Here's hoping it picks up!

Catherine :D

use SPB great 2 day trip. visa included . pay by card/cash on the morning of the 2nd day.

SPB Tours definitely! They were fantastic. We were on a Princess ship last year and their tours were much more expensive. We saw so much more with SPB Tours and their tour guide (Eugene) was brilliant. Definitely recommend SPB, can't fault them! A hectic but wonderful two days! :D