terry2

Although I was normally booked for dinner in the ballindalloch restaurant, I always used to have lunch in the spey and avon restaurants on deck 10, which also has an outdoor dining area (if it is warm enough). Enjoy

apologies, I thought I had said I was looking at southampton departures - but I hadn't.

sorry now even more confused - I am on the borealis out of southampton on may 7th, and borealis has no cabins on deck 4. Were you looking at balmoral out of newcastle? .

Well, I think I managed to get the last interior cabin on the 7days around the scottish isles. That cost £999 pp (less the on board credit). I intend to enjoy it..

As I recall, Some weeks prior to a cruise FO starts offering upgrades, which frees up the cheap cabins. Can anybody remember when this starts ? I am now thinking about taking a cheap cruise in May, but the cheap cabins seem to have been sold..

Are you travelling by car or train? You can always stay in Newcastle itself and just drive out, (or if on train) take a taxi, to the port on the day.

Well the local metro does have stations closer to the port, they are not that close so you would still need a taxi. I would suggest just taking a taxi from newcastle central station.

Well given that BS EN 14476 certification means that it contains anti-viral ingredients and is required to kill (amongst other viruses) Poliovirus, Norovirus, Influenza A and adenovirus. I would rather go for one that meets that spec rather than one that doesn't .

Alcohol gels are of no use against noro, and neither are a lot of anti viral gels. You need to search for something that meets EN 14476 - which is a test for anti viral products that includes norovirus. Though that info is often hard to find on web pages. ( One such is purell advanced hand sanitiser gel, and its clinell equivalent - though there are others. I normally use the sterizar hand sanitiser gel.

Which is why I always take a gel that is effective against norovirus and use that as well as handwashing.

Sorry I'm confused - the title talks about an "all inclusive" package, I did not think Fred offered such a thing, as far as I ca n recall he only offers a drinks package.

I don't know with Barclays, but with Nationwide it is called the Travel Insurance Schedule. It isn't the full policy.

Sorry, to be more accurate, a good handwashing which is then followed by using a sanitiser.

fair enough, but I would rather use both a sanitiser and hand washing,

You might need to search for something that meets EN 14476 - which is a test for anti viral products that includes norovirus. Though that info is often hard to find on web pages. One such is purell advanced hand sanitiser gel, although there are others. I normally use the sterizar hand sanitiser.

The other thing you can do is have your own hand sanitiser that specifically deals with norovirus (most don't), and use that in addition to handwashing and the ships sanitisers.

Also check if there is a waiting list and if so put yourself on it - that way they know if there is enough demand to try and organise extra coach(es) - and if there is a cancellation they know that you want it.

As I recall, one of the problems with norovirus is that most anti-viral stuff doesn't work with it. You have to look for anti-viral stuff that specifically says it works on norovirus. It also survives a long time on surfaces (like handrails, handles, buttons you push...).

Yes, there was a shambles. (they said due to a problem with the sky-bridge). I arrived slightly early. There was first a queue outside the terminal waiting to get in - that took over 30 miniutes. Then once inside you had to join a queue to get to the check-in desks. Then once checked in you had to join a queue (fortunately seated this time) to get to security - that too took over 30 minues. Once through security there were no delays in getting to the ship.

It may be dlifferent for P&O but I was on a cruise with fred in october, where all the front cabins (in front of the lifts) on my deck were reserved for covid patients (presumably crew) with a security door closed and signs saying don't go pass this point.

Forgot to say - thanks to all the people who told of their experience with the nationwide flexplus.

As far as I know, there isn't an upper limit on age, once you have paid for the age upgrade. The default is for holidays of up to 31 days - however they say you can pay more to increase it but I don't know the cost ( NB you can get cover for a trip up to 184 days).

Ah, someone else in the cheap seats too. See you on board!

Weii, just for information, and something else to look at. I was advised by a friend to look into the nationwide flexplus account - so I did. It basically has a 70 age limit but that can be increased for £60/yr, and then the medical conditions add-on was a reasonable price, so even including the monthly fee it was still cheaper than my previous staysure annual policy. So it might be worth looking at. I haven't had it for long enough to claim against it. However I am interested to know if anyone has.

that seems like a good idea.