skioncruises

3 hours ago, nancyneptune said:

 

Hi skioncruises,

 

Yes there is a 19 million pound development at Greenock. It can already accommodate huge cruise ships and several cruise lines call into Greenock regularly including FO, Azamara, Cunard, Silversea, R C as well as smaller luxury ships cruising to the Western Isles, Ireland, Iceland and the Baltic.

 

I have embarked at Greenock with FO on cruises calling at Irish ports and Liverpool. The sail away from Greenock is beautiful. Lets hope that more of the big names that have been calling into Greenock on the UK cruises decide to offer more cruises where we can embark and disembark at the port like MSC have done this summer.

 

Much as I love my Marella cruises I am becoming more disillusioned with some of the decisions being made by TUI regarding cruises, flights and package holidays from Scottish airports even before the pandemic. Sometimes I wonder if the decision makers even know where Scotland is. So much for them saying we fly from your doorstep. Manchester, Birmingham and Gatwick are not on my doorstep. 

 

The effects of the pandemic will be with us for a long time and many people are still wary of foreign travel.  Would it be too much to ask Marella to have one ship based in the UK next year with options to embark from at least one Scottish port ?  I'm sure many would jump at the chance to book and some cruise lines may also be looking at this. Marella are always too slow to act and could be missing a good opportunity.

 

Hello nancyneptune

Didn't realise so many ships went from Greenock.  I usually look at Fred Olsen from Rosyth but haven't tried them yet.  Aberdeen, after last weeks tv programme, definitely whetted my appetite. Here's hoping.  Must admit that we stick to Marella even if it does have good and bad points.  My biggest grumble is with all inclusive drinks package as I drink nothing other than soft drinks and water and have to pay extra for a can as don't like draught and having seen what gets decanted from coke bottle to coke bottle - no thank you!

I also grumble about the "on your doorstep" which means leaving home the day before plus overnight stay and depending what time of day, and sometimes year re weather conditions, another overnight stay.

As you say, they are missing an opportunity as there is a lot to see on both east and west coasts of Scotland plus the gateway to Norway/Iceland/Faroe Islands is available as well.

We are definitely not even thinking about cruising until all is clear for travelling without having to jump through hoops for tests, proof of vaccination, and insurance.  Insurance should be purchased and declared at time of booking (which we have had to do with other companies in the past).  We were with friends in 2019 when one took ill in Croatia and had to be hospitalised.  It was not a pleasant experience for them due to language barriers, poor hospital conditions, lack of support, to give some of the problems.  Fortunately they had good insurance and they took over everything including repatriation back to Scotland.  The ship, who did not have to help after they were disembarked, kept in touch and gave advice and reassurance when necessary.

Hello nancyneptune

A few weeks ago I read that Greenock are in the process of extending their berths to accommodate more cruise ships.  Also, on BBC Scotland last week,  I watched a report about Aberdeen port extending to accommodate cruise ships and this looks as if it is well underway.  Here's hoping in the next couple of years there will be no more long trips to congested airports and overnight stays at the start and end of cruises.

When we first started cruising in the dark ages (1989) with Thomson, and did not have their own ships then, they had several cabins allocated on cruise ships and a rep travelled with us and there was usually one stop where they took on/off passengers during the cruise. 

Have been happy with (Thomson/Tui) now Marella all these years and hope they take advantage of the Scottish ports opening up.

1 minute ago, davemorton said:

I believe they are, but I would not think they will be cheap as an extra 20% will be added to prices with it being a UK cruise. (My understanding anyway).

Hello davemorton

Many thanks for that info.  Will pass it on.  She is already planning how to spend her OBC (£100 per person means she has £200).  She decided to upgrade drinks when booking as she didn't like a particular drink last time she cruised with Marella. 

We'd come unstuck with OBC as hubby is a beer drinker and I don't drink either alcohol or coffees and water from the dispensers in the corridors suits me fine.  My "luxury" is canned drinks which gets the waiters in a tizz because there is a £1 surcharge which I am happy to pay.  Hubby has a double Drambuie (1 is mine) every night which is on the normal drinks menu at no extra charge.

Thanks again.

Question on behalf of neighbour who doesn't do CC and is setting off to Newcastle in the morning to join ship for 3 nights.

Are the shops open and, in particular, the jewellery shop.

Thank you.

Hello DSMW00

We got fed up moving our monies from April and June 2020 and transferred both to June this year. 

I wouldn't worry as it appears Marella are now on the ball as our cruise was actually cancelled by them approximately 2 weeks before the final balance was due.

Pleasantly surprised as we were starting to consider whether to transfer yet again.  We made the decision to cancel until things settle and then re-book.  There was no quibble or pressure whatsoever and the refund was in the bank within 10 days.

Good luck and happy cruising whatever you decide to do. 

2 hours ago, Jim The Scot said:

Mmm,not looking hopeful for me and mrs JTS cruise on 6 July .

Hopefully they contact us before we pay our £640 balance at end of this month

edited:just checked their website and cruises cancelled up to and including 30th June

 

ps     skioncruises,were you offered and incentive to rebook a future cruise?

 

Hello Jim

We were 3 days off receiving email for balance to be paid on 27 March.

Up to 10 days from receipt of email to amend and if holiday is more expensive an incentive of 20% (ts & cs apply).

After 10 days holiday automatically cancelled and refund credit for amount paid plus up to 10% booking incentive. (ts & cs apply.) to put towards any holiday currently on sale up until 31 October 2022. Refund credit should be received within 10 days of booking being cancelled.

If cancel automatic refund of monies paid.

Have to await phone call from unrecognised number in the next 10 days to discuss the above.

Email received 10 minutes ago.  Our cruise is now cancelled for 19 June on Explorer.  They've moved quick as I was expecting an email in next 3 days for balance not a cancellation so soon..

Hi Brummijam

I totally agree with all you have said. 

Sadly time and age march on and I doubt if we will fly/cruise again so may change to another company and go from Scotland. Tui Marella (formerly Thomson) have had a very large lions share of our hard earned pennies almost every year since 1989.  Just read about the queues at Heathrow Border Control - 7 hours in some cases.  No thank you. No doubt there will be contact from Marella in the next 3 days asking for the balance of our cruise for June which increased by over £1,000.  The money was transferred from one cancelled (April) and one moved (June).

Happy cruising when you manage to get away.  Keep safe.  

21 hours ago, Brummijam said:

Hi Ormy.

On the Marella website there is a page entitled “What to expect onboard” in it there is info regarding what measures we can expect to see when we are allowed back on the ships.

Keep well.

 

https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/info/cruise-what-to-expect-onboard

 

 

Hello Ormy

As well as the recommendation from Brummijam check

https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/info/cruise-with-confidence.

Best read before "what to expect onoard". 

After reading that the other day I definitely will not being going anywhere this year.

Don't have to worry about travelling abroad any more as now covered until 2030.  Submitted renewal application online last Wednesday (21st) and now have new passport today (29th).

Excellent service with updates almost daily regarding progress from start to finish. 

2 hours ago, Tony1878 said:

Renewed mine recently and to be fair to them, i had my new passport 2 - 3 weeks after my application.

I don't know if i was lucky or this is the norm.

I did receive a couple of texts saying there may be delays, but both of us received our new passports no later than 3 weeks.

Hi Tony 1878

That's good to know your new passports came through quickly.  They are quoting 6 weeks but that could be postal applications as opposed to online ones.  We both recently renewed our driving licences (age-related), online, and they came back by return of post!  DVLC quoted 3 weeks.

22 hours ago, lovetoholiday said:

Thank you for that information, I didn't know anything about it.  But now need to renew my passport a year sooner than I thought due to the 10 year rule.

Amazing the information you get on Cruise Critic 😊

Hi lovetoholiday

Yes, it's great the information that can be found on the boards.  That's what it's all about.

Was slightly knocked off plan after checking gov site re passport though as

I was pre-planning for renewing next July. 

Hi jefa

I had been reading about passport renewal thinking we were ok until April 2022  which meant we could go off in June next year (maybe) and there would be 9 months left from date of issue and renew whenever we returned.  However I decided out of curiosity to do a check and it came up expiry as January 2021.  

We have decided to renew now rather than wait being as we don't know what will be happening in the next few weeks/months, plus the run up to Christmas (mail etc), and January will be here before we know it. 

Hope others are looking and checking their dates on the site I gave. I'd hate to be in the queue at the airport and hear some passports weren't valid and they couldn't travel.

I know we're not cruising/holidaying at the moment but has anyone given thought to renewing their passport for travel to Europe from 1 January 2021.  This is not getting much publicity and couod catch people out..

Worth checking you have enough months left for travelling.  It is an eye opener.   Thought we were ok until April 2022 only to find our passports expire on 31 January 2021.

Here is link  www.passport.service.gov.uk/check-a-passport.

Don't want to turn up at check-in and be refused boarding.

Success at last.  Over 3 weeks I've been trying to get an answer to a phone and eventually after 1 hr 10 minutes I was a happy bunny,  the phone was answered.  I deliberately let the phone ring over the hour and 10 minutes later I was speaking to a lovely girl from South Wales.

I was originally told that, as far as they knew, 17 April was still going ahead but sure that would change and to sit tight until they contacted me.  However,  I pointed out the FCO advice to over 70s and Tui's post about refunds or amendments.

35 minutes later the 17 April cruise was cancelled and instead of a refund our payment was moved to a new booking for 21 June 2021.  The deposit for 20 June cruise was also transferred to the new booking leaving a minimal balance to be paid at the end of March 2021.

At least they're playing music now with the occasional apology that all their operators are busy. A worthwhile 1 hour 45 minutes and happy all is sorted..

Good luck to all who still have to get their cruises sorted out. 

2 minutes ago, Brummijam said:

 

Do you/they really think that the June 20th sailing that is mentioned above will go ahead?

Doubt it.  Before the final balance was due I called and asked for an extension on paying the balance for 20 June.  Expecting to be given the 14 days which I have had previously, usually we were out of the country when it was due, I was given until the 16 April.  Coincidence that a few days later they were only going to deal with cruises until 16 April.  ??? 

A few days after being given the extension we decided to cancel and lose our deposit.  To date I have been unable to get anyone to answer by phone or email and on 24 March they announced they were closing all their retail stores and call centre teams.  I persevered anyway but eventually gave up trying at the beginning of the week and will let them contact me.

So, as well as my earlier post about 17 April, I also have 20 June booked but will not be paying the balance.

52 minutes ago, mike x ftc said:

Our cruise is due to go on April 17th (in just over two 2 weeks..)  and we have heard nothing, on their facebook page they are still saying cruises after the 16th are going ahead - really??  Where is exactly will they be going??  We're not supposed to leave the house let alone go on a cruise!!   Their lack of communication is very poor.  We need to know what is happening!

We're waiting to see if they contact us tomorrow telling us to Check In and print our Boarding Cards being as it will be 14 days until departure.  If they do there will then be the long wait and running up of phone bills to get through to them which, in my case for almost 3 weeks now, has been impossible.

Sadly the staff are only doing what those above are telling them and it will be very difficult not to vent my frustation on whoever answers.  However, having the experience of being in Customer Services in the utilities industry I will try remember my training on focus days and not succumb. hooked.   

4 hours ago, Vitalsign said:

Cancellations have been advised 2 weeks before sailing Hopefully you will hear next week

Expecting an email on Friday asking me to Check In and print out Boarding Cards.

Waiting with hope, as I have been every day over the last couple of weeks for someone to answer the phone.

20 minutes ago, MX-Drew said:

I’m (was) due to go on 21st and I have received an email to state everything is going ahead unchanged! 
No idea how as I have to fly to Jamaica ( that’s a no go) the fly back from Naples Italy! Love them to arrange that.

You're lucky, at least you have an email.

We're due to fly to Tenerife on 17 April and sail on Explorer via Las Palmas, Gibraltar, Spain, Italy and France before arriving in Corfu on 5 April for the start of the summer season's cruising.

We haven't heard a peep from them and can't get an answer on any numbers I have or they are willing to give out.

Also due to go on 20 June on Discovery and want to cancel and happily lose deposit, but again no number will answer.

Been trying since 14 March without any success.  In the over 70s bracket.  Don't want another holiday.  Just want a refund for the first cruise and cancel the second.  Don't think the admin would take as long as rearranging the booking

Rant over

Keep safe  and well everyone. 

1 hour ago, Jim The Scot said:

 

Similar.

Son is also front line in the NHS and war zone where he works as well.They dont even have face masks never mind ones that dont fit.Sons close colleague sent home after showing signs of Covid19,was my son tested?No

 

I,m more worried/concerned for my son, our grandson(underlying issues)and daughter in law than I am for myself and Mrs Jim The Scot who are in our more mature years

Hi Jim the Scot

Oh dear. Sorry to hear about your son's colleague.  Where is your son?  My daughter is Ninewells.

Like you, I am also concerned for the family rather than ourselves.

Keep well and obey Her Highness in Holyrood. 

3 hours ago, Vitalsign said:

We have to pay our balance for Dream 23rd June by 1st April but I'm sure it will be cancelled so paying it by debit card cos it's a pain when it goes back on our TUI credit card to get it back in our bank - up to 28 days even though TUI have sent it to them

Hi Vitalsign

The balance of our 20 June cruise has been extended until 16 April but I will wait until after the original payment date of 28 March and then cancel.  Losing the deposit is better than hanging on wondering when cruises will return.  

As long as other countries are still in lockdown and refusing ships there is no way we are cruising soon.  After 31 years of cruising with nearly all being with Thomson/Tui/Marella and goodness how many actual cruises we might find that cruising is no longer for us or we may try another company before dropping anchor and staying at home.    

3 hours ago, Pensioncruiser said:

Yes they are giving the cut off date as the 16 April😳 They will have to sort things out but it must be very difficult as its changing daily. We have till next Saturday to make a decision as do a lot of others. 🤔

Hi Pensioncruiser

Our alleged sailing date is 17 April. ha ha.   I will, hopefully, hear from them next weekend and I will definitely not be accepting anything other thsn a refund.

I know I said in an earlier post - we are due to sail on 20 June and the deposit is to be paid on 28 March.  However, I was given an extension to 16 April.  Once I hear about the 17 April cruise and know a refund is on the way I will definitely cancel the June cruise and lose the deposit.

3 hours ago, jono75 said:

I have have a friend who works in ultrasound as a manager who told me last night that it's like a war zone and she isn't someone who would say that lightly.  Considering the terrible situation all over the world but especially in Italy and Spain right now I'd say there is almost zero chance your cruise will go ahead.  

 

Tui say you can move to a later date if you have a holiday booked up to 30th June, personally I'd sit tight and wait for the inevitable cancellation, if not you can still move it.  Do not cancel yourself or you will lose most of your money.

 

I'm waiting for them to contact me about my refund/options now, no point hassling them when they must be very busy, did have text saying they'd be in touch.

Hi jono75

My daughter said similar about being like a war zone.  Since the start shw has not had a face mask as they don't fit her and she has to attend to the patients fully covered from head to toe! So much for plenty protection for the emergency services.

I have no intention of moving any bookings to alternative dates.  I will wait until next week when, hopefully, I will hear that a refund is forthcming.  It must be chaos trying to refund/change bookings etc in their admin department and I feel sorry for them because they are the same as us worrying about the situation.

As said previously we are due to fly to Tenerife for crossing to Corfu on 17 April.  Still no refund and they are still selling the cruise!

We have paid £3507.66.  For the same cruise including selecting cabin, seats and additional baggage £2790.  Bargain?

My daughter is a front line nurse attached to A&E and has just returned to work last night after 2 weeks leave.  I have just received the phone call with all the warning she could possibly give me.

What are Marella playing at?

22 minutes ago, kevinyork said:

Simon Calder today on Radio 4 said if you had paid a deposit on a package then If final balance is due then to pay it. If they cancel at any point you get it all back.  If you don’t pay your final balance you loose your deposit even if it’s highly likely they will cancel eventually.  

Yes, I know that because we are waiting for £3,500 for our April cruise to be refunded. 

Regarding the June cruise for which they have given an extension to pay final balance is fine but we prefer to lose the £400 deposit as opposed to giving them just under another £5,000 to sit for 3 months in their coffers.  It's almost a foregone conclusion that nothing will be moving before the end of June at the earliest.