Travellingtaff

Off on Cuban Fusion on the 14th Feb. Tried to check in today and it states print confirmation of check in document. Can't find this option, any ideas any one?

We are on the same cruise, flying from BRH. I went through the on-line check-in procedure and got what looked like a boarding card on screen, but there was a note which said:

"You’ve now checked-in for your flight. Please note this is not your boarding card. At the airport, head to a bag drop desk where you’ll be given a boarding card to pass through the security gate to departures"

I didn't bother to print it out because there was nothing to say I needed to.

DH and I fancy a cruise in January 2018, but the price is just tantalising out of what we call our 'comfort zone price'. So, do we

 

1) Forget it and look for something within the 'zone'

 

2) Wait in the hope that the price drops

 

3) Completely denude our holiday account and go for it. Even I'm not too keen on this.

 

It's a what I call a 'put together cruise' and at the moment only the one travel agent is offering it. It has the advantage of ticking two items off the bucket list.

 

Be kind to me with your advice because today is my birthday :D

There is a 4th option!

We were faced with a similar situation last year with a QV cruise Cape Town to Southampton. The TA advertised a package including flights to Johannesburg, then on to Victoria Falls, flight to Cape Town for a stay before joining the ship. We put the exactly same package togehter ourselves, with tours and safaris etc., (all fully protected) and saved £££££s.

On the same basis we have just booked transatlantic on QM2, New York stay, on to Niagara Falls before flying home from Toronto.

Thanks seems like we are getting somewhere :)

 

 

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Don't hold you're breath....!!!!

We went to our local Thomson TA this morning and they have now confirmed that email info that I received from the Swansea Contact Centre is correct.

HQ said that they will be sending amended itinerary confirmation details so I assume everyone booked on the cruise will get the same (hopefully!).

We are going on the Cuban Fusion on 14th February. I assumed the itinerary on the e ticket was correct but emailed Thomson for confirmation, they have replied today to confirm the correct itinerary is that listed online and not on the tickets! Georgetown day 2 and Cozumel day 7.

 

I'm sure it's a ploy to panic people into booking Thomson excursions?!

 

 

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Do you know which office that email came from?

I got this from the Swansea office earlier today which gives Cozumel on day

6.

Cuban Fusion

Montego Bay 20:00

Georgetown 10:00 20:00

At Sea

Havana 09:00

Havana 14:00

Cozumel 09:00 20:00

At Sea

Also looked at the Cozumel terminal and that differs to my eticket. I have booked a private Stingray city trip on Feb 15. Does anyone know a number where we can get reliable info re: itinararies??

As I said in an earlier post I went into my local Thomson TA and they phoned up HQ for me. They assured me that the correct itinerary was as per my confirmation email and that has now been carried through to my e-ticket.

Have a look at http://www.caymanport.com and see when the ship is in port.

Thanks for the link, I had already looked at that site a few weeks ago.

Not sure that the details can be relied on, though, as the disclaimer says, they depend on the cruise companies giving them information about any changes.

The port site certainly differs from the latest info on my Thomsons e-ticket for Cuban Fusion cruise itinerary.

Just a note to be VERY CAREFUL about pre-booking excursions/cars without Thomson. (Cuban fusion/Mayan treasures 20 Dec-3 Jan)

 

Our trip to Grand Cayman was cancelled due to bad weather so no tender so no stingray city! Thomson are easily refunding trip. We were taken back to Jamaica instead to Ochio Rios.

 

Cozumel wk 1 Tulum/Beach suffered rainstorm in afternoon so sights cut short but more shops...

 

Honduras West coast trip was very interesting to see flooded streets and houses as the rain came down. Sadly we didnt see many butterfies or birds. We were however very relaxed with our excellent Thomson coach driver how he did it we do not know!

 

Belize....well due to the rain in the area the crystal caves were flooded so it was more zip line or a refund...we chose refund....had a wander in the town but very glad to get back on board. We did try finding an alternative independent tour but either they did not want to do it/not enough people/no time/too expensive or the people just looked dodgy. They all wanted to sell a tour of the city..........or braid your hair.

 

We discovered although out of hurricane season we were in the 'rainy' season which lasts til May and unusually the short sharp showers...weren't always. Had I made private arrangements in the ports my nerves would have been shot...

Totally agree about being very careful when booking private tours, we have booked tours throughout S. and central America, Falklands, China, Namibia, NZ and Oz, with no problems. I would suggest, however, only booking those who are highly recommended on TripAdvisor or Cruise Critic and never pay anything upfront. Although, admittedly, I once paid a small deposit to a Vietnam company for an excellent tour to Ho Chi Minh City from Phu My port. Also, always arrange to get back at least 2 hours before the sailing time.

Snotter,

If it helps with your research, we were in Grand Cayman last year, there are lots of opportunities to book tours when you get off the tender, so no need to pre-book. We did a tour in a small bus and had plenty of time to take a trip on a submarine when we got back to the port. If I can help with anything else, let me know. We are also booked on the Mayan Treasures itinerary.

I was aware of some anomalies with this itinerary so I got my local Thomson TA to check the correct itinerary with HQ. They said it was as per my confirmation email.

We have a full day private tour booked on the second day in Havana and a hire car booked for Grand Cayman, so, I suppose, all we can do for now is go by what they say at HQ.

I've asked for clarification on one of the posts below from someone who has

just returned form Cuban Fusion, so it'll be interesting to see what they say.

Further to my earlier post I just spotted this:

http://www.stewarttravel.co.uk/cruise-details/thomson-cruises/thomson-dream/cuban-fusion/depart-17-jan-2017-for-7-nights/996862/

which is different from the Thomson site itinerary but agrees with my confirmation email.

Strange as the website for both Cuban Fusion cruises 14th and 28th Feb itineraries show Georgetown and Cozumel swapped from the days quoted above as the 2nd day is Georgetown and Cozumel the last port of call before returning to Montego Bay and the arrival and departure dates in Havana are as I previously quoted. I should add that when on in Jan 2016 for Cuban Fusion the itinerary was as quoted above but the times of arrival and departure in Havana were as quoted on the website This is very strange as usually the sea day is the day after boarding and Georgetown is much nearer to Montego Bay so makes sense to visit last Typical of Thomson not to have altered the website if it's incorrect

I was aware of some anomalies with this itinerary so I got my local Thomson TA to check the correct itinerary with HQ. They said it was as per my confirmation email.

We have a full day private tour booked on the second day in Havana and a hire car booked for Grand Cayman, so, I suppose, all we can do for now is go by what they say at HQ.

I've asked for clarification on one of the posts below from someone who has

just returned form Cuban Fusion, so it'll be interesting to see what they say.

If you look at the itinerary on your confirmation you will find you arrive in Havana day 4 at 9am and leave Havana at 2pm day 5

Havana is great at night so enjoy the bars and fabulous music on your overnight stop

We are booked on this cruise in February and this is the itinerary on our confirmation email

Ship Name: Thomson Dream Your Itinerary: Cuban Fusion

Day Resort Port Arrival Time Departure Time

1 Tue Jamaica Montego Bay - 20:00

2 Wed At Sea - -

3 Thu Mexico Cozumel 06:00 18:00

4 Fri Cuba Havana 14:00 -

5 Sat Cuba Havana - 18:00

6 Sun At Sea - -

7 Mon Grand Cayman Georgetown* 07:00 17:00

8 Tue Jamaica Montego Bay 08:00 -

Just back from Cuban Fusion and Mayan Treasures B2B so may help...

 

Cuba was a complete nightmare to get into and out of day 1 so be prepared to queue. It is also the only Port where you must take your passport. By the time we got through customs after the tour people there were no queues for money exchange.

 

With hindsight you can cope perfectly with just US$ regardless of what told. On an independent 'wandering' tour we could have ridden in a old car for US$. Everywhere puts up the prices when the ships come in and you can buy cigars with US$. You may only need local currency if in a bar however if on a package we were reluctant to pay inflated prices on land for the 'free fayre' onboard.

 

We paid to go in the Museum of the Revolution and regretted it. Couldn't find any expo of death attempts on Castro and the fee is more than we were quoted on ship. Many of the streets are dirty and seedy so paying for a 'tour' would possibly give you the best bits.

 

We couldn't go to Grand Caymen due to the weather so bear that in mind if booking an independent tour.

 

We briefly did Tulum as once up from beach the heavens opened so we didnt see all the ruins. If you are not going to Costa Maya then a longer tour to larger ruins might be better.

 

BEWARE the boat trip between Cozumel and Playa del Carmen is nicknamed the'vomit rocket'. Despite sea bands, pills and will-power even a mild swell got the better of most passengers. The return however was bearable.

 

NOTE if you select a shorter Tulum tour you will have to wait a couple of hours for the other tours to return as everyone is sent back to the ship on one ferry. Only so many tacky shops of interest when soaking wet :)

 

Generally we are glad we booked tours with Thomson as the touts around ports will only run trips if enough punters and can be multi lingual plus priced very close to Thomson prices. At least with the T tours the coaches are clean and safe, you get free water and a lunch bag and are strict on time.

We are on this B2B in February. Could you please tell me which day and at what time you arrived in Cuba and when you departed.

Thanks TT

Hello,

 

I recently went on a holiday to the Dominican Republic and met people who ere traveling with Thomson, and after much investigation, it is certainly a company I would love to use, both the holiday and cruise portion. If I wanted to go on a European cruise or a European holiday, I could fly to a big airport like Gatwick or Manchester and then board my Thomson flight to my destination. But with the Caribbean, it makes no sense for me to fly transatlantic twice just to go with a certain group.

 

I have heard some people mention that they have seen Americans on their cruises/flights. Do any of you know how I could go about this? I would be looking to book just a hotel or just a cruise. Would you recommend their phone lines/customer service section?

 

Thank you to everyone in advance!!!!

I believe it is possible to book a Thomson cruise only.

Try this link, you can ask them direct, http://www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/send-us-an-email-preTravelNoBooking.html

Great post by 28SAC and clarification by Stevie, many thanks.

Just managed to get window seats in premium on 14 Feb from BRH to Jamaica, hate being stuck in the middle on long haul.

Oh, that's interesting. I'm only aware of the VF481 Foulation of Purell, which seems only to be available to institutions (and/or isn't sold in the US). Of you look at the pump bottles outside of Britannia the Purell they use is VF481 (but even then it requires 90 seconds of scrubbing).

 

That product is available online in the UK through Amazon and other companies.

This is what one supplier's site says about it:

"Purell VF481 Antiviral Sanitising Hand Gel

Reduces human Norovirus by 99% after 15 seconds contact. Use 3ml of the gel and rub onto the hands and between fingers for 15 seconds before it fully evaporates."

The gel you can buy isn't effective against viruses. Cunard uses a formula that is affective against Norovirus but the protocol for it to be effective needs more than the half squirt you're likely to get from an attendant.

That's interesting.

In my internet research I found maybe 4 or 5 brands which claim effectiveness against norovirus.

I believe the point was that there was no water to wash hands or anything else for 5 hours. Needless to say, without hand washing, there is a definite route of transmission.

 

We were on a QM2 Caribbean cruise one December several years ago and the last night of the cruise, tap water was unavailable ship-wide for several hours. I thought of all those hands that weren't being washed :eek: Coincidence or not, there was a noro outbreak on the next cruise. -S.

Whether there is water available or not sanitising hand gel is a must for us. We carry our own as well as using the dispensers available at the various dining and other areas throughout the ship.

Sadly, however, we see so many people walk past the dispensers without sanitising, it's a wonder we don't get more outbreaks.

To each his/her own. Though stark we thought the island beautiful.

 

Some photos if you are interested.

 

http://www.jeannietx22.com/rccl-lanzarote-island-an-island-of-spain/

From the photos it looks like you went on a similar organised tour to the one we took.

Like you we found the volcanic landscapes which we drove through quite amazing, we also visited a vineyard and stopped halfway for an excellent lunch. Superb value at €45 for the day.

Don't stay on board, get out and explore!!

Whether or not you book on board, do buy future cruise credits. Only $300 each, good for four years, and can be used to pay the deposit, in full, on any future cruise.

Please note that GUT2407, the OP comes from the Land Down Under, where the future cruise deposit is $A75 pp, but lasts for only one year. It is transferable to another cruise and fully refundable if not used.

The OBC is the same worldwide. It's a no brainer, really.........

Your TA is correct, there are no Club rooms or restaurant on Queen Victoria. There was a rumour they might remove the Chart Room for a Club restaurant at the last dry dock but it didn't happen.

 

If you want to travel Britannia Club you need to book QM2 or QE.

Thanks for clarifying that.

It's gratifying to know that our TA knows what he's talking about!

Same - we have never been made aware of pillow concierge either, and have stayed in Club Britannia rooms Deck 8 on QV and QE several times.

 

Main benefit for us is anytime dining between 6:30-9pm, also Sonny on QE makes the most amazing flambes!

Could you please clarify what you say about staying in the Club Britannia rooms on QV?

We are booked in a Deck 8 balcony and were advised by our TA that on QV there are no Club rooms nor Club area in the Britannia restaurant.

These, we were told, are only on QE and QM2.

Have just booked our second cruise, after an excellent first cruise. W e have been given 400 dollars each obc. How exactly does this work.. Do they lump it together for both my husband and myself. Can we purchase our alcohol with whilst on board, can we buy duty free with it.??

This extract from the Cunard website spells it out spells it out:

"When on board spending money (either received as part of a promotion or purchased via our Gift Collection is applied to your on board account, you may use this against most purchases on board. This includes:

Items purchased from any of the shops

Spa, & salon treatments and services (when booked on board and not prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser)

Photography services

Laundry & dry cleaning

Internet and telephone charges

Shore excursions (when booked on board and not prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser)

Beverages from the bar and restaurants (where applicable)

Restaurant cover charges (when booked on board and not prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser)

Automatic tips (gratuities)

Artwork

On board spending money may not be used against:

Purchasing shore excursions prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser

Purchasing Alternative Fine Dining restaurant cover charges prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser

Purchasing Spa treatments and services prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser

Visas that require payment

Medical charges (including services, prescriptions and supplies)

Future Cruise Down payments

Future cruise payments

Ad hoc gratuities

Foreign currency

On board gaming (including the casino)

Charitable donations

Please note on board spending money is non refundable and no cash alternative available. It may not be spent prior to embarkation."

We are picking up the South American sector of the QM World Tour.

We fly into Brazil, get met at the airport, taken to a hotel and met again in the morning to join the ship. I am assuming that we will not require cash (Brazilian Real)?

We then stop twice in Uruguay. We will no doubt book ship tours for these days. Therefore, the only need for cash is likely to be tips for the tour guide? Would it be bad form to give US dollars? Having said that, if we get the chance we might stock up with a bottle or two of wine?! I assume we could pay for these with a credit card?

Then we stop once at Ushuaia in Argentina. Again, we will book a ship tour. Any need to get a few Argentine Peso's?

Our final stop is Punta Arenas in Chile. Currently there is no ship tour that excites us. We are airing towards just getting off the ship & doing our own thing. Therefore, greater likelihood of needing cash (Chilean Peso). Plus, we will definitely stock up with some wine (Chilean is our favourite). Finally, it's always handy to have some cash at the airport.

Therefore, subject to your helpful comments, I am thinking of taking just US dollars & Chilean Peso's to get by. Any views please?

It's a matter of personal choice, of course, but this was our experience.

We did these of call and more (Valparaiso to Buenos Aires) 2 years ago and relied entirely on $US.

We booked tours with local operators prior to leaving home and paid in cash after each tour. We also bought from souvenirs from local craft markets and the like with $US.

At Punta Arenas I booked a tour with Payne Tours, a local company, but they didn't turn up, so went with with one of the many tour guides waiting at the port and, again, paid in $US.

When we were in Argentina (particularly BA) the official exchange rate was poor compared with the Blue Dollar rate. Under that system you were encouraged to pay in shops, cafes and restaurants in $US and there would be notices in windows advertising the Blue Rate for that particular establishment.

Since the new government was elected things are changing and this link may help to clarify the current situation.

http://www.buenostours.com/getting-the-best-exchange-rate-for-your-dollars-in-buenos-aires

Has anyone had one of the balcony cabins on this deck? Comments welcome.

We stayed in S12, port side, on a Baltic cruise. We liked the location close to the Crow's Nest bar which was our favourite location for a late night drink, gentle musical entertainment and quizzes.

We found the balcony rather on the small side, but we normally have C deck cabins on the Azura, Ventura and similar Princess ships which are larger than average. We also liked the fact that it's easy to get out onto the sun deck which is great for viewing from both sides of the ship.

Opposite Cabin S8 there is a storage room for bar supplies for the Crow's Nest, which in our experience was replenished late at night, with the sound of chinking glass and rattling bottles. I complained on the second night and there were no problems for the rest of the cruise. This problem wouldn't arise if you choose a cabin on the starboard side.

On the QV in 2016, and calling at Cartagena, Colombia. I was wondering if any of you who have been there, can tell me if there was a Cunard shuttle bus from the port to the old town or city centre.

I have also found that there is a city guided tour by bus from the cruise terminal but it is only 3 hours, and would really like longer. The Ho-Ho bus, I believe, is some way from the terminal, and the walk to pick this up, is not the best!

Any comments or help would be much appreciated.

We are joining QV at Cape Town on the final leg in April.

But we are visiting Catagena next month with Coral Princess and have had booked a tour with a small goup of fellow passengers with Cladia Vidal, a local guide, who comes highly recommended on Tripadvisor and Cruise Critic.

There's a video of one of her tours on this link: http://www.toursclaudiavidal.com/index.htm