WeeCountyMan

Thanks.

We noticed that masks were needed in pharmacy in Mallorca a few weeks ago - not sure if that was a local rule or a general requirement.

Face coverings were compulsory on public transport.

So, it's better to take them and not have to use them, than vice versa.

We are interested in a cruise from Rosyth in late August - just wondered what restrictions might be in place on the ship ?

Don't fancy face coverings etc.

What about going ashore - can we do our own thing ?

Can anybody offer an idea based on recent experience.

On 1/1/2022 at 1:59 PM, tring said:

 

Is that the Corinth Canal itinerary?

Indeed - I saw a similar itinerary for this new calendar year which is even more costly.

An offer I can refuse.

Just received a heads up brochure for a Med cruise 2023 - around 24 nights.

My initial interest evaporated when I saw the £4,999 price tag.

Thanks Dave.

Interesting that Lerwick is going to be open for self service runs ashore - meanwhile other cruise lines (MSC and Marella that I know of) maintaining their shIp excursion only mantra for ports of the British Isles.

They say it's down to policy of local authorities - if so, why is Lerwick OK, and not others ? Have the Shetlands separated from the UK ?

Recently heard that Fred Olsen are allowing DIY shore excursions on (at least) one of their UK departure cruises - it has two ports of call, Lerwick and Faroe Islands.

Based on local regulations at this time - of course these could be revised if the health scenario has a subsequent negative impact.

Not sure if that's general policy for all ports of call around the British Isles.

Update - FO and travel agent advising that guests on L2124 (five nights, out of Rosyth on 5th August) CAN disembark in Shetlands and Faroes without joining ship organised excursions.

That is the situation at this time - subject to revision of course if the health scenario changes.

I've just called TUI for clarification on shore visits in respect of the Marella 2 cruises from Newcastle, details of which will be announced shortly.

No DIY independent disembarkations - you have to join a ship organised excursion.

No thanks, not for us.

I had a read through Fred's FAQs - didn't clarify much either way.

Reluctance to commit on such questions is understandable from their perspective.

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere.

Does anybody have a handle on FO's intentions for punters who wish to go ashore when in UK ports of call ?

Other cruise lines are only permitting shore visits if on a ship organised tour - I don't fancy that.

2 minutes ago, seapals2 said:

That’s what  I take it to mean.  If it was 100% then none would be able to get infected.  If it was 0% then it would be of no use.  The vaccine has to prompt the body to produce antibodies ... in some and often the elderly the immune system doesn’t respond.  The flu vaccine has an adjuvant in it for the over 65s to make it more efficient.  

I took it to mean that any individual who was vaccinated was 85% protected from infection.

Is that the same as saying that 15 in a hundred are not protected at all ?

I'm no statistician !!!

12 hours ago, seapals2 said:

 The vaccine is aprox 85% efficient so 15 in every hundred passengers are susceptible.  

Is that what 85% effective actually means in practical terms ?

2 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Sorry, I assumed you had seen the itineraries showing the ports of call, that was posted on this thread only a couple of days ago.

No, I only clocked Simon Calder's recent article in the Independent and thought it might be worth flagging up these restrictions on the Princess forum, in case it had slipped under the radar of any Brits potentially interested in such a cruise.

If internal travel restrictions within the UK are lifted then I reckon Princess will have a problem trying to justify their "no go ashore unescorted" policy.

Of course, up here, north of Hadrian's Wall, the Scottish Government has separate travel rules compared to England and/or Wales.......that could muddy the waters (no pun intended) if they remain different when the around Britain cruising season kicks off !!!

10 hours ago, wowzz said:

No ports of call in Wales, as I'm sure you know.

No, I didn't know. Otherwise I would have indicated such.

Wales has just lifted internal travel restrictions - if there are ports of call there then it'll be interesting to see how Princess react.

Likewise other parts of the UK if/when there are similar easing of travel bans.

Got ours a few weeks back - a very professional young L/Cpl medic in the RAMC - the Pfizer variant, all good.

Deployed from his regular base at York and accommodated at RN "stone frigate" facilities at Rosyth.

Apologies in advance if this has been flagged up elsewhere already, however it may be of interest to potential UK clients not yet aware.

Princess are offering cruises around the British Isles - but only those who sign up for ship organised excursions will be allowed ashore.

On 3/19/2021 at 2:56 PM, bishop84 said:

As per the article Marella management think "Dover has never looked so attractive!” 

 

 

On the contrary, I can assure Andrew Flintham that not a few potential cruisers have never considered Dover as an attractive port of departure. ☹️

Think Newcastle or Rosyth for us North Britons - Liverpool for middle of the UK punters.

On 3/21/2021 at 2:12 PM, Miller Cruiser said:

Have finally decided to book a Princess cruise around the UK in October. Ten nights, balcony cabin on deck 15, includes drinks package, all tips and WiFi. All for just over£3300 for the two of us. Bargain, if it goes ahead. I know it's from Southampton, and it'll be a bit of a pain to get there from Yorkshire, but I can't wait. Have already started looking at YouTube videos of the ship.

Keep safe everyone.

Simon Calder had a piece in the Independent  a few days ago about Princess not allowing punters off the ship in UK ports unless they go on ship organised excursions.

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/po-cruises-southampton-diamond-princess-b1819564.html

British citizens not being allowed ashore in their own country unescorted - that'll go down well with potential customers !!!

Apologies, if that's breaking news to you - don't shoot the messenger !!! 

9 hours ago, brian1 said:

There's rumours of a negative test required before entry being introduced.

More than a rumour apparently.

https://www.thelocal.es/20201028/explained-what-we-know-about-canary-islands-plan-to-introduce-covid-tests-for-tourists

No specific mention of passengers in transit to join a cruise ship (that I could see) - but that would be an astonishing omission if so.

Opens a Pandora's Box for any poor soul that tests positive, God forbid.

As above.

Plus - who fancies confinement in a cylindrical tube, wearing face coverings in close proximity of other punters, for nearly 5 hours each way to join a ship ? ☹️

Otheropinins might differ of course, the nature of internet threads.

On 9/19/2020 at 9:47 PM, rkacruiser said:

Thanks to those who responded to my question about the Port of Rosyth.  I appreciate you doing so.

Rosyth was a major naval base in both World Wars.

My wife's grannie recalled watching Beatty's battlecruiser fleet sailing out to Jutland in the summer of 1916.

"Also few people post on here so chances are none live near Rosyth."

I beg to differ.

Relatives in Limekilns (almost a stone's throw from Rosyth) and Dalgety Bay.

No public access to dockyard of course.

I wouldn't recommend booking a very long cruise without having previously experienced at least one standard duration itinerary.

Does Fred still offer their onboard "change of mind" promise ?

I never paid much attention - but it was along the lines that passengers who didn't like their cruise could get home and be refunded - as long as such a decision was made within a few days of sailing.

Maybe some of the more educated FO residents could eloborate ?

Yes - poor stuff from the Guardian, and they are generally a responsible source.