WeeCountyMan

Have you any experience of this bank ?

https://www.openbank.es/en/free-atm

I stumbled upon the website by chance when checking the use of UK Santander debit cards in Spain - presumably aimed at Spanish residents, just wondered why it came up in English ?

- I am best exchanging before I go to get a better rate?

The Barclaycard Platinum Travel credit card is top choice - https://www.barclaycard.co.uk/personal/credit-cards/platinum-travel-credit-card

The Starling debit card is another winner - https://www.starlingbank.com/blog/best-card-for-travel-money/

That is administered via an app on smartphones etc. - works a treat on my old iPad and even better on the iPhone

A Metrobank debit card is also a fee free deal where Euros are concerned, and you can now apply online - https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5-TXBRCHARIsANLixNxNJYU3fYEMS7Ae7-mv0kATyfmAaTDxJXEFnJuXditACodzYgiErMsaAk7nEALw_wcB

Don't exchange onboard at the ship's FX rate - it's very unfavourable.

As I said originally it now states the allowances on the e tickets

We are off to Spain soon on a Thomsons Gold package - it states 7kg on one part of the eticket and 5kg on another section.

Consistency ?

You'd be surprised (or maybe not if a regular TUI client) at the number of their employees who are uncertain about hand luggage weight allowances

I've experienced shop staff who had to ask their colleagues about cruises, followed by a discussion, and finally having to consult the small print in the brochure.

Meanwhile Jet2 have 10kg as standard - maybe that's a factor here ?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/jet2-named-best-airline-in-uk/

Some check some don't

That's been our experience as well.

So, what's Fred's criteria for reaching the AI availability cut off point ?

I am a bit of a foodie that the food will disappoint me.

The waiter will offer an alternative if you are unhappy with any chosen dish.

In my (limited) experience wi-fi onboard is slow and erratic - and well overpriced.

Best to wait until you arrive in port and watch where the crew head for - or find a decent bar, most have wi-fi.

Hi Parsman - digressing, however I doubt you'll mind.

We drove past EEP yesterday and that reminded me the second pair of playoff games are on BT Sport - if we get there.

https://spfl.co.uk/news/article/play-off-dates-and-tv-selections/

I checked the Kremlin website and it clearly states that Thursday is a day off so my question to Tui was why did they even advertise this tour in the first place when it was never going to go ahea

As many here will testify - Thomsons/TUI don't do joined up thinking.

It wasn't to expensive and we saw most of the sites and of course the apes. Be very careful around them

They'll grab hold of anything that's "portable" so watch out for your hats and bags etc. - and absolutely don't have any foodstuffs around.

We saw kids coming out the souvenir shop at the top of the Rock with sweeties which were immediately "liberated" by these primates.

If you do fall victim - best not to challenge them directly, they can be nasty little beggars.

If diplomatic relations between Russia and the UK deteriorate much further you might get locked up in the Kremlin if you visit !!!

Apologies, I suspected as much.

Strange that SAGA won't allow access.

Have they explained why not ?

We reserved our upcoming Fred Olsen cruise onboard Braemar last summer and therefore thought the new booking was with FO direct - was surprised when the TA who had administered our previous booking with FO assumed responsibility for the newer one.

I would reckon any changes to bookings etc. have to be done through your TA as it was they with whom you initiated the business, not SAGA.

Could be chaos if two different offices were allowed to administer.

From my limited experiences, satellite signal reception is very erratic, even in port.

Well spotted - I just saw the headline price and thought "no thanks" to that offer.

Friends have booked at the FO offer price, not too fussed about choice of cabin restriction, and OK to pay the small extra charge to join us on 1st sitting.

Even with the Drinks Package added it's a very good saving, and the car transfer is another non issue as we literally live "just up the road" from Rosyth.

Had a look at Saga website prices for a cruise this summer which are currently on special offer from Fred Olsen direct - nothing reduced.

The FO direct price was several hundred pounds cheaper - and our regular cruise agent was offering the same deal.

So true! I bet you could run a complete thread on "Things Thomson/Tui/Marella got wrong!"

It's the lack of joined up thinking that you find with Thomsons that irks me.

Different departments that don't talk to each other, for example, and give conflicting advice etc.

Or the repeated erroneous information on luggage allowances.

Apparently 'smart tailored shorts' are now acc development, thanks.eptable in the MDRs on Discovery, D2 and Explorer. This is from the Marella FAQs page:-

Interesting development, thanks.

Even more so because it is not universally applicable to all TUI ships.

Shorts in the MDR for dinner - not for me, I am all for informality, however, there are limits.

Shorts are not acceptable in the MDR for dinner - OK at breakfast though.

You'll need to use the buffet in the evening if you want to wear shorts - places are dressed with tablecloths and set out cutlery and flowers etc.

For the MDR on informal nights it's smart casual for gents - long trousers and shirt, or polo neck, long or short sleeve, ties not required.

Ladies as appropriate.

Our experiences with them over the years have taught us that although they do some things really well, they can also do some things really badly, and this was one time they did badly.

About 20 years ago we stayed in a hotel in Greece, the Thomsons rep was a man in his late(ish) 30's, very competent and professional. Normally it's 19 year old girls who are still learning the ropes.

When we got home I wrote to Thomson's HQ commending him - received a "sorry to hear your were so disappointed with your hotel representative" reply !!! Fortumately I had copied him into the original, so when I responded to Thomson's nonsense he was in no doubt that we had raised no complaint.

That is indicative of Thomsons.

There's no reason not to get the shuttle into Marseilles, forewarned is forearmed - just make sure the destination services people confirm that the drop off and collection location are one and the same.

Thank you for your reply. The conversation was difficult to follow she definitely said £77 for both or £45 to book just the cabin. We have of course had to queue to check in have photo Etc unless we have been in a suite but she was making out we would have to join a “very long queue” for cabin assignment which didn’t sound good

When you book a package holiday through TUI the hotel reception staff don't have you hanging around their desk while they scratch around trying to find you a room - these are all allocated in advance. Same on the ship, no matter how long or short the queue, you'll have a cabin ready when it's your turn to check in.

Thanks for the replies. Should have made it clear that I've done about 15 cruises with the big US line and was wondering if it would feel like a come down switching to TUI / Marella

It's different, however that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable.

We've done 3 cruises with Princess and 10 with Thomsons (as was) - would have no hesitation in recommending either, based on our experiences.

It Thomsons/Tui/Marella are getting things wrong - then it's not obvious to thousands of repeat clients, and as evidenced by newer ships being added to the portfolio.

I can't close this thread, "I don't have the power captain!" (read in Scottish accent)

Suggestion - delete "don't have" and insert "dinnae hae" perhaps ?

We'll need to educate you in Jock Talk !!!

:-)

The duty free shop is not open on all cruises, as some of our fellow passengers discovered to their dismay a couple or so years ago - I suspect it was "Mediterranean Medley" - the ports of call were all in the EU.

Fortunately I had clocked this before we joined the ship and organised a quick visit to the Carrefour supermarket in Palma.

These exceptions are few and far between - but worth being aware of.