pacificlover

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.  I will certainly look again later in the year but really it is not so much of a disappointment missing the cruise but the frustration not being able to have the choice when I want it.  I have cruised all over the world in my lifetime and it is just now that I've become more restricted in my choices because of age and mobility.  I certainly could never afford suites or balcony cruising if I wanted to keep cruising every four months or so.  Cheap and cheerful is sufficient for me to allow me to keep my life interesting meeting people on board.  Thanks again for your interest.

Thanks for reminding me of this loophole, and if I was really desperate for that particular cruise I would consider doing the dummy second person.  My point of this post is, you have to "work the system" to be able to book solo.  I think that having to lie about my circumstances is just so sad.  I may just make do with my 3 cruises already booked for this year and save my money for another cruise line in the future.

No they are available if 2 passengers

I have been checking out a Coastal cruise on P&O Pacific Adventure for August this year.  As a past passenger of more than 30 plus cruises with P&O alone (more than 50 cruises in my lifetime) I was disappointed to find that P&O will not allow a solo passenger to take an inside cabin. In fact only cabins on offer are top of the line Suites.  If I wanted to take an island cruise they are happy to take my money.  Not Happy Jan!!!

Today it is 12 months since we left the Sun Princess in Perth after a fabulous Circle Indian Ocean cruise.  Nearly 7 weeks of pure bliss, even though we were denied landing at a few ports.  The longest cruise I've been on, and that has helped with my "cruise withdrawal".  I do have a few booked, and hopefully will get me back in my favourite place.  On the high seas.  First one is a B2B P&O in September this year.  Fingers and toes crossed.

7 hours ago, ilikeanswers said:

I think before you get too detailed you should remember when cruising restarts things might not be the same so people's pre covid experiences may not be as reliable for future cruises or whatever covid safe measures are put in place may change the experience significantly.

I totally agree that things are sure to change, but here are my thoughts on your list of cruise lines.  Celebrity - the best piano bar experience on the one cruise I had with them.

Princess - overall best fit for me

HAL - best food, particularly dining room

Royal Carib - too long ago, and not memorable

Norwegian - the variety and number of venues of entertainment were fantastic

Carnival - least impressed out of my 50 off cruises

MSC - best ambience but food and entertainment were below par

Not cruised on COSTA.

I have often Googled the cabin number and ship and find there are reviews.  Not necessarily by the ship's company.

Just could not resist.  B2B cruises 8 nights plus 9 nights.  We don't bother going ashore and cruise for the on board life.  Total $1198 - $70 p/p p/day - where else could you get accommodation, food and entertainment for that?  No deposit refund deal, but still worth the risk.

2 hours ago, IMSYDNEYAUS said:

G’day Jilltoons, great question and you have received some great answers so far.  May I ask you a couple of questions?  What are your expectations for a South Pacific cruise?  Over several cruises I have visited all of the ports you mention and have my own opinions on them however I’m interested in your expectations so we can hopefully meet and exceed them.  Also, what other cruises to ‘island’ type destinations have you done i.e. Caribbean or the Mexican Riviera?

To add to the above.  I have done 5 Caribbean cruises and numerous South Pacific cruises (too many to count) and I must point out that they are like chalk and cheese.  South Pacific cruises are mostly beach based with the locals having rustic stalls with a lot of basic souvenirs.  Definitely no hard sell - often you have to approach them in order to buy something.  Think, palm trees, white sandy beaches - bliss.  As you can see from my "name" Pacificlover - I'm a huge fan. My favourites are the Vanuatu group more than New Caledonia, but that is my opinion only.

Have heard back re my request and all organised for refund.  Now to find something that interests me - at this stage nothing offered during winter out of Sydney.  Will keep an eye out to see if they base something here in Australia in future.

1 hour ago, MMDown Under said:

Did you write back to them re memo from Princess to Agents about the sale?

I did not bother to as I figured it would happen anyway.  I have seen the following post here, but heard nothing at this stage from Princess.  This site is fantastic and has all the latest news.  I will now follow up for a refund of my "large" deposit on the Sept 2021 cruise and also for my Sea Princess March/April cruise to PNG.  I have long given up on my Pacific Adventure B2B cruise Christmas and NY.  I have never had less than 4 future cruises booked these past few years........now none to look forward too.  So sad.

1 hour ago, Kiwi Kruzer said:

https://crew-center.com/princess-cruises-sells-two-cruise-ships

Yes, I saw that on 18 September, hence my contacting Princess. 

10 minutes ago, V_icki_e said:

All cruises on Sun and Sea have mysteriously 'sold out' overnight...  it's looking ominous. 

Yesterday I received this reply from my "Cruise Specialist" when I asked about my booking for September 2021 on Sea Princess.

Thank you for reaching out to me direct regarding the Sea Princess.

 Princess cannot confirm details around the sale of any ships at this time. We can confirm that there are interested buyers however nothing has been finalised as of this date.

I just booked Sea Princess Circle Pacific leaving Sydney 20 September 2021.  Booked direct with Princess.  Go figure???

I may be wrong, but think when booking through US agency grats are not included and are added daily during the voyage.  When booking with Australian agent or Princess Australia office they are included in price.  Something to think about per person - usually around $US13 per day (may be more when in a balcony) - that sure adds up to $$$ during a cruise.

19 hours ago, Tikibird said:

We have an inside cabin booked for PNG cruise ex-Brisbane Oct 2021.  I am elite so I am hoping they upgrade us if this cruise goes ahead.

I wouldn't count on upgrade just because you are Elite.  I have been for more than 3 years, have cruised around 3 times a year and am still to receive an upgrade offer.

If you are happy 2 Go on a Vacation you should book

I was on the ship for the Circle Indian Ocean cruise which finished in Fremantle with some passengers continuing on to Adelaide or Sydney.  The passenger was more likely to have picked up the virus whilst transferring home to Tasmania.  The Sun disembarked the majority of the passengers on 10 March in Fremantle.

13 hours ago, SinbadThePorter said:

 

With a caveat to #1. I think cruises in Australian waters only will restart in June.

Hoping South Pacific in June as I've nabbed a super special on Explorer.

Enough already.  This has become unpleasant.  I knew that I could put another person on my booking, but that did not sit well with me.  I cruise at least 3 to 4 times a year and would hate to be denied further bookings because I fraudulently entered into the agreement of booking my cabin.  Gone are the days when I was able to "share with a stranger" and so must rely on friends to be available to cruise when a deal comes up.  I have been on the past two Christmas cruises on the Explorer (with friends) and loved every minute.  Had hoped I could repeat the experience this year.

No Mr Walker........I particularly queried her constant reference to "solo" cabin.  Told her I was not interested in special cabin, but wanted a regular twin cabin - willing to pay for that, but with only one passenger.  This was a direct call to P&O.  I quoted my loyalty number and she was aware that I have extensive history with P&O.  In fact my last cruise in September with my family I was given priority treatment.  P&O have never done that before for me, but I was given priority boarding, fruit bowls delivered to my cabin on two occasions, choc covered strawberries on one and an invitation to a cocktail party for very small group of passengers.  All without any request by myself.  I am Elite with Princess but have never experienced this treatment with P&O before.  I was pleasantly surprised.  But obviously none of this counts when trying to book a cabin for myself when "specials" are being offered.

Thank you Brisbane41.  I feel I should not have to lie or pretend to be in a partnership in order to book a cabin.  If I am prepared to pay double (gulp!!) then I should be allowed to choose whichever cruise I want. The cruise lines in the past have taken my booking, but in this case it is a "last minute" booking, and therefore cheaper.

Just tried to book Christmas cruise with Pacific Explorer as a solo passenger.  Was told sorry no cabins available.  When I asked about twin share, then cabins immediately became available.  As a solo booking I would have been paying double the price, ie for two berths, how is that not discrimination?  I realise P&O worry about lost on board spending with only the one person buying, but do they really think it is worth a cabin sailing empty by denying a solo cruiser?

I have heard that the staff lose out, not only by lack of grats but that the head of their section asks them to "please explain" - have they not done their job correctly.  Feed back from passengers goes a long way to the staff getting perks - like time off - if they do an excellent job.  As others have said, just accept that it is part of your cruise fare.  Lets face it, it usually equates to the price of a cocktail per day.

Just read ship rescued three sailors, so will probably be late arriving