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Malch_uk

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Posts posted by Malch_uk

  1. 1 hour ago, davecttr said:

    I have read elsewhere that the show team rehearse 12 different shows, quiet a feat to remember all those!

    In the 'olden days' they used to do an afternoon play on sea days as well

     

    Ah, the afternoon plays. I think they were first introduced by Richard Gray on the Thomson Spirit. He was from an acting background. Brilliant Cruise Director. Wonder what he's doing now.

  2. On 1/27/2019 at 6:39 PM, lincslady said:

    Almost forgot, Saga includes tips, though many people give tips to their cabin steward and their morning tea service person.  Saga is also particularly good for singles and people with disabilities. 

     

    Also free computer use and WiFi; included 24 hour room service etc etc; binoculars in all cabins; free bottled water delivered daily.

     

     

  3. Hi what time were you able to check in and board pls, we are driving up from the Midlands and plan to get there 11ish.
    I think check-in starts from 12:00 or 12:30 but arriving at 11:00 will give you time for the car parking and to get some refreshments in the terminal.

     

    If you are travelling from the South, I recommend using the A19 and the Tyne Tunnel. The Cruise/Ferry terminal is signposted once you exit the tunnel.

     

     

     

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  4. Finding this thread interesting as we are looking at Celebration for my 60th October 2019. We have been on Spirit that also has a vibration problem - not that it bothered us; can someone tell me if it is about the same on Celebration or better/worse? Many thanks.
    It's the same as these were identical ships before Celebration had the upgrade.

     

     

     

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  5. At Port of Tyne you drive into the car park as directed by staff on the gate and park where shown. The porters then take your luggage and you lock your car and keep the keys before making your way to the terminal to check in.

    Book through Fred as it's cheaper than booking direct.

     

    The port is easy to find and well signposted from the A19, just before it goes under the Tyne Tunnel to the South.

  6. We are also coming from Sheffield and have always gone straight up the A1 but your route looks good - I guess it's dual carriageway all the way?? Think we'll try it for a change!
    Yes, dual carriageway after A1. A nice leisurely drive.

     

    Beware. Some sat-navs don't recognize the Tyne Tunnel is there and try to take you through Newcastle!

     

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  7. Fenreed and Sarah888,

     

    Driving to Port of Tyne is not too bad from the M1. We do it regularly from Sheffield as we cruise with Fred. Olsen and Cruise & Maritime as well as Marella. Much prefer sailing from there or Liverpool.

     

    Take your preferred route to the A1 then at J.49 turn off onto the A168 which becomes the A19 and takes you all the way. It is much quieter than the A1. When you exit the Tyne Tunnel and go through the pay barrier (was £1.70 each way last year, cash only, no change given (check website)) follow the brown tourist signs (I think it's the first exit) for cruise/ferry terminal and shopping centre. There is always someone on the gate to direct you to the correct area whether you are parking or just dropping off luggage.

     

    Fenreed, I know what you mean about Intercruise. We used them once and they drove off from Port of Tyne with the luggage doors of the coach open then drove straight past Woodall Services where they were supposed to be dropping off. Never again!

  8. Ignore the previous post!

     

    You drive into the car park first where they check your name off the booking list and provide you with an envelope containing your welcome letter, cruise card and luggage labels (unlimited luggage allowance). Once you have attached the labels to your cases these are taken directly to the ship.

    You then park your car where directed and board the free bus to the check in area (details in an earlier post).

     

    On your return to Port of Tyne at the end of the cruise, catch the bus from the ship to the car park where your luggage will be waiting.

     

    It's very well organized as they do it all the time, not just for Marella.

     

     

    I would reckon you will need to drop your luggage at the terminal (dont try and enter car park as you wont have the ticket, or follow other cars, go straight to the front of the terminal where the taxis go), one of you stop with the luggage while the other goes off to park the car, is the person whose drive you are using going to drop you back at the terminal ?? it will probably be a fair walk.

     

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  9. Your luggage labels will be in the envelope with your cruise card and welcome letter which you will be handed on arrival at the terminal, before they take your cases.

    Cabins aren't allocated until near departure date (except pre booked) so they can't send labels through the post.

     

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  10. Hi, I was just wondering if you enjoyed this cruise, particularly the ports of call? We are booked on Cruise and Maritime for a very similar cruise in June this year and are looking for advise on the trips, etc.

     

     

    Thanks very much in anticipation.

    Hi. Tours in Norway are all generally very good, particularly the scenic ones.

    Our favourite was in Stavanger where we took a trip by boat to a private garden island (Flor something?). It was a ship's tour.

    In Flam, the Norway in a Nutshell is an excellent full day with lunch (although quite expensive, as is everything in Norway).

    We enjoyed the Magellan cruise very much. Quite similar to Fred Olsen in terms of cruise experience.

     

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  11. Just out of interest, are you able to access 'manage my cruise' on Fred after booking through Saga?

    I ask, because we have booked a Saga cruise through our usual TA and Saga are refusing us access to manage our booking.

    It seems a contradiction in their attitude if you can.

    I'd be really grateful for a response as I am taking the matter up with ABTA

    Have you paid the full balance yet? You don't usually get access to these things until you have. I think your first port of call should be the travel agent to ask what the situation is.

     

    If you book a FO cruise through Saga they don't pass your details to FO until the full balance has been paid. You then receive correspondence from FO including shore tour booking information etc.

     

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  12. 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.

    The FO reduced prices will probably be "Anchor" prices ie: no choice of cabin or dining time.

    The Saga price will still include cabin and dining time choice, car to and from the port, travel insurance (or reduction if not needed) and drinks package etc.

     

     

     

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  13. you will be exempt from a second muster drill but might still need your card scanned to say you are there. A letter will be placed in your cabin explaining what is required.
    You will need to attend second muster if you have changed cabin as possibility is it will be different lifeboat.

     

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  14. My husband and I are cruising the Fjords end of July, I would like to book the train in Flam. As my husband suffers from emphaseama, I am a little concerned that it might be too cold when train reaches top of mountain. Think my question is how cold, and has anyone had breathing problems when reaching sumit
    The train doesn't go to the top of a mountain. It goes up the valley to join the main line to/from Bergen. No altitude problems.

     

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  15. mtt - possibly the problems were caused by it being an unscheduled flight and a one off So should think that they would be prepared for regular flights already booked in well in advance No where could possibly be worse than Montego Bay IMO ��

     

    It would be around 6 unscheduled flights to clear all 1200 passengers from Celebration. No wonder they couldn't cope. The cruise was the Spring repo from Red Sea to Mediterranean.

  16. Experiences please? Do you get all the Saga perks? Eg. Included insurance, car to and from home etc.
    Yes. Included car to and from port or parking at port, and insurance. (Reduction if insurance not needed.) Also free drinks package was included on all 2017 Fred cruises booked through Saga with free gratuities for cruises of 14 nights or more. Presume will be same this year.

    Check on Saga website.

     

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  17. A friend of mine is taking his first CMV cruise this month. I am eagerly waiting his report before I decide to book a CMV cruise. Our last two cruises with Fred have not been entirely satisfactory so I am looking for other alternatives.
    We sailed CMV to the Fjords last year and found it entirely satisfactory. I don't think you will be disappointed if you give it a try.

     

     

     

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  18. You can book Port of Tyne parking through Fred Olsen. It works out slightly cheaper than booking direct. (Group rate.)

    Very easy to get there. From the south use the A19, through the Tyne Tunnel, then follow brown tourist signs for Cruise / Ferry Terminal. Your luggage is taken from your car direct to the ship.

     

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