alsa

Currently sat around the pool on Reflection.  We got here at 8am as decided not to go ashore and have a quiet day by pool.  Next to us is SIX sun beds with towels and pegs and one bag.  Still unoccupied 6 hours later - a group of women have ‘reserved ‘ whilst ashore!!!!! The pool area is starting to fill up - What would you do?? 

9 hours ago, jelayne said:

Check the Florida departure board lots of suggestions there.

Thank you. Can I ask where I find this please?  Not used to using this site.

Hi.  Can anyone recommend a company for private transfer from Miami Airport to a hotel in Fort Lauderdale please.  Many thanks 😊 

4 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

Ok should we stop discussing anything about Covid on here now then ?

 

Forget about the insurance issues and questions, shore excursion problems, pcr tests, quarantine cabins and being offloaded, how to move cruises back etc etc

 

And pretend everything is normal?

 

 

No not at all.  But just get on with what you have to do rather than moaning.  Everybody has to do the same things, which yes are a nuisance, but we all understand necessary.  What we don’t have to do is say things which suggest cruises should stop, staycations re introduced and generally make people worried about the cruises they are looking forward to and have saved hard for.  Everybody, including myself, have had cruises moved, cancelled, changed and generally being far from what we usually expect.  But it is better to live in hope that it will go ahead rather than look on the dark side.

4 hours ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

You aren't actually posting any facts there though are you?

 

The cruise lines don't actually have to keep cancelling cruises every time a new variant is found

 

This variant is serious enough for countries to start closing their borders already despite minimal cases across the world

 

That tells you it's serious.  Decisions like that are actually avoided if at all possible 

 

Hospitality can't choose what they do and adapt in these circumstances. 

 

It's taken out of their hands entirely

 

People say it's doom and gloom 

 

Theres a reason why share prices of cruise lines have dropped so heavily last 48 hrs

 

That's not doom and gloom. It's just fact

 

 

Wow you really are gloomy aren’t you?  Just leave people to get on with their cruises rather than spoiling their excitement and hope that things will be ok!  NOBODY knows what will happen - but one things for sure, I and many other true cruise lovers will support them by carrying on booking cruises until one day things are good again.

I really feel people should stop spreading doom and gloom for people who have been excitedly waiting for a cruise for so long.  Let’s just wait and see what happens rather than suggesting or predicting bad things.

On 9/18/2021 at 6:29 PM, zap99 said:

How about those folk who get up at silly o'clock, put towels on beds in both sides of the ship for when the ship moves , or the sun changes sides and then go back to bed. Is that OK?.

If you read my post properly you would know that No I don’t think that is alright.

It’s simple - want a sun bed? Get yourself bottom out of bed and stop complaining!  So many people walk past me moaning at 11am that there are no beds - what do they expect me to do?  Give them mine?! No way, I get up early, grab a coffee and sit with my bed for as long as I need it - apart from toilet visits.  I’m so fed up with people complaining that people are up early grabbing beds - I get up early because I choose to and like the early mornings on cruise ships - always have and always will!  Yes  some people do reserve beds and leave them for a while - their decision - I always make sure we stay with ours apart from grabbing something to eat - which we have on the bed too!!!!!!  Don’t always assume early risers are bad people!!

3 hours ago, dog said:

Your Travel Summary should tell you 

3 hours ago, majortom10 said:

Cannot speak for the 4nt cruises but we are booked on 7nt in September and it is on our booking summary on the website that there are 2 formal nights.

3 hours ago, majortom10 said:

Cannot speak for the 4nt cruises but we are booked on 7nt in September and it is on our booking summary on the website that there are 2 formal nights.

I’ve looked under travel summary on the website and can’t find it - where did you see it please?

Ah thanks.  I tend to use the Ocean Ready Medallion App and can’t see it on there.  I’ll look at the website ☺️

Hello all!  Does anyone know if there will be any formal nights on the UK ‘staycation’ cruises?  Ours is a 4 night one at the beginning of August.

thank you 😊

On 5/8/2021 at 11:35 AM, MX-Drew said:

My guess is that the relevant information with be (if it has not already been) entered into a database read by the NHS app. The transfer of data from one database to another is a simple one line SQL command and would only take a hour (I doubt even that long) for all the required data to be transfered.

So get ready to download the NHS app as it makes sense that is the only one that will be accepted otherwise you have train staff to cope with a number of different apps etc. 

I downloaded the App as soon as I heard your Covid vaccine results would be on there.  Sure enough my first one was.  I had my second one on Saturday and my results were on the app a couple of hours later!  Can’t expect anything better than that really!

Loved watching Iona arrive today!!

Waiting for Iona at Hythe with Gliteratti!  Come on rain - go away!!

38 minutes ago, Jennizor said:

Hi Alsa, we were on the same cruise as you. We love Britannia but Azura is our favourite. We have booked again on Britannia in December. I am determined to have a holiday in the sun this year, after having 3 cancelled. We have been to the Caribbean several times on Oriana, Arcadia, Ventura, Azura and Britannia. We never tire of the Caribbean, we don’t always get off the ship these days as my husband has a leg problem (hoping it will get sorted next year!). We quite like the peaceful, laid back days on board when many passengers are off exploring. We are booked on an Eastern Med cruise in September, not sure if that will happen, but hopefully the December one will. 

Hello!  yes we have done the Caribbean since 2007 but initially we started on Princess Cruises.  We love P&O but are also big fans of Princess, Celebrity and RCI.  Anyone who hasn't tried Celebrity I thoroughly recommend it!  Like most people on here, we are addicted to cruising and cant wait to cruise again - the sooner the better!  we have 2 booked - Caribbean Christmas and New Year on Azura (we had this booked for last Christmas but had to move to this year - so fingers crossed!) and Feb on Britannia in the Caribbean too  - and like many others have had 5 cancelled!  hope your husbands leg gets better soon - you need him mobile for your future cruises!

We also like the peace and quite onboard when we are in a port but also like to explore the port area and go on trips on the islands.

On 3/14/2021 at 12:20 PM, wowzz said:

I know this is a bit premature, but I'm starting to consider various cruise options for early 2023 ( and I'm fed up reading about M&H in the papers!)

With regards to P&O Caribbean cruises, can I ask the team here their thoughts on the following options.

1. Fly in the day the cruise departs, or the day before. 

2. Barbados or St Lucia for departure port.

3. Assuming a balcony cabin, Brittania or Azura ( I'm leaving Arriva out of the equation)

Thanks for all your opinions. 

Hello there!  we did Britannia out of Barbados in Feb-March 2020. We actually ended up being the last cruise to leave Barbados for a Caribbean cruise before Covid - the passengers due to board and sail after us were either sent home at the airport, flown home or sailed back to Southampton with the ship - we consider ourselves so lucky!

I have sailed on Britannia before to the Med and Fjords but found the experience on her in the Caribbean totally different.  We actually loved it 100% more!!  I think its because we love being in the sun and knowing we had sunshine every day - also there seemed to be a happier 'vibe' onboard - we even noticed the crew seemed happier?  

We flew out the day before the cruise and found this great.  We found the whole experience of flying out and boarding the ship extremely smooth, quick and well organised.  We were taken off the plane and straight onto buses - no need to even go into the airport!  the bus ride was very pleasant and didn't take long at all. We reached the ship, there was no queue at check in and were onboard and having a drink by the pool by 4pm.

That night we were extremely tired from travelling so had a light dinner in the buffet and went to bed fairly early. A point to note is that although we were the first plane in that day, our luggage didn't arrive at our cabin until about 8-9pm, I guess they wait until all the flights are in and then bring all the luggage together?  We were glad we had taken some shorts and flip flops to change into in our hand luggage!   It was the next day that we realised we had made the right choice as we had a little lay in, breakfast in the main dining room and went to 'The Boatyard' for the day.  This was recommended and was so relaxing and a great start to the holiday.  The ship wasn't due to sail until late so we took our time getting back.  The good thing was we were away from the ship and out of the way of others boarding the ship that day.  It was an incredibly relaxed first day of the cruise and we were refreshed, unpacked and awake for sail away that night! 

So in answer to your question, I can't comment on Azura yet - we are due to cruise on her in December.  But certainly flying out to Britannia on the day before worked amazingly well for us!  Good luck deciding and i'm sure you'll have a wonderful time 😊

21 hours ago, Glitterati said:

I wonder if they are going to recycle an old name, like Oriana or Oceana. 
 

Corona? (Joking)

Totally agree!  I’m going with Oceana - everyone we spoke to on my last Britannia cruise raved about her.  We were due to sail on her last July but as with so many cruises it was cancelled so we didn’t get the opportunity to experience her - such a shame!  So to sail on a ‘New Oceana’ would be amazing - and yes I know it’s not a smaller ship but at least the name will carry one and so will everyone’s memories 😊

On 10/6/2020 at 5:23 PM, Dermotsgirl said:

I’ve got lots of good memories, but the one that sticks in my mind most is from our first cruise.

 

We were on Aurora, and we spent the first sea days getting used to on board life, then had our first port stop of Barcelona. It was all great and we were really enjoying it. 

 

Our next stop was Monte Carlo. We were at anchor, and I went out on to the balcony first thing in the morning, and saw the whole of Monte Carlo spread out in front of me. I was completely thrilled, and the realisation hit in a flash - cruising was the life for me! 

Monte Carlo is also one of my favourite places to stop - stunning from the ship as you sail in!

I’ll start!  My most memorable moment must be the first time I stood in front of a cruise ship and simply stood in awe at the sheer size of it - still feel the same every time I’m about to board -  nothing can compare to that excitement!😊👏🏻☺️⚓️☀️

 
The guidance says you may be asked to pre-book tables not will. As for the 'come from' or 'travelled through' lockdown criteria - this will just move you to stage 2 health screening which will definitely involve a test.
 
Every ship will have a covid management plan owned by a specific (additional) onboard member of staff who will oversea the covid management team. They will also have a covid outbreak plan. These are step by step plans well considered and planned. The provide clear ownership of responsibilities, include rules and procedures - all of what was lacking on the Diamond Princess. If you've every watched a practice drill, or heard a crew alert because something has gone wrong, you will be aware that these plans exist and a lot happens in the background before passengers start to be inconvenienced. 

This is the framework from the uK Chamber of Shipping

https://ukchamberofshipping.com/latest/industry-comes-together-develop-new-covid-19-framework-cruise-operators/

interesting reading.

16 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

Reading that it looks as if you have to prebook tables for food and can only dine with family members.  Not for me I'm afraid.  

Yes it appears that way.  The part that I found strange was that you must not of ‘come from’ or ‘travelled through’ a place that is on lockdown.  Can you imagine if you live up north and want to travel to Southampton at the moment?  Not possible!

This is the framework from the uK Chamber of Shipping

https://ukchamberofshipping.com/latest/industry-comes-together-develop-new-covid-19-framework-cruise-operators/

interesting reading.

1 hour ago, terrierjohn said:

I would hope that the crew agencies have lists ready to go if needed, and quarantine is only 2 weeks.

I also doubt there would be much problem chartering aircraft, in fact you might get crushed in the rush.

We all know the FCO can change their minds in an instant, so that's not a big issue.

However what might prove a deal breaker is how desparate the Carib islands are to see cruise ships return, and whether any are on the UK quarantine list.

I agree with you - got to look on the positive side, what’s the point in being pessimistic - we all want the same thing in the end - for cruises to start back up and things to return to normal.  I personally feel the cruise lines are doing everything in their power to get cruises running again, and already some have started up.  Like so many people on here we have had a couple  cruises cancelled and have some upcoming ones which we are in the dark about.  As for the Caribbean, I’m sure all the wonderful island folk are desperate for cruises to return, after all its their livelihood!  So as I said before, we all need to keep positive and look forward to the day when we are back on board and having a wonderful time at sea again! 🤞🏻⚓️👏🏻😊🛳☀️

Well, where to start?
No physical crew recruitment started as yet, no aircraft chartered,  and perhaps most importantly, a rising infection rate in the UK, meaning that the FCO is not going to change its advice about cruising anytime soon.

10 hours ago, wowzz said:

Of course not!  They will be staying in UK waters in the hope that European cruising may start next Spring.

The Caribbean 2020/2021 season is basically a write off.  

Where do you get your information from?  I have gone by the Southampton port cruise ship schedule - which so far has been correct.