lexdisic

Un named site now saying 1169 inside 1205 outside

Still a couple of £00's cheaper than TUI direct - bargain I say. First time for me on Marella - can't wait to try it. At these prices hopefully won't be the last.

Sorry, I wasnt sticking my nose in 😬

It was just in response to your post which read “Currently showing £1361 inside but your TA may be able to improve” I thought I had found a better price is all (y)

I didn't think for a minute you were sticking your nose in :halo: after all thats the idea of these forums to help each other. You may well have had a better deal at the time. Today the TUI site is showing £1371, I dont know what my TA is doing it for now. The prices are almost changing daily. The previous link to the TUI website has broken I presume due to the price change so if anyone is still looking for it. Looks like no more Birmingham, only Manchester and Gatwick according to the site that cannot be named :cool::cool:

https://www.tui.co.uk/cruise/bookitineraries/Authentic-Arabia-1-055432?itineraryCodeOne=055432&itineraryCodeTwo=&shipCode=150012&mc=false&isMCTracs=false&isStayBefore=false&stayDuration=0&cruiseDuration=14&duration=8-14&noOfAdults=2&noOfChildren=0&childrenAge=&from[]=BHX:Airport|BFS:Airport|MAN:Airport&flexibility=false&noOfSeniors=0&when=22-11-2018&sailingDate=22Nov18&to[]=&packageId=15428724000001542899100000TOM47215441237000001544136900000TOM4471180362658/3/1421/14ZI03&index=11&brandType=null&addAStay=0&cabin[]=1,2&dp=BHX&bb=AI&cabinOnly=false&room=&mcId=055432|T&searchVariant=FLY_CRUISE_ATCOM

A bit of an outdated attitude in present times, especially on a help forum but I suppose rules are rules.

They're doing it to protect their advertising revenues from TA's who advertise on here, which doesn't necessarily mean we get a good deal from them. Shopping around is always best. The TA you mentioned has advertised on here in the past, but I used their price and went to mine who gave me an ocean view for the price they gave for an inside. I notice ours is going up by quite a bit more than we paid so I assume its selling well. The TUI site price has gone up to over £400 each more than we paid 2 weeks ago.

https://*********************marella-discovery/22-november-2018_c160181

Hmm seems I cant post the link, go to Iglu cruises, put thomson cruises in the search, nothing else, and the deal comes up

Cruise Critic rules say you must not name other TA's on these forums thats why your link won't post. TUI link I posted will post due to it being the cruise line not the TA.

I've tried searching for the Jordan to Dubai cruise and can't find anything near it.

Jordan to Dubai 2018 - Authentic Arabia 1 - Discovery - 22nd November - 6th December

Copy & paste this link :-

https://www.tui.co.uk/cruise/bookitineraries/Authentic-Arabia-1-055432?itineraryCodeOne=055432&itineraryCodeTwo=&shipCode=150012&mc=false&isMCTracs=false&isStayBefore=false&stayDuration=0&cruiseDuration=14&duration=8-14&noOfAdults=2&noOfChildren=0&childrenAge=&from[]=BHX:Airport&flexibility=false&noOfSeniors=0&when=22-11-2018&sailingDate=22Nov18&to[]=L49245:CruiseArea&packageId=15428706000001542899100000TOM47215441237000001544136900000TOM4471180362658/3/1421/14ZI03&index=3&brandType=null&addAStay=0&cabin[]=1,2&dp=BHX&bb=AI&cabinOnly=false&room=&mcId=055432|T&searchVariant=FLY_CRUISE_ATCOM

Currently showing £1361 inside but your TA may be able to improve - ours was £1000 2 weeks ago from ours for an OS

Have tried to find a Marella cruise that has a stop in Dubai and can't find any. Am I missing something?

We've just recently booked 22 Nov 2018 Jordan (Aqaba) to Dubai - very reasonable price too

I have been unable to find my booking under "manage booking" etc. When I rang TUI I was told that because I booked through a travel agent, nothing would appear on my account although I was able to view the flight information and complete the API, but not via "my account". Any extras to the booking has to be done via them or the TA. Only online bookings have access to the account details. Should be interesting when I book shore excursions, which I have been told I can do online, to see where they appear considering there is no record anywhere of my cruise other than the TA and my tickets when they arrive.

The system appears to be how it was done years ago when we first cruised - time to update maybe?

From the health and safety executive website

 

The load

 

This is one task parameter that it is difficult for the baggage handling organisation to control. Current industry recommendations in the IATA Airport Handling Manual are that the maximum weight of any single piece of checked baggage should not exceed 23kg (50lbs), without prior arrangement. Although this limit is widely accepted, some airlines will accept baggage up to 32kg, and some foreign carriers have even heavier weight limits.

It is also recommended in the IATA AHM that ”Heavy” tags/labels must be placed on all pieces of baggage which exceed 23kg with the actual weight shown on the tag/label and that baggage belts weigh scales at the passenger check in points should have an audible or visible warning when any individual bag weight exceeds 23kg.

Weight restriction and labelling are in the control of the airline and the check-in staff and weight limits are not always enforced. Where heavy bags which are not labelled are found, the airline should be approached to ensure that systems are put in place to ensure that any existing weight limits are implemented and that heavy bags are tagged.

The moral being "check with the airline" as standards do vary - although I imagine for the airlines it would be for commercial reasons.

Well, good luck with that. I checked and 23kg is the maximum the baggage handlers will accept. Elf & Safety and all that!

Just come back from Bangkok on Emirates - 30kg per passenger - 32kg max weight per item. Couple years ago went on same flight where wife overloaded case to 35kg and had to swap stuff between cases to get below 32kg and we were then checked in. Booked on Qatar for next March and same rules apply as Emirates for both B'ham and Heathrow. I think the 23Kg is a Thomson rule - 32Kg is the EU rule and if above 32Kg it has to go by cargo.

Brian1 - sorry but you're wrong it's the airport baggage handlers who will not load a case more than 23kgs it's a health and safety rule (EU I believe) and seeing that 99% of Marella cruisers fly TUI airlines that's the max per case Usually at the airport my case which weighs 23kgs has a label stuck to it saying 'heavy' as a warning to the handlers

With Emirates/Qatar, we get a 30kg limit but the weight limit is 32Kg per item due to the airport handlers

We are sailing on Discovery in November arabian nights can't find any roll call.

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?p=55963794

Hoping to sign up for this cruise with TA in the morning - hope to see you soon

In the UK its £250 deposit (US$350) PP - No chance of us being able to multiple book. :eek: That amount would probably deter others from holding the best cabins, although I do believe it can be transferred once to another cruise.

Adrian

Hi

You cannot book the second leg restaurants until the night before the end of the first leg. They do offer a share table some nights in the specialities at 7.30 though it is not very popular. Most often sharing happens as guests get to know each other on board and create groups and book tables in the restaurants later in the cruise. That is one reason it gets harder sometimes to get a booking on the later nights of the cruise

Thanks for info

Adrian

Hi

We are fortunate to have a CC suite for B2B post drydock on Quest. I appreciate that we may book at short notice as a suite guest, but would prefer early booking to ensure we get our preferred times etc.

Am I able to :-

a. Book specialities for the second leg when we board the first.

b. Can we book to share a table as we often prefer to join others rather than just the two of us. Nothing personal to DW of course :)

Thanks in advance

Adrian

And I'm glad it's not, since we're on the last cruise before her drydock.:)

Oooops :o

It's happening in about 2 weeks from now, in Singapore.

I wish it were. We're on the first sailing after DD - 15th April. 5 weeks away to refit :(

Hi

We're on the April 15 cruise - hopefully they will learn from the problems Journey's refit had and iron them out ready for us - subject to weather of course :)

Adrian

We are fortunate to have a suite for a B2B coming up and will look to book around half of the nights in the speciality restaurants when we board.My questions are?

1. Will I be able to book for both legs at the boarding of the first?

2. As we enjoy meeting people, we would like to share with others - can we make reservations for a shared table?

Thanks in advance

Adrian

Guess this kind of gives me the answer to a question, (as they were obviously not allowed to stay on the ship in India and just miss disembarking at that port)

 

HAL are insisting we have a visa for India even though

a/ we don't intend going ashore and

b/ the High Commission of India in England say British passport holders don't need one if staying on the ship.

 

How come cruise lines can impose rulings that are not the law of that country - can't imagine all the crew on board have visas.

 

If anyone has any further knowledge of this situation a reply within next 2 days would be much appreciated to glenswatman@gmail.com

You may be right, but cruise lines have their own rules so break them at your peril. I personally would not take the chance - the cost of a wasted visa is far smaller than being denied boarding.

Up to date prices from vfs global

VISA FEES CHART (FOR UNITED KINGDOM PASSPORT HOLDERS)

TYPE OF VISA VALIDITY FEES GBP (£) VFS SERVICE CHARGE (£) TOTAL

Tourist Up to One Year (Single / Multiple entry)(maximum stay of 180 days per visit) £102 + £7.44 admin= £109.44

Visa Duration From One Year Up to Five Years (Multiple entries) (maximum stay of 180 days per visit £302 + £7.44 = £309.44

Hi

I concur with Haddonqueen - 72hrs for e-visa

Adrian

What's Azamara's track record like on cancelling ports? Celebrity acted pretty quickly on cancelling Isreal this past fall even though other lines still stopped there...what's Azamara like? I get the impression they don't jump the gun unless it's truly not safe. We're looking at a cruise in 2017 with Safaga and Petra on the itinerary and I just can't imagine paying that much money for the trip of a lifetime to have ports cancelled. Don't get me wrong, if there is true danger, I get they won't stop there but some lines totally act prematurely, I just don't get the impression that Azamara is one of them.

Hi

I had booked this cruise not long after the Arab uprising started and the troubles in India, but ended up cancelling a few months before sail date as Azamara were constantly changing their minds which stops were being dropped. Petra etc were very important for me at the time and I simply got fed up with the changes and thought I would go some other time when it had settled down there. Ultimately, just one port was cancelled - Egypt - so I could have gone after all. I have now booked this cruise again for this year and have decided to do it regardless of any cancellations that may occur as the pefect time may never arise again in my lifetime. So far, in the past two years, there have been no alterations to the itinerary and I look at it as any chance of making those ports is better than no chance if I cancel again. I've now made final payment so what will be will be now and look forward to wherever I end up.

Adrian

When we booked this cruise many moons ago there were a few shipboard excursions for Haifa which have now disappeared. There is nothing for May 14th and just a couple of "Insider Access" for May 15th. Meantime, looking at the forum everyone seems to be joining up and doing their own thing for Haifa! Are there any shipboard excursions planned? and if so when.

Peter and Janet (New Zealand)

Hi Are you against private tours ? We have room in our small group for Jerusalem/Behlehem on the first day. There are a couple of references to it on our roll call.

Adrian

Hello Lexdisic,

I'm hearing there is still uncertainty due to the Quest's drydock in Singapore. We may not know until MUCH closer in. Ask me again in February.

Thanks Bonnie - We are hoping its the Harborfront as its so easy to get on/off and convenient with the Mall next to it.

Adrian

We just disembarked in Singapore and spent a couple extra nights. I second Elbon's opinion that the food in Singapore is excellent! We are talking about going back just to try more restaurants :D

Couldnt agree more !! This will be our 7th time there - by accident rather than design - but still cant get enough of the food and culture Asia has to offer. Can you confirm that the 15th April 2016 sailing is from Marina Bay as stated on the website instead of the smaller Harborfront terminal ? The terminal schedule site only confirms up to end of February

Adrian