Scriv

On 12/24/2023 at 12:21 PM, Selbourne said:

I intend to only show our yellow books at embarkation in Southampton (mine shows I’ve been jabbed, my wife’s is an exemption). If they insist on a GP letter as well, we can produce it, but I wonder how many won’t have one. Equally, I wonder if any ports might question the validity of a GP letter if people haven’t got the proper yellow fever exemption page completed in the booklet. Why they have turned something simple into a confusing mess is beyond me.

Let us know how you get on, Selbourne. Agree this is so frustrating. I had a Yellow Fever Exemption Certificate for a Marella Cruise a few years ago - I had to pay £12 at the time I think from our GP's Travel Clinic. A little yellow booklet I seem to remember - and it was accepted by all. Bizarre that P&O won't accept it. 

On 10/14/2023 at 9:31 AM, terrierjohn said:

Be prepared for a shock when you start looking for insurance quotes. I was astounded that Free Spirit wanted over £5000 for their super duper policy, which includes cruise cover for missed ports, and that was limited to 31 days and there are hefty add ons for extending. How NW manage to quote so low is a mystery, but I have not seen any horror stories from claimants, so I hope it will prove a good buy, and you also get free breakdown cover and free mobile cover as well.

We have been with NW for many years now and we have claimed twice for two cancelled holidays, one due to a serious medical event. NW were excellent on both occasions.  You do however have to answer all their medical questions fully and honestly, especially relating to pre-existing medical conditions and medical updates or investigations as they are very hot on that. I also wonder how they manage to quote so low and like you, have not seen any horror stories - in fact only praise for how claims are handled.

21 hours ago, sandancer said:

One piece of advice I would give is not to allow HL to handle the claim for you. Our first cruise after we bought the shares we did that and it did not go well. In the end our travel agent sorted it out and since then I did exactly what our fellow posters have recommended and have obc in place for our next 3 cruises. 

Sorry you had a a bad experience with HL. I have always sent them a request on their website with the details of the planned cruise and have never had any problem, other than they insist on the 90 days before sailing rule. I might try sending the pdf though next time, to see if it's easier. 

On 4/4/2023 at 9:24 AM, WanderingWhimbrel said:

 

Having worn the Good Feet orthotics from the ship vitality fitness centre a number of times now, I would say they  actually make my knee pain worse and I feel I have been gradually wearing them in. 

I read this with great interest as this is what happened with me. The insoles helped my backache (caused by bad posture when walking) but also badly affected my arthritic knees and made the pain much worse.  For me it was also a very expensive mistake.

On 9/6/2022 at 3:56 PM, Fionboard said:

In April I did the excursion that included city panoramic tour by coach, river cruise and wine cellars visit. Do not usually do tours but found this one very good value.

We did that too and agree with you. 

On 9/11/2022 at 12:15 AM, tring said:

 

Can I please ask where you docked in Lisbon, was it Santa Apolonia or near there, or downriver of Lisbon centre?

 

Sorry, only just seen this. Yes, we docked at Santa Apolonia and took the shuttle up to its stop in the square near the Restauradores Metro Station. That suited us very well as we went up on the nearby Funicular Railway, enjoyed the views from up there then returned to the square for Pasteis de Nata before making our way back down through the streets towards the port.

It was a very pleasant surprise to find how near the ship we were and what an easy walk it was back to the ship, but we were pleased we had started from up the top of the town. 

Went on Arcadia last week and the shuttle in Lisbon was free to Select Fares. They scanned our cruise cards on boarding the shuttle.

Hi - we were on this cruise too and also had a lovely time. 

Responding to some of your observations and sharing ours, our cabin steward also only came in the morning and was to be found servicing the suites down the corridor from about 5pm. She said we could find her there if we needed anything. She was very obliging. We actually preferred not having an evening service, as it meant we didn't have to rush to tidy the cabin before we went off to dinner. Two choccies arrived with the morning make-up service and the Horizon was put on the bed every evening.

Although we just had shampoo and shower gel in largish containers on the wall in the shower, our daughter asked for conditioner and got it, no problem.

Re the app, I managed to use ours this time, but it did depend on where on the ship we were. I liked being able to see my account on the app. Re booking dining, we were Freedom Dining and sometimes used the app, but sometimes went down early and queued up at the desk for a table for four. This worked well too. If we were later, we were given a buzzer and went for a drink in the nearby Spinnaker Bar and took the glass in with us if we were called before finishing.

We were really lucky with our table service - we tended to get in the same area of the restaurant each time and had a great waiter. Although we also noticed the fewer choices on the menus, other than on the last day, we had no problem finding dishes to suit us. Must say that I couldn't fault any of our meals - or temperature of the food, in fact we really enjoyed every meal. 

We had booked four shows before boarding, but were never asked our cabin number, but there were always plenty of seats available though I had wondered, like you, how they would deal with it if over-subscribed. That never happened to us though. We used to go into the theatre about 8 10 pm for the 8 30pm performance and there were spaces in all our performances, even in the full audience ones.

I did find it frustrating however that the films were shown in the tiny cinema, so we never managed to get in there on the sea days - and were not able to view them in our cabins like you can do on some ships.

It was great to be onboard Arcadia again after so long and seeing things coming back to normal bit by bit... 

On 10/5/2021 at 8:11 PM, davecttr said:

I mean tapas bars. i have been on every excursion and fire mountain twice

We found lots of choice around the little marina.. but no recollection of names, sorry.

34 minutes ago, bee-ess said:

Going to PB for 10 days next Monday, can't wait

Look after it for me... 4 weeks wait for me to go to Playa Blanca. Can't wait.

40 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Make sure you visit Playa Blanca,  so you know where to stay on your next visit ! 

That's where we always stay...🥰

12 minutes ago, yorkshirephil said:

We have booked an apartment for a month next Feb in Puerto del Carmen, only ever visited Lanzarote by ship so are looking forward to checking out the island, with Fire mountain being on our list.

Sounds great - lucky you going for a month. I always feel Lanzarote has such a lot to offer.  We love it and keep going back for land holidays - in fact in four weeks time, all being well.

24 minutes ago, davecttr said:

Any recommendations?

Main must-see for me is the Timanfaya National Park aka Fire Mountain. It is unique and amazing... Also, artist Cesar Manrique's House is well worth a visit. 

Or do you mean the tapas bars ? 

1 minute ago, wowzz said:

And lots of nice tapas bars around El Charco.

Yes indeed !!... 

On 10/2/2021 at 1:28 PM, daiB said:

Hi Les,

 

We are on 123 as well, we could have a drink on board. Someone posted that we had been changed to Lansagrotty. However this may be speculation as, like you, I have seen no conformation.

 

BTW you cannot miss me on my scooter, usually in the casino after second sitting. Or sitting somewhere with my IPad.

 

Gan Canny

 

Dai

Aw Dai... take heart... Lansagrotty is not so Lansagrotty..🤣 🙂 Arrecife is not the prettiest of places, but there are some great trips for your other half and a good promenade run for that scooter of yours

On 5/14/2021 at 8:12 AM, MX-Drew said:

Just noticed it says offer is not applicable to savers, blue light etc fares. 
Didn’t we have to book a saver fare?

Yes, we all had to book the Early Saver when we booked. They said the amount will be added to our cabin and they quoted the booking ref and addressed it to us, so I'm sure you don't have to worry. It's great!

On 5/11/2021 at 10:27 AM, delondin said:

Hi

 

I logged into my insurance account and clicked on cover and there was a section to download confirmation of cover and it included a letter stating the new amounts specifying UK cruises this year.

 Thank you muchly.  🙂  I now have downloaded and printed out the said letter referring specifically to our policy and spelling it all out. At last, sorted.

9 minutes ago, MX-Drew said:

Yes the NHS is an entirely different app.

Good. Thank you for confirming.

8 minutes ago, MX-Drew said:

All those thinking of printing information, forget it, it will NOT be accepted. Ring 119 and request the official paper version.

I can not see any possibility of anything other that the NHS app or the official paper copy being accepted so it is only yourself you are fooling. 

Mx-Drew - have you experience of or a view on the MyGP Ticket app, which some people are saying they are using to show their status? Just interested..

7 minutes ago, MX-Drew said:

My belief is that everyone should download the official NHS app and register it unless you intend to rely on the paper version. 

It is different to the Covid 19 Track 'n Trace App isn't it? 

2 hours ago, Scriv said:

I'm hoping that will be accepted as official proof... it's officially associated with the NHS and is the one my GP uses.

Just to update my comment above - I have now successfully downloaded the NHS App and have linked up with my on line records, no problem whatsoever. Really easy.

7 minutes ago, 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. 

6 minutes ago, MX-Drew said:

Whoops too late.🤣

Thanks so much for your advice -  we crossed in the ether 🤣. Much appreciated though. It was so easy - I don't know what I was worrying about  🙂 

Update ....... ignore all my messages above. I have just downloaded the NHS App and linked up with my on line records - easy peasy! Sorted.

Just now, cruisenewbie1976 said:

The NHS app just pulls the information from those systems. They've said it'll work for everyone in England from 17th May, so probably best to wait until then and try it.

Sounds encouraging.. will try it then, but will order a paper version from 119 just in case anyway. Wouldn't want to be turned away at that stage after having got so far.  Thanks everyone.

15 hours ago, Pink-belle said:

Today the Government announced how to prove Covid vaccination for those of us in England.

from the 17th May, as expected it will be via the NHS app.

For those without smartphones or tablets you can obtain a letter by calling 119.  It must be 5 days after complete vaccination and will take about 5 days to arrive.

the Gov.uk site has the details

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad

Presumably apps like Patients Access will also be acceptable? It is associated with the NHS and also shows our vaccines on its Home Page, but more importantly is the only app my GP surgery uses.