john watson

On 4/11/2024 at 10:53 PM, shipgeeks said:

"Terrified", "panic-stricken", and "overwhelmed" are words I've taken directly from a number of first-timer posts on other cruise forums.  I didn't make them up!

Some also say "excited", but they don't seem to be the majority.

 

The thing is that whilst cruises have changed since I started cruising and they have changed radically since 1964.  The passengers have changed just as much if not more in my opinion, some are extra ordinarily fragile. Social media has a lot to answer for inasmuch as people taking photographs of everything right down to the minutia, posting them in public domains leaving others traumatised that their entire cruise experience was ruined by a substandard ice cream dessert.

Regards John

On 8/26/2023 at 8:03 PM, Thrak said:

 

<Putting on flame-proof suit> I understand it far better than I understand Stanley Bear or McKinley Moose... 🤪

I laugh about whoever has to suit up and become the persona of Stanley Bear etc. under the corporate banner.  It cannot be a popular task for a member of staff to be allocated.  We have a brand of chain restaurant in the UK called Brewers Fayre and their mascot is Brewster Bear typically for children's parties a member of staff has to suit up in a bear costume and befriend the children.  I am wondering how well it would go down with that guy to find out that a Stag Party had been booked by the local Rugby Club for their members and they had insisted Brewster Bear will be in attendance.

Lol John

On 3/23/2024 at 7:59 AM, paulscott said:

We've been cruising for about 12 years or so, mostly on P&O and Princess, occasionally Cunard. We were quite happy with P&O and we're Atlantic tier, so reasonably regulars.

 

 

All cruise lines have cut back on things and gone down market to some extent.  The pandemic was an expensive hit for them and they are coming back as best as they can.

If you cruised with Princess prior to 2017 it is worthwhile phoning Carnival House and speaking to the Princess Captains Loyalty Team and find out your status as P&O cruises were also included in their tally prior to 2017.

In my opinion Princess have not gone as far down market as other lines.

Regards John

Hurtigruten are very small ships and sail areas where the sea can be rough.  I think you would be a  lot different on Cunard.

Regards John

Holiday Inn Herbert Walker Avenue do a cruise and stay deal.  I believe they also do parking only with ticket machines in the foyer where you opt for different lengths.  Check with hotel beforehand.

Regards John.

7 hours ago, TouchstoneFeste said:

Skean dhus - or sgian dubhs 🙂 - are explicitly disallowed. Even a plastic would probably be unwelcome. Even without it, it's a great look.

I think some gentlemen get around this rule by just having the handle.

Regards John

1 hour ago, raffles said:

Just to throw a spanner in the works..my husband would normally wear his kilt outfit on formal nights (1st time Cunard). Thoughts?

I saw two gentlemen wearing kilts on a formal night with, I assume were their wives chatting to the side a little way away.  Meanwhile a few drinks waitresses seemed to be taking selfies with the gentlemen.

Regards John

On 3/9/2024 at 5:52 PM, memoak said:

I have seen both age and weight limits on excursions   They are set by the operator and yes I have seen them enforced. I was actually weighed before getting on a zip line tour. 

Interesting, were they weighing everyone?

Regards John

If you disembark as late as possible you can get a taxi to the next berth.  You could just sit in the foyer of any of the big local hotels and get drinks at the bar to kill time if you are running too early for the next ship,

Regards John

Logically they should post one to you.  Do you have local travel agents that have them on the shelf? That would be my plan B.

Regards John

I suspect the excursion operator weighs up the danger associated with the activity and how it might affect its smooth continuation.  If a lot of physical activity were involved and someone became breathless and had chest pains medical intervention might be required.  If you were on a small craft twenty minutes and a third of the way to the objective and they were forced to turn about it could be alleged that someone outside the stated age limits was negligent in booking and culpable for the disruption.

Regards John 

20 hours ago, tscoffey said:

We had the misfortune of going thru a major storm in Alaska on our very first cruise. No ill effects to either of us. And I now consider us “inoculated “ against future seasickness!

After forty years of cruising I thought I had completely got over sea sickness.  Then I did a Transatlantic with Star Clippers 2,000 ton ship bobbing about.  During a particular storm heavy seas at night the bed was going up and down about a metre plus all night. I got up three times.

Lol John

4 hours ago, MissP22 said:

Sure, why not? How can you id an article if it becomes lost?

Men's underpants look very similar and quite often identical.  There should be a difference in appearance from the original photograph's condition. If they had a line up in security....

Regards John

You can take things off and on cruise ships. In this respect you could purchase a suitcase ashore if you needed to take home your purchases from ports of call. Therefore if you take a suitcase off why can you not bring it back. The only problem I see is they might think you are prematurely disembarking. I should think the best plan is to ask the cruise line if they have a problem with your plan. They scan all thing brought on board at every port.

Regards John

On 2/23/2024 at 8:18 PM, Thrak said:

After having an item lost I take a picture of the laundry spread out on the bed before putting it in the bag.

Surely not every item?

Regards John

On 2/16/2024 at 9:30 PM, Selbourne said:

 

Now that my wife simply cannot cruise without an accessible cabin, it has been a source of great frustration that if there are no accessible cabins available, which means that we cannot book, there is no facility to be waitlisted for one. We would book more short notice cruises if this facility existed. As it stands, if an accessible cabin comes up (due to a cancellation or whatever), P&O will move people who may even be able bodied into them (we have spoken to several people that this has happened to). Seems daft to shuffle the pack rather than get a new booking.

I read a post on here  the other day where someone had booked a minimum guarantee inside cabin but had been upgraded to ocean view.  When checking the details the upgrade was an adapted cabin which they did not need but they were happy with it.  

It seems to me cruise lines routine follow this practice but without bookings made on the basis of having an adapted cabin or not sailing they are stuck in a chicken and egg situation in respect of booking in the final few passengers which they effectively put anywhere.  We need a booking category where you book an adapted cabin where none remain and wait but if none come up you do not sail whereas if one comes up you get notified and sail.  Probably need a seven day period prior to sailing and a refundable deposit system.

Regards John

Are you thinking Berth 101 City Cruise Terminal?

Regards John

On 2/21/2024 at 1:06 PM, 2BACRUISER said:

I just print the cunard ones off do the origami then laminate and staple and tape. La voilà 👌😉

This is what I do. Once folded and glued on decent thickness paper and taped over they are so strong you can pick one's case up by the label.

Regards John

On 2/21/2024 at 6:40 PM, ClipperinSFO said:

We are on that cruise as well and it sails from Yokohama.  We are booked in at the Intercontinental in Yokohama the night before sailing to give us a chance to explore the port prior to sailing. Staying in Tokyo itself the night before would be fine as they are so close.  

We stayed in this hotel when we were in Yokohama. It was easy to spot and we walked from the ship to the hotel.  It is by Cosmo world the theme park with big rides.

Regards John

Sapphire was built with Alaskan sailing in mind having wider promenade decks so full length loungers could be used.  The entire ship is wider than Grand class ships. Sapphire and Diamond were both built for this type of cruise.  Caribbean Princess was built for warmer climate cruises in my opinion.

Regards John

I think you will find that part of it is overlooked and part is covered.  If you search on YouTube for "Our obstructed balcony cabin tour on Sky Princess - E108" you will understand.  The higher numbered balcony sizes in this set are larger as per deck plan. The middle part of the video shows what part is roofed over and that amount of cover is the same for the whole run. It is just the overlooked portion which increases in size. The "Obstruction" is the metal front to the balcony instead of glass. They are regarded as Deluxe Obstructed because of the front.

Regards John

On 2/22/2024 at 6:29 PM, runner2013 said:

 

I stopped him again and asked him what I think is the next important question: 

DOES HE HAVE TRAVEL INSURANCE?

He said no, and I told him in no uncertain terms they needed to get real travel cruise insurance immediately!!

He referred to the cruise line's insurance and my DH and I both said absolutely not!!!

He needs to get and independent travel insurance company to cover this because we both feel something isn't right and it just doesn't make sense. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is crucial to have top quality cruise insurance covering every conceivable problem.  Obtaining it from "Princess" through your booking is very risky because in the worst case scenario if the cruise does not exist due to a scam booking through the same people will not provide genuine cover.  If it proves to be a bona fide booking and cruise an independent  insurance policy will be fine anyway.

Regards John

20 hours ago, MacMadame said:

That seems backward. Heat it when it's warm but not when it's cold?? 😕

I think it is due to demand I saw some Queen Mary 2 video mid Atlantic and the decks were covered in snow.  I have also been on ships in December. Quite often all the loungers are tied up in stacks and nobody wants to get in the pool.

Regards John

1 hour ago, Red Leicester said:

Here's a link to the current Cobh - Cork railway timetable.  Half hourly on Monday to Friday and hourly on a Saturday and Sunday.  26 mins into Cork.  I did this a few years back, it was a booked hourly service but IE ran extras on the day.  It was busy but had a seat both ways.

The train was in the station at Cork to return us back to Cobh. It had been sitting there a while so I started running. The Railway man told me not to run in case I tripped.  He then said the train wont start while people are walking along the platform towards the train. This is a strange concept for people used to BR service.

Incidentally Cobh formerly know as Queenstown was a Titanic port.  The ship did not dock but anchored and was tendered.  A memorial exists at the town.

Regards John

On 2/14/2024 at 6:30 PM, Harters said:

 

 

I have visited America several times over the decades. Return flights have always been overnight with the consequence that I am wrecked for several days. It would ruin any possibility of enjoying a short cruise. 

 

The mechanics of your proposal are definitely doable if you are prepared to be wrecked. 

I think the US to UK sector is no too bad as I'm thinking you get to bed early on a short day.  The UK to US sector gives you five extra hours that day which is the problem.

Regards John