seapals2

11 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Selbourne - your comments are absolutely spot on. There is no way that any cruise company would operate against government advice. Getting insurance is no problem, as the cruises will be operating within government guidelines.

Agree .. but ...right now there has been no change published to the FCDO advice on cruise travel.  
So we book .. knowing the advice as it stands is against cruise travel.  I think it’s a loophole that insurance companies will exploit. 
The old saying is true ... if you have to ask ... you’re not covered.  
Giving it no more thought until I have answers .. but thanks for your advice on the matter.  

I have emailed the link given at the bottom.  
Hopefully will get a reply shortly.  

5 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

The advice that you quote was issued in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic and has been superseded by the roadmap out of lockdown. There is no way that any cruise company would be operating cruises in UK waters if it was against government advice. You are worrying unnecessarily based upon out of date information. Keep in mind that these cruises don’t start until after the roadmap dates allow it. They aren’t starting tomorrow!

Yes .. but booking when they come on sale tomorrow and balance will be due shortly after.  Insurance is to cover all eventualities not all Covid related.  

Agree but cruises go on sale tomorrow and presumably the balance will be due by May.  Fully expecting the ships to sail however in the past we have sadly had to cancel a cruise due to illness of family member.  Worried if we book against foreign office advice it may make it difficult to claim.  I’m sure there will be an update to clarify the advice.  
 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cruise-ship-travel

3 hours ago, Selbourne said:

I think that you are misunderstanding the rules. These are UK only cruises that are permitted under law from 17th May (unless that date changes, which I should think is unlikely), so nobody booking them is travelling against government advice. 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cruise-ship-travel

This advice hasn’t changed since the introduction of the latest UK cruises.
I have emailed the link .. will let you know if I get a reply.   

Ours does cover against Covid related problems ... however would not cover us if we booked against the advice of FCDO.  

52 minutes ago, P&O SUE said:

The only problem leaving it late to book is the UK prices are rising fast! I’ve been looking at an apartment in the Lakes for a while, after Boris announced the road map the price went up by £100 for the week. I decided to book it. I looked at the site again yesterday and two weeks after mine (so late July so would be school holidays) it had gone up by £300!!

Out of interest I looked at some other cottages and quite a few were booked up all summer.

Yes we looked to compare with Hoseasons lodges.  Prices are higher than ever for the summer months.  We are sitting on the fence right now but guess by the time we make up our minds it might well be too late.  Looks like a tent ⛺️ .. 😂😂.   

4 hours ago, jeanlyon said:

Well there wouldn't be any change as the country is in lockdown.  That advice won't change until 17th May!

.. agree but many will want to book as early as possible and take the risk that foreign office advice will change for these short UK vaccinated passenger only cruises.  Right now it remains unchanged and advices against cruise travel.  We wouldn’t be covered by our annual insurance right now. 
 

7 hours ago, shopaholic6 said:

Isn’t the assumption (and I agree, it is ONLY an assumption) that the advice will change as from 17th May as per the road out of lockdown? All these cruises would be after that, so would be covered? 🤔

Certainly but doesn’t change the fact that if  we made the booking knowing that the advice right now is not to cruise so insurance would be not valid.  
Our insurance clearly states we are not covered for any known event and right now we know what the advice is. 
we would just hope that by the time of the balance payment this advice is updated.  

4 hours ago, Britboys said:

The other thing to remember about the Princess Plus Package is that it includes all soft drinks, including speciality coffees. Therefore, with a lot of time at sea, unless you don't ingest much liquid of any sort across the day, it is likely to be quite good value.

It will also be very busy at the tea and coffee outlets with everybody on all inclusive packages. Wonder if you can request them on room service instead of the regular hot drinks?   

1 hour ago, upwarduk said:

I have read that the government are reviewing the situation. I think an announcement is due after Easter. River cruises are not covered by this advice now.
Not quite sure why Travel Insurance is required if passengers are only sailing around the UK.

When our Travel Insurance was due for renewal in January, we were told that it didn’t cover COVID-19 ( previously it had, as we had taken it out before the pandemic. We didn’t renew, as at the moment we don’t have any holiday booked.

We have had to cancel cruises in the past sadly due to family deaths and illness. Our annual insurance will cover us against Covid but presumably not if we book to travel  against the current Foreign office advice.  Will wait for their announcement on these UK cruises. 

1 hour ago, majortom10 said:

Dont forget that if you do not take out the Princess Plus which includes gratuities they will charge them to your daily account of about £10+ so that is a fair chunk out of the £30. We are also Elite and get the free mini bar but we will drink that in the stateroom and then use the drinks package around the ship which at £20 per day for unlimited drinks and wi-fi especially at the price of drinks on Princess.

 

Yes forgot that .. P&O have removed gratuities .. another plus for them 

Right now the FCDO advices against cruise travel.  With this in place I doubt if you are covered to make new bookings.  
Waiting with interest to see if the advice remains unchanged with regard to the latest summer sailings going on sale.  

P&O taking bookings from tomorrow.  Anyone decided to sail.   Have you checked with your insurers.  The FCDO advice remains unchanged.  Are we covered if we decide to book.   P&O will refund if the sailings are cancelled but what if we need to cancel for any reason.  
 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cruise-ship-travel

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cruise-ship-travel
 

No change in this advice with regard to the summer sailings to nowhere for UK vaccinated passengers.  
 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cruise-ship-travel
 

This advice has not been changed with regard to the short UK cruises.  

Need advice from insurance companies to check that any bookings made will be covered.  

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cruise-ship-travel
 

This remains unchanged at present.  

The FCDO advice has not been changed to allow the advertised summer cruises.  Where do we stand with insurance companies if we make bookings.  
P&O have clearly said that all passengers will need their own personal insurance cover for anything Covid related.  What about other illness and accidents would we be covered for anything if we travel against FCDO advice?  

1 minute ago, bobstheboy said:

Please read the Frequently Answered Questions. I really am not wanting to continue a war which has been raging on here, but it clearly states there are two price bands, with or without wifi, grats and drinks, for all cruises of 3 nights or more.

Think the latest short summer cruises are being sold with special perks included. Obviously to compete with P&O announced cruises going on sale.  Just have to weigh up if the price difference is something you can justify.  For us personally it isn’t.  We have booked for 2022 and not included it .. not an option it seems for these special summer cruises.  Although can see the attraction of long sea days and no ports of call.  Particularly if it’s raining!   That extra cocktail might be needed.  😂

12 minutes ago, bobstheboy said:

https://www.princess.com/cruise-deals-promotions/uk/princess-plus/

 

For information, if anyone is interested.

We wouldn’t get value for money as we already qualify for elite perks which include wifi minutes and cheaper cocktails in the evenings.  Couples have to both purchase the package and £60 a day would be ridiculous waste. 
The package is included with the advertised summer sailing price so we will have to weigh it up against P&O pricing.  We like Britannia and Sky equally but like the speciality restaurants more on Britannia.  Wether that would be a factor for only 3/4 nights is undecided.  We also like and use the Retreat/Sanctuary but unpredictable weather will problem rule that out too.  I doubt we will be making a booking unless a last minute heat wave gets forecast.  

The latest advice against booking cruises from the FCDO has remained unchanged.  Does this mean that any bookings made for summer cruises won’t be covered?  P&O have specifically mentioned that everyone making a booking needs to have their own personal insurance.  
Travelling against the advice of the FCDO seems to be contradictory.   Is this advice about to change for the latest cruises with only UK passengers.   Anyone about to book tomorrow would be well advised to check with insurers first. 
 

Read the article on cruise lines start up dates.  Interesting point made that right now the FCDO has advised against cruise travel.  Does that mean that bookings made for the latest announced summer cruises will not be covered?  

Just finished reading the article from Cruise Critic with regard to start up dates but read with interest the point made on insurance.  Right now there is still an advisory not to take cruises. If you are about to make a booking tomorrow may be worth checking with your insurance company to see if you are covered if you book with this advisory in place. 
P&O have made it very clear you will need personal insurance.  

5 minutes ago, seapals2 said:

Have no idea what your comment means.   🤷‍♀️

My husband has just enlightened me ... your point I guess is that it’s all supposition.. agree!  

Ok .. my husband has just enlightened me .. so I guess your point is it’s all supposition.  Agree ..