Megabear2

What exactly is on general sale today, is it everything? I just revisited the June 2025 cruise I was interested in and it still says "General sale starts at 8.30am on 27 April 2023" as do quite a few more.

Now I'm seriously offended - how dare you call me average

I hadn't realised until clearing my junk folder this morning that you get an upgrade offer every 24 hours. I have one started on Sunday inviting me to bid x2 for a large inside cabin at £100 (£200 for me) , £200 each (£400 for me) for an outside and £350 each (£700 for me). All based on my original booking of the cheapest inside grade cabin. Only one small problem - they've already upgraded me to a small balcony cabin on deck 9 free of charge!

Could be an interesting day for the booking staff today. General sale going live at 8.30am and the Cunard Coronation special at 1.00pm. Judging by the sale problems yesterday and the fact the Cunard sale isn't showing in their websites the booking team might be needing tin hats and ear defenders. Fingers crossed for a smooth one.

Most likely but I would be happy with anything that's available so can but hope. Nothing lost in trying.

I've not even be seeing this, just the announcement. Must be doing something wrong. Ce la vie, I've left it with my travel agent and crossed me fingers.

I've had four offering to take advance registration. I'm a bit confused there's a story on the Cunard website announcing the sailing but no booking facility. Perhaps it will upload overnight ready for the sale tomorrow.

I look there for tips on all cruise lines. It's where I first used to go when I first joined as I was looking for advice on several cruise lines. I like Barbara's idea of a link from each cruise line. We're always hearing about Saga, Princess, Cunard etc as crossovers and nine times out of ten the thread goes way off.

What an excellent idea.

From what I read on RCL and Celebrity threads the popular upgrade is from a cheap suite to a more expensive one. There don't seem to be many enthusiastically bidding from an inside to balcony as they say the lowest bid is too big a differential.

The cat ate them

Thank you. If I get on I'll have three suitcases packed by Sunday, one for QM2 on Tuesday, one for Arvia on 12th and one for Iona on 3rd June. Just glad I decided to delay Iona until June because of the chefs onboard as it otherwise it would have been on 29th April and no chance of QM2.

Wish me luck, I've registered, couldn't resist!

Yes, exactly what P&O told me when they advised I ask for assistance as I cant stand for long periods anymore. I just want a seat, I don't care when I get on!

It's cheap because of the Coronation apparently. Most of the passengers who sail Arcadia/Aurora don't wish to miss it - at least that's what P&O told me when I asked what the catch was!

They very kindly put scales in the reception on Britannia at Christmas which were totally ignored...

Part of the problem is they've been lax in the past so people feel entitled. I also think the wish to get onboard early isn't helped by the panic about booking entertainment and speciality dining. Personally I have no issue with a late time to board as I live very nearby, others will feel very different.

Nobody wanted to jump the queue, it was just an observation they came in one car (some 4 hour journey) which was left with me and they then took the short train journey. As the trains have been having some problems they didn't want to risk the 4.30 cut off, particularly with my nephew never having cruised before except for when he was a small child.

Sorry - double click

But you do pre register your cruise card and upload your photo so just have to show travel documents and boarding pass?

No aircraft availability as the plane wasn't available for the incoming flight due to technical problems.

You're very lucky with TUI. The tales of whoa on the P&O fly cruises this past season are numerous with cancellations, changed planes with no entertainment and lengthy delays being a theme. My husband flew to Salzburg mid March on a ski package, flight delayed 1 1/2 hours, my last two TUI flights to Greece also over an hour delay. The annual lateness chart from Which? placed TUI at number 3, a very disappointing performance. Hopefully it will be better this year but I'm not holding my breath as they've already changed the aircraft on my outward July flight to Kefalonia and refunded my seating as the aircraft's a different configuration. Currently 5/10 on Skytrax for past 4 months which is better than this time last year.

We never even have a boarding time for our fly cruises, probably because last two years TUI haven't managed to get the flights anywhere near on time!

From speaking to them the other day, I get the impression that because Iona in particular and now Arvia haven't been sailing full until recently they haven't needed to be too strict. Now however they're dealing with 5-6000 people they're having to be strict simply because there's nowhere to put them unless they stand in a long queue outside. The young lady also mentioned there are so many sailing now entitled to priority boarding under the Peninsular Club that quite simply on ships the size of Iona and Arvia they overrun as well, something that hasn't ever happened with the other vessels and this then impacts the coach arrivals, many people on board have been travelling for long hours. It was an interesting perspective I'd never needed to think of as it's a quick 25 minutes for me either being dropped off, on the train or at a pinch a free bus ride with my bus pass. I guess I'll find out as both my Iona and Arvia upcoming cruises are showing as sold out. It may be myb4.00pm might be a blessing, we shall see.