OMG - What have I done?

[TigerB]

1 hour ago, terrierjohn said:

That all sounds eminently sensible, in fact we are thinking of using a saver fare for our next booking.  Ours will be on Iona where the adapted cabins in a specific grade are all on the same deck, so that limits the risk of finding yourself in an unsuitable location.

 

 

Is that the GBs on deck 12, or the EAs on deck 10, one of which Selbourne and his good lady had?

[Selbourne]

11 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

I just opened a Nationwide flex plus account and the worldwide annual insurance is only 10% of what Free Spirit quoted, while Staysure would not cover us. It really is remarkably cheap for full worldwide cover including USA and Caribbean, and cruise cover with missed ports.

PS and I cannot imagine our medical conditions will be much different to yours.

Thanks John. I’ll look into that tomorrow. 

[Selbourne]

9 minutes ago, TigerB said:

I've just had a look at the itinerary; it looks fantastic and, from what I could ascertain, not a tender port amongst them! 👍

There are some tender ports, but not that many. Belize & Cayman Islands are definite tenders and there are possible tenders at Key West, Honduras, Cozumel and Jamaica. Not bad out of 28 ports though. 

[Megabear2]

47 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Odd that the late saver price doesn’t show on the website though, just the normal saver at £5k more and Select at £8.3k more. Had the agent not mentioned it we would have had no idea. Is that normal?

 

I know that you are very knowledgeable about these things, but are there any pitfalls with a Late Saver that I’ve not mentioned? It just seems too good to be true and, as they say, when something seems too good to be true it usually is 😂 

The final payment date would be 5th October.  Allowing the 7 day leeway period for late payers 13th, ie today, will normally trigger the late saver.  I'll bet my last penny the change tomorrow the agent mentioned will be the change over to Late Saver from Early Saver.

 

No it's not too good to be true, it's a late fill her up job.  The terms are very clear on the website.  These types of fare are ICF's bargain basement ones, they really do exist,not necessarily at all grades but on this occasion the gods have smiled on you. 

 

Go get your insurance, check if you need any special jabs and relax and enjoy! I'm thrilled for you.

 

Saver

Saver is a last chance for deal-seekers to get a last-minute holiday with P&O Cruises

• Only available on selected cruises, at selected times

• Only available on selected cabin grades (we’ll assign your cabin number, which once allocated cannot be changed)

• Dining allocated upon boarding

• Full balance to be paid at the time of booking

• 100% cancellation fee if cancelled at any time before sail date

 

 

Edited October 13, 2023 by Megabear2

[TigerB]

4 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

There are some tender ports, but not that many. Belize & Cayman Islands are definite tenders and there are possible tenders at Key West, Honduras, Cozumel and Jamaica. Not bad out of 28 ports though. 

 

Not that many out of 28.  Now you mention it, when we on Arvia earlier in the year and were looking at a cruise that included Key West, we were told that it was likely to be a tender port, but the current list doesn't show it as being so; I must be looking at an old list.

Our lass cannot do tenders full stop, so any cruise that has a fair few of them is definitely out for us. 

[terrierjohn]

39 minutes ago, TigerB said:

 

Is that the GBs on deck 12, or the EAs on deck 10, one of which Selbourne and his good lady had?

As well as the GCs on deck 15, and of course GAs which are midship on decks 11 and 12, either of which would be an acceptable location.

Does anyone know if all the adapted cabins with right handed bathroom set up have the pole in the cabin. All our cruises on Iona have been in left handed set up bathroom cabins, and none of those had a pole.

[terrierjohn]

27 minutes ago, TigerB said:

 

Not that many out of 28.  Now you mention it, when we on Arvia earlier in the year and were looking at a cruise that included Key West, we were told that it was likely to be a tender port, but the current list doesn't show it as being so; I must be looking at an old list.

Our lass cannot do tenders full stop, so any cruise that has a fair few of them is definitely out for us. 

Ventura was berthed alongside when we visited Key West.

[Selbourne]

26 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

The final payment date would be 5th October.  Allowing the 7 day leeway period for late payers 13th, ie today, will normally trigger the late saver.  I'll bet my last penny the change tomorrow the agent mentioned will be the change over to Late Saver from Early Saver.

 

No it's not too good to be true, it's a late fill her up job.  The terms are very clear on the website.  These types of fare are ICF's bargain basement ones, they really do exist,not necessarily at all grades but on this occasion the gods have smiled on you. 

 

Go get your insurance, check if you need any special jabs and relax and enjoy! I'm thrilled for you.

 

Saver

Saver is a last chance for deal-seekers to get a last-minute holiday with P&O Cruises

• Only available on selected cruises, at selected times

• Only available on selected cabin grades (we’ll assign your cabin number, which once allocated cannot be changed)

• Dining allocated upon boarding

• Full balance to be paid at the time of booking

• 100% cancellation fee if cancelled at any time before sail date

 

 

Thanks. That all makes sense, although the TA said that the price was increasing tomorrow which, by your estimated timescale, would mean that the price we paid was only valid for today? I shall be interested to see what the prices are tomorrow and whether it’s described as a Late Saver (the website today just says ‘Saver’ but, as I say, is £5k more than the un-promoted ‘Late Saver’ that we’ve booked). Blooming confusing 😂 

 

I definitely need to look at insurance. Just dug out our current annual policy. Good news is that it expires on the last day of the cruise. Bad news is that we only have European cover, so it’s worthless 😂. It doesn’t have missed port cover, so I was open to getting another policy anyway and will look into the Nationwide Flexplus policy that @terrierjohn mentioned and the one that people have often mentioned on here but I can’t now recall. I remember that you were the ‘go to’ person on insurance some time back. Any tips? Needs to cover my wife’s disability and missed port cover, as well as all the usual splurge. 

[Selbourne]

32 minutes ago, TigerB said:

 

Not that many out of 28.  Now you mention it, when we on Arvia earlier in the year and were looking at a cruise that included Key West, we were told that it was likely to be a tender port, but the current list doesn't show it as being so; I must be looking at an old list.

Our lass cannot do tenders full stop, so any cruise that has a fair few of them is definitely out for us. 

Same here. Tender port means that my wife has to stay on the ship. 🙁

[Selbourne]

9 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

As well as the GCs on deck 15, and of course GAs which are midship on decks 11 and 12, either of which would be an acceptable location.

Does anyone know if all the adapted cabins with right handed bathroom set up have the pole in the cabin. All our cruises on Iona have been in left handed set up bathroom cabins, and none of those had a pole.

When you say ‘right handed bathroom’ do you mean the bathroom being on the right as you walk into the cabin? If so, ours was on the right and there was no pole (10.437 EA grade)

[TigerB]

12 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

As well as the GCs on deck 15, and of course GAs which are midship on decks 11 and 12, either of which would be an acceptable location.

Does anyone know if all the adapted cabins with right handed bathroom set up have the pole in the cabin. All our cruises on Iona have been in left handed set up bathroom cabins, and none of those had a pole.

 

Bear in mind that the GC grades include the two on the promenade deck, 8327 and 8331.

Having stayed in a GC on deck 15 for our Fjord cruise, we wouldn't choose one on that deck again. When the sun was high in the sky on our side, we didn't see an awful lot of it due to the overhang of deck 18.

If we ever consider a saver rate on a balcony on either Iona or Arvia, I reckon we'll opt for GB; that would suit us fine, but if we got allocated a higher grade then that would a bonus.

 

 

I always get confused with left and right transfers.  Is this a right transfer?....

 

If so, that was 15306, and we had a pole. It wasn't a problem though.

[terrierjohn]

28 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

When you say ‘right handed bathroom’ do you mean the bathroom being on the right as you walk into the cabin? If so, ours was on the right and there was no pole (10.437 EA grade)

No I mean your right hand being alongside the wall of the bathroom when seated on the toilet, and the shower controls being nearer your right and when sitting on the shower seat, and left handed being the opposite, which is what my wife requires because her right side is paralysed.

[terrierjohn]

13 minutes ago, TigerB said:

 

Bear in mind that the GC grades include the two on the promenade deck, 8327 and 8331.

Having stayed in a GC on deck 15 for our Fjord cruise, we wouldn't choose one on that deck again. When the sun was high in the sky on our side, we didn't see an awful lot of it due to the overhang of deck 18.

If we ever consider a saver rate on a balcony on either Iona or Arvia, I reckon we'll opt for GB; that would suit us fine, but if we got allocated a higher grade then that would a bonus.

 

 

I always get confused with left and right transfers.  Is this a right transfer?....

 

If so, that was 15306, and we had a pole. It wasn't a problem though.

Yes that is exactly what I mean by right handed, and I wonder if all the right handed cabins have the pole, while the left handed don't?

And I agree that GB will be our choice if we opt for a saver fare, although we did not notice the slight overhang caused us problems, but the movement in rough seas did.

Edited October 13, 2023 by terrierjohn

[Lucysnan]

What an excellent opportunity, too good to miss. It was definitely meant to be with all the planets aligned at the right time. I’m sure you will have an amazing cruise with so many memories to look back on.

[Selbourne]

12 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

No I mean your right hand being alongside the wall of the bathroom when seated on the toilet, and the shower controls being nearer your right and when sitting on the shower seat, and left handed being the opposite, which is what my wife requires because her right side is paralysed.

 
Ah, I see. Apologies. Our bathroom was identical to the one in @TigerB photo. No pole. 

[TigerB]

7 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

Yes that is exactly what I mean by right handed, and I wonder if all the right handed cabins have the pole, while the left handed don't?

 

In January on Arvia we had a GA cabin on deck 11, with left transfer; that didn't have a pole. That said, I'm not sure it follows that there is a pole in every other cabin where they are in a block. We were due to be in a seaview cabin on deck 4 (Arvia) next March. There are four in a row, so two have right transfer and two have left transfer; when booking, I was told that only one of the four cabins had a pole.

[Mollag]

7 hours ago, Selbourne said:

Same here. Tender port means that my wife has to stay on the ship. 🙁

Key West has been put back a day from the original itinerary for the usual operational reasons but now we’re in on our own according to what’s in port app so hopefully we’ll be alongside, I take it you’re aware of the mandatory yellow fever jab or exemption certificate?

 

[Megabear2]

8 hours ago, Selbourne said:

Thanks. That all makes sense, although the TA said that the price was increasing tomorrow which, by your estimated timescale, would mean that the price we paid was only valid for today? I shall be interested to see what the prices are tomorrow and whether it’s described as a Late Saver (the website today just says ‘Saver’ but, as I say, is £5k more than the un-promoted ‘Late Saver’ that we’ve booked). Blooming confusing 😂 

 

I definitely need to look at insurance. Just dug out our current annual policy. Good news is that it expires on the last day of the cruise. Bad news is that we only have European cover, so it’s worthless 😂. It doesn’t have missed port cover, so I was open to getting another policy anyway and will look into the Nationwide Flexplus policy that @terrierjohn mentioned and the one that people have often mentioned on here but I can’t now recall. I remember that you were the ‘go to’ person on insurance some time back. Any tips? Needs to cover my wife’s disability and missed port cover, as well as all the usual splurge. 

P&O have recently stopped the term "Late Saver" due to people getting confused.  There are now Select, Early Saver and Saver fares. Your agent is just using old terminology which is fairly understandable.

 

Not wishing to rain on your parade, the insurance may be a little harder than the average to source as very few mainstream companies will quote for 65 days and you will have to look at specialists, particularly with your wife's conditions.  In my case Holiday Extras did my WC insurance back in 2019 but it was very expensive, I've just done a dummy quote for your cruise based on myself and it does offer a quote - I won't tell you how much it was for as everyone will be different. 

 

The good news Is that the cover will be there.  Incidentally if I recall correctly Host Sharon and a couple of others are on this cruise, they might have some tips on who they used for their insurance?

 

You will also need a Yellow Fever jab or exemption because of in particular Panama.  You will hopefully already have been jabbed but otherwise crack on with it urgently due to time limitations.

 

 

Edited October 14, 2023 by Megabear2

[Angel57]

My friend recently got an exemption certificate/piece of paper instead of yellow fever jab due to being over 60 with health issues. She had to go to a local travel clinic, but it was hassle free.

[Selbourne]

58 minutes ago, Mollag said:

Key West has been put back a day from the original itinerary for the usual operational reasons but now we’re in on our own according to what’s in port app so hopefully we’ll be alongside, I take it you’re aware of the mandatory yellow fever jab or exemption certificate?

 

Yes I noticed that there were some itinerary changes from what the brochure states, but I didn’t know why. That particular change is good news for us as my wife can’t get off in tender ports. I see that we were originally due to call at St Lucia and Bonaire and these have been replaced with St Vincent and Martinique. St Lucia was a tender port and happens to be the only Caribbean island that we’ve been to so, again, those changes work in our favour. Yes, the TA mentioned Yellow Fever. 

[Cathygh]

Wow what a deal you got, and that's an amazing cruise. Some friends did it last year and had the time of their lives. Getting into Port Stanley was touch and go but they did get in. We have the Nationwide flex account insurance and they paid £150 each for a missed port in May. My DH has to pay a bit extra as he's oer 70 but it's not much.

[terrierjohn]

8 hours ago, Selbourne said:

 
Ah, I see. Apologies. Our bathroom was identical to the one in @TigerB photo. No pole. 

That's interesting, so not all r/h cabins have poles, I wonder if any l/h cabins have poles, though we have not seen one yet.

[Beckett]

@Selbourne: I took your advice and got myself a cuppa whilst reading your OMG post. I then got a second one whilst reading all the replies!

 

I'm thrilled for you and Lady S. Sounds like you played a blinder with your haggling and the fact that P&O were willing to compromise makes it even sweeter.

 

Please do a 'Live From' if you can bear it. I for one loved your last one and it was my 'Go To' read every day. 

 

Best wishes. Jane xx

[terrierjohn]

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

P&O have recently stopped the term "Late Saver" due to people getting confused.  There are now Select, Early Saver and Saver fares. Your agent is just using old terminology which is fairly understandable.

 

Not wishing to rain on your parade, the insurance may be a little harder than the average to source as very few mainstream companies will quote for 65 days and you will have to look at specialists, particularly with your wife's conditions.  In my case Holiday Extras did my WC insurance back in 2019 but it was very expensive, I've just done a dummy quote for your cruise based on myself and it does offer a quote - I won't tell you how much it was for as everyone will be different. 

 

The good news Is that the cover will be there.  Incidentally if I recall correctly Host Sharon and a couple of others are on this cruise, they might have some tips on who they used for their insurance?

 

You will also need a Yellow Fever jab or exemption because of in particular Panama.  You will hopefully already have been jabbed but otherwise crack on with it urgently due to time limitations.

 

 

The Nationwide travel insurance only has a small daily add on for cruises over 31 days. A friend of ours used this top up for her 35 night Caribbean and US earlier this 

Edited October 14, 2023 by terrierjohn

[Selbourne]

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

P&O have recently stopped the term "Late Saver" due to people getting confused.  There are now Select, Early Saver and Saver fares. Your agent is just using old terminology which is fairly understandable.

 

Not wishing to rain on your parade, the insurance may be a little harder than the average to source as very few mainstream companies will quote for 65 days and you will have to look at specialists, particularly with your wife's conditions.  In my case Holiday Extras did my WC insurance back in 2019 but it was very expensive, I've just done a dummy quote for your cruise based on myself and it does offer a quote - I won't tell you how much it was for as everyone will be different. 

 

The good news Is that the cover will be there.  Incidentally if I recall correctly Host Sharon and a couple of others are on this cruise, they might have some tips on who they used for their insurance?

 

You will also need a Yellow Fever jab or exemption because of in particular Panama.  You will hopefully already have been jabbed but otherwise crack on with it urgently due to time limitations.

 

 

Well I guess my bubble had to burst and it has! You were spot on about the prices dropping today and they have. The Saver price for a balcony has dropped this morning from £16,400 to £9,995 😢. That’s obviously for the lowest grade, which we aren’t in, but I am now thinking that had we called today we would have saved well over another £1k from what we paid yesterday! Obviously I am extremely relieved that we didn’t book at the Select price of £20k, or when the Saver price was nearly £18k (as I had called back then to enquire and balconies were sold out) or even at the £16,400 that the website quoted yesterday when I called, as I think I’d be heartbroken, but none the less…… I shall just have to tell myself that there will be plenty of others paying a lot more than we have and, just possibly, had I left it until today the one accessible balcony cabin that had come up as a result of a cancellation would have gone. I’ll never know and mustn’t be greedy as we are extremely happy with the price we paid. 
 

I’m aware of the yellow fever requirement. Is there a minimum time that it’s needed before you travel? Had a quick look and didn’t notice. 
 

Yes, I can see that insurance is going to be very expensive. In the first instance I’m going to see how much it would be to add USA & Caribbean cover, plus extended stay (assuming that we need that) to our existing annual travel insurance policy with Aviva (which already covers my wife’s condition). That policy happens to expire on the last day of the cruise, which may be handy, although we don’t have missed port cover. I can live with that having never had it, but if I have to  get a brand new policy elsewhere I will try to get that included. I will also look at the Nationwide Flex Plus policy that @terrierjohn mentioned, although that will probably need add ons for extended stay as well as my wife’s condition. In the meantime I might just thoroughly depress myself and see how many thousands it would cost to buy a stand alone new policy in the market. From your extensive knowledge in this area, would you recommend anyone in particular?

 

On a brighter note, I had been worrying about how we would get to and from Southampton given that parking would presumably be prohibitive (it wasn’t even included in the Select fare). I’d been assuming taxis and £200-300 each way, given that trains aren’t an option. Miraculously, I have booked with CPS for just £160. I’m sure I’ve seen prices more than that for just a fortnight!