NewWestwardbound

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the thread. I have now booked an S1 for Summer 2022. 

On 1/6/2021 at 9:13 PM, majortom10 said:

I do not know of any parking at the docks where you can actually park your own car, keep your keys and walk to the ship. 

AB Parking Southampton, for RCCL; Celebrity; Fred Olsen; Norwegian; MSC and SAGA 

2 hours ago, AnnieC said:

By mid february most people over 65 should have been vaccinated, this will greatly reduce the pressure on hospitalization cases.

Whilst this is what I would have expected, there was an interview with an ICU Dr on R5 that suggested that most ICU in patients were in their 50s. 

I have just spent an "enjoyable" hour trying to determine the Ts & Cs I would be booking under in the UK for a Summer 22 sailing. As far as I can establish Cruise with Confidence does not apply as Flexible Cancellations and Best Offer Guarantee applies only to sailings through May 4, 2022, and Lift and Shift applies only to 2021 sailings.  

Now I have established the Ts and Cs that do not apply, does the forum have any thoughts on the Ts and Cs that do? For cancellation, I assume the previously standard terms (5 days or less before departure 100%;  6 to 14 days before departure 90%: 15 - 28 days before departure 75%; 29 - 56 days before departure 50%; 57 days or more before departure deposit only). But for any price guarantee I am less sure!

Many thanks everybody; really good advice. So I'm thinking Deck 7 or 8 (for better stability in rough seas, to avoid the window wash equipment and reduce noise), starboard side to avoid any drifting cigarette smoke. 

I am hoping to book a warm weather cruise in 2022 and wondered if there were any opinions on merits/demerits of the various S1 cabins on Silhouette? I know they are all located at the aft "corners"  and understand the "pole" layout. Would I go far wrong with one located between other passenger decks, or does the forum have a firm favourite? Thanks in advance.  

On 6/2/2020 at 6:20 PM, Vampiress88 said:

 

on another note, how do you teach a child to ride without stabilisers? I’m having a nightmare

I think the “approved” method is to remove the stabilisers and pedals, and lower the seat so the child can comfortably put both feet on the ground. Then encourage them to “scoot” until their sense of balance is increased, then re-introduce pedals and gradually raise the seat height.

None of which I did of course, preferring the aforementioned husband holding seat running behind approach!

If I saw a price for a cruise in Aug 20 significantly less than the broadly equivalent cruise in Aug 21 (same ship; embarkation and disembarkation ports; duration and most ports of call) is there anything stopping me booking the Aug 20 cruise and immediately lifting and shifting to Aug 21? Grateful for pitfalls I may not have thought through.......

43 minutes ago, kalos said:

Things like this will happen up and down the UK.

Two deaths last week in the river near to us; young men swimming. Very sad.  

On 5/13/2020 at 7:32 PM, NewWestwardbound said:

Silhouette 1 May cruise cancelled by Celebrity 24 Mar

Refund requested 25 Mar

Cancellation invoice received 25 Apr

Refund hit my credit card today 13 May in 4 separate amounts dated 11 May. Seems to comprise entirety of cruise cost and excursions/specialist restaurants.

2 hours ago, P100DOW said:

Any UK cruisers received full refund. Our cruise was 6 wks ago and still waiting. Lots of US posts for refunds on much later cruises.

Sent from my ATU-L11 using Forums mobile app
 

Yes; please see quote above. 

21 hours ago, Bob0208 said:

We had a Royal Caribbean cruise to the northern parts of Norway cancelled.  They are not offering a similar itinerary next year.  Found P&O with a similar route next year.  Have no familiarity with this line, but as I read posts on other topics that they have declined.  I’d appreciate examples so I know what’s going on with them and should I consider them.

I apologise for saying this on the P&O board, but there are a number of other cruise lines that offer cruises from UK to Norway, including Celebrity (a sister cruise line of Royal Caribbean). I don't know the exact itinerary you are looking for, but if Celebrity offer something similar it might be worth asking the same question on the Celebrity board. I for one would offer my thoughts having cruised to Norway on both P&O and Celebrity from Southampton, UK. 

In my personal view, based on 2 cruises on P&O from Southampton, and 5 cruises on Celebrity also from Southampton in a mixture of cabins, I wouldn't say it is too American nor too brash. The cruisers are more international than P&O but the ship and its staff acknowledge it's home port for the season is the UK, and make subtle changes to accommodate our Britishness - including kettles in cabins, and - the times we have sailed - British Cruise Directors and some entertainment styled to our taste, without losing - for me - Celebrity's benefits over P&O (friendlier crew, more live music, better entertainment in the day and at night, and better quality and more choice of food and where to eat it). The Celebrity S Class ships also for us seem to have more public space (especially the theatres and bars). I am 54 if age matters in opinion terms! 

12 hours ago, Selbourne said:

As the discussion has moved to alternative cruise operators, can I ask a question of those who have experience of other cruise lines?

 

We have only ever cruised with P&O, have been on all their ships and although only in our 50’s we see ourselves as ‘traditional’ cruisers who don’t like the direction that P&O is going in, so are open to alternatives, preferably more upmarket and certainly not American ‘resort’ ships full of theme parks and kids. Other than Cunard Grill Class, which ‘premium’ operators offer round trip ex-UK cruises? Flying isn’t an option for us. Good accessible (disabled) cabins and facilities are crucial, as are 100% non-smoking balconies. We are foodies so great restaurants are also a must. I’m hearing good things about Saga’s new ships but my wife has a mind block that we aren't old enough for a Saga holiday yet 😂. So, if we take the plunge and desert P&O, given our likes and dislikes, which operator, offering round trip ex-UK cruises would best fit the bill?

Perhaps Celebrity? 

Silhouette 1 May cruise cancelled by Celebrity 24 Mar

Refund requested 25 Mar

Cancellation invoice received 25 Apr

Refund hit my credit card today 13 May in 4 separate amounts dated 11 May. Seems to comprise entirety of cruise cost and excursions/specialist restaurants.

2 hours ago, Jimmys Chippy said:

Thanks for the reply. That final line does not appear on my cancellation invoice.

I know it won't help, but I was on the same cruise as you (I have replied on the Roll Call), and that line does appear on my cancellation invoice, dated 24 Apr. Bizarre. 

Why would you not take the 125% FCC offer? If you did not want to go on a Celebrity Cruise when they return to service, or if you were concerned whether RCCL will continue to trade. 

I would suggest there are relatively few people who are unfit to travel on a cruise ship 

There are substantially more who would be at increased risk of severe ill health should they succumb to COVID 19. 

I am amazed - and appalled - by P&O's policy in comparison with RCCL/Celebrity/Azamara. 

1 minute ago, GastroGnome said:

You do sometimes have to ask for them.

I did (at Guest Relations). Was told they were discontinued, and to use the questionnaire. 

On 2/12/2020 at 11:56 AM, GastroGnome said:

But more importantly - get a comment card from guest services and fill that in.  Getting positive feedback from those cards translates directly into perks for the staff, additional internet time, meals in passenger spaces, additonal time off - all sorts.  And getting thier contract renewed, promotion etc.  That is just as important - if not more so - than an additional tip.

No comment cards, at least on on Silhouette last September. I was told to use the post-cruise e-mail questionnaire to mention staff for particular service - and did so. Other staff mentioned the questionnaire "score" for their restaurant/bar was as important to their future as cash tips. 

3 hours ago, GastroGnome said:

Porch is great - avoid the tables near the internal door - everytime someone comes through them there is a blast of wind so strong it actually knocked my wine glass over at one point.  But more to the middle you are protected by the walls and they have infra red heating.  Its actually really nice up there in rough weather if you enjoy that and don't get sea sick!

 

Lawn Grill I was less impressed with in cold / inclemant weather.  We were up there for the Lisbon sailaway last October.  They give you blankets and there is infra red but the gaps in the glass walls were such the food cooled really quickly.  It is just a bit mmore exposed than the porch.  But both perfectly useable even at force 9!

I concur with this; we ate in both on our cruise to Norway last September.

Might be worth noting we were the only diners in The Porch at 6.30; hopefully it filled up later! Food was good; more relaxed the traditional speciality restaurants, but very pleasant nonetheless. 

Lawn Grill I really wanted to like, but the weather the evening we ate there was awful - wet, windy and cold - and if I'm being really honest ruined the experience. We enjoyed the food, but will try to pick better weather next time!

Haven't read all the posts apologies if duplicating, but we take:

Photos of passports and travel insurance docs (on phone)

pdfs of above (on phone)

details of British Embassies in countries visited (on phone)

receipts for all cruise payments made (on phone)

itinerary/details of any non-cruise ship excursions booked (paper & on phone)

names and addresses of family/friends for postcards

tiny screwdriver (for spectacles)

magnetic clips to hold things on cabin wall

towel clips 

very small first aid kit to take with us off the ship

moneybelt

Aft Corner S1 on Silhouette there is a fixed -to-the wall illuminated mirror at the dressing table - I will attach a photo later. My daughter tells me the lighting and mirrors in the bathroom are good for makeup. There is also a stand alone magnifying mirror in a bag in the wardrobe. 

1 hour ago, NeroliGirl said:

Cruisers from the UK may have difficulty with streaming Netflix/Amazon/iPlayer as the on-board wifi has its point-of-presence in the US so UK-based subscriptions won’t work with it. 

Currently on Silhouette and my daughter streamed Netflix successfully yesterday using a UK based subscription. 

Last week on Silhouette we were told Cadiz, Spain.