ighten

Currently in a nice big merc suv about to get on m4. Good journey so far been going since 9.45am. 

Fingers crossed.

On 4/9/2022 at 9:51 PM, krrgolf said:

I also wrote an email to Nigel Blanks (CEO) and received a personal reply within 30 minutes which for a Saturday was impressive. He said the cessation of independent excursions had not been well received but evidence was showing that Covid numbers on board current Saga cruises were dropping so the plan was working. He reconfirmed that it was the destination ports that dictate the %age Covid maximum cases and they are desperately trying to do all they can to keep pax safe and maintain as good a quality service as they can.

Just remembered where I read the age related issue from -- perhaps Im reading it wrong because age was added to % (just realised it was shorthand)

Still packing -- by the way does the driver normally ring in the evening because if he is using an app map he has no chance of finding us using the postcode.. More Stress 🙂 .. Cant wait to post and say we are onboard

5 hours ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

Where did you hear about this formula. I can find no mention of any complicated formula like this. Authorities tend to set simple rules.  The Spanish one is simple   no more than 3.5% passengers and crew or you can't disembark.  No mention of age of passenger. Transmission isn't a function of age. No other cruise line mentions this. But then again they have been allowing independent excursions at ports. 

 

Are you sure this isn't an insight into Saga thinking.

Maybe I mis read one of the earlier quotes - but if it isnt the case it makes it even more baffling as that would mean there are no requirements so why are Saga using them when no one else is.

Anyway on a positive note my inner therapist says put my positive hat on and look forward to tomorrow (I even booked another Saga cruise when the web site started working again - so have three in the list) .. Just hope the driver can find the farm track in the morning.

Well cant say I am looking forward to tomorrows cruise with the usual excitement.. The whole thing is a farce

If (as the CEO is saying) the idea is the authorities decide based on a formula of the average age of the pax and the % of cases why has this never been mentioned anywhere before (if we  new this it would actually make Saga a line to avoid - not sail with safely)

secondly - why does he think these rules mysteriously disappear in May - by my calculations the av age of pax goes up after Easter as the 50-65 lvl goes down with some returning to work or part time jobs.

Thirdly whats the point in the ships itinerary from tomorrow still including overnights (for you to enjoy Bordeaux at night on your own??? )

Lastly why am I still being told by agents that my booked trips will still include the free time to explore at the end... How is that different to free to explore on my own?

Even if one is doing every trip you still have that feeling of being taken back to a lock down zone.. when or if I do a ships trip I still prefer to then have a little free time offboard even if its just to go stretch my legs along the dockside. I can only assume the pax numbers now are so low that the % risk has exacerbated or they are worried from a PR sense due to thd older clientele. Whatever the reasons it is a little bizarre and nonsensical.  Looking at the trip descriptions for next week what is going to happen to the free time to explore that's part of the ships tour itself.

Speaking of which (Cruise Prices) - I just had an email offering some of the cheapest balcony (terrace) prices I think I have ever seen on Fred pernight.  How are they on pre testing and go ashore on your own protocols at the moment because my upcoming Saga looks a nightmare.. Cant work out if its just Saga or the countries have tightened down

47 minutes ago, Denarius said:

Interesting.

I am currently on SofA. We are now tied up in Madeira. Next to us is Mein Schiff 3, and it is frustrating to say the least to see their passengers walking ashore independently past our ship whilst we remain under house arrest. I am due to sail on SofD in late July and if the current protocols remain I am not inclined to pay my balance. I am receiving good late booking offers from other lines and was considering sacrificing my Saga deposit to take advantage of one of them. If Saga would agree a late rearrangement to keep my goodwill, so much the better.

Cunards Elizabeth is in Gran Canarie - Im presuming from the blog and tweets Im following they are still allowing free exploration - Im not quite understanding why Saga is stepping backwards.. Due to go on Wed and now having 2nd thoughts

I pretty much agree with the sentiment - Would not consider Fred  at his full prices and only his last minutes. I have enjoyed both trips they were superb (and to be honest I preferred the terrace to a balcony the option of two doors out of the room and a bathtub is a big plus)

BUT - His ships were only 50% full then - The Last minute prices were very generous.

We have two Saga trips coming up practically one after the other so its going to be interesting to compare.

Does anyone have a premium wine by the bottle list?

Just noticed this thread.. managed to snap Bollette in Tenerife from our balcony on QE.. 

Was not aware she was also having an issue. I think one problem with Fred during this time is there just isn't enough room for contingency on his ships. As I mentioned in the other Borealis thread we lost one or 2 families in gran canaria our first Canary Island. We also had to then isolate the crew  contacts for them but as pointed out earlier that isn't an issue if its not becoming a lge percentage and you have plenty of space for the new crew to join. Hoping it's sorted soon have my eye on another Borealis departure soon.

On 1/15/2022 at 11:13 AM, tring said:

 

Just to clarify that if you can. Is it just people testing positive who have to be disembarked in the Canaries, or would it also apply to those testing negative, but are isolating as they have been close contacts of people who are now known to be infected?

 

Sry for delay.. First wi fi since Madeira 

 Hard to be definite on this but the guests in  cabin removed and another who were travelling with them but they may have chosen too being related. This is a guess with info from various crew but negative crew  who were close contacts went into isolation but also off ship. But not sure if that's Canaries policy or Cunards.  Has had 1 net result that we loose a turndown service but he leaves chocolates in the morning so no problems lol..

I do have to say though this all comes with the usual caveats that it depends what and who you ask. At one time over lunch  a guest told us she watched 25 being removed onto a mini bus at 6.3o in the morning then it dawned on us she was watching our group going on an early sunrise trip to walk up a volcano.

On QE now and we had one infected family/or couple. Rule was explained by captain as A)isolated,B) disembarked at next island.C)contact staff isolated until testing results and a period of time.. a reduction in some service only noticeable effect is no turndown.(as staff now spread thinner) other than that no noticeable changes.

That may be just because its a Spanish Canarys rule though.. there's a lot more to it than it being one rule fits all. However I would think isolation is a given.. and on this trip the isolated were moved to an area on deck 1 according to staff conversation, which comes with the usual caveats. 

No one from Cunard will comment on these boards.

On 1/13/2022 at 12:40 AM, tring said:

I have also heard passengers on Bolette have been told The Canaries are no longer accepting any ships which have anyone at all isolating on board (sounds like they do not even have to test positive).  Bolette returning to Southampton.

 

B

Not sure thats true as we are on the Queen Elizabeth and disembarked 1 family on GC then continued to Lanzarote with no issues. Captain explained the Canarys rules are no isolation on ship.. you have to disembark any effected, think that's been the rule for a while though.

Anyway now in Madeira hot and sunny, just saying... 😉

Will finish that Borealis report when we get back. Was hoping to do it on sea days but Cunards wi fi has been patchy at best.

This took place just a few weeks after the last trip we took as it was too good a price and beat sitting at home watching the news.. Its not quite finished as we are off on the QE tomorrow but Im posting it as I hope to complete on the move and I added a cabin video this time (sry for the annoying music though - will fix that later)

Spanish Escape Days 1-2

People seem to be arguing here for the sake of it..

Cunard do the testing before you get on the ship (Its that simple)

The day 2 test is a UK matter for the individual to complete when they return to the UK by any means of transport.. You cant fill out a PLF without booking a day 2 test.

Broadside is correct - as we use Randox - by the way if you enter FLYRYANAIR into the code box f it gives you a discount (it doesnt actually care your not flying with them (not that anyone would want to 🙂 )

The cheapest way though is to pick one from a click and collect.. Personally from experience I wouldnt use Eurofins ever again

Depends if you want to use a platform like Interactive investor or a Broker for a one off purchase..

A)If your only buying into Carnival for the perks just buy what you require through a broker..

B) Interactive Investor is a good easy to use platform but you pay 9.99 a month. However that will give you one free trade (buy or sell a month to expand or build your portfolio with stocks or funds).You also get  the ability to regular invest for no cost on your current holdings for free (so you can always be riding the falls by automatically buying when cheap).

BUT there is no point paying monthly costs if your only doing option a) and are not using shares as a long term investment whilst the banks interest rates are so poor

The only change in the next few weeks I suspect will be be the obvious roll back to a day 2 PCR (from Tue - so now really for cruising) and perhaps in the future we will be back to bubble tours only.. Its far to early at this point when so little is known about this variants effects re vaccinated populations - it wont be the last variant by far.

IN answer to the original question we received our email 4 weeks after disembarking

On 11/16/2021 at 4:23 PM, lovetocruise1953 said:

Glad you enjoyed your trip we are on Bolette on 20th the the canaries so it was an interesting read.

Do they actually look at your PLF before your return to the UK?

No they just check it with a glance before you leave - I wouldnt stress about it too much. Follow the ?s one by one and it kind of makes sense.. I just noticed for our next cruise that Fred now actually give you every answer in a list which makes it even easier.

10 hours ago, Britboys said:

Many thanks for the excellent review and photographs. The one very strange idea (to me at any rate) is that the two speciality restaurants both feature cuisine that tends towards spicy. I feel it would have made much more sense if one was either steak, seafood or Italian. Personally, I would be unlikely to book either Vasco or Colour and taste... 

I agree Andrew and did mention this in my comment card - which resulted in several visits from the maitre d asking for more details.. That - and the fact Vascoes really does need a proper venue rather than just how its positioned at them moment which I touch on on the blog( it has the harsh lighting of The View). Still it was free on our cruise - oddly C&T didnt open till the 2nd week though

I think Saga may have got the balance better here(we'll find out next year) having one spicy/one grill type or seafood - though they have new purpose built ships.

Excellent cruise - Was unsure what to expect as it was our first time on Fred.. Can't praise the service and staff enough..

Full illustrated report on the usual pages.. www.cruisetravelreviews.com

Or use this link to go straight to day 1 - https://www.cruisetravelreviews.com/2021/10/fred-olsen-borealis-oct-2021.html

Thanks for the 19£ find -- though thats only a 1£ saving from my pcr in 2 weeks .. Heres hoping if this stays as the norm through 2022 this can be simply absorbed into the price and organized onboard.. My sail for next week has been stress city not so much because its difficult to do but the cruise companies letters and the govt plf website seem to be giving you different info at the same time.. mainly due to certain cruise companies mixing the words "later - from - prior - within - before" sometimes in the same paragraph.. 🙂

As usual its a bit swings and roundabouts - next weeks cruise with FO were oaying 20£ for a day 2 PCR with Eurofins - Our Cunard Dec is showing at £30 for the new lateral test.. so more expensive..

Fingers crossed by the P&0 march this whole thing will be smoothed to included or scrapped if jabbed

19 hours ago, Annabel50 said:

We also received the same email today stating balance was due for 14th Jan cruise by 16th October. Called Cunard and they confirmed these were sent out in error and balance is due 30 days before 14th January.

Thats good to know and have confirmed.. The agent I spoke to knew nothing about it and asked me to ring back next week.

Why do I find it no surprise that 24hrs after the email stating its now 30 days we get another email this morning saying our balance is due in a week or so for a Jan cruise (Direct booking with Cunard)... LOL