Windsurfboy

Just had a look for my June cruise £162 for 2 weeks

My only advice to those on future cruises. Test for covid at home, if you are negative, answer NO to all the nonsensical multitude of infinite possible covid symptoms, including cough, temperature ......... just say NO . If needed wear a mask to hide a common cold /sniffle. If you want to claim on insurance might be worthwhile spending the circa £20 for a supervised test.

Another half hearted approach. Do it properly or not at all Either follow what Saga did successfully, test before boarding (supervised ) and test everyone daily for first 5 days, coupled with compulsory mask wearing. Or just accept it as we do on land,.

Not an insurmountable problem , just ask nicely if you can leave the car for a few moments whilst you sort out some issues sbout mobility scooter.

I think Victoria 2 is right would need a back up to ostrich approach. Firstly keep asking why they have changed rules, quoting previous letter. If no luck hire the wheel chair they advise as a backstop. Assuming OP is arriving in their own car. Take their prefered mini scooter with them and previous letter authorising it. Try and use this letter to get on on ship with preferred mini scooter. If they till say no , put mini scooter back in car and take the wheel chair.

I presume you still have the letter from Cunard giving you permission for QE . I would write to them forwarding the letter, saying given the ships are identical you automatically presumed that it would similiary be allowed on Q.V.. Ask them why they have changed their mind. Tell them you booked in good faith given their previous stance and this is more than a major inconvenience OR you could take the Ostrich approach. Just turn up and show them the letter saying you could take it on board. They might not even notice it says Q.V. not QE. Even if they do you can then challenge a human being face to face with the nonsensical inconsistency

I use Amex for sterling, but it charges 2.5% for non sterling, hence Halifax when abroad. No worries with any UK credit cards as the are all legally responsible for any cloning/fraud on your credit card.

I also use a Halifax credit card, no foreign fees, MasterCard. Like Solent Richard said My understanding was you get MasterCard bulk exchange rate , cant be beaten. I keep it for holidays, use another with better benefits for sterling transactions. Of course there are a couple of other no foreign fees credit cards. Never had a problem with holding charges on Cunard , but never really examined it as never normally go near my credit limit Understand curve card trick is very useful if you want to maximise your avios on every single transaction . I'm just a bit lazy

Thank you all who are fighting this corner.

Going off piste and the previous conversation about booking early I've just had a look a balcony availability on my 2024 cruise, on a select fare you have choice of what looks like 75% of cabins. This either means there is a huge amount of unbooked cabins. Or the vast majority are booking guarantee. But to me it does point to on the two biggest ships that a gamble on last minute bargins for a balcony cabin is perhaps worth it.

There is a logic in that, people not needing assistance can get there quicker and can be boarded quickly and clear area around the lifeboat enabling all the staff to be available to help people that need it.. If it was done the other way round half the staff would be unavailable to assist people to board as they would be fully occupied with crowd control. Perhaps it is also a sign of the times, in that they may not believe that people will wait quietly in a true emergency (sinking ship , fire) whilst they slowly load a wheelchair in front of them.

Dropping it just after final balance , that's SNEAKY

Presumably if you can save £1000 - £2000 it makes sense to loose your 5% deposit and rebook at lower price. All I can say is on my cruise all rear suites have gone and forward are £1000 more than I paid..

The only guarantee is if they cancel you must get every penny you've paid , never mind how long ago and how many times it's been cancelled , back in full If you cancel you loose your deposit. If you've paid more than your deposit the difference should be returned. OBC is lost, that's normal

Given that the hypothetical, identical cruise on same day is very unlikely. I take it , and please correct me if I'm wrong, you would be happy with either if timing and intinerary was what you wanted.

HH, Thank you

Host Hattie,I see you mentioned Bealieu , did you use park and stay at Montague Arms. We usually stay at their sister hotel Carey's Manor, but they've stop advertising their park and cruise package. We're you happy with Montague arms.

Whatever happens, P&O must give you all the money you paid them back, every penny. That is the law, no question. Whether it £1000 plus £5000 later, or £6000 in one go. The outstanding question is about other out of pocket expenses

Offering 100% refund is what they are legally obliged to do. No way out of that. Also anything booked via them. Any quibble use section 75 on credit card As for other expenses not booked via P&O , presumably section 75 doesn't apply as theoretically still available . P&O has a moral resposibility. I think a headline 1000s of holiday makers left out of pocket as P&O cancels maiden cruise might stir things up.

If you are QG, if you want say a cake just mention it to maitre D. Or Butler Or if you have a favourite meal, even if not on menu just mention it day before

I'm with you on that, my wife loves broccoli, I call it the devils vegetable. Ever since the kids left home when I no longer had to set an example, I generously donate mine to my wife or the bin. Yes I know its good for me, but there are limits

Auto Spell check strikes again, segue turned into Segway

A nice diversion about a hob , presume you put an old non electric kettle on a hob to boil, hence name. a prize to anyone who can segway from this into a dress code discussion, as normally happens

I've a gas one on my cooker , I suppose it's an alternative to taking everything but the kitchen sink with you. Seriously I also have no idea what a hob is.