MyriamS

Weird, they answered my email within a couple of hours. Maybe their German office is very quiet. 

I'm also booked on a UK and Ireland cruise and we went through Princess official travel agent in Germany. Here is what our booking confirmation says (translated from German):

"For all trips, the passport must be valid for 6 months after the end of the trip, regardless of the destination. Please also ensure that there are enough blank pages in the passport."

So it seems renewing your mum's passport was the right choice, even if it is frustrating that Princess insist on a rule that very much does not apply to the UK or Ireland. 

My only suggestions would be to have more hand washing stations with soap and water (not hand sanitizer!) and have crew block the way to the buffet, dining rooms... reminding people to wash their hands (they did through singing on RCI, which was both funny and effective).

Unfortunately during COVID, many people got the habit of using hand sanitizer which "kills 99% of bacteria" or so the package claim. However, many bacterias are beneficial/neutral and you do not want to kill them, while some nasty bugs like norovirus are unaffected. Of course sometimes you don't have access to soap and water, but on a cruise ship, it should be the norm. 

Just to let everyone knows that at least for my cruises, specialty restaurants and entertainment bookings opened 15 days in advance instead of 14. Luckily we noticed it by chance and were able to book the Epicurean afternoon tea. 

The chocolate in Belgium really is excellent. I used to buy pralines by the kilo and slowly eat them over weeks when I lived there. 

I've read several times that P&O only sells to UK residents but that hasn't been my experience. I booked a cruise through https://www.pocruises.com/ and they happily accepted Germany as our country of residence and our German address while booking. Reading the T&Cs, I see no requirements for the passengers to be UK residents to book through the P&O website.

The insurance requirement though is quite clear (it's not just buried in the T&Cs, it is also made explicit during the booking process). Luckily our usual travel insurance fulfills the conditions set forth by P&O. It is only available to German residents though, so no help if you're US based. 

Also if you book through the P&O website, you will obviously be charged in Pound Sterling, which might be a problem if your bank is greedy and charges you a lot of extra fees for foreign currency transactions. Mine is reasonable though, so not a problem for us. I'd rather book straight through the cruise line that deals with intermediaries any day. 

That's not what Ryanair themselves say:

https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-gb/articles/12889174472721-What-do-I-need-to-check-in

With more details in their Terms and Conditions: https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en/useful-info/help-centre/terms-and-conditions/termsandconditionsar_368204930

To me it's pretty clear from the above that you can use your EU ID card for Ryanair flights within the EEA, but flying to and from the UK requires a passport. Can you follow all these rules and still get denied boarding by a gate agent? Probably yes, but the airline would be in the wrong, and I would file for compensation under EU law (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm#deniedBoarding).

Personally I would never a tip a tour guide in Europe, with the exception of the "free" walking tours where the guides are paid through tips.  

In fact, I don't tip anywhere in Europe. The service is either included in the price or there is a service fee/cover charge automatically added to the bill and I leave it in. 

I would highly recommend checking independent tour providers before booking directly with Princess. Many companies have day tours that are designed for cruise ship passengers: they pick you up at the port 30 min after arrival, return you to the port about 1h before departure and refund you in case the ship does not dock that day. They are also vastly cheaper than the Princess excursions: our independent Giant's Causeway tour cost us 30£ while a close equivalent with Princess was 200$. While I'm willing to pay a premium for an official excursion, five times the price is just too much for me. 

12 hours ago, ellp said:

Oh yeah, Liverpool was warm today and a bit windy by the water. It was mostly sunny, an I ended up with a sunburn on my face, neck and arms. I did put sunscreen on  too! I never expected to get sunburn here.

Once got sunburnt in Ireland! The locals kept telling us how amazing the weather was that week (sunny, no rain at all).

Just saw a review that mentioned the Olive Grove and the Quays have a special menu for Celebration Night on Arvia. Would anyone know if it's the case or not on Iona?

1 hour ago, yellow-submarine said:

Hi fellow cruisers,

 

Only cruised with MSC Seaside before (South-east Caribbean) but here some of our observations:

 

- Musicians are way better on Iona

- Food is is way better on MSC. The selection is fairly limited compared to MSC. I understand that the target audience is British but still, poor ingredients, some things are undercooked, one night got sick from the food. On celebration night the menu was like on any other night

- You can go to dine any time in the MDR

- The app (which is a Web page) is more limited in function (eg: no option to send messages to your family members on board, can't see ship location in the 'app')

- If you book a table in the app, that is randomly allocated. If you book in person you can ask for window tables (or nearby)

- 710 club is for 18+ only (not because of the content, I guess they just wanted to keep the kids out.) 710 club needs booking 

- Internet is good, it is provided by SpaceX Starlink. Apparently 1 hour is free but could not figure out how to activate the trial, so bought a day package for the sea day

- You can use the Internet across multiple devices just not simultaneously (logout - login) if you buy Internet for one device only

- The free to use laundry is really good just bring your own capsules. 

- The 710 club and Theatre shows are available for booking on the first day and they were all booked up for the whole week on the first day

 

But does MSC have sticky toffee pudding? I think not! 🤣

Seriously, I'm always glad to read report that the food on MSC is good after reading countless reviews on how bland/inedible it is etc. I understand that cruise lines are all slightly different from each other and have different things they do more or less well, which makes me excited to try as many lines as possible. Counting down the days to our Norway trip on Iona in three weeks, then we will see how the World Europa is this winter.

The page I quoted is about EU citizen rights specifically (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/eu-citizen/index_en.htm), so it is not about the Common Travel Area at all. 

The UK not being part of the EU is very relevant for EU law and citizen rights. While you may be able to travel freely from the UK to Ireland using a separate set of rules (the Common Travel Area), I have no experience with these rules and so won't comment on them. 

I have, however, travelled between multiple EU countries with multiple airlines with my French ID card and was never once asked for a passport. If anyone tells me that an airline (Ryanair or otherwise) requires passports for EU citizens on an intra-EU flight, I'll eat my hat. 🙂

24 minutes ago, eileeshb said:

That is a bit of a red herring.. it depends on your mode of transport, Ryanair will always look for a passport even just going between Ireland and the UK which have a common travel area. Legally you only need your Irish/uk driving license to travel between Ireland and the UK but Ryanair have required a passport for as long as I’ve used them. 
BTW if getting a passport for someone under 18 be prepared for all sorts of complications. One of my friends has been trying to renew the passports for her kids since January and one of them has been rejected twice despite the application having been filled out the exact same way for all 3. And these are not first passports for the kids either.  In Ireland the u18 passports are only valid for 3 years whereas the adult passports are valid for 10 years. 

It's not a red herring. A EU citizen can travel freely between the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The UK is not an EU country, so that rule does not apply. 

6 hours ago, smilesntravels said:

Thank you KKB for your responses!  I know of course, there are things to do in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, I just haven't had the time to look at what I want to do.  So, until I do, I was thinking of some sort of hop on hop off bus.  Unfortunately, hubby isn't interested in golf. But, that sounds like a great excursion you did to St. Andrews.

 

He wasn't thrilled about switching to the later date that includes Orkney Islands and Belfast.  Both itineraries are great.  But, you can't see everything in one trip.  Either way, we'll visit five countries on one cruise.

 

I stayed in the suburbs of Dublin back in 2011 when I did a special assignment for Aer Lingus.  I barely remember walking around in Dublin, but we'll figure something out.  Thanks for the info about Invergorden tours.  I looked at a few, and probably need to hurry up and book things.

 

Someone recommended to me to just go to Paris and see the Olympics there.  I know the prices will be much higher.  Since hubby isn't wanting to spend the money for a balcony 😞 😞 , I'm fairly sure he's not going to want to spend it on a trip to the Olympics in Paris 🙂 .

 

I'm glad you enjoyed your cruises!  Yes the UK is nice!  As a former flight attendant with United, I got to go to London and a lot of other European cities!  Once on a quick trip there with my parents, we went to the Globe Theater.  Happy traveling 🙂 .

I was the one who suggested going to Paris. 🙂 As someone who grew less than a hour away from the city, I would say it's all relative. The London/Cambridge/Oxford area and Munich (where I live now) are just as expensive as Paris, because of the eye-watering property prices. Food and public transportation in Paris are actually pretty reasonably priced (I do not recommend driving in the area). For the accommodation though, you would have to stay outside of the city and commute in. 

13 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

If it's a fjords cruise and you want the Norwegian taster menu night then I think that might be the only thing you need to book early on ish

 

If it's not the fjord cruise I will be amazed if you can't get what you want in terms of what you can pre-book

 

Maybe choice of limelight club nights is the only other thing that's under pressure?

 

If I had to guess. But I'm sure you will be fine getting what you need

Correction: it's not this Saturday, but the one after where restaurants booking open. I'm just too excited about my cruise and impatient to get there, I guess! 🙂

It is a fjord cruise but I'm looking to book the afternoon tea in the Epicurean instead of the Norway taster menu. I'm sure the latter is great too, but it just doesn't make sense to me to pay extra for dining on a cruise where you get so much free food. 

I'm making an exception for afternoon tea in the Epicurean as it seems like great value for money (the same fancy afternoon tea in London would probably cost two or three times the price).

Speciality dining booking for my cruise open next Saturday and I intend to take care it as soon as I wake up, around 7am UK time (so not the minute things open, I'm not staying up until 1am for this!). I'll check back throughout the next hours and days and let you know how quickly things book out. This will at least be factual though of course not representative of Iona in general (other sailings could be less/more busy). 

I would pick the inside cabin but then I always pick inside cabins. I find the lack of natural light to actually be beneficial for my sleep and, during the day, I'm not in my cabin much at all. 

Apologies if the suggestion is not welcome but since you are heading to Europe this summer and love the Olympics, why not fly to Paris, see them in person for a few days, then take the high speed train to Marseille for a 7 day Mediterranean cruise? I know you said you're not very interested in the Med but I think it's well worth a look (especially for a first timer in Europe like your husband) and you will have a choice of routes and cheaper prices. 

An EU citizen travelling to another EU country cannot be denied entry due to their passport expiring in less than six months: "As an EU national, you have the right to travel freely in the 27 EU member countries as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (non-EU countries but members of the Schengen area) carrying either a valid passport or a national identity card (ID card). Your travel document must be valid on the day of travel." (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/eu-citizen/index_en.htm)

However, NCL could still deny you boarding if you do not abide by their own rules, and their FAQ says: "Guests are responsible for ensuring they fulfil all passport and visa requirements for all countries visited during the cruise and when travelling to and from the port of embarkation/disembarkation. EU citizens need a full e-passport issued by an EU member state (also applicable for children of any age). A passport is also required for all European sailings (exception: citizens of Schengen States cruising on itineraries that do not leave EU territory)." 

No mention of six month validity rule on the passport, so I think you will be ok but I would give NCL a call just to be sure.

No problem with booking far in advance. I'm the type of person who enjoys thinking about what they'd liked to do on their holiday a year in advance. 🙂 My issue is with the capacity of things I'm trying to book. If restaurants book out very soon after they become available online two weeks before my cruise, it's quite stressful. You have to rush to the booking system as soon as it opens and hope you get some of what you want, instead of having a chance to think and do it in your own time. 

As for restaurants that can only be booked on board it's worse because I have a hunch I will be one of the last to board, so everyone will have the chance to book before me. The restaurant I'm interested in that case is the Olive Grove and I'd almost prefer it if were on a virtual queue. Since it's largely complimentary, I'm afraid people might book it and then not simply show up (without cancelling their booking), blocking other people from going. 

On 5/15/2024 at 8:56 AM, little britain said:

During pandemic all trips refunded in full - the only trip I lost money on was on an airfare via TAP - so much for European protection!!

 

My recent cruises which were cancelled - USA TA refunded within 24 hrs. 
UK TA took several weeks and still haven’t actually sent me an email yet telling me the trip has been cancelled. 
I know who I’d rather book with. 🤷‍♀️

The European air passenger rights law just netted my partner and I 1200€ (our long haul flight was delayed for four hours).

Since your trip was cancelled due to exceptional circumstances (the pandemic), they don't have to compensate you, but they must offer you a choice of full refund or an alternative route to your destination. Obviously some airlines aren't keen on paying out and try to get you to give up through dreadful customer service, but I would just keep insisting until they cough up. 

Lovely report, we are doing a very similar itinerary in September! The multiple port changes really highlight the need to book excursions that are refundable if the ship doesn't dock or self-explore and be flexible. It's nice that Princess found a substitute port for Le Havre instead of just adding another sea day. 

Might not apply to cruise lines, but businesses tend to prefer a politely worded complaint to them, which gives them a chance to fix the situation, rather than the customer not saying anything and then later leaving a negative review/not coming back/not recommending their experience to others.

I think many people are afraid of complaining because they don't want to be seen as entitled or rude... but you can complain without being rude and you are imho entitled to have a good meal on your vacation.

1 hour ago, Gettingwarmer said:

Americans always have crispy bacon, with maple syrup on top. They hate our soft back bacon rashers. 

I'm French, so have no innate "loyalty" to either side but I have to defend American bacon, and American breakfast in general. There's just so much choices and, if you pick the right diner type place, it's wonderfully tasty: my favourite order are the soft giant fluffy pancakes, bacon crisped to perfection and over easy eggs (I always put the syrup on the pancakes and never directly on the bacon) but there are also waffles, bagels, breakfast burritos, breakfast sandwiches that comes with fries (fries for breakfast!). Of course, all of this is far too calorific for every day, but I am much more active on my holidays and only have two meals a day. In the US/on cruises, it's late breakfast and early dinner, instead of early lunch and dinner in Europe. So yes, please bring us the American bacon! 

My favourite British breakfast items are crumpets with lots of butter. I also love that, in the UK, drinking tea is seen as equal to drinking coffee, and thus breakfast tea is always an option. In the rest of Europe or the US, sometimes there will be no tea for breakfast, or only herbal/green tea! (I carry my own tea bags now.)

3 hours ago, Eglesbrech said:

I agree with you re the principal (though I must have missed the many who are whining?).
 

I often book saver fares but do so in the full knowledge that I could end up with the very worst cabin in the grade. For that reason I am very careful about the grade I pick (and those in the same cabin type grades above it just in case I am “upgraded” to above the disco). On some ships it’s fairly easy as there is not much between one cabin and another, on others it’s a definite gamble so not worth the risk.

 

In the unlikely scenario that I get a meta grade upgrade, I’ll happily take that….. but it hasn’t happened yet.

 

If you book a saver you need to be aware of the risks that go with it. If you must have a certain area or a certain dining time then it’s not for you. The problem is that it seems this is rarely explained fully to new cruisers, which is a shame.

Fully agree. After choosing the Saver fare, one is prompted to choose the area of the ship they'd like their cabin to be in on a map, but one must not do so. Instead, as you described, one has to open the deck plan for the ship, look at all the cabin grades in their chosen category (of which there can be half a dozen) and make sure they are alright not just with the location of a certain grade but anything above it as well. Then come back to the website and match their chosen grade to the map. 

I just did a mock booking on Select instead and, while selecting a particular cabin was straightforward, I could not find the "No upgrade" box. I guess it's either at a latter booking stage or tucked away somewhere. Honestly I'm not even sure I would have ticked it had I chosen Select when I first booked, as I probably would have assumed an upgrade to be a good thing.