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Host Sharon

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Everything posted by Host Sharon

  1. No, even I draw the line at that, but having said that an outside suited me just fine for 3 months. I had the whole open decks as a balcony and I would hapily have gone round once again when we reached Southampton.
  2. Welcome to Cruise Critic and the rabbit hole (or should I say money pit) that is cruising. I would add that a couple of weeks to the Canaries on Iona, although nice, will not really give you any idea of a world cruise on say, Arcadia. The ships are just too different, not just in facilities but activities and space. On a world cruise you usually have up to 6 straight days at sea crossing the Pacific. There may also be days when the seas are rough, which you might not notice on a ship the size of Iona, but will feel different on a smaller ship. On the other hand, 3 months at sea, visiting wonderful far-away ports is fabulous. I would suggest 2 weeks on Aurora or Arcadia first to see if you like those ships and save Iona for other cruises.
  3. Having spent three days on her pre-maiden - I agree. Each to their own. Off soon for a month on Spirit of Adventure 🙂
  4. They are Prija toiletries. Large bottles, replaced when necessary.
  5. Please read red banner above.
  6. My South America cruise with them next January worked out at £186 pp pn, booked at launch. There are other considerations, besides the obvious included ones, such as space - a standard Saga cabin equates to a deluxe balcony on P&O, free room service (including dinner if you wish, or afternoon tea), and a lot of deck space per passenger. None of them deal-breakers but nice to have. I agree however, they equate much more to Oceania than P&O.
  7. There are however a few partially obstructed balconies I believe, forward on Deck 7.
  8. Yes, I was. It was my understanding everyone would be.
  9. Sadly not. Despite repeated requests, all I got was a private car transfer, which is offered to everyone on this cruise. From May they are returning to shared cars over a certain mileage.
  10. Having said, the onboard experience is wonderful, I must point out that still isn't as it was pre-Covid. Sadly. still no cocktail parties, no dance hosts etc.. Just want you all to manage your expectations. 🙂
  11. Very disappointed Istanbul has gone. I have already been to most of these ports and some are not ones I especially wish to return to - like Limassol. Feel they should at least offer a reduction as less fuel required. Will need some thought. Think a bit more imagination could have offered a more interesting itinerary and I suspect I will already have done the included excursions. Having said that the onboard experience is second to none and the food is fab.
  12. Some people have been getting phone calls. I gather Instanbul has gone as well which is a bummer.
  13. On my recent Canaries cruise, a PLF was only required for Portugal, and even there it wasn't checked.
  14. I enjoyed a day trip to The Hamptons from NYC as a P&O excursion.
  15. Having just come back from Aurora I can confirm that the level of crew service was excellent and no different from what it has been in the past.
  16. Myybe go to your cruise line page. This is what it says with FO but they don't sail from Tilbury. When you cruise with Fred. Olsen, why not let one of our recommended luggage handling service providers take care of your bags? They'll collect them from your home before you leave, and securely deliver them directly to your cabin on board. They'll do the same on the way home, too. Dover, Liverpool, Newcastle & Rosyth departures, book direct with: GAC Baggage UK Tel: 0191 431 8976Email: cruisebaggage.uk@gac.comPlease quote 'FRED. OLSEN' at time of enquiry. Southampton departures, book direct with: The Baggage Handling Company Tel: 023 8087 3111 www.thebaggagehandlingcompany.com Please quote 'FRED' at time of enquiry.
  17. Wine bottles were certainly stored for us on Aurora last week.
  18. When I said coaches, I also meant shuttles and excursion buses.
  19. There are inconsistencies such as mask-wearing and social distancing in the theatre but not in Carmens as there, you could drink. However, I think the crackdown was due to the previous cruise having so many cases they ran short of crew. Masks also mandatory on coaches.
  20. Letter in cabin stated masks to be worn everywhere inside, unless eating or drinking. Probably due to high number of case on previous cruise. It was very well adhered to and policed by other passengers.
  21. We were only tested pre-embarkation. I think any further tests were only for those with symptoms or close contact with positive passenger.
  22. Sorry you missed out. A few cases I believe, and a few crew as well, but nothing like the previous cruise.
  23. Back now from a lovely Canaries cruise on Aurora - sorry Megabear! Very little evidence of restrictions on board besides mask-wearing indoors exceptwhen eating or drinking and the lack of cocktail parties and organised games. The captain came round the bars on the formal nights to chat with people, we made every port and were allowed ashore on our own. Finally, the weather was beautiful, sunny and even hot - 22 in Puerto Mogan. Hope everyone is Ok and has behaved for my stand-in 🙂
  24. The problem with solos - as the cruise lines see it - is that they are losing the on board spend of the second person. I have had this argument a hundred times with them. A solo is much more likely to book an organised excursion, drink in the bars rather than the cabin etc but they only see solo cabins as wasted space as they are not half the size of a double, but more like 3/4. The bathroom for example is the same size in both cabins. Even Saga's single cabins are about 150% of the double fare. Their new ships have 100 single cabins each, but since they are all inclusive, on board spend is neglible anyway so doesn't factor in. If you are not so bothered where you go, look out for no single supplement deals - not seen them on P&O but Fred Olsen and some upmarket lines like Regent have them.
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