bobstheboy

A reminder. OBC with Defence Card is only payable on a Select Fare.

Booked through a TA. Haven't paid balance.

Yeh if you say so.

Having cruised for 30 years I have no intention of stopping now. Have a nice day everyone.

If I had lent on something I would not expect compensation. It was a sailaway and we were on the aft bar area and soot was in the air. About 10 people were affected, my trousers and shirt were spotted all over !!

So funny.

After the items had been laundered, there was a note stating that they had been unable to remove the soot stains. Our cabin steward told me to tell customer services so it could be reported. Customer services filled in a report, stating that the items were damaged beyond repair and gave me a copy. They said to contact MSC shore side customer services, who would electronically be able to see the ships report and assess compensation. Why go through all this if they don't give compensation ?

Pleased you found this funny.

Whilst onboard Virtuosa, soot damaged my shirt and trousers. Several others had the same experience. Reported, clothes sent for cleaning but the soot wasn't removed. Forms filled onboard and reported when we returned. Six weeks later I have received an Email with an attached voucher for £50 OBC. I want recompense for replacement items, a reasonable £70. Any advice welcomed.

Where else do you sit ? Silly to say it should be for pool users only. What about the open deck pools in the summer ? Same criteria ? I don't think so.

Having sailed to the Canaries in February I can assure you the Skydome is warm in the winter. Sunbeds and comfy chairs and pool well used.

Since Fever Tree came on the scene I won't drink anything else.

Thanks. That will be a deal breaker, I don't want fountain tonic in my G&T. Pay as you go will be the way for me.

A Bombay gin and Fever tree tonic is £6.80, surely that is included ?

I might buy it on our Arvia cruise Sep 23 when I'll have £920 OBC. This will depend on whether they will honour their Email stating my wife can purchase the non alcohol package because she doesn't drink (medication). If I buy on the second day it will be approx. £780, so it is their money.

14th January. Good luck.

It is very subjective whether you pay a large premium to choose a cabin. Some are happy to pay hundreds extra, others, like myself, wouldn't pay more than £200 pp extra. Personal choice.

Stayed there once, lovely room and you get what you pay for. Didn't have dinner but had lunch on the terrace which was very good.

Just heard from my personal TA that we have £150 OBC for our Jan 23 cruise on Iona, very pleased !

Thank you. I will walk away because I do not want to stop people posting their photos which give others enjoyment. I am not being political, it is a humanitarian crisis, but, on reflection such discussions are not for this forum. Take care everyone.

Am I the only one finding the fine dining photos unnecessary at a time when many are facing the prospect of choosing food or heat this winter ? I enjoy a meal out as much as anyone, together with a couple of days in a nice hotel but don't continually post on here. If I am in the minority and upsetting people I will walk away from this thread.

Don't worry, I have copies of my email and their reply !

I have read many times that a couple in one cabin must both purchase the alcohol drinks package. I also read recently on social media that a couple were allowed to purchase one alcohol drinks package and one soft drinks package because the wife had medical issues that prevented her from drinking alcohol. I was sceptic and contacted the person making this comment. They were very helpful and told me they had contacted Customer Services before they cruised and explained their circumstances. They were told they could purchase different packages and were sent an email confirming this. They boarded, showed the email and purchased different packages. I emailed Customer Services about three weeks ago, explained my wife didn't drink because of medication and received a reply this morning saying I could purchase alcoholic and soft drinks packages once on board. It remains to be seen if I have any problems but I hope this information helps somebody.

Prawn sandwiches for lunch. Dinner is steak and ale pies courtesy of the Yorkshire Pie Company in Ripon. Can't recommend them enough, delivered frozen.

I was leading an investigation at RAF Kemble in 1980 when the Red Arrows were based there. We were successful and as a thank you I was given a signed framed photo of the entire team, pilots, engineers etc. Pride of place in my den, along with Marilyn !