supergran

We used DAM health test centre for our recent cruise. If you Google them there is a branch in Shirley, Southampton. We used the one in Swansea on our way to our overnight hotel. This was a PCR and we had the results by midnight. Antigen is £22.99 with results in two hours.

We were on the 1st May cruise from Athens which included ports in Israel. We did PCR tests on 29th April before flying to Athens the next day. We had to show our results before having an antigen test at the port which was free. Those who hadn’t had a PCR were charged $125. I checked at guest services on Friday and this was still required for the 8th May cruise. We then had another PCR on the sea day before arriving in Israel. NCL were also offering antigen tests on Friday for those who needed them for their flights home, mostly US guests. These tests were free. Hope this helps.

At the risk of sounding like an alcoholic can I ask if the bars were open as soon as you boarded or did you have to wait until you had left Piraeus?

On 12/11/2019 at 1:09 PM, bonship said:

Hi, Carla-

We are going to be in Dunedin on Jan. 5 on the Ruby Princess and I had the same dilemma as you when making decisions about what to do in port.  The train ride is very expensive and many of the reviews are lackluster.  After looking at many possibilities, the four of us decided to book the Elm Wildlife tour to see penguins, sea lions, and albatross.  The tour lasts about seven hours and has great reviews and appeals to our love of nature. 

We are on this cruise. I think I will look at the Elm Wildlife tour as that sounds interesting. Have you joined the roll call for this cruise?

We used smile tours when we went to HCMC and they were great. We went to all the main sites but we also had a trishaw ride around the flower market and other streets that I haven't seen included with other tour operators. We are using them again in October. They also pick up inside the port where other operators dont.

I just sailed the Jade in June and definitely did not have a kettle in our oceanview cabin. Maybe you are allowed to request one?

I have been on 2 hal ships, 3 Celebrity ships, 3 ncl ships, one regent and never had a kettle... I might need to try requesting one.

 

I think it may be when the ships sail from Southampton or are expecting lots of British cruisers. Never had to request a kettle but sometimes had to go without. Just meant more trips to the buffet.

No, in fact I have never seen a kettle in any cabin I have ever sailed in, so you get them on other cruises you have taken?

 

 

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All P & O ships have kettles in the cabin. There were kettles in the cabin on Jade last year, sailing out of Venice. I think it is if they have lots of British passengers. Also been on Princess and RCL when there have been kettles, though not always. Fingers cossed. I like my cuppa first thing in the morning and I like it hot, not from room service.

The answer is probably No, but do they have kettles in the inside cabins? I need my cup of tea.

Any idea how much a taxi would be to the Star ferry please?

We only booked in June this year for a cruise next week. We have the drink package but only $50 OBC. Just wondered if it is worth paying the charge now or waiting until onboard. Not sure it wil be much difference. Not going to need much OBC for anything else. We do our own excursions and don't use the casino.

Does anyone remember when the charge increased? Wondering what we will be charged next week.

Thanks for your quick reply. Just wondered for future reference. I know that with some cruise lines you cannot use any 'free ' onboard credit to pay the daily charge. You have to spend it on drinks, spa, the shops or trips.

If we buy OBC can this be used to pay the daily service charge?

We just got off Aurora yesterday. We had inside cabin B163 and the beds faced the door. Cabin B157? The one next door towards the stairs had beds that were sideways on. We saw inside as we were leaving. It seemed as if there was more room than in ours but that maybe because the beds were arranged as singles whereas ours was a double. There always seems more space with single beds. Not sure whar grade we were. Deck plans will tell you.

We got off Aurora yesterday. We asked for a late leaving time as I hate being in a queue of people all rushing to get off for coaches etc. We were given 9.40 and asked to wait in Raffles/ Sindhu for the announcements. We were actually called at 9.15 as everything was going smoothly. Walked off, straight through to baggage reclaim, collected cases and in the car before 9.45.

Advice from husband. Apply for an interest free for 12 months credit card. Pay for cruise on this and divide payments by 12. Enjoy cruise.

We did this cruise four years ago. Can't remember when we booked our inside cabin but I know we paid just over £100 a night each. It was very good even though we missed a few ports due to weather. The ship, Aurora, was full even though QM was also following the same itinerary at the same time. To give you an idea of how popular it is we met a couple who had done the same cruise for the previous eight years. If you miss this one you know you have to wait a year. If you decide to wait I would book as soon you are able. Using the guide price from this year.

Just outside the port gates you will find the local bus station. There is

an ATM so you coukd take out kuna with a debit card. We did this and caught the local bus to Cavtat. Pretty little place to wander if you have already been to Dubrovnlk.

Hello Richard,

Early or later boarding doesn't bother me. As long as we get onboard we are happy. You are right that we shouldn't expect the same facilities as at an airport but there isn't an lot at Southampton to keep passengers entertained while they queue, or there wasn't the last time we were there. If you are driving long distances on the day it isn't easy to arrive at the 'correct' time. If you don't allow enough time you could miss the ship but if you arrive too early then you are hanging around, sometimes without anywhere to sit. I think the staff do their best to board everyone as soon as possible and they will never please everyone whether it is a free for all or timed slot. I think the start of this thread was should higher loyalty tiers be able to board early, or at a time of their choosing. I think if that perk has been offered then it should be adhered to.Just my humble opinion. 🙂

I think part of the problem is that if we are given a choice we all choose to arrive between 12 and 1 as most hotels require to us check out by 11am. It was to avoid the crowded terminal that staggered times were introduced. They were trying to be helpful but not everyone appreciates that. Better facilities at the terminal would help. Why not offer refreshments and duty free shops like at airports? I don't mean booze, but there isn't even a newsagents.

But other cruiselines won't let you go to your cabin until after 2pm anyway so you have to carry your handluggage everywhere. Also P& O don't want you to leave your cabin at daybreak on the last day. I know some people like to leave the ship at 7am but I don't want my last evening spoilt by thinking I have to get up very early.

In the days when we first cruised over ten years ago, last boarding was more like 4.30 or even 5pm. Of course muster drill was often after the ship had sailed, but that is no longer allowed. We used to drive down on the day (240 miles) and just arrive whenever. It was always 3pm or later. It was only from reading these boards that we realised some people arrived before noon. As long as I get on I am not bothered about missing lunch. This time we are travelling down the day before. Will check out of the hotel, leave cases, go into town for lunch, then collect cases and arrive around 2 to 2.30. If we have to wait then that's fine. We will peole watch or read the paper.

I do not mean to insult anyone's intelligence here, but as this has happened with someone I know very well I have to ask -

When you say your embarkation time is 12 55, does it say this in figures or are you looking at the clock face on the ticket? ..... if it is the clock face, this is just an illustration, not your allocated arrival time.

I am quite happy to have my intelligence insulted as I deserve it.:) Lol. I was indeed looking at the clock face on the ticket when I should have read the ticket. My excuse is I wasn't wearing my glasses. I am also blonde! Our time says 3pm and no later than 3.30pm. We have never been given a cutoff time that early before. It is usually something like 4.30 for a sailing at 5 isn't it?:eek:

Thank you groovechick and john watson. I will bring a bottle opener for the pepsi. Don't mind the pump drinks around the ship but was thinking of keeping some drinks in the room fridge.

If you buy the soft drink package, do you get cans or is it just refills from the pump?