Rebjon

This is our first booking with Azamara and completely agree - I thought I was doing something wrong when I couldn't see the excursions properly. When I find something difficult to use I tend not to bother with it  meaning I may not book any of their excursions.

On 8/5/2022 at 2:49 PM, terrierjohn said:

We had £150 for our standard balcony on Britannia in June.

We've got £150 for an inside cabin.

On 8/5/2022 at 2:29 PM, Mollag said:

We got £150 extra for an inside If you read it it’s up to £xxx  per cabin not each passenger so you should be ok. Also the cruise was fully paid with FCC/compensation money so no need to bribe us

Us too.

On 4/25/2022 at 2:45 AM, BadgerBill57 said:

Are cruise guests flying into Italy from the US and embarking in Civitavecchia required to fill out the EU Digital Passenger Locator Form (dPLF) before arriving in Italy?

 

The requirements changed on the 1st of May. Below is what is on the UK Government website. I'm pretty sure it will apply to US citizens but please double check.                                                                                   

From 1 May travellers will no longer be required to complete a passenger locator form (EU PLF) to enter or travel through Italy as a visitor.

Until 30 May, all travellers, aged 6 and over, must show one of the following:

• proof of vaccination OR
• evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before entering Italy or a negative rapid lateral flow test taken within the 48 hours before entering Italy OR
• a COVID-19 recovery certificate, certifying that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months

On 4/21/2022 at 8:47 AM, wowzz said:

That's strange - it was free on Sky last year.

Pre- covid there was a free port bus to the port gates.

On 4/25/2022 at 2:45 AM, BadgerBill57 said:

Are cruise guests flying into Italy from the US and embarking in Civitavecchia required to fill out the EU Digital Passenger Locator Form (dPLF) before arriving in Italy?

 

UK citizens are required to fill this in and I'm pretty sure it also applies to US citizens. I have read that Italy is updating it's entry requirements at the end of April so you might want to check in a few days.

If you want to see a real library go on the Queen Mary.

On 4/1/2022 at 8:47 PM, rjp50 said:

It seems like most of these posts are by Americans who are preparing for cruises in the Caribbean.  We will be cruising in the Mediterranean at the end of May but only after spending 6 days in Switzerland.  Obviously getting any testing done stateside is impossible to meet Princess' time requirements.  Does anyone know what the policy will be for European cruises and what ways are there to meet those requirements for people like us who will not be flying directly to the cruise port?

Princess website states for European departures (not Southampton, UK where they are charging 60 US dollars)  'When possible we recommend guests take a medically observed viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) prior to leaving home to avoid queues and travel disruptions associated with a possible positive result on the day of embarkation. We understand that this may not be possible based on your travel plans, so for your convenience we are currently offering complimentary antigen testing at the terminal.'                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Has anyone managed to confirm with Princess that this will actually happen? The first European cruises haven't started yet and as we go from Civvatavecchia on the7th May I don't want to get to the port and find there are no testing facilities. Imagine the stress of running round the town trying to find a testing centre without being able to speak the language with only a couple of hours before the cruise leaves. We're checked in on line but there is nothing in our booking about this apart from the above statement on the Princess home page. I've messaged Princess but had no reply.

22 minutes ago, Bin man said:

Hi Cathygh guess you have logged in then click on your name and the page should  come up with the page for the different  options future cruises, preferences, cruise loyalty, my details, payment , .I can click on all these and check everything at the moment .Hope this helps .This is on my samsung pad not tried pc though 

Mine is showing on PC.

2 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

Hi, for those still interested on the Covid insurance clause on this link who have not moved to the Caribbean Quarantine section, I though that it might be of interest that i have just spoken to my CEO contact and the meeting to discuss the issue/policy was being held 12.00pm today, with hopefully an announcement and new terms and conditions soon after.  They apologised for the delay.  Once anything is forthcoming I will of course let everyone know.

 

Meantime I'm off to book my new QE Itinerary for next year, I'm that confident it will be okay!

Thank you for all your hard work. Let's hope it's positive and clearly states the position. We go on Ventura on Tuesday so have a keen interest in this.

My cruise history is now showing again.

On 11/13/2021 at 4:26 PM, CRUISENSNOOZE said:

This is him.....

 

PORT GUIDES | CRUISE PORT GUIDES (cruiseports.club)

Thank you for this link. Like Sir Cumference I couldn't find them on social media. Excellent guides and a vast number of them.

When you go into your cruise history it's now saying this:-

'We apologise, however we are currently experiencing technical difficulties with the 'Cruise History' function on our website.

To ensure guests sailing soon receive all their applicable benefits, we are prioritising guests who have a future cruise booking departing within the next month, therefore if you meet this criteria please email loyalty@pocruises.com.'

15 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

The insurance issue is now coming to light down under:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2808391-travel-insurance-for-covid-when-on-a-cruises/

 

From Seabourn site my question to North America has produced this:

 

"There is at least one travel insurance company that offers an optional feature that provides some reimbursement for quarantining. It also offers CFAR and interruption for any reason components. Not cheap though, and both only at 75%. Depends if one wants maximum risk protection. Time sensitive to 14 days and 21 days after first payment for trip made. I'm not sure I can mention the company ."

 

So it seems a rare commodity in North America as well and not as I thought something readily available.

 

My opinion (for what it's worth!) is that worldwide there is a problem.  In the rush to get passengers back all but a few lines have decided to lull the customers into a false sense of security by pointing to Covid insurance policies which are unfortunately lacking in some respects but sound good until you look deeper and need to use  them.

 

Naively the cruising community has trusted the messages boldly displayed on websites and literature and we all believed our favourite cruise line would not lie to us, or at least not intentionally.  To draw a weird comparison, how many of us thought as we watched on the television news people scrabbling outside Northern Rock to get their money, well thank goodness my bank isn't like that ... Brand loyalty is highly valued by companies for that exact reason. 

 

Flying by the seat of their pants the majority of lines seem to be happy to hope only small numbers will be affected and they can keep a lid on the real situation by suppressing news via social media, the press and forums such as this. 

 

We have heard from Redsquirrel59 that there is a possibility some of those offloaded with him may be having some difficulties, but we probably won't hear the outcome for these people even if it's good. Keeping the lid on a possibly explosive situation at this stage will be relatively cheap to the cruise lines. The real test will come as numbers creep up and distances to home increase. 

 

Until the world starts to hear from someone with the opposite experience to Redsquirrel59 we can't truthfully consider our individual positions and this is good for the cruise lines as a public who aren't aware there may even be a problem will blindly carry on booking happy in their ignorance.

 

For me personally it's fairly easy now to decide, I dont think I'm going to get a straight answer! The next step is most likely to be to press the cancel button on all but one of these cruises, I'll leave you to guess which one ...

 

Whether deliberately or not P&O lulled its customers into a false sense of security by talking about on-board quarantine cabins. There was no mention about the possibility of being off loaded until people on forums like this mentioned that it was happening.

24 minutes ago, funinhounslow said:

In which case it's a brave person indeed who hops on a cruise ship in the current climate.

 

When I read the P&O would effectively hoik you off the ship and wash their hands of you if demonstrate COVID symptoms I though that was bad enough from a hassle perspective. If you can't get  insurance cover for this eventuality, then forget it.

 

Yes I did misunderstand - all perfectly clear now sadly…

Unfortunately many of us booked a few weeks ago after reading that P&O had quarantine cabins on board for those who tested positive however P&O forgot to mention that they would offload you at the first available port.

5 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

Perhaps I might be getting somewhere!  Latest reply from Executive Office:

 

Quote

 

Dear 

Thank you for your further correspondence and I am extremely sorry for mis - interpreting your email.  

And yes this is a very good question and I completely understand your worry - I am so sorry that I have never come across this before, but I will endeavour of course to find out for you.

Please leave this with me and we will get back to you once I have a comprehensive answer.

Warmest regards

 

Unquote 
 

How could the Executive Officer not have come across this before? Are they fit to hold the job?

5 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

I'm not expecting anyone to insure them. I am expecting the cruise companies/insurance companies to tell people upfront that passengers may be removed from the ships in the event of possible infection of them and/or their travelling companion remaining negative and that the costs for any quarantine in most cases will not be covered by the insurances they are promoting.

 

Basically there's lots of clauses protecting the cruise companies in the booking terms and conditions as pointed out elsewhere by Molecrochip.  I think it's only fair that a "buyer beware" clause should be just as prominently displayed as the upselling of Covid travel insurance.

 

There are people on these threads for whom offloading would cause major stress and problems, myself included, surely it is not unreasonable for the cruise companies to put them in an informed position to make their personal decisions?

 

These cases are miniscule in comparison with the number sailing and therefore it would not be impossible to say in the very unlikely case of such and such. Most on here are reasonable, sensible people and would probably travel because the risk was affordable and not disastrous. Those with medical issues or work commitments may feel differently.

 

Sticking their heads in the sand and pretending it will go away is not a good idea for the companies.  Eventually someone will be caught out, not be able to pay and scream loudly to the press.  Other than that if the cruise lines are looking after these unfortunate people, well what great PR for them.

P&O sold foreign cruises whilst keeping their customers in the dark that they would offload them AND their non positive partners to a quarantine hotel if they tested positive. This is what is indefensible.

7 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

Update:

 

1. Following the social media reports I spoke with my TA to ask if those in the trade had any knowledge of an incident. My TA is a personal friend of many years and she said she would put out for any information amongst her contacts. Her reply a day later states: 

 

"Apparently it was 3 couples tested positive and initially were going to isolate in their cabins but the port authorities said they had to quarantine

Still looking into if insurance will pay for partners those that tested are covered

P&O not been brilliant apparently"

 

I cannot comment on the last sentence as clearly it is just someone's opinion passed to my TA and not confirmed.

 

2. In the reply to me P&O appear to acknowledge the existence of the Cadiz "incident" but have skirted around it.  I have had another reply from the EO yesterday, again stating nothing:

 

"Thank you for your further email and I am sincerely sorry you are having such difficulty finding an insurance provider.

The majority of insurance policies are now explicitly stating they will cover medical expenses related to COVID. It is worth checking with your insurer if yours does not explicitly state this, but that would be unusual. Whilst some insurers provide 'Covid Cancellation cover' as an optional add on, this is not a requirement. Cover for medical expenses should you fall ill with Covid is, however, mandatory

P&O Cruises has partnered with Holiday Extras to offer appropriate, comprehensive travel insurance cover for our holidays.

All travel Insurance options offered through our partner Holiday Extras are appropriate for a cruise holiday and meet the £2m minimum medical expenses criteria.
We have chosen Holiday Extras (for UK Citizens only) as our preferred travel insurance provider and Holiday Extras can offer a comprehensive travel insurance policy that will cover you for cancellation, medical expenses, personal belongings, missed cruise departure, unused shore excursions, cabin confinement and cruse itinerary changes, as well as covering 97% of all customers with pre-existing medical conditions."

 

Again, stating the obvious, they are referring to "medical expenses" which we all know are covered by all the companies. There is still no mention of who covers offloading if your companion tests positive and you do not. Having become somewhat frustrated by these replies, I've decide to go for the jugular and sent the following:

 

"Thank you very much for your reply. There is some misunderstanding: I have not had difficulty in buying the insurance. Indeed my husband and I have intended to purchase the very policy you detailed.

 

However what they have stated quite clearly they will not cover quarantine ashore for ANY person who does not have a positive covid test. P&O are apparently removing companion passengers to those who test positive when their own tests are negative and these passengers are quarantined ashore in hotels.

 

If this is correct information then Holiday Extras and 11 other companies DO NOT COVER THE NEGATIVE TESTED PASSENGER. My question once more, who meets the costs of quarantine for these passengers please?

 

I am sorry to keep asking this but it is essential in my decision of whether to continue with my January and April cruises."

 

I await the next reply!

Keep on at them!

8 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

And that's exactly why they should have been honest that the insurance policies they are pushing at you may well not cover you if their intended course of action of removal if you are a close contact occurs. 

 

Of course there are many on here and elsewhere who wouldn't choose to book a new cruise knowing what they do now, but an awful lot of them are locked in to trips already paid for before the protocols were announced.  The cruise companies have behaved in an underhand way, particularly with their announcements being so close to departures. 

 

You clearly are happy with the situation although your complaints about people's behaviour on Iona would appear to offer a different view.  If you are happy to cruise with the risk you may be offloaded at your own cost, having to possibly get involved in complex monetary discussions and legal requirements while maybe your family member is unwell that is your prerogative.   

 

You are, however, quick to judge your fellow passenger.  If the rules were not being followed that is surely as much a failure by P&O for allowing these groups to share and if it worried you so much perhaps you could have had a quiet word on the issue with those in charge. Of course there is always the possibility P&O were happy with the other people's dining arrangements and your idea of wrong doing may in fact have on this occasion been perhaps incorrect.

I asked P&O several weeks ago what would happed if you tested positive on a ship. After several attempts at waffle on their part this is what they said :- 

'Hi Lesley, if there is an outbreak on board,

our comprehensive new protocols are designed to protect the health and well-being of all our guests and crew. We have plans in place, tailored for each ship, to manage medical needs including dedicated cabin capacity for isolation should this be required.'       NO MENTION OF BEING OFFLOADED TO SHORE.

2 hours ago, wowzz said:

And also, how many people actually report their results ?

China must be laughing all the way to the bank - have you seen where these tests are manufactured?

People who don't live their lives or don't want to live their lives without a smart phone permanently attached to their hands are increasingly becoming non citizens.

I've just been told by someone on Ventura today in Lisbon that you can now go ashore independently and as previously stated no test required, just your vax cert.

16 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

I've just received the Executive Office's reply to my question:

 

QUOTE

 

Thank you for your e-mail to our Executive Team and for taking the time to write to us.

I do appreciate your concerns following a party of guests being disembarked in Cadiz, Spain due to positive test for Covid-19. I can advise to you that each case would be assessed on an individual basis to care for the health of the guest, but we have all the protocols in place to protect the wellbeing of all on board.

With regards to your comments and having contacted the relevant management, we would ask our guests to ensure their travel insurance policy fully covers them in relation to Covid and any situation in this regard.

Kind Regards

Emily Cole
Guest Support Representative
Office of Simon Palethorpe, President, Carnival UK and Cunard
Office of Paul Ludlow, President, P&O Cruises

 

UNQOTE

 

I had spelled out some detail the fact that at that point 4 companies had said no cover for quarantine without a positive test. I have now responded that I'm up to 12 companies with only two offering abandonment as an option.  

 

The reply, unfortunately, appears to put all the onus on individuals rather than offer any comfort or suggested solution.  I am not impressed.

 

I'm not impressed either but I'm not surprised.

27 minutes ago, Bin man said:

Have seen that also did you see the comment this should have been in place from the 2nd October. 

Yes I did.  Not sure what's going on with P&O. Does it also mean you can go ashore on your own?

Have seen a post tonight on a well known social media site showing a photo of a P&O notice on Iona saying covid tests no longer needed for Lisbon. I can't vouch for the accuracy of this.