john watson

I read a post on here the other day where someone had booked a minimum guarantee inside cabin but had been upgraded to ocean view. When checking the details the upgrade was an adapted cabin which they did not need but they were happy with it. It seems to me cruise lines routine follow this practice but without bookings made on the basis of having an adapted cabin or not sailing they are stuck in a chicken and egg situation in respect of booking in the final few passengers which they effectively put anywhere. We need a booking category where you book an adapted cabin where none remain and wait but if none come up you do not sail whereas if one comes up you get notified and sail. Probably need a seven day period prior to sailing and a refundable deposit system. Regards John

Are you thinking Berth 101 City Cruise Terminal? Regards John

This is what I do. Once folded and glued on decent thickness paper and taped over they are so strong you can pick one's case up by the label. Regards John

We stayed in this hotel when we were in Yokohama. It was easy to spot and we walked from the ship to the hotel. It is by Cosmo world the theme park with big rides. Regards John

Sapphire was built with Alaskan sailing in mind having wider promenade decks so full length loungers could be used. The entire ship is wider than Grand class ships. Sapphire and Diamond were both built for this type of cruise. Caribbean Princess was built for warmer climate cruises in my opinion. Regards John

I think you will find that part of it is overlooked and part is covered. If you search on YouTube for "Our obstructed balcony cabin tour on Sky Princess - E108" you will understand. The higher numbered balcony sizes in this set are larger as per deck plan. The middle part of the video shows what part is roofed over and that amount of cover is the same for the whole run. It is just the overlooked portion which increases in size. The "Obstruction" is the metal front to the balcony instead of glass. They are regarded as Deluxe Obstructed because of the front. Regards John

It is crucial to have top quality cruise insurance covering every conceivable problem. Obtaining it from "Princess" through your booking is very risky because in the worst case scenario if the cruise does not exist due to a scam booking through the same people will not provide genuine cover. If it proves to be a bona fide booking and cruise an independent insurance policy will be fine anyway. Regards John

I think it is due to demand I saw some Queen Mary 2 video mid Atlantic and the decks were covered in snow. I have also been on ships in December. Quite often all the loungers are tied up in stacks and nobody wants to get in the pool. Regards John

The train was in the station at Cork to return us back to Cobh. It had been sitting there a while so I started running. The Railway man told me not to run in case I tripped. He then said the train wont start while people are walking along the platform towards the train. This is a strange concept for people used to BR service. Incidentally Cobh formerly know as Queenstown was a Titanic port. The ship did not dock but anchored and was tendered. A memorial exists at the town. Regards John

I think the US to UK sector is no too bad as I'm thinking you get to bed early on a short day. The UK to US sector gives you five extra hours that day which is the problem. Regards John

I park at the Holiday Inn in Herbert Walker Avenue. Usually do a park and stay package with taxi included both ways. I think they also do straight parking only but you would have to contact them direct to confirm this. Regards John

I think you will find them heated for Mexican Riviera and not for Alaska or Northern Europe in December. The Retreat Pool on Deck 17 Sky Deck forward on Discovery Princess is free of charge and fewer people seem to find it. Regards John

I think the trick is to say yes I'm on my own on this one and leave it at that. There is no compulsion on explaining why. If they come back at you talk about the flights problem which some people have or answer a question with a question.. Regards John

Dark Grey or Navy Blue would be within the dress code. Regards John

The original poster is from Wales and I am sure she will be contacting the call centre in Southampton, Carnival House. Regards John

I think they do not heat them as much when winter cruises are concerned. Generally they do keep them warm but net them off sometimes. Regards John

When we docked at Cobh the ship was next to the railway station which took you to Cork. The station was closer to the ship than all the tour buses Regards John

If you bid the minimum for a balcony but have been upgraded to a cabin which does not have a balcony. I suggest what has happened is that you have been given an upgrade free of charge. The two things whilst similar do not relate to one another. I should confirm this once on board not before. Regards John

When you became a doctor did you get a feeling of anxiety when on flights in case someone fell seriously ill? I think you must have been proud when you became a surgeon. Lol John

There is a solo section on this website giving various tips. In general, though having sailed alone on occasions I should dine on shared tables at dinner and if possible breakfast and or lunch too. The solo travellers coffee mornings are worth looking in on. You often find contacts to chat with from time to time in this way. Organised games such as carpet bowls or elevator roulette on sea days are amusing. Check the daily patter to make sure you get to bingo, trivia quizzes or whatever works for you. Regards John

I only do the tables generally Black Jack or Roulette. You can hand in your cruise card at a table for chips. Generally they give you for the table you are at so Black Jack would be small cash chips with the value on them. Roulette chips you get all the same colour which is your type, maybe up to ten players each with a different colour. You can give them cash too. They call the supervisor to witness the transaction and shove all paper through the table slot. There is a cashier's counter so when you want to cash in you just ask croupier or dealer to colour up and they will give you a series of £25 cash chips plus the odd £1,£2, £5 etc. All these can be cashed in at the counter for pound notes. You can then pay off your cruise account at reception with all your winnings, lol. I have no idea about the slot machines. Regards John

Yes, a massive long table of a big group mainly from Long Island. The cruise was a rare round trip Caribbean out of New York. This was a fixed dining first seating arrangement. Regards John

When booking a cruise the first two passengers pay full price depending on cabin grade. If you then need to book 3rd and 4th passengers in possibly children they ten to be booked at a far cheaper rate. Once you start looking at the Caribbean 3rd and 4th passengers each need a seat on the aircraft both ways. The latter is quite expensive and explains why parents tend not to take their children to the Caribbean in large numbers. Regards John

I think it unlikely you can all sit at the same table. Having said that I spent a cruise around Caribbean with my daughter at a table for two but daughter hardly ever wanted to go so I dined alone. However the next table was a group of over twenty Americans all from the same family or close friends. They were a bit noisy but this didn't bother me. The patriarch was just like sergeant Bilko, it was quite amusing. Regards John

You may bring food back to cabin for your son. Conversely I am wondering as an adult why he wont just drop in at an MDR? He could share a big table which makes a lot more sense. There is also the buffet and other dining options as well as room service if he cannot leave cabin. Regards John