john watson

I suspect the excursion operator weighs up the danger associated with the activity and how it might affect its smooth continuation.  If a lot of physical activity were involved and someone became breathless and had chest pains medical intervention might be required.  If you were on a small craft twenty minutes and a third of the way to the objective and they were forced to turn about it could be alleged that someone outside the stated age limits was negligent in booking and culpable for the disruption.

Regards John 

20 hours ago, tscoffey said:

We had the misfortune of going thru a major storm in Alaska on our very first cruise. No ill effects to either of us. And I now consider us “inoculated “ against future seasickness!

After forty years of cruising I thought I had completely got over sea sickness.  Then I did a Transatlantic with Star Clippers 2,000 ton ship bobbing about.  During a particular storm heavy seas at night the bed was going up and down about a metre plus all night. I got up three times.

Lol John

4 hours ago, MissP22 said:

Sure, why not? How can you id an article if it becomes lost?

Men's underpants look very similar and quite often identical.  There should be a difference in appearance from the original photograph's condition. If they had a line up in security....

Regards John

You can take things off and on cruise ships. In this respect you could purchase a suitcase ashore if you needed to take home your purchases from ports of call. Therefore if you take a suitcase off why can you not bring it back. The only problem I see is they might think you are prematurely disembarking. I should think the best plan is to ask the cruise line if they have a problem with your plan. They scan all thing brought on board at every port.

Regards John

On 2/23/2024 at 8:18 PM, Thrak said:

After having an item lost I take a picture of the laundry spread out on the bed before putting it in the bag.

Surely not every item?

Regards John

On 2/16/2024 at 9:30 PM, Selbourne said:

 

Now that my wife simply cannot cruise without an accessible cabin, it has been a source of great frustration that if there are no accessible cabins available, which means that we cannot book, there is no facility to be waitlisted for one. We would book more short notice cruises if this facility existed. As it stands, if an accessible cabin comes up (due to a cancellation or whatever), P&O will move people who may even be able bodied into them (we have spoken to several people that this has happened to). Seems daft to shuffle the pack rather than get a new booking.

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

On 2/21/2024 at 1:06 PM, 2BACRUISER said:

I just print the cunard ones off do the origami then laminate and staple and tape. La voilà 👌😉

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

On 2/21/2024 at 6:40 PM, ClipperinSFO said:

We are on that cruise as well and it sails from Yokohama.  We are booked in at the Intercontinental in Yokohama the night before sailing to give us a chance to explore the port prior to sailing. Staying in Tokyo itself the night before would be fine as they are so close.  

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

On 2/22/2024 at 6:29 PM, runner2013 said:

 

I stopped him again and asked him what I think is the next important question: 

DOES HE HAVE TRAVEL INSURANCE?

He said no, and I told him in no uncertain terms they needed to get real travel cruise insurance immediately!!

He referred to the cruise line's insurance and my DH and I both said absolutely not!!!

He needs to get and independent travel insurance company to cover this because we both feel something isn't right and it just doesn't make sense. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

20 hours ago, MacMadame said:

That seems backward. Heat it when it's warm but not when it's cold?? 😕

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

1 hour ago, Red Leicester said:

Here's a link to the current Cobh - Cork railway timetable.  Half hourly on Monday to Friday and hourly on a Saturday and Sunday.  26 mins into Cork.  I did this a few years back, it was a booked hourly service but IE ran extras on the day.  It was busy but had a seat both ways.

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

On 2/14/2024 at 6:30 PM, Harters said:

 

 

I have visited America several times over the decades. Return flights have always been overnight with the consequence that I am wrecked for several days. It would ruin any possibility of enjoying a short cruise. 

 

The mechanics of your proposal are definitely doable if you are prepared to be wrecked. 

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

4 minutes ago, Ellipooh said:

 

 

The suggestion to enjoy your meals with others is a good one, with one caveat: The natural tendency of others is to ask if you're traveling alone, and that means (repeatedly) explaining why you are alone, which can be upsetting and awkward for everyone.  So much so for me, that I have started dining alone just to avoid a still very difficult subject.  

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

On 1/12/2024 at 11:56 PM, holidaylover10 said:

Could anyone advise if a blue or dark grey suit is acceptable on formal night? My husband is happy to wear a suit but only owns suits in these colours and doesn't really want to buy a black one unless absolutely necessary.

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

Regards John

42 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

To answer the OPs specific question about efficiency...it's not so much a matter of efficiency as it is in their knowledgability. Princess just recently switched to a call center located in the Philippines and the knowledge level of many of those phone reps is severely lacking. You will get contradictory answers from multiple reps.

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

1 hour ago, Musky Ike said:

More Princess website glitches. I suddenly became a "doctor" on the website last year. No way to correct it on the website so I killed valuable time on the phone getting it corrected, then it happened again this year. I ignored it this time and it magically changed back to "Mr." at least for now. As long a you match your passport you should be good. 

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