British Isles cruises from UK - ports of call issue, visit ashore are restricted.

[downsmead]

Just now, majortom10 said:

I think you mean QE as QE2 retired some years ago.

 

🤦‍♀️😂 yes

[majortom10]

14 hours ago, WeeCountyMan said:

Wales has just lifted internal travel restrictions - if there are ports of call there then it'll be interesting to see how Princess react.

 

Likewise other parts of the UK if/when there are similar easing of travel bans.

Yes but only for travel within their borders so Welsh cannot travel outside and rest of UK cannot travel into Wales unless for essential travel.

[dwhe]

5 hours ago, seapals2 said:

They bubble wrap you as you get off ... 😂😂

I like bubble wrap, I've changed my mind I'm all for it now 👍

[dwhe]

2 hours ago, Ombud said:

The passengers left the tour. Their ship, their rules. It's posted on the website: 

As I said that was way back in August 2020, a completely different situation, I agree the cruise line took the right stance on this occasion.

The situation in the UK, I'm talking about the UK, is completely different now and will be massively different by September.

[kevinyork]

4 hours ago, WeeCountyMan said:

No, I only clocked Simon Calder's recent article in the Independent and thought it might be worth flagging up these restrictions on the Princess forum, in case it had slipped under the radar of any Brits potentially interested in such a cruise.

 

If internal travel restrictions within the UK are lifted then I reckon Princess will have a problem trying to justify their "no go ashore unescorted" policy.

 

Of course, up here, north of Hadrian's Wall, the Scottish Government has separate travel rules compared to England and/or Wales.......that could muddy the waters (no pun intended) if they remain different when the around Britain cruising season kicks off !!!

 

 

If we are free to travel within the U.K. but the cruise line retain it must be on of their excursions only it’ll be seen for the money grabbing idea that it is. 

[oskidunker]

1 hour ago, kevinyork said:

If we are free to travel within the U.K. but the cruise line retain it must be on of their excursions only it’ll be seen for the money grabbing idea that it is. 

Dont agree. I take Cruise line excursions and like them.  They are trying to prevent the spread of the virus. Making some concessions to the government allows the ship to have excursions. Yes you can travel freely but maybe 3,000 people all going on their own could be seen as more of a risk. Just a thought. We are in a time all options are not there. 

[Ombud]

1 hour ago, dwhe said:

As I said that was way back in August 2020, a completely different situation, I agree the cruise line took the right stance on this occasion.

The situation in the UK, I'm talking about the UK, is completely different now and will be massively different by September.

Actually that is from their website this morning. Albeit the US version but today just the same, updated March 4, 2021

 

 

 

 

[dwhe]

16 minutes ago, Ombud said:

Actually that is from their website this morning. Albeit the US version but today just the same, updated March 4, 2021

 

 

 

 

I have looked at the Princess and Carnival websites (US versions via a vpn) and I find no reference, do you have a link.

All I can find is the family kicked of a MSC ship last August via Google.

[kevinyork]

27 minutes ago, oskidunker said:

Dont agree. I take Cruise line excursions and like them.  They are trying to prevent the spread of the virus. Making some concessions to the government allows the ship to have excursions. Yes you can travel freely but maybe 3,000 people all going on their own could be seen as more of a risk. Just a thought. We are in a time all options are not there. 

By some mid June all legal restrictions are going to end in the U.K. so if people can travel and visit freely anywhere in the U.K. why should cruise passengers have to pay for excursions if they just want to wander?    They are not making concessions to the Government as the Government are not requiring ships excursions only.  So when we cruise if there is no legal requirement for cruise ship excursions only and no restrictions on U.K. movement/visits etc then the only reason the cruise lines would require an official excursion as the only reason to disembark it would be seen as nothing but profiteering.  

[voljeep]

1 minute ago, kevinyork said:

By some mid June all legal restrictions are going to end in the U.K. so if people can travel and visit freely anywhere in the U.K. why should cruise passengers have to pay for excursions if they just want to wander?    They are not making concessions to the Government as the Government are not requiring ships excursions only.  So when we cruise if there is no legal requirement for cruise ship excursions only and no restrictions on U.K. movement/visits etc then the only reason the cruise lines would require an official excursion as the only reason to disembark it would be seen as nothing but profiteering.  

so, you would be willing to take a rapid test prior to re-boarding and if positive, your belongings would be removed from your cabin, returned to you, and you would be on your own with no compensation or refund ? 🤑

[kevinyork]

9 minutes ago, voljeep said:

so, you would be willing to take a rapid test prior to re-boarding and if positive, your belongings would be removed from your cabin, returned to you, and you would be on your own with no compensation or refund ? 🤑

A rapid test when reboarding would be of no use as the virus doesn’t show up for 4-7 days after contact. Plus having had the vaccination along with all other passengers onboard the risk of transmission is less than in the general community. But if they disembarked us, we could be home in just a few hours anyway this being a U.k cruise. 

[dwhe]

9 minutes ago, voljeep said:

so, you would be willing to take a rapid test prior to re-boarding and if positive, your belongings would be removed from your cabin, returned to you, and you would be on your own with no compensation or refund ? 🤑

As has been said repeatedly, no matter how they try they will not be able to stop interaction between passengers and locals, so according to what you are saying ALL passengers that leave the ship should "take a rapid test prior to re-boarding"

[dwhe]

3 minutes ago, kevinyork said:

 But if they disembarked us, we could be home in just a few hours anyway this being a U.k cruise. 

Good point, would be a pain if they kicked me off in Belfast. Second thoughts It would be like a mini cruise on the ferry back.

[Ombud]

54 minutes ago, dwhe said:

I have looked at the Princess and Carnival websites (US versions via a vpn) and I find no reference, do you have a link.

All I can find is the family kicked of a MSC ship last August via Google.

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/covid-19-guest-protocols/

(I'll post and correct if not right ..... it's at the bottom)

[oskidunker]

59 minutes ago, kevinyork said:

By some mid June all legal restrictions are going to end in the U.K. so if people can travel and visit freely anywhere in the U.K. why should cruise passengers have to pay for excursions if they just want to wander?    They are not making concessions to the Government as the Government are not requiring ships excursions only.  So when we cruise if there is no legal requirement for cruise ship excursions only and no restrictions on U.K. movement/visits etc then the only reason the cruise lines would require an official excursion as the only reason to disembark it would be seen as nothing but profiteering.  

They want to limit who you come in contact with. With ships excursion they can control where you go and who you come in contact with.ships are trying to make it as safe as they can. If you don't agree, ok.If I felt the cruise would be diminished by cruse line excursions, I would wait until that requirement is lifted. 

[dwhe]

37 minutes ago, Ombud said:

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/covid-19-guest-protocols/

(I'll post and correct if not right ..... it's at the bottom)

Many thanks for the link Ombud. Sorry I misunderstood you, I thought you were talking about someone being kicked off a ship recently and not the protocols.

Once again many thanks.

 

[dwhe]

46 minutes ago, oskidunker said:

They want to limit who you come in contact with...

Hit the nail on the head there, limit, they can't stop contact.

We all know what ship excursions are like....... organised chaos.

By September in the UK everywhere will be open the places where you go will be full of people under no restrictions, attractions will not close to the general public just for a coach load of ship excursionist to visit.

If the cruise companies were that concerned they would have cruises with no ports of call which indeed some are doing. It is all so they can make up a little for lost profits.

[Ombud]

I hope you're right about UK opening up @dwhe. If so, I'm there next year. I also hope Australia is open (my December cruise)

Edited March 27, 2021 by Ombud

[dwhe]

Fingers crossed for you Ombud, I'm sure it will be fine, being the eternal optimist that I am

[Ombud]

Dwhe, I picked Australia for this year & UK next bc if my luggage and I am removed for breaking the bubble I can get anywhere in England. Less sure of Australia.  It's kinda like removing me in my home state (love how this is anonymous  ..... ) not that I'd necessarily do that but I love just wandering about

[dwhe]

Me to, having been to most places a cruise ship goes to in Europe, I now like to walk around a bit, have a pint or 2 and watch what's going on. Then back on ship for afternoon tea and a quiz. I never thought I'd miss it so much.

[dwhe]

I have just been looking at excursions to Titanic Belfast, somewhere where I really want to go.

Ship excursion with a half hour drive around Belfast is $99.95 (£72)

The attraction is less than 2 miles walking from the dock and £19 ($26) if you pay on the door or pre buy your ticket like I would have done.

I'm gobsmacked, having been on loads of excursions with different cruise lines that is one expensive excursion for what you get and I haven't checked the rest yet.

 

Edited March 27, 2021 by dwhe

[dwhe]

Edit to the above post:

£15.50 for the over 60's so it's even more expensive.

[majortom10]

47 minutes ago, dwhe said:

I have just been looking at excursions to Titanic Belfast, somewhere where I really want to go.

Ship excursion with a half hour drive around Belfast is $99.95 (£72)

The attraction is less than 2 miles walking from the dock and £19 ($26) if you pay on the door or pre buy your ticket like I would have done.

I'm gobsmacked, having been on loads of excursions with different cruise lines that is one expensive excursion for what you get and I haven't checked the rest yet.

 

We are going in September on Regal to Belfast and Liverpool and we will be staying on the ship like I think many will because all currently available excursions are as expensive.

[dwhe]

I don't blame you majortom10. If the restrictions are still in place in Oct, which would not surprise me, I will be staying onboard with my drinks package trying to reach that 15 limit lol.