Discussion
Deep Thought said:
Re: lectures. On Princess we had Shaun Wallace and on Cunard we had an FBI drugs agent and a published Concorde pilot giving guest lectures. Interesting, and we went along but it's not high on our list of must haves. If a cruise line is pitching at a particular demographic then lectures may be more common.
We’ve had a former senior Metropolitan Police officer now working as a hostage negotiator and probably the same ex Concord captain.Edited by Deep Thought on Wednesday 15th May 21:27
I remember the Concord captain gave 4 talks from the original concept, building the aircraft, operating it and finally when it finished service. In the best tradition of a British Airways Captain he blamed the French for it all going wrong.
bad company said:
I remember the Concord captain gave 4 talks from the original concept, building the aircraft, operating it and finally when it finished service. In the best tradition of a British Airways Captain he blamed the French for it all going wrong.
Which Concorde captain was it?paulguitar said:
Which Concorde captain was it?
On Cunard QV it was John Tye.He did a book signing afterwards. He and his wife were on board. I'm sure they do quite nicely on the cruise and after dinner speech circuit.
He was a really nice guy. Needless to say we have a signed book. My wife's and avid reader.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Concorde-Pilot-Orpha...
Edited by Deep Thought on Thursday 16th May 10:15
bad company said:
We’ve had a former senior Metropolitan Police officer now working as a hostage negotiator and probably the same ex Concord captain.
I remember the Concord captain gave 4 talks from the original concept, building the aircraft, operating it and finally when it finished service. In the best tradition of a British Airways Captain he blamed the French for it all going wrong.
I remember the Concord captain gave 4 talks from the original concept, building the aircraft, operating it and finally when it finished service. In the best tradition of a British Airways Captain he blamed the French for it all going wrong.
Bloody French.
Deep Thought said:
paulguitar said:
Which Concorde captain was it?
On Cunard QV it was John Tye.He did a book signing afterwards. He and his wife were on board. I'm sure they do quite nicely on the cruise and after dinner speech circuit.
He was a really nice guy. Needless to say we have a signed book. My wife's and avid reader.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Concorde-Pilot-Orpha...
Edited by Deep Thought on Thursday 16th May 10:15
bad company said:
We’ve had a former senior Metropolitan Police officer now working as a hostage negotiator and probably the same ex Concord captain.
I remember the Concord captain gave 4 talks from the original concept, building the aircraft, operating it and finally when it finished service. In the best tradition of a British Airways Captain he blamed the French for it all going wrong.
For comparison, on the 4th sea day of our trans Atlantic cruise with MSC we sat down to see a demonstration of fruit and vegetable carving. I said to my partner "So it's come to this".I remember the Concord captain gave 4 talks from the original concept, building the aircraft, operating it and finally when it finished service. In the best tradition of a British Airways Captain he blamed the French for it all going wrong.
The demonstration was then cancelled because of "technical difficulties". Couldn't find a big enough carrot I reckoned.
Deep Thought said:
...Broadly speaking there are four different cruise line classes and grades (mainstream, premium, luxury and ultra-luxury).
...
I'm still a relative noob cruiser, having done 3 Princess (31 nights total) and 1 short RC ex Singapore....
Edited by Deep Thought on Wednesday 15th May 21:27
Is there a resource which identifies which lines fit in these categories? I guess I'm looking for premium, perhaps luxury depending on cost.
So far I much preferred Princess and definitely prefer the mid size (2500 pax) ships over the mammoth amusement park style (actually "style is definitely the wrong word!)
Electronicpants said:
Heading on a Norwegian P&O cruse on Saturday.
I've been on 4 cruses previously varying massively (probably due to time as well as cruse line, one was The Canberra as a teenager!) in terms of formality. I'm not one for dressing up, jeans and a hoody/fleece are my go to. Should I be packing anything else?
Last cruse was Royal Caribbean and it was all t shirts and shorts, prior to that, a good few years earlier it was P&O Ventura and I seem to remember wearing a suit, Hawaiian shirts and all sorts?
Any seasoned travellers help out, I've googled and been on the website bit it suggests you bring some smarter clothes? thanks.
We did the Fjords on P&O Britannia a few weeks ago.I've been on 4 cruses previously varying massively (probably due to time as well as cruse line, one was The Canberra as a teenager!) in terms of formality. I'm not one for dressing up, jeans and a hoody/fleece are my go to. Should I be packing anything else?
Last cruse was Royal Caribbean and it was all t shirts and shorts, prior to that, a good few years earlier it was P&O Ventura and I seem to remember wearing a suit, Hawaiian shirts and all sorts?
Any seasoned travellers help out, I've googled and been on the website bit it suggests you bring some smarter clothes? thanks.
We chose club dining where you eat in the same restaurant and at the same table every night, either 6:30 or 8:30 siting.
We had a table for 2 but did chat with the 2 tables adjacent.
Luckily they were very nice (an older couple and 2 middle aged friends) so we got on very well.
There were 2 formal nights and it was dinner suits or dark (ish) suits with tie.
It was about 50/50 dinner suits/lounge suits.
Couple on adjacent table got turned away as they forgot it was formal night and the guy had chinos and polo shirt on.
They ended up in one of the paid restaurants but they could have gone to the buffet.
Normal dining night was smart casual (smart jeans/chinos, polo shirt, casual shirt etc..)
Buffet was wear anything basically
paulguitar said:
bad company said:
I remember the Concord captain gave 4 talks from the original concept, building the aircraft, operating it and finally when it finished service. In the best tradition of a British Airways Captain he blamed the French for it all going wrong.
Which Concorde captain was it?Electronicpants said:
Heading on a Norwegian P&O cruse on Saturday.
I've been on 4 cruses previously varying massively (probably due to time as well as cruse line, one was The Canberra as a teenager!) in terms of formality. I'm not one for dressing up, jeans and a hoody/fleece are my go to. Should I be packing anything else?
Last cruse was Royal Caribbean and it was all t shirts and shorts, prior to that, a good few years earlier it was P&O Ventura and I seem to remember wearing a suit, Hawaiian shirts and all sorts?
Any seasoned travellers help out, I've googled and been on the website bit it suggests you bring some smarter clothes? thanks.
Ooo, my parents will be on that. 2nd time on the Fjords and they've done numerous other P&O Cruises. Have fun! I've been on 4 cruses previously varying massively (probably due to time as well as cruse line, one was The Canberra as a teenager!) in terms of formality. I'm not one for dressing up, jeans and a hoody/fleece are my go to. Should I be packing anything else?
Last cruse was Royal Caribbean and it was all t shirts and shorts, prior to that, a good few years earlier it was P&O Ventura and I seem to remember wearing a suit, Hawaiian shirts and all sorts?
Any seasoned travellers help out, I've googled and been on the website bit it suggests you bring some smarter clothes? thanks.
Memorial day weekend sale on celebrity
Bigger discounts on drinks etc
The non alcoholic package price has gone up before discount do it's now more than it was!!
It was £28.56pppn with discount 10% £25.70
Now on sale £42.52! Normal supposedly with 35% off £31.89!!!!!
But the premium alcohol o f hasn't had the same treatment
Pre 95.18 > 76.15
Now 94.48 > 61.41!
Bigger discounts on drinks etc
The non alcoholic package price has gone up before discount do it's now more than it was!!
It was £28.56pppn with discount 10% £25.70
Now on sale £42.52! Normal supposedly with 35% off £31.89!!!!!
But the premium alcohol o f hasn't had the same treatment
Pre 95.18 > 76.15
Now 94.48 > 61.41!
Back from Yacht Club last week on MSC Euribia, having booked originally as balcony room on the main ship, but having had an upgrade offer accepted.
It really is the ship within a ship experience that people say it is.
Met at the cruise terminal by a butler who took us past all the queues and in to a separate area for bubbly and canapes until someone came to check us in and escort us on board.
Butler service, private restaurant, private bar, private pool deck. All with 270 degree views at the front of the ship.
24x7 concierge desk if you needed anything booked. Butler at the end of a phone if you needed something.
Escorted on to the ship by a butler, any time we left the ship or went to a show in the main ship we were butler escorted and expedited past any queues. The theatre had a private area for Yacht Club guests too, so no need to arrive early to get a seat.
Overall, very impressed with it. Nothing was too much trouble. No area ever felt busy. Pianist / singer / guitarists on from aroun 18:00 every evening to around 01:00 in the bar - just background easy listening usually. A couple of brought in music acts from the main ship. Food was a level above.
We are going again next weekend on a short two nighter from Southampton. We had it booked as a taster cruise in Yacht Club, then got our upgrade offer accepted for last weeks one.
This time we'll be on Virtuosa.
It really is the ship within a ship experience that people say it is.
Met at the cruise terminal by a butler who took us past all the queues and in to a separate area for bubbly and canapes until someone came to check us in and escort us on board.
Butler service, private restaurant, private bar, private pool deck. All with 270 degree views at the front of the ship.
24x7 concierge desk if you needed anything booked. Butler at the end of a phone if you needed something.
Escorted on to the ship by a butler, any time we left the ship or went to a show in the main ship we were butler escorted and expedited past any queues. The theatre had a private area for Yacht Club guests too, so no need to arrive early to get a seat.
Overall, very impressed with it. Nothing was too much trouble. No area ever felt busy. Pianist / singer / guitarists on from aroun 18:00 every evening to around 01:00 in the bar - just background easy listening usually. A couple of brought in music acts from the main ship. Food was a level above.
We are going again next weekend on a short two nighter from Southampton. We had it booked as a taster cruise in Yacht Club, then got our upgrade offer accepted for last weeks one.
This time we'll be on Virtuosa.
Edited by Deep Thought on Thursday 23 May 16:59
Edited by Deep Thought on Thursday 23 May 17:25
Can anyone recommend a decent insurance company or broker please? My wife has a number of ongoing medical issues (nothing serious) and takes regular medication for them so we’d need to speak in person as online won’t allow us to purchase.
One week cruise to the fjords on QM2 next year.
One week cruise to the fjords on QM2 next year.
page3 said:
Can anyone recommend a decent insurance company or broker please? My wife has a number of ongoing medical issues (nothing serious) and takes regular medication for them so we’d need to speak in person as online won’t allow us to purchase.
One week cruise to the fjords on QM2 next year.
Avanti?One week cruise to the fjords on QM2 next year.
page3 said:
Can anyone recommend a decent insurance company or broker please? My wife has a number of ongoing medical issues (nothing serious) and takes regular medication for them so we’d need to speak in person as online won’t allow us to purchase.
One week cruise to the fjords on QM2 next year.
Staysure are very good and quote for pre-existing medical conditions.One week cruise to the fjords on QM2 next year.
Also try this guide and links on MSE
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/pre-ex...
Try also for annual cover - it often doesnt work out much more expensive and will cover any other trips you have - both cruises and regular hols.
Deep Thought said:
page3 said:
Can anyone recommend a decent insurance company or broker please? My wife has a number of ongoing medical issues (nothing serious) and takes regular medication for them so we’d need to speak in person as online won’t allow us to purchase.
One week cruise to the fjords on QM2 next year.
Staysure are very good and quote for pre-existing medical conditions.One week cruise to the fjords on QM2 next year.
Also try this guide and links on MSE
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/pre-ex...
Try also for annual cover - it often doesnt work out much more expensive and will cover any other trips you have - both cruises and regular hols.
Tam_Mullen said:
Deep Thought said:
What cruise line are you going with?
I'm going with Princess, I know its a fairly captive market but £20 a night is pretty steep I thought! Fees etc its wearing on for £300 to park the car!Edited by Deep Thought on Wednesday 29th May 13:56
Eek. Thats a lot.
Emma Cruises has done a review of six options. Might be worth a look
https://emmacruises.com/southampton-cruise-parking...
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