LETTERS Get YOUR cruise views in print
Write to us at: Editor’s Postbox Cruise Line House 109-111 High Street Hurstpierpoint West Sussex BN6 9PU
Or email:
info@worldofcruising.co.uk
HURRAH FOR CRYSTAL
Dear WoC
I have just been fortunate enough to experience a wonderful voyage with friends aboard the Crystal Serenity and am delighted with their move to the new “all-inclusive” nature on board. With drinks and gratuities now included as standard, I felt this made our cruise absolutely outstanding value as we rarely had to pay for anything else on board – apart from the occasional trip to the Spa and shore excursions. We will definitely be back. RA Michall, via email
NICE & OLD FASHIONED Dear WoC
I thought I would add a few points to The Admiral’s interesting piece in Issue 56 about the demise of old-fashioned tickets as well as luggage tags. Twice this year I sailed with Cruise & Maritime Voyages on the Marco Polo, in April on the “Britain’s Maritime Heritage” cruise, travelling by myself, and in August with my wife on the 15-night “Azores & Madeira” cruise. On both occasions, our tickets, along with old-fashioned luggage labels, arrived by mail some three weeks in advance of departure. We did not have to download either from my laptop. Secondly, his point about having to wait for up to five hours for luggage to be delivered to one’s cabin is very regretful indeed, but our cases were waiting outside the cabin as we were shown to our room by a white-gloved steward.
Actually, by taking the coach from Victoria, we embarked quicker on both occasions than the remaining passengers who were already waiting inside the lounge at Tilbury, having arrived ahead of us. So my point is, there are still companies, such as CMV, who like to do things the old-fashioned way. Long may they continue to do so! Brian Kelly, via email
HURRICANE AVOIDANCE?
Dear WoC We have read a few stories this year about cruise ships being affected by hurricanes in the Caribbean and we were wondering if this is a regular occurrence. Can you say if we ought to forget about a Caribbean cruise because of this kind of weather? Mr and Mrs R Wright, Hemel Hempstead, UK
The Editor says: Hurricane ‘season’ is officially June 1 to November 30 each year and there are typically anywhere from 6-12 named storms which can affect shipping in the Caribbean. However, hurricane tracking allows ships to be moved out of the way of any danger and the only likelihood is that a ship’s itinerary can change at short notice. Outside those months, the Caribbean is absolutely worry-free to cruise.
Issue 56 Errata – In the previous Letters page we missed off the name and address of Mr Trevor Bridle, of Leicester, who wrote the letter titled ‘Safe For Disabled?’ Mr Bridle has also pointed out he has had a response on this matter. He says: “I have seen a good development from P&O, they now include the evacuation procedure for all disabled on their letter sent to all wheelchair users, which is a good improvement.”
STAR LETTER STAR LETTER
FIRST TIMERS’ DELIGHT
Dear WoC We have just returned home from our first cruise on the Grand Princess and it is hard to put into words the feelings of excitement on seeing the ship for the first time. We met with our friends and boarded in a well-organised manner. All the staff were very friendly and polite and this continued for the whole of the trip.
Being our first cruise, every
experience was exciting, although we could have done without sailing through a Force 8 gale on the second day. My advice to any new cruisers is not to forget the seasick pills! For the duration of our trip, we lived like kings. The food was amazing and
the entertainment well organised. One criticism we have is that the organised shore excursions and also the alcoholic drinks and numerous photos that were taken, were rather expensive. Advice to the cruise line – reduce the prices and you will sell more. But we have now discovered a
wonderful, comfortable, civilised way to travel and visit places in the world we have always wanted to see. This was our first cruise and will not be our last. We are already saving for the next. And the next, and the next. Dennis and Jenny Croft, Hove, Sussex, UK
8 WORLD OF CRUISING I Winter 2012-13
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