shorehaven

13 hours ago, twangster said:

Our guide made reference to one of the largest onshore wind turbine farms anywhere that should be coming online shortly.  

 

I wonder if this it it?

 

 

Yes it is, there are 103 of them. It has divided the community as all the associated roads etc. have altered the landscape beyond recognition.  To many it is the way forward, the other side of the coin is that it has ruined the rugged beauty of the countryside.

Mr Stripey is actually an ice cream van.

Welcome to Lerwick, enjoy your day.

This is the view from our window today!  Jewel is one of our favourite ships.

We were on Wonder in July and had the UDP.   We ate in - Chops (twice), Giovanni’s, Wonderland, Hooked (twice) and 150 Central Park.  Difficult to choose a favourite they were all very good in their own way and although quite busy were not crowded.  This was our first time with a UDP and would definitely consider it again.   Did not try Mason Jar for food but the bar was our favourite, great bar staff and excellent live country music trio.

21 hours ago, Garyjames220 said:

The flight goes at 7-30am two days before so don’t think I’ll be able to before I fly unfortunately 

If you are flying into Rome Fumicino airport (FCO) terminal 3 there is (or at least there was three weeks ago) a test facility in the terminal for around 20 euros.  

We did not use it but were aware it was there in case we had to use plan ‘b’.

There were some helpful comments on the European Ports - Italy pages about it and getting tests in Italy in general if you want to check it out.

We were on the sailing before you, it was full of children too, I’m sure it was said that they were expecting over 1000 on your sailing !

 Glad you enjoyed Chops as we felt the food and service was not up to the usual standard.  We have eaten in Chops at least 30 times previously and always enjoyed it.  I asked for thousand island dressing on my king prawns in place of the horseradish sauce on the menu.  The prawns appeared with the horseradish then about 10 minutes later he thousand island dressing appeared.  The waiter apologised for the delay and said they had had to send someone to another kitchen to get it as they didn’t have any.    We didn’t complain but during conversation with our waiter in Giovanni’s  the next night told him this.  He spoke to his manager who obviously contacted the head waiter from Chops as before we had finished our meal he appeared at our table, never asked what our concerns were but immediately offered us to come back for complimentary lunch on the sea day which we did.  The service was much improved, no doubt because we had been flagged up but the food was still mediocre and we actually changed our last nights reservation to Wonderland.

If you are leaving the UK within two days of joining the ship I would suggest you book tests at your local Lloyd’s Pharmacy.  They can only be booked online and you can cancel free of charge should you need to.  At least this way if you test positive you are still in the UK !

If this is not possible and you have to go down the road of video testing we have also used Medicspot.  They are a UK based company and operate through a zoom  meeting. You pre book an appointment and then join at the appropriate time where they talk you through the process and email a certificate almost immediately.  I had never used zoom before but had no problems.

RCI accepted both these companies certificates from us.

Hope this helps.

At Captains Corner on Odyssey this morning Capt. Per stated he was going on leave on Sunday (17th).

Last week on Wonder our Capt. was Henrik Loy.

7 hours ago, johnjen said:

Originally, I was going to test via TAC from Glasgow Airport the day before we fly back from Scotland next month, but that service is 55 UK pounds (just shy of about $70) but instead, I verified that yes, these tests also can be used for testing back to the United States for all of us returning. But, the ONLY THING you'll ALSO need is a RELIABLE wi-fi at whatever hotel you're staying at. I'm rolling with the company the OP posted....huge thanks to OP!

 

Most Lloyds Pharmacy branches In UK do proctored tests at the chosen pharmacy for GBP 29.00. Takes approximately 20 minutes and you get fit to fly certificate.  No need to worry about reliable WiFi connection etc.

You have to book online and do not have to pay in advance.  Sorry don’t have the  link to the booking page. 

6 hours ago, little britain said:

I have registered via the link on the site … it doesn’t book you an appointment but it saves paperwork! 

Thanks for the info,  have looked on the site and will register nearer the time.

17 hours ago, gumshoe958 said:

I’m sure rapid testing is available at FCO airport but yes, I’d be tempted to just book a Qured/DocHQ/whoever video call, take the kit with you and do it in your hotel.

15 hours ago, little britain said:

There is testing at FCO for only €20 if you checked Google….

 

https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en/test-areas-at-the-airport?p_p_id=it_txt_adr_cookiepolicy_web_portlet_AdrCookiePolicyBannerPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view

Thanks for your input.  We will try and get at test at FCO on arrival. 

We are flying into Rome on 28th June to join Wonder on 29th and had tests booked at a Lloyd’s pharmacy but British Airways have now cancelled our original flight.  Managed to get rebooked on an earlier flight but now don’t have time to take the test in the UK and can’t take one earlier as Royal’s current protocol is one day before boarding.  

Does anyone know how easy it is to get supervised tests in Italy, we are two fully vax’d and boosted adults, or should we just try either a DocHQ or Qured test at our hotel once we arrive in Italy?  The hotel is booked in Fiumicino as we were originally arriving late evening.  I appreciate that the rules will more than likely change before June but would really like to have a plan or even a plan B in place.

Six, we have none booked now.

BBC online news reported today that three cruise ships are due at King George V docks in Shieldhall next month. It goes on to state that all three will have around 40 crew, have been deep cleaned and are Covid free and also have been on the high seas for at least two weeks prior to arriving on the Clyde.  

The article also stated that requests had been made to lay up ships at Greenock but the local council oppose the idea.

Personally not too concerned as only the deposit, we were only a few days from final payment.  I was considering  cancelling before payment due though.

Our cruise to Alaska on Radiance June 5th is cancelled.  There was an email in my inbox overnight - 125% FCC automatically issued in due course.

2 hours ago, zebra36 said:

Same here. Went through refund process to see what would happen and date selection does stop at May 11. Will just have to wait a bit longer to see what they are going to do.

Royal cancelled worldwide until May 11th now.  There goes our Alaskan cruise as Canadian ports closed until end of June.    125% FCC automatically applied as per email received.

Good luck to you all, especially those in USA as, in my opinion, Trump has his head in the sand with this !  

No way are you going to be “open” at Easter but I don’t remember him saying what year so that’s maybe his get out of jail free card !

Stay safe.

Sgmn - I have to agree 100% with you and I don’t understand the reasoning. Unfortunately regarding social distances it is the same problem the world over, the it doesn’t apply to me syndrome!  You only had to watch the evening news on tv last night to heard some of the stupid statements folk were making to try and justify their actions.

Costa Coffee just joined MacDonalds, Nando’s, John Lewis and Primark in announcing they are shutting up shop meantime.  I guess it is just a matter of time before all non essential shops and businesses will be forced to close by the authorities.

Here in UK all vulnerable people  i.e.  long term conditions,  the over 70’s, pregnant women etc have been requested to stay at home for 12 weeks.  All non essential travel to cease, restaurants, clubs and bars have been ordered to close indefinitely, further measures will undoubtedly be brought in with emergency legislation imminent.

Worldwide over 300,000 cases and 13,000 deaths, both figures rising by the minute.

I don’t want to scare you but these are all true facts (check for yourself if you want).

This is not just a “flu” and will not go away in a few weeks, this is a long term problem that has the potential to change the world we live in.

Please listen to the advise you are being told, it may seem stupid or irrelevant to you but ultimately it may save your life or that of a loved one.

Stay safe.

Fridjof Nansen berthed in Lerwick, Shetland.  26:02:2020

Sorry have to disagree with you truffles2.  

Booked Smiths by email, got confirmation by return but when we landed at Heathrow - no car.  When I called them they claimed I hadn’t confirmed the booking and they had no available cars. The female on the phone was in no way sympathetic or helpful.   Told this story to other cruisers and was told it is quite common for this to happen when they are busy.  Ended up hiring a car one way and it was cheaper!

Gordon Whatman was due to leave Spectrum today.  He said last month that he was  retiring but could possibly fill in if needed, having celebrated 29 years with Royal in April whilst on Spectrum’s Inaugural voyage.  

We have been cruising for 10 years with Royal and unfortunately never had Gordon as a CD until the Spectrum.  We really enjoyed his coffee morning chats in the Schooner on sea days, especially when some of the senior crew dropped in.

Currently onboard Spectrum.  Gordon Whatman said he is leaving June 13 once ship is in China.  Fang, a Chinese CD will replace him.

Bobby Brown also onboard Spectrum but staying in the background !

Currently on Spectrum - when we checked in for the second leg of our b2b they punched a hole in the card and immediately gave it back to us.  Apparently a hole in the card renders it useless.  Don’t know if this applies to all ships or not.

4/ 18.   The stateroom tv is playing the handover ceremony and Charles is the Captain then but do not know date he actually joined.