Ardennais

But it’s no different to having to leave the hotel at 11am and having a boarding time of say 2.45 as we had earlier this month - WITH an elderly passenger using a walker. It’s nothing to do with ‘alright jack’.

I don’t assume every person is the same. In this situation, I would suggest a coffee in the station - like we had in M&S. Then take a taxi at an appropriate time.

????

My mother is elderly and uses a walker. She turned up at her given time so no need to be left out in the cold! Passengers shouldn’t be arriving early! However, I do think that any vulnerable passengers who DO turn up at their given time and then find a queue should be allowed to shelter.

We’ll have to agree to disagree! We control our arrival as best we can by staying overnight pre-cruise. Why take the risk of travelling on the day? It’s like school dinners! When I was in school, we had to queue outside in all weathers and watch the sixth formers (top-tier) walk to the front, which is what I did when I got to the sixth form. When I returned there as a teacher (officer!), we used a different door (fast-tracked). They then allocated a time for each year group which made more sense as there was then very little queuing. There has to be some sort of system!

That’s out of our control, but as passengers we can control our embarkation to some extent by arriving at the specified time. Not always, I know. We have been very fortunate in that we’ve never had an issue with CPS/ABP and 90% of the time, we haven’t had to wait very long to embark. Then again, we’re not priority (and I can see that there might be issues when there are many top tier passengers on a cruise), and we do arrive when told to do so! I might add that we’ve had a different embarkation time to other travellers in our group a few times, and we just arrive at the later time!

Why are they early in the first place?

It is nice isn’t it! The refreshments were served in the courtyard and were plentiful.

True, but we’ve always arrived close to the allocated time (well over 20 cruises from Southampton). Not quite Caribbean level on P&O as we’ve also sailed with several other lines. Selbourne’s experience was unfortunate, I agree. Our experience on the 4 cruises we’ve had since they stopped using the lettering system has actually been much quicker and sleeker. This time, we left our hotel at 11 and went to West Quay. My mother was with us, with her walker. The lift wasn’t working in M&S but using the mall lifts, we made it to the ladies section on the first floor. Then had a coffee and cake (or two) in the cafe. In the past, we’ve been to Ikea, and the big Sainsbury’s/M&S. Also had a pre-stay in Lyndhurst a few times and had a lovely morning there. The point I’m making is that it’s perfectly possible to spend a few enjoyable hours in Southampton pre-embarkation. I just don’t get the angst about leaving luggage in the car, etc and the frenzy to be onboard as early as possible. And to be perfectly honest, I don’t think I’d be in a mad rush to embark even if we got to Caribbean level.

We took the guided excursion from Vigo last year, and I would have said that it was a 10 minute walk from the coach to the main square. There was a toilet stop on the way. After the tour of the cathedral, we decided not to do the walking tour with the guide. We told him of our intention and he told us to meet up at the Parador hotel for refreshments in about 45-60 minutes. The Parador is also in the main square, next to the cathedral.

The week after Selbourne’s departure from Mayflower, we were whizzed through as we had a 2.45 embarkation time. Probably the fastest check-in ever.

I always had travel insurance when I used to go abroad with friends back in the 80s, but never considered that we might have a medical situation! At that age, it was the fear of losing passports and money. Since my children started travelling abroad without us, I’ve always stressed that travel insurance is essential. Mobiles can be replaced, but a medical emergency could be a big deal.

This William Joyce is making me think of Lord Haw Haw. Imagine Mr and Mrs Joyce deciding to name their newborn son William, unless your speaker was born before 1946!

What a fabulous lunch hour read! I love your description of the American girls on the Malaga bus! Many thanks.

I still think it can work for some people. Companions don’t press you to drink alcohol when pregnant, so possibly knowing that someone is doing Dry January could have a similar effect. More support snd less pressure to ‘have just one more’.

You could well be right there, but I have read about people who find the whole thing a good opportunity to kick-start a healthier lifestyle. As I don’t drink alcohol, I just find it worrying at times that some people find going a whole month without alcohol very challenging!

A genuine question - do many of you find Dry January difficult?

Ha! Every committee, society, club etc starts at 7.30pm in Wales, all year round!

We didn’t get any P&O post-cruise questionnaires last year, but Cunard sent one last week the day after we arrived home.

Yes, Freedom in the lower Britannia Restaurant (deck 2) and set dining upstairs (deck 3). Dinner is also available in the Golden Lion pub.

I still think it’s always worth having some local currency. In fact, the toilets we stopped at last week in the centre of Hamburg only took cash so I was glad that I had rummaged at home for a few spare Euros before the trip.

You have to click twice.

That is really brilliant news Avril. You must all be so relieved. Take care. X

I wonder whether someone onboard could take a photo of the board with names and photos of the senior staff. The person in question might be on that.

Yes indeed, bon voyage to you all. You’ll be heading towards warmer climes which will (hopefully) be warmer than the -8 recorded in snowy but bright Hamburg this past Tuesday!