haggis

I understand that the captain has free range to follow the weather and it will depend on how the weather is behaving in the North or Irish seas will determine which route he takes 

Jimmy 

My wife is an avid stargazer and has gone to this event on numerous ocaissions.  Some seem better than others, but most have been very good. The best one ever was conducted by a professor from the London School of Economics who arranged, as mentioned in a previous post, had all the upper deck lights switched off during the lecture and used a beam from a special lazer torch he provided to point out the stars he was talking about.She seems to enjoy these lectures but I would point out that it does get very cold up there, even in summer, so wrap up warm,

                                                                                                          Jimmy      

Hi Supt,

Have searched the reviews but cant find your one and this is one I don't want to miss,

Jimmy

Just goes to show that I don't go out and about much these days. (apart from cruising) The last time I was along that road the site was just being developed and the road was in a dreadful mess with mud.

Now I know where McLaren is. ( I would still rather visit Mercedes at Brooklands and the Aircraft/Car museum next door)

UNV-IT .... Sorry. Take JB's advice.

Jimmy

I dont know much about it apart from the fact that it is down in the Brooklands complex and the nearest station is Weybridge.

Jimmy

Saw the old girl this evening 0n another board. A really sad sight.

http://www.cruisecurrents.com/article/14593

Have a look at www.maritimematters.com/ in the news section.

The great survivor has done it again.

Jimmy

Yes, the ship called into Barbados once during our two week cruise. She never called into Aruba on our trip.

Jimmy

Well I've found two brochures, one for 1993 and one for 1995. Not 1996 unfotunately but, by a series of mathematical deductions, the ships last sailing on Saturday 30th December, I've worked out that your itenary was

as follows.

Sat 13th April ... San Juan

Sun St Maarten

Mon Guadaloupe

Tues Grenada

Wed St Lucia

Thurs St Kitts

Fri St Thomas

Sat San Juan

Cunard only sold these cruise to us Brits for 14 days or a 7 day cruise and 7 day hotel stay in either Barbados or St Lucia. The 14 day cruise included Tortola, Antigua, Martinique,Barbados and St Thomas. Looking at the prices in this brochure, our 14 day cruise, outside cabin, cost us £1910, roughly the same as today. I hope this is of assistance to you,

Happy cruising, Jimmy

Hello Amylawter,

I still have a brochure from 1995 somewhere amongst all our cruise junk. If you can specify the date I'll add it on. I know for certain first port of call was Tortola on the Sunday as this was my wifes first view of a Caribbean Island. I know it was a Sunday as we stood outside the church in Cane Garden Bay listening to the service. Needless to say, in those days the beach was empty.

Jimmy

Thanks for the info about John Butt. My wife and I now sail P&O/Princess now visiting, in the main, the same islands that the Countess frequented. Still dont get tired of the Caribbean but really miss the happy ship that was the Countess. These sailaways John arranged with the rum punch, mainly rum of course, was something else. I've crossed paths with some of the crew from Cunard whilst on Princess ships but they were mainly from the Crown Jewell. We never have seen a face we knew from the Countess. Thanks once again,

Jimmy

The Countess was the first cruise ship my wife and I ever sailed on in 1993. Between 1993 and 1995 we cruised three times on her and although she wasnt the prettiest ship in the Caribbean she certainly was in a class of her own. The entertainment was outstanding, the rum punch parties were unforgetable and the food superb. There is no doubt that the then Cruise Director, John Butt, had a hand in making our cruises so unforgettable and I am eternally grateful to him for this. No other ship we have been on had Ska bands in their indoor/outdoor centres partying every night of the week like that ship.

It was a great ship and if she were still cruising with Cunard, we would still be cruising with her. It broke our hearts when Cunard sold her. It would be interesting to know where John is now. Happy days. Jimmy and Mary :cool: