smakcanada

Agreed.

 

My wife and I still enjoy each other's company - but most of our meals are together at our "two top" so it seems a shame to fail to take advantage of a dining format which exists only at sea -- unless you are frequently asked to dinner parties. Interacting with new contacts contains some risk, but far more enjoyable opportunities.

 

One significant downside to sailing NCL is the near impossibility of getting anything but a two top at dinner - their ships seem filled with asocial travelers. That, together with the uninspired food poorly served in their MDR's make eating on NCL (I cannot use "dining" in that context) simply a routine bodily function.

NBT: You just reminded me of a dinner I had in a restaurant in Tuscany many yesrs ago. I wanted to try the famous florence style steak and took the hotel's recommendation. When I arrived at the restaurant it was 'family style' seating: large communal tables. I sat with 3 young college students from the U.S. on their study year abroad, who introduced me to an amazing tuscan bean dish I would never have ordered; a lovely Italian family whose son was studying in Ireland and who wanted to show off his english language skills to his parents; and an older sophisticated Florentine couple who'd been sharing a Bistecca Fiorentina at the same trattoria for decades. I cannot remember the name of the restaurant but I remember the meal and my interesting dinner companions.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Forums mobile app

About £20 - £22 from the taxi rank at the cruise terminal.

Or about £16 - £17 pre-booked with someone like www.westquaycars.com

A little more if it's from QE11 terminal, which is a little deeper in the docks.

About 8 miles, 20 minutes.

But it does avoid your having to drive in town traffic, the airport is close to the M27 & M3 motorways.

 

Avis used to offer delivery from their airport depot after they closed their depot in town, not sure if they discontinued that.

Hertz, Europcar, National, Alamo & SixT are much closer.

 

If it's important to you, bear in mind that cars are usually shift-stick unless you specify automatic transmission

 

JB :)

JB:

Thanks so much. I'm all set with west quay cars. Fare estimate (they're on metres) should be no more tgan £15.

Siobhan

Sent from my SM-T810 using Forums mobile app

Has anyone considered someone wants to eat alone because they are very shy and introverted? It's insulting to call someone anti-social. No one knows the reason. I used to be so painfully anxious about meeting strangers that I would have to run to the ladies' room and vomit. I worked out of my home for my internet company and was so happy to not have to deal with strangers. I had to force myself into hospitality as a way to try to force myself to deal with strangers. I would prefer to not have to worry about my anxiety when i cruise.

 

So, I'm going to bid good bye for now. Those who have told me I shouldn't cruise have won.

slidergirl, don't give up. I always wanted to experience a transatlantic crossing. So, I'm going to - by myself. It's a bit nervewracking, but if I let myself be swayed by comments from people hidden behind the veil of anonymity on a chat forum I would miss out on MY adventure. I would be happy to sit at a table for 2 or ten, and read a book, and if you wanted to do that you could too. None of us are required to follow; we can take the road less travelled and do our own thing.[emoji188]

Sent from my SM-T810 using Forums mobile app

Expression of faith (any faith) is best kept as a private matter. Any deity worth praying to can hear your silent prayer - even if just contemplated -without clasped hands. While I believe such a diety is, I have no more right to publicly proclaim it than does a confirmed atheist have a right to proclaim out loud his non-belief at the start of every meal.

Amen!

Sent from my SM-T810 using Forums mobile app

My camera time was not at London time, Stonehenge picture was at 5:16 AM, Winchester Cathedral at 7:35 AM and King Arthur at 10:24 am, July 27, 2000, Splendour of the Seas British Isles and Norwegian Fjords.

 

 

 

Enjoy

 

Great photos!

Sent from my SM-T810 using Forums mobile app

In essence, if you go online in the USA and look for CDW insurance you will find several reputable companies offering it for a modest price. If you buy it at the car rental desk, and be sure that they will try to persuade you, it is a lot more expensive.

 

It pays to examine a rental car carefully when collecting it; taking pictures as well. The big name rental companies are pretty good, but some of the cheaper one have been known to charge users for some minor bit of damage that was already on the car.

 

Normally you get a car with a full fuel tank and they will charge you for re-filling it after you return it. They always charge a lot more than the general pump price, so filling it up just before you hand it back is a good plan - time permitting of course.

If you have an American Express Gold card, or other 'premium' credit card, you are automatically covered for additional rental car insurance (reduced deductible), so don't buy it at the rental desk - you will not get more, more insurance. But you have to pay for the car, jncludingvtge deposit with that card. Also, I always video the car front to back, including tire treads, and I photograph odometer reading as well as gas gauge.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Forums mobile app

I understand your discomfort, but what about the folks who fervently believe they need to bless before eating? Would you deny them that? Sorry, just cannot let this go unsaid.

It seems this discussion is all over the place. Bottom line, to each his/her own, and please don't judge or impose on others. If you simply cannot stand being with others, or if it makes you uncomfortable, eat by yourself, as others have stated. We're not in that camp, but that is our choice.

Can they just not bless their food silently?

Sent from my SM-T810 using Forums mobile app

This post might come off as a rant to some, but a couple terms come to mind for those who are aware of this stuff: tact and social skills.

 

We'd likely be less hesitant to dine with strangers if we felt more people possessed these qualities. A couple meals with a different Joe-head-up-his-butt have unfortunately left us with not wanting to expose ourselves to the possibility anymore.

 

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

Yikes! What ARE you silling to talk about? I'd be afraid if I was seated at your table.

S.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Forums mobile app

We've had lovely conversations with strangers in the dining room and buffet. But once my friend and I were assigned a table with 2 couples who had opposing political views and it was election season. They nearly came to blows and tried to talk through us: 'Tell THEM....'. We ate the last few nights in the buffet.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Is it not possible to ask to be seated elsewhere if the group table is awkward?

Sent from my SM-T810 using Forums mobile app

I'd put those figures a tad higher, especially as the OP asked regarding a Trans-Atlantic.

 

Certainly Queens Grill would be 95% and the 'whole' ship at least 80%.

 

I base my observations on the two main CTP nights and time in the Queens Grill last December.

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is CTP?

Thanks,

Siobhan

Sent from my SM-T810 using Forums mobile app

About £20 - £22 from the taxi rank at the cruise terminal.

Or about £16 - £17 pre-booked with someone like www.westquaycars.com

A little more if it's from QE11 terminal, which is a little deeper in the docks.

About 8 miles, 20 minutes.

But it does avoid your having to drive in town traffic, the airport is close to the M27 & M3 motorways.

 

Avis used to offer delivery from their airport depot after they closed their depot in town, not sure if they discontinued that.

Hertz, Europcar, National, Alamo & SixT are much closer.

 

If it's important to you, bear in mind that cars are usually shift-stick unless you specify automatic transmission

 

JB :)

John

Thanks so much.

I learned on a standard & have driven many times in Norn Iron, but I was worried tge Avis desk was £50 away!

Siobhan

Sent from my SM-T810 using Forums mobile app

Sorry, I give up.

More Cruise Critic gremlins :mad:

 

JB :)

Sorry to butt in on this conversation. I'm trying to find a car rental near Southampton Cunard dock, or one that will pick up. I have a discount with Avis but they seem to be mikes away at Southamton airport. I will be disembarking on the 4th Aug from the QM2. I plan to drop car at Heathrow gate 5 on aug 5 afternoon. Does antone know what the taxi fare from Cunard dock to Soutgampton airport is?

Thank you.

S.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Forums mobile app