exlondoner

I had always considered myself something of a control freak, but for me that means using an expert I trust. I don’t try and mend my own washing machine, I don’t try and slaughter my own meat, I wouldn’t try to make my own false teeth (though, bizarrely, I know some who has, out of meanness), and, when the tiles blow off my roof, I get a roofer in. In each case I pay good money to someone who does these things all the time, and therefore presumably has got good at what they are doing. I adopt the same attitude towards travel arrangements.

None whatsoever.

Let us hope that never leaves you in the out of control situation where the plane is late and you miss your ship or vice versa.

I can see why arriving late could be a nuisance, but what on earth does leaving late matter, when it a small amount of time that is easy to make up?

After 5 pm in Cunardspeak, I think.

Presumably an encouraging sign of confidence that she’ll be ready?

I think they will be up and about by the end of April.

Although I regularly stub my toes on the bed’s legs or sofa feet, I have never done that on cases. I think there is more than enough room to push them far enough under to be out of the way. Though nothing beats the agony incurred when, newly released from quarantine, I was joyfully skipping across the central lobby and somehow managed to stub several toes on my left foot on the (highly visible) expansion joint. Ugh.

For some people, who are lucky enough to be able to be flexible, the thought of a passage round Cape Horn, plus a couple of interesting and unvisited South American ports might actually be more enjoyable. I would be quite excited, but I’m sure lots wouldn’t.

Yes, I was wondering whether she might come back across the Pacific, to avoid repetitions. As you say more disruptive.

And the sense of space, calm, and serenity, even when the ship is full.

Outrageous behaviour, but fortunately unusual. I would have been tempted to tell her that they were in the kids’ club, but had been expelled because of badness. All the children I’ve encountered on Cunard have been much like yours, very well behaved, and clearly loving their holiday. I’m glad you all had such a lovely time, otherwise.

It may have been fizzy: after all they make Champagne from Chardonnay.

😀😀😀 The original Queens were apparently christened with Australian Chardonnay, at a time when it was almost unknown, but I think by this century they had moved on to champagne.

Sorry, never seen it. I lead a very sheltered life.

Goodness, it reminds me of boarding school, when the windows sometimes had ice on the inside. Not what I’d wish for on holiday on Cunard.

A what?

Does it have to be a woman? Perhaps they could choose the most admired person in the UK at present: the indomitable Mr. Bates?

That wasn’t my issue. My issue was whether the statement the QM2 was US owned and therefore subject to US regulation was accurate, and if so on what grounds.

Just to be clear about this: what makes Carnival/Cunard ships US owned?The company is quoted on both the NY and London stock exchanges, while Cunard’s registered office is in Southampton.

Three months methinks, but maybe only two until decision time.

How on earth do resident pet owners manage?

I have sometimes seen them handing out umbrellas as passengers leave the ship on wet days, but that was pre-Covid.

I think the Bibles, like the Atlases, disappeared during Covid.

See how QE2 is?