exlondoner

Hmm.

What theme was that?

I preferred the frilly pink chairs. Whatever the furniture, the view from here in mid-Atlantic is spectacular.

I don’t see how you can possibly know this, but I shall ask. Do you think the queue was because they were a bit late starting disembarkation or because people were ignoring their allotted times?

Not only do most of us want to get on board asap, the staff want us all on board asap, so they can go home. Usually they aren’t fussed about allotted boarding times, but, if the terminal is full, because they are taking a long time to prepare the ship, and boarding is starting a little later than usual, then you will have to wait outside until there is space. This seems to have happened a few times lately.

Welcome back, HH and Mr. HH. Thanks for all your enjoyable reports.

I’m not sure she need a refurbishment. She seemed very spruce when I was on board. Wasn’t she in Belfast for a while during lockdown, so not long ago?

Your check-in details will tell you what Terminal she is at. The Port of Southampton website also has this info, and, as you drive into Southampton, there are boards telling you which ship is where. These are worth looking at, as sometimes there are last minute changes. Finally, if you are lucky, a red funnel comes into view. Another vote for CPS from me. When you get back, they will have your car waiting for you at the terminal.

No, purchased at a very well known stately home.

John Huston too.

I think campylobacter is the only bacterial infection that you are likely to get from bottled water. As you suggest, not very nice at all. And as for bottled water, if you read about the making of the movie The African Queen, the only people who didn’t get ill were those who stuck to booze and eschewed the bottled water, though I think that was because the water source was polluted. Possibly Cunard ships are slightly more luxurious than that boat. 🙂

Not a discussion, but another matter of fact. Raising the state pension in line with inflation is undoubtedly a far greater drain on the Exchequer than MPs not particularly high salaries or expenses claims.

As someone who once caught campylobacter (very nasty) from the stuff, I wouldn’t put too much faith in the perfection of bottled water. I understand about vetted suppliers, but surely it is possible to have some in the southern hemisphere.

Oh. Sorry for being idiotic. Where are the tables?

Where are the tables and what happened to Mr. (Why isn’t he a Lord?) Payne?

Pension age currently 66 in UK. About to go up a year.😢

I have certainly seen things like bottled water taken on in ports other than Soton. Barcelona perhaps or Civitavecchia? However, those are both ports where Carnival has a presence. Just before Covid, I was talking to the F and B manager’s wife, who said that, in years gone by,her husband often used to go ashore and more or less buy whatever was in the market, but now the suppliers very very strictly controlled, though she didn’t say they were confined to Southampton.

Quite right. Definitely longer. I’ve never seen items crossed out.

And QM2 will be thrilled that the interruption will force them to let her go a bit faster.

Let’s hope it’s a bit of wood.

Ditto. Nearly always happens with us. We come back to cabin after breakfast and see the newly made bed with the luggage mat, and think of the lucky people about to start their cruise.

Can I ask if he has been released?

I think a considerable majority of passengers are probably desperate to get off the ship and start their journeys home or wherever. And, as it said above, they’ve got to do some cabins last. So providing there aren’t too many lingerers, which seems unlikely, it shouldn’t be a problem.

You might find the attached, relating to our disembarkation on 6 June, helpful. Lido breakfast finished at 9. We were allocated 8.30, having been asked to give two choices of what time we wanted, but I think that was only Grills.

She looks splendid.