exlondoner

Even if you are off at 7 (which wouldn’t be particularly helpful, as you would coincide with the London rush hour) it would be a terrible scramble, you wouldn’t see much, and would spend an anxious afternoon hoping you weren’t going to miss the ship. Although London is the fairest of cities all (William Dunbar), I’m really not sure it would be worth it.

Tricky, isn’t it? Nowhere is it written down what service one might expect on the Grills Terrace. I only discovered about the ice cream one afternoon when I happened to be there at the right time. Now I have an old brochure for QE2, which, I think, promises bouillon on the open decks at 11 am - which incidentally I never saw. But it is hard to complain about the lack of something that doesn’t seem to be promised. I suppose all one can do is ask why it has changed, and, if they say Covid, snort with derisive laughter.

They did in last July. Now, you have to claim from insurance.

How did it go?

Yes, it is. Someone came and tested me very promptly. I don’t think there were many cases. Grrr.

Well, isn't that a piece of good luck.

I don’t think so. I said you might be saintly, not that you are adorable, as the bear is. Sorry.

Which ship are you on? I was on QV, which doesn’t have sheltered balconies.

It may not be Covid of course. I thought I had a cold initially, though I did feel quite grim the next two days. Fingers crossed.

I tested positive on Sunday 28 after embarking on Thursday 25. I don’t know whether I unknowingly boarded with it, or picked it up in the very crowded terminal. I was told to quarantine in our cabin (luckily a Q4) until the following Saturday. My husband was allowed to remain with me, and allowed to do whatever he wanted, on or off the ship, except eat and drink in the bars and restaurants. I’m not sure about the logic of this. He did Covid tests for six days. When they were all negative, he was liberated to use the restaurants, so that was just before me. We were very kindly treated, our butler in particular was brilliant, but nonetheless, it was not terribly enjoyable.

Well, that is exciting. I always wondered if he actually existed. His saintly behaviour over Covid on your last cruise made me wonder if he was real. 🙂🙂

I think they sometimes have maskmaking as an activity.

We got PA from the World Club well into the voyage I think.

Champagne (not pink: in the Cunard hierarchy, that is for Q1s and 2s) was the only thing we got as well.

I think I saw somewhere on board that this is about two and a half hours, rather than nearly four. Presumably this is why it is cheaper. I wonder what they are leaving out?

Have you seen the dolphins?

I think cuddly ships are pretty silly. I’m sure the young would love the bears, though.

And have you acquired the latest? I think you may have Arthur already.

White paint looks a bit rusty. Perhaps they could give it a wash. I think she’ll get you back to Soton. 🙂

The majority of passengers were British (not all of them Brits), but there were many Americans aboard and also a meaningful Japanese contingent. No doubt many from other nations as well.

What you suggest will be fine. Though I doubt very much you look hideous in the skirts.

You’re just doing that to make me jealous. 🙂 Are you going to do a separate thread on aspects of your cruise? How’s the rust?

Yes.

For two weeks? I don’t think we have enough summer clothes in total to fill that much luggage.

It says on the labels that the max weight is 23kg, but they don’t check whether it is over the limit. It doesn’t mention dimensions that I can see. No limit to numbers, though they did get fed up with the number of cases the Duke and Duchess of Windsor took.