exlondoner

We did not have to go through immigration at all. No passports, all we needed was our ship’s card. No different from pre-Brexit. Don’t know how they would know if you had already done your Schengen 90 days.

Exactly, it is completely bizarre.

At the moment, it looks as if QA can generate a queue just by existing, though this wasn’t the case really last week, except for disembarkation. 😀

Don’t recall having to queue to get off the ship at a normal port, and indeed, last week, we just strolled off. So goodness knows what is going on. I have sometimes experienced queues to board, if a couple of coaches arrive together. Last week we had no problem, but I know others did, especially in Madeira, where they were doing security scanning on board. It needs someone competent to sort it, and make honest announcements too.

They are very common, but there are still usually a couple of larger tables.

I honestly doubt that, if I dare challenge that view.

I am mulling a review, which will be largely positive, if not ecstatic. I’ll let you know when it has hatched - sorry, horribly mixed metaphor.

And banks, utilities, airlines, telecoms….

Sorry, not my scene. I wish we had had some classical afternoon concerts.

I suspect it is particularly bad on QA at present, while everyone is finding their way, and unusually busy, and perhaps unwilling to take responsibility for anything much if they can avoid it. They certainly need someone with a more efficient and forceful personality to get a grip on the movements of large numbers on and off the ship.

Oooops. Obviously not to mine.

While I’d never heard of him. Or actually is it a woman? The only Midge I knew was, short for Imogen.

You can get them to put you on a table for six or eight, but, if not, most people chatter a lot to those at adjacent tables. So don’t worry about that.

Not yet. Breath still bated.

Well, I was actually on that voyage, and I have still never heard or heard of whoever he or she is. So, clearly a small part of life. I was much more irritated by the celebrity guest speaker who was the only male I saw without any sort of tie in the restaurant on formal night. Not that I care as such, but because I think, if you accept these gigs, you should conform.

Thinking about it further, it is to do with the luxuries of autonomy and privacy.

I assume you are referring to me. I worked in an office like that once, strangely enough in a building owned by BT. The relief when we were finally able to dial our own calls was widespread and deeply felt.

Yes, how does having one’s bath run work, at a time when one is prancing around (half) naked? I really think that would be beyond the call of duty.

Kirkwall is one of my favourite ports, and though the best things are out of the city, there is still an interesting cathedral and museum.

In what possible way would going through a telephone switchboard enhance one’s experience rather than cause frustration?

Whatever one might think about QAs deficiencies, her baths are much superior to those on QM2 and somewhat superior to those on the Vistas in that they have a reading light above. Reading in a hot bath is a great luxury for me.

I miss the foot file and the sewing kit. But I admit the latter was wasteful rather than luxurious. And I am happy they do supply a lesser version in times of crisis.

I’m sure they would, but I did notice in any case they were handing them out to those disembarking on one of the several rainy days.

But it shouldn’t matter where you sit, should it?

Strangely, the rugs, towels, and Atlas are all there in QA, but no umbrella. I don’t think the fruit skewers etc, ever appeared, though they did serve tea on the sun terrace. The in cabin canapés were different but nicer. On the other hand the Grills Lounge doesn’t have a view, which I would describe as a vital necessity, not a luxury.