Host Hattie

I agree, they shouldn't have done away with the pre-boarding testing. We did test and were asked at the terminal but nobody wanted proof. He's just a bit bunged up, his LFT yesterday was a thicker red line than his original test but he's feeling well enough to be miffed that his breakfast was late this morning. I've been as far as the Duty Free shop in the terminal !

@Pear Carr sorry to hear about your disappointing meal, I keep meaning to see the Folk Duo, I'll try to make the effort today

These are my instructions, I have to have another test tomorrow but I can't eat in the restaurant or drink in a bar (even an outdoor one) until the following day. I've heard the coughing, heard the discussions about bad chests, seen a lady semi collapse in the queue for the tender and her travelling companion tell those who came to help, she's had a cold for a few days. Maybe none of those people have Covid but I bet most of them haven't tested to be sure.

Not much to see at the moment!

Last night's Rack of lamb, we've just arrived in Gibraltar.

He did it to protect me, if we'd shared a cabin much longer it was much more likely that he would have passed it on to me. As long as your other half doesn't mind the risk or you're travelling alone that's fine. We'd discussed the potential for this situation before we travelled and agreed that if only one of us was positive they would isolate separately. He had Covid last November and after my initial PCR test was negative I was allowed back to work and he isolated at home.

Yes they are, no messaging facility I'm afraid.

It was pleasant on the balcony for sailaway but it sounds quite windy out there now and the cabin seems to have developed a squeak ! I'm going to have to figure out what it is before bedtime. Rack of lamb was on the menu tonight, it was very good but would have been even better in the dining room warm as opposed to in my cabin cool. The contact from the Pursers Office rang us both for the first 2 days, failed to do either of the things we asked for and has now disappeared off the face of the earth. It's probably just as well as I'm in the mood to tell him what I think about their ridiculous restrictions. I've now taken 4 tests since Friday, all negative which I'm sure is more than most people on this ship but they are free to go about the place. I've got to wear a mask even on the open desks and eat luke warm food in my cabin. For this I pay exactly the same price as if I'd been able to enjoy all the facilities of the ship. There's no FCC any more and my insurance will only pay out for Mr HH's cabin confinement not my half a cruise. The explanation is that they are following CDC guidelines - except these have been withdrawn & we're not sailing anywhere near the US ! Apologies for the rant but I'm not feeling very sunshine and rainbows this evening.

I had a lovely walk round the city and a very nice lunch. The grey early morning had turned into a hazy warm day so I was a bit hot and bothered getting back on the ship. A swim would have been lovely but not very practical in a face mask so I made do with a cool shower instead.

There isn't a Cafe Carinthia on Queen Victoria, as far as I know the Chart Room still serves small plates at lunch time.

Queen Victoria in Cartegena with Spirit of Discovery

He hasn't been tested again since Friday, I've got an LFT to drop off for him when I get back on board.

I've just had the call from the medical centre, their test was negative as well so I can go ashore. Monday seems to be the day that most things are closed here but I didn't look round the city last time we were here so I should make the effort.

There wasn't much of a sunrise this morning but I saw a Saga ship sailing in and I have the Navy side of the ship while Mr HH has the city. I've had my swab taken and I'm waiting for the results. No symptoms and I took a lateral flow test about an hour before which was negative so I am not particularly worried.

It was a bit windy on my balcony but I had sun until mid-afternoon and the coast of Mallorca to watch. Once the sun had moved round I dropped some supplies to Mr HH, he didn't have any flannels. Then I spent most of the afternoon on the open decks as far away from other people as possible. It was a lovely day at sea and I was a bit sad to be experiencing it on my own and being unable to order a Strawberry Daiquiri from the Lido Bar. Definite First world problems! Room service dinner arrived quickly and I had a call from the room service manager to check that everything was OK. I had considered watching the folk musicians play in the Queens Room but gave it a miss.

Sunset this evening

These are the options on Queen Victoria today -

Sunrise at sea from Queen Victoria this morning

Sorry to hear that @Camgirl but it's good to hear you're better already. Mr HH feels that he's coughing less today and I'm still OK. I've got the sun on my side of the ship so I'm reading on the balcony this morning.

I got all 3 courses this evening, it's best to order something that still tastes OK luke warm or eat the courses in the wrong order 😂.

Nice to hear from you and I'm glad you're having a great time. If you do see a passenger wearing a mask it might be me !

I'm back onboard after a lovely day strolling around the town. The tender queue was a bit long at times but I found a bench and waited until there was only a few minutes to queue. It's been a beautiful day here.

I'm currently on Queen Victoria and have been using the basic plan on sea days. I haven't tried to make any calls and it can be very device/location dependent. My Android phone won't connect in the cabin but is fine in the public areas, my Chromebook will work in the cabin but it tells me the signal is weak.

Queen Victoria is at anchor Santa Margherita Ligure today