Host Hattie

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 The explanation is that they are following CDC guidelines - except these have been withdrawn & we're not sailing anywhere near the US !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

Good morning from Santa Margherita Ligure where Mr HH has the sunny side of the ship and I have the view. He's feeling OK, just as if he has a cold and I haven't developed any symptoms so I'll be getting off the ship for a couple of hours.

Thank you, I didn't get dessert but the food was OK and arrived on time, Tomorrow's lunch and dinner menus have just arrived. I spoke to Mr HH earlier, he's doing OK and is feeling looked after. We've both had a call from someone in the Purser's team who has promised to call every day and get us anything we need. I could have gone to tonight's entertainment but for the moment I'm making do with films on the TV and catching up with the outside world. The Ligurian coast is one of my favourite parts of the World so I will probably get off tomorrow assuming I feel OK.

Thanks, in the end sailaway coincided with an electrical storm and cabin stewards coming to strip the bedding so the Pol Aker survives another day. Mr HH wanted some Strepsils, the ship had given him painkillers and cough medicine but they didn't have them. The bookshop has a supply of cold and flu remedies so I delivered them to his cabin, Room service sent the restaurant menu for me to order from and I've had instructions about when I have to test next and what I can do. I can leave the cabin and go ashore but not on an excursion (didn't have any booked) but I need to wear a facemask and eat in the cabin. I guess if I test positive Mr HH can come back and join me or I can go to his new cabin.. The Captain has promised us good weather for tomorrow but didn't mention the storm this evening, I can't open the door to the balcony to admire the lightening !

That's a very kind offer but hopefully the ships will be appreciated as a change from bears.

Thanks for the kind words everyone, we're both OK, I'm a bit sad, but I knew it was a possibility. But I got the sunny side of the ship this afternoon and there's champagne on the room service menu!

Both wines so 8 in total, it was $88 each, bit of a splurge but in view of what's happened since I'm very glad we did it.

It was my favourite of the white wines. The sun came out this afternoon so I've had a pleasant afternoon on the balcony. The steak sandwich off the room service menu was a bit disappointing but I kept custody of the second bottle of Pol Aker to toast sail away later. We've had new passengers join the ship today and they had to go to the theatre for their safety briefing at 5pm. Mr HH is on the other side of the ship, they've given him everything he asked for except throat sweets so I'll see if I can get some once the shop opens.