Wot no Union Jacks

[vwgolf]

2 minutes ago, Broadside said:

 

Thank you so much for informing us about something that did not happen and was not planned to happen -  and that you would not have been involved anyway , if it had of happened

You're welcome, but your patronising response misses the point of my post which is that a country known for its patriotism did not have a sailaway event akin to the Great British one on P&O. I was a little surprised.

[Tablelamp]

I am fiercely patriotic and enjoy the last night of the Proms immensely.  However, I do feel that if we have a British Sailaway, it should be as we depart Britain.  I dread to think what sort of impression we must give when we are in a foreign port.  We are British (not Brits) as the writers of the Horizon paper like to calls us.

[Broadside]

Just now, vwgolf said:

You're welcome, but your patronising response misses the point of my post which is that a country known for its patriotism did not have a sailaway event akin to the Great British one on P&O. I was a little surprised.

 

 You have missed out the part of your post stating how delighted you were and boasting about how much you would have avoided it , had it - actually happened - 

[terrierjohn]

1 hour ago, wowzz said:

 

Still, P&O will continue with it, not because of any patriotism, but merely because it is a big revenue earner.

 

Is it really? I would assume that anyone buying a drink while watching the sail away, would still be likely to buy one at another bar if there wasn't one.

[vwgolf]

2 hours ago, Tablelamp said:

I am fiercely patriotic and enjoy the last night of the Proms immensely.  However, I do feel that if we have a British Sailaway, it should be as we depart Britain.  I dread to think what sort of impression we must give when we are in a foreign port.  We are British (not Brits) as the writers of the Horizon paper like to calls us.

A British sailaway party when we are sailing away from Britain? Seems like too much of a good idea to me!

Edited August 15, 2019 by vwgolf

[vwgolf]

2 hours ago, Broadside said:

 

 You have missed out the part of your post stating how delighted you were and boasting about how much you would have avoided it , had it - actually happened - 

More a statement than a boast, I would have said but read into it what you will.

[FangedRose]

14 minutes ago, vwgolf said:

A British sailaway party when we are sailing away from Britain? Seems like too much of a good idea to me!

But it wouldn't really work. Safety drill, many staff not available because they are getting cases to cabins, unpacking, just plain tiredness from travelling.

No, it wouldn't work.

[Harry Peterson]

How very nice and respectful it would be if sailaways from overseas ports involved playing the national anthem of the country concerned, with perhaps any other local music.

 

And how much nicer an impression of the British that would give. We're not much liked in many parts of the world, or respected, and for very good reasons, but small gestures can help.

[Tablelamp]

28 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

How very nice and respectful it would be if sailaways from overseas ports involved playing the national anthem of the country concerned, with perhaps any other local music.

 

And how much nicer an impression of the British that would give. We're not much liked in many parts of the world, or respected, and for very good reasons, but small gestures can help.

 

I remember sailing away from Warmunde (have I spelt that correctly?) one evening.   The ship played German folk songs and we were escorted out by a host of small vessels.  The Captain was busy over the loud speaker “Please keep clear, we are bigger than you are”.  It was a lovely occasion and I was proud to be on board.  As you say, small gestures!

[Denarius]

As I recall it from being present, the first Great British sailaway took place in Gibraltar in particular circumstances. The Spanish authorities had closed or resticted access to and from Spain in persuance of their sovereignty claim, and the people of Gibraltar had responded by flying or posting union jacks on every available space. All you could see from the ship was a sea of red white and blue. The pariotic sailaway was P&Os way of showing solidarity.

[NSWP]

16 hours ago, davecttr said:

Just another sauce of infection, all those people with mucky hands attempting to pound the source out of them

As long as they do not lick the tops. 😮

[NSWP]

6 hours ago, Tablelamp said:

 

I remember sailing away from Warmunde (have I spelt that correctly?) one evening.   The ship played German folk songs and we were escorted out by a host of small vessels.  The Captain was busy over the loud speaker “Please keep clear, we are bigger than you are”.  It was a lovely occasion and I was proud to be on board.  As you say, small gestures!

I hope they did not play 'The Dambusters' theme. I heard/saw that played one time on P&O with the Ents staff running around with their arms stretched out playing 'aeroplanes.'   That would be a bit OTT at Warnemunde or if alongside Mein Schiff.   WW2 endeth.

Edited August 16, 2019 by NSWP

[NSWP]

6 hours ago, Denarius said:

As I recall it from being present, the first Great British sailaway took place in Gibraltar in particular circumstances. The Spanish authorities had closed or resticted access to and from Spain in persuance of their sovereignty claim, and the people of Gibraltar had responded by flying or posting union jacks on every available space. All you could see from the ship was a sea of red white and blue. The pariotic sailaway was P&Os way of showing solidarity.

How long ago was that? 

[NSWP]

9 hours ago, terrierjohn said:

Is it really? I would assume that anyone buying a drink while watching the sail away, would still be likely to buy one at another bar if there wasn't one.

Many go to the Sailaway to redeem their complimentary sparking wine voucher, issued to those at the appropriate loyalty level, as we do and to have a good time.  We often purchase another drink whilst at the Sailaway.

[brian1]

All I say is,don't bring your own flags if they are plastic.It is snowing plastic in the Arctic as we speak.No I'm not an ecowarrior who knits his own yogurt.Just a bloke with common sense.There was a thread on Princess about yanks filling bags up with Walmart plastic straws cos Princess have stopped them.Let's not get like that please.

[Tablelamp]

31 minutes ago, brian1 said:

All I say is,don't bring your own flags if they are plastic.It is snowing plastic in the Arctic as we speak.No I'm not an ecowarrior who knits his own yogurt.Just a bloke with common sense.There was a thread on Princess about yanks filling bags up with Walmart plastic straws cos Princess have stopped them.Let's not get like that please.

We are British and hopefully have some pride.

[kruzseeka]

8 hours ago, NSWP said:

I hope they did not play 'The Dambusters' theme. I heard/saw that played one time on P&O with the Ents staff running around with their arms stretched out playing 'aeroplanes.'   That would be a bit OTT at Warnemunde or if alongside Mein Schiff.   WW2 endeth.

 Well that's exactly what happened on one sail away albeit not in Warnemunde but we were adjacent to a ship with predominantly German passengers.  A few people even gave 'salutes' (disgraceful) and encouraged their children to follow suit.  We were appalled.  Granted it was only a small minority whose actions were deplorable, but we've never been to one since.  And you're right, running around with arms outspread to Dambusters is certainly not good especially in that situation imo.  

I think a patriotic sailaway could steer away from certain pieces of music which could be seen as insensitive and out of place these days. The sentiments of e.g. 'ruling the waves' is so untrue and makes us look ridiculous if onlookers think we believe it!

 

Edited August 16, 2019 by kruzseeka

[daiB]

3 hours ago, brian1 said:

All I say is,don't bring your own flags if they are plastic.It is snowing plastic in the Arctic as we speak.No I'm not an ecowarrior who knits his own yogurt.Just a bloke with common sense.There was a thread on Princess about yanks filling bags up with Walmart plastic straws cos Princess have stopped them.Let's not get like that please.

P&O now have them made of paper and wood. We used them on Britannia last month.

[brian1]

1 minute ago, daiB said:

P&O now have them made of paper and wood. We used them on Britannia last month.

That's my point,if P&O withdraw them,people will bring their own and will probably be plastic.

[brian1]

42 minutes ago, FangedRose said:

You mean they were doing the "traditional" dance to the tune. 

You will be wanting to ban 'Superman' and Morris Dancing too. 

Morris dancing,that is one thing that will make me ashamed to be English,lol.

[P-L-B]

24 minutes ago, FangedRose said:

That's the one I meant by 'superman'. 😁

👍 enjoy 💃💃🕺🕺😀

[vwgolf]

19 hours ago, Harry Peterson said:

How very nice and respectful it would be if sailaways from overseas ports involved playing the national anthem of the country concerned, with perhaps any other local music.

 

And how much nicer an impression of the British that would give. We're not much liked in many parts of the world, or respected, and for very good reasons, but small gestures can help.

The only time I've ever come close to this was on a Thomson's cruise departing Venice. They played Italian opera and it was very moving, especially as it was getting dark and the city was lit up.

[FangedRose]

4 minutes ago, vwgolf said:

The only time I've ever come close to this was on a Thomson's cruise departing Venice. They played Italian opera and it was very moving, especially as it was getting dark and the city was lit up.

Unusual. Venice port authorities have very strict rules about music, announcements and suchlike from cruise ships.

[vwgolf]

1 hour ago, FangedRose said:

Unusual. Venice port authorities have very strict rules about music, announcements and suchlike from cruise ships.

It was a few years ago; 2007, I think. Come to think of it, on another cruise from Venice only a couple of years back, we didn't have music.

[kruzseeka]

34 minutes ago, vwgolf said:

It was a few years ago; 2007, I think. Come to think of it, on another cruise from Venice only a couple of years back, we didn't have music.

 

We had a duo - Brandi & Max (BraxiMusic)) who did the most amazing spine-tingling operatic sail away from Flam last year on Marella.  It was magical and I shall never forget it.  Things may have changed but I have memories going back a few years of the CD on Thomson doing commentaries as we sailed past Gallipoli with appropriate music which was so respectful and moving and, in the Fjords, a commentary at a specific point accompanied by Grieg.  Music enhancing the experience of sail aways can be absolutely amazing - I think it's possible to do something which can celebrate the place, or our patriotism - I think it's down to choice of material and how it's handled.    

Edited August 16, 2019 by kruzseeka