Ardennais

For our Cunard cruise last month, my mother filled the questionnaire. She stated that she was talking a walking stick and foldable walker (in case of tiredness) but that she didn’t need assistance in an emergency. She was next door to us. 

11 hours ago, Selbourne said:

 

Day 42 - Tuesday 13th February - Sea Day

 

After all the excitement of the previous day and our Panama Canal transit we were happy to have a quiet relaxing day, not doing very much at all other than reading. 

 

I am almost afraid that by saying this I might be tempting fate, but I finished the course of antibiotics last night and my throat seems to be a lot better (although my hunch is that the antibiotics might not be what has sorted it - probably more down to time). I can still feel a slight discomfort when I swallow, but it’s negligible. I still have a bit of a tickle but not the hard cough that so many on the ship have. Having taken tablets of various descriptions for well over a fortnight, I’m now just going to let my immune system do its stuff and hope for the best. 

 

Prior to going for breakfast I decided to sort out some washing. We are now 42 days into the cruise and the laundry offer that we had on our day in Bermuda (when it was too early to take advantage of it) has never been repeated since, so I’ve given up on it and put another bag of 10 items (mostly shirts and tops) in the service wash. This of course means that the laundry offer will now be in tonight’s Horizon 😂. I also sorted out 3 loads to do in the laundrette and managed to get two underway before we headed to breakfast. Unfortunately todays port talk was on too early at 9.30am so we missed it, which is two that we have now missed as yesterdays was on during the Panama Canal transit (can’t imagine that many went to that one). 

 

After breakfast I returned to the laundrette and found that someone had opened the door on one load and it was sat in dirty water. Infuriating, so I had to put it on a second time. I was able to transfer the successful load to a drier and get the third load on, but this meant that we’d have to miss todays talk by John Laverick - “Reliving the excitement of travel on the first P&O Cruise Liners”, which I’d wanted to see. I dare say it will be on the TV at some point, but you never know when and the picture and sound are both so bad it’s off putting. 

 

As this is a long cruise we had to do a muster today, but all this meant was getting our cruise cards scanned at Anderson’s, so took all of around 10 seconds. Returning to the laundrette to catch the end of my two loads, as they finished I realised that the problem I’d had earlier was due to a faulty machine, so once I’d taken out the successful third load I had to put the first load in a different machine for a third time 😡. Anyway, by lunchtime all 3 loads were washed, dried and put away (anything requiring ironing goes to the service wash - I am on holiday after all)!

 

We had lunch in the MDR and then a bit more reading prior to attending the second performance by the Aurora Vocalists (passenger choir). Not as good as the first performance but still an entertaining half hour. We then headed to Raffles for our afternoon cuppa and had a nice freebie strawberry meringue to accompany it. 

 

At 5pm there was the second performance by the Welsh baritone in the Playhouse. Neither of us enjoyed the first performance (even though my wife was drooling at the Italian stallion pianist) and, frankly, we both took a bit of a dislike to the singer (gut instinct) so we spared ourselves from round two. Shame really, as we don’t fancy tonight’s theatre show at all, so it’s turned into a bit of a dull day. However, the rest has probably done me good. 

 

We managed a pre dinner drink in the now cool Crows Nest, although there’s still a bit of a damp carpet whiff in there. MDR for dinner. I had the blue cheese panna cotta followed by spoon gammon shank. More canteen than restaurant but we were fed! For pud I had Crepes Suzette. Big mistake. A soggy crepe with tinned tangerine segments and not even a whiff of the claimed Grand Marnier in the ‘sauce’. 1/10. Thankfully I had predicted that it would be poor so asked for some Dulce Leches ice cream with it and that was lovely. Our assistant waiter is off sick with a sore throat. I hope that he didn’t get it from me although, mercifully, my wife still hasn't. 

 

As mentioned previously, the theatre act didn’t remotely appeal so back to the cabin to read prior to lights out. Tomorrow Costa Rica. 

 

 

I think you mentioned that the baritone is Jeremy Huw Williams. I’ve seen him perform several times and quite like him! He was once married to Manon Jenkins, Ffion Hague’s sister, and so was William Hague’s brother in law! 

Still free school milk for all Foundation Phase pupils in Wales (4-7 year olds) and the Tory opposition are actually pressing for it to be provided for older primary pupils too. Local primary schools have milk fridges to keep it cold. 

Welsh cakes are sweet. We make them on a griddle and eat them with butter or butter and jam. I don’t know anything about oatcakes but they appear savoury to me. 

Not Norway, but Hamburg last month - we had a toilet stop and it only took cash. The guide had to give some guests a few Euros. 

3 hours ago, laslomas said:

Not sure how this morphed into - dentists, but I will add my experience of this. I had been registered with an NHS dentist for 10 years. When I last called to make my regular appointment I was told the last NHS dentist (my dentist) had left the practice so the only choice was to book with a private one. I didn't. There are none available in my area now.

This happened to my daughter a few years ago. Luckily, she was able to find another NHS dentist, but I don’t think that would be possible now as it seems that the few NHS dentists around here are full. 

So pleased to hear that you had a most enjoyable cruise. The first of many wonderful ‘retirement’ cruises hopefully! 

I have enjoyed reading each and every entry. Many thanks. 

3 hours ago, smokey01 said:

And me, my impression was mrsgroggins was the better presentation

Me too! The second plate looks like someone just opened a pack and shook the contents onto the plate! 

Thanks from me too. All the current blogs are fascinating. 

5 hours ago, majortom10 said:

I get the impression on here that many have the attitude"I am alright jack" with there so easy nip drop your luggage off nip back into town and kill 2-3 hrs or go IKEA. Sorry but not easy to kill 2-3 hrs if you are old, disabled or in a wheelchair. IKEA is a long walk for people who have difficulties and many have attitude nip here nip there park here when isn't feasible for some. I just hope one day they don't become disabled or in a wheelchair they might suddenly have a different opinion. Sorry but many on here have a very selfish attitude and I hope they never have to be in situation of needing a wheelchair or have to push loved one in it or become disable or infirm and struggle to walk distances.

You’re missing the point. I HAVE been in that situation, in fact earlier this month. Still doesn’t give us the right to arrive earlier than the stated time. 

Selbourne - I’m sorry that you’ve experienced so many disappointments and really hope that things improve. Don’t think of the sea days as wasted days! Still better than being at home. 

We were there four years ago this month on an excursion from Colon. We had to have a Yellow Fever vaccination for that cruise, as we also visited Puerto Limon, Costa Rica and Cartagena, Columbia in addition to the Caribbean islands. 
 

We lost power just after 9 last night, and it was restored around 6 this morning. Then my husband went down the track and a tree had fallen, blocking the road. So back home, collect JCB and he managed to clear the road. Well things happen in threes so …..  just before lunch, I heard a hissing noise coming from the utility and lo behold, a water leak. Rushed to turn off the water supply, facetimed my husband (luckily within signal today) to show the offending pipe, and now he’s gone to the nearest supplier (20 miles away) to get some replacement pipes. He’s a builder so can do the work when he gets home. 

3 hours ago, majortom10 said:

3 hours ago, majortom10 said:

Everyone knows the options when driving to Southampton regarding boarding times but nobody can give a sensible answer on those, which there are many, who travel by public transport i.e coach, trains. They have no control of time they arrive and therefore can have problems killing time which is exasperated if they are old or disabled with luggage. Unfortunately there are many on here who are OK with arriving at boarding times and knock those who have a totally different situation which they control. I am afraid it is a case of I am alright jack and have no thought of those that have issues with arriving close to boarding times.

But it’s no different to having to leave the hotel at 11am and having a boarding time of say 2.45 as we had earlier this month - WITH an elderly passenger using a walker. It’s nothing to do with ‘alright jack’. 

 

10 hours ago, majortom10 said:

She was very fortunate obviously arriving by private car or taxi but what happened if P&O gave her a boarding time of 3-30pm and she was travelling to Southampton by train and her only train arrived at midday. What would she suggest do then, just because it is convenient for you don't assume every person is in same position.

I don’t assume every person is the same. In this situation, I would suggest a coffee in the station - like we had in M&S. Then take a taxi at an appropriate time. 

33 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

As do cruise Captains.

????

14 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

One hour travel potential travel issues x 9 hour potential travel issues, a bit different surely?

Read back the thread properly and you will see that I have not “changed the goalposts” at all.

 

As a passenger I fully comply with the time I am given but it does not mean I think it is appropriate for everyone. I have not advocated that those arriving early should be given any priority to board, just shelter from rain and cold,

 

Do you feel the elderly and disabled (not me by the way) should be left out in the cold after paying thousands of pounds for a cruise. If you do then shame on you,

 

 

My mother is elderly and uses a walker. She turned up at her given time so no need to be left out in the cold! Passengers shouldn’t be arriving early! 

However, I do think that any vulnerable passengers who DO turn up at their given time and then find a queue should be allowed to shelter. 

7 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

We can’t control our arrival (motorway accidents, breakdowns, train strikes, bad weather) any more than a cruise Captain can (rough seas, breakdowns, port strikes, bad weather).

 

So why are passengers punished but cruise ships cut slack?

We’ll have to agree to disagree! 
 

We control our arrival as best we can by staying overnight pre-cruise.  Why take the risk of travelling on the day? 
 

It’s like school dinners! When I was in school, we had to queue outside in all weathers and watch the sixth formers (top-tier) walk to the front, which is what I did when I got to the sixth form. When I returned there as a teacher (officer!), we used a different door (fast-tracked). They then allocated a time for each year group which made more sense as there was then very little queuing. There has to be some sort of system! 

1 minute ago, Eglesbrech said:

Why are the cruise lines late?

That’s out of our control, but as passengers we can control our embarkation to some extent by arriving at the specified time. Not always, I know. 
 

We have been very fortunate in that we’ve never had an issue with CPS/ABP and 90% of the time, we haven’t had to wait very long to embark. Then again, we’re not priority (and I can see that there might be issues when there are many top tier passengers on a cruise), and we do arrive when told to do so! I might add that we’ve had a different embarkation time to other travellers in our group a few times, and we just arrive at the later time! 

1 minute ago, Eglesbrech said:

You are preaching to the choir. I enjoy a few hours in Soton after dropping our car / luggage. We arrive at our allocated time.

 

I just find it unfair that passengers are punished for being early by being left out in the cold (literally). Meantime the cruise lines can delay embarkation by many hours with absolutely no consequences 

Why are they early in the first place?

5 hours ago, Eglesbrech said:

Once you are in Santiago

We always go into the Parador for a nice cool place for refreshments and spotlessly clean toilets.

 

OP If you are facing the main entrance to the Catherdal it is on the left. You may also wish to know that in the Catherdral the crypt for St James is down some fairly steep narrow stairs but not too many.

 

 

It is nice isn’t it! The refreshments were served in the courtyard and were plentiful. 

44 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

That’s great Ardennais, I am really pleased for you. 
 

The issue is that not everyone has the same excellent experience, even if they arrive at exactly the allocated time.

True, but we’ve always arrived close to the allocated time (well over 20 cruises from Southampton). Not quite Caribbean level on P&O as we’ve also sailed with several other lines. Selbourne’s experience was unfortunate, I agree. Our experience on the 4 cruises we’ve had since they stopped using the lettering system has actually been much quicker and sleeker. 

This time, we left our hotel at 11 and went to West Quay. My mother was with us, with her walker. The lift wasn’t working in M&S but using the mall lifts, we made it to the ladies section on the first floor. Then had a coffee and cake (or two) in the cafe.  In the past, we’ve been to Ikea, and the big Sainsbury’s/M&S. Also had a pre-stay in Lyndhurst a few times and had a lovely morning there. 
 

The point I’m making is that it’s perfectly possible to spend a few enjoyable hours in Southampton pre-embarkation. I just don’t get the angst about leaving luggage in the car, etc and the frenzy to be onboard as early as possible. And to be perfectly honest, I don’t think I’d be in a mad rush to embark even if we got to Caribbean level. 
 

We took the guided excursion from Vigo last year, and I would have said that it was a 10 minute walk from the coach to the main square. There was a toilet stop on the way. After the tour of the cathedral, we decided not to do the walking tour with the guide. We told him of our intention and he told us to meet up at the Parador hotel for refreshments in about 45-60 minutes. The Parador is also in the main square, next to the cathedral. 

33 minutes ago, BouncingWheel said:

Selbourne and co got caught out by the priority system. Longer cruises on Aurora type and Cunard etc…. attract more of the regular, higher loyalty tier, passengers that have the priority boarding perk. When large numbers have this there is no real perk and can have large queues. It is not necessarily the check-in that could be the bottle neck but security or drop off areas can also be impacted. The “regular” cruisers with later allocated times usually then breeze thru with no issues and as they are smaller ships being later doesn’t mean missing out on booking slots as these ships don’t do that.

 

The week after Selbourne’s departure from Mayflower, we were whizzed through as we had a 2.45 embarkation time. Probably the fastest check-in ever.