MylesS

16 hours ago, Wonky said:

@MylesS if you happen to have internet package could you see if you can get iPlayer? I’m on QV and to much surprise last night I was able to access both iPlayer and Skygo. Never been able to do this in the past without a VPN. (And the VPNs seem to have stopped working recently)

I was able to access the site, but not stream as I wasn’t in the U.K. 

1 hour ago, Wonky said:

@MylesS if you happen to have internet package could you see if you can get iPlayer? I’m on QV and to much surprise last night I was able to access both iPlayer and Skygo. Never been able to do this in the past without a VPN. (And the VPNs seem to have stopped working recently)

Sure, will try when I’m back in the cabin. I have the premium internet package this time, so maybe it’ll work. 

Dinner in Tromonto tonight (I previously posted I went there, however I actually switched it to Aranya last minute)

Nice food with great views of our departure.

21 hours ago, Zeg said:

Loving the updates. Thanks. Wondering if you’ve any info or pics on the slots on the Casino?  Anyway GL on the tables!  

Thank you! I’ll take some photos of the casino during the Southampton turn around, as it’ll be completely empty.

Also, as another note, I managed to get a QE2 $5 chip from playing (just by luck it was in the tray) - so I’ll be keeping that.

Just now, Host Hattie said:

Nice to hear from you, sorry to hear that tendering didn't go well. (Off to check for tender ports on our next bookings !)

I’d take it with a pinch of salt. We had no problems in the past, but did note they only used 4 tenders this time, not all 6 as they did previously. 
 

Of course tours are always given the priority and there were no complaints (that I heard of) from them. 

Also, forgot to mention: last night I did attend the Britannia Restaurant for dinner given it was a Gala Night.

Fantastic! It was very busy at 8:30 but I was sat on my own table, great window view (out to the pitch black, but it would have been better otherwise) - 3 courses and coffee done in 30 minutes. 

9 minutes ago, Bell Boy said:

Well at least you are honest . I was beginning to wonder what all this attraction to Annie was about. 😅 

Good Luck 🤞 hope you manage to recuperate what you have forked out on those alternative evening meals.  lol   

Truth be told I don’t spend this much time in the casino EVER. It’s just a fun thing to do while I’m on my own to be honest. I do miss having my partner to go to the activities with.

Thank you for the luck! I definitely wouldn’t be going as much as I do if it was all bad though, everything in its limits. 

2 minutes ago, S1971 said:

most likely by trying to get a temporary workaround (bodge job in other words) which in my experience rarely work. 

So when they take the time to do a proper fix and not a workaround, you still have an issue? 

Sorry for the lack of updates, truth be told if I was to do a daily one it’d just be reporting my drink count & blackjack wins & losses 🤣

It’s been a nice two sea days, with a tiny bit of movement from the wind and 1.7-2.1 meter waves. It’s a relaxing movement though.

Unfortunately there were some medical problems onboard these two sea days, wishing those a speedy recovery.

I didn’t use the tenders in Sibenik, and I sounds like I dodged a missile, not just a bullet. Reportedly some people not able to use the tenders until 2pm! 
 

This paired with a choppy ride didn’t equate to an enjoyable experience for I assume most people.

Just now, exlondoner said:

Have you really been on board for only two months in total? It seems like longer. 😀

Once I finish the next cruise (Oct 15th), it’ll have been 88 nights total this year

7 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

We know that an attempt was made at a repair between September 14th-17th.

As someone whose job involves buying spare parts and planning repairs I'd say this was a pretty quick turnaround. 

If course it's inconvenient to have the pool out of use at all but I haven't seen an alternative suggestion. 

I can go through my 2 months of daily programmes when I return, but there was multiple attempts then. They are/were trying to avoid complete closure. This seems like last resort. 

6 hours ago, S1971 said:

 

That's was fine for you, but in this case it isn't fine for those on this cruise.

I’m on the cruise and couldn’t care less, personally. 😉

1 minute ago, S1971 said:

 

Quite possibly, but if that is the case why has it taken so long and why have previous guests not been informed?

 

 

 

I mean, they may also have to work with third parties and if this is the case it’s up to their schedules too. 

6 hours ago, RLJ74 said:

You would think that given it's a new ship, they would have programmed in a period of maintenance after a couple of months service to address any issues.

And then people would say “You’d think given it’s a new ship it wouldn’t need a period of maintenance” — Cunard can’t win! 

1 minute ago, exlondoner said:

On another thread, I think you said you were staying on to the next cruise. Was that always your plan? Or did you have another sudden rush of blood to the head?

I saw the cruise pop up, as it was previously sold out. 
 

I asked a friend if he wanted to try Queen Anne for four nights and he did, so I’ll do this then that’ll be it for the year.

Additionally that’s when a lot of our favourite crew are disembarking, so we’re joking we’ll be getting off together.

I did my only Queen Elizabeth cruise with this friend back in 2018, and a Sky Princess cruise in 2021, where he said he preferred Sky Princess as it was more modern but liked Cunard for the service, so I think Queen Anne will be a perfect balance. 

16 minutes ago, GSPG said:

I should have read perhaps, but didn’t know there was a problem with an azipod! Will this be an ‘issue’ in a force 10 storm?

No, it’s fixed now - my point was there’s just been larger problems to fix, and I suspect there’s still more that we’re not aware of.

If it was a simple fix it would have been done by now. 

20 minutes ago, GSPG said:

So sounds like it’s been a problem since it’s been operating basically. That really isn’t good, and makes you wonder just how long will this go on for.

In all fairness, and I know it won’t help, but it’s a new ship that will have technical problems anyways. 
 

There’s been higher priority stuff needed to be done, e.g one of the azipods having problems, etc.

I’m sure it will be resolved soon, but there’s always a priority to things. 

1 minute ago, GSPG said:

Do you know if there are any current issues with the indoor pavilion pool? We have just been advised this morning it will be closed throughout our cruise because of ‘essential maintenance’, whatever that is!

It’s been open, at least it was yesterday. As I’ve mentioned over the last near 6 months it’s been hit or miss.

I’m also on the next cruise so I’ll try to find out some more information to what the problem is.

Trieste, Italy today. A bit grey, but warmish at 18c 

Seems like people aren’t happy with how they were treated by the Italians, whether that was the locals or port staff I’m unsure. 

The ship did look very nice today despite the weather, and definitely stood out.

The pool seems to have been a problem since the ship launched, plenty of times over the course of our trips it’s been under maintenance.

Just now, Jack E Dawson said:

Here are a couple of thoughts.

1. Make reservations for the major attractions. 

2.Try and do a Saturday tour of Parliament which allows you on the floor or the House of Commons and the House of Lords

3. If you tour Westminster Abby include the Queens Jubilee exhibit in the attic, very impressive and well worth the extra $5. See if you can find the WWII bomb shrapnel hole in the Royal Air Force alcove. Look for Stephen Hawking marker next to Sir Isaac Newton's. 

4. Reserve an early time at the Tower of London and hit the Crown Jewels exhibit first before the line gets long.

5. Take the water taxi to Greenwich, lots to see there. (google Cutty Sark). Go to the observatory and the Queens House (quite the she-shack, FREE)

6. Eat in Harrods food court and explore the store especially the basement liquor dept.

7. The Royal Mews (the King's Stables) is a really cool tour. It is down the left side of Buckingham Palace. I highly recommend!!!!

8. Use the Tube, it's the best way to get around. You can either get an Oyster Card or use a touchless credit card. The Oyster Card works on the Water Taxi and buses as well. There is a daily cap on how much you will be charged.

9. Since you are staying near the EYE (Marriott County Hall???) make sure you walk through the Graffiti Tunnel.Also, to get from your hotel walk across the Bridge by Big Ben then go through St. James Park. A beautiful walk.

10. Churchill's Underground War Room is very interesting but pricey (but worth it) and you REALLY need a reservation hear. 

 

Nobody does history like the British. Read about the places before you visit them to get the most out of your tour. We've been to London countless times and we are still discovering new amazing places. We love the markets and pubs. Mind the gap and look RIGHT!!!!

Jack

 

 

To add, and hopefully not be too much of a "downer" but just as a PSA if you do like to wear nice watches: don't - we have a serious problem currently with them being taken from individuals. Same with holding out phones in the street/near the side of the pavement/sidewalk.

Again, don't want to sound too serious, but I wouldn't want your holiday to be impacted by something unfortunately as common as it is easy to avoid.

1 hour ago, LEESRE said:

MylesS.

Can you say please who is the current CD and Captain. Have they changed since the inaugural cruise?

It’s Michael Harvey as Entertainment Director (thinks that’s the same as CD?) and Inger as the captain.

I believe Inger got on after I left on July 28th, as prior to that (From June 7th) it was David Hudson. 

38 minutes ago, pratt2 said:

Myles,

we are going on the Queen Anne transatlantic in January. Exciting weather for sure. Do you think you could please find out if the Pavilion area is able to be heated? Thank you!

It can definitely get hot when the roof is closed, unsure if that’s because of heating. I’ll try find out! 

After all that travelling, I may have to treat you both to drinks - you’ll definitely deserve it.

Best of luck with getting here, and I hope you both have a fantastic time!