Red Leicester

Two announcements just made, one for half a dozen passengers to make themselves known and then the captain saying pretty much the same things as Ventura re weather.

See thee in Southampton, safe travels

See thee in Lisbon…

Never had a problem, except one, in the buffet and been there everyday for brekkie. The one problem is the toast is awful. At least they have marmite though.

I’d give it a go!

The pilots would explain it more.

Maybe that is the “operational reason” Iona is leaving half hour earlier than booked today. Presumably shadowing each other back to Southampton too.

Lisbon I believe.

Wow, I'm clearly going to all the wrong places on board as I've not seen any of this! I've been manhandled out the way by someone desperate to see the keyrings in an on board shop. Seen a few drunk people but all good humoured. Also some barging in front in lifts. Not all disabilities are visible. But that's about it. Ultimately there are 5,000+ people onboard, there will be the odd incident or three. I dread to think what you would have to do to actually get booted half way round.

Just been out on top on Iona and it’s breezy now compared to earlier. Been okay all day, overcast, pockets of sun, walked down to Hard Rock Cafe for tea and did that comfortably in shorts and T-shirt. Needed the addition of an optional hoody this evening to combat a little windchill. Best day weather wise so far on this cruise. MSC and Costa both departed. Not sure what the Marella is doing.

Not too bad considering. High winds and they closed off the front quarter of Deck 8 but you could walk around the rest. Could feel movement but had worse on Iona over the Bay.

Hope everyone is safe and well with the Storm. Iona has lost its Alicante call on Friday, extra 12 hours in Malaga. Departing dark o'clock Friday morning, seeking calmer weather by heading south and thence to Barcelona to return to booked on Saturday.

Nope, nothing.

Centre button just returns me to the main screen. Will have another tinker later on.

Tried them all, all return me to the main menu about from the volume control buttons which turn the menu up and down.

That's the one, but I haven't worked out how to zoom in on the map. Is it possible?!

Oh the other irritant is not being able to zoom in on the where-are-we channel. Is this old news? Or is there a secret way? I recall this from my previous Iona trip but none of the others.

Touch of rain does no harm. Not ideal, granted, but checking the weather in advance showed Vigo and the transit over the Bay to be wet. Everywhere else looked fine. I'll take it. Shared Vigo with Sky Princess who left 24 hours behind us. Hope everyone stays safe with Storm Ciaran.

Not grim at all. Having a excellent time on board. Gave up wanting pools many cruises ago when they were first come first served and that's game over, I'm not an early riser. Don't miss it personally though some will. Not struggled to find a seat in any bars or in the buffet and the Promenade has been cordoned off at the front due to wind so not many walking out so can be busier inside. Even managed to get in the Olive Grove. Oh and as I reported in another thread the Marmite has been found in the buffet too. Only issue I have found is a number of rude people pushing and shoving for things, there's plenty to go round folks... Vigo was warm-ish but rained on and off. It has been blustery and raining in the transit from Southampton but by no means the worst I've experienced. Heading to hopefully sunnier weather now. More importantly I'm not at work!

All CrossCountry trains from Southampton route to Birmingham New Street and the vast vast vast majority onto Manchester Piccadilly. For Derby - Sheffield - Leeds - York - Newcastle and the north change at Birmingham New Street. For Liverpool Lime Street the XC train through to Wolverhampton / Stafford may make for an easier change with luggage, may even be same platform. Though they have much fewer facilities than New Street, especially if you have a longer change.

Ditto yesterday, gave myself 5 hours to do a 2.5 hour trip. Only problem was on the A34 around Oxford. Rest was plain sailing. Even had time to visit the Gold Arches at Tot Hill to kill some time. Rolled into terminal at 13:50 and was on board at 14:31 and most of that was sorting me wheels and handing over the keys. 17 mins from handing keys over to being on board. Rather be early than late. And to be fair I've never been refused early boarding.

I'm sure you get the point I'm making.

I'm actually quite... embarrassed? Ashamed? Taken aback?... at some comments on here over this incident. "I'd demand..." and all that. It was an incident that happened quickly and without much notice at height of peak season. Hindsight is perfect. Handling incidents in real time with the info you have at the time and snap decision making never will be. For me I am just glad everyone is safe and well and hope those injured onboard are recovering.

"The problem" or "The difference"? It's a change but not necessarily a "problem".

By forum I do mean an official user group with a small select group / cross section. Not this sort of online forum.