exlondoner

Well, I’m not sure I would go that far, but definitely arrive later than usual. Though, alas, on QA, you cannot even watch from the bar. 😀 I expect you were waiting for me to work that in. 😀

I do hope you manage to soar up the list. I think Stockholm is nicest of all, because of the wonderful lengthy departure between all the islands. Can delay dinner though.

I don’t think it can be the same ship you and I were on.

I think you are like me, and just don’t fuss about these things too much. When I turn up in the restaurant in the evening, I tend not to be preoccupied with checking out other people’s clothes as much as greeting those at neighbouring tables. However, I do sometimes notice. Recently, turning up after most diners, on Black and White Gala Night on QA, I just thought how splendid everyone looked. However, what I tend not to notice is the tiny percentage of people who may be flouting the dress code, unless they are blatant and actually cross my path. Thereafter, after wondering, if, perhaps, they are illiterate, I tend to put them out of my mind. I certainly don’t give much further thought to them or let it spoil my evening. For others such a sight seems second in unpleasantness only to a large iceberg off the starboard bow.

Much of this post, particularly the gloomier parts, seems unverified supposition. More discontent than in the past: read what people thought when QV entered service. Unhappiness among crew: another thing that has been a recurring theme as long as I’ve been reading posts. I can see no evidence it is an increasing problem, and certainly not on QA on my recent voyage. More special offers, etc: again how can you possibly know? I only wish they would send some to me, but they don’t. Only necessary if booking levels are too low. I should have thought that even if booking levels were stunningly high, they would always want to fill the last few cabins, preferably with keen drinkers and gamblers. Speculation about private meetings? Well, really, perhaps they are knocking back fizz at how well their new ship is doing.

Or wear a jacket and nobody will know where your sleeves end unless they look closely. 😀

I think you may be talking about the cabins, not the restaurant. They are on Decks 7 and 8.

1. Yes.Yes. 2. See 1. 3. No.

As you will know, the entire reason for Bournemouth’s existence is tourism, yet people whinge about tourists, though I can’t imagine why. Well, I can a bit, it is partly parking. Another major source of what wealth the town has is the university, and, surprise, surprise, a lot of people don’t much like students either.

In many European centres, the concern is with tourism’s effect on the housing market, making it difficult for locals to find places to buy. Cruise passengers may be conspicuous, but they don’t really cause these problems, and spend lots of money in bars and cafés.

Short sleeved shirts OK, but not that common, at any rate on cruises I’ve been on. Jacket not necessary, but the air con may make you think otherwise.

It does seem also that there is some sort of path for proportion, for the dedicated and lucky. Junior waiters become waiters, and a few of them go on to be senior waiters, etc. Our waitress on QE2 in 1999 was managing the Verandah on QV in 2019.

The hotel will sort it for you, if you ask them. There are usually plenty of taxis.

And remember Greece is another hour ahead of most of Europe, though on one call at Corfu the Captain wisely chose to ignore it, telling everyone to keep on European time and ignore any public clocks they might see.

The behind the scenes tour was $120 before Covid, and well worth it. But, in order to respect their privacy, you did not see any of the crew’s private or recreational spaces.

Our cabin on QA had specks of rust. Shows she is a proud Cunarder.

Wow. Brave woman.

And I assume you sat down to a large dinner that evening?

Sorry.

From your description I assume you are talking about QM2: the Grills Lounges on the Vistas are lovely. As for QA…

Surely nearly all of us hate our jobs, however well paid. I know I did and only did it for the money. But I still smiled and made the best of it,

Isn’t the main reason for flagging out to avoid labour laws which seem too stringent?

I certainly have always found them agreeable, though not always highly competent. But I’m not sure I would expect an upgrade.

I bet the Scillonian carries mail.

Discourtesy is always to be frowned upon, and I sympathise with that, but were you really expecting a different substance to their response? On what grounds?