alc13

And I make the bookings, but he has A in the last position while I got the lesser B. If women were in charge…

Multiple regions for a "World" Club number? 🙄

That could be my house! Sleeping cat, check: cat bed with toy, check; wine and TV, check, check...

As @navybankerteacher mentioned it is unseasonably warm here in the northeast US. I miss the snow, though. Not the slipping and sliding and shoveling, but the beauty of a fresh snowfall, and cozy winter hibernating. Low key as usual for us tonight. I did buy a nice piece of cheese to have with port after dinner. We'll spend an hour with Slow Horses (loving it) and then I, at least, will head to bed. Happy 2023, Cunarders. Always fun spending time with you.

So did we. We both thought it was terrific.

I can't quite hit the "like" button when what I really mean is "yikes!" Hope it all works out quickly.

Both work! It's been a tough week -

Here in coastal Maine we're having powerful winds and rain, and weirdly warm temperatures. We will most likely lose power to our house today as the wind blows trees down near power lines. We have a solar-powered battery as backup, and a gas-powered generator to back up the battery, and I expect we'll need both of them. Crews can't go out to repair downed power lines until it's safe, which won't be until tomorrow morning according to the forecast. Ah, rural living. But I love it. Happy Christmas to all - stay safe, warm, and healthy.

QE Q315, Japan Circumnavigation, 4/19-4/28/2023 4/20 Gala - Black and White 4/24 Gala - Masquerade 4/26 Gala - Black & Gold

We booked the QA Northern Lights itinerary, October 2024. We’ve never planned so far in advance before!

Exactly the same responses from me, Windsurfboy!

Christmas preparations are mostly still on the horizon for us. Now that we are in Maine, where we have a large piece of property, we go out a week or two ahead of the big day and find a nice small tree to cut and bring back into the house. This is not honestly not my favorite holiday, but the sight of a decorated tree with twinkly lights in a warm house is so welcoming, and makes me happy.

How exciting for all of you who live there. Go Wales! - Oh, wait a minute...

I didn't know the Mississippi water levels are so low, BigMike. It is, as you say, America's great river. I once read a wonderful piece by the nature writer John McPhee about an effort by the Army Core of Engineers to reroute this great river, in an attempt to protect something or other. The Engineers didn't stand a chance.

Finally reporting back. The QE2 is sublime!

We were on QM2 for two days just before you, Southampton to Hamburg. Objectively there were some flaws, most notably internet that was unavailable almost all of the time because of server upgrades. But such a joy to be on board.

The starting bell has sounded!

You said it better than I did! That's how I read it, too.

We are now three days out from embarkation and I can see the Health Declaration. It says Within 10 days of sailing on your cruise, have you tested positive for COVID-19? No Yes - which begs the question of whether a test - highly recommended but not required - was actually performed. I guess Cunard is more and more relying on people to behave responsibly. In any case, we tested negative this morning.

All true. Not trying to get out of a test, just trying to understand the requirements. I have a very literal brain.

So the fact that they ask for confirmation of a negative test result doesn't contradict the fact that they are only recommending a test? I may be the only one confused by this since I haven't seen other questions on it.

Cunard's guidance on this is confusing to me. Is an antigen test required, or not? 1) All fully vaccinated guests aged five years and over are highly recommended to take a lateral flow/antigen test within three days prior to arrival at the embarkation terminal. 2) Guests will also be asked to confirm that a test has been taken, with a negative result, as part of the pre‑boarding health declaration at the cruise terminal.

I'm enjoying your daily reports, travails and all. Assuming Mr HH tests negative soon, will he have time to enjoy some freedom before the cruise is over?

Thanks for the suggestions, duly noted!

We are now a week and a half out from boarding QM2 for a 2-day cruise, and I can't wait. Our time on board is short, so we don't have time to sample through the cocktail menus. What do others especially like? Mr ALC usually goes for martinis and manhattans; my favorite is a negroni.