Megabear2

On another note altogether the Liverpool Echo has a photograph of the stage set up today

How strange. That is my cabin!! I have the beds as one and separating them may work better on a long voyage. It depends on how much room you might need. Have a look at my current Queen Anne British Isles thread as I've posted photos of the storage over there. If you split them you could use the bed on the farthest side for sitting to watch TV if you wished. I can walk around the room on all sides, it is quite comfortable to do so. I love this cabin. I'm an appalling sleeper yet I'm getting 7-8 hours unbroken sleep every night. I'm going to miss it!

I believe there is such a company but you have to register and pay a monthly fee!

He does in my house!!! I have a signed Ultravox lithograph in my collection along with Ray Davies and Elbow and they hang in my hallway.

There are a very high number of red cards on here at the moment. The Britannia staff have.mentioned this cruise being better for them as the first two were very demanding. Apparently there were lots of complaints and they felt they could not do anything right. They seem more relaxed than in the first few days. However the MD on deck 3 apparently hasn't lightened up and people are still.on a nightly basis arriving at deck 2 to see if there's availability there. We've had 3 separate lots over the last few days to fill the two spare seats on our table. I think we are catering for any overflow as one of our fellow diners has companions allocated a space but have no.intention of coming.to dinner.

The room is small but I'd say very adequate for one. As a lady I have a lot of clothing, particularly as this is a cruise where I needed coats and sweaters. I am managing okay. My dinner companions are in balcony cabins (two guys) and they tell me it's been a challenge. They brought some hangers of their own. From chatting around the ship every one except Grills passengers are commenting on the closet situation. Personally I'd stick with your inside on cost grounds. I'd happily book again in this room as a solo. Which cabin number do you have?

Yes. Been monitoring for about five weeks. I last checked 23 May as I boarded Queen Anne on 24th but checked today as its past final payment date and it is very slightly down. 5 June will be the interesting one as the 7 day hiatus for payment tips over to a Late Saver. I don't anticipate any changes before then

Enjoy while you can. We at least have no rain today, some sun and it's warm enough to sit on deck (well me and a few others anyway!)

Crikey, I find my gin very large and strong. I doubt I could handle it bigger.

I would agree. The lack of wine choice could be very annoying for some but I did do my homework before letting my OH part with his cash. The coffees, teas, water and Fentimans and Fever Tree swing it very much in my favour but I appreciate many would want the alcohol offertory be better. Commodore Club on menu is particularly testing for package, but they get round it for me - I smile nicely you see!

That's very true. Sadly because the mainstream guys are so hard on those with medical conditions and age related some of those most in need of good insurance can't get it and gave little to no.options. Those people also tend to be price driven because their quotes are so high.. Just lunched with some ladies in their 80's who are talking about this being their last cruise due to insurance costs. They're the type the companies set up to deal with individual policies will love.

He left yesterday unfortunately but we now have Frank Bruno on, do you know what I mean 'arry. Vienna is a wonderful city, have a sache torte for me! Won't be doing any sunbathing here, the forecast is 11 degrees tomorrow!

Not midships but I have one forward on deck 7. It is superbly placed for stairs and lifts and exceptionally quiet - on this voyage anyway. I'd book it again in a heartbeat. However if watching TV is important you it might be wise to check the room layout before booking as my cabin and many others have the TV to the side of the bed. Personally I never switch it on apart from to check ship position or weather but a large number have made complaints about this on the current voyage.

Have a great time.

Yes, they ran that deal on it's equivalent last year, I recall you sending me details when I was considering it.

They use different underwriting companies based on each set of individuals. Total Travel and Good to Go do not provide the cover, your policy will have the insurer they select. Zap should have a different company stated that his policy is with X Y, or Z. My auntie's nightmare was bought through Good To Go, her policy was elsewhere. Some of the suppliers are good some very average

Is that select fare? I assume a TA is offering it. If so it follows my "theory".

My BIL was first to book on this on launch day as he had to move a cruise as he was unable to get assistance for his father in law for za booked cruise. He has a lido deck inside select at £3,200. 6 others booked slightly later paid around £3,000 or just under for their insides. Our average on insides is around £2,900.

We had to book select as we needed definite 1st sitting fixed to be with our family. We are a very large group of 24 at present. As a result looking st the fares when we booked there was a very considerable difference, almost £2500 to have a balcony and nearly £3500 for the deluxe. We have booked an outside shower only deck E based on some information from people on here. We are paying a reasonable amount - well.i think so anyway - of £3698 for select fare. My 8 of our group booked day 1 and their insides are only slightly less than that. Currently the offered prices are: Inside £2958 Outside £3458 Balcony £4698 Deluxe £5398 If, and it's a big if, the bid comes in at a reasonable cost we may go for it as anything based on today's fares would appear reasonable with only £1,000 between the two. The balcony and deluxe prices have dropped very considerably even between our booking and the final payment date. I have a feeling that some people are being put off by reviews (suggesting a very tired ship) and also the destination. Those of us in the cheap seats aren't seeing the big reductions like the higher end. As I say will be interesting .

The wine choice is very poor, but I knew that when purchasing. I'm no wine connoisseur so no problem to me. I find the "cheap" Pinot Grigio quite acceptable with a meal and pre dinner now enjoy a large g&t with Fevertree or a cocktail. I'm getting my money's worth very easily with tea, coffee water, wellness mixes and four or five alcoholic drinks on a normal day.

No but the rest of my family did and I know their prices as they gave them to me when we decided to think about joining them. Incidentally price was lower than theirs when I booked in February.

Let's test our theory, Selbourne! My August Baltic Aurora cruise just passed final payment date, 28th May. I paid on 23 May before boarding here. Just checked the prices after reading this thread and every cabin grade has dropped a fairly even £200-£250 as at today. If our best price scenario being 7-10 days after due date is correct, next week should see another drop for a few days, particularly as Late Saver kicks in. I'm monitoring these prices as I'm considering a bid to upgrade if it's reasonable. It will be a bit of fun!!

Oh and bybthecway, no slot to be found for tissues and I now gave three boxes under the sink!

An attempt to get back to my general reporting! Monday for me was dedicated to the main reason I had a moment of madness and booked this cruise! Midge Ure. I am a massive music fan and travel extensively to watch acts live around the world, often making extended trips to the US in particular to catch up on acts I can rarely see and driving or taking the train from place to place. Midge Ure is way up on my list of people I will travel anywhere i can to see so this cruise had to be booked for him, much the same way as my transatlantic previously and my much loved James Taylor crossing - my best ever Cunard memory. As a result my day was pretty much mapped out with seeing him in conversation in the morning and the evening concert, hence little to report save I thought the performances (yes sorry I cheated ...) were excellent. However in between all this return to my groupie youth, I did go for my WC lunch at Sir Samuel's (part of my devious plan to avoid missing a second of the performance and to ensure a front row seat!). I quite liked the restaurant but as a solo lady felt rather uncomfortable in my somewhat on display seat at the end of the middle row. The menu was quite large for a lunchtime although quite a few things were extra pay. .I decided to pay the $8.50 for the crab cake starter which although nice was relatively small and in my opinion I'd not pay for it again. The next course was short rib. Now I have to admit to not beiing a great meat eater, but this was very nice, albeit far too big for me. There were a good selection of sides and I chose broccoli, mushrooms and sweet potato fries. The portions provided would have amply fed two in my opinion but as I found them very good I did my best to do them justice. Sweet was more limited, I think about three choices if my memory serves me correct. I chose the cheesecake which was very good. I did not have coffee or tea as I was keen to leave. Why you may ask, well very unusually for a Cunard ship I do in some places feel a little uncomfortable as a lone traveller. Sir Samuel's was one of those. I cannot put my finger on what made me feel so uncomfortable but I did. There are one or two other places around the ship where I seem to become invisible if I try to get a drink. I have little trouble in the Queen's Room where I have one particular waiter who actively rushes to take my order and if its early and not too busy stops for a chat. Again Carinthia a great guy who is prompt and offers wine advice, but the Chart Room if it's busy I seem to not be visible no matter which section I'm in! I can order in there and wait 25 minutes to have the waiter rush by saying sorry I won't be.long as he takes a new order so I've started to avoid there. The Golden Lion is another black hole although if I go in there when a quiz or bingo is on I get served superfast- I think everyone else is too busy studying their cards and answer sheets to order drinks! Overall I guess 70% of the time I can order fine. The Commodore Club are highly efficient, the only downside there is the high drink prices virtually ruling out my drinks package as virtually everything is over the limit. On deck, well we have had those rare moments you know, I generally get a drink.first time but again become invisible if I want a second - perhaps I look like I could become a delinquent drinker waving my drinks package sticker frantically to get attention! None of this is a complaint, more an observation/comparison with the other three Queens where I've never felt uncomfortable or forgotten. Overall I've noticed service can be a little less than imagine used to. Our dinner waiter virtually throws the cups and saucers on the table at night and is clearly very rushed. I don't think he's spoken to any of us save to take our order. However the head waiter has for the past two nights come over several times to check all.is well with us - ahh someone loves us after all!!

I'm delighted with your wonderful country! I've spent 68 years never coming up and now have a taster. My husband and I are due in Edinburgh in July for four days, mainly to see Paul Weller at Edinburgh Castle but I've just discussed with him extending by a week.or so and hiring a car to go further north so yes those taster cruises do work! ps Although it rained today I think you have some of the biggest sky I've ever seen!