Southendweather

A bit choppy with a near gale atm:

Well I'm going to be knackered by the time we get on the plane on the early hours of Thursday. working Late, Late then Early Wednesday, a few hours at home, then dinner, then off to Gatwick. It's going to be strange arriving on the ship after 10pm local time, but better set the alarm for the morning as probably won't know where we are 😂

Current satellite image of the area:

8pm Singapore time

Hopefullt the cloud will break up tomorrow for Ho Chi Ming City - Vietnam

Keith (Southend)

Storm Ciara causing lots of disruption to flights in the UK today, mny being diverted to the Continent.

2 hours ago, xerxes1 said:

Captain Chris, who has now left the ship for a fortnight, said that three out of the four turbines were working. He claimed that he had been able to reinstate Koh Samui because he had used the winds and tides. But that is surely what all Captains do?

 

There was thermal screening at all ports, and on arrival at U Tapao. We were delayed disembarking at Singapore because, in part, of it. Some missed their tours, waiting for over an hour and a half in the stairwells.

 

If things continue as they are, I cannot see Singapore remaining on the itinerary. That would pose a big problem for TUI. I was not bothered about missing Malacca, I would have been bothered if I knew in advance that Singapore was off.

Thanks for the update. We fly to Langkawi Thursday and so far have had no notifications of any itinerary or anything changing yet. The whole thing has been surprisingly stressful, I guess having booked 9 months ago because getting leave I have to book a long time in advance, I fear missing out on a break we have looked forward to for so long. However, I still think it will happen 🤞🌴🥃🛳🌊

2 hours ago, xerxes1 said:

We made 20.8 knots from Koh Samui to Laem Chabang wed- thur this week

That sounds promising. Is there any even flow (or what ever they call it) from the stern, if there is all engines must be running. If they are back up to speed then surely Malacca will be reinstated on the current cruise. Lets hope so for all who are on it.

Just wondered what advise they were giving on the ship regarding the virus situation, are they screening people at the airports or when they embark.

Keith (Southend)

Keeping an eye on Discovery's speed as she heads out of Leam Chabang (Thailand), currently 19 knots, if I see it go above 20 knots the transformer *may* have been fixed.

1 hour ago, insidecabin said:

 

Starting with the cruise only, I suspect there are very few if any and hopefully the ship is aware that any that are will have potentially been travelling in affected areas rather than just arrived on a flight from the UK so are higher risk passengers.

 

(Every Marella cruise I have looked at for cruise only has been the similar price but I have seen reports you can get them cheaper)

 

AS for self quarantine on return, by the time you show symptoms it can be too late as reports are you can be infectious during the incubation period.

 

This page seems the be the one for up to date advice for UK travellers.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public

 

As of now(6am 7 Feb), for travellers to the risk areas listed, if you show any symptoms self quarantine and call NHS111

(given a lot of people come back from any cruise with coughs how many consider that normal after a cruise)  

 

We have had Celebrity, Princess, Marella and NCL on watch for a far east deals since Nov, none fitted just right with our dates

 

If booked on one of these we would still go unless the situation changed.

 

Wonder if anyone manage to grab that late deal on the Manchester flight yesterday it went under £1,100pp

Late deal £50 off code CRUISE50 works on some of these leaving in the next week or so.

 

 

 

 

Atm the part to note is:

"If you have returned to the UK from any of these areas in the last 14 days and develop symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath, you should immediately:

• stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
• call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the country In Scotland phone your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours If you are in Northern Ireland, call 0300 200 7885.

Please follow this advice even if your symptoms are minor."

Fortunately we get back early hours on the Friday and I'm not due back in work until Monday, not 14 days admittedley, but will look at the situation at the time.

1 minute ago, Pensioncruiser said:

Sorry about that I'm from the pre computer brigade 😔

You doing just fine 😉

1 minute ago, Pensioncruiser said:

It was on the BBC 6pm news today sorry don't know how to post links. 

That's what I saw and quoted from.

5 minutes ago, idh2019 said:

Do you have a link to the news item about Singapore/quarantine?

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/singapore

Nothing special on the UK advice page ~ updated today.

2 minutes ago, Pensioncruiser said:

Keith have had any info on Singapore from Tui looking like if you visit you will have to be quarantined, news tonight, stay safe. 🤞

The way I heard it was anyone coming back from both Singapore and Malaysia were being advised to quarantine themselves for 14 days if they showed symptons. The problem didn't they say this could be upto 14 days before you show symptons?

My brother-in-law got back from Dubia today and said the airport out there they were getting paranoid with the situation.

'insidecabin' - I was wondering how many 'cruise only passengers' are there normally on these TUI Marella cruises? I was under the impression very little.

All that's worrying us is what's out of our control, so keeping everything crossed.

Keith (Southend)

Keith (Southend)

3 minutes ago, Pensioncruiser said:

Have a good one. I will probably track the flight but not from the take off😒

A least we have a balcony if we get stranded for two weeks out there. Joking apart, I should think it would be unlikely on this particular cruise itinerary.

Keith (Southend)

4 hours ago, Pensioncruiser said:

Hi Keith is it the 12th or 13th you go? I recall you saying something about your flight time changing. 

We fly from Gatwick 01:15 Thursday 13th February. As it stands we have had no notification of any itinerary changes, keeping everything crossed.

Keith (Southend)

I'll carry on posting until we go, but I think most people have either been are on this cruise.

I guess the biggest concern atm is the Coronavirus after a couple of ships have been quarantined. Hopefully 99% of crue and passengers have come just from the UK or have been on the ship for weeks now.

I see she is in Koh Samui today 🏝️🌞

Keith (Southend)

Looks like Discovery has left Singapore about 18:00 local time (not 23:00 as listed), so must be again to be able to do Koh Samui.

And latest Satellite:

Quite a bit of cloud currently in the Malacca straights:

5 hours ago, ekco said:

In Kuala Lumpur today, dull to say the least but going to Batu caves later.  Very hot even at night we sit on the balcony late at night in the heat.  Couldn't get the orangutan trip even though we went straight away so don't count on getting anything sold out online.  Time to move on.

Thanks for the update ecko.

Are you doing Koh Samui?

Keith

(Southend)

Checked in online yesterday and printed out etickets, still nothing about any change of itinerary. Just two excursions still 'sold out' online that we would like to do. Ironically they are at Koh Samui and Malacca, but there others I could book available, but will wait until on ship to see if there are some places still bookable.

I notice Discovery is now at sea, not long left Langkawi. If 'ecko' sees this 'bon voyage'

Keith (Southend)

Interesting a few of the excursions that were sold out online bvecame available today, although only 1 (Langkawi Cablecar) was I able to book, others still sold out, but every little helps.