TheArchitect

On 4/4/2023 at 7:17 PM, happy v said:

If it is a covid issue. Why can't the people who test, and then decide to tell all and sundry about, it stay in the cabin they booked?

 

We're just back a 12 day cruise that became 19, as we succumbed to Covid in day 10 and weren't allowed to disembark due to Maltese regulations.

We stayed in our original midship balcony until the evening of day 11. They then moved us to R746, also a balcony, so that they could disinfect our old cabin and give it to the next customers to have booked it.

The back of R deck (or at least the even numbers) seemed to be reserved for those with illnesses.  There were rather a lot of us, by the looks of it.

Once we were released from quarrantine we kept R746 "as long as P&O don't need it for other Ill passengers" - and there we stayed until our return.

It seems ungrateful to complain but there was a heck of a lot of mechanical noise in R746 when docking, presumably from the side thrusters.

No fencing?

7 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

I have further news and an update from Italy.  The insurance company has agreed for my aunt to be moved to a specialist cardiac facility in central Rome.  Apparently she was awake for a few minutes while they started the preparations for the move and she mumbled she had been kidnapped.  Great news.

I am terribly sorry to read about all of this.  The move to the new hospital sounds positive and I will keep my fingers crossed for your aunt.

B216 Mediterranean?  We finally got our cabin allocations this morning, so hopefully you'll get something soon. 

Now, if they did tattie scones...

It’s free and it’s fantastic.

Would it take our "like, yeah, whatever" teenager? :D

Norn'Irn on holiday too IIRC.

Queen Victoria is much, much nicer. But Oceana is good too.

Thank you! This is really helpful, so nice to find someone who has been in this room. Can you tell me anything about the inside and how similar it is to other cabins?

Well. Bear in mind it was our first cruise so we didn't have anything to compare it too. We really liked it, however. Especially during the day when the upper bunks were raised and there was a bit of room!

Our teenager would thrown on the doors and sit on the balcony enjoying brunch, in fact she preferred the peace and quiet to the lounges and the poolside.

We thought about taking it again this year but weren't so fussed about the itinerary, so Azura instead.

I think you'll have a good time. Don't get too wound up about it.

On our first ever cruise we were in B737 - two adults, two kids - and it was very nice, although I hasten to add we didn't pay anything like that kind of money. Very quiet too.

I can see why you would be hoping for one that could be used as a double, especially at your price, but don't think they've put you in some sort of dark hole. You'll still enjoy it.

You asked Cunard, and they said ....

I did indeed, with a jaunty smile and no hint of complaint, and got a blank look which the less charitable might interpret as well rehearsed!

To be honest I'm glad I queried last day arrangements / inclusive transfer with them in advance. I wonder how many might not have realised and will make the (expensive) booking for their tour and transfer.

On another note, weather conditions not looking good for Cannes on Thursday. Does anyone know anything about La Seyne Sur Mer?

We leave QV in Rome on Saturday, with a late flight back to the UK via Amsterdam, and have been keeping an eye out for the transfer arrangements (included in our package).

We'd also emailed Cunard who'd replied confirming it would either be a late departure from the ship or some sort of lounge / hotel facility at the airport.

I was there bemused when last night we got a standard flyer offering any departing passangers a whirlwind bus tour of Rome and a transfer to the airport for "just" 95 Dollars.

I say bemused because the cost of the normal whole day excursion is 10 Dollars less!

Now some people perhaps don't have an inclusive transfer, but given that the autostrada passes the airport anyway I find it hard to see why it would cost more than the normal excursion!

I had been wondering the same thing. We're on v715 and our flight doesnt leave Rome until 5.45pm, which left the prospect of six or seven hours with kids at the airport.

When would we find out if there was a "killing time" tour?

Comm vets in Singapore. Then injured should and beyond. Can't even coach because of physical aggravation. One more surgery ... ?

 

I fenced foil for a long time, but found I could fence épée better and it had less negative impact on the body as the injuries accumulated.

Largs was my first, following knee surgery which allowed me to fence again, but friends were at Singapore as part of Team Scotland including Mike and Mark.

Canberra next year, might see you!

in the meantime, though, you don't recommend joining in on the QV then? ;-)

I introduced myself to him and said I had fenced competitively for some years.

 

I observed some of the lessons and only made comments after they had finished the formal part. Mostly about simple things like foot alignment (how not to injure knees) and hand position in en garde for a more eff isn't parry.

 

They use foils and he talked about target area. However, noting much about right of way, etc.

1. Comm Vets? You make Largs in 14 or too far to travel?

2. As an epeeist I laugh at right of way!

There was definitely fencing lessons on QM2 this March.

 

I went along and watched. Gave some tips to a few people.

Is the coach (presumably just level 1?) okay with that?

I was toying with doing something similar, even if it's presumably just foil instead of a real weapon like epee, but herself is being a bit cynical. She's not believing me it would be practice for the Celtic Challenge.

I note with a wry smile that this has come up on the same weekend as the Vets 4 Nations Championships in sunny Dublin.

V715?

Scottish and Northern Irish children will be on holiday- we break up at the end of June.

Newhaven is much closer to Edinburgh city centre than S Queensferry- you can catch the local bus.

And you've a reasonable chance of good weather at that time. Plus no midges. Result. Although we'll be on QV en route for the Med at that point. :-)

I see you stop in Kirkwall. You'll love the historic sites - try to get to Maes Howe, Ring of Brogar, and Skara Brae if there's a tour. Fascinating. But I'm biased, I used to look after them when I worked for Historic Scotland.

We were on the Venice to Genoa cruise in June. In board and settled by 1.30pm, then a quick trip into the city before returning for muster circa 5.30pm. A wee bit rushed but still a day well spent.

We are considering booking the Nov 5, 2016 transatlantic cruise on QM2. We would also, though, like to follow the U.S. presidential election results on Nov 8. But on Nov 8 we will be in the middle of the Atlantic. Does anyone know if there will be TV coverage of the election on the ship? Thanks very much.

Is that so you can return to / stay in the UK if you don't like the result? :p

I was used to demonstrate parry reposted and moved round the group when someone had problems with the concept. I was totally out of place in the competition.

Should have done a remise, that would have really confused him!

yes the fencing is still going on onboard. It could easily be described as the most fun you can have with your pants on - Im envious you were able to achieve such lofty heights as to represent Scotland...

 

Scotland B, in all fairness. At veteran level. Not that lofty!

We only got one them silver thingies. Knocked out in the final by the Devils in White. :p

I wouldn't take my team trackies...

Works out as [ you can call me anything you want as long as you don't knock me down ] just a saying in our part of Scotland.

See down our way "ca" wouldn't be understood thon wey. I suppose it's akin to ca' or ga' canny. I though - or thocht, if you will - that it was a witty way of saying they weren't allowed to shout you over.

But ah dinnae think they Yanks should ower fash themsel's aboot it

I was on board in May and joined in the classes, for a second time. It is fun, but the scoring went a bit haywire in the competition at the end of the course. Also, as I have fenced before, I was put with men for the competition, rather than the ladies.

Well, it's only foil - not a real weapon like epee. ;-)

How do they handle experienced fencers turning up? Are we just a nuisance? It's not as if I'm planning to take the FIE kit with me.

We're booked on the V715 Southampton-Rome cruise next year and I was wondering if anybody knew whether QV still gave the fencing lessons as a matter of course? The Cunard website seems to suggest to but there's a paucity of detail beyond some very old forum posts suggesting sea days.

I ask because I was part of the Scotland B foil and epee teams at the last Commonwealths, thus thinking that it might be rather interesting to wander down for a look and offer to lend a hand if they wished. Before anyone hollers about liability, I do have a coaching qualification and insurances from tone of the requisite bodies.