Jim_Iain

What a day. We still had our car to use during the evening. Since we had plenty of time we left early to refuel the car and return it to Avis. Our contract said to return it to Terminal 5 Avis Return - No problem we THOUGHT.. We followed the signs for Avis Return and then the signs stopped. I got in the wrong lane and was stuck in the parking garage so had to pay 5 Pounds to get out. OK.....Next we made another round and back to the garage and saw a sign point to the Avis Return again and took the other lane in the Garage. We were on the top floor and for the life of us couldn't find where to return. I pulled over and Iain asked an attendant and He said.... oh sorry they permanently closed the Avis Return. You need to take you car to Holiday Inn on Bath Road. ... OK... Paid another 5 pounds to get out and off to Holiday Inn. We found Holiday Inn at Bath road without a problem but couldn't find the entrance as there was a barricade up. Iain got out and pressed a buzzer and the person inside said - Sorry the Hotel has been closed and there is no one there. OK... Enough is enough - I called Avis to ask exactly where I was to return the car. The agent was clueless and asked me if Heathrow was in England. I was a little curt and let her know that yes it was and the Largest Airport in the world before hanging up on her. I recalled from my days working in London that there was an Avis near Terminal 3 so of we went. Luckily it was still there and open. They checked us in quickly and had a driver zip us over to Terminal 5.

I flew today from Heathrow to Scotland and there was not questions about our health or our covid statues.

So sorry or happy (depending on your attitude of staying aboard). I can see how it would feel like a stay of execution. Really a strange change change in regulations. I haven't figured out if we would have been better of staying aboard of having the wonderful deviation we had while staying ashore. It will be interesting to see how how our claim goes for our stay in the UK. The gave us a letter indicating they would cover up to $250/night plus $100 pp per day in food. Virtual hug coming your way.

Don't believe any downside unless you decide to cancel before final payment date and then you would have to wait for a refund. I paid about 4 days early and then there was a price drop on Final Payment Date. My agent processed the price change and they issued a refund back to my credit card. Please check with Celebrity or your agent to make sure in your individual case. Currently you can re-price up until 48 hours prior to departure and if after final payment date you will receive and OBC

We chose not to get out second Booster until closer to the winter season. Maybe it was a bad choice and maybe it wouldn't have made a difference. Our 1st Booster was in January 2022. We both tested positive on Silhouette even though masked when out of the room except when eating. The ship was filled almost to capacity an no one wearing masks. I would definitely get your Booster about a week to 10 days prior to cruise.

I took a bite before I thought about it. Thank god for all the readers I will never post a picture with a bite out of it.

I can only imagine. I went back to my old college town awhile back and like you it was so different I barely recognized.

CDC no longer has any bearing on Silhouette as it is no longer in U.S. waters. On Silhouette they were quarantining on deck 3 OV cabins until they ran out then people were either moved to a cabin on deck 6 if only one person in room tested positive or as in our case being the last day remained in our room on 11. The decision on where to quarantine is at the discretion of the Captain and varies by ship.

Thanks -- that would have been good to know. Oh.well... we have plenty of time. We have to check out by noon and our flight isn't until 2:30.

Thanks --- Interesting that they only require 7 days after positive test. Most sites I looked at was after 10 days. One even said they didn't even need a positive test just your word. I suspect these tests are just a money maker for the companies.

A quick 1 hour 15 minute trip to Heathrow Airport Hilton Terminal 5. Actually about a mile from airport Pretty wild bathroom We booked an Executive room so access to lounge for drinks and finger food for dinner

About 2:00 we were famished and stopped at Keepers. We decided on just a ham and cheese toastie. Ugh. The things were a huge triple decker and a huge helping of fries.

Next up the botanic gardens

Another day and another adventure. We got up to tidy up as we had to be out by 10AM. Check in at hotel was not until 3 PM. out of the blue I looked at the map and asked Iain if he had ever been to Oxford. He responded Never. So stuck it into the Mapping programs with a parameter of avoid highway. what an adventure Busy City and signs suggested the park and ride lot. So we did just that. we hopped off bus at City Center and just wandered around.

Spread it on the stones. I bet it would be great.

I heard from someone that was in contact with Lisa’s office. It seems there is no standard or requirement out of headquarters on where guests are moved. The only requirement is to keep all passengers safe. It is up to the Captain which floor he feels best for his ship and corporate has no intention of changing.

I’m sure the cancellation of B2B testing will relieve a lot of anxiety we all went through.

Good morning. I'm laughing at myself as I had to Google to see what HDR was. Oh....YES I have it turned on. LOL I'm sure I did that on purpose. Actually in the Photo Class I think he suggested it be turned on. I often shoot in RAW mode as it give me much more control of the photo after I shoot the picture. Iain is a fast walker and I just snap away while walking of all types of things that catch my eye. I probably later delete 50% of what I shoot. While I enjoy composing a shot all to often I don't have the time to when I 'm running down the road trying to catch back up to him. On my daily walks back home it is amazing how many little this I find to shoot that I had walked past for years. Sometimes it's just the way the light hit something at that one short moment.

Carolyn - Those look beautiful and I can almost smell them. I think I can get you a job next door at the Cornish Bakery. Ahhh.. the smells in the morning are wonderful.

My goodness the Scones have gone viral. Orange Cranberry sounds wonderful. Hope you enjoyed them.

This is one of real advantage of being retired and not have a set schedule e.g. WORK. A slight bend of the road allowed us to discover the enchanted city of Lymington. I had never even heard of it before but for some reason the listing on AirBnB drew me to this beautiful city and property

I have to say that we really enjoyed our stay and discovered a wonderful town we would never have discovered otherwise. We are looking forward to a little down time as we relocate to an airport hotel. The nice thing of this unexpected vacation it was so relaxed yet so much to do on day trips. We loved the friendly locals and they made our visit very special.

I think it depends on whether it's a TA or a European Cruise. If European thee will be no or limited custom formalities. The ships usually get in early and you will certainly be off the ship as early as 6:30-7:00 if walk off. Last call is usually 9 - 9:15 We usually use RomeCabs and I would guess you will be in Rome in no more than 1 1/2 hour at the worst of times.

Wonderful to hear. I'm sure you deserved a double. I'm sure you both felt such a relief. Wish we had gotten to meet. Were you on the TA or the Spain Portugal?

We booked directly with United and flying Business. While it is a discounted business due to status there is no change fee if I need to change.