KarmaCruisers

Actually strike that; these two women are high! And I just saw their faces..nope definitely don’t got me on younger

We came to see the comedian, Noel…I see some gals in here who look like they’re in 30’s…of course I think they’re with their parents.

No; she’s got her own cabin…but she’ll suite dine with us 😄 (it was fine last time with a gal I met on the ship)

Riviera; where all the penthouses are. They’re all “named” suites, haha. (That’s ooooold school)

No; “technically” Chuck is in my room (for the free Plus package) but he’s “actually” staying in the room with the Jolene.

We didn’t book the hotel first; so we thought we were staying in town rather than by the airport.

Video https://youtu.be/wPf13eeTQXs?si=JeM8NgwZMtgLky4h

Took a bit but we finally got on the ship at 3pm; to an absolute clusterflop! Rooms weren’t ready until 3:45, and with this being a small ship…EVERRRRRYONE was up at the buffet (which one side was completely closed as they were still deep cleaning it) Came up to the room (I’m in the Tobago Suite; haha) it’s insane how much of a DOWNGRADE from a Royal class penthouse this is! This room literally only has three outlets (six total plugs) in literally each CORNER of the room! And not one Euro Plug! (Oddly) This room, for $12,000 retail..almost makes me claustrophobic with how UN-“open” it feels. no WAY could three adults stay in this room..barely two! NOW, with all the unpleasantness out of the way..we’re going to make the best of it, as I really wanted to do this itinerary! picture of my fruit plate and all three of us on the balcony

Yuuuuup. lol even Jolene commented; “there’s sure a lot of old people here”, lol and they’re 65!

Daaaamn! We walked In the terminal at 2:15; and it’s PACKED! Like to the point of, I don’t think they’re letting anyone on the ship yet!

Thanks! we’re almost to the Southampton bus station. Then just grab a quick Uber to Ocean Terminal

Finally got underway.. we had reserved seats..but apparently the “system” also let other people reserve the same seats. In the end; I got a solo seat up front (supposed to be for handicapped passengers; but there are none, and as a solo traveler it worked perfectly) Chuck and Jolene are two rows behind me. we’re halfway there.

I think our bus has been delayed until 11…

Waiting for our bus to start boarding

Yeah I’ll have fresh fruit in my suite daily; but I’m going to get three eggs over-hard if they’ll do it. lol; I asked for Huevos Rancheros on the last one and the dude looked at me like I had asked him if God was real.

Commuting has finished. we made it from the hotel to Victoria Coach in only 74 minutes, as advertised. Now just waiting on our bus. Seen all the “Princess transfer” folks who paid 4x what we paid for this same bus, haha.

Yup; and thanks. let the commuting begin…

Overheard another couple eating breakfast; that they’re also headed towards Southampton to get on a ship (dunno if it’s ours or another)

Free breakfast this morning EDIT: I appreciated these eggs were over-hard..I only ate one of the yolks. (I just need a little “good” fat in the mornings)

Shirt of the day this morning

Went to bed at 21:00; and here I am wide awake at 5:00! The only downer with this hotel (chuck and Jolene picked it as they stayed here when they came six months ago with my cousins) is it’s literally a 90 minute hike into London. Usually when I come, I stay in Covent Garden..it’s also $300 a night vs the $180 a night we paid here…but it makes it easy just to catch the tube to go anywhere in central london. We have to be out of the hotel and on the U3 bus at 8am; to make it to Victoria Coach Station by 9:35. U3 Bus (picks up right here at our hotel) => Heathrow Terminal 2/3 => Picadilly line tube => Hammersmith Stop => District line tube => Victoria Stop => walk across the street to the Victoria Coach Station. (National Express bus leaves at 10am) The bus from London => Southampton takes 2.5 hours. Once we reach Southampton, it’s an Uber call to the actual port. With the Norovirus deep cleaning happening today, they said we can’t even start boarding until noon; so I’m sure it’ll be a clusterflop. We will flash our “VIP” badge whenever possible, haha.

Forgot the picture of the fish and chips at Poppie’s

So after the Tower Bridge, we wanted to go up to the Sky Garden; so we walked over there, only to be told it’s CLOSED TODAY! So we trudged forward on to Spitalfields Market area; and went to Poppie’s to get some Fish & Chips. It was a one-time thing too; they weren’t that great. Done eating; it was now just about 6pm and sightseeing was pretty much over (and it’s a 90 minute commute back to Heathrow; where our Hotel is). So we got in the throngs of people commuting home from work and rode the Elizabeth Tube-Line back out to Heathrow, and again caught the U3 bus, back to Staybridge Suites (Bath Road) Were done for the night. We got a 7:45am wake up call to get the free breakfast here. Then we load up our luggage and get on the U3 to Heathrow and then the Picadilly Line to the District Line, to Victoria Station; to go up and over to the Coach station.

Whew! What a long day! So we had to wait for the “HotelHoppa” which was £6.50 each! And we had to wait damn near an hour for it.. Finally got it and go to our hotel about 13:45. Got checked in; dropped our bags in the room and washed our faces/brushed our teeth and headed back out (to central London) THIS time we were smarter and caught the U3 (city bus) for £1.80, to Heathrow, where we then caught the Picadilly line, into Central London (for £4£) We switched at Barrons Court, to the District Line, as we wanted to go see the Tower Of London/Bridge.

You got it; World Traveler Plus. Landed at 12:15 local time. collected our luggage and are waiting on the “Hotel Hoppa” to go check in and drop our bags. a bit overcast and chilly here in Cherry Old London. food from the plane