DarrenM

I was joking. just in case.

I am the queen.

I am not very good with foreign languages. So how many days is this in English?

I am sort of the same. I see these things as forced fun. And anyway, does anyone actually care about new year any more? Its just another day. Well it is to us. We dont even stay up till midnight usually anymore. It just signifies the end of the xmas holidays and a close return to the grind of work. On saying that, surely you wouldnt jump into the pool unless you were very drunk? The only ones who would do it sober are surely exhibitionists who crave to be the centre of attention. Plenty of them about mind.

I suppose we have different definitions of luxury. I have a balcony cabin on Celebrity. Thats luxury to me. Being in a suite with a strange man (Butler) entering the room frequently isnt. Thst just creepy to me. Our room is our own private kingdom, and our balcony is our luxury. I dont need someone to dress me. or make my coffee. I am not bone idle.

Surely they dont choose JUST on itinerary? I wouldnt book a trip in my dream location then stay in a budget hovel. So I wouldnt book a cruise on my dream itinerary if the ship doing it was an MSC or P&O and I could only get a room with no balcony or window. I am on holiday, I want as much luxury as possible. Surely everyone is like that?

is it possible to be on a Disney ship without kids?

Only been on 4 ships. 1. Celebrity Reflection 2. Celebrity Beyond 3. Celebrity Edge 4. Disney Magic (I think) but it could have been the other one 2002. The Celebrity ships were vastly superior to the Disney one in my humble opinion. But there again, why would an adult want to go on A Disney ship without their own little creatures. My kids liked it at the time. but they were only 9 and 5 years old.

It's also worth noting that upto around 2021, the pastine of outdoor sea and river swimming was a growing fun thing to do, especially amongst older folk This has now come to a halt almost everywhere.

So much to unpick here. In 2010 patient satisfaction was at its highest ever in the NHS and waiting lists were the lowest. 2010 saw a change in government. And for the last 14 years chronic underfunding and privatisation has seen to the highest waiting lists ever and lowest patient satisfaction. Exactly the same things have happened to our wayerways. There is nothing wrong with our NHS and waterways that adequate funding, care and will to do the right thing, couldn't put right. 22% always bought medical insurance. Its probably only the 22% that can afford it. The same 22% help prop up what's happened in the last 14 years. Any many of us luckily get private medical insurance as part of our salary packages through work. The UK is seriously broken just now, and like I have said, if you are visiting in the next 12 months, keep out of the water.......genuinely keep out if the water.

Not all of us in the UK believe in privatisation. And it's proving to be catastrophic for our waterways. Unfortunately our current government are no longer governing with the will of the people. I read somewhere that the majority of the water company shareholders don't even live in the UK, and just see it as a money cow. So we the people, have no way of changing it, until we have a government prepared to re-nationalise. It's a sad and sorry state of affairs. Like I said earlier. If visiting the UK keep out of the water.

I suspect it won't, until we have a change of government. It might not even then. It seems we live in a world where shareholder dividend is valued higher than the saving of the planet. The wild life around the UK is really suffering too, and very few people who could help, seem to care.

This is part of a statement from a website called Surfers against sewage. "Last year, 301,091 sewage spills were reported discharging in England, 14,008 in Scotland and 74,066 in Wales. Sewage discharged for an eyewatering 2.4 million hours across England, Scotland and Wales. Despite these figures showing a slight reduction from 2021, it’s completely unacceptable that our waterways are still being treated as open sewers on a regular basis."

The water companies manage the sewer systems. Just google Thames water and you will see. They are, of course, in denial, but when their CEO etc get millions in bonus's whilst pumping raw sewage into rivers, you can see why most are sceptical that they have any excuses. Its affecting rivers, the whole coastline, streams, and canals. Wildlife is dying, habitats are unliveable, and people are getting sick who swim unknowingly. Its widespread. Scotland is largely unaffected because surprise surprise they didnt privatise the industry.

Anyway, its enough to say that if any foreign visitors are embarking on a british cruise any time soon, keep out of the water at all costs.

There is a word that partly explains why the UK has become a sewage hellhole, but I wont mention it as many are in denial.

The water companys in the UK were de-nationalised and sold off to private firms some time ago. Since then they have all chosen profit and shareholder dividends over investment in the waterways, and we are all now paying the price. Its not just the Thames now, its almost every river in England and Wales, and almost all of the coastlines around the uk. Its appalling what has been allowed to happen. I certainly wouldnt go in the water anywhere just now, and I live 800 metres from the beach on the NE coast of England. Most of now wont even take our dogs on the beaches.

Well I will be able to compare soon. I have done edge class on Edge and Beyond. done Solstice class on Reflection And will be able to compare fully after being on Constellation next month. Edge and Beyond are exceptional ships and are modern beyond modern. But so far, Reflection has been my favourite ship. Cant really explain why. Just liked it more.

Oh its definitely pollution around the UK now. Raw sewage infact.

No idea but it definitely wont be any waterway round the UK. Much to our shame.

and anyway, there is no Eden or WCB on my next cruise on constellation. Which I have to say is a disappointment to me.

This is how I view it. I am on holiday. The last thing I can be bothered with asking what brand of alcohol is in every drink.