Winifred 22

They usually do 3 months on 3 months off but she will have started her contract whilst QA was still in the ship yard. I think several other senior personnel have also swopped with their opposite number now too.

Ocean view solos on vistas are lovely cabins.

You will be mixing directly with Isle of Wight traffic aiming to get to Ocean Terminal. I have known it take an hour from West Quay car park to Town Quay a 10 min walk due to grid locked traffic. Any Southampton regulars will advise traffic can be unpredictable especially on days with more than a couple of ships in port and factor in Isle of Wight festival. It’s your choice at the end of the day but If you miss the ship onward travel to meet at the next port will be at your own expense. You couldn’t’ t claim on your travel insurance either. Mine is with a Nationwide and there is a clause about leaving home in good time to avoid being late.

I couldn’t agree more. It’s a distasteful practice however you try and colour it.

You were unlucky they opened a fresh bag of crisps for me on QV recently. Never had a stale crisp once on either QM2 or QV this year or last.

They do on Cunard so they may well do on P &O

But you can get that anyway if you ask appropriately and it is available without any money changing hands. At the end of the day I don’t feel I have any more rights than anyone else over a better table location. Some one has to sit by the galley etc.. Yes I would prefer a certain location but would not demean myself to bribe someone into giving me my own way. I ask politely and for me more importantly my integrity remains intact. If I am successful well good and to be honest I have never not but then my demands are not that precious.

So a bribe to get what you want.

Not any more. Not seen it recently over 2 ships.

Many post on here recommending private car transfers to London which sound like could be a good option for you given the difficulties you mentioned taking public transport. I think this may be a problem with these repositioning cruises that your drop off point is Southampton as advertised and not where you fly out from. Others may know better than me and give you more pertinent advice.

I did love a half crown it was such an impressive coin. Was a florin two shillings ? I can remember my mum paying bills that were charged in guineas . Don’t remember when that value was phased out.

What about tanners ?

On QM2 last month it was definitely Beef Wellington and last year too. Surf and Turf has been prawns for a while but I just get two turfs as I don’t like prawns.

How do you know the other couple we’re not equally disenchanted having had you as a nearby table companion ? In your eyes money well spent but that table you were given was obviously available so probably could have been secured for free by just requesting politely. What would you have done if you had given the bribe and then not liked the table offered ? Asked for a refund ? I nearly always have had my table changed in Britannia as it has either been sharing or too close to others and a polite friendly please and thank you has always got me by.

Sometimes the headline price is for the lowest cabin grade of that type, often forward. If they have all gone the quote then comes for say mid aft/ mid forward or mid with the associated price rise.

So pleased for you. I am not surprised it has turned up as I did think knowing Royal Mail and the time it can take sending and receiving items to and from abroad your time scale was a bit ambitious.

It’s well marked and not difficult to find. If I can find the cabins along there anyone can. I can get lost in a straight line and have zero sense of direction. I don’t have any recollection of it being difficult and not obvious to get to those cabins.

Aft deck 8 is where the best spot for sail away is. There is a bar and live music. Wheelchair accessible too. Get there early is you want seating.

They were part of Carnival Corp anyway.

I once sadly had the misfortune to watch an older gentleman throw what can only be described as a tantrum in full view of every one because the table he was shown to was near the galley. Great example he was setting to his about 10 year old grand daughter with him. He refused to sit there so don’t know what happened. Me if it means getting a table for one I don’t care where it is. I’ve been near the serving stations loads of times and they have all been fine. Rather that then be on one of those very tight runs of 3 or 4.

There are cookies at the late night buffet. Not been on QA yet but had on QV and QM2 but don’t remember about QE as only been on her once.

Thank you I have a couple of things to move so think this will fit the bill nicely for one. Yes I have done Spain on QV in December and it was fine .

I have this voyage ear marked as a possibility for but am wondering about the seas. Will be interested in any replies

I wouldn’t give up hope yet. Parcels from U K can be slow. Postal services are not that efficient.

I do like Yo Yo she is very competent.