JMMKUK

Yes, I actually prefer the more tradition design. I was very disappointed when Saga first released pictures of the new builds. Remember Sapphire being followed by a new P&O ship in a storm & the 'faster' P&O ship couldn't keep up. Balmoral only has a 7m draught according to MT though.

Yes, he asks on the first evening. I requested 3 Supper Club & 2 Amalfi. The TV info used to say 2 speciality restaurants (per week). In April the Butler was pushing us to book more than that. I was told that someone ate in the SC every night but also told that spaces were available if you just arrived & asked. On Monday night the most difficult place to get a table seemed to be the Grill. People were queueing when we left.

It was bad on our balcony but not as bad as it was on the same balcony back in Dec 21/ Jan 22.

Is it damaged? They seem to have a very different attitude to risk to Saga.

Saga are probably still putting a new itinary together. The new CD is having a rough initiation.

Will do. I'll add any extras that we did over the next few days. We were in the BL - tag 6. We had cases even though we knew about the shuttle bus. Actually the lift was more of a problem than the bus. The freebie fiz & couple of bottles of duty free from Gib had their own case. Christmas fiz is sorted though.

She isn't huge by modern standards.It wasn't unscheduled as it was posted as the destination before they left Portsmouth. In 2021 at the start of the Christmas cruise we overnighted in Southampton & then sheltered in Portland for the next night. No Funchal for us that time either. A Fred Olsen ship that didn't shelter spent a few days in Bordeaux.

First time on Sapphire they did that car thing to us. When I was booking the next time they told me we should have gone back to the terminal as they have some of the Titan fleet on standby. They sent us a 9 seater yesterday! We also have a case with a broken handle, it broke on the way to the Scenic Diamond cruise but was fixable. Now a part is missing & the handle doesn't pull out. Hope you've had a good rest.

It was lovely to meet you too. Sorry for the late reply but I couldn’t get the boards to load.

I’m very easy to spot. Drinking margaritas at the bar in the Britannia lounge before dinner in the grill.

We were one of those tours.

Think we chose the same for soup and mains. I think fillet and tenderloin mean the same. There must be a subtle difference that isn’t clear to me. Anyway we both thought it was fabulous. I loved the mushroom soup. I had key lime pie and OH has trifle. We were looking out for you. We were on the bench seats in the formal side of the grill.

I’m not happy to use libraries at the moment. We were having a coffee in the library on day 2 or 3 and a women was going through several books between coughing fits, It was so bad we took the long route via the other staircase back to our cabin.

Me too.

Looking at her itinerary I think the cruises based on Darwin will be mainly English speaking.

Before we were cleared someone left the ship in a blue flashing ambulance.

The Italian buffet was great except there was thick batter on the prawns and calamari. Must have walked across you trying to find a seat for our pre dinner cocktails.

Thank you for all the hard work. We went on the tunnels trip. Our guide told us that Morrisons was the only British supermarket on the Rock! We stopped to meet the monkeys, the baby one really knew how to pose and entertain us.

They did Bridge tours in April but I kept forgetting to book.

Oh that’s new. Reminds of Scenic Diamond cruise and a fellow guest having to be bandaged up by another fellow guest who happened to be a doctor. As I can’t ride I won’t be renting.

Good morning from SoA too. I am having problems with logging in as it is very slow. You are amazing to have posted all those pictures.

I think we are ready for our driver. Hope to see you on board.

When the ship docks officials come on board to check the passenger list & other stuff. Then the bridge or the cruise director announces that we are cleared to disembark. Last cruise, Eastern Med, we didn't need our passports. Caribbean cruise I think there was at least one island we had to carry them. Can't remember which ones.

I think the Saga crew are the best. Some have been with Saga for over 20 years. Their memories are fantastic, they remember you after a 2 year gap. They really go well above & beyond their remit too..

Added luggage? I've been expecting a phone call asking about how many bags we are taking. Do I have to tell them online now?