exlondoner

And I must say that if I were making up a bogus name for an Italian wine, I could hardly do better. Of course it could be very nice.

Last time on QM2, our champagne was waiting for us in an ice bucket on the table. But I had to undertake a lengthy search or, actually, ask the butler for the thing that you put ice in that goes in the fridge. It was somewhere, but not in the fridge full of ice, until I mentioned it. I suppose they reckon there’s no point wasting ice, unless people are going to use it, and a lot of people don’t.

I and many others find it a little offensive and rather dismissive. Had you understood my post, you would have realised that I was not suggesting that, rather implying that those who live in NI may get rather bored or even a little vexed by being perpetually overlooked.

Five weeks to go and cases packed? Are you wandering around completely naked? 😀

I would be worrying about this too. Is your TA on the case?

Brits again? Always used when it’s something people don’t like. Actually it’s the UK gov, which covers NI.

It let me download and open it.

Yes, I just noticed she is blasting up the channel at nearly 22 kts which is fast for her. So I assume the new propeller blade is OK. The wind forecast for the next two and a half days is not good. I hope everyone appreciated the wine.

I can’t say I like the stuff and we usually leave the bottle untouched, but it’s not that bad. Or rather, it seems to vary a bit, and is not consistently that bad. Rigorous chilling is said to improve it.

Squash, usually orange or blackcurrant, is a sweetened concentrate, to which you add water to make a soft drink often consumed by children. Cordial much the same, but seems to be lime or ginger. Rose’s lime cordial is very nice.

But isn’t embarking there almost as bad?

I’m sure you will have a splendid time.

I’ve never seen anything served there that could be described as food other than the pineapple slices and such like on the top of fruit cocktails.

I imagine they came second in something where the winners got one bottle.

Yes. It is actually from Hindi.

If money not an issue, Southampton Harbour Hotel is the best in Southampton.

No, I think it is only QG that gets champers. PG gets sparkling wine, plus another bottle from the World Club in due course.

In QG last time, there was a bottle of Laurent Perrier Champagne awaiting us, then, towards the end, a bottle of PA from the World Club appeared. We didn’t get that as by then we were in quarantine.

She’s off.

Indeed the demise of further cruise deposits for UK bookers is much lamented. But seeing how much prices have risen of cruises I booked when they were released, I’m glad I didn’t wait to book on board.

To be fair, I imagine it has been equally awful for the Cunard staff at Carnival House, perhaps more so. And I will say that when I have spoken to Cunard direct, say about blankets rather than duvets, they have been universally charming and helpful, and nearly always effective.

That is good to know. Let us hope the journey to Soton is without problems.

I use a well known cruise specialist. I think it is important to have someone who is used to doing business with Cunard. If you saw them, you could probably recognise them by baldness, as a result of the hair they have torn out over the years. 😀 But I much prefer having them deal with problems then having to gird myself up to do it myself.

Is your impression that people have mainly enjoyed the experience or are a lot of them fed up?

I may be being cynical, but I’m not sure that notice is always entire accurate. Anyway, there must always be a few empty cabins, so they can move people whose cabins get flooded or whatever.