turnip eater

We arrived back in Southampton on Spirit of Discovery Sunday December 5th. Our Test samples were  collected at 7:00am, before disembarkation. We received the results (negative 🙂) on Wednesday lunchtime, stating that our test was taken  on Tuesday ie Day 2.

Other cruislines expect their passengers to source their own tests. Saga made everything easy for us.

Future cruise person told us this week…

Jan 22 for Jan-March 2023

April 22 for April-Dec 2023.

🙂

To add, I believe the Siemens engineers are still on board and check the iffy Azipod after every docking.

We’ll, we’re on our way back. Tomorrow is Lisbon and Captain Kim has announced he is cutting back our time there and we depart at 13:00 in order to miss the 30’ waves brewing in the northern area of the Bay of Biscay. Oh Joy😳

we’ve all had a lateral flow test today prior to docking in Lisbon 😳

we will be receiving our PCR test ‘equipment’ later this week, or as our room attendant calls it ‘the spitter’.😧.This all arranged by Saga, collected by the room attendant and given to the medical team to deal with. So grateful that Saga organises all of this and hopefully saves us time when we get home🙂

Captain said today that the Azipods are still under warranty.

He was in the theatre this morning telling us about himself etc.

Then there was a question and answer session. 
 

Ship is bouncing about a little, but it will be a little more active overnight.

off to art class.🎨 soon

Yes, we were wondering if we would have to leave the ship in Southampton, but there was a sigh of relief when the ‘fast boat’ ( think Pilot boat) arrived with the Siemens bods and their suitcases!

Plans were changing all the time….there was talk of a pit stop in Northern France or Northern Spain to pick up the Siemens people, but luckily they joined in the Solent. They won’t be leaving us until Madeira or of course they could stay will us for the full trip.

The crew have been taking great care of us. Impressed by Saga on board.

Now in the Bay of Biscay.

Still have the Siemens people and their luggage on board!

They arrivejustd  before 11:00am yesterday and we were off as soon as they were on board.😄

we are due in Madeira on Saturday, 2 days late. We won’t be overnighting in Tenerife and we’ll miss La Palma(no surprise there), then all other islands as arranged plus Lisbon..

plus 3 days refund from Saga.

we are now on our cruise at last 🍹

Having trouble posting

Engineer on his way from Siemens in Hamburg. If he/she arrives and fixes the Azipod, we should sail by 7:00pm.

Update at 7:00pm or earlier if news.

🙂

I wish we could get off, but I understand the reasons why we can’t.

On another note.

Yesterday there were a group of people corralled in the terminal.

Apparently, they didn’t gave the correct COVID details and Saga was trying ‘to them out’….oh dear!

Ma,jor problem with port Azipod.

unable to sail until rectified or there is a ‘go around’

Saga Senior technical bods present.

Saga in touch with manufacturers.😳

Update at noon🙂

sorry must go for breakfast.😋

I’ve just checked. Mine’s there too! Excellent!!

29 minutes ago, RJChatsworth said:

Which year are you talking about, Turnip Eater?  There was talk that when Cunard re-started after the Pandemic there might be a booking system in QG and PG but it never transpired.  I don’t think there was one in Club Balcony either.  In Britannia there seemed to be a mixture for dinner.  1st sitting was the normal Formal dining with own table and then 2nd sitting seemed to be a booking/ open seating system. There was afternoon tea in Britannia between 3pm and 4pm each day.

September 2021…..whooops, sorry 😳

1 minute ago, RJChatsworth said:

It never was.  We were in QG in August and PG just now and on both occasions had our own table for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The only difference is on the first day.  Lunch isn’t served on the first day, but you go into your respective restaurant for afternoon tea between about 1pm and 4pm.  I wonder whether lunch will ever be served again on the first day in QG and PG!

True. We were famished and the afternoon tea was welcomed.🥟🍰🫖

When we were on the November 10th Southampton-Liverpool-Southampton. We had our own table.

Saw QM2 this morning moving slowly off Torbay at Sharkham Point near Brixham, Devon.😍

I  asked that, but was told ‘NO’ because they want to keep passengers from chances of being infected in hotels.

2 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

 

Well, we don't know what will happen on the QM2, as she hasn't yet returned to service. Before Covid, it was in the Lounge, unlike on the Vistas.

No, neither will we not know either, seeing as our QM2 cruise was cancelled last week.

hmmmmm some day……….

51 minutes ago, aday10 said:

That’s good to know! 
 

ohh yes I forgot they do afternoon tea in the grills lounge! Would you say it’s better than the Queens room? 

The Grills afternoon tea is now in the Princess Grill dining room, isn’t it?

oops was thinking of QE and QV.

8 minutes ago, bluemarble said:

 

Correct. Sorry if my reply wasn't clear. I meant it to indicate only the December 15th cruise was being automatically changed (to a December 13th departure). Nothing is being done to automatically transfer anyone on the QM2 voyages that are being cancelled (from November 14th through December 10).

I understand now, I think we are both leapfrogging over each other’s replies, plus there’s two topics on the subject. 
Oh what joy.😳

2 minutes ago, Lesanne said:

this is the link to the Cunard uk site

 

https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/contact-us/travel-health-advisories

ACE has started a new topic on this subject. His TA hadn’t told him about this news😳
 

1 minute ago, bluemarble said:

 

I don't think so. As I read it, those on any of the voyages with a December 15th departure date will automatically have their departure moved forward two days to December 13th at no extra charge. Those that can't make that new departure date can request a refund. That's the only change that's being done automatically as I see it.

I think ACE is looking at replacement/transfer for the November 14th. cruise.

4 minutes ago, ace2542 said:

Finally found that now thank you. Our travel agency has not been in contact and I do not think they will be either they will try to keep the money if they can.

 

Are guest AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED onto one of these new sailings? That is not what I want.

No, I don’t believe there’s an Automatic Transfer. What cruise would they transfer you to if there are more than one replacement cruises. Not like the QV cruises who were transferred/ merged with QE cruises.🤔

Looks like we’ll be sailing around Torbay🤔