yorkshire born sailor

On 1/5/2023 at 8:11 AM, Host Hattie said:

The letter was dated 23rd - Embarkation Day and refers to an earlier announcement. It's possible that was made before departure.

 

The letter was received after a tannoy message on the morning of the 24th, the letter was in our staterooms later the same day dated 23dec2023 

On 1/5/2023 at 8:41 AM, Victoria2 said:

It certainly is possible but it's interesting Bellboy had information and started the thread on the 24th and the link in post #93 refers to passengers being told on embarkation which was the 23rd. A minor detail I admit but accuracy is all when mentioning glitches.

Tannoy was on the 24th followed by a letter dated 23rd Dec 2023

On 1/5/2023 at 9:33 PM, RAL72 said:

We received the letter on Christmas Eve, and it was the first we'd heard about it, that's despite the letter being dated the 23rd.  

 

The 'earlier announcement' referred to in the letter was a broadcast to the ship made at roughly the same time as the letter was received.

 

Cunard knew before we sailed, and didn't tell us.

Actually letter was dated 2023 (the year)

Just now, yorkshire born sailor said:

Bottle per canin

Oops bottle per cabin, not per person

On 1/6/2023 at 3:13 PM, Solent Richard said:

Nice comment from a friendly passenger currently onboard...

 

"Just entering the English Channel (1pm ) . Captain has put his foot down as bad weather is forecast after midnight tonight . He’s hoping to be in Southampton before the wind picks up .

Nice bottle of Malbec or whatever white you drink ready on everbodys dinner table last night . That’s a bottle per person , not per table . Very nice , thank you QV"

 

Well done Cunard

Bottle per canin

On 1/4/2023 at 7:54 AM, Victoria2 said:

Is this a pukka news site as I haven't seen any comments so far passengers were made aware of the dry docking schedule when embarking?

 

We were told the day after sailing, no inkling beforehand.

3 hours ago, exlondoner said:

Surely it won’t be dark all day tomorrow? Rotten to miss Lisbon though, I quite see.

42 minutes ago, RAL72 said:

Currently on board the dry docked QV.

I'm pretty angry at the way Cunard have handled this, and thats assuming that the dry docking all goes to plan and they do actually properly fix the propellor this time.

 

The fact that we unknowingly boarded a ship that was in need of repair - which had already been booked in for this dry docking before we boarded.  The enormous vibration in the restaurant when underway - which to me seems like an earthquake across most of deck 2, and the planned disruption to the itinerary in order to make sure the world cruise isn't impacted.  To answer other comments in this topic - I would like to have been informed beforehand about the situation, and to decide to travel or not.  We feel like we were lied to.

I will happily accept port changes due to circumstances beyond Cunard's control such as the weather, however this was in their control and planned in before we boarded.  I was really looking forward to visiting Lisbon, and it was to be a highlight for me. 

We also think we left Madeira far earlier than originally intended, which I presume was so that we could make it to Cadiz on time.  The original itinerary had Madeira for both the 31st and 1st and an overnight stay, and a sea day on the 2nd to get to Cadiz on the 3rd.  Can anyone comment if I’ve got this correct?  

The fact that its spun as a "once in a lifetime opportunity" is, I think, the worst bit ... I'm a bit of a self-confessed ship geek, but I'm not finding this remotely interesting/exciting.  Being stuck on a ship for 7 hours today while waiting to be allowed off was just annoying.  I came on an expensive luxury holiday, not an industrial dry dock site visit.  Credit to the dry dock crew though.  There wasn’t even a wobble as the ship came in and was positioned and then lowered, and also not even a flicker as the power etc was switched over.  All very impressive in that regard.

I see that not everyone on this topic feels the same, and thats fine.  Some of the comments I've seen here and on Facebook seem to imply that I should just feel lucky to be aboard at all - as if we've been gifted this trip and not paid for it with our own hard earned money, a sentiment I just don't understand.

To answer someone’s question - we finally got off and away in the bus today about 5.30.  Others on the bus said they were glad to be off.  We were on the first shuttle bus and glad to escape.  It was dark as we walked into Cadiz to go exploring.  A formal night while in a dry docked ship feels very odd indeed.   We’ll get the full day and night here tomorrow, but we’ve to be aboard before 9am on Wednesday.

Quite agree, we booked the whole day in Seville so may hopefully squeeze an hour in Cadiz before sunset. Also upset about Lisbon, we cruise for the places and not so much the ship and be honest not very impressed with bar service but maybe that’s for another topic.

1 hour ago, exlondoner said:

As someone has pointed out, it is not even two days, let alone three. Why not enjoy the wonderful city of Cadiz? Unless you’ve never been to Lisbon, you are not losing really, are you, and instead having a rare experience, which many would find fascinating?

I’m sure anybody who paid x000,s for a Christmas cruise would be happy sitting in the garage for two days. Cadiz may be nice to see but if you have planned to go in land then it would only be in the dark. I would much prefer to go to Lisbon which despite extensive travelling (mostly not on cruises) I have never visited. I will now most likely book a hiking holiday with Lisbon extension so I can explore at leisure

2 hours ago, bluemarble said:

 

Just saw a video on social media of an onboard announcement confirming that. The quote from that announcement was "... and then we will switch over to our shoreside cooling and freshwater intakes."

Yes I was in a poor reception area so only managed to make out part of the announcement and looking from my balcony I see the pipes. First passengers of at  quarter past five so must not want to stay for masked ball formal night.

On 12/25/2022 at 3:51 PM, Host Hattie said:

Passengers aren't "stuck in dry dock", they are having 2 days in Cadiz.

Actually no we are not. There will be a gangway at 5pm ready for a shuttle service and we are leaving  morning of the 4th for a long, slow trip back to Southampton. So far it has taken almost 5 hours from entry to settling on the blocks. Rest of the water has to be pumped out and the ship switched to shore power and services.

18 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

We did the journey in 2017 from Tower Hill, with Addison Lee charging about 55 quid. A taxi from King's Cross cost us about 20 quid. To taxi from the hotel to Fenchurch Street, train fare and taxi to Tilbury was going to be 40 - 45 quid.

 

Rather than lugging bags in/out of taxis and onto the train, which has minimum storage, the additional 10 - 15 quid for an executive car was definitely worth it.

 

To use the train to Tilbury, you need to get from Kings Cross to Fenchurch Street, so either a Hackney Cab or the Tube. The Tube is not fun with bags. Based on previous experience, a taxi from King's Cross cou;d be 20 - 25 quid to Fenchurch St Stn.

That makes good sense, it’s all individual circumstances and what we are all willing to put up with. We are staying a short walk from fenchurch street so happy to do train. Wouldn’t like to struggle on the underground with suitcases though.

18 hours ago, SoBaycruiser said:

Thanks, that is very helpful.  Just to be sure I understand you , by saying “call for a taxi straightaway”, you mean calling at the moment we need it rather than arrange a pickup time ahead, correct?

Exactly, so flagging one down or calling from hotel - possibly. That said my experience with London taxis/private hire is pre pandemic but generally most businesses would prefer card to cash.

1 hour ago, SoBaycruiser said:

We are flying in the day before our March NL cruise and we are thinking of getting a car service to take us to the Premiere Inn in East Thurrock and then a taxi to the port the next day.  In the past we’ve been spoiled.  We would fly in a few days early and stay with a friend who would deliver us to our port when cruising.  Otherwise we traveled by rental car.   Unfortunately COVID took our friend last year and so this is all new territory for us.  Our flight is long from California so we basically want to get near the port and start adjusting to the 8 time zones difference.  We have stayed in Premiere Inns around the UK before and found them clean and not too expensive. We have never taken a taxi in the UK.  Is payment by cash or credit card?  Does the taxi have to be prearranged or will the hotel call one for us when needed?  Sorry if I sound so naive.  This is all new to us and we do not want to take the train.

 

Does this sound doable?  Any advice  would be appreciated.  Thanks.

You will find many taxis will take cards and also, but less welcome is cash these days. A tip paid by cash would probably be more welcome. For a journey to tilbury you would probably be best to book in advance, some of these would also take advance payments. You can find these online (see other responses) or they may be cards or recommendations in the hotel. Although quite basic my experience is that premier inns will always try to help. If you call for a taxi straightaway it is likely to be much more expensive.

We are staying in London for two nights beforehand. I would rather use the train if it is running but will use a car service otherwise. Looked at reviews of the two companies mentioned, neither are very good for recent trips although twelve transfers came out ahead.

Thank you, worth thinking about

Wow, that’s great, many thanks would never have thought of stopping short. We already have Oyster cards so useful tip.

We are sailing on northern lights cruise on 19 jan 22 from tilbury and looking for advice on getting there. I know we can get to tilbury town by train but how to get the last mile? are there usually taxis at the station? I have seen there is a bus from the station so maybe use that but might be a struggle with the cases.  Also in the event of a rail strike any advice on the best way to get there from central london?  My car will be at Gatwick for the return flight so not practical.