alc13

I look forward to hearing every detail! Have a great trip.

My trouble is that I start chatting at the first encounter and then can't find a way to disengage politely...

And then, then most recent time, we were on QE in a Q3, and I was pretty certain we'd finally get a window seat. But we were placed one table in from the window. Those seats were occupied by a nice couple who were on the second leg of a longer cruise, and they had asked to be moved to the window at the changeover. I decided - with no evidence - that they were given the table that had been assigned to us. Really, though, the nicest table so far was the one on QV, because it was set a bit apart from the other tables. Those side-by-side tables for 2 are too cozy.

We will be on in November, in Norway. I'm expecting to be at one of those banquette tables (we'll be in a Q5), and sadly not often on the terrace (it won't be much used in November in Norway). Our first Cunard cruise was on the QM2, PG, and we had a table against the back wall. We didn't know any better and thought the whole experience was great. On our first QG cruise (QV) we had a perfect table in the middle of the room, with a view past the window seats out to the sea. We ended up watching the passengers in the window seats more than the view out the windows. One couple started the voyage with high energy and a taste for wine, knocking back a couple of bottles every evening. By about the 4th day the husband was coming to breakfast by himself, saying his wife wasn't quite ready. We weren't surprised!

Ahem

Can you use this with a phone that has a physical SIM card?

Ah. It does look a little bit 90s women’s power suit.

Are lateral flow tests still considered to be good indicators of infectiousness?

I like table linens, too. Upscale restaurants these days seem to go in for bare table tops, however. So maybe Cunard isn't aiming at attracting a younger crowd, but is just pursuing a more contemporary style.

I suppose white tablecloths might strike the younger people Cunard hopes to attract as old-fashioned and stuffy. Part of that formal atmosphere Cunard is ambivalent about maintaining. But I"m wondering about the specialty restaurants. I've booked us some reservations for November. Any feedback on those?

Also underwhelming? The food, the appearance, or both? Thanks for your commentary. We're on in November and I can hardly wait.

It does look like the Rockland Breakwater! A wonderful walk, about a mile long, in beautiful midcoast Maine. Here are a couple more images.

Hope you continue to feel better.

That is useful information. Like how to fend off a shark attack (punch it in the eye). Both unlikely to be needed, but good to know!

Of the two, I think you have the better outcome. We enjoyed Oslo very much. Skagen is pretty but not nearly as interesting.

Some of them certainly are!

No cake! Well, that tears it.

Best part of the after-dinner treats. I keep candied ginger in my cupboard at home. One never knows when or where seasickness might strike.

Of course!

Okay, I gave up Wordle a while back. What was today’s answer?

I agree about the wines! I'm making a note to try the Cunard branded wines, and the included Pinot Grigio that a couple of other people have mentioned, from the included list.

The included wines on those all-inclusive lines are squarely in the supermarket category. And the prices for bottles were exorbitant on a recent "luxury line" cruise. So yes, the profits from alcohol are carefully calibrated.

Can you document the delayed arrival time? Maybe that would suffice.

I'm so curious about how it happened, too. It sounds, though, like your TA messed up, or there was in fact a software glitch that the TA didn't notice, so that the payment never went through. And then Cunard needed to juggle their bookings to correct the error. But it also sounds like your direct appeal to Cunard helped a lot. One lesson I've learned - if you use a TA, choose well!

Well done!