Semi Live Britannia B210 Blog

[zap99]

2 minutes ago, wowzz said:

I think you got a bargain! 

 

I wonder if the ship have been tipped off. There are some ViP's onboard.🤣

[Pink-belle]

Thanks for the update, a great deal for the balcony.

 

Cartagena is a lovely port, have you don’e any research, we did a great walking tour, that was shared by another cruiser, really interesting things to see.  There’s a great place for Churro's as well.  I will see if I can find the information incase that helps, you enjoy time in Port. 
 

 

[July morning]

Enjoying reading about your family cruise and the girls look beautiful in their lovely dresses.  Mum & Dad must feel so proud of them 🙂

[Pink-belle]

10 minutes ago, Pink-belle said:

Thanks for the update, a great deal for the balcony.

 

Cartagena is a lovely port, have you don’e any research, we did a great walking tour, that was shared by another cruiser, really interesting things to see.  There’s a great place for Churro's as well.  I will see if I can find the information incase that helps, you enjoy time in Port. 
 

 

Here we go, it’s a great walking tour, we’ve followed it a few times, Tom also has information for so many other ports, it’s a good resource.

 

https://www.tomsportguides.com/uploads/5/8/5/4/58547429/cartagena-spain-08-20-2013.pdf

[Harry Peterson]

1 hour ago, Vampiress88 said:

actually I’ve got quite a bit saved so there is actually no control this time, there was last cruise, we just aren’t that bothered to have drinks sometimes and prefer some water. Plus I don’t really do alcohol. 
I have the spreadsheets as I love them and lists 😂 I know I’m weird. 

Not weird. Organised. Stick with it - really tight control when we were first married, with a £9,000 mortgage (!!!) we could only just cope with was the only way to survive, and once you’ve got into that discipline it tends to stick. Absolutely no unnecessary expenditure and every penny tracked and accounted for. Cheap holidays in Spain were the thing then, and they were very cheap indeed. Much cheaper than a holiday here.
 

Things are better now, but those early days laid very firm financial foundations. I’m always impressed by someone who knows how to budget - it’s one of the many essential lifeskills they don’t teach at school, sadly.

[wowzz]

37 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

Not weird. Organised. Stick with it - really tight control when we were first married, with a £9,000 mortgage (!!!) we could only just cope with was the only way to survive, and once you’ve got into that discipline it tends to stick. Absolutely no unnecessary expenditure and every penny tracked and accounted for. Cheap holidays in Spain were the thing then, and they were very cheap indeed. Much cheaper than a holiday here.
 

Things are better now, but those early days laid very firm financial foundations. I’m always impressed by someone who knows how to budget - it’s one of the many essential lifeskills they don’t teach at school, sadly.

I still do a rolling cash flow forecast !

[Harry Peterson]

2 hours ago, Vampiress88 said:

We have upgraded the cabin to a balcony. We took a chance to see if we could get one at a decent price and took it. 
 

Also just to comment back, on another thread it said something about staff not being bothered or ignorant etc, now I don’t know if we get preferential treatment as all the staff seem to go very soft over the kids but I haven’t found any that haven’t said good morning, or spoke to us or rude. I literally cannot fault the staff. 
 

The stairs thing with Britannia and the isolation cabins do get easier as you get used to the ship so we are managing plus now we have a balcony we are on the opposite side of the ship and are closer to the front of the ship so easier for the stairs and getting around. 
 

My heels on that floor in horizon though are going to have me before the end of this holiday. 
 

sailing off soon so no more internet. 
 

Cartagena tomorrow 

 

have a good day peeps 

my view right now 

 

Well done on getting that balcony for the price you paid - absolute bargain, and the difference will be amazing!  

 

As for the children, everybody loves nicely behaved children (well, normal people anyway).  They're welcomed everywhere you go - you'll know that.  Ours were well behaved, and so are our grandchildren, and if they've been brought up to converse with adults too, so much the better. 

 

We used to visit Paris a fair bit when ours were little, and the favourite McDonald's was at the end of the Rue St Denis, which had quite a few very friendly women hanging around in doorways.  Frequent visits to McDonald's for the roundabout they had there, and always an incredible welcome from the women for our kids, who loved all the attention of course.  Lots of head patting and smiles.

 

"Can we go to McDonald's tonight, along that road with all the nice ladies, Mummy?"

[terrierjohn]

1 hour ago, wowzz said:

I still do a rolling cash flow forecast !

Should that not read rolling in cash?😉😇

[terrierjohn]

3 hours ago, Vampiress88 said:

none are available which is a pain.  
They have fetched me the iron twice. 
I have also sent off 10 items yesterday and 10 today. They did say I could do more as there are 4 of us in the cabin but I’m trying to make it as simple as I can for them. 

Thanks again for the info Vamps.

Nice reading your reviews and the photos of your sweet little girls, but we do need at least one photo of the Proud Mum and Dad as well.

Enjoy your balcony.

[wowzz]

1 hour ago, terrierjohn said:

Should that not read rolling in cash?😉😇

I wish !

[P&O SUE]

Lovely photos of your girls Vamps. Great you got the balcony, be lovely for you.

Would your girls like the open top buses? A good way to get around and you can get off if you see something you fancy.

 

[Vampiress88]

Saturday 23rd

 

It was lovely waking up this morning with the curtains open to Malaga.

 

 

I sent Scott up for breakfast, I made the coffee and him and Georgia fetched the pastries. Scarlett was still asleep. We weren’t sure if we were going to bother going into town but we thought we would at least have a look. We got the shuttle into town and had a walk back. The kids found a park and played on the swings. I looked at some hats but decided not to buy one. We were going to get some anti histamine for Scott but he decided not to. Regretted that when he got back on the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

As promised in port days we always try to go in the pool. We got some sun beds next to the pool and all of us got in for a swim and a splash, we were throwing them in, not high but they loved it. I was freezing so we went into the hot tub, all of us, there were no one else in so we let the kids in, it wasn’t too hot today but it warmed us up.

 

I went and got dressed but everyone else kept their costumes on. Me and the girls got the good while Scott ordered the drinks. We had a baconata burger. So it just had bacon and onion rings on a cheeseburger basically. Kids had chicken and chips. The girls wanted an ice cream so we got two tubs for them of honeycomb and salted caramel. I had a cone of honeycomb but they gave me two cones as they we’re stuck together so Scott had that one with a little of their ice cream.

We let the kids play in the small pool between the swimming pools. Those three had another go in the hot tub and then it started spitting so we went back to the room.

It was so lovely day in port having a coffee on the balcony. Definitely made the upgrade worth it. Just wish it had been free!

Scott feel asleep outside so I caught up on my trip report.

He then came in to snooze on the bed instead. The kids had their iPads for an hour to chill.

 

We got all dressed up and ready for the night. Watched the Britannia pull out of the harbour as we sailed away from Malaga.

 

Scott got ready while I took the kids out for the kids tea in the buffet. There isn’t much choice, it was meatball pasta and some fries again. Pudding was eclair and a yoghurt strawberry pot type things.

 

We were going to Glass House hopefully tonight after last night’s botched attempt.

 

Back at the room for 6pm. We still had till 7pm before the kids could go to kids club.

 

We decided to have a game of pool as the kids keep asking but I’m sure it only allows you to pot the white, that went in more times than anything else. Quick drink in Java and I took the kids up to the club then joined the virtual queue for glass house.

 

We were seated within 10mins and we ordered the tapas style plates for a starter, the chicken, the prawns and lamb. Then we both had the fillet surf and turf. I enjoy the lamb. The prawn starter was so big I didn’t like how it was cooked and the fillet steak was actually quite tough. Now Scott likes steak but I don’t really but even I thought it wasn’t good. The chips were hard too. All in all I didn’t enjoy it. I much preferred the beach house. Scott had an Oreo peanut butter desert which he said was lovely.

 

 

We went and collected the kids. Got some milk for the room. Us girls had some dessert of rice pudding, coffee cake and apple crumble. Back home and straight to bed. None of us could seem to sleep though so it ended up being a late night. Everyone will be tired in the morning.

 

 

23/4/22
Shuttle	£4.00
Shuttle	£4.00
Shuttle	£2.00
Shuttle	£2.00
Lemonade	£2.25
Pepsi	£2.25
Peroni	£5.20
Pepsi	£2.25
Peroni	£5.20
Pepsi	£2.25
Pepsi	£2.25
Peroni	£5.20
Ice cream	£6.99
Corona	£4.50
Wine	£7.00
Tapas	£6.95
Steak	£8.50
Steak	£8.50
Dessert	£2.25	£83.54
		£339.29

 

[snaefell]

Seeing the pictures by the pool reminds me of our first cruise on Britannia,the first day out we headed for the main pool area,couldn't t believe how they had crammed so many sun beds in that area,they all seemed way too close together,happily we found the adults only pool area later,much nicer!

must be much nicer waking up to a view!

[BouncingWheel]

20 hours ago, Vampiress88 said:

We have upgraded the cabin to a balcony. We took a chance to see if we could get one at a decent price and took it. 

What are the sleeping arrangements now? Still 2 Pullmans and Twin beds or have sofabeds come into play now you are in a balcony?

[JDB78]

52 minutes ago, BouncingWheel said:

What are the sleeping arrangements now? Still 2 Pullmans and Twin beds or have sofabeds come into play now you are in a balcony?

 

In cabins that have pullmans and twins can the twins be pushed together to make a double / king size? My understanding is that the ladders for the pullmans face towards the middle of the room so there wouldn't be space for the beds underneath to be in the middle. On RC however the ladders were positioned at the end of the bed facing the door so obviously didn't affect the space. We always felt on RC that the double was just two singles pushed together anyway so the cabin could easily be sold as one or the other.

[Vampiress88]

Sunday 24th -Cartagena

 

Up quite early again and I didn’t really fancy any breakfast so Scott and the girls went to the buffet while I showered. They did fetch back a few pastries though which we did all have.

 

Off the ship and a walk into town, to the honest everything was closed. Think that’s because it’s a Sunday. We did find a really cool t-shirt shop and Scott got a few t-shirts. We also passed a cafe that had lovely looking churros but at 10am I didn’t think we should really have any.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back on the boat and into the pool as what’s becoming normal for us. We also went in the hot tub. After the kids had had enough in the pool we got burger and chips for us and chicken and chips for them with a few beers, Pepsis and a cocktail.

The kids played in the padding but until it was time for kids club at 3.30.

 

 

 

 

 

We went back to the cabin and napped! Lol

 

Luckily we got up in time and Scott went to collect them while I started to get ready for the night. Quick into dresses for all of us and we went to Java for a drink while we waited for the virtual queue which actually took seconds.

 

Into the main dinning room and we had chicken satay then chicken butter curry with cheesecake and the meringue. Did not like the meringue thing at all.

 

 

 

 

 

After this we went and got in the queue for the theatre. It was for the power of two. This show wasn’t brilliant. There was way too much hand posing, the bloke proper loved himself and there wasn’t enough acrobatics at all.

 

Straight back to the room and we ordered room service. Milk, 4 cokes and chocolate cake. I don’t recommend the cake at all.

Bedtime.

 

Monday 25th - Gibraltar

 

This was the port we were waiting for. Scott was up early and I tried to get up but must have kept falling back to sleep as I didn’t get up till 8.30, showed and ready and I woke the girls at 9. We all went to the buffet for breakfast, I had pastries, Georgia pancakes and Scott and Scarlett had full English.

 

We got off the boat and headed for the cable car. I really hate things like this and heights so I’m surprised I managed it but the kids wanted to see the monkeys. It said it was a 30min walk which I’m sure felt like more.

They pack the cable car like sardines. I had both kids and had to close my eyes most of the way up.

 

Once at the top we saw all the monkeys and the babies. Someone fed them sweets which was very silly. Didn’t spend long up there maybe half hour but the kids seemed impressed but a little scared of them at times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back down and we had a walk through town to see if there was anything of interest and there wasn’t so we stopped at a cafe in the main square where we sat for a few hours with drinks, beer and then had some lunch. Caesar wrap, sweet potato fries, fish and chips and burger and chips. Followed by ice cream.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slow walk back to the ship, more like waddle after all the food then straight up to swimming. We had a dip in the pool then the hot tub. After we sunbathed while the kids played in the paddling side.

 

About 5pm we decided to go get ready and took a leisurely hour or so to get ready. Down to the theatre for 6.30pm to watch astonishing. There were two technical issues during it. We left at the last one and to be honest it wasn’t a good show at all. There were lots of dancing and singing. Not so much magic and that’s what we wanted to see. The kids weren’t impressed at all.

 

Dinner was in Meridian today. Very quiet actually. I had Indian starter, beef main and strudel pudding. I didn’t like the main. Scott had prawn cocktail, roast pheasant and rice pudding. Again he didn’t like the main. Georgia had rice,salmon and green veg. The green beans were the best yesterday and today she said they were horrible. Scarlett had sausage mash and gravy. I actually wish I would just order off the kids menu sometimes as theirs looks nicer.

 

 

 

 

 

Then we headed to the live lounge to watch the “rock on” show. This was the best thing we have watched so far. They sounded great and lots of our favourite songs.

Then straight back to the cabin to bed by 10.30 which is late for us.

 

more photos. Can’t add into the text on the days as signal isn’t great. 

[Eddie99]

It’s lovely to follow your adventures 

Thanks for posting

[Vampiress88]

Not sure what the etiquette is on sunbeds but we have been here over 2.5hours now and we haven’t seen thoses these sunbeds are but I’m sure it the family we were behind the other day. 
 

[Harry Peterson]

38 minutes ago, Vampiress88 said:

Not sure what the etiquette is on sunbeds but we have been here over 2.5hours now and we haven’t seen thoses these sunbeds are but I’m sure it the family we were behind the other day. 
 

The whole sunbed thing is crazy. Empty sunbeds all day, mostly occupied only by towels.

 

It could very easily be remedied, and sometimes is……….😇

[Vampiress88]

12 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

The whole sunbed thing is crazy. Empty sunbeds all day, mostly occupied only by towels.

 

It could very easily be remedied, and sometimes is……….😇

If there hadn’t been any at all I would have moved them. Those people have just turned up. I do think it’s an unfair practice and I think the staff should enforce it but they don’t. They don’t seem to enforce the dress code either. It was start casual but hubby doesn’t think sweat shorts and baseball cap count as that in the mdr. 

[thornegirl]

2 hours ago, Harry Peterson said:

The whole sunbed thing is crazy. Empty sunbeds all day, mostly occupied only by towels.

 

It could very easily be remedied, and sometimes is……….😇

We were on Azura in the Caribbean a few years ago and a friend was on the deck above the main pool early in the morning when she saw a family reserving at least 6 sunbeds on the front row of the pool.  They said "that will do when we get back from the trip this afternoon". Once they had left she then went and removed all the towels and put their books on a table. She made sure she was around the pool when they came back to discover their 'reserved' sunbeds were taken, they weren't happy.

[terrierjohn]

Thanks for the entertaining cruise reports and the lovely photos Vamps, but  still missing one of proud parents!

Are they still doing the Sundaes in the MDR, we really enjoyed those.

[Vampiress88]

34 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

Thanks for the entertaining cruise reports and the lovely photos Vamps, but  still missing one of proud parents!

Are they still doing the Sundaes in the MDR, we really enjoyed those.

 

you can have ice cream but no sundaes

[Vampiress88]

35 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

Thanks for the entertaining cruise reports and the lovely photos Vamps, but  still missing one of proud parents!

Are they still doing the Sundaes in the MDR, we really enjoyed those.

also I don’t do photos 😂 

[AndyMichelle]

2 hours ago, Vampiress88 said:

 

you can have ice cream but no sundaes

NOOOOOOO!!!! 

Can't believe my staple soup, steak, sundae is no more... 

Gutted... 

Andy