Rare rakkor Posted September 15, 2023 #1 Share Posted September 15, 2023 Very excited this morning, we're all packed and ready for our first cruise this year. A bit nervous about our travel arrangements down to Southampton as we're getting the train. It's only a 4 day cruise and we haven't many bags, so rather than drive, and the fact that First class return tickets are cheaper than diving it was an easy choice. We'll be arriving a bit early for our 14:15 boarding time so I think we shall grab lunch in one of the many restaurants near to the Station before heading down to the Mayflower where Victoria will be waiting. Let the journey begin! 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rakkor Posted September 15, 2023 Author #2 Share Posted September 15, 2023 That started well! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Hattie Posted September 15, 2023 #3 Share Posted September 15, 2023 Have a great time 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted September 15, 2023 #4 Share Posted September 15, 2023 12 minutes ago, rakkor said: That started well! I groan in unison. There goes lunch. I hope it improves. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rakkor Posted September 15, 2023 Author #5 Share Posted September 15, 2023 (edited) It's more about making our connection at Waterloo, The train was a bargain, but my ticket is only valid on the reserved train - all will be good though, we're nearly at London Bridge. Plenty of time Edited September 15, 2023 by rakkor 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Pushpit Posted September 15, 2023 #6 Share Posted September 15, 2023 Yes I guess lunch was the contingency. But it only takes a few minutes to get to the Mayflower from the station, and though they probably said departure time is 4pm I bet it's a lot later. Not that you are in any danger of relying on that, the Waterloo to Southampton line appears to be working OK today so I'd expect you to be at Southampton Central for 1:30pm or so. At which point you may as way go to Mayflower. But my personal favourite is to go to John Lewis, since The Place to Eat on the top floor has a fantastic view of your Queen. I hope you have a great time. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Pushpit Posted September 15, 2023 #7 Share Posted September 15, 2023 2 minutes ago, rakkor said: It's more about making our connection at Waterloo, The train was a bargain, but my ticket is only valid on the reserved train - all will be good though, we're nearly at London Bridge. Plenty of time If your first train was late AND you allowed more than Minimum Connection Time, then your next ticket is still valid on the next service even if bought separately. Ideally see the guard as you board. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Victoria2 Posted September 15, 2023 #8 Share Posted September 15, 2023 Don't you just love our rail and road systems. Not. ☹️ Might only be a shortie, but I always stay the night in S'ton, just in case there are leaves on the line or a Police incident shuts an arterial road etc. Enjoy the vacation rakkor, on my very favourite ship. 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted September 15, 2023 #9 Share Posted September 15, 2023 9 minutes ago, Pushpit said: Yes I guess lunch was the contingency. But it only takes a few minutes to get to the Mayflower from the station, and though they probably said departure time is 4pm I bet it's a lot later. Not that you are in any danger of relying on that, the Waterloo to Southampton line appears to be working OK today so I'd expect you to be at Southampton Central for 1:30pm or so. At which point you may as way go to Mayflower. But my personal favourite is to go to John Lewis, since The Place to Eat on the top floor has a fantastic view of your Queen. I hope you have a great time. And also wonderful brownies. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted September 15, 2023 #10 Share Posted September 15, 2023 8 minutes ago, Pushpit said: If your first train was late AND you allowed more than Minimum Connection Time, then your next ticket is still valid on the next service even if bought separately. Ideally see the guard as you board. Yes, that is right, which I didn’t realise. It’s a long walk between Waterloo East and the Mainline, even with little baggage. I wonder how long you are supposed to allow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Pushpit Posted September 15, 2023 #11 Share Posted September 15, 2023 3 minutes ago, exlondoner said: Yes, that is right, which I didn’t realise. It’s a long walk between Waterloo East and the Mainline, even with little baggage. I wonder how long you are supposed to allow. 15 minutes. https://www.brtimes.com/!board?stn=WAT&date=20230915 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted September 15, 2023 #12 Share Posted September 15, 2023 6 minutes ago, Pushpit said: 15 minutes. https://www.brtimes.com/!board?stn=WAT&date=20230915 I could beat that, particularly that way, as it’s downhill. Did you know that connection was originally built for trains to use? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rakkor Posted September 15, 2023 Author #13 Share Posted September 15, 2023 We made the train with plenty of time to spare, and are now wending our way out of London heading South. Luggage provision First Class is a bit disappointing, My case which is the smaller of our two is safely tucked in the gap between two banks of seats, the larger one has taken up the two seats across the table from us. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted September 15, 2023 #14 Share Posted September 15, 2023 13 minutes ago, rakkor said: We made the train with plenty of time to spare, and are now wending our way out of London heading South. Luggage provision First Class is a bit disappointing, My case which is the smaller of our two is safely tucked in the gap between two banks of seats, the larger one has taken up the two seats across the table from us. Huge sighs of relief in this part of Bournemouth! South Western trains are really designed for cramming commuters in, even though they go to Weymouth. I don’t think First Class has noticeably more luggage space than Standard. Have you detected any fellow Cunard passengers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rakkor Posted September 15, 2023 Author #15 Share Posted September 15, 2023 19 minutes ago, exlondoner said: Have you detected any fellow Cunard passengers? Not one! There were some with what looked like Norwegian labels, but no obvious Cunard ones 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rakkor Posted September 15, 2023 Author #16 Share Posted September 15, 2023 Safely on board, parked up in the Golden Lion thinking about what to have for lunch, Fish & Chips Chicken Tikka, Steak Pudding? It's a quandary! 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rakkor Posted September 15, 2023 Author #17 Share Posted September 15, 2023 Happy to report Pol Acker is still a feature in Britannia - Just a half bottle, you wouldn't want to be spoiled! 6 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jack E Dawson Posted September 15, 2023 #18 Share Posted September 15, 2023 15 minutes ago, rakkor said: Happy to report Pol Acker is still a feature in Britannia - Just a half bottle, you wouldn't want to be spoiled! Oh, be still my heart...... Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techteach Posted September 15, 2023 #19 Share Posted September 15, 2023 You two have a fabulous time! Don’t drink all that champagne at once. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmsEtruria Posted September 15, 2023 #20 Share Posted September 15, 2023 3 hours ago, rakkor said: Safely on board, parked up in the Golden Lion thinking about what to have for lunch, Fish & Chips Chicken Tikka, Steak Pudding? It's a quandary! My kind of quandary! Ah, waiting for Summer 2025 . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanky Lad Posted September 15, 2023 #21 Share Posted September 15, 2023 Have a great time. I'm only slightly jealous as I had to get off lol. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rakkor Posted September 16, 2023 Author #22 Share Posted September 16, 2023 I uploaded my blog of yesterday's tribulations to https://blog.rakkor.uk I hope thing will calm down a bit from now on. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rakkor Posted September 16, 2023 Author #23 Share Posted September 16, 2023 I'm really pleased to find out today that the Amsterdam cruise ship ban isn't affecting our cruise. We're currently transiting the North Sea Canal expecting to dock at our berth in Amsterdam for 17:00 today 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MrsPeel55 Posted September 16, 2023 #24 Share Posted September 16, 2023 wonderful! enjoy and keep ups informed, we are thinking on taking one that does Amsterdam and Bruges.... Have a great time!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rakkor Posted September 17, 2023 Author #25 Share Posted September 17, 2023 @Camgirl & @BouncingWheel we missed you in the Afternoon Trivia yesterday, only one point off winning and it was only Jane and myself with only one of us answering the questions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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