When my cruise was confirmed, I was asked what sitting and what table size I wanted. Does this mean that this was yet more useless information that was supplied to our esteemed 'travel agents'? Not that I am bothered - though my preference is for eating earlier rather than later, generally.

Thanks for your commiserations, Maureen. I am just about recovered from what was an afternoon of high drama and stretched nerves. I think I have stopped shaking now (couldn't watch the penalties, I had to go and do the washing up - that tells you how bad I was!). I'm turning my attention now to the Madrid derby in La Liga - see if my second choice team can do any better today!

10.50 - They couldn't! Another 0-0 draw. I think I'll go to bed and give today up as a bad loss! (sings 'things...can only get better...can only get better...')

ledzep,
I too was asked what sitting and table size I wanted - waste of brain energy making that decision 'cos when the confirmation arrived, it was totally different!

Although if truth be told, like you, I don't think i'm really bothered, either.

Elaine xx

Kilkeel7 - its really good to hear that people who haven't got their cruises this year are actually getting info about next year. At least there's a recognition that many are still waiting and a sort of promise that something will transpire........GOOD ON 'YER.

im allocated 4th june louis cruise lines........ no one exept you guys have told me any different, yes iv e mailed wrote telephoned and still no one has told me its not going. i even e mailed saying i would now pay a supplement and take the husband... still nothing.anyway iv just come back from the destiny( nothing to do with you know who)but iv put the suitcases away

hi laine
i wonder how many people have booked holiday leave for the cruise that they thought they were going on? in a lot of businesses it has to be booked way ahead ,and once booked cannot be changed, did r i s e think about that when they sent letters out telling people they had a cruise (when they did not) and it is only by finding this site that most people realise what is actually going on (or not)
kate

I had booked leave, which I had to do months in advance, as you say Kate, for a holiday in Turkey for June. Then Rise allocated me Libya for the same date so I cancelled the first holiday. I was extremely lucky when Rise telephoned cancelling Libya to be able then to have the Med cruise the same date.

I can't alter holiday dates once booked without so much hassle it's nearly impossible so I felt very fortunate to be able to do this.

I am sure there must be people out there with annual leave booked still thinking they are going on a Libyan cruise this year only to find out as they hear nothing, that there is nothing. It's terrible that R haven't contacted everyone to let them know.

Thank you Kate for your good wishes (roll call thread) for my departure in a couple of weeks - can't believe it's nearly here!

Alli

Scarlet

Thanks for the info. I live in Wokingham and am planning to take the car to Heathrow. Did you use the car park at Heathrow or were you lucky to get a lift? My family have offered but I don't wish to put them to any trouble. I am thinking about "Meet & Greet" I need to make some enquiries to see if they operate during the night and how expensive it is.
I hardly ever eat flight food unless its a piece of cake or fruit, never the dreadful cooked stuff. I will be taking a sandwich.
I have no idea which dinner sitting I will be on. From previous postings it looks as though I will be allocated late sitting which is really too late for me but never mind as long as I am fed and watered.
I wont mind the hanging around on the way out its the way back that I am not looking forward to.

Sue

Hi all, been absent for a while, but had my confirmation letter with flight numbers etc. does this mean it will happen? I do hope so as it is planned for 4 weeks time. Nice to hear people are going on their cruises, and all the great stories on their return. By the way, my brother has never had his promised call back from Rocky, despite upteen phone calls. Looking forward to meeting up at Standtead on the 18th, all being well.
Rosie

I asked for first sitting for dinner and so far I haven't heard anything different - my confirmation doesn't say anything about it, but it does look as if we may all be made to wait The only problem could be that it might interfere with our enjoyment of the midnight buffet.

Marvellous news Rosie - I think you can now relax and guarantee that it is happening for you. It's been a long haul for many of us but it seems to be coming together now and those who have already gone have thoroughly enjoyed their cruises. That said, Rise don't seem to have done much for your brother. I really don't know what the answer is except for him to keep on worrying them until they get so sick of him they sort him out to get him off their back.

On the Melody, when you arrive aboard you need to go to one of the theatres to book your table and sitting. You get a little card in your cabin and need to take that down. You will be allocated a table with guests of the same nationality on a table of eight, unless you want a smaller or larger table. On our cruise it worked out really well as all the HT DE people were automatically sat together.

A few people didn't go down to sort out their table and this caused a bit of confusion for the restaurant staff on the first night.

Don't worry about missing shows if you take the second sitting, there was plenty of time. Also, the second sitting seemed a lot quieter. Another thing to think about is that if you plan on going on an excursion then some didn't get back until 5.30 - 6.00pm would make it a real rush for dinner at 6.30.

I don't think it mattered what table request you gave to Rise, they'll sort it out aboard.

Regards

Paul

Good Afternoon you lucky campers,

Hi Juro, I know what you mean, I've been sat here with my leg up (not over)

Dont mention canels to me, some stupid sod left a big black iron thing (about 12" high and 10" round stuck up out of the ground, right along side the tow path, it was 10pm just decided to 'tie up' and I ran from the stern (back for the landlubbers) to the bow (front) and I went into orbit, besides spraining my wrist brusing my ribs I sprained my ankle and fell in the water, between the BOAT, and the canal side, luckly for me Tom, my mate had the wits to push the boat away, When I came up he was on the deck in stiches laughing - the only comment he made was 'that he could have made a killing on the T.V. if he had have had the video on'. Some pal.
There never is one of those "have you had an accident in the last 3 years" louts about when you need one is there :?:)
Back on Luci
So while I 've been back I'm trying to figure out what is/has been going on with the site, I've had all kinds of wierd messages no email promts nothing - it was even removed from my watched site and favorites file. No sign of my photos, not can I find anyone elses either reviews yes photos no

Any way I think I'm back on board, in a sort of way, good to still read so many are getting cruises and those that have been are coming back with such good tales,
My mind boggles ad the antics some of you got up to, no one has told the tale , in FULL, of the captain and the 5 waiters :bawl I feel so left out not knowing give us a clue promise

Good luck to those going sooon

Phil Morris

Does anyone have any experiece with R---- regarding getting another person added to their booking.
I have a friend who has shown some interest in joining me on the cruise. I know that I have been allocated a twin cabin so there is a spare bed.
As there is quite some time to go before my cruise I think that there should be vacancies. I will try and contact R---- by phone but have read in some posts that this might be difficult. Before I do I would appreciate your comments.

Sue

Thankyou for the information re-table sittings. I asked for first and a table for 8 initially but there is nothing on the documents but if "eet is all Italians" first, I shall opt for second I usually only eat grapes and drink tea at a Midnight Buffet anyway. The waiter on the QE2 said he was concerned as I did not eat enough - could be because the rest on the table were American who went through every course. How come they are not overweight and I am? By the way, Myles, the Maitre D' in the Mauretania gave me his E-mail address so that I could E-mail him beforehand for a good table!

Bought a new suitcase to-day to replace the rain damaged one so I had better think about what is going in it. I have never paid so much for a suitcase so it had better last - it is supposed to be ultra light even though it is not a soft one.

Must go and do some ironing.

Maureen H

Good Afternoon campers
especiaaly you MEH
Pity you live so far away, you could pick up mine as well while your on the go "Must go and do some ironing". :hyper
I never like to let an opportuinty go.

Byeee for now

Phil Morris

Hi NannySue,

I didn't use the Heathrow carparks - I paid a neighbour to take me (half the cost of a taxi!) and a very good friend of mine collected me, payment in duty frees of course!. The last bus out of Heathrow to Reading is the 140 that leaves at 11.07pm - my return flight was due to leave at 8.35pm from Milan which would have left plenty of time to catch the bus - unfortunately the reality was my 8.35pm flight didn't take of until 10.30pm

Scarlet.

Hi Nannysue

I contacted Rise to include my wife on the May 9th Melody cruise.
They gave me a two for the price of one deal costing £650 and having thoroughly enjoyed the cruise , it was well worth it .

Many thanks Magsy & Myles for your PM's.

Thanks Trooncryer, I am not sure that my friend would want to pay £650 as I indicated to her that it could be as low as £399, I don't really want to pay any extra myself. It looks as though I will be going alone as originally planned. I will contact R*** in the morning to see what is available.

Sue

Phil,

I still have not done the ironing! The two people opposite me have an ironing service - you could try one of those! I decided to go to get some things I needed for the cruise instead!

Maureen H