For those looking for deals for friends on the Melody - try Last Minute.Com as they had some offers available on the 9th May cruise, so I expect they may still have some promos running

Its interesting this - my friend is interested in going on this holiday too but not sure if she can get time off yet. So ive not asked Rise for a quote - think it would be a case of booking a single cabin thru another agent - flights im on are now over £150 with easyjet so think she will say its too expensive!

Keep forgetting to ring Rise to ask if they can put my vegan diet request into MSC for me! Have put the tel no in my mobile but still forget

Alison

RE: Heathrow/parking/hotels etc. With the cost of petrol being what it is I'm going up to Heathrow on Wed on National Express (Flight Link). Could have got one of the kids to take me but what with all the moanin an groanin, decided I would be better off on the coach. I live in S. Wales and the cost of the coach fare (return) is £32. Me and my travelin companion have paid £30 each to spend the night at the Ibis at Heathrow which is a real bargain given that most airport hotels in London charge a ridiculous Mon-Thurs supplement( to catch all business people no doubt). When I hopefully...and all fingers crossed...head off for my cruise in September I will similarly get a coach to Gatwick. My flight is at 7.30am and there is an overnight coach that will get me there for 4.30am (just in time for check in). Have taken my car before but quite honestly, as already mentioned, with the cost of petrol an parkin (not to mention the bridge toll for those of us who live over here) it sometimes makes more sense to go under your own steam......also it means you can have a or two on the flight back without worry about driving. Still not really organised for my big trip on Wed but am too knackered now to care Sorry to here about your little accident Phil ...an you a seafaring man with proper sealegs????

I asked for the first sitting and my confirmation from R*** states meal at 6.45 at a table of 8, but I'm not too bothered if its changed, except I'll be starving by then! Thanks for the advice about getting a table sorted.
Great football news from Scotland today

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.

Phil how are you, no bruises I hope. I have to say I could not quite see the funny side, as many people are not aware that canals are dangerous. They look so calm and tranquil.

How is the fitness regime?

dizzy

Hi
Nobody that has been on the Armonia has mentioned the climbing wall, was it shut?

good morning cruisers
there seems to be a lot of ht members on the high seas this week I do hope they all have a great time lots of laughs and . so sorry to hear about your little swim in the canal phil, I hope you did'nt swallow any of it, hope you were able to have a drop of ding dong to ward off any dreaded lurgee that may have been lurking in it. I promise I did'nt at your misfortune. vivien

hi me again
my son phoned me to say that he had been watching the "golden princess" sailing down the clyde from greenock, very impressive were his words. he can stand by his back door and see all the shipping go by as he lives on the banks of the clyde. vivien
ps I thought HT was offline today

So did I Vivien, but I am pleased that it is not at the moment.

Dizzy

Here is a little information for those people sailing from Venice and who want to know about the Venice excursion on the last day. This information is gleaned from an excursion sheet from the Armonia so I cannot guarantee it applies to other ships. Basically this excursion is only suitable for people with late departures, i.e. flights leaving from 1600 hours from Marco Polo.

Depart ship at 9.00am, leaving luggage in deposit room. Transfer by boat to Piazza San Marco, free time (3 hours) to explore Venice. Return to port and pick up luggage and transfer to airport. No Tour Guide.

I have no idea how much this costs, all it says is that passengers who have already booked a transfer and who have an MSC voucher should take it to the excursion desk to get a discount. It may be the tour mentioned in the brochure which costs €29

I think the addiction fairly is looking kindly on us today! I do however expect to be summarily disconnected from the Forum!

Further to my post regarding the MSC Venice Tour, you may like to have a look at this site:

http://www.tours-italy.com/venice/index.html

I rang MSC this morning to ask about the possiblility of taking a friend to share my cabin. As suspected I didn't get very far, was told I had to go through my booking agent.

I then rang R*** and spoke to a female who was rather curt with me. She didn't bother looking anything up for me she just said that there was no deals and that the full price would have to be paid and she quoted off the top of her head £700-£800. I tried to explain that others had been given cheaper deals but she wasn't interested. What a way to run a business, any other travel agent would have at least made a telephone call on your behalf.

I have looked on various internet sights but the cheapest quote at the moment is £549 for September and that is for 2 sharing. A single booking would be quite a bit more. I might have a look around nearer the cruise date to see what is on offer or thought I don't think there will be anything discounted for a single traveller.

Sue

Hi Nannysue, Dont despair! Msc have been doing cruises for £399 plus £99 single supplement. Perhaps an email to R*** might elicit a more helpful response, after all you are offering to share your cabin!

The cruisers from the first cruise I was offered (and would have been on if R*** had phoned me back) will be arriving back today, so I will be very interested to hear how they got on.

Ah but just think Dogleap, you still have yours to look forward to! Some Armonians arrived back yesterday too so I am looking forward to everyones reports!

Yes but the weather was so bad this week that I would have been glad to have been away. Still it is there ahead of me and at least I will know a bit about it. From last weeks cruisers I learnt not to take many formal clothes which suits me.

Hi fellow travellers,
I am sailing from Genoa on MSC Melody on 20th June 2005. Flying from Heathrow 6 a.m. are there any other people travelling on this date?
Willfie

Hi Willfie

There are 5 others travelling on the same holiday as yourself. If you look on the 2nd item down of index - Who's Going Where and When', you will find a list.

There is also a Roll Call for 20 June which I believe is about half way down the second page where you can find information relating to your date.

Welcome aboard!

Alli