Like Craig, I have returned from my cruise at the weekend - wish I was back on it!!

I was on the Lirica (this time last week I was trotting round Palma) and it was a beautiful ship - clean and spacious.

There were a few niggles but the excusions/sites far outweighed the complaints.

The niggles?? Well, it must be a european thing but all the food was served lukewarn on board and in the cities. (All except a potato croquette which was freshly fried and took my mouth by surprise); other small niggles - the reception staff and ship's officers were not the friendliest staff and the entertainment team were just plain annoying in an 18-30 Club kind of way!

That was it - everything else was brilliant. I loved Taormina in Sicily, Rome, Barcelona's Gaudi architecture has to be seen to be believed and Avignon near Marseille - these tours are all worth doing.

I will hopefully do a full review soon but for all those still waiting, keep fighting it is definitely worth the wait.
Elaine

Well Done Elaine

Really pleased for ya - such good news to hear a success story, gives us all a glimpse of hope!

Can you give a brief run down as to how you got it, im fairly new to the site and dont have access to the internet as often as I'd like.

When did you hear you'd get your cruise??

Lou x

Welcome Lou I am one of the many waiters, for a cruise I mean, so I am not the one to advise you. There seems to be no movement at all at the moment as the DE just says be patient the directors are trying to find a solution. Most of us are finding that our patience is wearing rather thin but we are not giving up and there are a lot of us. The posters who have been successful and have been or are going on cruises are fantastic support to those of us still waiting. May I suggest you contact Watchdog lots of us have so we are hoping they will feature it again. Also write to The Marketing Manager, Express Newspapers,Lindgate House, 245 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 9UX. You will probably just receive the 'please be patient' letter but at least you will know there is somebody out there. You could also contact, Trading standards and your local paper and radio station. Rise is no longer involved with bookings so no use contacting them. Good luck and don't give up Carol R

Thanks Carol

I've just put the phone down from marketing at DE and it is like talking to brick wall - no matter how I phrase the question they respond the same way - no further news!!!

Ive contacted Watchdog via email but to no avail - that was back in Feb.

Its driving me up the wall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I might contact them again in writing and send them a copy of all my correspondence - lets see if that works!

Im not gonna give up, just getting fed up

Lou x

It's probably a good idea to keep Watchdog informed . For all we know they are assuming that everyone has now got their cruise . Especially after the promise by that guy from the Express (last time they were featured) that everything will be sorted out and everyone will get their cruise " within six weeks" That was months ago.

Hi again Lou I know you don't get any response from Watchdog or the DE but I feel sure if we all keep at them they will have to do something eventually. The hurricane excuse will come up again even though hardly any one has been to the hurricane area and nobody to the gulf coast , Florida or Cuba. Those poor people imagine how they feel if they have gone back to New Orleans and experience another evacuation. I feel our problems are miniscule compared to theirs. However I still think we should persevere. Keep up the good fight. CarolR

Good afternoon ("I am sailing I am sailing far awaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay cross the seeeeeeeaa) Yes tickets arrived this morning. for the 10th Oct. along with National Express Tciket (£25.00 to Heathrow yet only £16.50 to Central London) almost felt like going to Victora and getting the bus to Heathrow. (yes I can be sometines a real headbanger).

byyeeee for now
I am sailllling I am saaailiinggggggg

Phil
ps edited. forgot the dot and a 0 in the price to Theifrow

Good Evening (yet again) Oh it'nt in a nice day to day

Welcome Ijane 73,
how "did we get our cruises "sweat tears lots of ding dong and red plonk (c/o Juro) percerverance and support from the wonderful people who make up the site, and not least from the absolutly fabulous Luci & Van (not sure of his/her sex so save the kiss and any emabarisment) :bow.

Quite a few of the HT 'old timers' who have had their cruise are still with us to offer both support and guidance. Badger the D.E. (don't name names of the sight (threat of legal action still looms (does it Luci :hmmm )
More than anything think daft but posative, and make it fun to look at the sight, and don't get brow beaten, the DE hav emore to lose than you

Byeee for now and Good Luck :pele
Your day will come

(second corus)All togehter now------ 'I am saiilllling I am sailing farrrrrr awaaaaayyyyyyy 'crossss the seeeeeeea' yipee yipee
No-one joining in Uh I sometimes wonder why I bother (who's crazy)

Night night & Byeeeeeee
Phil

Good Evening yet again from the Coral Balcoy

Neighbours have not a musical ear - next door just been in and asked if could hear the cat in the car park thats been hit by a parking car Cheek
Stuline
If no one goes before we do, I will pop into the shop if our ship docks there give me the details on my email or a pm

Night night

Stalins sister (Number 1 is here tonight so I have to go)
"MEDICATION"

night night

phil

Brilliant news Phil you have actually got your tickets congratulations get out the red and green dye and prepare to knock em dead. But seriously please do take care us non-cruisers cannot do without you on the forum we will be waiting with bated breath for your review and photos. We do love you and would not manage without you and your humour make sure you take care and don't get over excited. Carol R.

So pleased to hear that the next lot of tickets have arrived safely. It is great news. Have a wonderful time. We are all looking forward to reading the reports and also seeing the piccies - especially those of Phil in his sequins and diamonte!

I agree with Trisantona regarding Watchdog. I have just looked on their website and cannot find any mention of the cruise although some of the other out of date topics are there.

You sound very happy, Phil. Don't get too excited and make yourself ill again as you do not want to miss your cruise.

Maureen H.

Good Morniing from the Balcony,

What a wonderful balmy morning it is, far too warm to sleep it must be close to 2am and I'm sat on theBalcony all the windows open in my********** (no cheap thrills here ) Serioulsly though it is wonderful, just like a June night (ah!!! those nights with June :yikes)

MikeC what do you mean

keep your eyes out for Marylin

I thought it was only Elvis that one had to look out for and of course 'Line Dancers'

Sleep well
The Watchman

Phil

Phil,

if your on the Melody then you will find out

I haven't had time to do a review yet but here is a link to the web page where it will be and there are a few pictures to look at from our cruise (more to follow) http://the-coulters.co.uk/Cruise/index.htm

don't laugh too hard at the pictures (you may injur yourself)

Mike

Know the feeling Lou- but persevere cos it works, just look at the lucky ones so far! Our time will come----eventualy!

Paul M

Think its fantastic that people are getting their cruises and the more reports of this the better but doesnt this hang DE somewhat?? Surely they cant pick and choose who gets a cruise and who doesnt, we all have the same documentation so surely a court should rule heavily in our favour??

ljane73
I agree. By the fact that a goodly number of people have actually been on a cruise and have publicised it, in my opinion that makes a precedent set in stone. I would doubt if any court would uphold DE backing out of the deal. The only thing I'm not sure of, and matbe some of the other posters would like to give their opinion on this, is how do the T & Cs stand up as far as when is the timing of the cruise against T & Cs. What happens if the DE says you will get your cruise in 2010.

Good Morning from the Sunny 'Costa anothing'sunny Balcony,

I'm not sure if its the medication or just me, but I've put sun bock on his morning the 'old current bun' is beating down on me what a wonderful day it is.

Mike What a utterly fantastic site you have about the cruise (we will over look the Shearer link). Well Done. I have not looked at them all I was so overwhelmed you should (if not already) change direction and set up a web site building co).
If members do not know what I'm ranting about just look at Mikes last posting and click on the link that Mike has on the posting.

Byeeee for now, of to see Himmlers daughters today at the local doss house, (that tries to pass it's self off as a hospital - it's full of sick people - is it any wonder) Byeeeee

Phil

Good Morning (Yet again) from a very sunny Balcony,

(Must get some More cucumber for the salmon sandwiches and a trip to Odbins for a replacement Pimms what a wonderful day it is)

It must be like this on the MSC cruise at the moment,(back on topic )

Just noticed on my, now mulit-coloured deck plan I am in cabin 013 on Oceanic Deck if you, with the deck plan look, you'll see I'm just above the engines (do you think they know about my 'king dicks' )