Perhaps the DE could send off for a few thousand cheap cruises from the Daily Mail.

good Evening (yet again) from the Balcony

Just to let you know the chops (well trimed) are in the oven now(just in case any of you were worried)

Sorry Luci

But to get back on topic, anyone thinking of staying overnight at Heathrow, DO NOT book in to the 'Comfort Inn' which is listed as an airport hotel - it is not and it is not on the hospitality bus route either. We stayed there recently.


Bits of bacon wrapped around cold mash served with 1 sausage (lot less than kwik Save quailty) a spoon of beans (big spoon) a very under cooked egg (small) 2 rounds of white death (with flora - no not McDonald) tea from a flask pre made and on every table when we arrived down for an early flight-check in at 4.30am.

The other one to avoid in the Brittaina Airport Hotel in Nothenden, used to be a Post House, now re-named it is no-where near the airport, well it is on the side of the Motorway that passes the airport. so bewarned.

I post this bit of drivel, as I notice serval pals talking of booking car-parking etc.. all well and good, for M/crs Ringway I can recommend Males garage you drive there, register and then they take you to the airport, on return, they have a free phone in arrivals and they come and bring your car to you and then you just drive away. Highly recommeded. No no connection to my family.

Uh Uh timers going off

Byee for now

Phil Morris

Totally It took us 27 years but we did it......The Grand Slam and oh what celebrations here in sheep land. Phil I can't in all honestly redirect the wine tanker your way...would hate to be responsible for your death!!! As far as hassle in foreign parts is concerned, eyes down, blinkers on, do not make eye contact and certainly do not engaging in even the most innocent of exchanges - you'll find yourself at a Bedouin wedding in no time. I too took my daughter on Eygpt hol when she was 14. Left cruise boat in Aswan and only got a few yards up road before realising that it was her attire (skimpy sun dress) that was the problem. Observing the cultural norm she there on in wore clothes to cover her legs and arms and other than the hassle of street markets, we were well respected.

Post transferred to Roll Call topic here:

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=227542#227542

luci

Morning all,

I could not sleep so I am up early. Had a sudden thought that maybe I should have put the clock forward. Luckily, Saga sent me a free diary so I was able to check!

Yes, Phil, just to confuse you, there are two Maureens. I'm from Southampton (home of the cruise ships) and the other one is from Wales.

As someone said, you probably thought Rise were sending me on the QE2. I am paying for that one - same cruise as Wallican and wife. If I could afford it, I would join the American lady living on board. At least I could pop home when we arrived in port.

Thanks for the information on the Comfort Inn as I had considered staying there.

Maureen H

Hi Magsy

I agree with you about Jerusalem, though I wouldn't go there now as I'd be scared. True, the areas where sellers hassle you are probably not in danger from terrorists as they don't want to blow up their own, and those areas where you won't be troubled by over-zealous salesmen aren't safe from terrorists. I don't think cruise ships go to Israel these days - not because the entire country is dangerous (it isn't, certainly no more so than London, Madrid etc) but because of people's perception that it IS dangerous.

By the way, I forgot to add yesterday that my Thompson's Emerald cruise near the end of 2003 visited 2 Egyptian ports. Firstly Alexandria, where passengers who had booked a 2-day tour of Egypt disembarked and stayed in Cairo overnight, and others had the option of taking transfers to and from Alexandria. I did just that, and wandered around the shops. I felt uneasy about going inside, as I was scared I wouldn't be allowed out without buying something. It was a huge relief to spot a group from my ship, I asked if I could tag along with them, and they said yes. We then did go into shops, and never felt uneasy as we stuck together.

The next day the ship docked at Port Said, and a convoy of about 20 coaches took us to the Pyramids, lunch at a VERY posh hotel in Cairo, a brief visit to the Sphynx and then on to the Cairo Museum - VERY worthwhile. For anybody worried about security it was excellent throughout, and none of us felt less than 100% safe - e.g. our convoy stuck together, with an armed security officer on each coach, police motorcycle in front and behind, roads in Port Said closed off by security people as our convoy drove through. The Cairo Museum was simply full of armed security officers, everywhere you looked - no would-be terrorist would dare come anywhere near it.

Fay

Hi Jenniel
No it's not just the newcomers who are waiting for an allocation. I've been here since the beginning. I have been offered a cruise at £299 then £229 on Island Cruises but refused. It emphasises why I did it when, as you say, the Daily Mail is offering what sounds like the same thing for £349. Where's the bargain?

Wull

Thanks for all the advice on Naples, etc.

Looks as though its the protest march for me - I can always further the cause of better pensions for us old uns.

LL

Good Afternoon, from a glourious sunny Balcony Cruise

Whats this Port Sudan a nice place Meeeeyyyy - what I remember it fills with goats as the sun sets - they eat their way through the street, cheaper than street sweepers.
Roads closed and armed guards are you sure you just had not gate crashed one of Maggie's or more recent President Toni's jaunts, Fay,
Or it could be that you do not know how valuable you are to the Country - a national treasure yourself

To get back on topic before my window is once more swiped from before my very eyes - 'What protest march' surely not on those lovely people at Rise Lobbylud.

It is good to read a few more people are getting cruises at last, I fail to keep abreast of who is goiong where as it is magsy had me all of a tremble.

I got a new camera so when I'm in Sri Lanka I will attempt to post some pictures this time. if I can find the site.

Taking the modum to a mates (that will stop number 1 from ruining the site, and my reputation).

Byeeee for now
Phil Morris

You have all been busy while I was away on my cottage holiday. I came back to find I had to read 16 or 17 pages to catch up.
Like wull I have been here from almost the beginning without getting a confirmed cruise. I have been allocated the famous Caribbean cruise for Nov 5th [with butler till he found other employment, only joking Andy] but most of my shipmates have been offered alternative cruises so I asume mine is off. I have contacted the newspaper and they in turn have obviously contacted R*** as I have had courtesy calls saying I will be contacted within various different time limits, all of which pass without the promised call. I then contact the paper and round in circles we go again.
If I was royalty as Phil thinks I am, would I still get this treatment. The only connection I have with the royal family is my middle name is Elizabeth [and so is the other Maureen's to confuse Phil even more] I think he is mixing up MEH's paid for cruise with Cunard with the £10 with MSC. Too much Bells Phil, or maybe not enough for the rest of us.

Hi all
Like Jenniel I have been waiting for a cruise since the beginning, after having been given a Caribbean one for April which was cancelled. I rang on Friday and was told someone would ring me after 3pm with an offer as I was out the rest of the day. But true to form someone called me at 10.30 am (knowing I wasnt in). So here we go again. Still waiting for the elusive phone call. But once again be patient MayB, it does look like there are many of you out there who have actually got a cruise in the bag.
Hope you have a brill Caribbean cruise on 16th April (I look forward to hearing all about it ) in my dreams (or was it) I was on that one. But have a good one Alliii it is good to see that someone actually got their initial cruise, there are not many of you about.
MayB

Keep after it MayB. Hopefully you will get a call on Monday and will be reporting your success. Keeping everything crossed for you!

I see that the latest posting on the zdnet forum is from a lawyer intending to start a class action against a certain travel company in connection with the USA flight offers.

I believe applicants for the flights were redirected to this forum and may find this of interest; if they still have a forum that I have missed perhaps Luci you will be good enough to re-direct this?

Hi Phil M

Glad to see the Bells works so efficiently, maybe you're not spending enough time on your Balcony Cruise to blow its effects away

I did write Port Said, not Port Sudan, though feel free to blame the Bells for that one

I'm so very glad you realized what a national treasure I am, until reading your post I was the only person to know

Do keep the humour rolling along

Fay

Hi all

When I was looking for a bit of spare video to tape Time Team last night (bloomin' Channel 4 schedule it against the second half of the football), I found the Watchdog piece. Had a bit of a giggle hearing the chappy say that everyone would be satisfied with the offer they would be made - 'like the other 90%'.

I've been keeping my eye on the forum, hoping to spot someone else that might be joining me on the 17th October cruise on the Melody (only about 3 of us so far) but the offers have dried to a trickle, it seems.

The latest offers seem to be the share-a-cabin/1 week selfcatering/long-haul flight/£175 choice. I know that I was also offered a flight to the US instead of the cruise when I reached the final hurdle but stuck to my guns. I was told it would be able to be taken at any time and to any city of my choice.

Is that the same for the current offer? I also wondered what the self-catering option covered - is it just one person, including flights, or for a couple? Just curious!

October seems a long way off, but I still feel for all those who have to wait until 2006 for a cruise. I know that I would still feel very angry at having to wait 2 YEARS from the original offer. Mine was a long and hard fight to get a cruise this year, and there were certainly times when I wanted to give up, but I'm glad I held out (and so are the folk in my office who used to hear my end of the calls and who gave me a round of applause when I won out!).

Here's hoping there will soon be a lot more postings from happy cruisers (and a few of them on 17th October!)

Please believe me when I say I am not a panic-merchant, and to be fair I don't have a flight booked with Alitalia but if I did and read the comment below I think I would be a little concerned.

I found this "article" when trying to find flights to Dublin from Birmingham using the BMI Baby website. This page is part of the website but I couldn't work out if it was the "official" line or someone just discussing their thoughts.

"Please be aware that Alitalia have for some time faced major financial difficulties. To make matters worse, there have been hundreds of flight cancellations in recent months because of various strike actions. Our feeling is that this airline is now in severe crisis and the risk of disruption to travel plans is unacceptably high. We do not recommend booking with this carrier".

Again, I'm so sorry if this is not appropriate to post here but I know from other posts that some of the people on this site are flying with this airline.

Elaine

Thank the Lord, the Balcony Cruise nearly did a Titanic,

Van, luci
Where have you been all day, I go away for a night and come back - all dead, phew

I am releived, Twice it has happened, (or so I thought)


I very nearly booked a trike or put put to Manchester - well it would be quicker than the train. I was already to go guns blazing

Glad to have you back, I'm off out NO funny business whislt I'm out O.K.

I'm only going to the pictures so do not fret, I wont leave you (Ye Gods it's like attempting to leave an 6 year old with a new baby sitter)
OPn second thoughts I'll leave Magsy and Meeeyyy in charge, sod the baby sitter

Byee for now

Phil Morris

Hi Elaine

Could you provide a link to that article please?

Thanks.

luci

Following on above, there are many articles about Alitalia's financial situation, which came to a head in 2004.
The Italian govenment bailed them out with a 400 million euro loan to avoid bankruptcy so I would expect we should be ok for booked flights. (I hope!!)
Alli