First of all, I telephoned MSC today and they confirmed that all of their ships leave from Tronchetto port in Venice.

Allisu, I would imagine that there are lots of people who have had the same experience as your colleague! Lets face it, the original offer was incredible so some scepticism was inevitable! I certainly felt that way but my determination outweighed my disbelief!

allisu
It's interesting to see that someone else has had a ridiculous offer - £1000 for a £10 cruise!
This beats my £850 for a med cruise. You could book one yourself cheaper.
I won't be giving up but have become reserved at the moment as my passport expires on 4th May and want it renewed before going forward.

Hi Wull,

I have just renewed my passport online (it didn't expire till September but you can renew it 9 months ahead (or 6 mths - can't remember!) It was a very speedy procedure - the whole transaction from filling out the online form to receiving new passport took about 1 week!

You are credited with the extra 6 months or so on top of the 10 years.

Alli

Like Allisu, I renewed my passport on line in just over a week, and it would have been even quicker if I had got my photos done sooner. If it is a replacement you just need your old one and two photos, (plus your credit card) and neither the form or photos need to be countersigned,

hi luci,
thanks got my ht sticker yesterday will be putting it on display today vivien

hi lilac,
Your daughter's friends mum must be allocated the same cruise as I am. I have had two courtesy calls from Rise after I contacted the D E but all they said was 'Your application is proceeding' or words to that effect. I have not been told it has been cancelled either, so maybe they think they will keep us in suspense until Oct and then say 'nothing until 2006' which will only be a matter of months away by then. I have a lot going on in May and June so I have not hassled them lately, but I will be back with all guns blazing after June.

Scarlet - thanks for the info.

Luci - as you've already made a note to check the ASA website on Wednesday, perhaps you can post a link to it on this thread (once you've read it) together with a 1-2 line summary of what it says (i.e. just a little longer than Scarlet was allowed to say). People who have read Scarlet's post will probably forget to look by Wednesday, and people who check the thread less regularly might just come across your post.

Would the link also be appropriate for the ''contacts and info'' thread????

Fay

Good morning all, news from a far distant land today!

Hi Magsy

Greetings from Galle, it is 40c at the moment 11.46am, last night it went to 32c with the rain pouring down, the poor people in the tents are suffering badly, the internet is as slow as a r*** cruise coming, please pass on my regards to all, and tell them that I wish them all well in particular Van and Luci

It took me 2 hours to get here so I will not conect again for a week or more, bye for now
Phil

Hi all

Just been sent a set of NCL Caribbean Cruise tickets for next Friday. Strange as these are pretty much the same pack that I was sent a month ago! I have checked that none of the main details have been changed (of course we trust you RXXX) but everything looks okay

So this time next week I will just have taken off from Manchester to Miami and the dream cruise will finally be real.

Thanks for that info, Magsy, great to know Phil is at least safe and well - though obviously in some distress re his surroundings. He's a true star, not many people would put themselves through all that for the sake of others.

Fay

p.s. Good news, Wallecan, and have a wonderful cruise

hi magsy
thanks for the news from a distant land. makes me feel as if I should be ashamed as I was moaning about the rain on tuesday and I have a warm house to stay in. vivien

Hi All,
I forgot to mention that I sent Phil everyones best wishes, and specifically mentioning those who asked me personally to send their regards!

Such a shame for those people still living in tents. I have no idea if it is the rainy season in Sri Lanka right now but I have experienced a tropical downpour in the far east and it is quite something! The rain seems to come down in walls! Of course I experienced it from the inside of a smart hotel so it looked astounding but I can still imagine the devastation for those living in tents.

Wallecan, just a week to go,
Please do send us information about it - the photographs can wait until you get back! You and Colin will have a brilliant time I am sure!

hi,
good to hear from phil again and that he's ok. what a shame for the sri lankans and indonesians they have really had it bad.lets hope things will improve quickly.
my bank details for the garden cruise are in a bit of a quandary, i do have a rather large amount showing at the moment but unfortunately its in the red.If you could be so kind as to be a bit colourblind when i get allocated one i ll be so grateful and maybe invite you to share some of the balance. i'm naturally not a greedy person so you would be most welcome.
i hope there are some new cruisers soon too
ann

p.s. have a great trip wallecan and colin

Hi Magsy, Thanks for passing on the news from Phil. It is good to know he is at least safe, though the sights he is seeing must be devastating. Thank God there are people like him who are prepared to go out and help where it is needed so much. It certainly makes me ashamed of all my little moans.

Wonderful news Wallecan; not long to go now. I'm sure you and Colin will have a superb time. We all look forward to reading your reports when you get back.

ANNOUNCEMENT

It is with the deepest regret that all Taxi Cruises have been cancelled.

Owing to an over-subscription far beyond what our vast past experience had led us to believe, we have been innundated with applications.

Our market extensive research (we asked three old ladies down the shopping mall) led us to believe that the customer profile would lead to many people requiring `extras` but to date, nobody is even willing to pay the extra 20p for use of the boot. (Trunk, for International applicants)

You will all receive a book of extremely valuable vouchers which will include, but not exclusive to, the following:

2-for-1 at Weatherspoons (Limited offer during `happy hour`)

3-for-2 products at Tescos (Selected items that nobody wants anyway)

A free holiday in Spain (A time-share representative will contact you)

An alternative holiday with Saga or Club 18-30 (So long as both your natural Geat-Grandparents and their Grandparents are still alive and resident in the uk........and have all their own teeth.)

We regret to inform you (honestly, and with a straight face) that all deposits have been forfeited owing to the fact that we had to unexpectedly pay for the office party and treatment for stress-related illnesses amongst our call-centre staff.

We look forwards to being of service in the future when we will contact you with yet another fantastic offer. (You are now on our database of happy customers, which is the backbone of our business.)

Yours Insincerely,

Taxi-Cruise International (Deceased)

Offices in Nomansland, Siberia and Narnia.

I want my deposit back, I have been trying to contact you for days but the telephone number is unanswered (The 0870 number) after listening to recorded announcements and rubbish music for 15 minutes. You should change your name from Taxi Cruises to Axit Cruises!

..........sorry caller, but the line is really bad. Cannot hear a word you`re saying........we will call you back in a couple of weeks, or when Hell freezes over - whichever comes first.

I am quite appalled at the lack of customer service people are receiving from Taxi Cruises. That is really no way to run a business, it makes one wonder where they get the idea they can get away with it. One was led to believe that we were dealing with a bona fide company with high standards of honesty, customer care and satisfaction. I have personally tried all their offices; even the one at their secret address in La La Land, but to no avail. I am sure many disappointed people will be contacting their solicitors, Watchdog, Citizens Advice Bureaux, the Mental Health Authority and even Battersea Dogs Home in an attempt to get satisfaction. We will not be fobbed off with feeble excuses.

hi
as anyone reported them to dogwatch or to the standards dater office yet. i also cannot get through by telephone
aj