In case anyone has forgotton ,here is the ASA's findings published today concerning the DE flight offer

http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications/

Click on the link for either Express Newspapers plc or MKM Merketing Promotions Ltd.

I have just come across the following:

http://res.destinationoceans.com/travel/cruise/ship.rvlx?ShipID=164

The main attraction listed is that the Melody is ideal for bookworms - Reading in the Library is listed first.

Also worryingly, should anyone be pregnant..........

"we require the release of all inner children prior to entering the cruise ship".

Or perhaps all children are held captive and only released on return to Genoa?

Anyway, the food sounds delicious!

Hi allisu,

That was very amusing

Perhaps MSC have a maternity ward on the dockside for such eventualities.

Then mother and baby can proceed to check in for their boarding pass!!!!

MSC think of everything.

Andy.

Hi Trisantona, read the report - it looks like another slap on the wrist with a feather! What is the purpose of the ASA? How many times can a company be subject to investigation before punitive action is taken? Words fail me...

Elaine xx

Thanks for the info regarding tickets Carol and Myles. Good luck with your cruises. Myles I hope the postie has delivered for you today!

Regarding the post I put on with the Eshirt link. The item I had selected was the shopper and the text I put on read

" A-Rise!
Our ship has sailed." on one side and

"We have not been
DE-feated!" on the other.

I used Font - jokerman, centered the text and zoomed in to largest text size.

I don't know how to 'save' the project to prevent each new person who accesses it from changing the design!
I guess if folk want to order something then the best thing is for each person to go to the main http://www.eshirt.it home page and start from scratch with your own spec. for t-shirt or whatever. That way we are not all working with the same "project" number.
You may need to 'cancel project' first, if you followed my link, to get rid of my text and start afresh.
You can use the panels on either side of the shirt etc. to move the text objects to where they need to be or you may end up with text in unusual places!

Cheers Hilary

Isn't the news about ticket arrivals WONDERFUL

Just one or two of those boring practical matters: I wouldn't wear mules on board - sometimes the ship sways just enough to make one feel a tiny bit unsteady on one's feet, and having shoes that may slip off just adds to possible difficulties. Mind you, I'm not too keen on mules at the best of times, but that's beside the point.

I always keep the current edition of Cruise News with me all day. There's so much to take in, especially for first-timers, that it's easy to forget whether you meet at 12.30 for excursion A and 13.00 for B, or vice versa. There's other info you may need when you least expect it - e.g. if you get bored (or red!) sunbathing and feel like joining an activity, you'll want to know what's happening where. Restaurant times are also listed, and though they're normally the same every day they can change (e.g. if an excursion leaves too early to have a proper lunch, one restaurant will open earlier that day). Some info changes often, e.g. when the on-board shops are open. It's always useful to check the ''ads'', e.g. the shops sometimes have sales of specific lines and one can pick up an exotic bargain. Other info stays the same every day, e.g. the phone numbers for various services, which can be handy to have on you - though you'll normally phone from your cabin and there's a directory there, you may want to check before going there to see who to contact, or whether it's better just to trot along to reception and ask them. In general, having the info with you saves trekking back to your cabin, or asking someone else - who may not have their Cruise News with them, and anyhow may resent being interrupted if they were chilling out.

Fay

Hi

With all these messages about 'Euros' - if you want to use your keyboard for the € symbol -

€ = alt + cont + 4

LL

hi every one,1and a half more sleeps!!!!!!than im up and away i am feeling verysmug i have everything packed in 11 kg!!!!!!1i cant beleive it!!!my carry on bag is empty at the moment .oh well i might find a little no that i just must take!!!!!
TONE,did you get my queries or did my majic one finger erase it all???
I hope the balcony cruise doesnt leave till i get back i dontwant to miss any ding dongs!!!
should be lots to report soon what with opra and melody.
Ifeel it in my water we are allgoing to have a good time!!!!!1
carol

Hi Carol
Good luck and don't be to hard on them ding dongs, otherwise you'll miss the sights etc.. (who knows what sights you'll see )

Good Luck on the singles night as well, I'm on diet now in the hope of lossing a stone or more, well I always said I was built for comfort not speed - but with only 7 nights at sea speed may count !!!!!!

what has happened to the line dancing cruise
must make sure were all in step)
Phil Morris

Hi Phil

The Line Dance cruise is still alive and kicking -

I believe myself and Katie 15 are still the only HT members going on 6 June.

Discovered last night that there are more LD's than originally thought. I found another group going on same date - so that makes 2 parties of LD's - so that means probably at least 200.

If they're all busy going to classes that means more things for everyone else to participate in (half empty bars, vacant sun beds etc.) - so it should be ok
I WILL enjoy myself whatever
Alli

I'm orf to the "Pool" tomorrow (Liver not Swimming) for a family reunion -only the second in fifty years! Just wanted to wish everyone who's off on the Opera on Saturday Bon Voyage and Ahoy Me'hearties. Have a wonderful time and bring back loads of pics, news and nautical tips for those of us who are yet to follow in your footsteps. Smooth sailing

Hi Carol, have a great time on the Opera, you asked about shore trips I went on one excursion the rest of the time I either shared a taxi or walked, you will receive info every day on the ports of call, also the infomation desk on board are very helpful. at Bari and Kusadasi you can walk to the town centre also Katakolon but here I went on the trip to Olympia, Istanbul and Dubrovnik you need to get a taxi or go on an excursion. Hope this helps.
Tony R

Hi Tone
Have you written a review? I cant find it. Did you enjoy the excersion to Olypia, was it worth doing? could you have done it independantly? What did you visit in the other places, tell us more. Im on Armonia which has more or less the same itinary.

Hi Ratch, I have put a brief run down of my cruise on page 90, of all the places we visited I enjoyed the grand bazzar in Istanbul and the old town in Dubrovnik, the trip to Olympia was very interesting.
Tony R

Thanks for the welcome Phil I live in hopes of one day getting a cruise I am not pushing to much at the moment as I have booked a week to Tunisia on June 4th which is the week i should have been cruising I had already booked the week off work so will chill for a week in the sun.Had already booked 2 weeks in September so i am ready to cruise any other month or i hasten to add year i will not give up till in the words of the song I am sailing

Just something I remembered about dodgy weather: if the sea is rough, don't worry about eating in the buffet. If the ship is swaying even slightly, a waiter will take your tray off you if he/she sees you're having the least difficulty, ask you where you want to sit and put it on your table. Actually, some ships (e.g. the Marco Polo, Orient Lines) have waiters standing at the end of the buffet line to take your tray off you whatever the weather, but their standards of service are the highest I've seen on any ship.

To all those cruising in the next few days: have a simply STUPENDOUS time, and tell us all about it when you get back!!!



Fay

Hi all,

Just to let you know my tickets have just arrived today for my Armonia cruise on 15/05/05.
Really pleased that they have been sent this week and not been left hanging on like some of the Melodian cruisers.

Looks like I have been given a slight upgade to a Cat 5 on Tormalina deck.
Was originally allocated a Cat 3 cabin.

I'm just so pleased to to receive any cabin grade really.

Best of luck to everyone still waiting to receive a cruise or who are waiting patiently for their tickets.

Andy.

Hi Meevey Thanks for the info I already e mailed Watchdog when we first heard they were discussing our problem so i will certainly e mail again if i hear nothing in the meantime I have cruised before on the carousel and the emerald so i would even consider upgrading to cruise with these two oncemore as they where both excellent cruises

Forgot to add that Cruise News isn't called that on all ships, and it will be in English even on Italian ships. Mind you, it's better to expect the odd spelling or grammar mistake, but their English is normally very good and you'll certainly understand everything they say and print. I don't know how many languages Cruise News is printed in, I suppose it depends on the passenger mix.

Fay