The world cruise has been curtailed - shock - panic - uncertainty
Sunday 15th March
The captain comes on to state that the world cruise has been cancelled and everyone will have to be flown home. We all have to leave and fly home from Perth, Australia .
Although they do say that you can stay on board if you are unable to fly. Judith hasn't flown for over 13 years due to the stress on the build up to the flight, and the panic attacks, once on board.
She goes into panic mode, hyperventilates and becomes a shaking wreck. Try and calm her down and explain she doesn't need to fly. We will stay on board , and not to worry.
Manage to calm her down, although l know that underneath she has a roaring dread and fear trying to take over her mind.
Head down to the now massive queue of frustrated angry people, waiting to see someone with answers. People are scared, shocked and panicked by the announcement, but unfortunately they turn all of that into anger against the staff, who are just as shocked.
Eventually speak to a lady who confirms that we can stay if we have a doctors note. Explain that we can if they are able to wait until the surgery opens on Monday morning, unfortunately, as its Sunday today, it means that with the time difference, the surgery will not open until 8pm the following evening. She disappears to get confirmation, and says that they could pass the details onto the medical team for review. But realistically she feels that it would be more of a problem staying on board as they believe they may have to go into quarantine once they arrive in the UK. Or possibly not find a berth to dock into. Its all very uncertain. But l quite understand.
Shortly after this the Captain once again confirms the details.
He reiterates that if you wish to stay on board you will need a medical certificate with a justified reason why you can’t fly
Plus they don’t know when they will be back in Southampton, could be denied entrance. People may have to stay in their cabins. The ships status is changing from a cruise ship to a merchant vessel. With limited deck space, no choice on food. Yet more importantly no medical care other than with the medical staff on board.
It was emphasised that there was a shortage of drugs, and the ship would not be allowed to offload any passengers ashore, or have them medivaced by helicopter or boat. So if you become seriously ill, you could possibly return in a body bag.
I think we will have to bite the bullet.
Fortunately, Judith, after listening to the Captains advise feels that she needs to get her head round it and MAN UP. She has become quite focused in a positive way. We have to fly and its better than staying locked up in a cabin for an indefinite period.
We complete our form and ask for a flight from Perth into Heathrow, one that is as direct as possible
We have learnt that many of the passengers have already caught their flights back. They were down stairs immediately, and were able to catch their flight home.we hadn’t a clue when we would eventually get away. Kept going down, but everyone was doing the same. The poor staff were inundated. So we didn't get involved. Instead we tried to sort our cases out, and decide what we could and couldn't take.
We hear that excess baggage will be covered by Cunard. But Steve is getting his delivered to Southampton for free.Then again, he has about ten bags to get home.
We go down and the queues are enormous.
I manage to see the world cruise concierge as she passes were l am sat, talking to other guests. I ask about the bags, and she disappears to check. Returns after some time and explains that it’s $50 per case to go to Southampton. So l ask about delivery to Scotland, and she believes it would be around $200 per case.
As Cunard are paying the extra at the airport, it makes sense to go with that. Especially as we only have 2 and 1/2 cases and hand luggage.
We pack our bags, but soon adjust them, as they are so heavy. They have to be out by 6pm, or should l say, the majority of bags. One case can be left to go out later.
I then get on line to try and ascertain the baggage allowance, how many cases, weight restrictions. But not with a great deal of joy . I think l have found the answer only to find a completely different one a few minutes later. Plus all airlines are different.
I scare myself, because the weight allowance is far less than we have in the case.
We start taking items out, offloading them, dates from Dubai, wine, sweets, shoes. They are all left for the room maid. She might as well get the benefit.
Monday 16th March
Find the letter slipped under the door from Cunard stating when our flights are planned.
Our flight is from Perth international airport.
We eventually ascertain that it is with Emirates, which is pleasing.
Leaves at 2220 and arrives in Dubai at 525
We then go from there at 745 and arrive in Heathrow at 11.40
Steve phoned at 7.30am to see if we had our departure details. But it materialised that we were not on the same plane.
He was kind enough to try and arrange the seats together. Unfortunately not. They leave a lot earlier than us. Not a problem, although it would have been nice to have someone we know near bye on the flight for moral support.
Supposedly they are providing a shuttle bus to the airport, but understandably information is short on the ground and contradictory.
Some one asked if we have seats. I don’t have a clue. We haven’t flown in over 13 years. I go onto the Emirates site and try and manoeuvre my way around.
I eventually find our seat allocation for the first leg. Good seats in economy, in the centre of the wings. NOT SITTING ON THEM. Just positioned in between for stability.
But the second flight says it’s full, and seat allocation will be done later.
We ask if we can get off to meet Chris and Jill, but are refused. We thought we may be get off in the morning, pass some wine over to them. But its a no go.
We have to go out on our time slot. 2pm.
When the time comes, it’s a scrum to get off. Everyone was pushing and shoving, trying to get their cases.
It takes some time to find our three cases, we find two, but one has disappeared.
Eventually find it in the unlabled section. Must have been ripped off during the moving process.
Get outside and its very disorganised, busses and cars all over the place. Yet there are stewards who seem to be in control, pointing people to various buses. We are ushered to one, but even though the bus is virtually empty, the luggage area is full.
Not a problem. We are moved to a limo with a luggage trailer.
In the end, there are just four of us. We travel in luxury.
The other couple are from the Philippines originally, but now live in the states. They have loved the cruise, especially the dancing.
Arrive at the airport with plenty of time, getting there at 3.30. Considering the flight doesn't go until 22.30, there isn't a problem.
We bid Chris and Jill farewell, its a sad emotional event. But we all try our best to keep a stiff upper lip.
Up to check in, only to find that we don't have our boarding passes. Rush back down, and push into the check in desk. The girl tells me that the cashier at the payment desk should have issued them. Not a problem, she runs them off.
Then its into security. They scan everything, then search my bag, removing items and dumping them, including my toothpaste and shaving cream. Ron pulled me over once we got through, and showed me that his toothpaste and cream were still in his wash bag.
Bizarre, no real consistency.
Eventually we board the Airbus 389 800.
The technology is amazing, and the staff are delightful.
Its not long before we get drinks, nibbles and food. Good food, albeit, that its still difficult to eat when you are shoe horned into a seat.
Watch films on board all were fantastic, especially Green Book, and really hits the spot.
Judith , partly through a mixture of pills, wine, good plane and flying as well as great company, provided by other passengers, crew and Cunard friends.
What a support group.
Judith managed really well considering she hasn’t flown for 13 years. She managed to MAN UP, her words not mine. She slept for five hours on the first leg and with the help of pills , wine, world cruise friends and a great plane( A380 airbus) and the staff on board she managed well.
We landed in Dubai, an action that would normally have Judith hyperventilating. On this occasion she watched through the cockpit camera as we approached the airport and touched down gently.
Quickly exited, if the process of collecting hand luggage from the overhead lockers and squeezing past pushing and shoving passengers can ever be quick. Then into the maelstrom of the airport was unbelievable, and the distance to our next departure seemed to be miles away. Through shops, restaurants, up and down escalators. I felt sorry for the elderly. This was a corporate selling opportunity that had been built to extract $s from the unsuspecting travellers.
Even Judith managed to find some chocolate coated dates.
In fact we arrived at the gate, just as they were boarding , and managed to organise seats together. We did really well, plenty of room, next to the bar. Unfortunately it was near the back.
But the staff put Judith at ease immediately.
Plenty of drink and food, regularly topped up by our host and hostess. Great movies and our other passenger on the inner seat was an ex Gurkha.
In fact he was Prince Harry's commanding officer in Afghanistan. He was invited and attended the wedding. He lives in the UK but now works as a trainer in Jordan for an American company. Exceedingly interesting.
All in all, it was just the ticket to keep Judith totally occupied.
She left the plane saying that she nearly enjoyed the process. BUT NO SHE WOULDN'T DO IT AGAIN.
Caveat - Unless it was an emergency, and only if it was on a airbus 380
We arrived back in the UK on the 17th, then caught the bus to Southampton and stayed overnight. Then we collected our car from storage and drove back North to Scotland. And Innellan.
Bloody cold, to say the least. I had been running around the deck every morning in shorts, now my body is so wrapped up, l have difficulty in moving.
But its good to be home, although the shops are horrendous. We stopped at Tesco in the Port of Glasgow and the shelves were bereft of stock. They were down to their last 6 litres of milk. No veg, fruit, bread, eggs or cereals. Fortunately, just before we departed they stocked up the veg counter and we managed to get some glorious Cauliflower, Broccoli and cabbage.
A day later in Dunoon we ventured into the coop and Morrisons. They had some items, mainly eggs, but the queues were unbelievable. And as normal the young pushed there way through and filled their trolleys with complete disregard to the frail and elderly.
I had to jump in at one point and physically move people from queue jumping to allow some pensioners to get to the tills. Makes my blood boil. Judith pulled me away in the end, because l was getting so incensed with the lack of thought and empathy.
Today l have been catching up with paperwork. Sending off my claims to Cunard for expenses. Emirates charged me $2000 for excess weight. We only had 2 ½ cases and a suite carrier. The latter l took on as hand luggage and it went down to $1400.
We have booked another world cruise on the QM2 next January.
We already have two cruises booked for the end of June and July, of which we expect to be cancelled due to the carona virus. Especially as the first is in Rome and Venice. And the second going over to New York, where Trump has closed the borders to us Europeans. Cant blame him really.
We manage to get out for a walk in the sun, occasionally but its still only 4 degrees C.
Although they do say that you can stay on board if you are unable to fly. Judith hasn't flown for over 13 years due to the stress on the build up to the flight, and the panic attacks, once on board.
She goes into panic mode, hyperventilates and becomes a shaking wreck. Try and calm her down and explain she doesn't need to fly. We will stay on board , and not to worry.
Manage to calm her down, although l know that underneath she has a roaring dread and fear trying to take over her mind.
Head down to the now massive queue of frustrated angry people, waiting to see someone with answers. People are scared, shocked and panicked by the announcement, but unfortunately they turn all of that into anger against the staff, who are just as shocked.
 |
Not quite as bad as this. But not far off |
Shortly after this the Captain once again confirms the details.
He reiterates that if you wish to stay on board you will need a medical certificate with a justified reason why you can’t fly
Plus they don’t know when they will be back in Southampton, could be denied entrance. People may have to stay in their cabins. The ships status is changing from a cruise ship to a merchant vessel. With limited deck space, no choice on food. Yet more importantly no medical care other than with the medical staff on board.
It was emphasised that there was a shortage of drugs, and the ship would not be allowed to offload any passengers ashore, or have them medivaced by helicopter or boat. So if you become seriously ill, you could possibly return in a body bag.
I think we will have to bite the bullet.
Fortunately, Judith, after listening to the Captains advise feels that she needs to get her head round it and MAN UP. She has become quite focused in a positive way. We have to fly and its better than staying locked up in a cabin for an indefinite period.
We complete our form and ask for a flight from Perth into Heathrow, one that is as direct as possible
We have learnt that many of the passengers have already caught their flights back. They were down stairs immediately, and were able to catch their flight home.we hadn’t a clue when we would eventually get away. Kept going down, but everyone was doing the same. The poor staff were inundated. So we didn't get involved. Instead we tried to sort our cases out, and decide what we could and couldn't take.
We hear that excess baggage will be covered by Cunard. But Steve is getting his delivered to Southampton for free.Then again, he has about ten bags to get home.
We go down and the queues are enormous.
I manage to see the world cruise concierge as she passes were l am sat, talking to other guests. I ask about the bags, and she disappears to check. Returns after some time and explains that it’s $50 per case to go to Southampton. So l ask about delivery to Scotland, and she believes it would be around $200 per case.
As Cunard are paying the extra at the airport, it makes sense to go with that. Especially as we only have 2 and 1/2 cases and hand luggage.
We pack our bags, but soon adjust them, as they are so heavy. They have to be out by 6pm, or should l say, the majority of bags. One case can be left to go out later.
I then get on line to try and ascertain the baggage allowance, how many cases, weight restrictions. But not with a great deal of joy . I think l have found the answer only to find a completely different one a few minutes later. Plus all airlines are different.
I scare myself, because the weight allowance is far less than we have in the case.
We start taking items out, offloading them, dates from Dubai, wine, sweets, shoes. They are all left for the room maid. She might as well get the benefit.
Monday 16th March
Find the letter slipped under the door from Cunard stating when our flights are planned.
Our flight is from Perth international airport.
We eventually ascertain that it is with Emirates, which is pleasing.
Leaves at 2220 and arrives in Dubai at 525
We then go from there at 745 and arrive in Heathrow at 11.40
Steve phoned at 7.30am to see if we had our departure details. But it materialised that we were not on the same plane.
He was kind enough to try and arrange the seats together. Unfortunately not. They leave a lot earlier than us. Not a problem, although it would have been nice to have someone we know near bye on the flight for moral support.
Supposedly they are providing a shuttle bus to the airport, but understandably information is short on the ground and contradictory.
Some one asked if we have seats. I don’t have a clue. We haven’t flown in over 13 years. I go onto the Emirates site and try and manoeuvre my way around.
I eventually find our seat allocation for the first leg. Good seats in economy, in the centre of the wings. NOT SITTING ON THEM. Just positioned in between for stability.
But the second flight says it’s full, and seat allocation will be done later.
We ask if we can get off to meet Chris and Jill, but are refused. We thought we may be get off in the morning, pass some wine over to them. But its a no go.
We have to go out on our time slot. 2pm.
When the time comes, it’s a scrum to get off. Everyone was pushing and shoving, trying to get their cases.
It takes some time to find our three cases, we find two, but one has disappeared.
Eventually find it in the unlabled section. Must have been ripped off during the moving process.
Not a problem. We are moved to a limo with a luggage trailer.
In the end, there are just four of us. We travel in luxury.
The other couple are from the Philippines originally, but now live in the states. They have loved the cruise, especially the dancing.
Arrive at the airport with plenty of time, getting there at 3.30. Considering the flight doesn't go until 22.30, there isn't a problem.
Jill and Chris, said they would drive over, so we gave them a call to say that we had arrived. And settled down to wait. Numerous cruise buddies kept arriving, popping over to chat, which whiled away the time. Some didn't know how to check their flight details. So l managed to get on line to show them their bookings. It wasn't long for the word to get around, and QM2 buddies started coming over for advice on flight times, seat locations, type of plane etc. Should have charged, would have made a fortune.
Jill and Chris soon arrived, and we adjourned into the bar/restaurant for a drink, and lunch for Chris and Jill. Met up with Rose and Ron, who are also catching the same flight as us.
A few drinks later we decided to get into the queue for boarding. It had now taken on enormous proportions, snaking right along the back of the terminal.
Chris and l had to go over and help some elderly Americans, who had been dropped off at the wrong terminal. So we popped over with some other passengers to move their fifteen cases over to our terminal. Whilst doing that, another elderly passenger from the cruise needed to get on board a transfer bus to another terminal miles away. Once again she had been dropped off incorrectly. Her problem was how to get onto a bus with ten cases. So we stopped the bus, and moved all the cases on board with the help of the driver. He promised to help her once at the correct terminal. Another result.
Back into the line, waiting to check-in, dragging our bags behind us, our two and a half cases. We watch as other customers offload their cases onto the scales. Couples with six large cases. They seem shocked. Some go away and unpack, and move items into plastic bags, and into other cases, re distributing the weight.
Eventually we go up, and we hand over our three cases and my suite carrier. She tells me we are over weight to the value of A$2000 dollars excess. I ask if l can take my suit carrier on as hand luggage. Yes was the answer, and it reduced the excess by A$600.
She gave me a docket to take to the payment desk. Which we do. There is a crowd in front of us. It seems that we got of lightly, most paid in excess of A$4000.
She gave me a docket to take to the payment desk. Which we do. There is a crowd in front of us. It seems that we got of lightly, most paid in excess of A$4000.
We bid Chris and Jill farewell, its a sad emotional event. But we all try our best to keep a stiff upper lip.
Up to check in, only to find that we don't have our boarding passes. Rush back down, and push into the check in desk. The girl tells me that the cashier at the payment desk should have issued them. Not a problem, she runs them off.
Then its into security. They scan everything, then search my bag, removing items and dumping them, including my toothpaste and shaving cream. Ron pulled me over once we got through, and showed me that his toothpaste and cream were still in his wash bag.
Bizarre, no real consistency.
Ron and Rose waiting for the boarding to start
Eventually we board the Airbus 389 800.
The technology is amazing, and the staff are delightful.
Its not long before we get drinks, nibbles and food. Good food, albeit, that its still difficult to eat when you are shoe horned into a seat.
Watch films on board all were fantastic, especially Green Book, and really hits the spot.
Judith , partly through a mixture of pills, wine, good plane and flying as well as great company, provided by other passengers, crew and Cunard friends.
What a support group.
Judith managed really well considering she hasn’t flown for 13 years. She managed to MAN UP, her words not mine. She slept for five hours on the first leg and with the help of pills , wine, world cruise friends and a great plane( A380 airbus) and the staff on board she managed well.
We landed in Dubai, an action that would normally have Judith hyperventilating. On this occasion she watched through the cockpit camera as we approached the airport and touched down gently.
Quickly exited, if the process of collecting hand luggage from the overhead lockers and squeezing past pushing and shoving passengers can ever be quick. Then into the maelstrom of the airport was unbelievable, and the distance to our next departure seemed to be miles away. Through shops, restaurants, up and down escalators. I felt sorry for the elderly. This was a corporate selling opportunity that had been built to extract $s from the unsuspecting travellers.
Even Judith managed to find some chocolate coated dates.
In fact we arrived at the gate, just as they were boarding , and managed to organise seats together. We did really well, plenty of room, next to the bar. Unfortunately it was near the back.
But the staff put Judith at ease immediately.
Plenty of drink and food, regularly topped up by our host and hostess. Great movies and our other passenger on the inner seat was an ex Gurkha.
In fact he was Prince Harry's commanding officer in Afghanistan. He was invited and attended the wedding. He lives in the UK but now works as a trainer in Jordan for an American company. Exceedingly interesting.
All in all, it was just the ticket to keep Judith totally occupied.
She left the plane saying that she nearly enjoyed the process. BUT NO SHE WOULDN'T DO IT AGAIN.
Caveat - Unless it was an emergency, and only if it was on a airbus 380
We arrived back in the UK on the 17th, then caught the bus to Southampton and stayed overnight. Then we collected our car from storage and drove back North to Scotland. And Innellan.
Bloody cold, to say the least. I had been running around the deck every morning in shorts, now my body is so wrapped up, l have difficulty in moving.
But its good to be home, although the shops are horrendous. We stopped at Tesco in the Port of Glasgow and the shelves were bereft of stock. They were down to their last 6 litres of milk. No veg, fruit, bread, eggs or cereals. Fortunately, just before we departed they stocked up the veg counter and we managed to get some glorious Cauliflower, Broccoli and cabbage.
A day later in Dunoon we ventured into the coop and Morrisons. They had some items, mainly eggs, but the queues were unbelievable. And as normal the young pushed there way through and filled their trolleys with complete disregard to the frail and elderly.
I had to jump in at one point and physically move people from queue jumping to allow some pensioners to get to the tills. Makes my blood boil. Judith pulled me away in the end, because l was getting so incensed with the lack of thought and empathy.
Today l have been catching up with paperwork. Sending off my claims to Cunard for expenses. Emirates charged me $2000 for excess weight. We only had 2 ½ cases and a suite carrier. The latter l took on as hand luggage and it went down to $1400.
We have booked another world cruise on the QM2 next January.
We already have two cruises booked for the end of June and July, of which we expect to be cancelled due to the carona virus. Especially as the first is in Rome and Venice. And the second going over to New York, where Trump has closed the borders to us Europeans. Cant blame him really.
We manage to get out for a walk in the sun, occasionally but its still only 4 degrees C.
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