A Diamond in the rough.

[coriander]

Oh, thought you'd want to sit together. Umm. Nope.

Mrs C and I both like window seats, so we try not to sit together; after 35 years together, we can sit apart for a few hours on the plane without feeling any separation anxiety.

 

[Pushka]

Mrs C and I both like window seats, so we try not to sit together; after 35 years together, we can sit apart for a few hours on the plane without feeling any separation anxiety.

Well their excuse for the change was clearly a bs comment. The currently allocated seats are not even together. One of the middle aisle seat, the other on the opposite window seat. I understand things change but the excuse was nothing but a throwaway line. Hate that. Mushroom material. The F lounge people are busy this morning.

 

[Pushka]

Old BP handed back. I think a passenger tried a swifty. Ridiculous really because last week the equivalent seats were still available on the other side.

 

[Pushka]

We ended up experiencing the All Day Dining menu after all.


With a Christmas flavour


We ordered the calamari and braised shoulder. Small serves as we were advised but certainly enough for us. Along with a rose Mumm.




I wonder if this is the replacement?

 

[Pushka]

Yay. Refurb. Order restored. Carry on


Still Grumpy Cat though.

 

[OzEire]

Not happy Jan as we hate row one. Oh, thought you'd want to sit together. Umm. Nope.

I hear you. Same flight a week ago OzEiress and I were displaced from carefully chosen seats to be seated together by a "helpful" check-in agent. Happily, I was able to reverse the change but not before going through the whole, "why, I thought you would like to...??" thing.

Ps. Enjoy the trip

 

[Pushka]

I hear you. Same flight a week ago OzEiress and I were displaced from carefully chosen seats to be seated together by a "helpful" check-in agent. Happily, I was able to reverse the change but not before going through the whole, "why, I thought you would like to...??" thing.

Ps. Enjoy the trip

The seats we were supposed to want were right at the bulkhead. Very unappealing.

 

[love_the_life]

Happy sail away today

 

[ellen10]

Looking forward to your trip report.
Enjoy!

 

[Pushka]

The flight was really pleasant and choccies went down well. The crew seemed genuinely delighted.

The flight departed around 2.5 hours late and arrived about 90 minutes late as we lost our space and had to circle. We were not given a reason on board for the delay. Multiple connecting flights may have been impacted - we just saw people running from the gate. Luggage another question though for them.
We were all strapped in for departure.


Lunch service took a very long time and with bumpiness the seat belt sign stayed on for about an hour. The menu was ok, not exciting.




I just took a snap of the soup which was spicy and tasty. The grilled sandwich was a large focaccia style and not particularly memorable.


Not that I wanted any but I wasn't offered wine. I'd had just a glass of champagne onboard plus a G&T and with the 2 champagnes in the lounge I'd decided that was enough. Have reduced consumption due to DVT on planes.

I gave up on food by then and decided to try sleep - an afternoon Nanna nap, so pressed all the buttons and was lying flat for a rest. The attendant passed by me for sweets and then returned to tell MrP I was out cold. Slight panic until he reassured MrP it was obviously a 'planned' sleep. I must have been out a while as when I bothered to resurface the cabin had lights dimmed.

 

[Pushka]

The new Business seat. Of course any seat on a plane where you are in your own world is bliss. We selected the seats next to the window (even rows each side) for more isolation and because I wanted to look out the window during the day flight. Well - stupid idea as looking into the sunshine bleached the eyeballs so the blinds were down maybe 20 minutes after take off and stayed that way until almost arrival.

The seats lie flat and have a topper which is in the overhead bin. Many either didn't realise or didn't bother with it. I did. The amenity kit is the Kate spade bag pictured earlier. I think I got a used one as there was a random ribbon inside. Not to worry as I just like the actual bag. Inside are the usuals. I think.

The seat can be slightly reclined on take off. The TV is excellent and very good touch screen.

Headsets

Power outlets


The middle seats are not designed for couples as the partition between the seats is rigid.


The seats are comfortable but lacked a little storage. I think the odd rows have a little more space to put stuff. I think if you were a little more 'Fluffy' you might find them a little cramped. The footrest didn't quite work for me as there was a gap between it and the seat that I couldn't quite work out how to fill.

 

[Major]

The movie selections didn't look all that interesting

 

[Pushka]

You gotta love Singapore efficiency. We were fast off the plane and just spent a minute looking to see if shops sold champagne in piccolo size (they didn't) and walked down into immigration. No one waiting and then through the luggage. MrP's was FIRST off and mine came through about five later. Off to taxis - no queue and within 25 minutes we were off!

Yesterday as a Public Holiday and there was no traffic. Within the hour of arrival we were at Novotel Clarke Quay.

We had planned to walk round to Boat Quay but with delays etc our day was getting too long so we just grabbed a quick snack at a pub. Clarke Quay has boomed since we were there four years ago and the area behind the river looked full on fun. Our meal was satays - remember the old Satay BBQ's that were removed a few years ago? I really miss them. And a serve of onion rings plus two beers. After quite a wait the satays were ready but they were out of onion rings. Righteo. Took it 20 minutes to tell us? So a serve of fat chips. Both arrived and consumed but we were tired and ready to leave so went in to pay the bill. And - of course the Onion rings were on the bill along with the replacement chips. And he knew nothing about the problem and nor did I as I saw a serve of onion rings being served. At $9 a pop no way would I let it go.

They told me to go sit down and they'd get back to me. Service had been so slow there was no way we were waiting further. Finally they agreed to remove the charge.

Today I woke at 4 am and currently 6.45am. MrP seems to have dozed off again. He plans to hit the gym, get some brekky and then we will make our way to the ship. Yeah!

Some sunset photos for drron.

 

[Pushka]

Christmas Decorations in Singapore are gorgeous. Didn't get to see the lights at nighttime this trip but the hotel looks pretty good during the day.




And from the hotel lobby this view:


I am hoping love_the_life and I will stay there (Marina Bay Sands) in April. Can't quite see the ship though but she's there.





Just waiting until we leave at 11.30am for the port.

 

[Pushka]

The breakfast room was a bit of a scrum at Novotel. Arrived there at 8.30am and place was packed. We didn't have a queue and were lucky to get an outside table where there was a nice breeze and very few people because they preferred better access to the food and freezing aircond. Luverly.

We had our staple of juice, tea and coffee and egg(s) on toast with a dash of vegemite. It was fine and the curry section looked wonderful but not our early morning thing. We never get our monies worth from buffets!

By the time we left the queue was 10 families long. Yikes. Went down an hour later and still just as long.

Weather will be wonderful for 6pm cruise out but before that will come the dreaded embarkation process, happy smiling photo (when you've queued for a couple of hours) and then - MUSTER. Where people never heed the instructions and blow on the whistles just after they've been told not to just after they've been told not to put on their life jacket. Gotta love cruising!

 

[LadyC]

How will you get Grumpy Cat to smile for the photo?

 

[Pushka]

How will you get Grumpy Cat to smile for the photo?

Maybe turn him upside down?

But that's a great idea to have grumpy cat in the photo!

 

[Pushka]

We almost ran past the photo station. Actual checkin was very fast and we went straight to board the ship. We thought. Singapore exit immigration is crazy. Two thumb fingerprints required. It only opened as we arrived there so this was where the queues were. My my some very bolshy Eastern Europeans on the cruise telling everyone to line up. One was right behind me and kept pushing her rather ample bosom into my back. She was way taller than me. Scary. I've never used the word bosom before and for some reason I think of Ms Pugh of other thread fame.

Having said all this we were onboard within the hour and into our cabin immediately. First impressions - nice and roomy.

As this is a very full sailing and I thought lots of kids then the Sanctuary (paid extra) was necessary so we proceeded upstairs to select the lounges for the duration of the cruise on sea days. Its close by to the adult only pool, gym and spa so we are pretty much done.

Off to horizon buffer for a snack. Must say the turkey and Camembert rolls were excellent as was the citrus parfait. And being thirsty we had Diet Coke. How restrained. We declined the lamp shank, vegetables, pot roast. But think we were the only ones.

I think by now I knew I had killed my card. Just this feeling. Sure nuf it no longer worked. So off to guest services. The queue was insane. I reckoned on an hour wait. Then another crew came along and asked if people just wanted a punch for a lanyard. Well, I did want that for MrP's card so I jumped at it. Then told her my card was dead. She fixed them both! Yay. Saved myself an hour wait.

Views from the ship


Hard to believe this was water not that many years ago






Yay yay yay. Suitcase arrived and someone is all unpacked. Me? Not me.

Muster in just over 3 hours time. Ship all dressed for Christmas so off to take pictures. And wait for the suitcase to arrive.

 

[drron]

We almost ran past the photo station. Actual checkin was very fast and we went straight to board the ship. We thought. Singapore exit immigration is crazy. Two thumb fingerprints required. It only opened as we arrived there so this was where the queues were. My my some very bolshy Eastern Europeans on the cruise telling everyone to line up. One was right behind me and kept pushing her rather ample bosom into my back. She was way taller than me. Scary. I've never used the word bosom before and for some reason I think of Ms Pugh of other thread fame.

Having said all this we were onboard within the hour and into our cabin immediately. First impressions - nice and roomy.

As this is a very full sailing and I thought lots of kids then the Sanctuary (paid extra) was necessary so we proceeded upstairs to select the lounges for the duration of the cruise on sea days. Its close by to the adult only pool, gym and spa so we are pretty much done.

Off to horizon buffer for a snack. Must say the turkey and Camembert rolls were excellent as was the citrus parfait. And being thirsty we had Diet Coke. How restrained. We declined the lamp shank, vegetables, pot roast. But think we were the only ones.
.

I am sure Ms Pugh is nicer than that.The picture that popped into my mind was the waitress on the Russian cruise ship in 1988.Big bosoms and an impressive moustache!
And you were right to avoid the lamp shank they are way too tough.

 

[Guvner]

Then another crew came along and asked if people just wanted a punch for a lanyard. Well, I did want that for MrP's card so I jumped at it. Then told her my card was dead. She fixed them both! Yay. Saved myself an hour wait.

Pardon my ignorance, I've never been on a cruise. What is a "punch for a lanyard"?

btw, loving the TR. Might have to look in to a cruise for my big five-0 next year.