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Despite the absolutely brilliant day I enjoyed yesterday afternoon, I feel the routine dinner is  something I could do without every day.  Still being diabetic I have to remain discerning about what I eat and when.   Six, occasionally seven of us gather at around 8 pm at table 510 in the Britannia Restaurant (upper).  Carol,…

The Captain announced earlier this morning that already it was 27°C  Bring it on!! I was up early enough to enjoy breakfast in the main restaurant at a table offering a view of the Hebridean Sky anchored behind M.S C.’s Magnifica alongside Queen Victoria. For some reason, I kept finding things I thought I needed…

I DO HOPE THAT I GET TO COME HERE AGAIN! Whereas Barbados might not immediately “wow” with spectacular scenery (don’t get me wrong, the beaches are to die for), the backdrop around Castries is dramatic with distant hills and mountains inviting exploration.  It was 26°C when I was crawling out of bed shortly around 8…

In the U.K. it’s midday.  Here it is 8 am.  The sun is shining and it’s warm already outside.  It never really cools down, not even during the night. We arrived at Bridgetown, Barbados while I was still asleep.  We have been allowed off the ship since 06.45 hrs the ungodly hour that Captain Sharples…

Another gorgeous day, the last of six consecutive sea days from Funchal. I have taken to starting the day with breakfast in the main restaurant.   This morning, I requested to sit alone at a window seat, my wish being granted to perfection.  Table 495 is right next to an aft facing window with stunning views…

We are now three hours behind the U.K. and thus it is far easier to get up at a respectable hour in the morning.  So, when Captain Sharples announced we would be passing a lone sailor rowing from somewhere in the Canaries to Antigua (I think), I decided to join all those lining the starboard…

Sunday 11th January 2026 Another gorgeous day with the gentlest of cool sea breezes.  However, my back problem hasn’t gone away.  For the first time, I enjoyed breakfast in the Britannia Restaurant (lower), still included in the cruise fare.  Then at 10 am in the Royal Court Theatre, I was just in time at church…

Monday 12th January 4th Day at Sea between Madeira and Barbados Once again, a glorious, and now, very hot day.  The morning, after a second breakfast in the Britannia Restaurant, I encountered a couple I met on Queen Anne in 2024, and the rest of the morning was enjoyed catching up over a coffee.  I opted…

Today is the second of four sea days between Funchal Madeira and Bridgetowm Barbados.  The captain announced an outside air temperature of 22°C, and I don’t intend opting for any of the indoor activities on offer.  Breakfast al fresco, while possible, was not quite warm enough this morning for that sense of arrival into warm…

In January 2020, Cunard’s Queen Victoria set sail from Southampton, first port of call, Hamilton, Bermuda.  Nobody had heard of Covid at the time, when QV commenced its 79 night voyage to much of South America.   I remember a turbulent crossing, the weather never really warming up, and although dry, Bermuda was freezing!  I recall…