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Old 4 Aug 21, 09:18 AM  
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scottishnellie
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Join Date: Apr 14
Location: Renfrewshire

scottishnellie's Reviews
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Mobile Scottishnellies UK cruise - travel day 1, embarkation

Woke up at 6am - well I say ‘woke up’ but I’d barely slept all night and was aware kevin hadn’t either. I’d like to say it was that lovely happy excitement that caused it, but it was definitely more accurately described as nerves.



My biggest worry was the Covid tests, so this was first on the to-do list this morning. As everyone got up they were directed to the test kits on the dining table before they did anything else. Satisfied that we all show negative this morning I felt I could relax a wee bit about the tests at the dock in a few hours time that would determine whether we board the ship.



I had cancelled the overnight reservations on Sunday when our embarkation time hadn’t changed from 15:36, so we were travelling down on the 10:40 train from Glasgow, changing at Preston and arriving in Liverpool at 14:35 to make our way to the ACC for checkin. My dad came at 9:35 to do a double run from our local train station to glasgow.



Arrived at Glasgow, popped into Boots for a few sandwich meal deals for lunch then into the train. Due to all the train reservations being last minute with changes, plus the Covid restrictions on seat booking, our reserved seats were spread all over the place in different carriages. Kevin spoke to the train manager on the way down the platform, explained our staff reservations and she directed us to all sit in carriage H. As this was the unreserved first class carriage it was lovely and quiet with only a family of 3 at the opposite end of the carriage.



When we reached Lancaster, Tyson Fury boarded with his wife and another guy. Kieran was desperate for a photo so we politely asked. He was an absolute gentleman and his wife was lovely too.



Changed trains at Preston and reached Liverpool Lime Street at 14:20 and headed to the taxi queue where we met our second celebrity of the day. Masterchef fans?



Got a taxi to the ACC with a very chatty and funny driver who tried to demand we all take our masks off as there’s ‘none of that ≈≈≈≈ in Liverpool’ and proceeded to slag of ‘that wee Jimmy krankie’ he definitely didn’t hide his feelings that’s for sure! Arrived at the ACC AT 2:45 which was 45 mins early for our checkin time but it was very quiet and they motioned us forward. First step was our temperature taken, then a lady coming up the queue checked our insurance had all right cover - and thanked me profusely for having highlighted all the relevant bits saying it made her job so much easier. Next was the checkin desk where we showed our embarkation forms, then our vaccine and LF test results. We were then told to pass our luggage to the hi vis blokes to the side and go round the corner.



Next was the Covid testing area where they checked our completed health questionnaires, then assigned us a testing station. The nurse does it for you. No throat swab, but 3 twists up each nostril - high enough to make your eyes water so it’s pretty thorough! Then we were given a number to go and wait with other people with the same number.



15:08 the assistant confirmed the groups tests had passed and we were directed onto the shuttle bus. We could see the ship just along the road but the bus seemed to take forever crawling through roadworks with only one lane open. It genuinely would’ve been quicker to walk were it not for the Covid procedures to keep us all in a bubble!





We reached the dock at 15:40 and into another wee checkin with no queue. Here they took the embarkation forms again and issued us our track n trace wristbands (used to track movements for Covid and identify any close contacts in the event of a positive case.



And our cruise cards which when scanned give access to our rooms, contain any purchased extras like the drinks package/photo package/ fun pass credit for the arcade. This also tells you which Main Dining Restaurant (MDR) you have been assigned which stays the same for the duration of your cruise. You either get assigned early dining at 6pm, or late dining at 8:30pm. Whichever you get you must have entered the restaurant within 15minutes of your time or the doors close. All our paperwork and the app all the way through said we had early dining but now on board our cards say late dining. As first time cruisers we have no idea which we will prefer anyway so will just go with it.



As well as being assigned a time for an MDR (which is a waiter service restaurant) you can always choose to eat in the buffet restaurant instead which you can go to at any time during its opening hours.

We made our way up to our cabins on deck 10 where we discovered that although our 2 cabins are near each other on the map we can’t cut through and it’s a looooong walk around from one cabin to the next!



Really happy with the cabins which I will show you more of another day. We had only been in the cabin a few minutes when an announcement came over that we must attend the muster drill in the theatre in 15 minutes. So we made our way back down there which took us a while. The ship is just massive! Gathered in the theatre for the initial safety talk



Then we were escorted in groups to our muster stations.



Once we were finished we decided to sit out by the pool and just enjoy a drink since the sun was still shining. We sat there til 6pm and it was just lovely





When we got back to the cabins our suitcases had arrived so we unpacked and got ready for dinner.



Since we knew it would be a while to get ready anyway we were happy with our late dinner time. Halfway through we opened the curtains to find we had already sailed away from Liverpool and were out at sea going quite fast. Hadn’t felt a thing! Had time for a quick drink in the champagne bar before dinner




Went to our assigned restaurant which has a wee queue to get in as everyone arrives at the same time. But the queue moved quickly and everyone was temperature checked and hand sanitised on the way in. We were directed straight to our assigned table which right by a window. This looked lovely but it’s quite disorienting looking out at the moving water. I’m assuming we will get used to that!










Dinner was lovely with wine and water topped up automatically without asking. The waiter was so giggly and thought it was hilarious that he would bring our dishes but that we had all swapped things about when he came to take them away again!





After dinner we had a drink in the spaceship bar



Hannah hooked up with Lottie, the girl she has been chatting to in the lead up, and disappeared off to change from her heels to her trainers so they could explore together, only stopping back to pick up a strawberry daiquiri from us to take with her.



After that we walked around a few of the bars. Places were pretty busy by now and lots with good dancy music playing or live bands which was so good to hear! We did struggle to get a seat to be honest but did get one eventually just outside the masters of the sea pub on the balcony overlooking the main ‘street’ type area. I was happy with that as I could watch folk dancing in the Virtuosa bar and lots of people watching.



I met Lotties mum Kerry, who I had been chatting to on Facebook the past few weeks. She and her husband are lovely and we had a good gab about the girls. They cruise all the time so Kerry has given me loads of tips.

By now it was after midnight, I was yawning my head off and kieran wanted to get some pizza. Everyone raves about how good the pizza is on this ship as it’s all freshly made on board including the mozzarella. So we went to the buffet and caught up with Hannah there. They were not wrong about the pizza! Everyone loved it. There was plenty on sandwiches, fries, fruit and desserts on offer too but by now I was off my game and took hardly any pictures



Headed back to our cabins and fell into bed. I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow!
__________________

Helen xx


Here's a link to all my previous trip reports since 2015
trip report list by year

Edited at 12:48 PM.
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Old 4 Aug 21, 10:31 AM  
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Cutiepie
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That was a nice smooth day Helen even with all the extra protocols. I do love a good cruise.

I am loving all your drinks and seeing you all dressed up.

Enjoy xx
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Old 4 Aug 21, 10:32 AM  
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loola30
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Ahh exciting! Does it seem busy on board, Helen? I think they've increased to 50% capacity in the last week or so?
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Old 4 Aug 21, 11:40 AM  
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darbs
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Fab day and all looks amazing... enjoy!
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Old 4 Aug 21, 11:41 AM  
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scottishnellie
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Originally Posted by loola30 View Post
Ahh exciting! Does it seem busy on board, Helen? I think they've increased to 50% capacity in the last week or so?
It does feel busy. Last night we did find all the bars busy and you couldn’t just walk in straight to a seat. But the flip side is there’s a great atmosphere with lots of buzz.

This morning so far we’ve went straight to an empty seat at every bar/cafe/pool so will see how it goes later x
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Helen xx


Here's a link to all my previous trip reports since 2015
trip report list by year
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Old 4 Aug 21, 11:47 AM  
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mrsdjh
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Glad it all went nice and smoothly. Have a great time.
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Old 4 Aug 21, 12:31 PM  
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margyloveswdw
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Join Date: Sep 08

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Sounds simple despite the new protocols and the ship looks lovely. Have a fab time and I’m looking forward to hearing more!
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Old 4 Aug 21, 12:32 PM  
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ILoveDaveLamb
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Hurrah! You are off! Lovely to read another one of your trip reports. The kids are looking more grown up and you are looking younger! Have a fabulous time. X
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Old 4 Aug 21, 01:15 PM  
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JoJo88
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So glad you made it! What a lovely first day, finding your bearings. Quite funny about the one way system around your cabins!

Looking forward to reading more
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Old 4 Aug 21, 01:32 PM  
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macy
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What a brilliant travel day, you all managed the new procedures with ease. Meeting the famous faces will have been an added bonus for Kieron. Looking forward to hearing your views on cruising, hope everyone enjoys it and the weather is good too.
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