Aurora Fjords 22nd June

[Stephen]

He’s starting to give us men a bad name if this carries on.

I think David should give him a months ban as punishment

[Mervyn and Trish]

Good news. At the Peninsular party last night the Captain confirmed major refit next year and P&O committed to Aurora until at least 2028, with a further two years if demand remains high.

As we all know from past experience that does not necessarily mean anything as circumstances may change as could Carnival's view of the ship. It has also been known for a ship to have a refit in order to sell it or transfer to another brand.

Sadly true. But she is still sailing full these days and getting top marks in feedback so she may cling on as a sop to the traditional cruisers. For sure she's the only P&O ship we will now sail on as a couple. If she does survive to 2030 she might outlive me!

[Mervyn and Trish]

Off to do some ironing now.

What's this ironing thing? Is it a new activity for Peninsular passengers in mini suites?

I understood from other cruise reports that it was a mandatory activity

[Mervyn and Trish]

P.s. Just remembered. No tat/car boot/jumble sales cluttering up the atrium on this cruise. Praise be for that.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Scissorsgate:

Just sent the following self-explanatory comment to P&O Customer Services. I wonder if they'll bother to reply? Will I need a Compo form?

'On our recent Aurora cruise I was called back at check-in to be told there was a suspicious item in our luggage that had been handed in for loading. I was taken through security and asked to open the case. The item of concern proved to be a pair of scissors my wife uses for trimming my and her hair. I was surprised because we have taken them numerous times on different cruise lines and it has never been a problem. The staff member told me it was a Dept of Trade regulation that they could not be taken on board. Being unaware of this I accepted what they said and the scissors were confiscated to be returned when we disembarked. On arrival home I checked your FAQs where I found listed as prohibited items "Open razors or scissors with a blade longer than 4 inches / 10.16 cm". I have measured our scissors and the blade is 3.5 inches, within the limit permitted. At no time did the staff member actually measure our scissors, she just guessed. Can I please politely suggest that you provide the staff responsible for such checks with a ruler? This will avoid future inconvenience or embarrassment to guests, such as I experienced, and save staff time to allow them to concentrate on more serious threats to the safety of the ship and fellow passengers.'

[david63]

Now Merve you are being silly - why did you not get your tape measure out that is part of your Swiss Army knife?

[Mervyn and Trish]

I was hiding that under my machete.

It is ironic though that once aboard they happily provided with a steak knife, potential far more lethal than my scissors! I think it was all just a ploy to make me use their extortionate on board hairdresser. Well I beat them. I stayed untrimmed!

[Stephen]

Scruffy s*d.

[Ray B]

A case of short arms and deep pockets.