November 2018: I am very pleased that I have been asked to speak on the above cruise in 2019! This cruise begins in the Far East, and I have been invited to join the the ‘Boudicca’ at Alexandria in February 2019; then travel across the Mediterranean, to disembark at Dover. Happily I can make it!
1st February 2019 – Snowstorms and Chaos!
On our drive up to Heathrow to catch our flight to Alexandria, we were caught in a dreadful snow blizzard on the M4! The conditions were so bad, that in spite of allowing lots of extra time for our journey, we were only just in time to board the plane!
Unfortunately, once boarded, due to the heavy snowfall, we then experienced the plane waiting on the runway for over 2.5 hours – meaning we would miss our connecting flight at Istanbul! However, at Istanbul, Turkish Airlines pulled out all the stops, and whisked us though the back corridors, directly onto the waiting aircraft! Very impressive indeed!
One problem – whilst we made the connection, our luggage did not! Five of the members of the Entertainments Team (and partners) – singer, pianist and three speakers, were all minus their suitcases! Myself included! We were told there was no time for our luggage to arrive before the ship’s departure from Alexandria. therefore, it would be sent directly to Malta, our next stop – three days hence! So, no change of clothes etc. for the duration, and all of us with a job to do – trying to look professional as we do it!
Everyone made a great effort, and were very inventive in their efforts to look the part; and it made a great story and quickly broke the ice; and happily we were all reunited with our cases at Malta, as promised.
February 2019: I am back from another great cruise! After Alexandrea, we visited historic Malta, then onto Palma (I loved the cathedral) and Cadiz – which I fell in love with.
The weather was perfect – allowing for plenty of pool and deck-time. There was lots great entertainment, lectures, excellent food, wine and company. And the staff were all friendly, professional and helpful.
The response to my talks was really encouraging: passengers were complimentary and could not have been friendlier or kinder. I had the best of times and would not hesitate to go on this liner again – should I be lucky enough to be invited, that is! Fingers crossed!!
Unearthing Egyptology - Talks on Egyptology 
