I've always wanted to go to the Fjords but never thought it would happen. After our first trip on the QE2 in 2006, Rowan and I decided to forget QM2 and do longer on Lizzie instead. She had her eye on the Autumn Getaway in October 2008 as it was cheapish, despite neither of us really being interested in the ports. When Amy and I discussed it and she said it was somewhere Jason wanted to see too so we set about trying to persuade Rowan to go with us. She eventually gave in and the itineraries went up towards the end of March 2007. We noticed nothing after the 11th November for Lizzie and wondered if it was a farewell cruise or if perhaps the Med on the 27th October 2008 was. We all wanted to go if it was (and we could afford it) so didn't know what to do - book the Fjords or wait. I contacted Cunard only to be told remaining itineraries would be released in June and we could transfer our booking for a small admin fee. The voyages went on sale to UK World Club members on the 1st April and the rest of the world the following day. Amy and I had been looking at adjoining cabins in Mauretania but by the time I booked our first choice was gone. I'd wanted to wait then I could tell her what was available but she insisted I went ahead. When Amy was on the phone the next day both either side of me went. It worked out okay in the end though and they were opposite up portside. We were in M1 3025, so after Princess Grill, steerage would be interesting! By the time the sale announcement was made on the 18th June and the 11th November WAS the farewell cruise we'd suspected, none of us could afford it. Rowan didn't want to go on any of the last ones as it would be too upsetting. For someone a few years before with no interest in ships, she really loved this one. She likes Aurora but Lizzie is her favourite and she was really looking forward to doing this longer cruise, albeit her last aboard her. We were so glad we'd booked when we did because, although one of the last to do so, it didn't half rise in price. Once it was paid off at the beginning of April we looked at excursions. Rowan had been fairly busy so it was a while before we could sit down and discuss them on the phone. Unfortunately, unlike P&O and even Royal Caribbean, you can't book online yet but can call them or put the form in the post if you want to get in early. The bloke on the other end was very helpful when I rang and said they were working on online pre-booking. The tickets were VERY late. They still hadn't arrived by the time I went on Boudicca on the 12th June so I called Cunard from Rotterdam to find out what the hell was going on. They were behind due to moving operations back to Southampton from Santa Clarita and had been printed on the 6th, she said, and sent at the beginning of the week. If they had I'd have had them. If they hadn't arrived by Monday/Tuesday I was to call them back. They arrived on the 14th and Rowan's went to her instead of coming to me so we both were in a panic wondering what happened to the other's ticket. She didn't even believe it was the ticket as it's very P&O-like now but better. They've also changed the wallet. It was a relief anyway they finally turned up. Following Lizzie back home on the 15th and drooling over her from Boudicca's decks made me so excited that in a mere ten days we would be on her.
Amy and Jason were due to arrive on the 24th June and Rowan came up from Plymouth so we all stayed at the Holiday Inn for the night.
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