Lovetocruise2002

10724 Lower level Downstairs Bathroom Upstairs Upstairs Bath Balcony

We made it too! Took us about 2 hours. Some traffic cleared up for us. When we got here boarding had started. Like @GregDalready mentioned, no Star Class podium or banner here in Southampton. Just this sign. However, once you identify yourself as Star, boarding was very smooth and efficient. Driving up to the ship This was the only sign to indicate Star.

@GregDwe are on our way! The disadvantage of maximizing your time in Central London and staying there until Cruise morning

After already eating dinner once in Covent Garden, we decided to head back to Chinatown for our last meal here. Main reason being that we know the food coma that lies ahead and noodles and soup was calling us again. Back at the Savoy now and packing up because tomorrow is cruise day!! On the cruise front, Leroy sent us the confirmed entertainment schedule yesterday and the activities (North Star, iFly, bumper cars, etc.) today so we have our schedule firmed up a bit more now. Tomorrow, for the first time ever, I won’t be at the port when boarding starts. Bit of a mix up. When check in opened in May, the earliest time that everyone got was 11:30am. I had originally booked Blackberry Cars to pick us up at 8:30am but after check in, I bumped it back to 9:30am. @GregDand I were chatting a few days ago and I realized that I didn’t even think to ask Leroy or if could show earlier. I just assumed that they later boarding was due to sailing out of a different port. After talking to @GregDand Leroy (who said that boarding can definitely be before 11:30am), I contacted Blackberry Cars to move it back to 8:30am pick up but no luck. They are booked up. So we will be rolling in around 11:30am as originally planned. The girls are happy. They get to sleep in slightly. Teenagers

Hubby needed a pick me up after signing off on the bill for afternoon tea, so we headed back to Covent Garden for some some shopping that he and the 16 year old wanted to do. Hubby went one way, and my daughter and I went another. Hubby found this place a few weeks ago on YouTube and put it on his “must do” list lol My daughter and I shopped at the many other stores in the Covent Garden area.

After Madame Tussaud’s, we headed back to the Savoy for something that my 15 year old and I have been looking forward to ever since we started planning this vacation, Traditional Afternoon Tea. No better way to experience it than at the Savoy, so we bit the bullet on the cost. While Hubby did not enjoy the cost of it, he did agree that it was good for everyone to experience once, and essentially, that is what you are paying for. I love my tea. I am a bit of a tea snob to the point where I travel and carry my own tea to different places and restaurants, even at home. I was impressed with the teas this afternoon at the Savoy. The cakes and scones were amazing too!!

From there we made our way to the event that Hubby was most excited for…. Madame Tussaud’s! What can I say, he loves his Star Wars

Our next stop for the morning was riding the Tube to the real King’s Cross Station. They have a makeshift Platform 9 3/4 (photo op) and a souvenir store.

London- Day 4 Today was mainly “Things that Hubby wanted to do” day. But first, breakfast at the Savoy’s Thames Foyer again. We have breakfast included with our stay and true to Fairmont standards, each morning it has been tasty and super fresh.

I will tell you what @Neesatold me in March, you will still look fabulous, lost luggage or not. But I feel your pain lol It really did feel like we were in the movies. And it was such a treat to be able to walk through the sets they used for filming. You are right, this cruise is not about the ship at all. Like I mentioned originally, I would not even have picked Anthem if a smaller ship was available. We count our blessings each day. It really is an amazing opportunity to be able to come back to London again, especially in light of the last few years. We were last in London in 2004, pre-kids. It was one of my most favourite vacations. Not much has changed here, but yet lots has changed. Hubby has spent some time trying to re-create shots from 2004 If you have followed my blogs in the past, you will know that is not where you would find Hubby lol

We did not get back to our hotel until about 4:45pm. After a short break, we spent the evening having dinner and took a walk through Covent Garden. Wiped out again as usual! Off to bed for another busy day tomorrow. Tomorrow is mostly the “Hubby’s requests” day so I will let you guess what that might include.

Finishing off the tour was the full size model of Hogwart’s that they used for all exterior shots. This filled the room! It is hard to describe and pictures do not do it justice.

This next part I loved! It was the sets to Gringott’s and the Vaults.

Costume gallery. This gave you an appreciation for how elaborate each costume was.

The Backlot, which is basically outdoor sets and props.

More from inside the tour. The Great Hall and interior sets…

Today was an exciting day for the girls, especially my 13 year old. She is an avid reader and a major Harry Potter fan. We could not come all the way to the UK and not take them to the Warner Bros. studio tour. This tour was time well spent. It helps you to appreciate all the time that was spent on these movies. Some of the sets and details were just amazing! We had the option to find our own way by public transit to the studio, that would have involved the Tube, a train, and a bus. In the end, we took the easier option and joined a tour who took us there directly by motor coach. Much more calm and relaxing. Gave me a chance to catch up on sleep from staying up the night before for covid testing.

London - Day 3 Another super busy day today. I cannot wait to just sit on the balcony, breathe in the sea air, and relax. We have been going non-stop since Sunday. Our day started with a great breakfast at Thames Foyer in the Savoy. This place is just so pretty. There isn’t a better word to describe it.

Can’t wait to toast at sail away! Let’s not say nothing. Remember in March when I thought that the test were the only hurdle and then you know what happened after that lol. But yes, such a relief for this one since we flew over here and spent a few days here already. I know right?! I wish we had time to do early morning here. I have read in many places where that is the best thing to do. However, there simply is not a morning where we could have made that work.

Yes. This time, Royal sent us several emails stating that SH was fine for Canadians so we felt good using it.

Praise God! We are all negative! This was the most nervous that I have ever been for a sailing!

Haddock. And no malt vinegar for us. Not fans of it.

I will leave you with this picture. @Lovetocruise2002 pondering whether or not she and the family will test negative and make it onto Anthem on Friday.

My 13 year old by this point was beyond done and tired so we called it quits for the day. Took the walk back to our hotel and ate at the Coal Hole next door. The meal was nice after walking all day.

The last part is where things got weird. After the cruise down the Thames, our guide said he would not be going with us. He asked for a volunteer to take a paper that had a bar code on it containing the 37 tickets for all who would he riding the London Eye. Hubby and I looked at each other and the Type A personalities took over, we did not hesitate to volunteer because at least we knew that we would make it on the flight lol. This was a 30 min flight and worth it for a one time experience. Hubby said it was a North Star on steroids lol.