Hi May

My experience of Ryanair is that they do conform to the exact weight - remember though you have hand luggage allowance of 10kg also but you have to remember to put your handbag in that when you check in as you are only allowed one piece of hand luggage.

http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/faqs.php?sect=bag&quest=baggageallowance

This gives excess baggage costs and check-in details re weight etc.

Regarding travel iron - I took one but didn't use it as the booklet in cabin said it was forbidden and I thought I might be traced if I knocked the electrics out! It's not like staying in a hotel - if you fuse everything you can make a quick getaway or deny all knowlege.

Also my baggage was searched at every possible moment. ......

Obviously the iron had appeared on x-ray machines or whatever they use as a possible firearm/bomb or whatever.

Going out I had a combination lock removed (sawn off!) and coming back a padlock was also removed. Both times they had delved down into case to look at iron as this was now placed on top when I opened the case.

Also quite worryingly another lock was removed sometime between my case being put outside my cabin at midnight for the return journey and the few yards it was taken from the Melody to be collected by me on the quayside.

Nothing was taken from my case.

Maybe I just look like a terrorist or smuggler. No comments please!

Allisu,

It couldn`t have anything to do with the email we sent about you being an international iron smuggler could it???

I've never had my luggage searched to the best of my knowledge - if it has been they haven't damaged the padlocks. If they are likely to do so I will put an extra padlock in the outside pocket of my case, with a note in the case to say it is in there and ask that they use it if they decide to break my lock.

Enjoy yourself May B.

I have had luggage searched several times but always in my presence.

Maureen H

Tony!

Aslemma - I don't think they'll take the trouble to read a note
Last year when I returned to Stansted from Sardinia, my suitcase was slightly damaged and again a combination lock was missing. I went to the desk to complain and was told then that security can remove any such lock by sawing it off. This is not like customs when you are present. I was told they have master keys to most locks so you would have no idea that your suitcase had been searched!

I think what triggered it that time was one of those spiral water heater things. I won't be taking anything electrical again after all these experiences!

Actually, it's quite re-assuring that such checks take place - my fault for putting strange objects in suitcase!!! And, as I said, nothing was missing.

I have no idea what happened to my suitcase on Meloday disembarkation - perhaps they were searching for towels!!!

They may not bother allisu, but they will certainly see it - I've just printed one off in EXTREMELY BIG TYPE - I'm going to get it laminated and put it right on the top of all my things.

With all these laminated signs on luggage, we are going to look like a playschool outing!

I`m just having the avatar and the usual one about feeding me with `hunny` or `marmalade sandwiches`

I haven't got one for the outside of my case Tony 'cos I can't do them so I can only hope you will guess who I am when you arrive at Juliet's house in the wee small hours and see me walk out with her and Tiffany. Once we have met up with Thomas, I think we may be reasonably recognisable to any others who have stumbled across this forum.

Aslemma,

You think I`m joking don`t you?

Here`s a snap from my last holiday........

Just made contact with Magsy, ahead of me stepping onto the Armonia as she steps off it.

She's had a great time, with great food and a great ship, but I'll leave her to tell you about it.

Thanks for advice about padlocks - I think I'll leave mine off rather than have it broken. Shouldn't they replace it/compensate you?

Re times of tickets arriving, most seem to have been about a week in advance, so a day or two earlier, some a day or two later :shock:.

As for laminating labels, I'm arriving separately so no point. I've done an A4 sheet of my details, which I'll have on top of a folder which I shall carry during sailaway. Failing that, we Armonians are going to text each other.

Now, where's that flannel to pack ?

Reading these posts makes me wish I was going again so that I could meet up with HT members.

If any of you take a cruise from Southampton and need a free car parking space, I have one. I will add my E-mail address to my profile. I actually live between Southampton and Portsmouth but nearer to Southampton.

Maureen H.

hi cardiff girl,
have a fabulous time, nice to hear magsy is enjoying herself, do please warn the crew that i will be arriving 3/7
kate

Don't milk it Tony - I've already said you take a lovely picture but I prefer the one of you swinging from the lampshade. As I'm not allowed to take my travel iron and they already provide hairdryers, I may have enough room in my luggage for some hunny sandwiches, though you may have to settle for marmalade.

I'm looking forward to Magsy's report - it sounds as if she's had a good time but I know we'll get all the gen when she's back in blighty.

are going to text each other.

You will only need to do this once as you can phone each from your cabins. We lost mobile signal for quite a lot of our cruise - we all varied, when one could, the others couldn't and we all had different networks appearing at the same time! The average call of a short text was about £1 but sometimes £5+ mysteriously disappeared. Just mentioning this so you can arrange enough credit beforehand!

Thanks for the warning allisu - I'm on contract so I'm never sure what texts cost from abroad, I just get a nasty shock when I get the bill, even though I don't use it much abroad.

Morning all'
Rosemarie's been furiously sewing name tags in all my clothes this week & fitting elastic inside my jacket sleeves with my mittens on the ends.

Thomas, Rosemarie is doing a sterling job to make sure her little soldier returns safely.

have a wonderful time all of you lucky people.
i wish i was doing it allover again!!!!!!
maggsy we have all missed you,will be looking out foryourcomments on your trip .
bon voyage.carol #'

Thanks, Carol! I'm setting off in an hour now

Seeing Magsy coming back makes me realise how quickly it will all rush by, after a year building up to it.

Maybe our friends at R*** could do us all a deal for a HT reunion one day? It'd be great to meet you all!

Best wishes, Jackie.