The days at sea have flown by and we have spent our time listening to lectures on subjects as diverse as the life of Donald Trump to the History of timekeeping, playing trivia, watch the shows (very hit and miss), swimming, walking, and just chatting. And yes, I admit it, eating.
The biggest topic of shipboard conversation at the moment seems to be the great India Visa Question, as we are due to visit that country in a week or so. It was already known by most that this visa was expensive and an administrative nightmare to obtain. It was also one of the conditions of booking this trip that "those not in possession of an Indian visa will be denied boarding in Southampton", and that it was required whether or not you intended to disembark at the port. However some passengers appear to have been allowed to board without said visa and there is much conjecture about what is going to happen to them. Some sources have said that they are going to be fined US$600 by the Indian Authorities, and others have said that they will be granted a visa for US$25 upon arrival. So, it all seems a bit of a mess and if the latter case is true, it is rather unfair on the majority who abided by the T&C's and went to the trouble and expense of doing what was required. Furthermore, "strongly worded letters" are being sent to Princess about the situation, although what about, I'm not sure!
Anyway, perhaps the situation will become clearer over the next few days and I will pass on any news.
For anyone who is still wondering about the little stowaway that I mentioned in my last post, it is a small bird, resembling a swallow, which obviously decided that hitching a lift on a cruise liner was a little less effort than flying. Although maybe hard to see, it is right in the centre of the shot on the white railing.
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