Although we didn’t set the alarm, we were aware of the need to be at the Wheelhouse Bar for the UK immigration face to face at 9:40am. Plenty of time for breakfast – and a chat of course.
We got to the queue a couple of minutes early and were out again not long after 9:40. Best comment we heard was from an Australian. When asked what he would be doing in the UK, he said that he just wanted to see the country that chucked them out!
What we didn’t know at the time, was that this would be our last morning trivia and we leave our team now, having learned so much from us, that they are sure of a win or two after Southampton. We didn’t win this one, as there are about three very good teams who seem to win most days.
Coffee time, but the atrium was crowded (those darned bowls players again) so along with Dave and Sandie, we took our drinks up to the Casino. New recruit Sascha (from Germany) tried to talk us into playing darts but we declined his kind invitation. We’d spoken to him earlier whilst walking through and he seems a very personable character. Certainly a huge improvement on his predecessor.
A chat to singer Lauren and lead dancer Katie on the open deck – where we thought it was a bit chilly. They were sunbathing! As they said, being British, you can’t turn down the opportunity to sit in the sun.
We started the packing, firstly, stuff we’ll not be taking back to NZ, then the stuff we will be taking back, but won’t need again. Blogging and relaxing before afternoon trivia. Alex and Teri had overslept and John was also resting, so we joined those of our morning team who were present. Dave was playing cricket and two others were elsewhere so we had our six. We so nearly won! Had we got the capital of Jordan correct instead of a dyslexic’s version or they’d accepted a suggestion that mosquitoes were in fact attracted to blue and not yellow, we would have won clearly. As it was, we were in a tie breaker with four others. Sadly, we didn’t win, but we do now know how many pounds weight of coffee beans from one tree, in an average season…
A farewell Captain’s cocktail party on this last formal night, then to dinner – beef Wellington or lobster with king prawns. I have to say that the starter of (3) king prawns was larger than the portion in the Sterling Steak House. The beef Wellington was spot on and the steak also more tender than my Sterling Steak House version.
We skipped the atrium balloon drop and went to the Vista for a 10pm show by 19 year old ventriloquist Keiran Powell. A very different show and at times, a very good one too, certainly enhanced by the audience participation, as three ladies doing ‘Blind Date’ (with a dummy!) were brilliant. They even cracked up the ventriloquist at times. He is on again tomorrow night in a split show with Scotty McLean, so we’ll be going to that.
Just to round off the evening, Martin and Emily (singers) and George (dancer) were happy to pose. Really nice people, so an email to Belinda King to say what a great group they are, is in order.
Friday July 10th
A lazy start to this, our last sea day. Pleased to almost be in England, but as usual, sad to be saying farewell to old and new friends and of course, the staff and entertainers. The problem is that with a tour day tomorrow and a lot of people back late, you never know whether or not you’ll see people again, so you say farewell several times to some!
We took our time going up to the buffet, but it seems that several others had the same idea, so it was quite busy. Just to clarify once again to future cruisers and also those dismissive of buffet style dining, not once have we had to queue to get in and never more than a few seconds at any food station - and even that is usually caused by the slowcoaches, who seem to take forever to pick which bits and pieces are going on their plate. Although one or two may have had complaints that the odd dish may not be hot enough, we certainly haven’t found that. We have also never had a problem finding a table even on sea days. Part of that may be due to an increased number of tables out on deck 14.
Whilst finishing off breakfast, the chefs and staff were busy setting up for the lunchtime ‘Pastry Extravaganza’. As I may have mentioned before, a total misnomer as there is no pastry in sight. The decorations are just stunning and the little touches such as on the top of what looked like a hazelnut gateau, little marzipan mice and a lizard. I could see the Thorpe family camped out here for the whole lunch-time and not bothering with the savouries at all! If we can ever persuade Marilyn to cruise, this must surely be the best incentive – or disincentive.
There was no morning trivia and nothing else on our schedule until the passenger talent show at 1pm, so another round of packing was in order.
Paula was glued to the TV watching Wimbledon but I went to the talent show and the Vista lounge was packed. For once, every act was a good one and I videoed a snatch of all those who took part - and all of our good buddy Rob, doing an Elvis song (whilst playing guitar) and all of 12 year old Johnny, who was bribed to do his Ukrainian folk dance by his mum Dreena.
Down for the final afternoon trivia by Kelly and once again, a bias towards Australian questions. However, time to name and shame. Our Australian team members didn’t know the name of the Australia Rugby team who defeated England, Scotland and Wales back in 1980 whatever. They didn’t get the Wallabies!!!!! We got 14 and a half, nowhere near enough for a win even though John was one of only about three in the room who got one question right.
Paula was still watching the tennis, so I filled in a few ‘blue cards’ for recognising the staff, then I wandered down to the atrium to pick up a vanilla coffee (no sugar!) and a new supply of cards.
For Princess Cruisers: You will be told that you’ll get an email at the conclusion of your cruise when you can name those who you wish to commend, but what they don’t normally tell you, is that the on-line survey is limited to naming just 5 people (or groups if you are clever), so we still fill in the blue cards whilst on board, as there is no limit.
Larraine of our morning trivia team, having been in touch with someone who deals with the surveys, also believes that the on line survey afterwards, has the results filtered by an independent company to weed out any adverse comments. I find that hard to believe, as positive feedback does not improve the product, whereas genuine (as opposed to the whingeing) negative feedback can.
A very light late lunch of broccoli soup and a small spoonful of rhubarb pud, may not have been enough as come dinner time, I was feely decidedly vague. I suspect it could have been a low blood sugar level, as I can’t ever remember feeling like that before. Paula was happy with the tennis results on semi-final day and is happy that it is Djokovich v Federer for the final. She is now just hoping she can be in front of a TV set for the final.
By the end of our final dinner, I was feeling a lot brighter and we said our farewells. Paula tackled the strawberry cheesecake. Not the usual table of much laughter we are used to, but OK. Fantastic waiter Robert and his assistant Bong were a delight as was head waiter Oana.
On to the Vista fur a short set by Scotty McLean and a longer one by Kieran, which again was a bit different as he had a member of the audience with a macaw puppet.
More chatting at the end of the show, with cruise and dance regulars Cec & Kevin and also DJ Sascha, who is quite outgoing - and had nipped out for a ciggy…
So, that was our last sea day for a week or two but when we read the patter, we were disappointed to see that tomorrow, there was no crew talent show. That was a shame, as it is often a lot of fun. Maybe they are only doing it at the end of the cruise and not half way?
A modest 8:10am meet tomorrow for a trip to Honfleur. With the late natter and a James Bond movie on TV, a later than normal bedtime .
The next instalment of this travel saga may not be until we are in the UK. A 7:30pm all aboard time tomorrow then on to Southampton. Woohoo! We are taking a taxi to Southampton Airport as it is a Sunday, with most city car hire places closed, though John & Marilyn have booked an Europa rental and according to them, they are open 10am – 4pm.
They also claim no one way fee, whereas we are being charged £62.50 to pick up again at the end of cruise 2 in Southampton and drop off at Heathrow. We may have to investigate that whilst in England, as their drop offs at the airport are next door to each other.
No comments:
Post a Comment